Puzzle assembly

Abstract

The present invention includes a multi-level two or three dimensioned puzzle assembly applying multiple assembly techniques to join either a plurality of two-dimensional double or single sided pieces or a plurality of three-dimensional pieces. These pieces may be assembled in multiple levels, and joined in a mechanical or an electrical manner. In one embodiment, a plurality of two dimensional puzzle pieces may be assembled and viewed from at least two directions allowing a user to create alternative scenes. In another embodiment, a puzzle kit may include a plurality of three-dimensional puzzle pieces, each with a different portion of a particular scene. As this kit is assembled, each section/slice of the scene is revealed and may be adaptively assembled or included and integrated into a game or contest context.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Prov. App. No. 60/616,731 filed Oct. 7, 2004, the contents of which are herein incorporated fully by reference.

BACKGROUND

Many types of entertainment or toy puzzles have existed. Puzzles are common entertainment for people of all ages.

A 2-dimensional “picture puzzle” as is known in the art is a ‘scene’ and a selected design or color which is fragmented into a few or several pieces that interlock to form and reform again the original picture, design, or color.

Conventional picture puzzles have been designed in “two dimensions” meaning that the scene, design or color is on one side only, and the back side left blank. These picture puzzles are typically used on a table or other flat surface to form a simple 2-dimensional scene.

In one conventional alterative to the above, kits have been created including sets of two-dimensional picture puzzles, where the scene is in one side and the back left blank. In this conventional kit, after each 2-dimensional assembly is constructed along a flat plain, each is “erected” vertically to interconnect at each corner forming a 3-dimensional object with the scene visible on the outer surface of each of the four walls. For example, this conventional kit is used with multiple two-dimensional puzzles to form a house where the sides are flat panels and then interlock on the edges to stand up and form the house and possibly a roof structure. In this conventional kit, there is no scene on an opposing side of a puzzle piece.

For picture puzzles the scene or design generally provides picture clues to enable the puzzle enthusiast to determine where the particular puzzle piece belongs. In sum there is often an indication of a specific position where only that piece of puzzle can fit, and if found, enables the puzzle to be successfully completed.

It is the degree of difficulty and visual engagement that keeps puzzle enthusiasts entertained. As a 2 dimensional puzzle is put together users imagine the final picture or use the box display cover to see what goes where. Puzzles with one color are more difficult or “puzzling” as only the shapes determine the position and the player is given no visual clues other than the shape of the pieces.

There are three-dimensional mechanical puzzles that go together in a specific arrangement such as the “rubix cube.” Generally these are formed of shapes that have a tricky or only a single way of forming the finished puzzle and do not encompass pictures (colors only).

Puzzles generally require thought and trial and error to finding the right placement of the fragmented parts as finding specific articulation of the pieces is solving the puzzle based on a single (and non-changing) scene image.

Puzzles can be simple as in a child's puzzle with only a few pieces and graduate into an abundant number of pieces whereby the puzzle is more difficult to solve. Puzzles fascinate, entertain and challenge people. Puzzle enthusiasts are always looking for a new puzzle to solve and this creates an expanding market.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide a puzzle assembly that enables both a two and a three dimensional assembly.

Another optional and alternative objective of the present invention is to enable a two or three dimensional puzzle assembly to have a plurality of formed pieces engagable with each other or with a supporting structure or both using assembly methods including at least one of a gravity based stacking method, a particular under/over-cut pattern method, be formed from thin flexible magnets or rigid rare earth or ceramic magnets allowing a magnetic assembly method, a static-cling/surface tension design enabling a surface tension assembly method, an interlocking edge method, or an adaptable combination of selections of all.

Another optional and alternative object of the present invention is to provide single or multiple double-sided two-dimensional puzzle assemblies.

Another optional and alternative object of the present invention is to provide a puzzle assembly employing multiple three-dimensional pieces with alternative assembly views on at least three surfaces allowing the formation of multiple puzzle views during and after assembly.

Another optional and alternative object of the present invention is to generate interconnecting three-dimensional puzzle pieces providing multiple pictures/scenes of a common theme sliced along multiple cross-sectional three-dimensional views.

Another optional and alternative object of the present invention is to provide a puzzle assembly that enables ready adaptation to a variety of commercial environments, enabling the use of multiple 2D or 3D scenes in the same kit, multiple 2D or 3D assembly capabilities within the same assembly, or multiple 2D or 3D assembly levels within the same kit.

Additional objects and adaptations are envisioned in keeping with the scope of the art without departing from the teachings, spirit, and suggestions provided herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partially assembled view of one embodiment of the present invention employing six-sided cube images.

FIG. 2 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention enabling an over-cut/under-cut assembly method.

FIG. 3 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing multiple three-dimensional puzzle pieces capable of assembly into multiple layer images noted by the key.

FIG. 4 is another alternative embodiment of the present invention, showing a two-dimensional part of a three-dimensional puzzle assembly where the two-dimensional view is broken into multiple puzzle pieces along specified cross-sectional cutting lines common through out the selected assembly.

FIG. 5 is an another alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein a portion of the underlying two-dimensional scene includes additional layer puzzle members (the square window, barrel, and winch, etc.) and the removal of non-matching other members (the door and bench) is adaptively enabled as described below.

FIG. 6 is another alternative embodiment of the present invention employing portions of the two-dimensional assembly of the related figures, a portion of three-dimensional assembly FIG. 5, and adds further three-dimensional elements such as the treasure chest, chair, figurehead, and individual sailor.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 6, selected embodiments of the present invention take a common two-dimensional picture puzzle to a previously unknown difficulty and entertainment level, thereby enhancing commercial value. It brings the picture form and three-dimensional form together in a new way.

In one embodiment, the scene of the puzzle is three-dimensional. The pictures of a scene are sliced into cross-sections whereby the view is of the many dimensions of the object or scene we are viewing.

The puzzle can simply start as a front and back view of a scene. The front being on one side of the puzzle and the back view of the same scene on the other side. In this manner, for example, the left-side view of the individual depicted in FIG. 6 is reflected in a corresponding right-side view of the individual on the opposing side of the puzzle piece. As a consequence, while assembling the layer shown in FIG. 6, a user may apply the puzzle piece reversed and the individual will present a right-side view to a top observer.

Additionally there can be more layers of the scene as if one took a three dimensional scene and sliced through the different dimensions of the scene. As shown in FIG. 3, individual puzzle members are prepared with portions of an individual picture for each layer and view. As each layer is assembled, a complete view emerges. As pieces from the next layer are assembled, the complete view begins to change. Where such an assembly is viewed from a different view (e.g., the top view, etc.) a second picture is visible and reacts similarly. As shown, at least three different layers with three different picture views are presented. By selecting how complete to make each layer, a user may self-select a desired final view (partially or fully assembled). Obviously, this embodiment and others discussed herein may be manipulated and adapted to games, educational toys and in other ways common to the puzzle and assembly trade and art.

For example A (FIG. 5) is the front view of a pirate ship and can be the top layer of the puzzle. Example B (FIG. 6) is the inside view of the ship and can be the middle layer of the puzzle. Example C (FIG. 4) is the back wall of the inside of the ship.

These can be merchandised or divided into separately sold boxes. One kit-box would build example C first. Then example B on top as parts of puzzle B would be the same as Puzzle C in the background. One would build example A last on top.

For added difficulty/user-challenge all three puzzles can be fragmented and sold together in one box. The pieces can be flat layers as in a traditional puzzle and build/layer on top of each other forming related but varied scenes, or may themselves be three-dimensional pieces assemble-able in three-dimensional sections (see FIG. 1). The scene would shape and change as more pieces are added making the puzzle come “alive” as you go and become three-dimensional.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, as noted above, the pieces can also be three dimensional and interconnect in both horizontal directions as well as interconnect with the layer above and below it in a three dimensional capacity. As an example, FIG. 1 represents differing views (front, top, side etc.) of a snowman and tree. As depicted, the snowman/tree are sectioned at the block interface region and the sectional views are shown on the appropriate surface. On the top of the blocks the top view of the snowman/tree are presented. Thus, in a puzzle including multiple pieces forming a “puzzle grid” a user may form multiple scenes, each true to position, by assembling multiple layers of blocks and portions of layers.

The pieces can be a smooth form such as cubes (FIG. 1) where no help is given as to the shape of the interconnecting pieces. Alternatively, one could build a three dimensional boat (discussed above) with all of the interior components represented on blocks. Each cube would have six views of the scene, top, bottom and from all sides. As the puzzle is built the many interior views and angles of a scene can be viewed and built upon until final completion.

The pieces can also be shapes of the objects within the picture such as three dimensional people, chairs, treasure etc. that interconnect with other pieces of the puzzle. The final puzzle would be a complete replica of the ship with all of its interior parts represented.

An alternative creative embodiment is noted in FIG. 2, wherein interlocking/interconnecting members are positioned in multiple layers, with each layer interconnecting with the one below (at selected areas). Where a top layer projects in a cantilevered manner from a lower layer, a fixing/joining mechanism (mechanical, magnetic, etc.) serves to connect the assembly and prevent unintended separation.

In the claims, means- or step-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described or suggested herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Thus, for example, although a nail, a screw, and a bolt may not be structural equivalents in that a nail relies on friction between a wooden part and a cylindrical surface, a screw's helical surface positively engages the wooden part, and a bolt=s head and nut compress opposite sides of a wooden part, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail, a screw, and a bolt may be readily understood by those skilled in the art as equivalent structures.

Having described at least one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes, modifications, and adaptations maybe effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A puzzle assembly comprising,

at least a first and a second layer of one of a two and a three-dimensional a puzzle unit;

each said layer including a different version of a theme-linked scene;

each said layer including a plurality of separate puzzle pieces, whereby said puzzle assembly may be assembled in a piece-by piece fashion allowing a user to select separate puzzle pieces from selected layers to assemble alternate themes depending upon an assembled layer.