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AfteRain


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THE MOLECULAR
PUZZLES
 
This is a very interesting class of objects based on a physical phenomenon of the dense
spatial package of spheres. The parts, of these puzzles, are actually chains of spheres
coupled rigidly and placed within one plane (important from the point of view of a molding
design).
The oldest toy of this class known, is called CHEOPS PYRAMID. It is a set of four part, of
2 pairs. Each pair is a different type of part. The task of the player is to build a
thrihedral pyramid - tetrahedron 4x4x4. Judging by the shape of the parts the problem is
nontrivial, though not very complex:

This game has an essential disadvantage: the pyramid is assembled by stacking of the parts
without mutual clutching and goes to pieces with the slightest push.
All the toys suggested, having preserved all the advantages of the prototype, surpass it
by the entertainment degree and do not possess the drawback mentioned: they assemble with
the mutual part clutching.
Here are some of our THE MOLECULAR PUZZLES:
Octetra: Six parts of three types from which a tetrahedron 4x4x4 and an octahedron
3x3x3 may be assembled. Before starting the assembly the suitable parts should be
selected.
BigOc: Big octahedron
4x4x4. Assembled from five parts of two types. - coming soon
Kuball: Cube 2x2x2 of three parts of two types.
IcosaballIcosaball: Icosahedron of six similar parts.
If the parts are metallized, the amazing optical phenomenon of mutual
reflections in contacting spheres may result. This phenomenon is extensively applied for
decorating lawns, (for example, see Scientific American #2 1989). Mirror puzzles will be
extremely attractive.
Thus, THE MOLECULAR PUZZLES are extremely simple technology, have low
prime cost plus high consumer's effect.
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