WO2023149948A1

WO2023149948A1 - Modular route-finding apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2023149948A1
Application number: PCT/US2022/051917
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maanav IYENGAR; Aaditya NANDAKUMAR; Michael PINTAR; Shlok PATEL; Ajay BALAKRISHNAN; Tomasz STANULA; Sai POUDALA; Anirudh SIVARAJAN; Eshwar PITCHIAH
Original assignee: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Priority date: 2022-02-01
Filing date: 2022-12-06
Publication date: 2023-08-10

Abstract

An example modular route-finding apparatus includes: a stack of interchangeable levels, each interchangeable level having: a surface configured to support a moveable piece; a first connector located on a first side; a second connector located on a second side opposite the first side, wherein the first connector of the interchangeable level is configured to link with a respective second connector of an adjacent interchangeable level in the stack; and an exit hole extending through the surface to allow the moveable piece to exit the interchangeable level; and a base level having a base connector configured to removably connect to the second connector of a terminal interchangeable level of the stack, the base level configured to collect the moveable piece after it exits the terminal interchangeable level.

Description

MODULAR ROUTE-FINDING APPARATUS

FIELD

[0001] The specification relates generally to puzzle apparatuses and games, and more particularly to a modular route-finding apparatus.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Maze or route-finding games and apparatuses may provide an interesting and challenging puzzles for users. However, such games and apparatuses are static and therefore lose replayability over time, since they repeatedly present the same puzzle.

SUMMARY

[0003] According to an aspect of the present specification an example modular routefinding apparatus includes: a stack of interchangeable levels, each interchangeable level in the stack having a first side and a second side opposite the first side and comprising: a surface configured to support a moveable piece on the first side; a first connector located on the first side; a second connector located on the second side, wherein the first connector of the interchangeable level is configured to link with a respective second connector of an adjacent interchangeable level in the stack; and an exit hole extending through the surface, the exit hole configured to allow the moveable piece to exit from the first side of the interchangeable level through to the second side of the interchangeable level; and a base level comprising a base connector on a respective first side of the base level, wherein the base connector is configured to removably connect to a terminal second connector of a terminal interchangeable level of the stack, the base level further configured to collect the moveable piece after it goes through a terminal exit hole of the terminal interchangeable level.

[0004] According to another aspect of the present specification, an example interchangeable level for use in a modular route-finding apparatus includes: a surface configured to support a moveable piece to be navigated about the surface; a first connector and a second connector, wherein the first connector is configured to link to a respective second connector of a first additional interchangeable level, and wherein the second connector is configured to link to a respective first connector of a second additional interchangeable level; an exit hole configured to allow the moveable piece to exit from the interchangeable level through to the second additional interchangeable level.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0005] Implementations are described with reference to the following figures, in which: [0006] FIG. 1 depicts an example route-finding apparatus.

[0007] FIG. 2A and 2B depict an example interchangeable level of the route-finding apparatus of FIG. 1 .

[0008] FIGS. 3A-3D depict further example interchangeable levels with example connectors.

[0009] FIG. 4 depicts a further example interchangeable level with further example connectors. [0010] FIGS. 5A and 5B depict further example interchangeable levels with example passage wall configurations.

[0011] FIGS. 6A and 6B depict schematic cross-sectional diagrams of the example interchangeable level of FIGS. 2A and 2B.

[0012] FIG. 7 depicts an example base level of the route-finding apparatus of FIG. 1 . [0013] FIG. 8 depicts another example route-finding apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014]To increase the variability in puzzle games, an example route-finding apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure includes modular levels which may be interchanged and combined in different configurations. In particular, each interchangeable level may have passage walls to define a puzzle in which a route for a moveable piece may be found. The interchangeable levels may further connect to one another so that the moveable piece exits from one interchangeable level to a subsequent interchangeable level upon successfully finding a route to the exit hole. The interchangeable levels include connectors to allow them to connect to one another in any order and in any rotational orientation. The stack of interchangeable levels may therefore be varied, including by adding more levels, having fewer levels, rotating the levels, arranging the levels in different orders, and the like. Accordingly, the stack of interchangeable levels provides different puzzles at each assembly, and puzzles which may be varied in difficulty to appeal to a wide variety of users.

[0015] FIG. 1 depicts an example route-finding apparatus 100 in accordance with the present disclosure. The route-finding apparatus 100 (also referred to as simply the apparatus 100) includes a stack 104 of interchangeable levels 108-1 , 108-n (referred to herein generically as an interchangeable level 108 and collectively as interchangeable levels 108; this nomenclature is used elsewhere herein) and a base level 112. The apparatus 100 is generally configured to receive a moveable piece 120 (e.g., a ball such as a marble or the like), for example at the interchangeable level 108- 1 , to be navigated sequentially through each of the interchangeable levels 108 in the stack 104, to the base level 112. The navigation of the moveable piece 120 may be performed, for example by manipulation of the apparatus 100 by a user, as a game or puzzle.

[0016] The stack 104 is formed from the interchangeable levels 108 stacked together. The stack 104 may include any number n of interchangeable levels 108, where n is a natural (or counting) number.

[0017] The interchangeable levels 108 each have a first side and a second side opposite the first side and are generally configured to connect to one another first side to second side. In some examples, the first side may be the top sides of the interchangeable levels 108, while the second side is the bottom sides of the interchangeable levels 108. Thus, a series of interchangeable levels 108 connected serially first side to second side (i.e., top to bottom, one on top of another) are referred to as the stack 104.

[0018] The stack 104 may include an initial interchangeable level, a number of intermediate interchangeable levels, and a terminal interchangeable level. The initial interchangeable level is a top-most (or end-most) interchangeable level, which is accessible at one side (e.g., the first or top side), and connected to the stack 104 at another side (e.g., the second or bottom side opposite the first side). In the present example, the initial interchangeable level is the interchangeable level 108-1. The intermediate interchangeable levels are connected to additional interchangeable levels 108 in the stack 104 at both sides. In the present example, any interchangeable levels 108 (e.g., represented by the ellipsis in FIG. 1 ) between the interchangeable level 108-1 and the interchangeable level 108-n are intermediate interchangeable levels. The terminal interchangeable level is a bottom-most interchangeable level which is connected to the stack 104 at one side (e.g., the first or top side) and accessible at the other side (e.g., the second or bottom side opposite the first side). In the present example, the terminal interchangeable level is the interchangeable level 108-n.

[0019] Each interchangeable level 108 additionally includes an exit hole (described in further detail below) to allow the moveable piece 120 to be navigated from one interchangeable level 108 to an adjacent interchangeable level 108. In particular, the moveable piece 120 may generally be navigated through the stack 104 from the initial interchangeable level through each of the intermediate interchangeable levels, to the terminal interchangeable level via the respective exit holes.

[0020] The interchangeable levels 108 are generally configured such that an interchangeable level 108 may connect at its first side to any other interchangeable level 108. That is, the interchangeable levels 108 are modular and may be connected in any order to form the stack 104. Further, the modularity of the interchangeable levels 108 allows any interchangeable level 108 to act as the initial interchangeable level, the terminal interchangeable level, or any of the intermediate interchangeable levels. [0021] The base level 112 is generally configured to connect to the stack 104 to collect the moveable piece 120 after the moveable piece 120 is navigated through the stack 104. In particular, the base level 112 is configured to connect to the terminal interchangeable level 108-n, and hence collects the moveable piece 120 as the moveable piece 120 exits the terminal interchangeable level 108-n.

[0022] The interchangeable levels 108 and the base level 112 of the apparatus may be formed of plastics, wood, metals, or other suitable material and may preferably be substantially opaque so that the moveable piece 120 is obscured when it is in the intermediate interchangeable levels 108 of the stack 104, providing increased difficulty and challenges to the user. In other examples, the levels 108 may be formed entirely or partially of translucent or transparent materials to allow the user to view the moveable piece 120 in the stack 104.

[0023] Referring now to FIG. 2A, a side view of an interchangeable level 108 is depicted in greater detail. As noted above, the interchangeable level 108 has a first side 200 and a second side 204 opposite the first side 200. The interchangeable level 108 further includes a surface 208, an exit hole 212, first connectors 216 (of which two example first connectors 216-1 and 216-2 are depicted), and second connectors 220 (of which two example second connectors 220-1 and 220-2 are depicted). In the present example, the interchangeable level 108 is a square; in other examples, the interchangeable level 108 may be a circle, a triangle, another regular or irregular polygon, or other suitable shape. [0024] The surface 208 is generally configured to support the moveable piece 120, in particular on the first side 200 of the interchangeable level 108. In particular, to maintain the moveable piece 120 within the interchangeable level 108, the surface 208 may be recessed, and the interchangeable level 108 may therefore further include a sidewall 224 extending around a perimeter of the surface 208 and/or the interchangeable level 108. Preferably, the sidewall 224 may have a height of at least a diameter of the moveable piece 120, so that the moveable piece 120 may be contained within the interchangeable level 108 in its entirety, on the recessed surface 208.

[0025] The exit hole 212 is an aperture extending through the surface 208. In particular, the exit hole 212 allows the moveable piece 120 to pass from the first side 200 of the interchangeable level 108 to the second side 204 of the interchangeable level 108 through the surface 208. The exit hole 212 has dimensions of at least the diameter or dimensions of the moveable piece 120 to allow the moveable piece 120 to pass through the exit hole 212.

[0026] The first connectors 216 are located on the first side 200 of the interchangeable level 108 while the second connectors 220 are located on the second side 204 of the interchangeable level. The first connectors 216 and the second connectors 220 are complementary to one another to allow the first connectors 216 of a given interchangeable level 108 to link to or mate with the second connectors 220 of another interchangeable level 108 in the stack 104.

[0027] In the present example, the first connectors 216 are recessed on the first side 200, while the second connectors 220 protrude from the second side 204. The second connectors 220 of a given interchangeable level 108 may therefore be received by the first connectors 216 of an adjacent interchangeable level 108 to connect the two interchangeable levels 108 with the first side 200 of the given interchangeable level 108 substantially flush with the second side 204 of the adjacent interchangeable level 108. In other examples, the first connectors 216 may protrude from the first side 200 while the second connectors 220 are recessed on the second side. In such examples, the interchangeable level 108 may rest with its second side 204 substantially flush with a flat surface.

[0028] In still further examples, adjacent interchangeable levels 108 may be separated by a gap rather than being flush with one another. In such examples, the gap may allow a user a partial view of the interchangeable levels 108 to provide some assistance. The first connectors 216 and the second connectors 220 may be configured to maintain the adjacent interchangeable levels 108 such that a height of the gap does not exceed a diameter or dimension of the moveable piece 120 so that the moveable piece 120 may not be removed from the apparatus through the gap.

[0029] In some example, the interchangeable level 108 may include a set of first connectors 216 and a set of second connectors 220 to provide additional points of contact and/or connection between adjacent interchangeable levels 108. Such additional points of connection may provide additional stability and assistance maintaining alignment between the adjacent interchangeable levels 108. When sets of first connectors 216 and second connectors 220 is provided, each first connector 216 and second connector 220 in the respective sets may be approximately equally and radially spaced around the interchangeable level 108.

[0030] For example, referring to FIG. 2B, four first connectors, 216-1 , 216-2, 216-3, and 216-4 are depicted. Each of the first connectors 216 is located at a corner of the interchangeable level 108. Accordingly, to allow for alignment of the interchangeable level 108 with an adjacent interchangeable level 108, the set of second connectors 220 may additionally include four second connectors 220, located in each of the corners of the interchangeable level 108 on the second side 204.

[0031] In other examples, each of the first connectors 216 may be located at a midpoint of an edge of the interchangeable level 108, or the interchangeable level 108 may include four additional first connectors 216 located at such midpoints. As will be appreciated, additional first connectors 216 may be included for interchangeable levels 108 having different shapes, corresponding, for example, to the number of corners of a regular polygon, or other suitable arrangements of connectors. In still further examples, the first connectors 216 and the second connectors 220 may simply be located on the first side 200 and the second side 204 to align the shapes of the adjacent interchangeable levels 108, particularly if the interchangeable levels 108 have an irregular shape.

[0032] Preferably, the interchangeable level 108 may have a regular shape and some rotational symmetry about an axis perpendicular to the surface 208 to allow for rotation about said axis. In such examples, each of the first connectors 216 may be substantially equivalent to one other to allow for rotation of the interchangeable level 108 about said axis while maintaining their ability to connect to the second connectors 220. The second connectors 220 may similarly be substantially equivalent to one another.

[0033] The first connectors 216 and the second connectors 220 may be complementary protrusions and recesses, as depicted, which are configured to connect to one another, for example via a snap fit, an interference fit, or the like. In other examples, the first connectors 216 and the second connectors 220 may include complementary magnets, hook and loop closures, arms, latch and hinge mechanisms, and the like. [0034] For example, FIGS. 3A-3D depict example interchangeable levels having connectors employing arms and slots to mate with one another.

[0035] Specifically, FIG. 3A depicts an interchangeable level 300-1 . The interchangeable level 300-1 includes arms 304-1 and two protrusions 308-1 extending from each arm 304-1 which together form the first connectors situated at each of the corners of the interchangeable level 300-1 . The second connectors of the interchangeable level 300-1 are two slots 312-1 into which the protrusions 308-1 of an adjacent interchangeable level are received. The protrusions 308-1 may be biased to be maintained in the slots 312-1 and may be retractable or otherwise able to be pushed into and out of the slots 312-1 to connect and separate adjacent interchangeable levels. [0036] FIG. 3B depicts an interchangeable level 300-2. The interchangeable level 300-2 similarly includes arms 304-2 and two protrusions 308-2 extending from each arm 304- 2, which together form the first connectors situated at each of the corners of the interchangeable level 300-2. The second connectors of the interchangeable level 300-2 are two slots 312-2 into which the protrusions 308-2 of an adjacent interchangeable level are received. The protrusions 308-2 are umbrella-shaped to guide an adjacent interchangeable level over the protrusions 308-2 to connect adjacent interchangeable levels. Further, the protrusions may be retractable or otherwise able to be pushed out of the slots 312-1 to separate adjacent interchangeable levels.

[0037] FIG. 3C depicts an interchangeable level 300-3. The interchangeable level 300-3 similarly includes arms 304-3 and a single protrusion 308-3 extending from each arm 304-3, which together form the first connectors situated at each of the corners of the interchangeable level 300-3. In the present example, the protrusions 308-3 extend diagonally away from a center of the interchangeable level 300-3. This allows the protrusions 308-3 to be contained within an overall perimeter of the interchangeable level 300-3 rather than extending through slots at the sides of the interchangeable level, as in the interchangeable levels 300-1 and 300-2. Accordingly, the slots (not shown) forming the second connectors of the interchangeable level 300-3 are situated directly on the underside of the interchangeable level 300-3. This allows the interchangeable levels 300-3 to present smooth side surfaces when the interchangeable levels are connected to form a stack.

[0038] FIG. 3D depicts an interchangeable level 300-4. The interchangeable level 300-4 similarly includes arms 304-4 and a single protrusion 308-4 extending from each arm 304-4. In contrast to the interchangeable levels 300-1 , 300-2, and 300-3, the arms 304- 4 are located along the edges of the interchangeable level 300-4 rather than the corners and extend downwardly at the second side of the interchangeable level 300-4, and hence form the second connectors. The first connectors of the interchangeable level 300-4 are therefore complementary slots 312-4 located at the sides of the interchangeable level 300-4, into which the protrusions 308-4 of an adjacent interchangeable level may be received to connect adjacent interchangeable levels.

[0039] FIGS. 4 depicts a further example interchangeable level 400. The interchangeable level 400 includes a hinged arm 404 as the first connector and a bar 408 as the second connector. The arm 404 of an adjacent interchangeable level may latch onto the bar 408 to connect the adjacent interchangeable levels. In some examples, the arm 404 and the bar 408 may be magnetic to further facilitate the connection between adjacent interchangeable levels. [0040] Returning now to FIG. 2B, and as can be seen in the example interchangeable levels in FIGS. 3A-3D and 4, the interchangeable level 108 additionally includes passage walls 228 extending from the surface 208 on the first side 200. The passage walls 228 define passages and spaces through which the moveable piece 120 may be navigated. The passage walls 228 may therefore generally be spaced apart from one another by at least a diameter of the moveable piece 120 to allow the moveable piece to move about the passages and spaces defined by the passage walls 228. In the present example, the passage walls 228 are substantially linear and extend perpendicular to one another and are parallel or perpendicular to the sidewalls 224. Further, the passage walls 228 are substantially similar in height. In other examples, the passage walls 228 may have other configurations.

[0041] For example, referring again to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the interchangeable levels 300- 1 and 300-2 include passage walls 316-1 and 316-2, respectively, which are substantially annular to form ring-shaped passages. Referring to FIGS. 3C and 3D, the interchangeable levels 300-1 and 300-2 include passage walls 316-3 and 316-4, respectively, which are substantially linear and extend substantially diagonally (i.e., at approximately a 45° angle) to the sidewalls of the interchangeable levels 300-3 and 300-4.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, still further example interchangeable levels with different passage wall configurations are depicted.

[0043] In particular, FIG. 5A depicts an example interchangeable level 500-1 with passage walls 504-1 dividing the interchangeable levels into quadrants. Since the quadrants are separated by the passage walls 504-1 , the interchangeable level 500-1 additionally includes four exit holes 508, with one exit hole 508 located in each quadrant. Thus, the moveable piece 120 may be navigated to the exit hole 508 which corresponds to the quadrant in which the moveable piece 120 is located.

[0044] FIG. 5B depicts an example interchangeable level 500-2 with passage walls 504- 2 which are substantially wider and block-shaped rather than linear. The block-shaped passage walls 504-2 may allow the moveable piece 120 to be supported on top of the passage walls 504-2 in addition to being moveable in the passages between the passage walls 504-2. The interchangeable level further includes ramps 512 connecting the tops of the passage walls 504-2 with the passages between the passage walls 504- 2.

[0045] The various different configurations of the passage walls 228 within the interchangeable levels 108 may allow the exit holes 212 to be freely located anywhere on the surface 208. Accordingly, the exit hole 212 of one interchangeable level 108 may be located over at least a portion of one of the passage walls 228 of a subsequent interchangeable level 108. That is, as the moveable piece 120 exits from one interchangeable level 108 to a subsequent interchangeable level 108, the moveable piece 120 may land on top of one of the passage walls 228.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 6A, the interchangeable level 108 may therefore include an unobstructed layer 600 above the passage walls 228. In particular, the unobstructed layer 600 has a height 604 of at least a diameter 608 (e.g., a height, width, or another largest dimension) of the moveable piece 120. This allows the moveable piece 120 to move about the unobstructed layer 600 (e.g., on top of the passage walls 228) freely, without being obstructed, while still being maintained within the interchangeable level 108. That is, the unobstructed layer 600 allows the moveable piece 120 to be received completely into the into the interchangeable level 108 from an adjacent interchangeable level without being obstructed by the exit hole of the adjacent interchangeable level or the passage walls 228 of the interchangeable level 108.

[0047] FIG. 6B depicts another schematic diagram of the interchangeable level 108. As the unobstructed layer 600 is defined above the passage walls 228, the interchangeable level 108 may additionally include a navigable layer 612 defined by the passages through which the moveable piece 120 is to navigate. Preferably, the navigable layer 612 may also have a height 616 which is at least the diameter 608 of the moveable piece 120.

[0048] In some examples, the interchangeable level 108 may additionally include a ledge 620 disposed between the navigable layer 612 and the unobstructed layer 600. In particular, the ledge 620 may be located the exit hole 212. The ledge 620 may be formed substantially integrally with the passage walls 228 substantially parallel to the surface 208. In particular, since the ledge 620 is between the navigable layer 612 and the unobstructed layer 600, the ledge 620 is spaced away from the surface 208 by at least the diameter 608 of the moveable piece 120 to allow the moveable piece 120 under the ledge 620 and into the exit hole 212.

[0049] The ledge 620 is therefore configured to prevent the moveable piece 120 from accessing the exit hole 212 directly from the unobstructed layer 600. That is, the moveable piece 120 is directed to the exit hole 212 from along the surface 208 via the passages, then the moveable piece 120 is contained in the navigable layer 612 and hence will not be obstructed by the ledge 620 to access the exit hole 212. In contrast, if the moveable piece 120 is spaced away from the surface 208 (e.g., at least partially in the unobstructed layer 600), then the moveable piece 120 is not contained in the navigable layer 612 and hence will be obstructed by the ledge 620 from accessing the exit hole 212.

[0050] As will be appreciated, the unobstructed layer 600, the navigable layer 612, and the ledge 620 allow the interchangeable levels 108 to be connected together to form the stack 104 while maintaining compatibility and modularity between the interchangeable levels 108. That is, these features allow the moveable piece 120 to be navigated from one interchangeable level 108 to a subsequent interchangeable level 108 without being lodged or caught between the interchangeable levels 108 and without requiring particular configurations and alignments (e.g., to line up each exit hole 212 to be directly above a passage of the subsequent interchangeable level) of the interchangeable levels 108.

[0051] Turning now to FIG. 7, the base level 112 is depicted in greater detail. The base level 112 is configured to have the same shape as the interchangeable levels 108 in the stack 104.

[0052] The base level 112 is configured to collect the moveable piece 120 from the stack 104 after the moveable piece 120 exits the terminal interchangeable level 108-n and accordingly includes a collection area 700. The collection area 700 may be defined by a recessed surface 704 and sidewalls 708. To collect and maintain the moveable piece 120 within the base level 112, the collection area 700 may have a height of at least a diameter of the moveable piece 120. [0053] The base level 112 further includes base connectors 716-1 , 716-2, 716-3, and 716-4. The base connectors 716 are substantially equivalent to the first connectors 216 to allow the base connectors 716 to mate with the second connectors 220 of any of the interchangeable levels 108, and in particular, the terminal interchangeable level 108-n of the stack 104. The base connectors 716 may further be located on the base level 112 in alignment with the second connectors 220 of the terminal interchangeable level 108-n to align the base level 112 with the terminal interchangeable level 108-n.

[0054] As described above, a modular route-finding apparatus has a plurality of levels which may modularly or interchangeably connect to one another to form a stack. A moveable piece may be navigated through each level sequentially. In particular, a user may manipulate the apparatus to find a route for the moveable piece (e.g., a ball) through passages, up or down ramps, and the like, to an exit hole of each level. Upon reaching the exit hole of a given level, the moveable piece passes to the subsequent level in the stack. After navigating the moveable piece through each level in the stack, the moveable piece may be collected in a base level. The modularity of the interchangeable levels allows greater configuration of different difficulties and variability of the routes through the apparatus at each assembly.

[0055] As described above, the levels may each include complementary first and second connectors to connect to one another, however in other examples, other connection mechanisms to assemble the apparatus are also contemplated. For example, referring to FIG. 8, an example apparatus 800 is depicted. The apparatus 800 includes an interchangeable level 808 and a base level 812. Rather than each interchangeable level 808 including a first connector and a second connector, the base level 812 has rods 816 extending from the base level 812. Each of the interchangeable levels 808 have complementary holes 820 configured to receive the rods 816. The interchangeable levels 808 may therefore be stacked in any order on the base 812 by sliding the rods 816 into the holes 820. In some examples, the interchangeable levels 808 and the base level 812 may additionally include arms 824 to further support and/or align the interchangeable levels 808.

[0056] As will be appreciated, still further configurations and arrangements of the stack of interchangeable levels and the base level, in which the interchangeable levels may be freely and modularly rearranged within the stack and connected to the base level to collect the moveable pieces navigated through the stack are also contemplated.

[0057] The scope of the claims should not be limited by the embodiments set forth in the above examples but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims

1 . A modular route-finding apparatus comprising: a stack of interchangeable levels, each interchangeable level in the stack having a first side and a second side opposite the first side and comprising: a surface configured to support a moveable piece on the first side; a first connector located on the first side; a second connector located on the second side, wherein the first connector of the interchangeable level is configured to link with a respective second connector of an adjacent interchangeable level in the stack; and an exit hole extending through the surface, the exit hole configured to allow the moveable piece to exit from the first side of the interchangeable level through to the second side of the interchangeable level; and a base level comprising a base connector on a respective first side of the base level, wherein the base connector is configured to removably connect to a terminal second connector of a terminal interchangeable level of the stack, the base level further configured to collect the moveable piece after it goes through a terminal exit hole of the terminal interchangeable level.

2. The modular route-finding apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first connector and the second connector are magnets.

3. The modular route-finding apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first connector and the second connector comprise a latch and hinge mechanism.

4. The modular route-finding apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each interchangeable level comprises a set of first connectors including the first connector, the set of first connectors being equally and radially spaced around the interchangeable level.

5. The modular route-finding apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each interchangeable level comprises a set of second connectors including the second connector, the set of second connectors being equally and radially spaced around the interchangeable level.

6. The modular route-finding apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one interchangeable level further comprises a ledge configured to prevent the moveable piece from exiting the at least one interchangeable level through the exit hole when the moveable piece is spaced away from the surface of the at least one interchangeable level, and to allow the moveable piece to exit the at least one interchangeable level through the exit hole when the moveable piece is navigated to the exit hole along the surface.

7. The modular route-finding apparatus of claim 6, wherein the ledge is spaced away from the surface by at least a diameter of the moveable piece, substantially parallel to the surface of the at least one interchangeable level.

8. The modular route-finding apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one interchangeable level further comprises an unobstructed layer above the ledge, the unobstructed layer having a height of at least the diameter of the moveable piece.

9. The modular route-finding apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the interchangeable levels comprises at least one passage wall defining at least one passage through which the moveable piece is configured to navigate.

10. The modular route-finding apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one passage wall has a height of at least a diameter of the moveable piece.

1 1 . The modular route-finding apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one interchangeable level further comprises an unobstructed layer above the at least one passage wall, the unobstructed layer having a height of at least the diameter of the moveable piece.

12. The modular route-finding apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first connector and the second connector are a hook and loop closure.

13. An interchangeable level for use in a modular route-finding apparatus, the interchangeable level comprising: a surface configured to support a moveable piece to be navigated about the surface; a first connector and a second connector, wherein the first connector is configured to link to a respective second connector of a first additional interchangeable level, and wherein the second connector is configured to link to a respective first connector of a second additional interchangeable level; and an exit hole configured to allow the moveable piece to exit from the interchangeable level through to the second additional interchangeable level.

14. The interchangeable level of claim 13, further comprising a navigable layer including at least one wall defining at least one passage through which the moveable piece is to navigate to reach the exit hole.

15. The interchangeable level of claim 14, further comprising an unobstructed layer configured to allow the moveable piece to move about unobstructed after being received from the first additional interchangeable level.

16. The interchangeable level of claim 15, wherein each of the navigable layer and the unobstructed layer have respective heights of at least a diameter of the moveable piece.

17. The interchangeable level of claim 15, further comprising a ledge disposed between the navigable layer and the unobstructed layer at the exit hole, the ledge configured to prevent the moveable piece from accessing the exit hole directly from the unobstructed layer.

18. The interchangeable level of claim 15, further comprising a ramp configured to allow the moveable piece to move between the unobstructed layer and the navigable layer.