Attachable and Releasable Puzzle Pieces for Attaching to a Baseplate

Abstract

The disclosed puzzle piece is attachable to, and releasable from, a baseplate where the baseplate includes forwardly extending male studs. The puzzle piece has at least one rear-facing engaging mechanism that is attachable to at least one of the forward-facing male studs carried by the baseplate. The puzzle piece has a particular outer shape defined by the outer shaped wall. The provided baseplate-piece(s) unit may be stored with the puzzle pieces engaged to the baseplate, but the puzzle pieces may be later detached for repeat use.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to puzzles, and, more particularly, to puzzle pieces that have a defined outer shape and a connection to a baseplate enabling storage or display.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Puzzle pieces and puzzles have an artistic and educational appeal as well as presenting an intellectual challenge. Typically, puzzles are assembled by matching a number of interlocking irregularly cut puzzle pieces to form a planar pictorial illustration on the surface of the puzzle. The assembling of a puzzle and also the positioning of puzzle pieces on a baseplate by a child user enhance physical skills (hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills), cognitive skills (visual discrimination, sorting, classifying, analyzing, deducing), and emotional skills (patience with a reward for completion) as well as providing play value.

However, storage of puzzles is problematic for parents, schools, childcare facilities, and the like, because the pieces are not securable to the base, so cannot be stored as a cohesive unit. Display of a finished puzzle provides similar challenges. Though the pieces of a finished puzzle can be fixedly attached to the puzzle base for display (such as by permanently gluing the puzzle pieces to the base, thereby preventing disconnection and allowing vertical display on a wall), this operation precludes repeat assembly, thereby limiting the skill enhancement opportunities and play value of the puzzle.

There is a need for puzzle pieces with a defined shape that are attachable to a baseplate (either a basic baseplate or a baseplate incorporated into a puzzle), that provide amusement and an educational challenge for the user, that can be attached to create a cohesive unit for storage or display, and yet that are releasable for repeat play.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to puzzle pieces that are attachable and releasable from a baseplate. In some provided embodiments, which are the mechanically releasable pieces embodiments, the puzzle pieces may allow the typical play pattern of a user who analyzes and attempts to properly assemble the puzzle (yet differs from a typical puzzle in that the pieces can be snapped down onto a studded rear baseplate for storage or display and are easily released by a release mechanism). In other embodiments, which are the manually releasable embodiments, the puzzle pieces may be snapped down onto a studded baseplate for storage or display and manually released. In both the mechanically releasable and manually releasable embodiments, connecting the pieces to a baseplate provides the advantages that the pieces cannot fall out or get lost and that the puzzle or baseplate may easily be stored or displayed vertically. Though particularly discussed as useful for a child's toy, the puzzle pieces on a baseplate can equally well be used to convey messages, due to the ease of attachment and detachment. For example, a baseplate can be positioned vertically at the entrance of a restaurant to convey the special of the day.

The mechanically releasable embodiments include a two-part base (a front base section and a back baseplate) and puzzle pieces that are attachable to the baseplate portion of the two-part base. An engagement mechanism is disposed on the back of the puzzle pieces, and a complementary engagement mechanism is disposed on the front surface of the back baseplate. Though shown, and referred to generally, as engagement or coupling mechanisms on the rear of the puzzle pieces that are frictionally engageable with male studs on the front of the baseplate, other complementary engagement mechanisms are within the scope of the invention. When attached, a portion of the front base section is interposed between each puzzle piece and the baseplate.

In the mechanically releasable embodiments, to release the puzzle pieces that are attached to the front studs of the baseplate, the front base section and baseplate are moved from a closer attachable position to a further releasable position. In the attachable position, the front base section is nearer to the back baseplate than in the releasable position. When the distance between the front base section and the back baseplate increases causing them to move into the releasable position, the puzzle pieces are pulled upward away from the back baseplate by the portion of the front base section that is interposed between the puzzle pieces and the back baseplate, which disengages the puzzle pieces' engagement mechanisms from the complementary back baseplate engagement mechanisms, thereby freeing the puzzle pieces from the back baseplate.

In the first embodiment, the interposed portion of the front base section is a lip, and the puzzle piece's coupling mechanisms must be sufficiently long to reach past the lip to attach to the baseplate studs below. To release the puzzle pieces, the back baseplate is forced backward to increase the distance between the back baseplate and the front base section to reach the releasable position, but the attached puzzle pieces are caught on the lip of the front base section and cannot follow the back baseplate downward. The complementary engagement mechanisms become disassociated, and the puzzle pieces are released to fall in the direction of the gravitational force.

In a second embodiment, the interposed portion of the front base section is a perforated thin, flat sheet. The perforated flat sheet is interposed between with the puzzle piece's coupling receptacle(s) and corresponding baseplate stud(s). In this case, the puzzle piece's coupling mechanisms must be sufficiently long to reach through the perforations to attach to the baseplate studs below. The puzzle pieces are released from the male studs when the front base section is moved forward via a lever-type puzzle release mechanism to increase the distance between the baseplate and the front base section, bringing them into the releasable position. In contrast to the first embodiment, in which the baseplate is moved downward, in the second embodiment, the front base section is moved upward. The non-perforated interstitial portions of the perforated flat sheet catch the outer edges of the puzzle pieces, causing the puzzle pieces to be pulled forward to disengage the complementary coupling of the puzzle pieces to the back baseplate.

In the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the interposed portion of the front base section is a lip. However, as in the third embodiment, to release the puzzle pieces, the front base section is moved upward via a lever-type puzzle release mechanism to increase the distance between the baseplate and the front base section to release the puzzle pieces.

In a fourth embodiment, the puzzle pieces are attachable to a studded baseplate to enhance the range of play possibilities. The puzzle pieces of the fourth embodiment, as in the other embodiments, include an engagement mechanism disposed on the back of the puzzle pieces and a complementary engagement mechanism disposed on the front surface of the baseplate. The engagement mechanism extends below the side wall bottom edge of the outer shaped side wall. When attached, the bottom edge of the outer shaped wall of the puzzle piece is positioned above the multiple male projections.

An object of the present invention is to provide convenient storage or display of attachable and releasable puzzle pieces that attach to a basic baseplate or a baseplate of a puzzle.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements.

FIG. 1 is an exploded front perspective view of the first embodiment of the puzzle with attachable and releasable pieces of the present invention, showing a first pre-determined design.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the assembled first embodiment of the inventive puzzle.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the inventive puzzle.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the first embodiment of the inventive puzzle.

FIG. 5 is a view taken along the viewing line 5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an exploded rear perspective view of the first embodiment of the inventive puzzle, which also shows a first aspect of the engagement mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the assembled second embodiment of the inventive puzzle, showing a second pre-determined design.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the second embodiment of the inventive puzzle that is ready to assemble.

FIG. 9 is a front exploded view of the second embodiment of the inventive puzzle.

FIG. 10 is a rear exploded view of the second embodiment of the inventive puzzle.

FIGS. 11-15 are front, lower side, right side, upper side, and left side views, respectively, of the second embodiment of the inventive puzzle.

FIG. 16 is a cut view taken along the line 16 in FIG. 11 showing the lever of the lever-type puzzle release mechanism rotated into the releasable position, thereby increasing the distance between the front base section and the back baseplate, with a single block shown as released.

FIG. 17 is a cut view taken along the line 17 in FIG. 11 showing the lever in the resting position, thereby allowing the front base section to be in the attachable position with a single block shown attached.

FIG. 18 is a back view of the second embodiment of the inventive puzzle.

FIG. 19 is a back perspective view of the second embodiment of the inventive puzzle.

FIGS. 20-24 are front perspective views of the second embodiment of the inventive puzzle, showing, respectively, a third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh pre-determined design.

FIG. 25 is an exploded front perspective view of a third embodiment of the puzzle with attachable and releasable pieces of the present invention that includes a lever-type puzzle release mechanism.

FIG. 26 is an exploded rear perspective view of the third embodiment of the puzzle of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a rear perspective view of a single puzzle piece of the fourth embodiment of the present invention showing a second aspect of the engagement mechanism.

FIG. 28 is a rear perspective view of a single puzzle piece of the fourth embodiment of the present invention showing a third aspect of the engagement mechanism.

FIG. 29 is a rear perspective view of a single puzzle piece of the fourth embodiment of the present invention showing a fourth aspect of the engagement mechanism.

FIGS. 30A-30D are front perspective views of a single puzzle piece of the fourth embodiment of the present invention showing various aspects of the front façade of the front element of the puzzle piece.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a variety of puzzle pieces of the fourth embodiment of the present invention attached to a studded baseplate.

FIG. 32 is a cut view taken from line—32—in FIG. 31 showing a single piece of the fourth embodiment of the invention, which is shaped as the number “10.”

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Shown throughout the figures, the present invention is directed toward attachable and releasable puzzle pieces 101 used with a puzzle that incorporates a baseplate 130 or with a baseplate 130 alone. The combination of the puzzle incorporating a baseplate 130 and puzzle piece is referred to generally as puzzle unit 100. The combination of the basic baseplate 130 with the puzzle piece(s) is referred to generally as baseplate-piece(s) unit 200. The inventive puzzle unit 100 and the baseplate-piece(s) unit 200 provide skill enhancement opportunities, play value, and educational value for children, yet provide for convenient attachment of the puzzle pieces 101 for storage and/or display. The puzzle unit 100 also provides easy releasing of the puzzle pieces 101 for repeat play. When in the storage/display mode, the pieces 101 will not fall out if the puzzle unit 100 with baseplate 130 or the basic baseplate 130 is turned upside down, turned on one of its sides, or stored or displayed vertically.

Four embodiments are presented. The first three embodiments disclose the inventive puzzle unit 100, which includes at least one puzzle piece 101 (typically multiple pieces 101), a two-part base 120, 130, and a puzzle release mechanism 105. The two-part base comprises a front base section 120 and a studded back baseplate 130, which are attached by complementary front-to-back attachment mechanisms that allow the distance between the front base section 120 and back baseplate 130 to be increased or decreased to a limited extent.

The fourth embodiment discloses the inventive puzzle piece 101 (typically multiple pieces 101) that may be attached to and detached from forward-facing engagement mechanisms (generally male studs) of the baseplate 130 whether the baseplate 130 is a standalone baseplate 130 or whether it is incorporated into a puzzle by connection to a puzzle front portion 120.

In all of the embodiments, the baseplate 130 comprises a flat, rigid sheet, the foundation 131 (FIGS. 5, 31, 32), arranged with a number of upwardly protruding coupling elements, projections, pegs, or the like, referred to as male studs 133. Each of the male studs 133 is configured to be frictionally engaged with an engagement mechanism 103 disposed on the rear of a puzzle piece 101. The male coupling studs 133 are preferably arranged on the same (upper) side of the baseplate foundation 131 in equidistant rows, but other arrangements can also be utilized.

In all embodiments, the rear portion of each puzzle piece 101 is configured with one or more rear-facing engagement mechanisms 103 sized and configured to couple to, or be interlocked with, the complementary forward-facing male coupling studs 133 on the front surface of the studded back baseplate portion 130. The puzzle piece's rear-facing engagement mechanisms 103 may be in any of a variety of shapes. For example, the engagement mechanism 103 may be an open female slot, may be formed by a cell defined by a cell wall 113 (such as the cylindrical cell wall 113 of FIGS. 17, 27, the angular cell wall 113 of FIG. 28, the square cell wall 113 of FIG. 29 etc.), may be formed with or without inner ribs or ridges 151 (FIGS. 6, 17, 27, 28, 29), may be formed in shapes allowing portions of the interior of the cell wall to frictionally engage with one or more portions of the outside of the male coupling studs 133, may be cylinders having an outer circumference equal to the diagonal distance between two male studs 133 to allow four outer portions of the cylinder to frictionally engage with four male studs 133, or may be otherwise designed to frictionally connect with or onto the male coupling studs 133. The engagement mechanism 103 allows the puzzle piece 101 to attach not only to the puzzle of the first three embodiments of the instant invention, but it also allows the puzzle piece 101 to a standard baseplate 130 with protruding male studs, as seen in FIG. 31.

Preferably the engagement mechanism 103 disposed on the rear of one puzzle piece comprises a cylinder defined by cell wall 113 extending below the bottom edge 164 of the outer shaped side wall 104 of the puzzle piece 101. The depth of this extension of the engagement mechanism 103 below the shaped side wall 104 is sufficient to allow the bottom edge 164 to at least clear the top of the male coupling studs 133 and may be greater, allowing a small distance between the top of the male coupling studs 133 and the bottom edge 164, to allow easy disengagement. This extension depth of the engagement mechanism 103 below the outer shaped wall bottom edge 164 may be in the range of 2 to 10 mm. In one aspect a cylinder is defined by cell wall 113 with the interior of the cell wall 113 configured with multiple (three or more) inner ribs or ridges 151, such as, for example, the four inner ribs 151 seen in FIGS. 27, 28.

The front of each puzzle piece 101 is a puzzle piece front member 106 (FIG. 2), which preferably carries a decorative or graphic front face or façade that provides artistic interest, amusement, and/or informational content. For example, in FIG. 2, the front member 106 can carry a façade that indicates the letter “B,” to focus the child on the shape of the letter “B,” to amuse the child with a silly graphic relating to the letter, to enhance the interest of the child, or to otherwise enhance the appearance of the front of the puzzle piece 101. The façade may be applied to the front member 106 of the puzzle piece 101 in any manner known in the art, including by printing or painting 163 (FIG. 30A); by adherence of a label, sticker, or other decal 161 (FIG. 30B); by imprinting, embossing, embellishing, or texturing (FIG. 30C); during molding of the piece, so that the front façade is integrally formed 160 or incorporated into the molded puzzle piece itself (FIG. 30D); or by other application means.

The front member 106 of each puzzle piece 101 may be planar, may have a flat portion with a null space 145 (FIG. 32), may have a flat portion with a through-hole 150 (FIG. 32), may have both a flat portion with a null space 145 and with a through-hole 150 (FIG. 32), or may not be flat, but may be irregularly shaped.

The front member 106 is shown in the “A” shape of FIG. 1, to which a façade may be applied to define the “A” designation. The front member extends from shaped side wall 104 to the opposing side of the shaped side wall 104.

The front member 106 of the puzzle piece 101 with a planar designation portion combined with a recessed null space 145 is shown in the “U,” “C,” and “0” shapes of FIGS. 8, 31, 32. The null space 145 is defined by null space walls 146. The null space walls 146 include a vertical wall and a floor wall. The floor wall is disposed in a recessed position below the front member 106. The recession of the null space 145 causes the user to interpret it as unimportant and/or having negligible consequence. But the null space 145 may provide efficiencies in manufacturing and increases in robustness of the piece, as well as in aiding to distinguish the shape of the puzzle piece 101.

In an aspect of the invention, the planar portion of the front member 106 is interrupted by one or more through-holes 150 (FIG. 32), which are each defined by a through-hole wall 148. The through-hole wall 148 extends from the planar portion of front member 106 vertically downward to the through-hole wall bottom edge 169 (FIG. 32). The through-hole wall 148 may define an interior space shaped as a cylinder, elliptical cylinder (FIG. 31), rectangular prism, triangular prism, cube, or other shape.

Each puzzle piece 101 has a side wall 104 that defines the pre-determined outer shape of the puzzle piece 101. In the first, second, and third embodiments, the pre-determined shape of the outer shaped side wall 104 corresponds with a correlating pre-determined shape of a puzzle piece-receiving hole 129 and thus determines correct placement of the puzzle piece 101. In the first and third embodiments, the front base section 120 is configured with puzzle piece-receiving holes 129 defined by cutout edges 122 having a shape corresponding to the shape of the shaped side wall 104. In the second embodiment of FIGS. 7-24, a template 110 is configured with puzzle piece-receiving holes 129 defined by cutout edges 112 shaped to designate placement of the puzzle pieces 101. In the fourth embodiment of FIGS. 27-32, the puzzle piece external shape indicates the meaning of the letter, number, or object represented by the puzzle piece 101.

The engagement of the puzzle piece's engagement mechanism or mechanisms 103 to the forwardly extending male studs 133 of the baseplate attaches the puzzle pieces 101 to the baseplate 130. In the fourth embodiment, the puzzle piece 101 is manually disengaged from the baseplate 130. In the first three embodiments, to disengage the puzzle pieces 101 and release them from the back baseplate 130, the front base section 120 is moved from an attachable position to a releasable position. Best seen in FIG. 17, in the attachable position, the front base section 120 is nearer the baseplate portion 130 than in the releasable position seen in FIG. 16.

Turning to the first embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, the puzzle release mechanism 105 comprises a set of manually manipulatable tabs firmly attached to the baseplate 130 that lowers the baseplate 130, and in the second and third embodiments it comprises a set of manually articulated levers that raise the front base section 120. In both cases, the puzzle release mechanism 105 serves to increase the distance between the front base section 120 and the back baseplate 130, thereby moving the front base section 120 and back baseplate 130 into the releasable position and releasing the attached puzzle pieces 101 from the back baseplate 130.

The front face 121 of the front base section 120 is configured with one or, preferably, multiple, puzzle piece-receiving holes 129 defined by cutout edges 122 with the edges 122 extending the depth of the front base section 120 from an outer edge at the front face 121 to an inner or rear edge at lip 128 and including an interior wall 127. A particular puzzle piece-receiving hole 129 having a particular cutout edge 122 shape correlates in shape to the outer shape (defined by the outer shaped side wall 104) of a particular corresponding puzzle piece 101. In this embodiment, each receiving hole 129 has a front face flange or lip 128 (FIG. 1) extending slightly inwardly at the back edge of the interior wall 127 into the receiving hole 129.

When the puzzle piece 101 is fitted into its corresponding hole 129, the front face lip 128 of the front base section 120 projects inwardly below the back outer edge 164 of the puzzle piece 101. When the puzzle piece 101 is engaged, the front face lip 128 is interposed between the lower edge of the puzzle piece outer shaped side wall 104 and the front surface of the back baseplate 130 or the front surface of the studs of the back baseplate. Thus, the engagement mechanism 103 disposed on the rear of the puzzle piece includes cell wall 113 that extends sufficiently below the bottom edge 164 of the outer shaped side wall 104 of the puzzle piece 101 to allow the template and/or the base front lip 128 of the base front portion 120 to be interposed between the bottom of the outer shaped edge 164 and the top of the male coupling studs 133.

The puzzle piece 101 fits within the corresponding hole 129, whether the puzzle piece's engagement mechanism(s) 103 is engaged with the back baseplate's male stud(s) 133 or not. The puzzle piece 101 will fit into the receiving hole 129 in the manner of a typical non-attachable puzzle piece, which may provide a method of play that is particularly suited to a young child who cannot, or does not desire to, attach the puzzle pieces 101 to the back baseplate 130. However, the option for attachment remains. For example, when an adult chooses to store the inventive puzzle unit 100, the puzzle piece 101 can merely be pushed deeper into the receiving hole 129 with its one or multiple rear-facing engagement mechanisms 103 engaging with one or multiple ones of the baseplate forward-facing engagement mechanisms 133.

In the first embodiment, the puzzle release mechanism 105 is a set of tabs that may be fixedly attached to the studded back baseplate 130 or that may be molded integrally with a plastic studded back baseplate 130.

The front base section 120 includes a generally flat front middle surface 121 that extends outwardly in four directions toward side corners 123 (FIG. 5). Side corners 123 are integrally formed with (or attached to) side flange 126. Side flange 126 extends around the exterior of the four sides (two lateral and two longitudinal sides) of the toy; two opposing sides (shown as lateral sides) of side flange 126 are configured with tab holes defined by tab hole edges 124.

The set of tabs 105 are disposed on the outer sides of the back baseplate 130 and extend outwardly through the tab holes defined by tab hole edges 124 through the side flange 126 of the front base section 120; they extend a sufficient distance past the tab hole edges 124 to be manually gripped. Sufficient interior clearance within the side flange 126 is provided for the back baseplate 130 to be pushed downward, but because the base flange 138 extends outwardly past the bottom of the back baseplate 130 during this procedure, the puzzle unit must be lifted off any hard surface, such as a table or floor.

In this first embodiment, after removing the puzzle unit from any hard, flat surface, the puzzle pieces 101 are released by grasping the back of side flange 126 and pressing down on the tabs 105 towards the bottom of the unit, which moves the back baseplate 130 farther from the front base section 120 into the releasable position. The puzzle pieces 101 release from the back baseplate 130 as they are forced forward by the front face lip 128 at the back of the interior wall 127 of the front base section 120 as the distance between the front base section 120 and the back baseplate 130 increase, which is designated the releasable position. The puzzle pieces 101 will fall out with gravity as the back baseplate 130 pulls away from the puzzle pieces 101 captured by the front base section 120.

In this embodiment, when the puzzle unit is placed back onto a hard surface, such as a table or floor, the baseplate flange 138 touches the hard surface and pushes the studded back baseplate 130 upwards, reducing the distance between the front base section and the back baseplate. The lifting of the studded back baseplate 130 stops when the tabs 105 reach the top of the tab hole edges 124 (FIG. 5) with the base flange 138 resting on the hard surface. In this configuration, the back baseplate 130 has moved nearer to the front base section 120 and is in the attachable position. The puzzle unit 100 is now in the position in which the puzzle pieces 101 can be placed into the puzzle piece-receiving hole 129 and/or can be snapped down to the back baseplate 130 once again.

To use the first embodiment, a child attempts to insert the correct puzzle pieces 101 into the corresponding shaped hole 129 defined by cutouts 122 of the front base section 120. The particular puzzle piece 101 that matches a particular hole 129 is then inserted into the corresponding hole 129 with the outer edges of the puzzle piece 101 abutting the inner wall 127 of the shaped hole 129. This play pattern may be continued until all puzzle pieces 101 have been matched to their corresponding holes 129.

Typically, a young child would be likely to play with the puzzle pieces and insert them into the proper puzzle piece-receiving hole 129 defined by cutout edge 122 without pushing the pieces 101 down firmly enough to engage the puzzle piece's engagement mechanisms 103 with the back baseplate's male studs 133. If the child wants to play longer, the puzzle unit can be turned upside down and the pieces 101 will typically fall out and be available for more play.

When the child finishes playing, and the adult caregiver wishes to store the puzzle unit 100, the adult caregiver presses on the top member 106 (FIG. 2) of each puzzle piece 101 to push each of the pieces 101 further downward into the correspondingly-shaped hole 129 to engage the puzzle piece's engagement mechanisms 103 with the male studs 133 (unless the child has already engaged them). The puzzle unit 100 may then be stored with the pieces 101 firmly attached.

After storage, when the child wishes to play with the puzzle unit 100 again, the adult caregiver picks up the entire unit and presses down on the side tabs toward the bottom of the unit. At that point the baseplate flange 138 extends below the bottom of the side flange 126 (FIG. 5) of the front base section 120, and the distance between the top of the front base section and the back baseplate 130 increases to reach the releasable position. The back baseplate 130 is separated from the back of the puzzle pieces, but the front face lip 128 prevents the puzzle pieces 101 from following the back baseplate 130 downward. The puzzle pieces 101, therefore, fall out. Then the puzzle unit 100 is placed on a hard surface and the baseplate flange 138 lifts the internal back baseplate 130; the lifting of the back baseplate 130 is stopped when the tabs 105 reach the top edge 124 of the tab holes of the front base section 120. At this point, the child can again play with the puzzle, and the pieces 101 can be re-attached to the inner baseplate when desired.

The second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 7-24 with several pre-determined exemplary designs provided. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment at least in the inclusion of a template 110, in the inclusion of perforations in the front base section 120, and in the method and mechanism to move the front base section 120 and back baseplate 130 from the attachable position to the releasable position and vice versa.

In the second embodiment, a template 110 is provided that can preferably be removably attached to the front of the front base section 120 (such as via connection mechanism 119 (FIG. 9) that connects with front base section's complementary connection mechanism 153) but can optionally be permanently attached. Preferably the template 110 having a first design can be attached and used to indicate the proper corresponding puzzle pieces 101 for a first pre-determined design pattern, and then the template 110 of the first design can be removed and replaced with a template 110 having a second design to add play value, increase versatility, and enhance the usefulness of the toy puzzle unit 100.

The template 110 is a flat, relatively thin sheet of material with upper or front and lower or back broad flat sides, opposing perimeter lateral sides and opposing perimeter longitudinal sides. The template may be formed of known materials, such as laminated or un-laminated paperboard, cardboard, plastic, layered composites, or the like. The template 110 upper surface preferably carries a decorative graphical presentation to add visual interest. The template opposing lateral sides are preferably configured with a connection mechanism 119 in the form of outwardly extending tabs which are insertable into complementary slots of the connection mechanism 153.

The template 110 also includes puzzle piece-receiving holes 129 defined by cutout edges 112. Each puzzle piece-receiving hole 129 is shaped to receive a corresponding-shaped puzzle piece 101. The cutout edges 112 extend from the template front surface through the body of the thin sheet to the template back surface.

The front base section 120 of the second embodiment has an interior flat perforated section 125 (FIG. 9) surrounded and supported by an outer frame 155. The outer frame 155 includes side flanges 156 forming the sides of the toy, as shown. Side flanges 156 reach from the outer corners downwardly to end at bottom flange edge 159, but, as seen in FIGS. 9, 25, 26 form only a partial side wall on two opposing sides, with lever-accommodating openings 154 disposed within each of the two opposing side walls' flanges 156. Various decorative elements may be incorporated into, or printed onto, the outer frame 155, such as the decorative wave 182 (FIG. 20), a logo, instructions, or the like.

The flat interior perforated section 125 is configured with multiple perforations 140 defined by perforation edges 141 with flat, interstitial non-perforated portions (labeled with reference number 125 in FIGS. 16-17) interspersed between the perforations 140. The layout of the perforations 140 corresponds to the layout of the baseplate's rear-facing engagement mechanism (shown as male studs 133). In the exemplary aspect shown in FIGS. 16-17, the male coupling studs 133 are aligned with the puzzle piece's rear-facing engagement mechanisms 103; thus, in this exemplary aspect, the perforations 140 are aligned with the male studs 133 with non-perforated interstitial portions aligned with the area of the baseplate between the studs. However, the particular correspondence is dependent upon the particular type of the puzzle piece-to-baseplate complementary coupling mechanism utilized. This is because other sets of forward-facing engagement mechanisms 133 and rear-facing engagement mechanisms 103 are within the scope of the invention, and the use of a different complementary set may necessitate a different correspondence.

The puzzle pieces 101 are constructed as in the other embodiments in that they include a puzzle piece front member 106 that typically carries an embellished façade and may include a recessed null portion 145 defined by hole walls 146 (FIG. 21) and/or may include a through-hole 150 defined by hole wall 148 (FIG. 21), may include an outer shaped side wall 104 that is pre-determined to correspond to a shape of a puzzle piece-receiving hole 129, and may include one or more rear-facing engagement mechanisms 103 sized and configured to couple to, or be interlocked with, the complementary forward-facing male coupling studs 133 on the front surface of the studded back baseplate portion 130.

In the second embodiment of the invention, the back baseplate 130 is configured with complementary front-to-back attachment mechanisms that allow limited movement, shown here as slide-able female connectors 134 (FIG. 9) that coordinate with complementary connectors shown here as slide-able shaft male connectors 144 (FIG. 10) disposed on the back of the front base portion. A stop device limits the retraction of the slide-able shaft male connector from the slide-able receptacle female connector, thus limiting the sliding distance. The slide-able female connector 134 may be a tube or open cylinder sized to receive the slide-able shaft male connector 144. The complementary back and front base connectors 134, 144 enable the secure attachment of the back baseplate 130 to the front base portion 120 while allowing for the limited amount of movement necessary for the disengagement of the puzzle pieces.

The puzzle release mechanism 105 of the second embodiment is a lever, best seen in FIGS. 16-17. The lever-type puzzle release mechanism 105 has an inner engagement portion 108 configured to engage with the front base section 120 and has an outer handle portion 109 that can be manually pushed upward or downward. The lever puzzle release mechanism 105 is shown as being pivotally connected with its fulcrum on the back baseplate 130. The fulcrum is a portion of a release receiver 115 that projects forwardly from the back baseplate 130 and includes two aligned slots 116 that accommodate a handle cylindrical portion 117. When the outer handle portion 109 of the lever puzzle release mechanism 105 is pushed downward, as in FIG. 16, the front base section 120 is moved upward away from the back baseplate 130 and the distance between the front base section 120 and back baseplate 130 is increased, causing the puzzle pieces 101 to be forcibly released. When the handle portion 109 is released to move back upward, the force of gravity (or, optionally, a spring system between the front base section 120 and back baseplate 130 could be provided for more secure positioning) causes the distance between the front base section 120 and back baseplate 130 to decrease, allowing the puzzle pieces 101 to be attached. In this attachable position, as seen in FIG. 17, the interstitial solid areas amongst the perforations of the interior flat surface 125 of the base front section 120 are again positioned amongst the back baseplate's male coupling studs 133.

As seen in FIG. 8, a puzzle piece 101 of a particular shape can be inserted into the puzzle piece-receiving hole 129 of the corresponding particular shape. The forward-facing male coupling studs 133 of the back baseplate can be seen through the puzzle piece-receiving holes 129.

In the third embodiment of FIGS. 25-26, as in the first embodiment, the front face 121 is configured with one or more puzzle piece-receiving holes 129 defined by cutout edges 122 having a shape that correlates to the outer shape 104 of a particular corresponding puzzle piece 101 (which are constructed as in the other embodiments). This front face lip 128 projects inwardly below the back outer edge of the puzzle piece 101, when the puzzle piece 101 is positioned in its corresponding hole 129 and the puzzle piece's engagement mechanism(s) 103 are coupled with the back baseplate's male stud(s) 133. The lip 128 is interposed between the puzzle piece outer edge 164 (FIG. 6) and the front surface of the back baseplate 130.

The third embodiment includes many elements of the first embodiment but varies from the first embodiment in the method and mechanism to move the front base section 120 and back baseplate 130 from the attachable position to the releasable position and vice versa. In contrast to the first embodiment (in which the puzzle release mechanism 105 is a set of tabs) the puzzle release mechanism 105 of the third embodiment is a lever-type puzzle release mechanism 105, as in the second embodiment and as described above.

As in the second embodiment, the third embodiment includes the complementary front-to-back attachment mechanisms that allow limited movement, which are illustrated as slide-able female connectors 134 (FIG. 25) disposed on the front of the back baseplate 130 that coordinate with complementary connectors, which are illustrated as slide-able shaft male connectors 144 (FIG. 26) disposed on the back of the front base portion.

The fourth embodiment is shown throughout the figures, but particularly in FIGS. 27-32. In the fourth embodiment the puzzle piece 101, which is partially described above, and which is usable with the puzzle of the first three embodiments, is additionally shown to be usable with a standard, basic baseplate 130. The basic baseplate 130 may or may not include the outer frame 155 of the second embodiment, but it does not include base front portion 120. As in the other embodiments, the baseplate 130 has protruding male studs 133.

The fourth embodiment additionally provides numerous aspects of the engagement mechanism 103. The first aspect of the engagement mechanism 103 is shown in FIG. 6, which shows a cylindrical engagement mechanism carrying internal ribs 151. The internal ribs 151 are formed integrally with the inner surface of the cell wall 113 (FIG. 27). The ribs 151 are dimensioned to frictionally engage with the outer surface of a single stud 133 of the baseplate 130.

FIG. 27 illustrates a second aspect of the engagement mechanism 103. FIG. 27 shows a single puzzle piece 101 in which the engagement mechanism 103 comprises a cell wall 113 without internal ribs. The cell wall 113 extends from the front member 106 downwardly. In this aspect, the cell wall 113 defines an open-bottom cylinder having inner wall surfaces that frictionally engage with the exterior of the cylindrical baseplate projections 133.

In another aspect, the exterior of the cell wall 113 frictionally engages with the exterior of four forwardly extending male studs 133. In this aspect, the male studs 133 extend from the front of the baseplate 130 at pre-defined positions, and in which the pre-defined positions are dimensioned to accommodate this frictional engagement. For example, if the engagement mechanism 103 is cylindrical, the cylinder has a diameter that is barely less than the diagonal distance between the male studs 133 of adjacent rows; thus allowing frictional engagement of the cylinder between two studs 133 of one row and two studs 133 of an adjacent row.

FIG. 28 shows another aspect of the cell wall 113 with carried internal ribs 151. In this aspect, the external portion of the engagement mechanism 103 is cylindrical, but the interior is angled with ribs 151 spaced to frictionally engage the exterior of the male stud 133. Though illustrated with internal ribs 151, the ribs 151 are not necessary to the invention.

FIG. 29 shows yet another aspect of the cell wall 113 of the engagement mechanism 103. In this aspect, there are no ribs, but the distance between the interior surfaces of the portions of the cell wall 113 is dimensioned to frictionally engage with the exterior of a stud 133. Also, this figure illustrates that the engagement mechanism 103 need not be cylindrical, but can assume other shapes, such as square, hexagonal, octagonal, etc.

Please note that the underside 147 of the floor portion of the walls 146 of the recessed or null space 145 can be seen within the arms of the shaped number “3.”

FIGS. 27, 28, 29 also illustrate a preferred aspect in which an open under-space 102, which is defined at least partially by the interior surface of outer shaped side wall 104, the cell wall 113, and the rear surface of the front member 106, is disposed within the back portion of the puzzle piece 101. The inclusion of this open under-space 102 may provide advantages in manufacturing efficiencies, because less material is required, yet the puzzle piece 101 is robust enough to be serviceable—even without using additional material to fill the open under-space 102. As seen in FIG. 32, the open under-space 102 may be defined by the interior surface of outer shaped side wall 104, the cell wall 113, and the rear surface of the front member 106, and one or both of the inner rear surface of the null space walls 146 and the inner surface of the through-hole wall 148.

FIGS. 30A, 30B, 30C, and 30D illustrate various aspects of the façade applied to or integrally formed with the front member 106 of the puzzle piece 101, as described above.

FIG. 31 shows the baseplate and puzzle piece unit 200 with multiple puzzle pieces releasably connected to the male studs 133 that project forwardly from the baseplate 130. In an example, each puzzle piece 101 includes only one engagement mechanism 103. The one engagement mechanism 103, in a first aspect, is engaged with only one male stud 133 with the male stud 133 received into the center of the engagement mechanism 103. In a second aspect, the one engagement mechanism 103 is engaged between four of the male studs 133 with the exterior of the engagement mechanism 103 frictionally engaged with the exterior of the male studs 133.

FIG. 31 also illustrates that some pieces 101 may have one or more inset or recessed portions 145 defined by null space walls 146, that some pieces 101 may have one or more holes 150 defined by hole sides 148, and that some pieces (for example the “10”) may have both recessed or null spaces 145 and holes 150.

FIG. 32 is a cut view of the number “10” illustrating both a recessed null space 145 and a through-hole 150. The null space 145 is defined by walls 146 (which include both the vertical walls and the floor of the null space 145) and is utilized in the number “10” illustrated to separate the “1” from the “0.” The through-hole 150 is interior of the outer shaped side wall 104 that defines the exterior shape of the piece 101.

The through-hole 150 is defined by hole wall 148 that extends from the front member 106 to the rearward hole wall edge 169. The height that the hole wall 148 extends from the rearward hole wall edge 169 to the front member 106 is generally equal to the height of the shaped side wall 104 from the top member 106 to the bottom edge 164 of the shaped side wall 106. However, FIG. 32 shows an instance in which the through-hole wall 148 coincidentally aligns with the cell wall 113, so hole wall 148 extends from top member 106 to the top edge of cell wall 133 of the engagement mechanism 103.

In an aspect, the engagement mechanism 103 may be positioned on the back side of the puzzle piece 101 in a location so that, when desired, the user may align a set of puzzle pieces 101. This may be advantageous, for example, when a user desires to use the baseboard as a sign with temporary notifications, such as to display the special of the day by a restaurant.

Preferably, the puzzle pieces 101, baseplate 130, and front base portion 120 are formed of plastic material or are formed substantially of plastic material.

In some aspects of the invention, the baseplate 130 may include a baseplate reinforcement 139 such as on the underside 149 of baseplate foundation 131 as seen in FIG. 18, or it may not require visually detectable reinforcement, as seen in FIG. 6. If included for sturdiness or robustness, the baseplate reinforcement 139 can be area of thicker plastic forming a strengthening or underpinning structure, which is formed integrally when molding the baseplate 130. The baseplate reinforcement 139 may be created in any of various shapes or patterns, such as a honeycomb, grid (as shown), striated pattern, or may merely be a strengthening of the baseplate 130 material.

The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein. The mirror image of each design is also disclosed.

Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A puzzle piece for connecting to a baseplate with multiple male projections, comprising: a front member forming the front portion of said puzzle piece;an outer shaped wall designating the outer shape of the puzzle piece which corresponds to a particular shape; wherein said outer shaped wall comprises a side wall and a side wall bottom edge; and wherein said side wall extends a side wall height downwardly from said top surface to said side wall bottom edge; andat least one rear-facing engaging mechanism comprising a cell wall and a cell wall edge; said cell wall extending a cell wall height downwardly from said front member to said cell wall bottom edge; wherein said cell wall height is greater than said side wall height; wherein said rear-facing engaging mechanism is configured to frictionally engage with at least one of said multiple baseplate male studs.

2. The puzzle piece as recited in claim 1, wherein, when said puzzle piece is attached to said baseplate, said side wall bottom edge is positioned above said multiple male projections.

3. The puzzle piece as recited in claim 1, wherein said cell wall comprises multiple interior ribs that frictionally engage with one of said multiple baseplate male studs.

4. The puzzle piece as recited in claim 1, wherein said cell wall comprises an inner cylinder configured to frictionally engage with one of said multiple baseplate male studs.

5. The puzzle piece as recited in claim 1, wherein said front member comprises a planar portion and a null space defined by null space walls forming a recess below said front member.

6. The puzzle piece as recited in claim 1, wherein said front member comprises a planar portion and a through-hole side wall ending in a through-hole side wall edge that defines a through-hole; and wherein said through-hole side wall extends from said front member downwardly to said through-hole side wall edge.

7. The puzzle piece as recited in claim 1, wherein said outer shaped wall comprises an outer shaped wall inner surface; wherein said front member comprises a front member rear surface; wherein said cell wall comprises an outer cell wall surface; and wherein said puzzle piece further comprises an open under-space defined at least partially by said outer shaped wall inner surface, said front member rear surface, and said outer cell wall surface.

8. The puzzle piece as recited in claim 1, wherein: said front member comprises a planar portion and a through-hole side wall ending in a through-hole side wall edge that defines a through-hole;said through-hole side wall extends from said front member downwardly to said through-hole side wall edge wherein said outer shaped wall comprises an outer shaped wall inner surface;said front member comprises a front member rear surface;said cell wall comprises an outer cell wall surface and an inner cylinder configured to frictionally engage with one of said multiple baseplate male studs; andsaid puzzle piece further comprises an open under-space defined at least partially by said outer shaped wall inner surface, said front member rear surface, and said outer cell wall surface.

9. A puzzle piece for connecting to a baseplate with multiple male projections, comprising: a front member;an outer shaped wall designating the outer shape of the puzzle piece which corresponds to a particular shape; wherein said outer shaped wall comprises a side wall and a side wall bottom edge; wherein said side wall extends a side wall height downwardly from said top surface to said side wall bottom edge; andat least one rear-facing engaging mechanism comprising a cell wall and a cell wall edge; said cell wall extending a cell wall height downwardly from said front member to said cell wall bottom edge; wherein said rear-facing engaging mechanism is configured to frictionally engage with at least one of said multiple baseplate male studs; wherein said front member comprises a planar portion, a through-hole side wall, and a through-hole side wall edge that define a through-hole; and wherein said through-hole side wall extends from said front member downwardly to said through-hole side wall edge.

10. The puzzle piece as recited in claim 9, wherein, when said puzzle piece is attached to said baseplate, said side wall bottom edge is positioned above said multiple male projections.

11. The puzzle piece as recited in claim 9, wherein said cell wall height is greater than said side wall height.

12. The puzzle piece as recited in claim 9, wherein said cell wall comprises an inner cylinder and multiple interior ribs formed integrally with said inner cylinder; and wherein said multiple interior ribs are configured to frictionally engage with one of said multiple baseplate male studs.

13. The puzzle piece as recited in claim 9, wherein said front member comprises a planar portion and a null space defined by null space walls forming a recess below said front member.

14. The puzzle piece as recited in claim 9, wherein said outer shaped wall comprises an outer shaped wall inner surface; wherein said front member comprises a front member rear surface; wherein said cell wall comprises an outer cell wall surface; and wherein said puzzle piece further comprises an open under-space defined at least partially by said outer shaped wall inner surface, said front member rear surface, and said outer cell wall surface.

15. A baseplate-piece(s) unit, comprising: a baseplate comprising a flat baseplate front section and multiple baseplate male studs extending upwardly from said baseplate front member; andat least one puzzle piece comprising: a front member forming the front portion of said puzzle piece;an outer shaped wall designating the outer shape of the puzzle piece which corresponds to a particular shape; wherein said outer shaped wall comprises a side wall and a side wall bottom edge; and wherein said side wall extends a side wall height downwardly from said top surface to said side wall bottom edge; andat least one rear-facing engaging mechanism comprising a cell wall and a cell wall edge; said cell wall extending a cell wall height downwardly from said front member to said cell wall bottom edge; wherein said cell wall height is greater than said side wall height; and wherein said rear-facing engaging mechanism is configured to frictionally engage with at least one of said multiple baseplate male studs.

16. The puzzle piece as recited in claim 15, wherein, when said puzzle piece is attached to said baseplate, said side wall bottom edge is positioned above said multiple male projections.

17. The puzzle piece as recited in claim 15, wherein said cell wall comprises multiple interior ribs that frictionally engage with one of said multiple baseplate male studs.

18. The puzzle piece as recited in claim 15, wherein said front member comprises a planar portion and a null space defined by null space walls forming a recess below said front member.

19. The puzzle piece as recited in claim 15, wherein said front member comprises a planar portion and a through-hole side wall ending in a through-hole side wall edge that defines a through-hole; wherein said through-hole side wall extends from said front member downwardly to said through-hole side wall edge.

20. The puzzle piece as recited in claim 15, wherein said outer shaped wall comprises an outer shaped wall inner surface; wherein said front member comprises a front member rear surface; wherein said cell wall comprises an outer cell wall surface; and wherein said puzzle piece further comprises an open under-space defined at least partially by said outer shaped wall inner surface, said front member rear surface, and said outer cell wall surface.