Patent Application
20250073568
This present invention pertains to toys and more specifically to a three-
dimensional puzzle game system.
Common everyday jigsaw puzzles are known and the majority are made from cardboard pieces that are designed in a variety of shapes and sizes. These pieces are configured to fit in a specific configuration to form a picture. Puzzle solving can provide a user a myriad of benefits ranging from cognitive development to simple entertainment and pleasure. Puzzles can challenge the brain to think critically and develop strategies to enhance problem solving. They require careful observation and attention, helping to enhance focus and concentration. Engaging with puzzles can also provide a sense of calm thus reducing stress and anxiety and may require time and perseverance, teaching patience and resilience. Completing a puzzle provides a user with a sense of achievement and may help to boost self-esteem. Puzzles can also offer a great source of entertainment offering a break from screen time and other passive activities.
On the contrary, some complicated high piece-count jigsaw puzzles can be very time consuming causing a user to neglect other important responsibilities and can also be too difficult leading to frustration, irritation, and possibly even a decrease in motivation. Most jigsaw puzzles in the marketplace are commonly made from small, thin pieces that are difficult to handle for small children, individuals of advanced age, or those having arthritis or other debilitating disabilities, making it severely difficult to hold or manipulate the pieces. In addition, the small pieces are often lost or misplaced and an almost solved puzzle due to a single or few missing pieces can be quite maddening for a user. Jigsaw puzzles are also oftentimes large and require multiple days for completion. It can be challenging to store an incomplete puzzle for long periods of time as they are normally played with on surfaces that serve additional purposes, such as a kitchen or coffee table. Another issue with puzzles is that they are normally solitary activities that can result in social isolation if done excessively. In some instances, however, multiple individuals may work together on a single puzzle promoting teamwork and communication in a fun, shared activity.
What is needed is a portable puzzle system that is easy to manipulate for individuals with low manual dexterity and that includes an element of competition or game play designed to engage multiple users.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The present invention is directed towards a puzzle game that is played with alternative puzzle pieces and playing surfaces. The puzzle game may be enjoyed by users of any skill or age and may designed to be played individually or with multiple users to promote competition and excitement.
The puzzle game may comprise a plurality of puzzle sticks forming the puzzle, a puzzle tray for assembling the puzzle sticks, and a puzzle sleeve for containing the puzzle sticks and the puzzle tray. The puzzle sticks may be cuboidal in shape having a square cross-section and a length and may have images on more that one of the faces. There may be one or more than one puzzle that may be completed with a set of puzzle sticks. The puzzle sticks may have the same length or any length and may have one or more than one divot or one or more than one protrusion in any location on any of the puzzle sticks. There may also be both divots and protrusions on one or more than one puzzle stick. Once a user places the puzzle sticks in the correct locations, an identifiable image may be visible and the puzzle may be complete.
The puzzle sticks may be assembled in the puzzle tray. The puzzle tray may have a plurality of divots or protrusions to removably secure the divot or protrusions of the puzzle sticks to the puzzle tray. The puzzle sticks may be removably secured to the puzzle tray magnetically. The puzzle sleeve may have one or more than one opening on any side to hold the puzzle tray and puzzle sticks while not in use. The puzzle tray may have a window. The puzzle game may have one or more than one puzzle tray and may be played with one or multiple users. There may be a vertical member disposed between more than one puzzle tray. The puzzle trays may have one or more than one finish button that may activate one or more spring mechanisms within the puzzle trays.
The primary object of the invention is to provide a unique puzzle system that is user-friendly for individuals with or without limited manual dexterity, incorporating a competitive element to engage multiple users. The puzzle game is designed to be accessible to users of all skill levels and ages, and may be enjoyed individually or with others to encourage competition and excitement.
In the preferred embodiment, the puzzle game comprises a plurality of cuboidal sticks comprising at least a first stick and a second stick; a tray for retaining said plurality of cuboidal sticks; wherein when said first stick is placed adjacent to said second stick an image on a first side of said first stick is complementary to an image on a first side of said second stick; and wherein said tray has an array of retaining features for holding said plurality of sticks in a predetermined position.
Each of said plurality of cuboidal sticks may have a square cross-section. A first portion of said retaining features may comprise a plurality of divots extending into said tray. A first portion of said retaining features may comprise a plurality of protrusions extending from said tray. The first stick may comprise one or more divots on said first side of said first stick, wherein said one or more divots are configured to receive one or more of said retaining features.
In another embodiment, when said plurality of cuboidal sticks are placed in a predetermined configuration at least one of said cuboidal sticks is disposed parallel to at least one other cuboidal stick and at least one of said cuboidal sticks is disposed perpendicular to at least one other cuboidal stick, wherein said predetermined configuration is a rectangular arrangement of said cuboidal sticks; and wherein said predetermined configuration is disposed over all of said retaining features in said array.
The puzzle game may further comprise a game body wherein said tray is disposed in said game body; wherein said tray is configured to move in a direction of travel from a first position to a second position; and wherein said direction of travel is perpendicular to a surface of said tray. The puzzle game may further comprise one or more springs disposed adjacent to said tray, wherein said one or more springs are configured to move said tray from a first position to a second position. The puzzle game may further comprise a sheet having a plurality of apertures, wherein each aperture is disposed over a respective retaining feature.
The puzzle game may further comprise a timer connected to said tray, wherein said timer is configured to cause said tray to move from a first position to a second position once said timer runs out of time. The puzzle game may further comprise a switch, wherein said switch releases said tray to cause said tray to move from a first position to a second position.
The puzzle game may further comprise a second tray disposed in said game body; wherein said second tray is configured to move in a direction of travel from a second tray first position to a second tray second position; wherein said second tray direction of travel of said second tray is perpendicular to a surface of said second tray; and wherein said second tray has an array of second tray retaining features for holding said plurality of sticks in a predetermined position.
The puzzle game may further comprise a first switch connected to said first tray and a second switch connected to said second tray, wherein said first switch releases said first tray to cause said first tray to move from said first position to said second position; and wherein said second switch releases said second tray to cause said second tray to move from said second tray first position to said second tray second position.
Still other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following description wherein there is shown and described the embodiments of this invention, simply by way of illustration of the best modes suited to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects all without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawing and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
Various exemplary embodiments of this invention will be described in detail, wherein like reference numerals refer to identical or similar components, with reference to the following figures, wherein:
The claimed subject matter is now described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. It may be evident, however, that the claimed subject matter may be practiced with or without any combination of these specific details, without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention and the claims.
Referring to
The puzzle sticks 140 may be all the same length or a variety of any lengths. The puzzle sticks 140 may be a combination of varying lengths and the same lengths. The puzzle sticks 140 may be made of wood, metal, any type of plastic, or any other material. The images of the puzzle sticks 140 may be applied in any manner. The images may be applied by placing a plastic wrapping with the image over the puzzle sticks 140 and then heat shrinking the plastic. The images may be applied by a laser printing, image transfer, screen printing, hot stamping, etching, ink jet printing, flexographic printing, UV lithographic printing, pad printing, or any other known method.
The puzzle sticks 140 may be made in any configuration and may have a completely smooth surface. The puzzle sticks 140 may be magnetic. The puzzle sticks 140 may have one or more than one divot 150 embedded in the surface of the face of the puzzle sticks 140. The divots 150 may be any size or shape and of any depth within the puzzle sticks 140. There may be any number of divots 150 in any configuration and in any location on the puzzle sticks 140. In another embodiment, the puzzle sticks 140 may have one or more than one protrusion 160 rounded outward from the surface of the face of the puzzle sticks 140. The protrusions 160 may be any size or shape and of any outward distance from the surface of the puzzle sticks 140. There may be any number of protrusions 160 in any configuration and in any location on the puzzle sticks 140. There many be any number of divots 150 and any number of protrusions 160 in any combination on any of the faces of the cuboid puzzle sticks 140. The puzzle sticks 140 may not have protrusions 160 and/or may not have divots 150. In the preferred embodiment the protrusions 160 from the first puzzle stick 142 may fit within the divots 150 of an adjacent second puzzle stick 144. In this manner the sticks are removably secured and any combination of any of the puzzle sticks 140 may be similarly removably secured. In other embodiments the puzzle sticks 140 may be removably secured together by any means, such as dovetail cuts in the puzzle sticks 140, snaps, buttons, zippers, hook and loop fasteners, suction cups, or any other known means.
The puzzle tray 110 provides a portable playing surface for a user to place the sticks 140 and assemble the puzzle game 100 comprising a plurality of puzzle sticks 140. The puzzle tray 110 may be any size or shape and may be made from wood, metal, any type of plastic, or any other material. The puzzle tray 110 may have a plurality of protrusions 130 in any locations on its lower, inner surface to engage and removably secure to the divots 150 of the puzzle sticks 140. The divots 150 of the puzzle sticks 140 may snap onto the protrusions 130 of the puzzle tray 110. In an alternate embodiment the puzzle tray 110 may have a plurality of divots to removably secure to the protrusions 160 of the puzzle sticks 140. The puzzle tray 110 may have both divots and protrusions 160 to hold the puzzle sticks 140 in a chosen configuration and prevent the sticks from moving. In still another embodiment the surface of the puzzle tray 110 may be smooth. The puzzle tray 110 may be magnetic. In this embodiment the puzzle sticks 140 may be magnetically secured to the puzzle tray 110.
The puzzle sleeve 120 is utilized to contain the puzzle tray 110 and puzzle sticks 140 while not in use. The puzzle sleeve 120 may display the image of the correctly assembled puzzle on its surface. In the preferred embodiment the puzzle sleeve 120 has an opening at one end permitting the puzzle tray 110 to be slid in and out through the opening. The opening in the puzzle sleeve 120 may be in any position, such as either side, front, or back. In other embodiments the puzzle sleeve 120 is hingedly attached to the puzzle tray 110. The puzzle sleeve 120 may be in any configuration. In one embodiment the puzzle sleeve 120 may have a translucent window to allow the completed puzzle sticks 140 to be viewed. In other embodiments the puzzle sleeve 120 may have an opening in the surface instead of a translucent window. The puzzle sleeve 120 may be attached in any manner to the top of the puzzle tray 110.
Referring to
In an alternate embodiment the puzzle game 100 may have a timer attached. The timer may be attached to a spring mechanism. A user may push a start button on the timer when they begin assembling the puzzle sticks 140. When the user completes the puzzle, they may press a finish button 170 to stop the timer. If the timer reaches the end of time before the puzzle is complete, the timer releases the spring mechanism, causing the puzzle sticks 140 to disperse from the puzzle tray 110. This embodiment may be utilized a single player game or multiplayer where the puzzle tray 110 may be connected with puzzle trays 110 of other users.
In other embodiments the puzzle trays 110 of each user are not physically connected but are communicatively connected through any wireless means, such as WiFi, local area network, Bluetooth, or NFC. When a user finishes assembling the puzzle sticks 140, they may press the finish button 170 which may send a signal to the puzzle trays 110 of other users. When the other puzzle trays 110 receive the signal, each may release the spring mechanism to cause the puzzle sticks 140 to disperse from the puzzle trays 110.
In some embodiments the puzzle game 100 may further comprise a sheet that is removably placed within the puzzle tray 110. The sheet may be any size and shape and in any configuration. The sheet is optimally utilized as a puzzle guide. The sheet may be placed in the puzzle tray 110 and may have an image of the completed puzzle. In some embodiments the sheet may have a plurality of apertures which may permit the protrusions 130 of the puzzle tray 110 to pass through and engage the divots 150 of the puzzle sticks 140.
In another alternative embodiment there may be two puzzle trays 110 attached together with one or more vertical members positioned between the puzzle trays 110. The users may engage in a face off and race each other to assemble the puzzle sticks 140 the fastest. The vertical member may be utilized to hold a puzzle guide during game play. Each user may have the same puzzle guide or a different puzzle guide. The vertical member may be a clear member with an internal pocket. The puzzle guide may be inserted into an internal pocket and viewed from each side. The vertical member may also be utilized to hide the progress of each user and may add a sense of urgency to the game play as users are unaware of the progress of other users in assembling their puzzle sticks 140. In another embodiment each user may have a separate puzzle tray 110 with a vertical member and the puzzle trays 110 may not be attached.
Each component of the puzzle game 100 may be made in any size or configuration with diverting from the invention. There may be a travel version of the puzzle game 100 that is smaller and more portable than the standard version. The puzzle tray 110 may be separated into two smaller sections that permits users to assemble two puzzles at the same time. In this manner, two users may be able to race each other to correctly assemble their individual puzzle sticks 140. There may be a larger version of the puzzle game 100 that may require additional puzzle sticks 140 and may have a higher level of difficulty for completion.
In another embodiment the puzzle tray 110 may have one or more than one lights on the puzzle tray 110. The lights may be on the surface of the puzzle tray 110 and may be located within the divot or protrusions 130. In other embodiments the lights may be within the body of the puzzle tray 110 and the puzzle tray 110 may be translucent or transparent to permit light to emit through the body of the puzzle tray 110. In the preferred embodiment the lights are LEDs and may be any other type of light. The lights may be any color and may change color intermittently or in a predetermined pattern. In other embodiments the surface of the puzzle tray 110 may have a plurality of sensors that may cause the lights to turn on when the sensors recognize puzzle sticks 140 placed in specific locations on the puzzle tray 110. The puzzle sticks 110 may also be transparent or translucent to permit the light to pass through the puzzle sticks 140. In this embodiment the lights may illuminate the puzzle sticks 140 to enhance the completed image of the puzzle sticks 140. The puzzle sticks 140 may have sensors that pair with the sensors on the puzzle tray 110. If a user places a puzzle stick 140 in the wrong location on the puzzle tray 110, a certain predetermined color may illuminate indicating to the user that the user should remove the puzzle stick 140 and place it into a new location.
The puzzle tray 110 may be designed in any configuration and may be made from any material. In one embodiment the puzzle tray 110 may be a silicone mat that can be rolled up when not in use and unrolled when in use. In another embodiment the puzzle tray 110 may be configured with a plurality of cavities to hold the puzzle sticks 140 in a vertical configuration.
In another embodiment the puzzle tray 110 may be designed to create a lenticular image when the puzzle sticks 140 are correctly placed and completed. In this embodiment the puzzle tray 110 may have plurality of triangular protrusions. In another embodiment the puzzle tray may have triangular channels. The puzzle sticks 140 may be configured to be seated within the triangular protrusions at a forty-five degree angle to the floor. This may allow a person to view one completed image from one side and a second completed puzzle image from a second side.
In still another embodiment the puzzle sticks 140 may be configured to twist within the puzzle tray 110. In the preferred version of this embodiment a frame may surround the entire puzzle. An elastic string may extend through the center of each of the puzzle sticks 140 to permit the puzzle sticks 140 to rotate around a central axis and user may rotate the puzzle sticks 140 by hand. In other embodiments the puzzle tray 110 has knobs connected to the puzzle sticks 140 and are positioned externally to rotate the puzzle sticks 140 within the puzzle tray 110. A user may rotate the knobs to rotate the puzzle sticks 140. There may be more than one puzzle stick 140 positioned along any string.
In an alternate embodiment the string may pass through the puzzle sticks 140 perpendicularly. In this manner the puzzle sticks 140 may be flipped. In some embodiments the puzzle sticks 140 have a rotational element so that a portion of the puzzle sticks 140 may be rotated around the central axis of the puzzle sticks 140 while the entire puzzle stick 140 is flipped longitudinally.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art can recognize that many further combinations and permutations of such matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. The preceding description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the following claims and the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
This application claims priority from pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/536,744, filed on Sep. 6, 2023, the disclosure of which is included herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63536744 | Sep 2023 | US |
