Animated puzzles

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6431543
  • Patent Number
    6,431,543
  • Date Filed
    Friday, January 28, 2000
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, August 13, 2002
    22 years ago
Abstract
Animated puzzle toys are disclosed ranging from simple flat panels having floating eyeballs, to clamshell packaging puzzles for animated display, to eyeball puzzle boxes, to multi-size and multi-number eyeballs, to 3D puzzle pieces, to stackable 3D eyeball containers.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates to using known spherical toy balls, commonly known as “floating eyeballs,” Jet Balls™ or Glide Balls™ in a panel of a puzzle to create an amusing and entertaining three-dimensional display.




BACKGROUND OF INVENTION




Known in the art are “floating eyeballs” comprised of an eyeball-decorated (i.e. pupil, iris, blood vessels, etc.) inner sphere encased and floating within a larger clear outer sphere. The inner and outer spheres are separated by a clear liquid. The eyeball-decorated inner sphere is weighted such that the pupil automatically rotates no matter which direction the sphere is rotated. It is not known to combine the floating eyeball with a puzzle panel, thereby forming an animated puzzle. The present invention creates a toy that in one embodiment creates a plurality of facial expressions by combining said panels and one or more pair of floating eyeballs. It is known in the art that any floating objects including belly buttons, other body parts, insects, compass needles, other amusing objects, and/or graphic designs would all be equivalent to the best mode depiction herein of floating eyeballs.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present invention is an animated toy puzzle used for amusement. The puzzle is comprised of a panel with one or more spherical toy balls, commonly known as the above noted “floating eyeballs.” The puzzle can bear features resembling a human, insect, animal or other creature-like facial expression. The puzzle can bear facial features on both its front and back surfaces. The panel can be hingedly connected to a transparent cover to keep the pieces in the puzzle. The puzzle and floating eyeballs together make an entertaining three-dimensional character representation that can be controlled by the user to create an animated effect called “Eyeball Animation™.” −Eyeball Animation™” describes a visual effect in which the eyeball-decorated inner sphere moves about the clear plastic outer sphere in a manner similar to human-like eye movement.




The primary aspect of the present invention is to affix a floating eyeball to a puzzle so as to create a variety of entertaining and amusing facial expressions and scenes via the combination.




Another aspect of the present invention is to allow the user to create additional entertaining and amusing scenes by shaking or tilting the puzzle causing the floating eyeballs to move in different directions thereby providing the artwork surrounding the “floating eyeballs” varied visual affects.




Another aspect of the present invention is to provide plastic packaging for retail exposure as well as storage for the puzzle pieces, both assembled and unassembled.




Another aspect of the present invention is to permit the user to create his own entertaining three dimensional representations by introducing a blank puzzle piece over and around the floating eyeballs affixed to the primary puzzle such that the user may draw, paint or otherwise place an image of his own creation on the blank puzzle piece(s).




Other aspects of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a top plan view of an animated puzzle.





FIG. 2

is a side plan exploded view of a clamshell-type puzzle.





FIG. 3

is a side plan view of an alternate embodiment of a clamshell puzzle having rim locks.





FIG. 4

is another side plan view of the

FIG. 3

embodiment assembled.





FIG. 5

is a side plan view of another clamshell embodiment having the upper and bottom halves hinged.





FIG. 6

is a side plan view of the

FIG. 5

embodiment being closed.





FIG. 7

is a top plan view of another clamshell having trimable heat-sealed sides.





FIG. 8

is a side prospective view of a two-sided and/or poster embodiment puzzle.





FIG. 9

is a top perspective view of a clamshell embodiment having a built-in stand.





FIG. 10

is an exploded view of the

FIG. 9

embodiment.





FIG. 11

is a side plan view of the

FIG. 9

embodiment.





FIG. 12

is a side plan view of a clamshell like the

FIG. 9

embodiment, but having a top hinge.





FIG. 13

is a front plan view of the

FIG. 9

embodiment.





FIG. 14

is a side plan view of an opened clamshell puzzle having a large base.





FIG. 15

is a front perspective view of the

FIG. 14

embodiment partially assembled.





FIG. 16

is a top perspective view of the puzzle of

FIG. 15

completed and being moved into the open clamshell.





FIG. 17

is a top perspective view of a clamshell embodiment having a small base.





FIG. 18

is a side plan view of a clamshell embodiment having a storage compartment.





FIG. 19

is a front plan view of the

FIG. 18

embodiment.





FIG. 20

is a side plan view of another version of a clamshell embodiment having a compartment.





FIG. 21

is a front plan view of the

FIG. 20

embodiment.





FIG. 22

is a side plan view of another version of a clamshell embodiment with the compartment in the base.





FIG. 23

is an exploded side view of a snap-off face clamshell embodiment.





FIG. 24

is a top perspective view of the face of the

FIG. 23

embodiment.





FIG. 25

is a side plan view of the

FIG. 24

embodiment of the face.





FIG. 26

is a front plan view of a puzzle having two different sized eyeballs.





FIG. 27

is a back side view of the

FIG. 26

puzzle.





FIG. 28

is a front plan view of a worried or surprised character.





FIG. 29

is a front plan view of a suspicious or angry character.





FIG. 30

is a front plan view of a three-fourth profile character.





FIG. 31

is a front plan view of a side view character.





FIG. 32

is a front plan view of various sized floating eyeballs.





FIG. 33

is a side perspective view of floating eyeballs having special mounting features.





FIG. 34

is a front plan view of a four-eyeball puzzle.





FIG. 35

is a side plan view of a 3D puzzle piece.





FIG. 36

is a top perspective view of a multi-baseplate embodiment for a multi-puzzle toy.





FIG. 37

is a side perspective view of a cup-style clamshell.





FIG. 38

is a side plan view of a folding box embodiment.





FIG. 39

is a side plan view of the

FIG. 38

embodiment opened.





FIG. 40

is a top perspective view of the

FIG. 39

embodiment partially assembled.





FIG. 41

is a side plan view of a locking system for a floating eyeball.





FIG. 42

is a side plan sectional view of a reversible bottom box member puzzle.





FIG. 43

is a top perspective view of the

FIG. 43

embodiment assembled.





FIG. 44

is an exploded view of a palet-type puzzle and box.





FIG. 45

is an exploded view of a large piece puzzle embodiment having the floating eyeballs attached to the puzzle pieces.





FIG. 46

is a top perspective view of a puzzle piece of FIG.


45


.





FIG. 47

is a side plan view of the puzzle piece of FIG.


46


.





FIG. 48

is an exploded view of a glued eyeball-to-puzzle piece.





FIG. 49

is an exploded view of a screwed eyeball-to-puzzle piece.





FIG. 50

is an exploded view of a 3D glued eyeball-to-puzzle piece.





FIG. 51

is an exploded view of a pressure-fitting eyeball-to-puzzle piece.





FIG. 52

is an exploded view of a 3D puzzle piece with a snap-on eyeball.





FIG. 53

is a top perspective view of 3D puzzle pieces.





FIG. 54

is an exploded view of a plug-type puzzle piece.





FIG. 55

is a top perspective view of an eyeball container.





FIG. 56

is a side plan view of stackable eyeball containers.





FIG. 57

is an exploded view of a simple puzzle/box embodiment.





FIG. 58

is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of FIG.


57


.











Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown, since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.




DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT




The following pages provide many Eyeball Animation™ puzzle ideas and concepts. As it would be impractical to list every variation or possibility, only a limited number of possible concepts are documented herein. There are included, however, a range of options; from premium designs to the very simple, from expensive manufacturing costs to relatively inexpensive, from young age appeal to adult.




Referring first to

FIG. 1

a puzzle


1


is comprised of a panel


2


having puzzle pieces


3


which are graphically coordinated to make an image in this case of a man


8


. Limitless possibilities exist for the choice of the puzzle's image. However, in the present preferred embodiment shown, the panel


2


has holes


4


,


5


which support floating eyeballs


6


,


7


, the floating eyeballs being graphically coordinated with the puzzle's image. In this puzzle, floating eyeball


6


is larger than floating eyeball


7


which helps create a 3D profile look. The user can tilt and shake the panel


2


to create an animated toy puzzle


1


. An optional ridge


9


may be used to secure the puzzle pieces. The puzzle pieces around the floating eyeballs form appropriate holes to enable the floating eyeballs


6


,


7


to protrude therethrough.




Referring next to

FIG. 2

a clamshell puzzle


20


is shown. Upper clamshell half


21


has a cup


23


which houses the floating eyeball


25


. When the lower clamshell half


22


is assembled against the upper clamshell half


21


, the cup


24


locks the floating eyeball between cups


23


,


24


. The puzzle pieces


26


have holes aligned with the floating eyeball


25


so they lie flat between halves


21


,


22


.




Referring next to

FIGS. 3

,


4


a modified clamshell puzzle


30


has halves


31


,


32


. Rim locks


33


,


34


and


35


,


36


allow the halves


31


,


32


to snap together and apart. In the art, the term “tab lock” is used interchangeably with “rim lock”. The floating eyeball


37


and puzzle pieces


38


are locked between halves


31


,


32


.




Referring next to

FIGS. 5

,


6


,


7


the clamshell halves


51


(upper),


52


(lower) of puzzle


50


form a hinge


53


. The puzzle can be made from clear plastic vacuum formed or injection molded. The halves


31


,


52


can reverse upon themselves as shown by arrows


54


. In

FIG. 5

the upper half


51


has rotated 360 degrees, locking onto the back of what was the lower half


52


, thereby forming a platform for the puzzler


55


. In

FIG. 6

the pieces


56


are assembled and along with floating eyeball


57


are locked between halves


51


,


52


when the halves are snapped together as indicated by arrows


58


using rim locks


62


,


63


.

FIG. 7

shows the retail package


59


of the puzzle


50


which may include trimmable heat seals


60


,


61


.




Referring next to

FIG. 8

a clamshell puzzle


80


has an upper half


81


, a lower half


82


, and a hinge


83


. The floating eyeballs


84


,


85


are supported between the halves


81


,


82


. The puzzle


87


may be one-sided only, side A or two-sided, sides A,B. If the puzzle


87


is one-sided, then a poster


86


(showing the completed puzzle or perhaps showing an advertisement can be inserted between halves


81


,


82


.




Referring next to

FIGS. 9

,


10


and


13


a standing clamshell puzzle


90


has an integral base


91


which supports halves


92


,


93


, floating eyeball


94


, and puzzle


95


. An advertising insert


96


can fit in the base


91


of the puzzle


90


. Hinges


97


,


98


at the bottom of halves


92


,


93


form the base


91


.




Referring next to

FIG. 11

a standing clamshell puzzle


110


is hinged at the bottom at


111


. The pedestal base


112


is designed as small as possible so that the pedestal


112


will not impede puzzle assembly when the puzzle


110


is laid on its side.




Referring next to

FIGS. 12

,


14


a standing clamshell puzzle


120


has an upper hinge


119


, a base


120


and halves


113


,


114


. The halves


113


,


114


sandwich the puzzle pieces


115


and floating eyeballs


116


. The width d


1


of base


121


is relatively small so that the puzzler's working surface S lies relatively flat as shown in FIG.


14


.




Referring next to

FIGS. 15

,


16


a standup clamshell puzzle


150


has a base


151


having a relatively large width d


2


. In this case, a puzzler may complete the puzzle


152


on a flat surface as shown in FIG.


15


. The poster


153


is used as a tool to lift the puzzle off the surface as shown by arrows


154


,


155


. The puzzler slides the poster


153


under the finished puzzle and carefully transports the puzzle into the stand


159


when its in the open position. The floating eyeballs


158


are placed into their respective holes before closing the stand


159


.




Referring next to

FIG. 17

the standing clamshell puzzle


170


as a base


171


which has a relatively small width d


3


, thereby allowing puzzler's work surface S, to lie relatively flat as shown. Arrows


172


indicate the open-to-play position of the puzzle


170


.




Referring next to

FIG. 18

a puzzle


180


is shown to be of a clamshell design, fit as shown for retail display. A compartment


181


is formed by halves


182


,


183


. Puzzle pieces


184


are housed in the compartment


181


. A poster


185


can include retail signage as shown.




In

FIG. 20

the compartment


201


of puzzle


200


is formed by halves


202


,


203


. Halves


202


,


203


are hinged at


204


,


205


to form a base


206


.

FIG. 21

shows how the puzzle


200


may contain a retail poster


207


.




In

FIG. 22

the hinge


221


of puzzle


220


is at the top of the clamshell package. There may be a poster


222


as well as the floating eyeballs


223


between the halves


224


,


225


. The puzzle pieces


227


are housed in the compartment


226


, formed in the base


228


.




Referring next to

FIGS. 23

,


24


,


25


a “face-off design” of a standing clamshell puzzle


230


is shown. The face


231


snaps off half


232


. The floating eyeball


233


is supported between half


234


and face


231


. The puzzle pieces


235


are assembled on the face


231


around the floating eyeballs


233


.

FIG. 25

shows how the face


231


acts as a natural easel.





FIGS. 26-32

show how different-sized eyeballs can be used to create interesting and fun graphics.

FIG. 26

shows the front side of a dog puzzle AA having one large eyeball


260


and one small eyeball


261


. The rear side BB of the puzzle has a fish figure.

FIG. 28

shows a worried/surprised man


280


.

FIG. 29

shows a suspicious/angry man


290


.

FIG. 30

shows a profile perspective look of man


300


.

FIG. 31

shows a side view profile with perspective look of man


310


.

FIG. 32

shows large floating eyeball


260


, medium


2611


, and small


261


. In

FIG. 33

is shown more complex and expensive to produce floating eyeballs


330


,


322


having a mounting ring


331


and mounting plug


333


respectively. Utilizing vacuum-forming or injection-molded plastic allows for the different size eyeballs to be designed into the clamshell halves less expensively rather than using special floating eyeballs like those shown in FIG.


33


.





FIGS. 34

,


35


, and


36


show how multiple sets of floating eyeballs can be incorporated into a single puzzle plastic mold


360


. Mold inserts


361


(two eyes, equal size),


362


(two eyes, different size),


363


(two small eyes), and


364


(two sets of small eyes) all interchangeably fit into mold cavity


365


.





FIGS. 34

,


35


show how two sets of eyes can be used in animated puzzle


340


. Also, a 3D eyebrow piece


341


is shown to enhance the visual effect.




Referring next to

FIG. 37

a clamshell puzzle


375


has halves


373


,


370


. Half


370


has cups


371


while half


373


only has holes


372


for the mounting of floating eyeballs (not shown). This option may be favorable when considering interchangeable mold inserts because only the cutting die would change to cut different-sized holes


372


versus interchanging the inserts found on both sides of a vacuum mold.




Referring next to

FIGS. 38-44

shows a series of interactive puzzle packaging embodiments using molded clear plastic packaging. Features include:




Interactive Packaging




Consumers/puzzlers are able to wiggle and jiggle the eyeballs both on the shelf and after building the puzzle.




Great Shelf Appeal




One can clearly envision how this packaging would stand apart from all others.




Numerous Design Options




As the preceding notes demonstrate, the designs/options/versions/cosmetics are limited only to the imagination.




Product Line Extension




An entertaining, ever changing mix of product may be developed, helping to keep Eyeball Animation™ puzzles fresh on store shelves.




Options for all Age Groups




All shapes, sizes and corresponding age levels may be accommodated.




One thing common to all versions of the clear plastic design is that the “packaging” is part of the product; it is as much a part of the puzzle as are the individual puzzle pieces. It is the frame that holds all of the pieces together, the showcase. The consumer must know this before “ripping” open the package, possibly being required to trim off certain heat-sealed areas, leaving behind a nice looking frame.




In

FIG. 38

a clamshell box


380


has halves


381


,


382


hinged at


383


. Arrows


384


show how the box


380


is closed and can be shrink-wrapped to allow consumers to “test the product” by shaking the box before purchase. The floating eyeball


385


will dance around any graphics on box surface T.





FIG. 39

shows the box


380


opened for use by the puzzler to build around the eyes


385


. When the box


380


is opened, the gutter area GA is pinched together tightly for a smooth working surface S


3


.

FIG. 40

shows the box


380


during play with puzzle pieces


386


on smooth surface S


3


.




Referring next to

FIG. 41

an apparatus to lock a floating eyeball


410


to a box


411


or equivalent structure like a board of a game is shown. The box


411


has box cover


412


and interlocking box bottom


413


. Members


412


,


413


are flexible. A hole


417


exists in box top


412


. Width d


4


is a narrow three-quarters inch. A ring


414


snaps into the hole


417


with a locking overlap at


415


,


416


under surface S


10


. The bottom


421


of floating eyeball


410


contacts (or almost contacts) the box bottom


413


at


420


. Puzzle pieces


418


are placed around the eyeball


410


or stored inside the box


411


. The consumer is unable to pull the eyeball out or push the eyeball further into the box while the box


411


is closed on a retail shelf so long as the box


411


is secured closed by a known manner not shown such as taped shut.




Referring next to

FIGS. 42

,


43


a common everyday box


420


has floating eyeballs


421


glued or otherwise secured to box top


422


. The box bottom


423


is flipped over and aligned with the box top


422


in

FIG. 43

to provide a working surface S


8


for the puzzler using puzzle pieces


418


.




Referring next to

FIG. 44

box


440


is preferably the type shown in

FIG. 41

having removable floating eyeballs


410


. The puzzle pieces


418


are stored inside the box


440


which has a bottom portion


446


. A die-cut foldout board


444


is also stored in the box


440


. The board is hinged at


445


. The puzzler can either finish the puzzle on the open board


444


as shown and place the board


444


then pick up the board


444


to place on the box top


441


, or take out the eyeballs


410


and place them into the holes


443


of the board


444


.




Referring next to

FIGS. 45-54

a variety of large 3D puzzle pieces are shown. The large piece puzzle


450


has a backboard


451


with holes


452


to accommodate mounting plugs


458


,


459


of floating eyeballs


456


,


457


respectively. Puzzle pieces


453


are conventional. However, pieces


454


,


455


have holes


498


,


499


to accommodate mounting plugs


458


,


459


respectively. The puzzle piece and eyeball become one. A simple and fashionable display is provided at low cost. Alternately, the plugs


458


,


459


may be made smooth so that the holes


452


would not be necessary.




In

FIG. 48

a piece


480


has a floating eyeball (or a rubber painted eyeball)


481


glued on at G. In

FIG. 49

a piece


490


has a hole


494


through which bolt


493


threads into collar


492


of eyeball


491


.





FIG. 50

shows piece


500


using a traditional spherical floating eyeball


503


. A cup


501


is formed, and glue G holds the eyeball


503


in place. Optional 3D features


502


may be included.




In

FIG. 51

a piece


510


has a hole


511


with a groove


512


to receive a snap ring


513


on eyeball


514


.




In

FIG. 52

a piece


520


has a molded 3D eyelid


521


. A plug


524


secures the eyeball


522


via hole


523


.




In

FIG. 53

other 3D features are shown in pieces


53


,


531


,


532


. Said features are preferably molded in plastic, whereas the rest of the puzzle is made of cardboard. The pieces


530


,


531


,


532


coordinate with the floating (or painted) eyeball


522


.




In

FIG. 54

a flat piece


540


has a plastic plug


541


which is received by hole


543


of eyeball


542


wherein piece


540


is made of cardboard.





FIGS. 55

,


56


show stackable containers


550


. The base has a recess


553


to accommodate floating (or painted) eyeballs


552


which are secured to the container top


551


. The container can be any shape from round to square. The eyeballs may snap in or be glued.




In

FIGS. 57

,


58


a simple puzzle/box embodiment


570


has a traditional box bottom


576


that holds puzzle pieces


577


. The puzzle pieces may have a puzzle on each side, or be just a one sided puzzle.




A box liner/puzzle board


573


has holes


574


,


575


in which the spherical toy balls


572


are mounted. The box top


571


has matching holes


574


T,


575


T from which the balls


572


protrude when the box is closed as shown in FIG.


570


. The picture of the puzzle (maybe a dinosaur) can be displayed on the cover


571


c with the balls (maybe floating eyeballs) coordinated with both the cover display and the completed puzzle on the board


573


.




Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred.



Claims
  • 1. A puzzle/box combination comprising:a box top having a hole for a spherical toy ball; a box bottom; a stand in the box bottom which supports a spherical toy ball to protrude above said hole; and a plurality of puzzle pieces coordinated with the spherical toy ball.
  • 2. A puzzle/box comprising:a box; a puzzle board suited to fit in the box; said puzzle board having a mount for a spherical toy ball; said puzzle board further comprising a planar top surface sized to receive a plurality of puzzle pieces fitted into a puzzle pattern; a spherical toy ball; and wherein the puzzle pattern is coordinated with the spherical toy ball.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a non-provisional application claiming the benefits of provisional application No. 60/117,841 filed Jan. 29, 1999.

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Number Name Date Kind
423066 Massey Mar 1890 A
480983 Wolf Aug 1892 A
1028921 Wagner Jun 1912 A
1033576 Garman Jul 1912 A
2085414 Cavanagh Jun 1937 A
2489240 Meyer Nov 1949 A
2538085 Cotton Jan 1951 A
3650532 Dederich et al. Mar 1972 A
3918180 Chamberlin Nov 1975 A
5897416 Barrows Apr 1999 A
5915729 Vap Jun 1999 A
5941570 Cole et al. Aug 1999 A
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60/117841 Jan 1999 US