Multi-layer puzzles

Abstract

A multi-layer puzzle having a base with a perimeter portion and a cavity portion that depict a theme. Jigsaw puzzle layers are disposed within the cavity and have scenes related to the theme. The puzzle may be in “book” form.

Description

COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL

[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

[0003] 1. Field of Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a multi-layer puzzle.

[0005] 2. Background Art

[0006] Three-dimensional or multilayer puzzles exist in the prior art. Examples are discussed below.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 3,682,479, entitled “Three Dimensional Puzzle,” to Miller et al. This puzzle has interlocking puzzle segments with voids through each layer.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,742, entitled “Multi-Layered Puzzle,” to Augustine, is directed to a multilayered puzzle with transparent layers.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,805, entitled “Multilayer Puzzle,” to Green, is directed to a multilayer puzzle with polygons of identical shape and transparent materials.

[0010] In contrast, the present invention provides for a base with a perimeter and cavity, both of which provide a theme and scene. In an alternative embodiment, the present invention provides a puzzle “book” with a cover that tells a story relating to the theme and scenes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention relates to a multilayer jigsaw puzzle.

[0012] The multilayer jigsaw puzzle comprises a base comprising a perimeter portion and a cavity portion disposed therein. The cavity portion is in a preselected shape of a theme. The base further comprises a first scene relating to the theme in the cavity portion and on the perimeter portion. The puzzle further comprises a first jigsaw layer comprising jigsaw pieces disposable within the cavity portion. This first layer comprises a second scene related to the theme. The puzzle further comprises at least one upper jigsaw layer comprising jigsaw pieces disposable above the first layer. These upper layer(s) comprise an additional scene(s) related to the theme.

[0013] In one embodiment, all of the layers are disposable within the cavity portion. Preferably, the upper jigsaw layer(s) are disposable above the first layer in the same configuration as the first layer and when all of the layers are assembled, they are flush with the perimeter portion of the base. In an alternative embodiment, the layers are offset from each other.

[0014] In another embodiment, at least one of the jigsaw pieces comprises a single play element, e.g. a figure.

[0015] In yet another embodiment, the puzzle comprises at least one blank jigsaw piece or layer for addition of a scene or figure by a user.

[0016] In another embodiment, the puzzle further comprises a hinged cover. This cover may comprise a story related to the theme and the scenes. The cover opens about a hinge as a cover of a book.

[0017] It is an object and advantage of the present invention to provide a multilayer jigsaw puzzle that expresses a theme with scenes.

[0018] Other objects, advantages and novel features, and further scope of applicability of the present invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIGS. 1-5 illustrate a jigsaw puzzle of the invention with a Noah's Ark theme and related scenes;

[0020] FIGS. 6-10 illustrate a jigsaw puzzle of the invention with a barn theme and related barnyard scenes;

[0021] FIG. 7 illustrates a blank jigsaw piece of the FIG. 6 embodiment, for a user to fill in an animal or other scene;

[0022] FIG. 8 illustrates a jigsaw puzzle of the present invention in which one layer is offset to another layer; and

[0023] FIG. 9 illustrates a jigsaw puzzle of the FIG. 2 embodiment showing a cover for a Noah's Ark “book.”

[0024] Although the invention has been described in detail with particular reference to these preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achieve the same results. Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and equivalents. The entire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and publications cited above are hereby incorporated by reference.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION)

[0025] The present invention relates to multi-layer puzzles. The multi-layer puzzle of the invention comprises at least two puzzle layers atop a base.

[0026] The base and each layer preferably coordinate so that a central theme is depicted. For example, a puzzle 10, such as shown in FIGS. 1-5, is in the configuration of Noah's Ark. FIGS. 1-5 show a three-layer puzzle 10 including a base 14. All the layers 12,12′, 12″ and base 14 are shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates the top puzzle layer 12 depicting the ark exterior including the planks of the sides, gangplank, door and wheel house. The ark is shown resting on the ground. The top puzzle layer 12 is assembled and resting on base 14. Base 14 shows the ground with a blue sky, rainbow and sun in the background. FIG. 3 illustrates top layer 12, and the first interior layer (second puzzle layer) 12′, depicting Noah, his wife, and pairs of animals. FIG. 4 illustrates the second interior layer (third puzzle layer) 12″, depicting more pairs of animals. FIG. 4 also illustrates second interior layer 12″ separated from the other layers 12 and 12′. FIG. 5 illustrates second interior layer 12″ and base 14. Base 14 preferably further includes a cavity or depression 16 as the bottom scene; in this particular puzzle 10, the interior wall of the ark and more pairs of animals are shown. Cavity 16 is preferably deep enough to contain all layers 12,12′, and 12″, so that when they are all assembled (layer 12″ atop cavity 16; layer 12′ atop layer 12″; and layer 12 atop layer 12′), they are flush with base surface 14. Base 14 provides support and rigidity for the various puzzle layers 12,12′ and 12″. Alternatively, the layers may be disposed below or above the base surface, when assembled so that they are not flush with the base surface.

[0027] FIGS. 6-10 show another puzzle 18 depicting a barnyard scene. FIG. 6 shows all three layers 20, 20′ and 20″ that can be assembled and disposed upon each other and atop a base 22. Base 22 has a cavity 24 for containing the layers.

[0028] Other puzzles may follow this same theme; showing the exterior of a chosen object on the top or outer layer with interior details on succeeding or lower layers.

[0029] Other possible scenes include the following:

[0030] Jonah and the whale: Jonah is shown inside holding a sign on which is scrawled “help.” Around Jonah are a few pieces of his boat, a broken chair and miscellaneous items. The base layer is painted to show an internal view of the whale's ribs.

[0031] A mountainside with a cave entrance: Succeeding layers show the narrow entrance-way rocks that have fallen from the walls and ceiling, pieces of animal bone, a shovel and pick-axe, etc. The base painting is of a large interior space with some pottery, a fire pit, and petroglyphs on the rear wall.

[0032] A car, pickup, semi-truck, or bus: The first view is that of the exterior of the vehicle. Following layers proceed across the vehicle's interior to the interior of the opposite door.

[0033] A parking garage: Beginning with an outside picture of the building, the pictures move through many different parking places holding a variety of vehicles to the interior of the rear wall.

[0034] A spooky house in the dark forest: The first scene is that of the house and the surrounding forest. Entering the house, there are pictures of the main entryway, with a staircase, table, mirrors, umbrella stand, etc. Proceeding up the stairway, views of the interior rooms of the house are presented, along with the scary inhabitants of the house (e.g. ghosts, goblins, vampires, etc.).

[0035] Buildings (houses, skyscrapers, laundromats, gasoline stations, office buildings, etc.): The views move from the exterior through the building to the far wall, showing all the contents of the building.

[0036] Fractions: Beginning with the whole numbers on the top layer, one moves to various fractions of the whole numbers using various shapes, sizes and color schemes for each unit.

[0037] Compound words: Beginning with the whole word on the top layer, removal of the first layer removes the prefix, then removal of the second layer removes the suffix, with the root word as the base of the puzzle. One puzzle set can contain several different root words with interchangeable prefixes and suffixes. For example, one puzzle set could contain layers for the prefixes “re,” “pre,” and “pro” and layers for the suffixes “ing,” “er,” and “ed” along with several bases with root words such as “enter,” “work,” “claim,” and “fix.” This example puzzle set could produce the words “worker,” “working,” “rework,” “entering,” “reentering,” “claimed,” “reclaiming,” “prefix,” “fixed,” and etc. Optionally, each layer may contain the definition of the word at each stage of the puzzle, with the definition changing in accordance with removal or addition of the various prefixes and suffixes.

[0038] Under the sea: From the surface of the sea with its seaweed and otters, the scenes move to fish and other sea creatures in the shallow depths (e.g. fish, whales, sharks, man-o-wars, etc.) to lower depths and ending up on the sandy bottom with its bottom dwellers.

[0039] The human body: Beginning with the naked human body (either male or female), removal of the first layer of the puzzle would expose the muscles of the body, then removal of the second layer would expose the organs, and so on with the base of the puzzle depicting the human skeleton. Optionally, each puzzle layer would contain the names of each organ, muscle set, bone, etc. as it applies to the layer. The female puzzle could also contain one layer which depicts a baby growing in the uterus.

[0040] As can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the puzzle of the invention contains at least two layers of puzzles atop a base. The puzzle may contain numerous layers, depending on the number of scenes wanting to be depicted. Further, the number of layers may be chosen based on the skill level of the child or adult who will be assembling the puzzle. The multi-layer puzzle of the present invention provides a greater challenge to the user than a single layer puzzle.

[0041] The size of the pieces and the cut of the pieces are also variable, depending on the skill level of the user. For example, larger pieces may be used for small children, medium sized pieces for older children and smaller pieces for adults. Likewise, a typical jigsaw cut may be utilized; or alternatively straight cuts, animal shapes (e.g. outlining the animal in the puzzle), etc., may be used, depending on the desired effect and skill level.

[0042] The base and layers may be made of numerous materials, such as wood, plastic, ceramic, board, particle board, compressed board, cardboard, heavy paper, and the like. The puzzle may be fabricated from thick wood (e.g. ¼″-1″), rather than particleboard. This concept allows the pieces to fill an alternate function; doubling as playthings or display items (e.g. the animals or figures in the scenes depicted in the drawings) when the puzzle is not in use. In the Noah's ark puzzle (see FIGS. 1-5), the animals and Noah and his wife are the play pieces. The designs may be painted on, laminated, glued, etc. to the layer surface prior to using a die cut or other cutting means, known in the art.

[0043] In an alternative embodiment (see FIG. 7), at least one layer or pieces of the puzzle contain blanks 34, 36 that can be painted on or drawn on by the user or others. This gives one the possibility to be creative and make his/her own designs on the layer(s). In this embodiment, the layers are preferably primed for paint or markers.

[0044] In yet another embodiment (see FIG. 8), the layers may be offset 38, 40 (at least partially) from each other rather than directly atop each other.

[0045] Stand up puzzles may be manufactured in accordance with the present invention. Such articles are designed for overall home or office decoration with the multi-layer puzzles inside. The exterior can define the theme, and the interior puzzles expand on that theme. For example, the theme could concern quail, with the interior puzzles depicting various landscapes with a number of quail in each scene.

[0046] In still another embodiment (see FIG. 9), the invention comprises a puzzle book preferably with a hard exterior cover 26. The inside 28 of the front cover (e.g. page 1) contains the beginning text of the story. A puzzle 30 corresponding to the text is on the facing page (e.g. page 2). Cover 26 is opened at hinge 32 to reveal puzzle 30. This story is continued preferably with the text on the left and the puzzle on the right to the back of the book. The number of puzzles in each book varies according to cost and complexity of the story line. Some story concepts for the puzzle books are as follows:

[0047] Noah's Ark and any other stories, such as discussed above;

[0048] Dinosaurs with each puzzle page being from a different era;

[0049] Stages of life such as planting a seed and seeing the growth development;

[0050] Four seasons of the desert, mountains, plains, rainforest, etc.;

[0051] Eggs and chickens;

[0052] Other kinds of eggs and the creatures that hatch from them; and

[0053] Here comes baby (stages of life); from conception to birth with notes about what is happening in each stage. Note that this theme can be used with animals such as puppies, kittens and insects, as well as humans.

[0054] Although the invention has been described in detail with particular reference to these preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achieve the same results. Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and equivalents. The entire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and publications cited above are hereby incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A multilayer jigsaw puzzle comprising: a base comprising a perimeter portion and a cavity portion disposed therein, said cavity portion in a preselected shape of a theme, said base further comprising a first scene relating to said theme in said cavity portion and on said perimeter portion; a first jigsaw layer comprising jigsaw pieces disposable within said cavity portion, said first layer comprising a second scene related to said theme; and at least one upper jigsaw layer comprising jigsaw pieces disposable above said first layer, said upper layer comprising an additional scene related to said theme.

2. The puzzle of claim 1 wherein all of said layers are disposable within said cavity portion.

3. The puzzle of claim 2 wherein when all of said layers are assembled they are flush with said perimeter portion.

4. The puzzle of claim 1 wherein at least one of said jigsaw pieces comprises a single play element.

5. The puzzle of claim 1 wherein said upper jigsaw layer is disposable above said first layer in a same configuration as said first layer.

6. The puzzle of claim 1 wherein at least one layer comprises at least one blank jigsaw piece for addition of said scene by a user.

7. The puzzle of claim 1 wherein at least one said layer comprises a blank for addition of said scene by a user.

8. The puzzle of claim 1 wherein said layers are offset from each other.

9. The puzzle of claim 1 further comprising a hinged cover.

10. The puzzle of claim 9 wherein said cover comprises a story related to said theme and said scenes and said cover opens about a hinge as a cover of a book.