Abstract: A puzzle includes pieces of different and random shapes and/or sizes, which can occupy only one position in the puzzle and which can be assembled by magnetic forces as well as by co-operating positioning projections and hollows, on the surface of the pieces. Each of the projections and recesses has a unique shape and/or size, so that the invention is particularly suitable for educational and cultural applications, more particularly for use by people with impaired vision.

Abstract: A toy puzzle including a plurality of individual pieces that can be assembled into a geometrically solid shape, such as spherical, is provided. In one embodiment, the individual pieces can include a truncated conical base member with a central spindle protruding perpendicularly from the center of the base. The pieces can have truncated conical base members of the same or different sizes. The spindle has metal in at least the end opposite the base that is attracted and held by a magnet. Upon assembly of the plurality of individual pieces, the magnet will be disposed at the center of a resulting object of preselected shape.

Abstract: A three-dimensional puzzle assembled from puzzle pieces having a succession of rectilinear, curved, or rectilinear and curved segments that cooperate with other assembling and immobilization means used to assemble the puzzle. The assembling and the immobilization means are disposed upon each segment and comprise a contact edge with a flat portion that contacts the flat portion of an adjacent puzzle piece when assembled, at least one lateral extension which forms an overlapping shoulder with the contact edge and a connecting tab located at the extremity of the lateral extension that snaps into a receptor opening of an adjacent puzzle piece when assembled.

Abstract: A three-dimension skill-development toy for small children is provided with a molded core element and a series of planar elements that may be stacked on the molded core element only by pattern matching and in one particular sequence to form a resulting fanciful and pleasing unitary shape.

Abstract: A sculpture puzzle which includes a base and a core which is attached to, and extends from, the base. The sculpture puzzle is constructed by sequentially mounting a number of planar segments to form a three dimensional figure.

Abstract: A new Creative building game for STIMULATING CREATIVITY IN CHILDREN. The inventive device includes a plurality of building blocks of different geometric shapes. Each of the building blocks have a plurality of protrusions disposed on outer surfaces thereof. The plurality of protrusions of each of the blocks are capable of engagement to each other for the construction of unique structures. A rule book is provided for defining participation. A plurality of L-shaped divider panels are provided to hide the creativity of the participants.

Abstract: A three-dimensional take-apart and put-together puzzle is provided. The device comprises a plurality of discs with each disc having spaced first and second planar side surfaces. A male element projects from each first planar side surface. A female element extends through the disc defining a receptacle for receiving the male element of a different disc. A radial slot is formed in each disc with each radial slot alignable with the radial slot of a corresponding disc upon positioning the first planar surfaces of a pair of discs against one another forming an overlapping, unconnected disc set whereby the aligned radial slots of a disc set mateably connect with the aligned radial slots of a corresponding disc set creating interlocking disc groups. Each interlocking disc group releasably connects with at least one other interlocking disc group through mating of the male elements with the female elements.

Abstract: A puzzle toy including an arrangement of puzzle elements attached to hand engagement structures for locating the puzzle elements with respect to the hands in an unsolved puzzle orientation, such that upon placing the hands in a predetermined orientation a puzzle solution is achieved.

Abstract: A three-dimensional game of SCRABBLE includes a plurality of three-dimensional game pieces with letters and a plurality of connectors. Each three-dimensional game piece may be either a sphere or a cube and has at least one connector hole. Each connector connects at least one of the three-dimensional game pieces to another three-dimensional game piece along any one of three orthogonal axes. Each connector properly aligns the three-dimensional game pieces. In the three-dimensional game of SCRABBLE the letters are used to form words along either any one of three orthogonal axes or any diagonal combination of the three orthogonal axes.

Abstract: An assembly toy is provided for constructing a three-dimensional composite object as defined by the successive edges of a plurality planar members stacked upon one another in a particular order. An axial structure such as a pair of rods is mounted to a base structure and passes through holes of each of the stacked members to align the holes of each such member and thereby fix its position and orientation. The toy may be provided as a puzzle with the user left to discover the particular order of stacking which results in the predetermined composite object, or each member may be labeled to indicate its stacking order.

Abstract: A building system has interlocking frame members which interengage to form a rectilinear frame. To prevent the interengaged frame members from disengaging, a lock element is associated with a joint between frame members. This lock element is a rotary lock with a trilobal locking surface. Additional locking capability can be provided by a lock ring or collar which surrounds a joint between two frame members and prevents unintentional disengagement.

Abstract: The invention is a device for teaching children about good nutrition, comprising a board divided into a plurality of regions and a plurality of tokens adapted to stick to the board. The tokens comprise at least:a) a plurality of first tokens, each of the first tokens corresponding to a single portion of a food or beverage item selected from a first specific food group; andb) a plurality of second tokens, each of the second tokens corresponding to a single portion of a food or beverage item selected from a second specific food group. The regions on the board comprise at least:a) a first region, where the first region is labelled as corresponding to the first specific food group; andb) a second region, where the second region is (1) labelled as corresponding to the second specific food group.

Abstract: A sculpture puzzle which includes a base and a core which is attached to, and extends from, the base. The sculpture puzzle is constructed by sequentially mounting a number of planar segments to form a three dimensional figure.

Abstract: A mathematical puzzle including a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is removably couplable to the first portion. As such, the first portion and second portion define an interior space when coupled. Further provided is a puzzle mechanism with a puzzle preferably comprising an algebraic equation. Upon the solving of the puzzle, the puzzle mechanism is adapted to allow the separation of the first portion and the second portion thus releasing a prize situated within the interior space.

Abstract: A computer-generated jigsaw puzzle game including a method of generating a jigsaw puzzle game on an electronic display and controlling the play of the game in response to play operations. The method includes the steps of displaying a jigsaw puzzle comprising a plurality of puzzle pieces on the electronic display, where each puzzle piece comprises a video image region on the display. A plurality of video image blocks is sequentially displayed in the video image region of each puzzle piece to generate a moving video image in the video image region of each puzzle piece. Pieces of the puzzle are moved on the display in response to play operations to solve the jigsaw puzzle.

Abstract: A puzzle comprises a box formed by a sleeve and a drawer, similar to a matchbox, but with the sleeve closed at one end and open at the other end. The length of the drawer is equal to the interior length of the sleeve so that, when the drawer is inserted fully into the sleeve until its interior end abuts the closed end of the sleeve, the open end of the sleeve is closed by the outer end of the drawer, giving the appearance of a box with similar end panels. The edge of the sleeve at the open end has indents in at least two of its opposite faces. The drawer has corresponding protrusions which correspond exactly to the indents. When the drawer is fully inserted, the protrusions fill the indents and complete the respective surfaces. To open the box, the protrusions are grasped between finger and thumb and pulled outwards. Preferably, the box is shaped like a crate with longitudinal parallel slats simulating plank pieces and transverse slats simulating strapping.

Abstract: A puzzle has different groups of playing pieces which form a full rectangle only when they are properly fitted with one another. All of the playing pieces from all of the groups have a rectangular configuration and each playing piece of a particular group has the same shape and size and is interchangeable in position in the puzzle with all other pieces from that particular group. The puzzle also includes a number of individual rectangular playing pieces which must be fitted with the groups of playing pieces to complete the puzzle.

Abstract: A three-dimensional model structure is assembled by interconnecting a plurality of puzzle pieces. Each puzzle piece has at least three outer side edges and at least one joint having a substantially U-shaped mortise defined by a first leg and a second leg. The U-shaped mortise has first and second inner side edges extending from a bottom edge to define an opening. A first corner is defined between the first inner side edge and the bottom edge. The first leg is defined by the first inner side edge and a first outer side edge. A protrusion may be provided along the first outer side edge at a location substantially opposite the bottom edge of the joint, or a bump may be provided at the first corner, to reinforce the first leg. In addition, the top corners connecting a second outer edge and the inner side edges may be curved or chamfered to widen the opening of the U-shaped mortise.

Abstract: A logical puzzle including a plurality of elements stackable atop one another. Each element comprises pegs of varied lengths and apertures dimensioned to receive pegs therethrough. When all elements are properly stacked and oriented relative to one another, the apertures form passages permitting the reception of pegs, thus forming a substantially solid structure. By lifting elements and placing them in a random order a state of disorder is produced. The objective now is to restore the original state of order by stacking elements atop one another and by their suitable relative orientation in order to form a substantially solid structure. Although there are a multitude of incorrect ways to arrange puzzle elements only one correct arrangement allows them to form a substantially solid structure.

Abstract: A stackable puzzle and assembly having a set of known characters arrangeable in a know order are provided. The puzzle includes pieces that may be interconnected to form a stack of the pieces. The stack can only be arranged in the known order as a result of a unique arrangement of pegs and apertures on each of the interior pieces of the stack. The first piece preferably includes only pegs and the last piece only includes apertures. A method is further provided for stacking a plurality of characters representing a set of characters such that the set is arrangeable in a known order.

Abstract: A toy bomb device includes a disarming apparatus installed in a simulated bomb device body. The bomb device is armed to start a timer which times a preset time period in which a player has to properly operate the disarming apparatus to disarm the bomb device before the bomb detonates at the end of the time period. The disarming apparatus may take the form of a spring biased member having a pin extending therefrom that must be seated on a holding land to disarm the bomb. The bomb may be included as part of a board game where disarming the bomb is required at various stages during the game.

Abstract: An amusing puzzle made up of a plurality of cube-shaped pieces, which form a unitary cube when the puzzle is properly solved. Each puzzle piece contains at least one permanent two-pole magnet which, when the puzzle is properly solved, is attracted to the corresponding pole of the magnet contained within the adjoining puzzle piece, thereby holding the puzzle pieces together in order to form the unitary cube.

Abstract: A maze puzzle is disclosed employing a concealed maze pattern on one member and a second member movable with respect to the first member and including a pin or follower which engages the maze pattern. A plurality of switches are located in various positions in the maze pattern and are operated as a pin passes each point. A sound generator producing an appropriate audible signal provides an audible message to the player. A similar generator provides a power for visual indicators such as a liquid crystal display or light emitting diode. A key member is either concealed or locked within the puzzle until a certain level of successful performance of the puzzle is achieved. The key may be used to open a secret compartment in the puzzle.

Abstract: A puzzle comprises a set of puzzle pieces and a mounting board for mounting the pieces. Each puzzle piece has an essentially planar body with a front surface, an opposing rear surface and a periphery. The front surface has first and second characteristic ornamentations on it. The first characteristic ornamentation provides the puzzle piece with unique individual value, particularly display value. The second characteristic ornamentation provides a portion of an overall pictorial image farmable from the set of puzzle pieces. Each piece is shaped to be placed adjacent to at least one other piece of the set so that when all of the set pieces are placed in a unique spatial arrangement, the overall pictorial image is formed. The rear surface is provided with a means for fastening the piece to an article, allowing individual or set display. The fastening means can include a pin, a strip of adhesive material, a strip of magnetic material or the like.

Abstract: An inner bar and a sleeve thereon, slidable and rotatably mounted on the bar. Maze grooves are formed in the bar and a follower rides in the grooves. The follower is a pin, or a ball, as desired, and in the case of the ball, it is captured, or free moving, in different forms. In one form the bar is made up of sections which can be pre-positioned selectively to form different overall patterns of grooves. In one form, the parts of the device are of different colors.

Abstract: A puzzle box includes a compound rotatable lid having at least one locking pin transferable between cooperating grooves formed in the compound lid. Gravity is relied upon to induce pin transfer after precise alignment of cover plates which make up the compound lid. A slot in a first cover plate enables retraction of a locking member from a receptacle in a box wall and subsequent first cover plate rotation after pin transfer and rotation of a second cover plate.

Abstract: A magnetic toy or puzzle comprising a plurality of essentially two-dimensional pieces that may be assembled to form a hollow three-dimensional object. Each piece has at least three edges, and a magnet is mounted along each edge of each piece to allow the edges of the pieces to be joined together. The magnets are preferably keyed to allow: (a) only certain edges to attach to each other; or (b) the edges of the pieces to fit together in only one orientation. The magnets allow the edges to be joined in certain configurations to obtain the three-dimensional object. A holder for the puzzle pieces is provided that adds additional puzzle possibilities.

Abstract: An amusing puzzle made up of a plurality of cube-shaped pieces, which form a unitary cube when the puzzle is properly solved. Each puzzle piece contains at least one permanent two-pole magnet which, when the puzzle is properly solved, is attractedly engaged with the corresponding pole of the magnet contained within the adjoining puzzle piece, thereby holding the puzzle pieces together in order to form the unitary cube.

Abstract: A puzzle is disclosed which consists of a three-dimensional geometric structure made up of a plurality of smaller three-dimensional structures, or pieces, that feature a plurality of indicia overlapping their edges. When correctly assembled, completed indicia appear on all surfaces, both exposed and non-exposed, as the portion of the indicium on each piece's surface matches the complementary portion of that indicium at the adjoining piece surface at the intersecting edge of the adjacent pieces. Construction consists of selecting a desired puzzle shape, selecting a set of smaller sub-division pieces which when assembled form the desired final shape, identifying the edges of the pieces which are adjacent to one another in the completed puzzle, selecting a desired set of indicia and overlapping the indicia over the edges such that completed indicia are observed on all adjoining faces.

Abstract: A three-dimensional puzzle consisting of puzzle bodies which hang in one another and can be assembled to form a polyhedron body. The puzzle bodies, which hang in one another, form a link chain consisting of a straight number of chain links. One half of the chain links are cornered rings of which, in the assembled condition, at least one outer side forms a portion of the surface of the polyhedron. The other half of the chain links consists of segments of the polyhedron parts which are disposed above one another and which are disposed above and below the plane formed by the rings. These two segments themselves form irregular polyhedrons, are rigidly connected with one another by means of two webs so that they form a closed chain link which, together with the rings, form a link chain which then may be assembled to form, for example, a tetrahedron, a cube, an octahedron or the like.

Abstract: A transparent prize presenting game having a puzzle or challenge to be solved or completed. The game is capable of presenting a paper prize, such as paper money, stock certificates and the like, thereby motivating a player to solve and complete the puzzle or challenge. The game has a transparent container. The paper prize is removably disposed in the container, so that access thereto without successfully completing the puzzle or challenge is prevented. The puzzle or challenge is disposed in the container. Arrangements are provided that permit access to the paper prize only upon the successful completion of the puzzle or challenge. In this fashion, the user is provided with the motivation of the paper prize to successfully complete the puzzle or challenge.

Abstract: Methods of making a predetermined shape from a plurality of uniformly styled letters of a word comprise the steps of measuring each letter in the word to determine how much of a total shape area each letter will occupy; placing a first letter along an outer edge of the predetermined shape; adjusting another letter of the word so that it can be placed against at least one of an edge of the first letter and the outer edge of the predetermined shape; placing the another letter; and repeating the last two adjusting and placing steps until all of the letters have been placed and all of the area of the predetermined shape has been filled. Using the methods, images can be disassembled into separate pieces that can be assembled into words, naming the images, and words can be worked into fixed, space-filled shapes so that there are no pieces left out and each letter is made from only one piece.

Abstract: A manually operated maze puzzle including a hollow body having a recess lined with a maze pattern on a cylindrical inner surface. An operator which matches the shape of the recess includes a maze follower such as a pin. The maze is totally concealed. It includes a starting groove at an innermost position with maximum nesting of the operator within the body. A plurality of incorrect channel paths are included extending toward the mouth of the recess. One correct path is included. All incorrect exit paths include one way traps that require a return to the original start path. Matching indicia indicate a correct solution.

Abstract: A jigsaw puzzle toy has a board (2) with a recess (5) defined in its upper surface. The jigsaw puzzle toy includes a plurality of first projections (19) projecting on the upper surface of the board and having first shapes, respectively, when viewed in plan, a plurality of first blocks (23) having respective holes (31) defined in surfaces thereof and having respective shapes complementary to the first shapes of the first projections (19) for fitting engagement therewith, and respective cavities (29) defined in other surfaces thereof and having respective second shapes, respectively, when viewed in plan; and a plurality of second blocks (37) having respective shapes complementary to the second shapes, respectively, when viewed in plan, for fitting engagement in the cavities (29), respectively, of the first blocks. The second blocks (37) have respective second projections (39) having the first shapes, respectively.

Abstract: This invention concerns a "puzzle" whose pieces consist of a plastic colored bracket which hooks to identical brackets to form a chain, which is then placed adjacent to other chains of the same shape to form a screen on which any drawing representing the result of a pre-established assembly order of the various multi-colored brackets can be reproduced.

Abstract: A puzzle having a plurality of bolts, a plurality of nuts and a plurality of blocks. The plurality of bolts includes having each bolt with a first end with a head, and a second end with threads, with each bolt having a size different from another bolt. The plurality of nuts includes having each nut with threads for screwing the nuts onto the bolts. The plurality of blocks includes having each block with a plurality of holes passing therethrough, for passing of the plurality of bolts. In use, the plurality of blocks assembles in a unique pattern with the plurality of bolts passing through the holes of at least two of the blocks holding the blocks together with the nuts.

Abstract: A locking device has an elongated cylindrical member with a central bore, a shaft disposed in the bore including a transversely radial arm, the shaft being movable in the bore and manually grasped for combined rotational and axially slidable movement through a continuous but winding passageway in communication with the bore along its length. Preferably, the cylindrical member is defined by a plurality of annular disks in which individual circumferential slots are formed in each disk and are aligned to be in communication with one another throughout the length of the member to form the passageway and a locking member is disposed in the path of the arm so that engagement by the arm will cause the locking member to be advanced to an unlocked position with respect to another fixed member, such as, the wall of a safe.

Abstract: A puzzle is disclosed which includes an elongated left-hand threaded bolt carrying a split lock washer and having a nut at one end. The other end of the bolt is partially threaded into a second nut which has a short length of another bolt threaded at its end. The object of the puzzle is to figure out how to remove the lock washer from the bolt.

Abstract: A stacking puzzle including a plurality of stackable, game pieces and one or more solid game rods. Each of the game pieces includes an aperture extending obliquely therethrough. When the game pieces are properly stacked and oriented relative to one another, the oblique apertures line up and allow the game rods to be inserted through all the game pieces. However, the game pieces must be stacked in the proper order and must be placed in the proper orientation relative to one another in order for the apertures to align properly. Although there are a multitude of incorrect ways to arrange the game pieces, only one correct arrangement causes the apertures to align and thereby permit the game rod to be inserted through the game pieces. In one embodiment, the faces of the game pieces are made nonparallel to provide an additional degree of freedom and thereby further increase the challenge of the puzzle.

Abstract: A puzzle box includes a floor, side walls, a first end wall, and a second end wall to define a container, with a lid positioned to overlie the container, wherein the first end wall receives a through-extending shaft, wherein the side walls and second end wall include fixed block members. The shaft is directed through openings in flanges fixedly and orthogonally mounted to a bottom surface of the lid, wherein the shaft is only projected into the container through the first end wall and the remaining end walls and side walls are arranged to confuse availability of the shaft. A modification of the invention includes the floor formed with spring-biased rods selectively projected into the container, wherein the lid, when mounted on the container, includes locking blocks, wherein the locking blocks are positioned in locking engagement with the shaft and are in biased communication with the shaft.

Abstract: A fabricated toy is equipped with a plurality of toy component members having predetermined shapes, a detecting device for detecting the assembly state of these toy component members, and a sound generating device for emitting sounds in accordance with the assembly state of the toy component members detected by the detecting device so that when the toy component members are correctly assembled, a specific shape is completed. In this fabricated toy, the sound generating device generates the sounds of mutually different kinds in the cases where the toy component members are correctly assembled and incorrectly. Infants, therefore, can play at the assembly of the toy for a long period of time, without losing their interest in the toy, and the toy, which is "a horse" or "a frog", can also serve as educational stuff for assembling correctly the toy into the shape of the animal.

Abstract: A plurality of square-shaped playing pieces (B), which may comprise two-dimensional cards or a face or surface of three-dimensional cubes, are disposed within a square-shaped array (C) so as to define a playing game or puzzle (A).

Abstract: Eight detached playing blocks have different indicia sequences. Each indicia sequence is different from one another. The indices in each sequence have a numerical character and a directional character to them. Varying numbers of playing blocks can be used to provide various puzzles and games with different levels of required skill.

Abstract: A puzzle game comprising a hexahedral semisold body (10) having a number of non through-holes (12) and a like number of round pegs (18) to be plugged into the said holes. The holes of the hexahedral body are made on three faces (11) sharing the same vertex (14). Each hole on any face intersects sideways sets of aligned holes of each of the remaining two perforated faces. The pegs are provided with pairs of round notches (20). When a peg is plugged into a hole, the holes in intersection with the peg in question are either unaffected or obstructed by the peg inserted depending on the matching or mismatching respectively with the shaves of the holes. The matching-mismatching condition can be controlled by peg twisting. Besides the notches, the pegs are provided in some parts with smaller square cross sections and/or smaller round cross sections. These latter mechanisms can allow a peg meeting another, inside the body portion, either to let the second peg rotate freely or to hinder it from any rotation.

Abstract: A puzzle game or toy is disclosed comprising two spherical shells made of hard plastic or metal material and having over their surface a multiplicity of circular holes cut therein in a random pattern, the holes being of equal diameter with the exception of one hole having a slightly larger diameter. The second spherical shell has an inner diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the first spherical shell and mounted over the first shell such that the two shells are freely rotatable relative to each other. A spherical ball of metal or plastic is positioned inside the two spherical shells and is of a diameter such that it will pass through the two large holes but none of the other holes.

Abstract: A game or puzzle may comprise a two-dimensional embodiment (10) defined by four square-shaped playing cards or puzzle pieces (12), or a three-dimensional embodiment (110) defined by four cubes (112). Indicia is located at each corner (16) of each playing card or piece (12), as well as at a central region (18) of each peripheral edge of the card or piece (12), while similar indicia is located at each corner (116) of each face of each cube (112), as well as at a central region (120) of each cube face. When the cards (12) or cubes (112) are disposed in their proper positions and orientations with respect to each other, predetermined requirements are satisfied between various sets of the indicia indicating that an end to the game, or a solution to the puzzle, has been reached. In order to serve as proofs of solutions, and thereby insure that a true solution has in fact been reached, other sets of indicia will likewise be required to satisfy predetermined relationship requirements.

Abstract: This educational device provides a three-dimensional, box-like structure and includes a plurality of side portions and a plurality of cross members selectively connectible to the side portions. A variety of threaded fasteners and tools are utilized for assembly of the educational device, which provides both an educational function in the use of different tools and threaded fasteners, as well as a toy providing a puzzle challenge by requiring a particular orientation of parts and threaded fasteners for complete assembly.

Abstract: A boardless maze game is disclosed. The game is played on any suitable and substantially flat surface. Apparatus comprises a deck of 28 "L" shaped playing pieces, a deck holder for holding a deck of stacked playing pieces and a plurality of identifying markers. The playing pieces are marked with a heavy border to define a wall. The heavy border is interrupted in three places to define an exit. The playing pieces are marked on both sides, with one side being a mirror image of the other, so that the playing piece may be turned over and played on either side. A maze is constructed from the playing pieces, the maze being started by the placement of a first playing piece upon the playing surface by the first player in turn. The object of the game is to move a marker so as to escape from the maze through an exit as the construction of the maze continues. Rules are provided covering the playing of the game and include rules for team playing and match playing.

Abstract: A building puzzle block includes an elongated body portion in the form of a rectangular parallelepipedon. Spheres are attached to the body portion along edges thereof and at spaced distances. An equal number of receiving sockets are formed at spaced distances. An equal number of receiving sockets are formed at spaced distances on the edges of the body portion for interconnecting the blocks with other similar blocks.

Abstract: An amusement device is disclosed comprising a cage having a base, a cap and four corner pins enclosing a ball. One of the corner pins is removable to release the ball from the cage.