Take-aparts And Put-togethers Patents (Class 273/156)
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Patent number: 10576361Abstract: A deck of playing cards and a method of playing a game are provided. An object of the game is to form two lines on a grid, wherein a line is defined by a horizontal or vertical line of four in a row of the same player's cards. A further object of the game may be to form two strings on a grid, where a string is defined as a horizontal or vertical line made up of the same player's cards, the cards of each string containing four different elements, with a different element appearing on each card of the string. The game may be played with physical cards or in a virtual environment executed by a video game application on a computing device.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2018Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Inventor: Scott Russell Norman Gilbert Snow
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Patent number: 10555429Abstract: A kit that includes multiple rectilinear elongate polygonal elements having five unique shapes, four of which are concave polygonal elements. In some examples, when arranged with respect to one another, the elements of the kit form a girih strapwork pattern. In one aspect, respective elements in a kit may include bezels or boarders along longer sides to enhance an over/under weaving effect of the girih strapwork pattern. In other aspects, one or more elements may be formed as a tray, and some of the trays may include various components or materials disposed in the tray (e.g., architectural surface materials, biological systems, various electronic components) to provide for a variety of creative designs and structural/sculptural installations for built environments. In some implementations, one or more such trays may have beveled rims so as to appear light and thin when viewed.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2018Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Inventor: John Frattalone
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Patent number: 9873061Abstract: A block toy kit is composed of a plurality of magnetic construction units magnetically connectable to each other, wherein at least one of the units comprises a hollow block main body having at least one flat surface portion with at least one magnet holds corresponding to the plural flat surface portion, arranged on inner sides of the respective flat surface portions and having magnet holding portions extending in parallel with said corresponding flat surface portions Permanent magnets are accommodated within the magnet holding portions of said magnet holders for rotation about an imaginary “X-axis” extending at parallel relative to the flat surface portion corresponding to the magnet holding portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2015Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: Popular PlaythingsInventor: Jason Cheung
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Patent number: 9873036Abstract: A modular polyhedral object having at least four external faces which each have in the assembled state a different form and/or color design, is formed from several individual building blocks that each forms a part of the form or color design of each external face. The building blocks are joined together loosely or with releasable connecting means, wherein the building blocks of each module have at least four differently designed side faces. A form-congruent assembly of the object is created by arranging the individual building blocks so as to produce matching external faces on each side of the object, as well as to produce matching respective opposing side faces of the building blocks inside the object with vertically and horizontally matching coded pairs. A modular polyhedral cube-shaped object with at least five differently designed side faces is also described.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2014Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: CVASSO GMBHInventor: Fritz Gruber
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Patent number: 9619941Abstract: According to one of aspects, a display device includes: a display unit; a control unit; and a detection unit. The display unit stereoscopically displays a plurality of three-dimensional blocks each including one or more elements each occupying one of divided sections in a virtual play region divided in a three-dimensional matrix manner in a display space. The detection unit detects a position of a body in the display space. The control unit controls the display unit to cause a movable three-dimensional block to appear. When change of the body with time in the display space is detected by the detection unit, the control unit controls the display unit to move the movable three-dimensional block. When all sections of one layer in the play region are filled with elements of the plurality of three-dimensional and the movable three-dimensional block, the control unit controls the display unit to erase the elements.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2013Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATIONInventors: Yasuhiro Ueno, Shigeki Tanabe
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Patent number: 9458867Abstract: A modular connection system has a plurality of modular units, each having a plurality of loop and edge sections alternating around the perimeter of a body section. The loop sections align with the edge sections so that a loop section of one unit is adjacent to a loop section of another unit. A connection interface is located at a vertex of the modular units and a loop of first one of the plurality of modular units is adapted to align parallel to an edge section of a next modular unit and a loop of each next unit is adapted to align parallel to an edge section of the preceding unit. Elongated connectors pass through the loop sections of the modular units to connect the modular units at the connection interface.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2013Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Inventor: Martha Maunder
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Patent number: 9303401Abstract: A partition system includes a plurality of wall elements merging one into another, wherein at least one wall element is designed as a stepped element, and wherein at least one wall element is designed as a corner element.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2014Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.Inventors: Claudia Plikat, Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick
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Patent number: 9067129Abstract: Cylindrical labyrinth that comprises a plurality of cylindrical bodies (10), where each one of them presents an outer wall (11) with a labyrinthine path (12) configured to be traversed by a ball (2) between an entry (13) into the labyrinthine path (12) and an exit (14) from the labyrinthine path (12); and a longitudinal shaft (20) configured to pierce and align the cylindrical bodies (10) and to allow the rotation thereof with respect to said shaft (20). Each cylindrical body (10) comprises a transparent cover (70) configured to cover the outer wall (11) of said body (10) and to prevent the ball (2) from falling out from the labyrinthine path (12) thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2014Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: YTRES ASSEMBLY, S.L.Inventor: Oscar Encina Cusi
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Patent number: 8951088Abstract: System and method for additional amusement, entertaining and surprising visual or audible reward provided upon completing the reconstructing of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle. The puzzle pieces include conductive pads connected by a conductor such as a wire, a metallic strip or a conductive paint, so that upon assembling the puzzle, the pads are in contact to form a continuous conductive path. The frame or the puzzle pieces include a battery (or an AC adapter) and a visual or audible signaling device operating upon sensing the continuity of the conductive path. Each of the puzzle pieces may include three or more conductive pads, allowing for the forming two or more isolated or connected distinct conductive paths. The conductive path can further affect a time measurement and its related display for timing the puzzle solving.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2012Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: May Patents Ltd.Inventor: Yehuda Binder
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Patent number: 8900043Abstract: A computer-generated puzzle game can enable any appropriate image (e.g., a still image, video, or animation) to be used as a puzzle image. The puzzle game can utilize a framework including a portion of the puzzle image such that the user can determine where to place the puzzle pieces without having to see a version of the final image, which can save display real estate as well as provide suspense and additional challenge for the user. The puzzle pieces also can include a portion of the image, such that the player can determine where the pieces are to be placed in the framework without having to worry about rotating or properly positioning the pieces, which can be difficult on at least certain computing devices.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2012Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: George Skaff Elias, Richard Channing Garfield
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Publication number: 20140333022Abstract: A mat with puzzle function is a four-sided pad. Each side has a toothed border with a succession of teeth. At least two cutting lines divide the mat into four blocks, in such a way that each block has an assembling edge with the complementary shape to connect with other blocks. The block of each mat can engage with another block of the same mat to form a puzzle mat set.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2014Publication date: November 13, 2014Inventor: Wen Ping Wang
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Publication number: 20140246832Abstract: To provide a jigsaw puzzle that is manufactured easily and conveniently in a short time and allows reduction in production costs, and a method of manufacturing the same. A jigsaw puzzle obtained by stamping out a laminated sheet of a plurality of synthetic resin sheets with a stamping blade to be divided into a plurality of small pieces, wherein the laminated sheet is formed of: a soft sheet of a soft synthetic resin having a sheet shape formed by extrusion moulding; and a hard sheet of a synthetic resin that is harder than the soft sheet and is bonded to the soft sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2012Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: GATEWAY ARCH INC.Inventor: Katsuhisa Yoshida
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Patent number: 8807566Abstract: The spatial logical and skill improvement game according to the invention is characterized by that the body thereof consists of coaxial body portions arranged at one or multiple layers, and that a labyrinth is formed inside the body and/or the body portions by path sections, pockets and ends, and the game comprises at least one toy element movable through the path sections, pockets, and ends constituting the labyrinth.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2010Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Art & Smart Egg Kft.Inventor: András Zagyvai
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Patent number: 8800994Abstract: A three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle comprising a base, a post fixedly secured to and emanating upwardly from the base, a first group of pieces, where each piece in the first group has a through-bore to enable stacking about the post and also has at least one radially extending projection in a shape of a trapezoidal solid, and a second group of pieces, where each piece in the second group has at least one radially extending projection in the shape of a trapezoidal solid. The first and second groups of pieces are operatively arranged to stack and interlock with one another to form a cylindrically shaped structure.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2012Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Great Circle Works Inc.Inventor: Marko Pavlovic
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Publication number: 20140206423Abstract: A puzzle game system, similar to a jigsaw puzzle, can be played by a single player or by multiple players. The game system has a game board having a multiplicity of game board locations. One, of multiple puzzle pieces, is placed into each game board location. In one embodiment, the game board locations combine to form the shape of a human body and the puzzle pieces represent diet choices. At the end of the game, each player is scored based on the health and wellness achieved by the selected puzzle piece. A scoring system conceals the results until the game ends. For example, scoring features may be present on the backs of the puzzle pieces, and at the end of the game, each player can turn over their game board and obtain a score based on the scoring features seen through openings in the back of the game board.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2013Publication date: July 24, 2014Inventors: Terry Alan Weed, Amy Marie Hathaway
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Publication number: 20140183819Abstract: Puzzles that are packaged in assembled form and in a generally flat configuration are described herein. The puzzle package includes one or more flattened box components that provide support backing to the assembled puzzle. The box components have removable portions that provide structural rigidity to the puzzle pieces and are removable to transform the box components into a container for the puzzle pieces.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2012Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: PIGMENT & HUE, INC.Inventor: Howard Kurtz
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Publication number: 20140183820Abstract: A puzzle includes a first piece and a second piece, the first and second pieces evidencing matching and selectively engageable profiles. A communication element is provided to the first and second pieces, the communication element enabling communication between the first and the second pieces, and an integrated power supply and load, when the first and second pieces are engaged with one another along the matching profiles.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2013Publication date: July 3, 2014Inventor: NICHOLAS J. TUCCILLO
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Patent number: 8746699Abstract: A novelty game that utilizes a plurality of alphanumeric-shaped playing pieces. Each playing piece has a body shaped as a letter or number. The body has a flat face surface, a parallel rear surface, and side edges that interconnect the face surface to the rear surface. The width of the side edges is large enough to enable each playing piece to stand upright on-edge and unsupported. A plurality of mechanical connectors are present on the playing pieces. The connectors enable each playing piece to physically interconnect with at least two others of the playing pieces to form an assemblage of letters or numbers word. When a conjoined assemblage is formed, only one or some of the playing pieces touch the ground. Most are supported in the air as the playing pieces build atop one another.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2013Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Forrest-Pruzan Creative LLCInventors: Alan Pruzan, Andrew Forrest, Jay Wheatley
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Publication number: 20140138909Abstract: The present application provides a modular tile and block kit comprising one or more tiles and one or more connectors for connecting adjacent tiles. The connectors are adapted to be positioned within channels on surfaces of adjacent tiles. The present application also provides tiles for use in a modular tile assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2013Publication date: May 22, 2014Inventors: George Makowka, Carole Makowka
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Publication number: 20140131944Abstract: A game piece and a process of manufacture and a method of play in which an image Y is divided into two parts, and in which the face of a game piece has either a first part or a second part along the side with the purpose of aligning the face with another game piece so as to complete image Y. Sets of game pieces are produced in various embodiments with unique attributes based on the parts of the image and the parts' location on them. The sets are used in a variety of additional embodiments such as for strategy games, for trying to build 3D polyhedrons in which image Y is completed around each edge, or for designing polyhedrons which are then interacted with other polyhedrons to complete image Y in more embodiments.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2012Publication date: May 15, 2014Inventor: Tali Lehavi
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Patent number: 8681171Abstract: The method is for identifying and selecting a color or a combination of colors. A color sphere (200) is provided that has a first color pocket (238) defined between a first horizontal disc (202) and a second horizontal disc (208) and vertical inserts (212c, 212b) extending between the first horizontal disc and the second horizontal disc. The first horizontal disc has a plurality of organized first spectrum of color cells and the second horizontal disc has a plurality of organized second spectrum of color cells. The first spectrum is gradually lighter than the second spectrum and gradually more gray from a peripheral surface (209) towards an axial opening (232a) of the first horizontal disc and an axial opening (232b) of the second horizontal discs. A first color cell (236) is identified in a first pocket (238).Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Inventor: Nicoline Kinch
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Publication number: 20140070488Abstract: The present invention and creation relates to a kind of jigsaw puzzle and its method of fabrication. The jigsaw puzzle is comprised of a plurality of jigsaw puzzle blocks through cutting of a jigsaw puzzle board. The said jigsaw puzzle blocks are disposed of arc surfaces on the edges of both sides. In the jigsaw puzzle, the edges of both sides are arc surface, easy for splicing of jigsaw puzzle blocks. Also, the edges of the jigsaw puzzle blocks uneasily result in injury, which are safe in use. In method for fabrication of jigsaw puzzle, two sets of tools are used to be symmetrically provided on both sides of the said jigsaw puzzle board. The said two sets of tool move reversely, pressing and cutting the said jigsaw puzzle board to form a plurality of jigsaw puzzle blocks, as a result, the fabricated edges on both sides of the jigsaw puzzle blocks are arc surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2013Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: Hape International (Hong Kong) LimitedInventor: Peter Hanstein
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Publication number: 20140015195Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a therapeutic puzzle. The puzzle comprises a plurality puzzle pieces. Each of the pieces has a top surface, a bottom surface and complimentary joints for detachably assembling the pieces together in a pre-determined pattern. The top surface of one or more of the pieces features a therapeutic message or a series of therapeutic messages designed to bring about a pre-determined therapeutic result when the pieces are assembled in the pre-determined pattern to form the puzzle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Inventor: Shirley SNOW
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Publication number: 20130341863Abstract: A puzzle game includes a plurality of puzzle pieces, some of which have indicia thereon. The pieces can be fit together and points can be scored by matching indicia in adjacent pieces.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2012Publication date: December 26, 2013Inventors: Joel Weinshanker, Michael Elliot
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Patent number: 8602833Abstract: System and method for additional amusement, entertaining and surprising visual or audible reward provided upon completing the reconstructing of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle. The puzzle pieces include conductive pads connected by a conductor such as a wire, a metallic strip or a conductive paint, so that upon assembling the puzzle, the pads are in contact to form a continuous conductive path. The frame or the puzzle pieces include a battery (or an AC adapter) and a visual or audible signaling device operating upon sensing the continuity of the conductive path. Each of the puzzle pieces may include three or more conductive pads, allowing for the forming two or more isolated or connected distinct conductive paths. The conductive path can further affect a time measurement and its related display for timing the puzzle solving.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2009Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: May Patents Ltd.Inventor: Yehuda Binder
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Patent number: 8568187Abstract: The invention relates to a construction set made of a plurality of different members interacting together for assembly, characterized in that one so-called connector member (100) among said members has an essentially cylindrical body with a cylindrical surface (110) that is preformed in order to interact for assembly with the correspondingly preformed bases (120, 130) of other connector members (100). The construction set includes a plurality of other constitutive members.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2007Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Robosynthesis LimitedInventor: Philip Norman
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Publication number: 20130234388Abstract: A multi-piece, two-dimensional puzzle whose solution involves the matching of multiple-symbol, piece-matching indicia located along each edge of a two-faced puzzle piece with corresponding multiple-symbol, piece-matching indicia located along edges of adjacent abutting pieces. The multiple-symbol, piece-matching indicia is not shared by adjoining puzzle piece edges. Further, each piece is provided with unique piece-identifying indicia on both of its faces. Together, the matching of multiple-symbol, piece-matching indicia of adjacent tile edges, coupled with signaling of solutions as suggested by observation of the unique piece-identifying indicia leads a player to solution of the puzzle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2013Publication date: September 12, 2013Inventor: John Dale
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Patent number: 8523182Abstract: A ring puzzle has a plurality of rings having a through going slot through which the rings can be introduced into one another, and each of the ring being provided with a plurality of groups at least two circumferentially spaced protrusions and at least two axially spaced grooves, such that when one of the rings is introduced in another of the rings and turned relative to the latter and the protrusions of one of the rings are engaged in the grooves of another of the rings at least one of the groups two of the rings become firmly connected with one another.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2011Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Inventor: Igor Goldman
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Patent number: 8511685Abstract: A stellated icosahedron puzzle has a plurality of assembled together parts forming in an assembled condition a stellated icosahedron, the assemblies including six mated together hollow octahedron assemblies and twelve hollow pyramid assemblies located on the hollow octahedron assemblies rotatable around each of the octahedron assembly via pivot shafts of the octahedron assemblies and stoppable every 180° of rotation, and the pyramid assemblies being independently attachable to and detachable from each of the pivot shafts.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2011Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Inventor: Igor Goldman
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Publication number: 20130147114Abstract: A multi-skill jigsaw puzzle intended for the entertainment of two or more people and having at least two puzzle piece sizes in a pre-determined spacial relationship, the larger size puzzle pieces for those less skilled in working jigsaw puzzles, and the smaller puzzle pieces requiring a higher degree of puzzle working skill. Intermediate puzzle pieces occupy an area that separates and joins the at least two puzzle sections. The intermediate puzzle pieces are larger than the at least two (2) puzzle piece sizes and includes a first side of protrusions and recesses sized to mate with puzzle pieces in the first section, and a second side, opposite the first side, of protrusions and recesses sized to mate with puzzle pieces in the second section.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2011Publication date: June 13, 2013Inventor: Jack Wishy
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Publication number: 20130134676Abstract: The disclosure relates to a jigsaw puzzle having at least one puzzle piece that can be bent along at least one predefined bending line, and that has an upper side and a lower side and a puzzle piece thickness extending between the upper side and the lower side which is reduced from an inner side of a bend along each bending line. In order to neutralise the resilient restoring force that acts in the bent state, on each side of each bending line there is a fixing device which releasably fixes a desired bending angle, each fixing device having at least one recess into which a corresponding protrusion engages in a clamping and/or latching manner when the puzzle piece is bent.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2010Publication date: May 30, 2013Applicant: RAVENSBURGER SPIELEVERLAG GMBHInventors: Florian Knell, Joerg R. Bauer
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Patent number: 8439361Abstract: An improved puzzle of the type in which a target image is applied to the edge of a stack of slats. The slats are shuffled and then reassembled by the user. In the improvement, the strip of target image that is associated with the edge of each slat is extended beyond the edge, along the surface of the slat, allowing the user to more readily perceive the puzzle pattern, particularly on relatively thin slats. The improvement also allows economic manufacture from inexpensive materials by ordinary printing techniques. Slats can be printed flat, then formed by folding.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2010Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Inventor: Steve Weinreich
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Patent number: 8435037Abstract: A learning system for testing aspects of how a child learns includes a toy-like electro-mechanical chassis having upstanding pegs. The child is encouraged to place donut shaped hand pieces onto the pegs. The hand pieces test the ability of the child to discriminate between different colors, and separately between different textures and different shapes and also tests the child's abilities in perception and creativity. The electro-mechanical chassis also is able to test the child's ability to discern and copy tones and rhythms. Information of the child's performance is automatically collected and compared with normalized results of a large tested group of subjects. Remediation focuses on activities related to the learning channels where the child is least astute and periodic retesting measures the ability of the child to improve in those channels to enable improvement of remediation approaches.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2010Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Inventor: Tina Marie Davis
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Publication number: 20130069305Abstract: A puzzle toy including: a piece set containing a plurality of component pieces; and a main body for accommodating the piece set therein, wherein each of the plurality of component pieces has a rear surface on which a plurality of lattices is formed, and the main body includes: light-emitting devices, which are arranged to correspond to the respective lattices and emit light towards the lattices, and light-receiving devices for detecting light reflected from the lattices; a signal analyzer for determining colors of the lattices by signals detected by the light-receiving devices and generating output signals for the lattices; a feedback call unit for analyzing the output signals for the lattices, recognizing the lattice arrangement of the piece set, and determining the assembly success/failure of the piece set and a type of the piece set; and a feedback processing unit for outputting information regarding the assembled piece set.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2011Publication date: March 21, 2013Inventors: Hyo Keun Lee, Seong Roh Lee
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Patent number: 8393623Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, cubes with beveled edges that are joined by hinge elements can be folded into a larger cube. In another embodiment, a puzzle object with a plurality of holes may have a rope element threaded through it so as to conceal knot elements. In yet another embodiment, a plurality of puzzle objects with holes that are joined by hinge elements may have a rope element threaded through tunnels formed by the holes so as to conceal the knot elements. Different aspects and further embodiments of this invention provide for puzzles and amusements of varying design.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2009Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Inventor: James Andrew Storer
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Publication number: 20130056931Abstract: A stellated icosahedron puzzle has a plurality of assembled together parts forming in an assembled condition a stellated icosahedron, the assemblies including six mated together hollow octahedron assemblies and twelve hollow pyramid assemblies located on the hollow octahedron assemblies rotatable around each of the octahedron assembly via pivot shafts of the octahedron assemblies and stoppable every 180° of rotation, and the pyramid assemblies being independently attachable to and detachable from each of the pivot shafts.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2011Publication date: March 7, 2013Inventor: Igor Goldman
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Publication number: 20130056930Abstract: A ring puzzle has a plurality of rings having a through going slot through which the rings can be introduced into one another, and each of the ring being provided with a plurality of groups at least two circumferentially spaced protrusions and at least two axially spaced grooves, such that when one of the rings is introduced in another of the rings and turned relative to the latter and the protrusions of one of the rings are engaged in the grooves of another of the rings at least one of the groups two of the rings become firmly connected with one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2011Publication date: March 7, 2013Inventor: Igor Goldman
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Patent number: 8387989Abstract: A multi-player, multi-level stacking block game is formed from cubes of non-uniform size and is scored in such a fashion as to reward bold play but penalize the player that causes the stacked tower to fall down. The game includes 72 pieces which comprise six (6) sets of 12 pieces each. A player is selected to begin and rolls a die to determine which piece he or she plays. The piece is placed on a 3×3 grid having 9 squares. Players ultimately take turns placing a piece on the grid, and above it, until the tower either falls down or, if all 72 pieces are used, the player with the highest score wins. The playing pieces are uniquely structured so that at least one dimension of the subset of player pieces is not a multiple of another piece in that subset in order to enhance the instability factor of the game. The score that the player receives is an accumulation of the scores based upon piece location and how many levels a player piece occupies as well as if the player can occupy all 9 cubes on a particular level.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Inventor: Keith Baum
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Patent number: 8348279Abstract: A take-apart puzzle consisting of a small number of identical looking bricks which are held together by the mutual magnetic attraction of their internally hidden magnets. The puzzle is disassembled by separating the bricks from one another. Upon separation it will be found that one or more of the magnets within the bricks have moved and/or rotated thereby causing one or more of the bricks to now mutually repel one another. The bricks will not be attracted to each other, thus forcing the so-moved magnets back into their original positions. The puzzle is made all the more tantalizing to solve by the fact that magnetic fields cannot be readily seen and the puzzle only consists of a small number of separate pieces.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2010Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Inventor: Peter Burton
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Patent number: 8282101Abstract: An interactive entertainment system that includes a universal puzzle piece for each game or activity participant. The puzzle piece includes an updatable display displaying a first graphic image. The system includes an interactive display device with a display surface with an update mechanism that is operable such as by a controller, when the puzzle piece is in a predefined proximate position, to program the updatable display to update the first graphic image into a second graphic image. The updatable display includes an electrophoretic display layer storing the second graphic image. A transparent electrode layer is provided on a first side of the electrophoretic display layer. The update mechanism includes a puzzle piece update pad for receiving a second side of the electrophoretic display. The update pad includes a conductor layer or bottom conductor providing an electrical connection with the second side to provide the update to the first graphic image.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2011Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Jon Hayes Snoddy, Lanny S. Smoot, Scott Frazier Watson
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Publication number: 20120200034Abstract: A soft and plush surface, broken into various pieces, is provided for a child to play upon. The soft and plush surface is in the shape of an animal, preferably. The various pieces are of various colors to mimic the fur color pattern a particular animal. A substrate layer is provided underneath the soft and plush surface to anchor the soft and plush surface. A glue layer is positioned underneath the substrate layer to fixedly attached the substrate layer to a foam layer. The present invention is soft and flexible enough to be used as a conventional format, but at the same time, the present invention is rigid enough to be put together like a puzzle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2012Publication date: August 9, 2012Inventors: Benjamin E. Braha, Stuart Kessler
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Patent number: 8181961Abstract: A self-contained three-dimensional puzzle game that has a plurality of free-floating individual puzzle pieces (6) enclosed within a transparent enclosure (8). Puzzle is solved by using a wand (1) to move the individual puzzle pieces and forming the three dimensional solution. Wand is comprised of a rod, which extends through a small hole (4) in the enclosure. One embodiment has the three-dimensional subject solution covered with image graphics (10) so that when the individual pieces are manipulated into the correct positions they bring about an overall composition.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2010Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Inventor: Louis Hall
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Publication number: 20120098193Abstract: A puzzle kit for assembly into a three dimensional representation of a geographic region includes first pieces that form a first layer, second pieces that form a second layer on top of the first layer, and structure pieces mounted on the first and/or second layers. The first and second layers can include retaining elements for retaining the structure pieces. The retaining elements can take the form of voids. The first layer can include image elements visible through the voids of the second layer, and the image elements can include indicia to match the voids with the structure pieces. The first pieces can include anchoring pieces that are elevated and interlock with the second layer. The structure pieces can be sequentially assembled on the first and/or second layers according to an index. The assembled puzzle can represent a city, and the structure pieces can represent buildings within the city.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2010Publication date: April 26, 2012Inventor: Shaun Sunt Sakdinan
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Patent number: 8141876Abstract: A soccer ball assembly (10) includes a central mounting core (14) defining thirty-two holes and thirty-two construction elements which are mountable to the central mounting core in an arrangement wherein the construction elements extend radially outwardly therefrom. Twenty of the constructions are hexagonal elements (18) which are hexagonal in cross-section and twelve are pentagonal elements (16) which are pentagonal in cross-section. Each construction element has a spigot formation at an inner end thereof which fits into a different one of the holes in the mounting core (14). In the fully assembled condition, the soccer ball assembly resembles a soccer ball.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2007Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Scarlet Ibis Investments 53 (Proprietary) LimitedInventors: Peter Humphreys, Cornelius Frederik Van Der Nest
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Publication number: 20120032393Abstract: Embodiments may including multiple building elements that may include connector building elements and basic building elements for the construction of three-dimensional puzzles. Connector building elements may include a connector portion that may insert into a receiving portion of a basic building element. Connector building elements and basic building elements may rotate with respect to each other to a fixed point where respective faces of the connector building element and the basic building element are aligned; the alignment may be to pre-determined angles. Connector building elements and/or basic building elements may include blocking and/or locking structures that may resist and/or arrest the rotation of the elements with respect to each other and to aid in maintaining the alignment of the elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2011Publication date: February 9, 2012Inventor: Boaz Leicht
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Patent number: 8109515Abstract: A puzzle formed by splitting of a 3-D body by three pairs of symmetrical conical surfaces. The body has a hollow sphere inside with three main axes coincided with the axes of each pair. The elements are a result of splitting by the conical surfaces and comprise outer and inner junction means providing two adjacent elements sliding with respect to each other. There are three types of elements with orientation means: six polar, twelve median and eight triangular elements. The elements adjacent to one conical surface comprise key open means providing elements move apart. The goal of the three-dimensional puzzle is to put the body in right order by 90 degrees rotations of elements spaced from one side of conical surfaces, to the initial ordered orientation, where the body can be separated for two parts providing access to the space located inside the hollow sphere.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2007Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Lionsphere Puzzles PartnershipInventors: Lev A. Fedoseyev, Shlomo Caspi
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Publication number: 20120007310Abstract: A jigsaw puzzle is provided with a plurality of inner puzzle pieces defining a complete inner jigsaw puzzle depicting a preselected object, and a plurality of outer puzzle pieces defining a complete outer jigsaw puzzle depicting a frame around an opening having the shape of the preselected object.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2011Publication date: January 12, 2012Applicant: LATE FOR THE SKY PRODUCTIONS CO., INC.Inventor: William C. Schulte
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Patent number: 8087671Abstract: A spatial puzzle apparatus is disclosed herein. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus 100 comprises a plurality of puzzle blocks 102 which has a general pyramid shape, and a void 124 which is configured to receive one of the plurality of puzzle blocks 102. A spherical housing 104 is used to house the plurality of puzzle blocks 102 and the void 124. The spherical housing 104 is configured to circumscribe the plurality of puzzle blocks 102 so that the plurality of puzzle blocks 102 and the void 124 define and retain the shape of a cube 106 as the plurality of puzzle blocks 102 are caused to rotate about a common axis to change positions via the void 124 to solve the puzzle. A virtual form of the spatial puzzle apparatus is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2008Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Inventor: Pantazis Constantine Houlis
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Patent number: 8061713Abstract: Disclosed is a geometric puzzle comprising a plurality of three-dimensional components of at least one type, each component of the same type being derived by notionally dividing a fundamental shape into a plurality of equal parts, said fundamental shape being selected from the group consisting of a regular tetrahedron having edges of equal length and a regular pyramid with a square base and also having edges of equal length, said components being capable of assembly into multiple composite shapes. Each component may be equal and identical to one another or each pair of components may comprise mirror images of one another. Surfaces of said components may be provided attractive magnetic elements to hold said components in a composite shape.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2007Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: TBL Sustainability Group Inc.Inventor: C. Roger Cook
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Publication number: 20110227284Abstract: A picture puzzle kit is provided for coloring duplicate picture puzzles marked with distinct indicia corresponding to multiple colors. The picture puzzle kit comprises two or more sets of puzzle pieces comprising parts that define a picture puzzle. The puzzle pieces in one set are duplicates of corresponding puzzle pieces in another set. The puzzle pieces in one set are marked with indicia corresponding to a color, which are distinct from indicia marked on the puzzle pieces in another set. Opposing sides of the puzzle pieces can be marked with distinct indicia. Two or more color charts display colors corresponding to the distinct indicia marked on the puzzle pieces. Coloring tools are used to color the puzzle pieces based on the colors corresponding to the distinct indicia, displayed on the color charts. Corresponding colored puzzle pieces in the sets are interchanged for creating duplicate picture puzzles of different colors.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Inventor: Anita Jane Gearty