"Simulockrum" Lockpicking Game

Abstract

This invention is a deductive lockpicking puzzle, composed of a clamshell style frame holding a central cylinder that is representative in appearance to that of a normal lock, with a single rectangular keyway in the center. The four locking pins in this device each have two opposing magnetic poles, generated by attached permanent magnets, on either end. Each “lockpick” has a unique pattern of four magnets so that when inserted into the keyway, complementary magnetic poles will attract a pin to the lockpick, generating auditory and tactile feedback to the player upon impact. Once the right lockpick is inserted, all four locking pins are magnetically removed from their resting positions, allowing the central cylinder to rotate ninety degrees to a solved configuration.

1 . A magnetic puzzle lock apparatus, comprising of:
 a hinged, clamshell style body with a cylindrical void,   that encloses a central lock cylinder with a keyway passage along the long axis and four sockets arranged perpendicular to the keyway,   where four locking pins with permanent magnets attached on each end, made such that each pin has a positive and negative polarity, can be fit into the aforementioned sockets, such that at rest, force of gravity draws them into a position straddling the shear line between the cylinder and the body, thus preventing free rotation of the central cylinder,   wherein players then insert one of eight double sided “lockpicks,” represented as long rods with a rectangular cross section, each having four permanent magnets on either end, covering the sixteen possible magnetic combinations that the locking pins can be in, such as ++++, +++−, ++−+, et al, through −−−−,   wherein the players then receive tile feedback through vibrations transmitted as a complementary locking pin impacts the lockpick,   wherein the players also receive auditory feedback from the sound of impact,   wherein the players then successfully deduce and insert a lockpick with the correct complementary magnetic combination into the keyway, it attracts all the locking pins into a position that clears the shear line, allowing the central cylinder to be rotated approximately ninety degrees,   whereupon an arresting pin will drop due to force of gravity into a groove set into the central cylinder to arrest the rotational motion, simulating a successfully opened lock.   
     
     
         2 . According to  claim 1 , the puzzle has the ability to quickly reset the combination to one of sixteen possible variations by opening up the clamshell housing, removing the four magnetized locking pins, randomizing their order, reinserting them into the central locking cylinder, and closing the housing.