Abstract: The present invention provides a three-dimensional geometric puzzle having a cube element, five triangular prism elements and a parallelepiped element. Each one or all of the elements of the puzzle are capable of being oriented such that they have a thickness equal to the length of an edge of the face of the cube element. The elements can also be juxtaposed in a predetermined fashion to form various geometric solids, such as a parallelepiped having a square face and a height equal to the length of a side of an edge of the cube element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to assemblable symmetrical bodies consisting of a regular central body (1-5, 6-8, 26) and a multitude of partly congruent covering pieces (9, 23). Fasteners (18, 19) are firmly fixed to the central body (1-5, 6-8, 26), or to the basic surface (10) of each of the covering pieces (9, 23) respectively, providing a relatively firm connection between the regular central body (1-5, 6-8, 26) and the covering pieces (9, 23) which can be broken and re-established as often as desired using relatively little force. The covering pieces (9, 23) may be shaped like jigsaw puzzle pieces (27, 28) containing projections (34) and matching cut-outs (31).

Abstract: A combination book organizer and learning center which includes a body having a plurality of pockets of predetermined and varying shapes formed therein in which books having the same predetermined varied shapes are placed when not in use.

Abstract: Composing an image with fragments. The fragments of an image are downloaded from a server. The fragments are displayed in an initial configuration within the image. One of the fragments located at one of the positions within the image is then selected. The selected fragment is then moved to a second position within the image which has defined characteristics. The selected fragment is then visually altered to conform to the defined characteristics of the second position. The visual alteration may include altering the size or the aspect ratio or both of the fragments to conform to the defined characteristics of the respective positions, such as a positions within a grid, or altering the size or orientation or both of the fragments to conform to the defined characteristics of their respective positions, such as C-shaped fragments arranged radially around a center of the image. After the appearance of the selected fragment is altered, a new configuration of the image fragments may be displayed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a combination puzzle and associated information, such as a story. The present invention includes a story board on which a story or other information is presented. Puzzle pieces are assembled on the story board over the story or other information. Once assembled, the puzzle pieces pictorially depict some aspect relating to the story or other information.

Abstract: A set of interlocking elements capable of being joined together to form a corner piece of a puzzle game that constitutes a three-dimensional pictorial representation of a structure. In one embodiment, the set of interlocking elements comprises a first element that can be folded into a corner configuration. A second generally planar element interlocks through a dovetail-type joint with the first element to maintain the first element in a folded, corner-like configuration. The first and the second elements are provided with image-bearing surfaces that constitute individual pictorial entities contributing to a complete representation of the structure. When the first and the second elements are interlocked, the image-bearing surfaces unite visually to provide image continuity over the exposed surface of the corner piece. In a second embodiment, the set of interlocking element includes three discrete planar elements that unite through male/female joints into a T-shaped configuration.

Abstract: An educational instrument for numbers for providing students with an educational tool that would be fun and challenging. The educational instrument for numbers includes a base member having a top side, a recessed portion in the top side, a first longitudinal slot, a second longitudinal slot, a first longitudinal groove extending from the recessed portion and terminating near a first end of the base member, a second longitudinal groove extending from the recessed portion and terminating near a second end of the base member, a matrix of numbers disposed in the recessed portion, a first cover means slidably disposed in the first longitudinal slot and movable over the recessed portion, and a second cover means slidably disposed in the second longitudinal slot and movable over the recessed portion and over the first cover member.

Abstract: A toy that may be used to make three-dimensional designs from elastic members comprises a base and at least one, and preferably two, vertical sidewalls rotatable relative to the base. The base and the at least one sidewall each have a face surface with a plurality of retaining means disposed thereon. A plurality of elastic members may be secured to the plurality of retaining means and thereby suspended between the base and the at least one sidewall to form a three-dimensional design, for example, each member may be attached at a first point along the member to a retaining means on the at least one sidewall and at a second point along the member to a retaining means on the base. The at least one sidewall or the base can be rotated to vary the length of the elastic members, thereby changing the three-dimensional design formed thereby.

Abstract: An improvement is disclosed in a puzzle of the type including a rectangular base piece, a raised rectangular frame surrounding the sides of the base piece and defining therewith a recessed platform; and a plurality of rectangular flattened pieces which are positionable on said platform within said frame, and of dimensions and number when so positioned in mutual lateral contact as to provide a single rectangular void space among the pieces; the flattened pieces being slidable on the plane of the platform subject to lateral restraint by one another; and the object of the puzzle being to proceed from a designated starting configuration of the flattened pieces, and interchange the respective initial positions of designated of the flattened pieces by successive sliding movements of pieces into and out of the said void space.

Abstract: A jigsaw with at least some pieces being adapted to be placed alongside a plurality of other pieces by having an upper surface feature extending substantially completely along any one or more of the mating edges so that any other piece with a corresponding upper surface feature extending substantially completely along any one of the corresponding mating edges can be placed along side the or any one of the corresponding upper surface feature edges of the former piece. Preferably, the upper surface features extend completely along a whole number of mating edges and further surface features are provided along further mating edges of at least some of the pieces. Thereafter the surface feature remote from the mating edge may form a common border with one or more other surface feature remote borders. The invention allows the interchange of pieces to create new surface features.

Abstract: A sectional photo display cube having six faces for displaying photos thereon. The cube includes two complementary shaped sections each of which includes a plurality of blocks projecting perpendicularly therefrom. The blocks in one of the sections are shaped to interfit with the blocks in the other of the sections to form a cube when assembled and each of the sections includes at least one surface area forming a fractional portion of each face of the cube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new block puzzles assembly that is comprised of four stacks of a plurality of similar, generally rectangular shaped blocks with circular tenon male attachment part on their closed top face and complementary female attachment part enclosed within their open bottom face, allowing blocks to be releasably held together when assembled in vertical stacks. Each of a pair of side faces of a block have a portion of a first image, each of the other pair of side faces of the same block have a portion of a second image. A first image being produced on a vertical plane when stacks are properly arranged in a generally rectangular shaped stack assembly. A second image being produced when all stacks of same properly arranged stack assembly are turned around their vertical axis.

Abstract: Puzzles characterized by one or a number of sets of visually identical, physically interchangeable, rotatable pieces that either contain magnets with varying north/south orientations embedded in their sides and/or have a mark or markings on one or more of their edges and computer versions of these puzzles. The object of the puzzles is to arrange the pieces in predetermined shapes and sequences in such a manner that the sides of the pieces which are in contact with the sides of other pieces have opposite magnetic poles facing each other so that the pieces attract, rather than repel or, if edge markings are used with or instead of magnets, so that adjacent edge markings comply with specified rules. In addition, the pieces may be all visually identical except for differences in edge markings, if any, or, alternatively, there may be several sets of visually identical pieces, e.g., pink pieces, blue pieces, yellow pieces and orange pieces, which together comprise a puzzle set.

Abstract: A puzzle and game apparatus constructed of elements forming a geometrical pattern, the shape of each element providing information about its placement in the overall puzzle. In the preferred embodiment, the curved geometry game apparatus is fabricated as a plurality of elements of soft, resilient pieces of foam rubber, which are curve-shaped each with an interlocking tab and a recess formed on either of its ends. Multiple curve-shaped elements are interlockable by insertion of the tab of one element into the recess of another one. In this fashion, rings of similarly curved elements can be formed, and these rings can be placed one within another to form an overall circular shape. When the circular shape containing all the rings is disassembled, the individual elements do not immediately appear to fall into any order for reconstructing the overall shape, and further, the curve-shaped elements may have different arc lengths, which increases the difficulty of identifying them as being part of the same group.

Abstract: A three-dimensional puzzle assembly comprising a structural portion and a decorative portion is described herein. The structural portion includes a plurality of structural elements that may be assembled to form a predetermined three-dimensional shape. The structural elements include first connectors. The decorative portion includes a plurality of decorative elements made of resilient material and provided with a front decorative surface and a reverse surface. The reverse surfaces are provided with at least one second connector configured, positioned and sized to connect with the first connector to therefore removably interconnect the decorative elements and the structural elements. A wall mounting assembly to support a three-dimensional puzzle assembly is also described herein.

Abstract: A puzzle which includes a plurality of interlocking pieces, preferably made of heavy cardboard. The assembly of the pieces results in openings sized and shaped to receive specific letters. Letters, preferably of a different color than the other pieces, are then placed in the openings to spell a person's name. The inventive concept can be applied to different names.

Abstract: A puzzle for printing on a printer having rollers in its paper feed path, such as a personal computer printer. The puzzle is a semirigid but flexible sheet having at least one blank side serving as means for printing on by the printer. The sheet is sufficiently flexible to negotiate through the rollers of the printer. The sheet has a plurality of die-cuts defining pieces. The die-cuts intersect at intersections. The intersections have nicks for separating each cut at its intersection, and for maintaining rigidity of the sheet during printing.

Abstract: A set of coins is arranged relative to a display having discrete regions associated with discrete coins within the set. In a preferred embodiment, the display is a map, and an opening is provided within the borders of or proximate to each state on the map in order to receive a respective coin.

Abstract: There is provided a test administration device having at least three substantially rigid planar members rotatively interconnected. At least two members have a retaining layer on one side containing cut-outs in the general shape of puzzle pieces. The concealed puzzles are successively revealed to the test subject in a random, predetermined arrangement on an integral work surface by selectively rotating the planar members. By vertically rotating the work surface, the pieces of a test puzzle are deposited on the interior surface of the previous planar member for efficient storage. An integral shield for minimizing distractions to the subject is created by positioning a planar member in a generally lower than vertical position. The puzzle pieces of each puzzle are securely stored and concealed between adjacent planar members.

Abstract: A jigsaw puzzle is made up from a plurality of pieces which can be assembled to form a picture. The pieces include a plurality of outer edge pieces which when assembled establish a perimeter of the puzzle and a plurality of interior pieces. The pieces are formed by cutting a support bearing the picture along a plurality of cutting lines extending in two approximately orthogonal directions within a plane defined by the support. This results in a puzzle in which each piece lies at an intersection of a row and a column and each edge of each piece contacts only one edge from a single other piece in the assembled puzzle. The pieces are locked together by means of a plurality of male and female interlocking elements, which are part of the edges of the different pieces. The puzzle of the invention is made more difficult because the cutting lines include a variable number of straight segments such that at least half of the interior pieces, and preferably all of these pieces, each have at least one straight edge.

Abstract: A game apparatus teaches relationships between members and subsets of a recognized set of living or non-living things, such as the five food groups, through illustrations on faces of geometrical-shaped blocks. The apparatus further includes coded indicia in the form of letters, numbers and colors which provide additional information by which children can recall relationships between the various members and subsets which are illustrated.

Abstract: Composing an image from fragments of the image. The fragments of the image and a playing grid (used to define the fragments) are downloaded from a server. The positions of the fragments are shuffled within the grid. The appearance of each fragment is altered to conform to characteristics of the fragment's position or cell within the grid. After displaying an initial configuration of the fragments, one or more fragments are selected and moved to new positions or cells within the grid. In one embodiment, a single fragment is selected and moved to a new cell. In another embodiment, a fragment in one cell is selected. A new cell having another fragment is also selected. The two fragments are swapped between their respective positions or cells. After moving or swapping any fragments, the appearance of a moved or swapped fragment is altered to conform to characteristics (such as the size, shape, and aspect ratio) of the fragment's new position or cell within the grid.

Abstract: A kit provides one or more replicas of dinosaur skeletons (typically significantly reduced in size), in combination with one or more replicas of paleontology tools (again typically significantly reduced in size) such as those that might be used in the actual exploration for and excavation of dinosaur skeletons by paleontologists in the field. The dinosaur skeleton and tool replicas may be carried in a pail or backpack with the tools organized in separate compartments or pockets.

Abstract: A multiple piece toy in which each piece includes a base having an interconnectable peripheral edge which selectively mates with the peripheral edges of other pieces to enable multiple relationships therebetween. Extending upwardly from each piece is a figurine of animal-like character. Selective interconnection of the pieces forms an infinite variety of groupings of the pieces for play and display.

Abstract: Puzzles characterized by one or a number of sets of visually identical, physically interchangeable, rotatable pieces that either contain magnets with varying north/south orientations embedded in their sides and/or have a mark or markings on one or more of their edges and computer versions of these puzzles. The object of the puzzles is to arrange the pieces in predetermined shapes and sequences in such a manner that the sides of the pieces which are in contact with the sides of other pieces have opposite magnetic poles facing each other so that the pieces attract, rather than repel or, if edge markings are used with or instead of magnets, so that adjacent edge markings comply with specified rules. In addition, the pieces may be all visually identical except for differences in edge markings, if any, or, alternatively, there may be several sets of visually identical pieces, e.g., pink pieces, blue pieces, yellow pieces and orange pieces, which together comprise a puzzle set.

Abstract: A reclosable lid with a playing surface for laying out of the jig saw puzzle pieces is shown and described. The playing surface includes: a pair of grooves and a pair of side rails for lateral support of puzzle pieces placed on the surface. The lid includes a layer of foamed material to maintain downward pressure on the puzzle pieces in place. Puzzles may then be safely stored for long periods of time within the confines of the playing surface and lid.

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 game including a game board is provided with two recesses and including two sets of pieces which may be assembled to reconstitute two similar pictures, one picture within and filling each recess, the pieces of the two sets being of the same shape and size but each piece belonging to one set only and not the other by virtue of the pieces bearing non-interchangeable elements of pictures to be reconstituted. The puzzle may be played competitively, with two players racing against one another to complete pictures.

Abstract: A mathematical triangle kit designed to teach children and adults mathematical and symmetry skills utilizing various sized patterned blocks. By manipulating the patterned blocks the participant learns mathematical skills, such as fractions, multiplication, trigonometry, and geometry. Additionally, by manipulating the patterned blocks the participant also learns geometric relations, such as mirror images and other symmetry relationships amongst the patterned blocks. In the preferred embodiment, the mathematical triangle kit comprises three sets of various sized and colored right triangles with 30.degree. and 60.degree. bases.

Abstract: A game or puzzle including a plurality of polyomino pieces which have the obverse sides and the reverse sides marked with different markings, there being a least three markings in total on the obverse and reverse sides of the piece. The pieces may be assembled using both sides into different arrays of eight by eight squares defining checkerboard patterns for use in playing the game of chess or checkers. The pieces may also be assembled into a cube comprising four by four squares.

Abstract: An improvement is added to the existing concept of using a mirrored surface to reflect a half symmetrical image which is printed on an adjoining card. The improvement is adding a perspective drawing of a related vertical object on the mirrored surface. The vertical object is positioned to interact in a coherent manner with the reflection of the half symmetrical image. The interaction between the images provides an enhanced 3-D phenomena. Additionally objects such as a ball seem to float out of the 3-D image. One embodiment further adds a movable tab which allows modifying the overall image. The invention can be used for greeting cards, books, baseball hat peaks, and assorted novelty items.

Abstract: In order to enhance the enjoyment of assembling a puzzle of the three-dimensional type, a puzzle is disclosed in the form of a building-like structure having walls to be joined at corners thereof. The puzzle includes a plurality of wall pieces capable of interlocking in a plane to form walls of the building-like structure. It is also contemplated that each of the wall pieces will have peripheral male and female contours capable of interlocking engagement to form a portion of a wall. The puzzle further includes at least one corner piece capable of joining a pair of walls at a corner of the building-like structure. It is also contemplated that the corner piece will be formed so as to have a groove in a backing material opposite an image-bearing outer surface of the same types which are also to be used for each of the wall pieces.

Abstract: The invention comprises a continuous surface made from jigsaw puzzle pieces, wherein the three or more pieces whose corners share a common point when assembled, have corner angles whose sum is less than 360 degrees with the common point as vertex of said corner angles. The present invention makes it possible to work on jigsaw puzzles which, when assembled and during assembly, form continuously curving polyhedral surfaces, and to provide a jigsaw puzzle whose pieces assemble edge to edge into a self-supporting curved surface which is a closed multifaceted polyhedron whose appearance is substantially spherical.

Abstract: A basketball backboard assembly comprising a body including a plurality of selectively releasable interfitting pieces and a rim extending from the body is disclosed whereby upon generating a sufficient force on the rim, the plurality of interfitting pieces release from each other to simulate a shattered backboard.

Abstract: A container is provided with a liner, such as a jigsaw puzzle, which is visible through translucent container walls. Retainers to hold the puzzle or puzzles in place against wall surfaces are panels in endwise engagement with one another. A modified form of retainer is a frame embodied in having a backing on which puzzle pieces are assembled and supported. Adhesive areas on the frame hold the frame and the assembled pieces in place against a container wall. Multiple positionable panels carried by a common base may also serve to retain the jigsaw puzzle pieces in place opposite a container wall. A method of providing a container with an assembled display is disclosed. The retainers may be of translucent material to render visible the inner surfaces of assembled puzzle pieces with a graphic display thereon.

Abstract: A repositionable puzzle having a base, at least one removable piece having a first surface having a fastener adapted to releasably engage the base and a second surface having indicia. A panel is attached to the base. The panel has clue and answer indicia thereon. The at least one removable piece is moved on the base from a position adjacent to the answer indicia on the panel to a position adjacent to the corresponding clue indicia on the panel to complete the puzzle. A method of playing a puzzle game on a repositionable puzzle having a base, at least one removable piece having a first surface having a fastener adapted to releasably engage the base and a second surface having indicia, a panel attached to the base having clue and answer indicia thereon, the method includes the step moving the at least one removable piece on the base from a position adjacent to the answer indicia on the panel to a position adjacent to the clue indicia on the panel to complete the puzzle.

Abstract: The invention provides a three-dimensional puzzle consisting of a plurality of interlocking components. Each component has at least one engagement surface with which it engages with one or more other components. The puzzle includes at least three components in which the first and second components engage and the third component engages both first and second components and prevents their disengagement from each other whilst engaged with the third component. Further, there is provided a device for hot wire cutting of thermoplastic material comprising an electrically conductive wire, an arrangement for driving the wire between two points, and a voltage arrangement for applying a potential difference to the wire between the two points.

Abstract: A puzzle including a puzzle board having a backing, a plurality of cavities, and a plurality of puzzle pieces, each puzzle piece having a frame, or outer periphery shaped and sized to conform to the inner walls or inner periphery of a corresponding cavity in the puzzle board, and each of the puzzle pieces including a frame with an open, central area or window and having a clear film, preferably an acetate, extending thereacross, the bottom surface of each cavity having an image formed thereon, and the clear film also having an image formed thereon, whereby placement of a puzzle piece into a cavity provides for completion of the puzzle and the super-imposition of the puzzle piece insert image upon the background image at the bottom of the cavity.

Abstract: A book having at least one fold out page with a metal insert which assists the placement or arrangement of magnetic manipulatives onto a page of the book.

Abstract: A display puzzle comprising a support and a plurality of puzzle elements, the support and the elements having mutually-interengageable, releasable attachment members such that the elements are attachable to the support in at least on predetermined display arrangement for support thereby, wherein the support is so formed and each puzzle element has an edge portion so formed that, when each element is attached to the support, the edge portion is spaced from the support and can be pressed manually against the support to pivot the respective element relative to the support to release it therefrom, the releasable attachment members being sufficiently effective to hold the puzzle elements in position against inadvertent movement even when the puzzle is arrayed in a vertical position.

Abstract: A changeable magnetic sign kit including; interlocking pieces, upon which are imprinted alphanumeric characters, which can be reconstructed into different messages, and which vary in width to accomodate the variety of widths of characters within a font style, the width dimension of each character piece having a specific mathematical relationship with the width dimension of another; similar interlocking framepieces which connect with the alphanumeric imprinted pieces to connect them with a straight edged perimeter, and connector pieces which interlock with either the framepieces or the character pieces to join one parallelogram comprised of these two type pieces to another parallelogram comprised of these two type pieces.

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 puzzle includes a display showing a plurality of pieces, each of the pieces corresponding substantially to a given region of a composite block, and an input device for allowing a user to manipulate the position of at least some of the pieces so as to construct the composite block. Pieces corresponding to adjacent regions of the composite block have complementary boundaries. A visible property of the complementary boundaries varies with time such that, at any instant, the complementary boundaries between pieces corresponding to adjacent regions of the composite block have matching visible properties. Typically, the variable visible property is the shape of the boundary. Alternatively, it may be a graphic element moving along the boundary.

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 multilayer three dimensional puzzle includes two or more planar layers supported by separators in a spaced relationship to one another. Each layer consists of assembled interlocking puzzle pieces. Assembled, spaced apart layers form a scene with a three dimensional effect. The assembly forms a rigid self supporting structure that can stand on a horizontal surface or be supported from a single point to hang as a mobile. Each of the puzzle layers can be printed on both sides to increase the assembly challenge and permit viewing from all sides. The three dimensional effect can be accentuated by providing a slight curve to one or more of the layers or dimensioning the separators to place the planar layers at a small angle to one another.

Abstract: A signboard comprises a backboard having a frame which contains a sign member disposed contiguous with the frame so as to fill the area within the frame. The sign member has a rear surface releasably attached to the backboard, for example by means of a magnetic strip, said rear surface also having a recess. The configuration is such that pressure applied to a region of the front surface of the sign member over the area of the recess causes said sign member to lift along its opposite edge sufficiently to facilitate its removal. Alternatively, a plurality of sign members may be provided, disposed contiguous with each other and with the frame, at least one of which sign members is capable of being lifted by applied pressure.

Abstract: A displaying device for displaying pictures of baseball players, or the like, includes a three-dimensional (3D) structure including identically sized cube elements, provided with a respective picture fragment of each of the face surfaces. Being solved, the 3D structure exposes meaningful pictures on each of its six external flats. The displaying device is re-arrangeable for exposing a larger number of the pictures by separating the 3D structure into blocks--layers, each of which exposes meaningful pictures of its both opposite planes.

Abstract: An interactive toy/puzzle comprising a planar playing board in which moveable indicia interacts with fixed indicia is disclosed. The moveable indicia may also interact with other moveable indicia. The movement of the moveable indicia may occur in channels, apertures, circles, or the like in the playing board which hold the moveable indicia within. Solution to the puzzle is not limited to a specific number of movements, and success may be achieved at many different levels. Directions for working the puzzle and/or clues for solving the puzzle may be included as fixed indicia on the planar playing board. A selection device, such as a spinner, may be provided for selecting one of a plurality of predetermined relationships between the fixed indicia and the moveable indicia. The planar playing board may be two sided with different puzzles on its upper and lower surface in which a correct alignment of puzzle pieces on the upper surface may result in an automatic misalignment of puzzle pieces on the lower surface.

Abstract: A personalized accessory for ornamenting or otherwise accessorizing a person's clothing includes at least a first interlocking member and a second interlocking member. The first and second interlocking members are oriented so as to overlapped with respect to each other and are permanent affixed to one another. The personal accessory further includes a finding attached to at least one of the first and second interlocking members which serves as a means for mechanical attaching the personal accessory to a person or to a person's clothing.

Abstract: A display carrier for POGS and/or Slammers has a body portion with an upper flat surface and registration cavities therein arranged in an upper and a lower level, such that POGS or Slammers registered in cavities in the lower level may be overlapped by POGS or Slammers registered in the cavities in the upper level. POGS and Slammers with picture elements may therein be placed and displayed to present a larger contiguous pictorial display. In one embodiment there is but one level of registration cavities, and picture elements are presented on the upper flat surface to form a composite pictorial display with picture elements on POGS or Slammers placed in the registration elements. In some embodiments transparent lids cooperate with the body portions to enclose and protect POGS and Slammers in the display carriers, and picture elements may be placed on the underside of lids to form parts of a composite picture with POGS or Slammers.