PUZZLE, PUZZLE PIECE AND METHOD FOR MAKING PUZZLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to jigsaw puzzle pieces and a tray used to array jigsaw puzzle pieces, particularly to a technology characterized by the shape and display of the pieces.

BACKGROUND ART

As widely known, jigsaw puzzles are games in which one complete image is cut and separated into the configuration of a puzzle, and the respective puzzle pieces are fitted together using the projections and recesses of the outer edges and parts of the image drawn on the pieces as a clue. Many jigsaw puzzles are produced by printing a complete image on a cardboard surface and cutting the cardboard into various patterns.

Generally, as shown in FIG. 10, the cardboard is die cut in two processes: (a) first, by die cutting in a horizontal direction and (b) second, by die cutting in a vertical direction, thereby (c) producing pieces in a cut pattern which are blocked-in in vertical and horizontal directions.

The shapes of the respective pieces in jigsaw puzzles cut like this are subtly different while being similar, and a player enjoys finding the slight differences. Most jigsaw puzzles are produced in this manner, since many elements of reasoning are involved and the positions of the pieces are less likely to be found based on their shapes, even if the game is repeatedly played.

There is also a method to die cut random patterns in one procedure, as shown in FIG. 11. Jigsaw puzzles with such patterns have various piece shapes, creating the difficulty and unpredictability that the shapes of neighboring pieces cannot be inferred. The applicant of the present application has also taken advantage of the feature that free shapes can be generated to produce a jigsaw puzzle with silhouette pieces; forming the respective pieces into special shapes such as those of cats and dogs to increase fun during assembly.

In conventional jigsaw puzzles, piece designers exercise their ingenuity to form lines of pieces so that, for example, no two pieces out of even 1000 pieces have the same shape. The game-playing property of a jigsaw puzzle largely depends on the quality of the cut pattern.

The fun of a jigsaw puzzle lies in arraying the pieces, while using the piece shapes and images on the surface of the pieces to guess their positions on the complete image.

On the other hand, there is also a product that is laid on the floor called a puzzle mat. This is a thick mat made of EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), which is used by placing together, for example, substantially square pieces measuring about 30 cm on each side. A multitude of projections and recesses on peripheral edges of the respective pieces interlock with projections and recesses of other pieces, thereby avoiding friction.

In the puzzle mat, a picture is drawn on each piece and therefore assembling the pieces does not form one complete image. Thus the symmetrical asperities of the pieces often make them capable of interlocking in arbitrary directions. Because the puzzle mat pieces can interlock in arbitrary directions for practical utility, orientations need not be considered to arrive at a complete image like jigsaw puzzles.

Patent document 1, making a proposal based on a similar idea, discloses a jigsaw puzzle that can be connected in both vertical and horizontal directions. According to the disclosure, projections and recesses are respectively provided near corners of each side of the piece body. Projections and recesses of two piece bodies can interlock with each other, in a state where the arbitrary side of one piece body can face any side of another piece body.

An object of the present invention is to create, not an original jigsaw puzzle in which pieces are arrayed toward a predetermined complete image, but one that a child can play by freely fitting and changing directions of pieces with parts of streets drawn on them. Thus, images on the respective pieces have to tell directions in which the pieces should be arranged.

Patent document 2 discloses a technology for forming piece numbers, corresponding to arrangements and interlocking directions of pieces, on the undersides of vertical pieces and horizontal pieces. This is a technology for assigning numbers, e.g. in the form of A-1, B-2 to reduce time and effort to specify the pieces. A player can complete a jigsaw puzzle without considering shapes and patterns by arraying the pieces according to the numbers, but this technology does not contribute to enhancement in the game-playing property of the puzzle.

CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
Patent Document 1:

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-113036

Patent Document 2:

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1997-299610

SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem

As described above, the game-playing property of the jigsaw puzzle lies in that the positions of the respective pieces on the predetermined complete image can be guessed based on the shapes and patterns of the pieces. Since the shapes are respectively changed, how the respective pieces are fitted together cannot be changed. On the other hand, in the case of a puzzle in which pieces can be fitted together, even if the orientations thereof are changed, as disclosed in patent document 1, no predetermined complete image exists and the pieces can only be freely fitted together, wherefore there is no game-playing property of the jigsaw puzzle.

Furthermore, conventional puzzles where pieces are fitted together with the orientations thereof freely set, have one projection or one recess on each piece side, as shown in FIG. 13, and can be rotated only in two directions, regardless of whether the piece is one with each side of 30 cm or longer as shown in FIG. 12 or a small one with each side of 3 cm or shorter. In a cutting die for a jigsaw puzzle fabricated by a bending steel, there is a physical limit to the number of projections and recesses which can be set within a given distance. It is also technically difficult and not particularly necessary to form pieces that have the same shape and can be precisely fitted together, even if orientations are changed.

However, in the case of a jigsaw puzzle in which individual pieces are only printed with single-color gradation patterns and one image appears when all the pieces are assembled, such as a jigsaw puzzle relating to this application, a complete image must be viewed at a specified distance and each piece side is required to be about 1 to 2 cm in order to enjoy the complete image in a room by hanging the puzzle on a wall.

In order to enable the projections and the recesses to interlock with each other, even if the arrangement of the pieces is changed, all the pieces must have a congruent shape. In order to allow the respective pieces to rotate in four directions, each side needs to be provided with one or more pairs of projections and recesses, as shown in FIG. 14(a). In such a case, image information in the central part is impaired if interlocking portions have a relatively large size, as shown in FIG. 14(a).

As a result, what is required is a shape in which interlocking portions are arranged only at peripheral parts, as shown in FIG. 14(b). As described above, in the jigsaw puzzle of this application, a fairly high level of working accuracy is required to satisfy all the requirements: that the piece size is 1 to 2 cm, one or more pairs of projections and recesses are arranged on each side, all the pieces have a congruent shape and are point symmetrical with respect to the centers thereof, and as large a central part as possible is left.

For example, a pinnacle die is a corrosive blade sharpened by melting steel and is capable of die cutting with high accuracy, but is used for die cutting stickers and can only die cut materials that have a thickness up to about 1 mm. Normally, the thickness of a jigsaw puzzle is about 1.8 mm. With a thickness of 1 mm, the pieces poorly interlock with each other and a comfortable game-playing property cannot be ensured.

Plastic pieces can be worked by die molding, but have higher cost, a smaller degree of freedom in printing as compared with paper jigsaw puzzles, and lack an advantage also in the paper feel sought by jigsaw puzzle lovers.

In the case of fabricating a cutting die for die cutting cardboard, as in the present application, a steel sheet having an entire length of 20 m is successively bent, wherefore a degree of difficulty in precise bending increases as the piece size decreases.

The present invention was developed in view of the above conventional technology, and the object thereof is to provide a jigsaw puzzle which has a piece size of 1 to 2 cm, with pieces that can interlock with other pieces, even if exchanged or rotated, is produced by die cutting cardboard, and that enhances a game-playing property and an interlocking property at the time of assembling pieces in such a jigsaw puzzle.

Solution to Problem

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention proposes a jigsaw puzzle piece as described below.

Specifically, this jigsaw puzzle piece can interlock with other pieces by interlocking portions, each composed of at least one pair of projections and recesses, provided on a corresponding one of four sides of a square. The respective sides are formed to be point symmetrical with respect to a center of the square and the piece can interlock with other pieces in four upward, downward, leftward and rightward directions. The respective sides of the piece are shaped such that projection-adjacent-side-portions, adjacent to the projections, are displaced inwardly of the square and recess-adjacent-side-portions, adjacent to the recesses, are displaced outwardly of the square with respect to a virtual reference line composed of sides of a square.

Further, the projections and the recesses are moved on the virtual reference line by distances corresponding to respective displacements, thereby preventing uneven portions to sides of adjacent pieces when pieces interlock with each other, and the maximum width of enlarged portions of the projections is set larger than the minimum width of constricted portions of the recesses to prevent detachment of interlocked projections and recesses.

According to this construction, curvatures of connecting portions of the projections and the recesses of the sides can be increased by displacing the adjacent side portions. Thus, constriction of the interlocking portion necessary for interlocking can be easily produced, which particularly contributes to an improvement in interlocking property at the time of assembling small pieces with each side of 2 cm or smaller.

Further, a game-playing property at the time of assembling the pieces is enhanced by assigning a short-distance visible (long-distance invisible) mark to the top surface of the piece, capable of specifying the piece and its orientation in addition to complete image information of the puzzle.

The above short-distance visible mark is displayed due to a difference between two or more reflectances, glazes, or surface roughnesses and can be easily made, for example, by printing using varnish or the like.

The present invention can also provide a tray used to array the plurality of pieces described above.

In this tray, an outer edge coincides with the size of a jigsaw puzzle in a completed state, a frame body is prepared along four sides to prevent detachment of the pieces, and row and column indicators are provided to indicate vertical and horizontal positions of the respective pieces.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has the following effects by including the above construction.

Specifically, it is possible to provide a jigsaw puzzle whose pieces can interlock with other pieces, regardless of their orientations, by having the respective sides thereof shaped to be point symmetrical. Since the orientation of the piece capable of interlocking in the respective directions is specified by the short-distance visible mark, a process corresponding to the conventional operation of setting the orientation of the pieces based on their outer shape can be created, whereby the game-playing property as a jigsaw puzzle can be enhanced.

Simultaneously, even with a minimum projection and recess curve for forming reverse tapers, which has been difficult to form for conventional small pieces, interlocking is possible by displacing the side portions adjacent to the projections and the recesses to increase curvatures of the projections and the recesses. By doing so, the pieces do not come off when being assembled, and the game can be comfortably enjoyed.

Further, since the curvatures can be increased, working accuracy of the projections and the recesses can be ensured and a piece that accurately interlocks, even if its position and orientation is changed, can be provided.

By the short-distance visible mark, pieces that are difficult to distinguish based on the image on the piece can be specified and the orientation can be determined, even if the piece shape makes it capable of interlocking in each direction. Thus, such as at the time of enjoying a conventional jigsaw puzzle, an operation corresponding to the process of assembling the entire puzzle based on images printed on the piece surfaces can be created and the game-playing property as a jigsaw puzzle is enhanced.

In the construction of the short-distance visible mark, due to the contrast between two or more reflectances, glazes, or surface roughnesses, the differences hardly stand out when the mark is seen at a distance and do not affect the expression of the complete image of the puzzle. On the other hand, when the picked-up piece is seen at the time of assembling, the piece and its orientation can be specified because the difference in light reflection is clearly visible, wherefore the puzzle can be assembled.

According to the tray of the present invention, the pieces can be looked at and directly arranged at correct positions as with a conventional jigsaw puzzle since positions where the respective pieces should be arranged can be confirmed on the tray. In some conventional puzzles for small children, indicators showing the outer shapes of pieces are made on a tray and the pieces are assembled by comparing the outer shapes. However, since the pieces of the present invention have a congruent outer shape, such an arrangement is impossible. In this respect, the pieces can be arranged on the tray of the present invention based on the row and column indicators. Therefore, the pieces can be successively arrayed from those whose positions are found out in the same manner as before, which contributes to an improvement in the game-playing property.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1(
a) and (b) are diagrams showing the pattern and short-distance visible mark on the surface of a jigsaw puzzle piece according to the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an exemplary piece array table by short-distance visible marks according to the present invention,

FIGS. 3(
a) and (b) are views of exemplary piece images and one embodiment of an assembled image,

FIGS. 4(
a) and (b) are diagrams showing the challenges the present invention is facing,

Figure is a diagram that shows a method for die cutting pieces of the present invention,

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the outer shape of the piece according to the present invention,

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state where the pieces according to the present invention are arrayed,

FIGS. 8(
a) and (b) are views showing an embodiment of the short-distance visible mark,

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a tray according to the present invention,

FIGS. 10(
a), (b) and (c) are diagrams showing a cutting pattern for conventional pieces,

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a cutting pattern for conventional pieces,

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional puzzle,

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of a conventional puzzle, and

FIGS. 14(
a) and (b) are diagrams showing the sizes of projections and recesses of puzzles.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention is described through an example shown in the drawings. Note that examples of execution are not limited to the following.

A piece (1) of a jigsaw puzzle according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1(a) and (b). FIG. 1(a) shows the surface shape of apiece and a gradation pattern is printed, as shown. FIG. 1(b) is a diagram showing a short-distance visible mark printed on the surface. The short-distance visible mark is described later.

A first feature of the present invention is the outer shape of this jigsaw puzzle piece. Namely, one projection (10) and one recess (11) following this projection is formed on each side of a square. The projection (10) is formed to be able to interlock with the recess (11) and the respective sides are shaped to be point symmetrical with respect to a center point (12) of the piece (1), whereby the pieces of the present invention can be connected with one another in vertical and horizontal directions. The piece can interlock in any of the four directions.

FIGS. 3(
a) and (b) show an example of a gradation pattern on a surface in this embodiment and a complete image formed by arraying such pieces in accordance with an array table of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3(
a) shows a sheet printed with various gradations on a surface. The respective pieces are die cut on a cardboard and, for example, about 500 pieces are prepared. Only using the necessary pieces out of these can form various pictures. Since it is difficult to form a picture based on a complete image, the pieces are arrayed and fitted together while referring to the short-distance visible marks and FIG. 2, based on the array table prepared beforehand.

FIG. 3(
b) shows a portrait of Beethoven using 300 pieces. Usage of different pieces depending on the picture enables assembly of various images. However, since a completed image is a type of mosaic pattern, the picture cannot be recognized unless viewed at a certain distance. As the size of the complete image increases, it must be viewed at a further distance. Thus, in order to be appreciated in a general home, it is desirable that the pieces are a certain size or smaller, e.g. 2 cm or smaller in order. Accordingly, the outer shape of the piece according to the present invention will be described.

Firstly, problems inherent in the conventional technology are described with reference to FIG. 4. If pieces, (100) with measurements of about 1 to 2 cm on each side, should be die cut in vertical and horizontal directions in two steps as shown in FIGS. 10(a) and (b), there is a possibility that cut positions are relatively displaced, wherefore it is very difficult to form the respective pieces with a point-symmetrical square shape. Also, in the case of die cutting in one step as shown in FIG. 10(c), it is very difficult to bend a steel cutting blade so that the individual pieces come to have a completely identical shape. Although it is assumed in this application that the respective pieces are separately die cut as shown in FIG. 5, the respective pieces are shown in a connected state in the following description.

In the case of engaging the projection (111) and the recess (112) as shown in FIG. 4(a), there is a problem that the cutting blade cannot be sufficiently bent inwardly at a curved portion (114) due to an insufficient height (113) (see partial enlarged view (110)) of the projection. Similarly, the cutting blade cannot be folded inwardly at the recess (112) due to an insufficient depth.

Since such projections (111) and recesses (112) have no constricted parts (115), even engaged pieces detach when pulled obliquely, i.e. the pieces are not interlocked. While assembling a jigsaw puzzle, pieces that are not interlocked may be easily separated when subject to vibration, thereby considerably impairing a comfortable game-playing property. Accordingly, a general jigsaw puzzle normally includes enlarged portions with larger widths at the top sides of projections and bottom sides of recesses, constricted portions with smaller widths at intermediate positions of the projections and the recesses, and interlocking portions, each composed of a combination of the enlarged portions and the constricted portions.

As described above, it was sufficient to design conventional cut patterns with a curvature, at which the cutting blade can be bent without making the respective sides symmetrical. Thus, problems facing the present invention were not found. For example, each side might include one recess or projection, as shown in FIG. 10, or a free pattern leaving symmetry out of consideration, as shown in FIG. 11, could be employed.

However, in order to interlock pieces that can be rotated in four directions and are point symmetrical, as in the present invention, each side must include one or more pairs of projections and recesses, therefore causing the problems faced by the present invention.

In the case of the present invention, pieces need to satisfactorily interlock, regardless of with which piece it is fitted together with, and the shapes of the projections and the recesses need to be retained with high accuracy since the orientation and position of the piece differ every time. The conventional method does not assume an interlocked state with pieces, other than those that are adjacent, at the time of die cutting, wherefore there is a problem that the pieces may not interlock well if a combination is changed.

One solution to these problems is to increase the height of the projections (111) and the depth of the recesses (112). However, in the case of producing an image by gradation expression as in the present application, enlargement of the projections and the recesses leads to a smaller central rectangular part as shown in FIG. 14(a), which results in a problem in the reproducibility of the complete image. From the perspective of reproducibility, it is desirable for all of the pieces to be square with no projections and recesses. However, in this case, a comfortable game-playing property is impaired, as descried above. The gist of the present invention is to provide the interlocking portions while ensuring a maximum square area in the center.

Accordingly, there is a proposed method for increasing heights from the sides while keeping size changes of the projections (111) and the recesses (112) to a minimum level.

First of all, a side portion (131) (see partial enlarged view (130)) adjacent to the projection (121) of the piece (120) as shown in Figure (b) is displaced inwardly (upwardly in FIG. 4(b)) of a square from the position of the dotted line (135). Then, the height (132) of the projection (121) can be increased to increase a curvature of a curved portion (133). The recess (122) is similarly formed.

According to this method, the projection (121) and the recess (122) can be formed with constricted parts, wherefore interlocking is possible.

However, the side portion (134) adjacent to the recess (122) is displaced outwardly of the square while the side portion (131) adjacent to the projection is displaced inwardly, creating unevenness where the two sides come into contact.

As is clear from a partial enlarged view (140), there is unevenness between side portions (141) and (142), adjacent in a lateral direction, and between side portions (143) and (144), adjacent in a vertical direction, with the result that a space (145) is formed between four pieces.

If the pieces are arrayed in this way, they are clearly sloped down to the right while forming steps. Therefore, when all the pieces are arrayed, they constitute the shape of a parallelogram, which impairs the external appearance.

Accordingly, in the present invention, a pair of projections and recesses is formed on each side of a piece (200) based on a square virtual reference line (240). Projection-adjacent-side-portions that are adjacent to the projections are displaced inwardly from the virtual reference line (240) of the square, and recess-adjacent-side-portions adjacent to the recesses are displaced outwardly of the from the virtual reference line (240) of the square, as shown in FIG. 6.

With reference to FIG. 6, projection-adjacent-side-portions (203), (213), (223) and (233) adjacent to projections (201), (211), (221) and (231) are displaced inwardly of the square and recess adjacent side portions (204), (214), (224) and (234) adjacent to the recesses (202), (212), (222) and (232) are displaced outwardly of the square.

In order to solve the above problems, the projections and the recesses are moved, in parallel, along the virtual reference line (240). Namely, if the projection (211) and recess (212) on the left side in FIG. 6 are described as an example, they are moved downwardly (direction of arrows) by as much as the projection-adjacent-side-portion (203) on the upper side and the recess-adjacent-side-portion (224) on the lower side are displaced downwardly from the virtual reference line (240). All the projections and recesses are moved in a similar manner.

As a result of such movements, the lengths of all the projection-adjacent-side-portions and those of all the recess-adjacent-side-portions become equal, wherefore no unevenness is formed when the pieces interlock with each other.

Since a maximum width (201a) of the enlarged portion of the projection (201) (this also holds for the other projections) is larger than a minimum width (202a) of the constricted portion of the recess (202) (this also holds for the other recesses), detachment of the interlocked projection and recess is prevented to realize assured interlocking.

As for the outer shape of the present invention, because there is unevenness within the sides of the pieces, the individual pieces that are successively arrayed have a slight incline, as shown in FIG. 3(b) or 7. However, the uneven portions are absorbed without being accumulated due to the slight inclination of the respective pieces, as shown in FIG. 4(b). Therefore, the resulting external appearance is the same as the external appearance produced when the pieces are normally arrayed in horizontal and vertical directions.

Since the unevenness is at the projections and recesses and the pieces are only slightly inclined, as can be understood from FIG. 7, the appearance is that of arrayed squares and therefore not impaired.

By the above construction, the interlocking portions can be satisfactorily formed, even in small-size pieces, and sufficient image information in the center of the pieces is ensured. This construction contributes to an improvement in the interlocking property at the time of assembling the jigsaw puzzle and a reduction in production cost.

When creating this type of sophisticated cutting die, with a size of 2 cm or smaller, accuracy could not be generated when the pieces were adjacent to each other, as shown in FIGS. 10(c) or 11, and very precise working was necessary. Thus, in the embodiment of the present invention, it is proposed to arrange the pieces in an isolated manner as shown in FIG. 5. If the pieces are arrayed adjacent to each other as shown in Figure (c) or 11 and die cut, the respective pieces are compressed inwardly at four sides and slightly shrink, thereby reducing the interlocking property when being fitted together. In the case of arranging the pieces in an isolated manner as in the present application, the size of the cutting die can be so designed as to be slightly larger than the original shape and the interlocking property can be maintained, even if the pieces are compressed.

Particularly, in the case of printing the respective pieces with gradations, as in this embodiment, or in different solid colors, the respective pieces can be printed completely by arranging the pieces in an isolated manner, as shown in FIG. 5.

Next, the piece surface display method relating to the present invention will be described.

The present invention lacks a specific image that is recognizable by the individual pieces, even when divided, as in an ordinary jigsaw puzzle. In addition, because each piece can be arranged in upward, downward, leftward and rightward directions, there is the problem of being unable to give a player the pleasure of comparing and arranging the respective pieces based on information of a complete image, as with ordinary jigsaw puzzles. Namely, since subtly different gradation patterns are displayed on the surfaces of the respective pieces and many pieces are similar, it is difficult to specify correct pieces and to judge the orientations of the pieces from the image. Hence, the game-playing property is not necessarily high. If anything, monotonous trial and error are repeated toward completion, which may bore the player.

Accordingly, it is proposed to provide a marking, in addition to the images on the piece surface of the present invention, to allow the player to specify the pieces and recognize orientations of the pieces.

Normally, as disclosed in patent reference 2, the marking is made by assigning numbers to the undersides. However, in such a case, it is cumbersome to confirm the orientations of the pieces when trying to assemble the pieces with the topsides facing upward. If the pieces are assembled with the undersides facing upward, this problem is solved, but brings about other problems such as that the original pleasure of the jigsaw puzzle, to assemble a picture little by little, is lost and the pieces are disrupted when the entire puzzle is turned upside down after completion. If the numbers are printed on the top surfaces, these problems are solved, but the aesthetic appearance is impaired when the completed image is viewed. If the printed numbers are inconspicuously small, it would be cumbersome to distinguish the pieces upon assembling them.

Accordingly, in the present invention, short-distance visible marking is applied taking advantage of a difference between two or more reflectances, glazes, or surface roughnesses in addition to the image on the surface. The above gradation marking corresponds to the information of a complete image, such as a landscape or a person, in ordinary jigsaw puzzles. In the present invention, by assigning short-distance visible figures in addition to the complete image information, the pieces are selected and the orientations thereof are judged while the assigned figures are compared with a solution diagram as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the player can continue assembling the pieces as if he were playing an ordinary jigsaw puzzle. In addition, in a completed state, the figures used to distinguish the pieces and the orientations thereof are made unrecognizable at a certain distance or longer, so that the complete image can be enjoyed.

In this embodiment, the marks are glazed by printing UV varnish to give a diffuse reflectance that is different from the one given by gradation image printing. Thus, marks can be clearly visible at a short distance.

The player can assemble the puzzle based on the overall impression of the image and the short-distance visible marks. In addition, printing the same marks on the undersides using a standard printing method enables the pieces to be easily searched. Even in such a case, the orientations of the pieces are judged by the short-distance visible marks on the top surfaces.

As shown by dotted line in FIG. 1(a), the short-distance visible mark is printed together with the pattern on the piece of this embodiment. FIG. 1(b) is a diagram showing only the short-distance visible mark in such a manner that the mark is easily recognizable. A rather large figure of, for example, a mobile phone is arranged as the short-distance visible mark in the center of the piece. In this mobile phone figure, the vertical direction can be clearly distinguished by the antenna (20), monitor screen (21) and dialing keys (22), and the orientation of the piece (1) can be understood based on the orientation of the mobile phone figure.

FIGS. 8(
a) and (b) show real pictures of the piece of the present invention. FIG. 8(a) shows a picture of the piece photographed from top, and FIG. 8(b) shows a picture of the piece photographed from below. The top surface of this piece is first printed with a gradation pattern, then entirely with matte varnish, and lastly with a mobile phone mark using UV varnish.

When light is incident on the varnished surface, reflected intensity decreases as the angle of incidence is more perpendicular, so that what is printed on the paper surface is visible through a layer of varnish. When viewed from the front, as in FIG. 8(a), the presence of the mark is very difficult to see. In other words, the marks are difficult to see when the completed puzzle is viewed.

However, when light is obliquely incident, the surface with smooth UV varnish applied thereto reflects light based on the law of reflection of light, whereas light having been incident on the matte varnish or paper surface is perceived as scattered light. Due to this difference, the mark can be seen, as in FIG. 8(b), when the piece is obliquely viewed, and can be easily used as a clue at the time of assembling the piece.

When the completed puzzle is viewed at a distance, the marks are colorless and therefore hard to see, whereas the top surfaces of the original pieces are single-color printed or color printed, causing only the original jigsaw puzzle image to be visible.

Since it is a general practice to apply polyvinyl alcohol resin glue to the top surface and glue the respective pieces after the jigsaw puzzle is completed, the marks become more difficult to see due to the glue coating. This process makes the short-distance visible marks of the present invention that can be seen only when the pieces are seen at a short distance.

As shown in FIG. 2, the marks used in this embodiment are single-color modeled designs and include signs, characters and character strings in addition to animal figures, plant figures, tool figures, food figures, industrial product figures, and vehicle figures, etc. These designs must make orientation discrimination easier and make the pieces more distinguishable from the other pieces. Further, it is desirable to provide certain meanings so that the player can enjoy seeing them. For example, it is preferable that the appropriately modeled designs themselves are enjoyed if the designs are marks, whereas the game-playing property is enhanced using brisk words such as “GO!” and “OH!” if the designs are signs or characters. The player can also enjoy the same attempt as with ordinary jigsaw puzzles such as sorting out of the pieces according to similar marks beforehand so that the correct pieces can be more easily found.

The present invention is characterized in that arbitrary images can be made up by arraying the pieces in different manners using the marks, while keeping the pleasure of assembling the pieces based on a picture as with ordinary jigsaw puzzles by independently assigning the mark to each piece as described above.

The array table as shown in FIG. 2 can be generated through image processing by a computer or by manually preparing a solution image beforehand by trial and error and recoding the array of the solution image. Note that surface images of the pieces of the present invention are not limited to those of this embodiment and one complete solution image may be set, as traditionally.

Although the UV varnish is used in this embodiment, ordinary varnish or any production method may be used provided that the reflectance, glaze, and surface roughness of the short-distance visible mark parts that differ from other parts. For example, the glaze of the mark parts may be reduced by printing a mixture of paint and fine particles. Further, the short-distance visible mark parts or the other parts may be polished to change surface roughness.

Utilizing such characteristics, the present invention proposes a display method allowing for piece recognition and orientation recognition, which is not found in conventional jigsaw puzzles.

FIG. 9 is a plain view of a tray (2) used to array the pieces of the above jigsaw puzzle. This tray (2) is composed of a flat plate body, and guide lines (21) indicating the outer shapes of the pieces of the puzzle are printed in horizontal and vertical directions on the top surface thereof. Further, column indicators (22) indicating columns A to O and row indicators (23) indicating rows 1 to 20 in correspondence with the guide lines (21) are provided along the entire peripheral edge. The player can array the pieces, for example, according to a matrix representation displayed on the array table of the solution.

Since the pieces of the present invention have no characteristic outer shape, it is not possible to partially assemble the pieces from those that can be fitted together unlike ordinary jigsaw puzzles. However, by using this tray (2), the pieces can be directly arranged at correct positions based on the array table even if being randomly picked up, wherefore the game can be enjoyed in the same manner as conventional jigsaw puzzles are enjoyed.

A peripheral portion (24) along which the pieces are arrayed may be shaped to be folded to prevent detachment of the pieces if being made of paper as in this embodiment, whereby the pieces can be so fixed as not to move while being assembled. This tray may be a resin or wooden tray whose periphery was worked into a frame beforehand.

Piece shapes are painted out in the entire column H (25) and the entire row 11 (26), so that row and column positions are displayed to be easily distinguishable even in intermediate parts.

This tray (2) can also be used as a base plate for the pieces at the time of decoration by applying glue onto the top surface of the assembled puzzle to glue the pieces and cutting off the row and column indicators (22), (23) after drying. Cutoff lines may be formed along the row and column indicators (22), (23) beforehand, so that the indicators can be easily cut off.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1 piece according to the present invention

10 projection

11 recess

12 center point

20 short-distance visible mark (antenna part)

21 short-distance visible mark (monitor screen part)

22 short-distance visible mark (dialing keys part)

PUZZLE, PUZZLE PIECE AND METHOD FOR MAKING PUZZLE

Information

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Date Filed

Date Published

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CPC

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Abstract

Description

Claims

Priority Claims (1)