NO-FLIP JIGSAW PUZZLE AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME
A jigsaw-type puzzle has pieces that do not need to be flipped or turned prior to, or during assembly of the puzzle. The pieces have peripheral shapes or outlines that are symmetrical along at least one axis, with mirror images being printed on both sides of each piece so that either side of each piece can be used during assembly. Each piece shows a portion of a two-dimensional image, such that when the pieces are assembled, the two-dimensional image is completed. Each piece has first and second sides, with each piece portraying the same portion of the two-dimensional design, such that either side of any piece can be used to complete the puzzle. The invention is applicable to edge pieces, corner pieces and inner pieces, including square pieces with rounded tabs and voids that “interlock,” as well as non-traditional shapes, with or without interlocking joints, and tabs and voids with other shapes.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/686,933, filed Mar. 4, 2023, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates generally to puzzles and, in particular, to a jigsaw puzzle with pieces that do not need to be turned over during assembly thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONJigsaw puzzles are an enjoyable pastime for many individuals and families. Typically, many of the pieces are first turned over so that all pieces have the “picture side” facing upwardly. This can be time consuming, and delays the more enjoyable hunt for the right pieces.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThis invention improves upon existing jigsaw puzzles by providing a puzzle with pieces that do not need to be flipped or turned prior to, or during assembly. Instead, the pieces may be dumped from a box onto a table, spread out to remove unwanted overlapping of the pieces, and sorted or assembled immediately without having to look at the sides of the pieces that are facing the table. To accomplish this, the invention provides pieces with shapes that are symmetrical along at least one axis, and wherein mirror images are printed on both sides of each piece so that either side of each piece can be used during assembly.
A puzzle according to the invention includes a plurality of puzzle pieces, with each piece displaying a portion of a two-dimensional image, such that when the pieces are assembled, the two-dimensional image is completed. Each piece has first and second sides, with each displaying the same portion of the two-dimensional design, such that either side of any piece can be used to complete the puzzle.
In the preferred embodiment, each piece has an axis of symmetry, such that the portion of the design on one side of the piece, and the portion of the design on the other side of the piece, are mirror images of one another with respect to the axis of symmetry. The pieces may have flat edges with tabs and tab-receiving voids, and the axis of symmetry may be parallel to two of the opposing flat edges. The axis of symmetry may intersect opposing tabs or opposing voids, or may intersect a tab on one edge and a void on an opposing edge. ‘Edge pieces’ may have a straight edge with no tabs or voids, and the axis of symmetry may be perpendicular to the straight edge. The axis of symmetry may run diagonally through the piece, as might be the case with corner pieces.
“Jigsaw puzzle” in the context of the invention should be taken to include and type of puzzle with pieces having edges that form a larger image, picture or design when the edges of the pieces abut one another. This would include traditional, generally square pieces with rounded tabs and voids that “interlock,” as well as other, non-traditional shapes, with or without interlocking joints, and tabs and voids with non-rounded shapes.
The first and second sides of the pieces may be flat, and in spaced-apart planes, thereby defining a thickness. The puzzle may be provided with a box or other container to hold the pieces, and an image of the completed puzzle may be displayed on the box or container as a guide to assembly.
Now making reference to the accompanying drawings,
Optionally, as shown in
The description relative to
When a piece is not symmetrical about either X or Y, it may still be applicable to the invention if symmetrical about a 45-degree angle, as shown in
Note in
Puzzles according to the invention may be constructed in any suitable manner, with the preferred method printing the completed image on one side, and the scrambled version on the reverse of thick card stock, using a die cutting press with a sharp, flat metal ribbon to stamp out the individual pieces. The invention is not limited in terms of manufacturing, however, as “printing” may be taken to include any image forming method including without limitation flexographic, lithographic, screen printing, and/or photographic, including digital techniques. Any substrate may be used including without limitation paper, cardboard, wood, plastic and metal, and cutting technologies such as water jet, laser, etc. may alternatively be used. The only important qualification is that the steps have sufficient precision that the outlines of the pieces on both sides are faithfully reproduced.
In the preferred embodiments, the puzzle pieces are generally square or rectangular with a plurality of outwardly protruding tabs and tab receiving voids. However, this, too, is not required by the invention, as other shapes may be used so long the pieces provide an axis of symmetry. Thus, for example, the edges of the pieces may be curved or jagged as opposed to straight. Tabs and voids are also not required if the pieces are held together or interlock through another mechanism such as magnetism, hook-and-look, static cling, etc. The pieces may be of any thickness, preferably in the range of ⅙ to ¼ inch, but the invention is not limited in this regard. Indeed, for very young children, the pieces may be cubes with the design reproduced on all six sides so that the child can assemble the puzzle with any side facing upwardly.
Claims
1. A method of making an interlocking jigsaw-type puzzle with pieces that do not need to be turned over to complete the puzzle, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a substrate having first and second parallel surfaces;
- printing a two-dimensional image on one surface of the substrate;
- printing a transformed version of the two-dimensional image on the second surface of the substrate;
- cutting the substrate into a plurality of puzzle pieces, each piece having one or more protruding tabs and one or more tab-receiving voids; and
- wherein the same portion of the two-dimensional image is printed on both surfaces of each piece, but wherein the portions of the image represented by the pieces on the second surface are flipped, rotated, or both, enabling either surface of any piece to be used to complete the puzzle.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of cutting the substrate includes die cutting.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein portions of the image represented by the pieces on the second surface have peripheral outlines with tabs and voids that align with the tabs and voids of the image represented by the pieces on the first surface when the substrate is cut.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein:
- the two-dimensional image on the one surface of the substrate is unscrambled; and
- the transformed version of the two-dimensional image on the second surface of the substrate is scrambled due to the portions of the image represented by the pieces on the second surface being flipped, rotated, or both.
5. The method of claim 5, including the steps of:
- providing a container for the pieces; and
- printing at least a portion of the unscrambled the two-dimensional image on the container.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein at least some of the portions of the image represented by the pieces on the second surface are flipped with respect to an axis of symmetry resulting in a mirror image of the portion of the image represented by the piece on the first surface.
7. The method of claim 1, including:
- corner pieces with two flat edges devoid of tabs or voids;
- side pieces with one flat edges devoid of tabs or voids; and
- inner pieces with no flat edges devoid of tabs or voids.
8. An interlocking, jigsaw-type puzzle with pieces that do not need to be turned over to complete the puzzle, comprising:
- a plurality of puzzle pieces, each piece having a peripheral outline with one or more protruding tabs and one or more tab-receiving voids;
- wherein a tab or void of each piece interlocks with a tab or void of an adjacent piece to complete a two-dimensional image;
- wherein the pieces are cut from a substrate having first and second parallel surfaces such that each piece has first and second sides;
- wherein first and second sides of each piece display the same portion of the two-dimensional image, but wherein the portion on one side is transformed through flipping, rotation, or both, such that either side of any piece can be used to complete the puzzle.
9. The puzzle of claim 8, including:
- corner pieces with two flat edges devoid of tabs or voids;
- edge pieces with one flat edges devoid of tabs or voids; and
- inner pieces with no flat edges devoid of tabs or voids.
10. The puzzle of claim 8, including pieces wherein the portion of the image displayed on one side is flipped about an axis of symmetry to create a mirror image of the portion of the image displayed on other side of that piece.
11. The puzzle of claim 10, wherein the axis of symmetry is perpendicular to the one flat edge on edge pieces.
12. The puzzle of claim 10, wherein the axis of symmetry intersects a tab on one edge and a void on an opposing edge.
13. The puzzle of claim 10, wherein:
- the pieces have edges defining a square with two diagonals; and
- the axis of symmetry coincides with at least one of the diagonals.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 8, 2023
Publication Date: Mar 28, 2024
Inventor: Mark Zadvinskis (Saline, MI)
Application Number: 18/243,930