BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram for a puzzle device according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a first preferred embodiment of the puzzle device according to the invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the assembled puzzle device in FIG. 2 with illumination and audible sounds being depicted schematically;
FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a second preferred embodiment of the puzzle device according to the invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the assembled puzzle device in FIG. 4 with a complete picture being formed by correctly arranging puzzle pieces; and
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 with the puzzle pieces being arranged upside down for schematically depicting illumination and sound effect of the puzzle device when a complete circuit is formed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 a puzzle device in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The puzzle device comprises a shallow, rectangular housing 1 including a peripheral stepped flange 11 and a plurality of tabs 12 spaced along an inner edge of the flange 11; and a rectangular body 2. The bottom of the body 2 is dimensioned and shaped to fit tightly with the flange 11 and the tubs 12 so that the body 2 and the housing 1 can be firmly secured together.
The body 2 further comprises on its top surface a plurality of spaced recesses 21 each having a unique shape (e.g., circle, triangle, trapezoid or the like), a circuit 23 including a plurality of conducting members 22 formed on upward faces of the recesses 21, a plurality of resistors 24, such as LEDs or buzzers, a power source (e.g., button battery) 25 provided at a predetermined position, and an on/off switch 26. The resistors 24, power source 25 and switch 26 arranged in the body 2 form a loop with the circuit 23, as shown in FIG. 1.
The puzzle device further comprises a plurality of puzzle pieces 3 each having a shape conformed to that of the respective recess 21. Each puzzle piece 3 has a unique indicia 32, such as numbers, characters, symbols and the like, on its outward face and a contact 31 on the bottom.
In assembly, referring to FIG. 3, the body 2 is combined with the housing 1 by matching the bottom of the body 2 to the flange 11 and tabs 12 on the housing 1. LEDs (light emitting diode) 24b (as a portion of the resistors 24) are provided on the circuit 23 and preferably disposed along bottom edge of the body 2, an audible sound producing means, such as a buzzer 24a (as a portion of the resistors 24), are provided at one side of the body 2 and electrically connected to the circuit 23.
Also referring to FIG. 3, the puzzle device in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the invention operates as follows. When every of the puzzle pieces 3 is arranged correctly in the respective conformed recess 21, the contacts 31 at the bottom of the puzzle pieces 3 contact the conducting members 22 on the recesses 21 so that a complete circuit 23 is formed. At the same time, the buzzer 24a makes a buzzing sound and the LEDs 24b illuminate or flash. It is contemplated by the present invention that young children will be very interested in playing the puzzle device according to the present invention since the invention is designed to provide an attractive device with illumination and audible sounds, so as to help young children to learn numbers or characters with fun.
Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 in conjunction with FIG. 1, a puzzle device in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The characteristics of the second preferred embodiment are detailed below. A housing 1′ having a predesigned shape is combined with a body 2′ comprising a recessed platform portion 21′ formed on its top surface. The platform portion 21′ is shaped to contain a plurality of puzzle pieces 3′. Each of the puzzle pieces 3′ includes a portion of a picture 33′ on its outward face and a contact 31′ at a predetermined position. The contacts 31′ form a complete circuit 32′ when the puzzle pieces 3′ is arranged correctly. The body 2′ further comprises a resistor 22′, such as a buzzer or a LED, a power source (e.g., button battery) 23′ and a switch 24′ at one side. The resistor 22′, power source 23′ and switch 24′ form a loop with the circuit 32′.
Referring to FIG. 5, the puzzle device in accordance with the second preferred embodiment of the invention operates as follows. When the puzzle pieces 3′ are arranged correctly in the platform portion 21′ of the body 2′ with the complete picture 33′ forming on the puzzle pieces 3′, the complete circuit 32′ is formed by the connection of the contacts 33′. At the same time, the resistor 22′ (e.g., a buzzer or LEDs) makes a buzzing sound and/or illuminate.
While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.
Patent Application
20070278740
