USER ASSEMBLED MOTORIZED PUZZLE
One example embodiment includes a movable puzzle. The movable puzzle includes a puzzle, where the puzzle forms a three dimensional shape when completed. The movable puzzle also includes a motor, where the motor is configured to move the completed puzzle.
This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/375,611 filed on Aug. 20, 2010, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONPuzzles are a fun recreational activity that have been used and played with for centuries. They can range from simple and easily done by children to some of the most complicated puzzles completed by adults or even studied by academics. They provide intellectual stimulation and encourage problem solving. Puzzles can help the user learn as they encourage the user to think about the solution process in new ways.
Puzzles can include virtually any type of problem solving activity. For example, puzzles can include two dimensional pieces that interlock with one another or can include complicated three dimensional models that require large amount of time to complete and which include intricate details.
However, many puzzles suffer a similar drawback. Namely, once the puzzle is assembled, the user is done with the puzzle. Some hobbyists glue the pieces together to keep the puzzle in the assembled configuration to preserve the completed puzzle, but rarely does the user ever use the completed puzzle for anything other than display. This means that the user's enjoyment of the puzzle is at an end once the puzzle has been completed. I.e., the user's enjoyment of the puzzle for its own sake is removed once the puzzle is completed.
Further, the completed puzzle is stationary. That is, the completed puzzle does not move. This makes it suitable for display, but does not make it suitable for further use, such as for use as a toy or for other uses. I.e., the puzzle cannot be moved to different poses or otherwise played with. In addition, the completed puzzle may be delicate. This means that children or others, who may have assisted in completing the puzzle, are unable to use the puzzle further for fear that damage will be done to the completed puzzle.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a puzzle which can be played with after completion. Further, there is a need in the art for the puzzle to be able to move or otherwise change positions. Additionally, there is a need in the art for the puzzle to be resilient.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTSThis Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
One example embodiment includes a movable puzzle. The movable puzzle includes a puzzle, where the puzzle forms a three dimensional shape when completed. The movable puzzle also includes a motor, where the motor is configured to move the completed puzzle.
Another example embodiment includes a movable puzzle. The movable puzzle includes a puzzle. The puzzle includes two or more pieces, the two or more pieces configured to connect to one another and forms a three dimensional shape when completed. The movable puzzle also includes a motor, where the motor is configured to move the completed puzzle.
Another example embodiment includes a movable puzzle. The movable puzzle includes a puzzle. The puzzle includes two or more pieces, the two or more pieces configured to connect to one another and forms a three dimensional shape when completed. The movable puzzle also includes a battery and a motor, where the motor is configured to convert energy in the battery to mechanical motion. The movable puzzle further includes a drive rod, where the drive rod transmits the mechanical motion output by the motor to motion of the puzzle. The movable puzzle additionally includes a linkage, where the linkage is configured to transmit motion of the drive rod to a portion of the completed puzzle.
These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
To further clarify various aspects of some example embodiments of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
Reference will now be made to the figures wherein like structures will be provided with like reference designations. It is understood that the figures are diagrammatic and schematic representations of some embodiments of the invention, and are not limiting of the present invention, nor are they necessarily drawn to scale.
Examples for these types of construction puzzles are stick puzzles, many tiling puzzles and also some mechanical puzzles. Stick puzzles use sets of “polysticks” (sticks attached to each other to form a line or at right angles within a plane) which have to be assembled into two- or three-dimensional configurations. Tiling puzzles are puzzles involving two-dimensional packing problems in which a number of flat shapes have to be assembled into a larger given shape without overlaps (and often without gaps). E.g., a jigsaw or similar puzzle. A mechanical puzzle is a puzzle presented as a set of mechanically interlinked pieces. In particular, a mechanical puzzle is a puzzle which can be used to form one or more three dimensional objects.
In at least one implementation, the puzzle 100 can be made of any suitable material. For example, the puzzle 100 can be made of wood, metal, plastic or any other suitable material. One of skill in the art will appreciate that the different portions of the puzzle 100 can be made of differing materials, as desired. Therefore, the composition material should not be considered as limiting unless otherwise indicated in the claims.
The head motion mechanism 302, the trunk motion mechanism 304 and the upper limb motion mechanism 306 are illustrated for exemplary purposes only. That is, they are applicable in animal and human puzzles 100. However, other puzzles 100 can include other shapes, such as machines and the like. One of skill in the art will appreciate that other shapes may require other motion mechanisms. For example, a car may require motion mechanisms which turn the wheels, move the doors, etc. Therefore, the motion mechanisms should not be seen as limiting unless otherwise specified in the claims.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
Claims
1. A movable puzzle, the movable puzzle comprising:
- a puzzle, wherein the puzzle forms a three dimensional shape when completed; and
- a motor, wherein the motor is configured to move the completed puzzle.
2. The movable puzzle of claim 1, wherein the three dimensional shape includes an animal.
3. The movable puzzle of claim 1, wherein the three dimensional shape includes a head.
4. The movable puzzle of claim 1, wherein the three dimensional shape includes one or more legs.
5. The movable puzzle of claim 1, wherein the three dimensional shape includes one or more upper limbs.
6. The movable puzzle of claim 5, wherein the one or more upper limbs include one or more arms.
7. The movable puzzle of claim 5, wherein the one or more upper limbs include one or more front legs.
8. The movable puzzle of claim 1, wherein the three dimensional shape includes a tail.
9. The movable puzzle of claim 1, wherein the three dimensional shape includes a vehicle.
10. The movable puzzle of claim 9, wherein the vehicle includes one or more wheels.
11. The movable puzzle of claim 9, wherein the vehicle includes one or more lights.
12. A movable puzzle, the movable puzzle comprising:
- a puzzle, wherein the puzzle: includes two or more pieces, the two or more pieces configured to connect to one another; and forms a three dimensional shape when completed; and
- a motor, wherein the motor is configured to move the completed puzzle.
13. The movable puzzle of claim 12, wherein the motor includes an apparatus, wherein the user movers the apparatus to induce motion in the completed puzzle.
14. The movable puzzle of claim 12, wherein the motor include an electric motor.
15. The movable puzzle of claim 12, wherein the motor includes a battery.
16. A movable puzzle, the movable puzzle comprising:
- a puzzle, wherein the puzzle: includes two or more pieces, the two or more pieces configured to connect to one another; and forms a three dimensional shape when completed;
- a battery;
- a motor, wherein the motor is configured to convert energy in the battery to mechanical motion;
- a drive rod, wherein the drive rod transmits the mechanical motion output by the motor to motion of the puzzle; and
- a linkage, wherein the linkage is configured to transmit motion of the drive rod to a portion of the completed puzzle.
17. The movable puzzle of claim 16 further comprising a control, wherein the control is configured to control the motion produced in the completed puzzle.
18. The movable puzzle of claim 17, wherein the control is connected to the motor.
19. The movable puzzle of claim 18, wherein the connection includes a wireless connection.
20. The movable puzzle of claim 16 further comprising a speaker, wherein the speaker is configured to produce sound which matches the three dimensional shape of the puzzle.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 22, 2011
Publication Date: Feb 23, 2012
Applicant: REGAL ELITE, INC. (Plain City, OH)
Inventor: Andy Guo (Suzhou)
Application Number: 13/215,094
International Classification: A63H 29/22 (20060101); A63H 3/28 (20060101); A63F 9/08 (20060101);