Information
-
Patent Grant
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6655685
-
Patent Number
6,655,685
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Date Filed
Thursday, March 7, 200222 years ago
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Date Issued
Tuesday, December 2, 200321 years ago
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Inventors
-
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
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US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 273 156
- 273 157 R
- 273 160
- 446 117
- 446 121
- 446 122
- 446 124
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International Classifications
-
Abstract
A three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle includes a three-dimensional core body having a vertical axis and including a plurality of stackable block units formed by cutting the core body along a plurality of transverse cutting planes that are transverse to the vertical axis. Each of the block units has top and bottom surfaces which are opposite to each other in a vertical direction that is parallel to the vertical axis, and includes at least two block members formed by cutting each of the stackable block units along at least one vertical cutting plane that is parallel to and that passes through the vertical axis. A plurality of interlocking members are disposed to interlock removably an adjacent pair of the block units.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to, a jigsaw puzzle, more particularly to a three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional jigsaw puzzles are generally two-dimensional and are not attractive to consumers. Although there are available two-dimensional jigsaw puzzles with a three-dimensional visual effect, they are still not very interesting.
There are also available building blocks that can be interlocked to form a desirable shape or figure, such as the building blocks available under the trademark Lego®. As such building blocks are generally rectangular or square blocks, when they are used to form an object, such as a vase, the object will have an irregular surface with many angles, and is thus not visually appealing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle that is attractive to consumers and that has an enhanced three-dimensional effect.
Accordingly, a three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle of this invention includes:
a three-dimensional core body having a vertical axis, the core body including a plurality of stackable block units formed by cutting the core body along a plurality of transverse cutting planes that are transverse to the vertical axis, each of the stackable block units having top and bottom surfaces which are opposite to each other in a vertical direction that is parallel to the vertical axis, each of the stackable block units including at least two block members formed by cutting each of the stackable block units along at least one vertical cutting plane that is parallel to and that passes through the vertical axis; and
a plurality of interlocking members that are disposed to interlock removably an adjacent pair of the stackable block units.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:
FIG. 1
is an assembled perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of a three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle according to the invention;
FIG. 2
is a partly exploded perspective view of the first preferred embodiment;
FIG. 3
is a sectional view of the first preferred embodiment taken along line
3
—
3
of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 4
is an assembled perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of a three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle according to the invention;
FIG. 5
is a partly exploded perspective view of the second preferred embodiment;
FIG. 6
is an assembled perspective view of the third preferred embodiment of a three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle according to the invention;
FIG. 7
is a partly exploded perspective view of the third preferred embodiment;
FIG. 8
is a perspective view of the third preferred embodiment in a modified form;
FIG. 9
is an assembled perspective view of the fourth preferred embodiment of the three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle according to the invention;
FIG. 10
is a partly exploded perspective view of the fifth preferred embodiment of the three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle according to the invention;
FIG. 11
is a sectional view of the fifth preferred embodiment in an assembled state;
FIG. 12
is an assembled perspective view of the sixth preferred embodiment of the three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle according to the invention;
FIG. 13
is a schematic top view of a stackable block unit of the sixth preferred embodiment; and
FIG. 14
is a schematic top view of a stackable block unit of the sixth preferred embodiment in a modified form.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Before the invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that like.elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.
Referring to
FIGS. 1
to
3
, the first preferred embodiment of a three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle according to the invention is shown to include a three-dimensional core body
10
and a plurality of interlocking members. The core body
10
has a vertical axis
13
, and a uniform cross-section along the vertical axis
13
. The core body
10
includes a plurality of stackable block units
20
formed by cutting the core body
10
along a plurality of transverse cutting planes that are transverse to the vertical axis
13
. Each of the stackable block units
20
has top and bottom surfaces
211
,
212
which are opposite to each other in a vertical direction that is parallel to the vertical axis
13
, and includes two equal block members
21
formed by cutting each of the stackable block units
20
along a vertical cutting plane that is parallel to and that passes through the vertical axis
13
. The vertical cutting plane that cuts an upper one of the stackable block units
20
is staggered relative to and forms an angle with the vertical cutting plane that cuts a lower one of the stackable block units
20
which is adjacent to the upper one of the stackable block units
20
.
The interlocking members are disposed to interlock removably an adjacent pair of the stackable block units
20
, and are arranged around the vertical axis
13
. In this embodiment, the interlocking members include four first holes
213
formed in the top surfaces
211
of the block members
21
of the stackable block units
20
, and four second holes
214
formed in the bottom surfaces
212
of the block members
21
of the stackable block units
2
. It is noted that the first holes
213
are not formed in the topmost one of the stackable block units
20
, and that the second holes
214
are likewise not formed in the bottommost one of the stackable block units
20
. The interlocking members further include a plurality of pins
215
that removably engage the first holes
213
formed in the top surface
211
of a lower one of the stackable block unit
20
and the second holes
214
formed in the bottom surface
212
of an upper one of the stackable block unit
20
which is adjacent to the lower one of the stackable block units
20
. In this embodiment, the interlocking members on the same one of the top and bottom surfaces
211
,
212
of each of the stackable block units
20
are equidistant from the vertical axis
13
, i.e., the interlocking members on the top or bottom surface
211
,
212
of each of the stackable block units
20
lie on the circumference of an imaginary circle centered on the vertical axis
13
.
In play, the pins
215
are used to connect the block members
21
of an upper one of the stackable block units
20
to the block members
21
of a lower one of the stackable block units
20
such that the vertical cutting plane of the upper one of the stackable block units
20
is at a right angle relative to that of the lower one of the stackable block units
20
. In other words, each of the block members
21
of the upper one of the stackable block units
20
straddles over the block members
21
of the lower one of the stackable block units
20
at the same time. The stackable block units
20
are interlocked in this manner to form the core body
10
.
Referring to
FIGS. 4 and 5
, the second preferred embodiment of a three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle according to the invention is shown to include a three-dimensional core body
30
having a vertical axis
33
. The core body
30
includes a plurality of stackable block units
40
that are interlocked via a plurality of interlocking members. This embodiment is substantially similar to the previous embodiment. The major difference therebetween resides in that each of the stackable block units
40
includes four equal block members
41
formed by cutting each of the stackable block units
40
along two vertical cutting planes that are at right angles relative to each other. The vertical cutting planes of an upper one of the stackable block units
40
are staggered relative to those of a lower one of the stackable block units
40
. The interlocking members include a plurality of first holes
411
formed in bottom surfaces
414
of the stackable block units
40
, and a plurality of pins
413
formed integrally on top surfaces
415
of the stackable block units
40
to engage the first holes
411
, respectively. It is noted that the pins
413
are not formed on the top surface
415
of the topmost one of the stackable block units
40
.
In play, the block members
41
of the stackable block units
40
are interconnected to form the core body
40
in a manner substantially the same as that described in the previous embodiment. That is, each of the block members
41
of an upper one of the stackable block units
40
straddles over two of the block members
41
of a lower one of the stackable block units
40
at the same time so that the vertical cutting planes of an adjacent pair of the stackable block units
40
are staggered.
Referring to
FIGS. 6 and 7
, the third preferred embodiment of a three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle according to the invention is shown to comprise a core body
50
and a plurality of interlocking members. The core body
50
has a vertical axis
53
and includes a plurality of stackable block units
60
. Each of the stackable block units
60
includes four equal block members
61
formed by cutting each of the stackable block units
60
along two vertical cutting planes that are at right angles relative to each other. The vertical cutting planes of an upper one of the stackable block units
60
are staggered relative to the vertical cutting planes of a lower one of the stackable block units
60
. The interlocking members include a plurality of first holes
612
formed in bottom surfaces
611
of the stackable block units
60
, and a plurality of pins
615
formed integrally on top surfaces
614
of the stackable block units
60
to engage the first holes
612
. It is noted that the pins
615
are not provided on the top surface
614
of the topmost one of the stackable block units
60
.
This embodiment is substantially similar to the previous embodiments, but is different therefrom mainly in that the core body
50
has a shape resembling a bowling pin, which has a non-uniform cross-section along the vertical axis
53
.
Furthermore, this embodiment can be modified to have a patterned outer surface
54
, such as that shown in FIG.
8
.
Referring to
FIG. 9
, the fourth preferred embodiment of a three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle according to the invention is shown to comprise a core body
70
which has a vertical axis
73
and which includes a plurality of stackable block units
80
. The major difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiments resides in that the core body
70
has an appearance in the form of a cartoon character.
Referring to
FIGS. 10 and 11
, the fifth preferred embodiment of a three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle according to the invention is shown to include a core body
90
and a plurality of interlocking members. The core body
90
has a vertical axis
93
and includes a plurality of stackable block units
100
. Each of the stackable block units
100
includes four equal block members
101
. The interlocking members include a plurality of first holes
102
formed in bottom surfaces
105
of each of the stackable block units
100
, and a plurality of pins
103
formed integrally on top surfaces
106
of each of the stackable block units
100
. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiments mainly in that the first holes
102
in the bottom surface
105
of one of the stackable block units
100
are spaced apart from the vertical axis
93
by a first radial distance. The pins
103
on the top surface
106
of the same one of the stackable block units
100
are spaced apart from the vertical axis
93
by a second radial distance different from the first radial distance. It is noted that, in this arrangement, the first holes
102
in the bottom surface
105
of an upper one of the stackable block units
100
and the pins
103
on the top surface
106
of a lower one of the stackable block units
100
are spaced apart equidistantly from the vertical axis
93
so as to permit interlocking of an adjacent pair of the stackable block units
100
in the manner as described hereinbefore.
Referring to
FIGS. 12 and 13
, the sixth preferred embodiment of a three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle according to the invention is shown to comprise a core body
110
having a vertical axis
111
and including a plurality of stackable block units
120
. Each of the stackable block units
120
includes a plurality of block members
121
. The stackable block units
120
are interconnected via interlocking members which include holes
123
formed in bottom surfaces of the stackable block units
120
and pins
122
formed integrally on top surfaces of the stackable block units
120
. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiments mainly in that the core body
110
has a non-uniform cross-section along the vertical axis
111
, and has a top end, a bottom end opposite to the top end along the vertical axis
111
, and a blind bore
126
that extends from the top end toward the bottom end along the vertical axis
111
and that has a square cross-section. The interlocking members are disposed around the blind bore
126
. This embodiment can be adapted for use as a vase, a pen holder, or the like.
Referring to
FIG. 14
, the blind bore
126
can also be configured to have a circular cross-section.
By virtue of the aforesaid construction, a three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle of this invention, when assembled to form a figure or sculpture, has a symmetrical appearance and smooth contour lines that enhance the three-dimensional or realistic aspect of the figure or sculpture.
While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.
Claims
- 1. A three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle, comprising:a three-dimensional core body having a vertical axis, said core body including a plurality of stackable block units formed by cutting said core body along a plurality of transverse cutting planes that are transverse to said vertical axis, each of said stackable block units having top and bottom surfaces which are opposite to each other in a vertical direction that is parallel to the vertical axis, each of said stackable block units including at least two block members formed by cutting each of said stackable block units along at least one vertical cutting plane that is parallel to and that passes through said vertical axis; and a plurality of interlocking members that are disposed to interlock removably an adjacent pair of said stackable block units; wherein said interlocking members are provided on said top and bottom surfaces of said stackable block units, said interlocking members on the same one of said top and bottom surfaces of each of said stackable block units are equidistant from said vertical axis; and further, wherein said interlocking members on said top surface of one of said stackable block units are spaced apart from said vertical axis by a first radial distance, said interlocking members on said bottom surface of said one of said stackable block units being spaced apart from said vertical axis by a second radial distance different from the first radial distance.
- 2. The three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one vertical cutting plane that cuts an upper one of said stackable block units is staggered relative to said at least one vertical cutting plane that cuts a lower one of said stackable block units which is adjacent to said upper one of said stackable block units.
- 3. The three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said interlocking members are arranged around said vertical axis.
- 4. The three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said interlocking members include:a plurality of first holes formed in one of said top surface of a lower one of said stackable block units and said bottom surface of an upper one of said stackable block units; and a plurality of pins provided on the other one of said top surface of said lower one of said stackable block units and said bottom surface of said upper one of said stackable block units, said pins removably engaging said first holes to interlock removably said adjacent pair of said stackable block units.
- 5. The three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the other one of said top surface of said lower one of said stackable block units and said bottom surface of said upper one of said stackable block units is formed with a plurality of second holes for removably engaging said pins.
- 6. The three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the other one of said top surface of said lower one of said stackable block units and said bottom surface of said upper one of said stackable block units is formed integrally with said pins.
- 7. The three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said core body has a uniform cross-section along said vertical axis.
- 8. The three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said core body has a non-uniform cross-section along said vertical axis.
- 9. The three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said core body has a patterned outer surface.
- 10. The three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said core body has a top end, a bottom end opposite to said top end along said vertical axis, and a blind bore that extends from said top end toward said bottom end along said vertical axis.
- 11. The three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle as claimed in claim 10, wherein said blind bore has a non-circular cross-section.
- 12. The three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle as claimed in claim 10, wherein said blind bore has a circular cross-section.
- 13. The three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle as claimed in claim 10, wherein said interlocking members are disposed around said blind bore.
US Referenced Citations (9)