Rubik's Cube Patent Print 1983 — Framed Patent Art

The story of this patent drawing

Ernő Rubik was a lecturer in architecture in Budapest when he built the cube in 1974 to explain three-dimensional movement to his students, and it took him a month to solve it. His Hungarian patent came in 1975; the US patent, US 4,378,116, Spatial Logical Toy, in March 1983, three years into the craze. The first drawing sheet takes the puzzle apart: the cube assembled, the central cross that everything turns on, the edge and corner pieces exploded so you can see the hooks that hold them.

It is the most recent document in this collection and one of the best drawings — an exploded view is the draughtsman’s showpiece. This print is made from the official grant itself, rendered at double resolution from the USPTO’s scan with the ink lifted onto an aged-paper tone. It is a reproduction of a government document, not a licensed product of the company.

Printed to order on archival matte paper, framed in the country of delivery.

Before and after

Left: the archive scan exactly as published. Right: the file that goes to the printer.

Rubik's Cube Patent, 1983: archive scan compared with the restored print

Archive scanRestored

Restoration notes

Preparation: the drawing sheet of the official patent grant was rendered from the USPTO's 300-dpi scan at double resolution, its bilevel line anti-aliased, the ink lifted onto an aged-paper tone with a light grain, and the empty page margin trimmed. Nothing in the drawing is redrawn or removed; the examiner's stamps, signatures and sheet numbers stay.

Every print carries its archive credit on the packing slip. Paper tone and small imperfections of the original are kept on purpose; nothing is redrawn.

Questions

What does the drawing show?

The first drawing sheet of the patent: the assembled cube, the central cross of the mechanism, and the edge and corner pieces exploded so you can see how they hold together and turn — the puzzle taken apart in eight figures.

Is this an original patent document?

No. It is a new archival print of the drawing sheet from the official patent grant, published by the US Patent and Trademark Office. Patent documents are works of the United States government and in the public domain; the grant number and a link to the document are on this page.

Are the brand names licensed?

No, and they don't need to be for this product: it is a reproduction of a public government document that happens to show the design. It is not made or endorsed by the company, and the print is described as a patent drawing, not as merchandise.

Does it come framed?

Yes, if you choose a framed option: a black, white or natural oak wood frame, ready to hang, made in the country of delivery. Unframed archival matte paper is also available. The sheet's proportions fit 12×18, 16×24 and 20×30.

Colours vary between screens and paper. The tone you see here is a close match to the archival matte print; framed prints have no glass glare in these previews.

Pairs well with

Hang them together — 10% off the second framed print

LEGO Toy Building Brick Patent, 1961

Godtfred Kirk Christiansen · US Patent and Trademark Office

$129 18×24 in framed · paper from $35

Monopoly Board Game Patent, 1935

Charles B. Darrow · US Patent and Trademark Office

$129 18×24 in framed · paper from $35

The discount is applied automatically at checkout when two or more framed prints are in the cart.

Size	Metric	Best for
12×16 in	30×41 cm	Desk, shelf, small wall, gallery groupings
12×18 in	30×46 cm	Desk, shelf, small wall, gallery groupings
16×24 in	41×61 cm	Above a desk or console, hallway, bedroom
18×24 in	46×61 cm	Above a desk or console, hallway, bedroom
20×30 in	51×76 cm	Over a sofa or bed, statement wall, office
24×32 in	61×81 cm	Over a sofa or bed, statement wall, office

Rubik's Cube Patent, 1983

Before and after

Restoration notes

Hang them together — 10% off the second framed print