Three-dimensional puzzle having c-shaped members

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments of a three-dimensional puzzle having C-shaped members are provided. For example, a three-dimensional puzzle can be provided including a first, second and third C-shaped member each having a first end and an opposing second end, and a first bulbous portion provided on the first end and a second bulbous portion provided on the second end of each C-shaped member, the first and second bulbous portions of the third C-shaped member are each configured to be in contact with and secured against the first and second bulbous portions of the first and second C-shaped members such that the first, second and third C-shaped members are held together independently.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A three-dimensional puzzle, comprising:
 a first C-shaped member having a first end and an opposing second end, the first C-shaped member having a first bulbous portion provided on the first end and a second bulbous portion provided on the second end of the first C-shaped member;   a second C-shaped member having a first end and an opposing second end, the second C-shaped member having a first bulbous portion provided on the first end and a second bulbous portion provided on the second end of the second C-shaped member; and   a third C-shaped member having a first end and an opposing second end, the third C-shaped member having a first bulbous portion provided on the first end and a second bulbous portion provided on the second end of the third C-shaped member, the first and second bulbous portions of the third C-shaped member are each configured to be in contact with and secured against the first and second bulbous portions of the first and second C-shaped members such that the first, second and third C-shaped members are held together independently.   
     
     
         2 . The three-dimensional puzzle according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second bulbous portions of the first, second and third C-shaped members have a spherical shape. 
     
     
         3 . The three-dimensional puzzle according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second bulbous portions of the first, second and third C-shaped members have a substantially identical size and shape. 
     
     
         4 . The three-dimensional puzzle according to  claim 1 , wherein the first, second and third C-shaped members have a curved body. 
     
     
         5 . The three-dimensional puzzle according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second bulbous portions of the first C-shaped member are provided along a first axis, the first and second bulbous portions of the second C-shaped member are provided along a second axis, and the first and second bulbous portions of the third C-shaped member are provided along a third axis when the first and second bulbous portions of the third C-shaped member are in contact with and secured against the first and second bulbous portions of the first and second C-shaped members. 
     
     
         6 . The three-dimensional puzzle according to  claim 5 , wherein the surfaces of the bulbous portions are rotatable with respect to each other when the first and second bulbous portions of the third C-shaped member are in contact with and secured against the first and second bulbous portions of the first and second C-shaped members. 
     
     
         7 . The three-dimensional puzzle according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more jigs configured to retain at least one bulbous portion of the first C-shaped member and at least one bulbous portion of the second C-shaped member.   
     
     
         8 . The three-dimensional puzzle according to  claim 7 , wherein each of the one or more jigs has a first receiving portion and a second receiving portion each configured to receive and secure a bulbous portion of a different C-shaped member. 
     
     
         9 . The three-dimensional puzzle according to  claim 8 , wherein each receiving portion of the one or more jigs comprises one or more upwardly extending curved walls configured to secure a bulbous portion of a C-shaped member. 
     
     
         10 . The three-dimensional puzzle according to  claim 9 , wherein each receiving portion has four upwardly extending curved walls. 
     
     
         11 . A three-dimensional puzzle, comprising:
 a first C-shaped member having a first end and an opposing second end, the first C-shaped member having a first bulbous portion provided on the first end and a second bulbous portion provided on the second end of the first C-shaped member;   a second C-shaped member having a first end and an opposing second end, the second C-shaped member having a first bulbous portion provided on the first end and a second bulbous portion provided on the second end of the second C-shaped member; and   a vertical post having a first end and an opposing second end, the vertical post having a first bulbous portion provided on the first end and a second bulbous portion provided on the second end of the vertical post, the first and second bulbous portions of the vertical post are each configured to be in contact with and secured against the first and second bulbous portions of the first and second C-shaped members such that the vertical post, first C-shaped member and second C-shaped member are held together independently.   
     
     
         12 . The three-dimensional puzzle according to  claim 11 , wherein the first and second bulbous portions of the vertical post, first C-shaped member and second C-shaped member have a spherical shape. 
     
     
         13 . The three-dimensional puzzle according to  claim 11 , wherein the first and second bulbous portions of the vertical post, first C-shaped member and second C-shaped member have a substantially identical size and shape. 
     
     
         14 . The three-dimensional puzzle according to  claim 11 , wherein the first and second C-shaped members have a curved body. 
     
     
         15 . The three-dimensional puzzle according to  claim 11 , wherein the first and second bulbous portions of the first C-shaped member are provided along a first axis, the first and second bulbous portions of the second C-shaped member are provided along a second axis, and the first and second bulbous portions of the vertical post are provided along a third axis when the first and second bulbous portions of the vertical post are in contact with and secured against the first and second bulbous portions of the first and second C-shaped members. 
     
     
         16 . The three-dimensional puzzle according to  claim 15 , wherein the surfaces of the bulbous portions are rotatable with respect to each other when the first and second bulbous portions of the vertical post are in contact with and secured against the first and second bulbous portions of the first and second C-shaped members. 
     
     
         17 . The three-dimensional puzzle according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 one or more jigs configured to retain at least one bulbous portion of the first C-shaped member and at least one bulbous portion of the second C-shaped member.   
     
     
         18 . The three-dimensional puzzle according to  claim 17 , wherein each of the one or more jigs has a first receiving portion and a second receiving portion each configured to receive and secure a bulbous portion of a different C-shaped member. 
     
     
         19 . The three-dimensional puzzle according to  claim 18 , wherein each receiving portion of the one or more jigs comprises one or more upwardly extending curved walls configured to secure a bulbous portion of a C-shaped member. 
     
     
         20 . A method of solving a three-dimensional puzzle, comprising:
 aligning a first C-shaped member having a first end with a first bulbous portion and an opposing second end with a second bulbous portion in a first axis;   aligning a second C-shaped member having a first end with a first bulbous portion and an opposing second end with a second bulbous portion in a second axis; and   aligning a third C-shaped member having a first end with a first bulbous portion and an opposing second end with a second bulbous portion in a third axis, such that the first and second bulbous portions of the third C-shaped member are each in contact with and secured against the first and second bulbous portions of the first C-shaped member and the first and second bulbous portions of the second C-shaped member, holding together the first, second and third C-shaped members independently.   
     
     
         21 . A kit comprising:
 a first C-shaped member having a first end and an opposing second end, the first C-shaped member having a first bulbous portion provided on the first end and a second bulbous portion provided on the second end of the first C-shaped member;   a second C-shaped member having a first end and an opposing second end, the second C-shaped member having a first bulbous portion provided on the first end and a second bulbous portion provided on the second end of the second C-shaped member;   a third C-shaped member having a first end and an opposing second end, the third C-shaped member having a first bulbous portion provided on the first end and a second bulbous portion provided on the second end of the third C-shaped member;   each of the bulbous portions of the first, second and third C-shaped members in contact with and secured against one or more other bulbous portions of the first, second and third C-shaped members, such that the first, second and third C-shaped members hold together independently.