Happy Cube

The Happy Cubes are a puzzle series, produced since 1986, currently by the resident in the Belgian Zoersel company Happy. Each Happy Cube consists of six parts that can be assembled to form a three-dimensional cube. They are delivered in a flat, two-dimensional array, which is fitted into a frame. To build the parts back into the frame, the second, usually a simpler challenge If you have several different Happy Cubes, one can combine the parts and build larger objects.

They are also used as educational toys for improving pattern recognition and eye -hand coordination. Invented the Happy Cubes by the Belgian Dirk Laureyssens.

Description

The puzzles are inclusive framework of foamed plastic mats ( ethylene vinyl acetate), which have a thickness between 7-9 mm, punched out. The cube- shaped frame have a footprint of 9 x 12 cm ², the individual parts are 4 cm and thus the composite cube.

Schematically, the parts are made from high - Einheitswürfelchen arranged on a maximally large area. Here, the large - middle part is always stuffed full, lacking in the circumferential outer rows, depending on the element, sometimes more and sometimes less of these cubes. Each Happy Cube thus consists Einheitswürfelchen. When assembling is usually by means of trial and error trying to find a complete arrangement of parts. The parts can be connected both horizontally and at right angles to each other. With the normal cube solution of each of the six parts forming one side surface of the cube.

Four families

There are four sets ( families ), each with varying degrees of difficulty. In every family there are six different cubes (models), each with different levels of difficulty again. In total there are 24 cubes so and thus 144 parts.

The simplest variant, they are ideally suited for pre-school children. There are many equal parts, some are symmetrical, the "outside" of each part is marked by printing a symbol to provide further possibilities of association for small children. The symbols refer in each case per model on a theme such as Fruits (fruit ), Emotions ( faces ) or transport ( transport ), from which are derived the names of the models. In addition, each Little Genius Cube is two-colored so that " inner " and " outer surface " at first glance be seen. This is the only family in which the orientation of the parts plays a role.

The classic and original version. There are few symmetrical parts and only two times two equal parts. The models are monochrome held in the six primary and secondary colors, bearing the names of cities, such as Amsterdam or New York.

The latest variant. The professional Cubes are all two-tone, held in an irregular Camouflage. They are a bit more difficult than the Happy Cubes, but still have more symmetrical parts, which makes it easier to build larger objects. The models carry the names of famous people such as Da Vinci or Rubens. For earlier products, the second color was always black and now purple-red Profi Cube Newton was pure black. Following complaints, you moved on to a more friendly color design.

The most difficult variant. Each model bears an irregular and fine Marmorierungsmuster a bright and a dark tone of the same color. There are almost no symmetries and few solution positions. Still can build all the major objects such as the star or the big - cube also from them. They are named directly after famous people like Mahatma Gandhi and Marie Curie

Comments

• While the puzzles individually by merely tasting and simple considerations are solvable, it is difficult for large objects.
• The foam- like material makes for a pleasant feel, a middle mold strength and the fine-pored surface for enough friction so that the parts remain plugged together. By the elasticity there is no risk of injury, but the parts can be chewed. Because of the danger of swallowing the manufacturer recommends a minimum age of three years.
• The ideal thickness of the puzzles of 8 mm is not always achieved, which is why parts of some production batches survive anything.
• Although the name Happy Cube actually only refers to a family (even if the first -before-seen ) is referred to in Germany and the USA and the entire series so. In other countries, it runs under Cube It or I Qube.
• There are several software that simulate the Happy Cubes and can find solutions to many forms.