Claims
- 1. A puzzle in the shape of a familiar object, the puzzle comprising:
a substrate having an outer surface with a three-dimensional shape in the form of the familiar object; a plurality of rigid, non-planar interlocking pieces having a substantially uniform thickness and configured to interlock together and to be coupled to the outer surface of the substrate, completing, thereby, a representation of the familiar object; and means for releasing at least one of the plurality of pieces from its coupled relationship with the substrate and from its interlocked relationship with the others of the plurality of pieces.
- 2. The puzzle of claim 1 wherein the familiar object is a soda can.
- 3. The puzzle of claim 1 wherein the familiar object is a baseball.
- 4. The puzzle of claim 1 wherein the familiar object is a piece of fruit.
- 5. The puzzle of claim 1 wherein the familiar object is a bottle.
- 6. The puzzle of claim 5 wherein the substrate includes a cavity adapted to receive a beverage, and an opening communicating with the cavity and configured to be sealed by a cap.
- 7. The puzzle of claim 1 wherein the familiar object is an insulated coffee cup.
- 8. The puzzle of claim 7 wherein the substrate includes a cavity having an opening, the cavity adapted to receive a beverage, and a closable opening.
- 9. The puzzle of claim 1 wherein the puzzle has substantially the same exterior detail, shape, dimensions, feel, and weight of the familiar object.
- 10. The puzzle of claim 1 wherein an inner surface of each of the plurality of pieces closely conforms to a respective region of the outer surface of the substrate.
- 11. The puzzle of claim 1, further comprising a component configured to be coupled to the outer surface of the substrate.
- 12. The puzzle of claim 11 wherein the component comprises one from among a bottle cap, a lid, and a wheel.
- 13. A device, comprising:
a container having a cavity configured to receive a beverage; a recessed region on an outer surface of the container; and a plurality of interlocking puzzle pieces configured to interlock together and to be coupled to the container in the recessed region.
- 14. The beverage container of claim 13 wherein each of the plurality of puzzle pieces has a thickness substantially equal to a depth of the recess.
- 15. The beverage container of claim 13 wherein the container is in the shape of a bottle.
- 16. The beverage container of claim 13 wherein the container is in the shape of an insulated cup.
- 17. The beverage container of claim 13 wherein the container is in the shape of a soda can.
- 18. A three-dimensional puzzle in the form of an object, comprising:
a support structure formed in the shape of the object and having a recessed region on an outer surface thereof; a plurality of pieces configured to interlock together on the support structure in the recessed region; means for coupling each of the plurality of pieces to the support structure; and a mechanism configured to release at least one of the plurality of pieces from its interlocked relationship with the remainder of the plurality of pieces and from its coupled relationship with the support structure.
- 19. The puzzle of claim 18 wherein each of the plurality of interlocking pieces has a thickness equal to a depth of the recessed region.
- 20. The puzzle of claim 18 wherein the object is chosen from among a baseball, a piece of fruit, a toy vehicle, and a beverage container.
- 21. The puzzle of claim 18, further comprising a weight inside the support structure to give the puzzle a weight substantially equal to the weight of the familiar object.
- 22. The puzzle of claim 18 wherein the means for coupling comprises a depression formed in a back surface of each of the plurality of pieces and a corresponding projection formed on an outer surface of the support structure, the depression configured to slideably engage the projection.
- 23. The puzzle of claim 18 wherein the means for coupling comprises a plurality of ridges formed in an outer surface of the support structure and a corresponding feature formed on a back surface of each of the plurality of pieces configured to slideable engage one of the plurality of ridges.
- 24. The puzzle of claim 18, wherein the puzzle is configured to function substantially as a function of the object.
- 25. The puzzle of claim 18 wherein the release mechanism comprises a link between first and second ones of the plurality of pieces, such that inward pressure against the first piece results in outward pressure against the second piece, forcing the second piece away from the support structure.
- 26. A method of making a three-dimensional puzzle of an object, comprising:
forming a mold of a the object; casting a likeness of the object, the likeness having a hollow interior and walls having a substantially uniform thickness; forming the likeness into interlocking pieces; removing a portion from an inner surface of each of the pieces to create an impression therein; reassembling the pieces into the likeness; and casting a support structure from the hollow interior that conforms to the size and shape of the interior.
- 27. The method of claim 26, further comprising removing the pieces from the support structure to form a disassembled puzzle.
- 28. The method of claim 26 wherein the support structure is hollow, and further comprising forming a release mechanism inside the support structure configured to disengage at least one of the puzzle pieces from an outer surface of the support structure and from engagement with adjacent pieces.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/363,741 filed Mar. 12, 2002, where this provisional application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60363741 |
Mar 2002 |
US |