Patent Application
20240350900
The present invention relates to a three-dimensional puzzle. More specifically, the present invention relates to a three-dimensional puzzle having a plurality of identical puzzle pieces with markings only disposed on surfaces thereof that form an exterior of the assembled three-dimensional puzzle, wherein each side of the puzzle includes a completed pictorial display.
Puzzles have been enjoyed for centuries as a popular pastime and educational tool. Traditional puzzles are typically flat, two-dimensional images that are assembled by fitting together interlocking pieces. In recent years, three-dimensional puzzles have become increasingly popular, providing an added challenge and visual interest. Existing three-dimensional puzzles on the market have several deficiencies. Some are too difficult for children or novice puzzlers, while others are too simplistic and lack challenge. Additionally, many existing three-dimensional puzzles do not offer a complete pictorial display on both the upper and lower sides of the puzzle, limiting their visual appeal.
The present invention overcomes these deficiencies by providing a three-dimensional puzzle with multiple layers that can be assembled to create a complete pictorial display on both the upper and lower sides of the puzzle, as well as any sidewall of the puzzle. The retaining elements between adjacent puzzle pieces facilitate the assembly process, making the puzzle challenging yet accessible to puzzlers of all skill levels.
In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements and methods from the known art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement for a three-dimensional puzzle. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of three-dimensional puzzles now present in the known art. The present invention provides a new three-dimensional puzzle for magnetically securing a plurality of puzzle pieces each having markings only on a surface thereof that form a pictorial display on an exterior of the assembled three-dimensional puzzle.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide an embodiment of the three-dimensional puzzle comprising a topmost puzzle layer having a marking disposed on an upper side thereof, a lowermost puzzle layer having a marking disposed on a lower side thereof, and a middle puzzle layer with a marking disposed on a sidewall thereof, wherein the layers are stacked to form a three-dimensional shape. The layers comprise a plurality of puzzle pieces each having a segment of the marking thereon, such that when the layers are assembled, a completed pictorial display is shown.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide an embodiment of the three-dimensional puzzle wherein the retaining element is disposed on a corner of each puzzle piece and composed of magnetically positive pole and magnetically negative pole in two adjacent puzzle pieces so that attraction between the positive pole and the negative pole is able to combine two adjacent puzzle pieces.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide an embodiment of the three-dimensional puzzle wherein the topmost puzzle layer is void of a marking on any sidewall surface and lowermost surface, the lowermost puzzle layer is void of a marking on any sidewall surface and topmost surface, and the middle puzzle layer is void of a marking on any topmost surface and lowermost surface, such that the markings are only disposed on surfaces of the layers that form an exterior of the assembled three-dimensional shape.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide an embodiment of the three-dimensional puzzle wherein each puzzle piece includes a same shape and dimension as one another, wherein the markings and magnetic retaining element configuration provide the only guidance for assembling the puzzle.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide an embodiment of the three-dimensional puzzle wherein the benefits include providing a fun and challenging puzzle that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels, promoting cognitive development, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving skills. The invention can also be used for educational and therapeutic purposes, such as teaching spatial reasoning, promoting relaxation and stress relief, or aiding in the recovery of patients with fine motor skill impairments. Additionally, the invention has commercial applications in the toy, game, and gift industries.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved three-dimensional puzzle that has all of the advantages of the known art and none of the disadvantages.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.
Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the three-dimensional puzzle. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for magnetically securing a plurality of puzzle pieces each having markings only on a surface thereof that form a pictorial display on an exterior of the assembled three-dimensional puzzle. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough understanding of embodiments.
Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiment(s) of the invention. References to “one embodiment,” “at least one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “one example,” “an example,” “for example,” and so on indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) may include a feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.
Referring now to
In the illustrated embodiment, the topmost puzzle layer 1100 comprises a first marking 1120 on a top surface thereof, wherein the lowermost puzzle layer 1200 comprises a second marking on a lower surface thereof. Each puzzle piece 1400 of all the puzzle layers 1100, 1200, 1300 comprise a segment of a marking. The markings on the topmost layer 1100 and the lowermost layer 1200 are configured to form a complete pictorial display when the puzzle pieces of each respective layer are assembled. In some embodiments, the first marking is identical to the second marking, whereas in alternate embodiments, the first and second markings are different.
In the illustrated embodiment, the middle puzzle layer 1300 comprises a third marking 1320 on the sidewall 1315 surface thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, all the puzzle pieces 1400 of the middle puzzle layers 1300 must be assembled and the plurality of middle puzzle layers must be stacked in the correct order to form a complete pictorial display on the sidewall 1315 of the three-dimensional shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the markings 1130, 1230, 1330 are ink, but in alternate embodiment, the markings are in any suitable form to provide a visual or tactile difference between puzzle pieces, such as textural markings, recessed surface areas, elevated surfaces areas, and the like.
In the illustrated embodiment, the topmost puzzle layer 1100 is void of any markings, or identifiable indicia served to assist with the assembly of the three-dimensional puzzle 1000, on any sidewall surface and lowermost surface. The markings are only disposed on the top surface thereof intended to form an exterior surface of the three-dimensional shape. In some embodiments, a sidewall of the topmost puzzle layer 1100 comprises a marking that corresponds to or contributes to the complete pictorial display intended to form on the sidewall 1315 of the three-dimensional shape.
In the illustrated embodiment, lowermost puzzle layer 1200 is void of any markings, or identifiable indicia served to assist with the assembly of the three-dimensional puzzle 1000, on any sidewall surface and topmost surface. The lack of markings assist with the assembly of the puzzle. The markings are only disposed on the lower surface thereof intended to form an exterior surface of the three-dimensional object. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower surface of the lowermost puzzle layer 1200 is not visible in the current view but is identical in structure to the topmost puzzle layer shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the middle puzzle layer 1300 is void of a marking, or identifiable indicia served to assist with the assembly of the three-dimensional puzzle 1000, on any topmost surface and lowermost surface thereof. The markings are only disposed on the sidewall surface of each puzzle piece 1400 intended to form an exterior surface of the three-dimensional shape.
In the illustrated embodiment, each puzzle piece is symmetrical along a central horizontal axis thereof, wherein the puzzle pieces each comprise a same shape and dimension. In some embodiments, the puzzle pieces are symmetrical as a result of being formed or die-cut from an upper side and a lower side thereof. In this way, the puzzle 1000 is more challenging because it is harder to know what side of the puzzle piece the upper surface or the lower surface is, compared to traditional two-dimensional and three-dimensional puzzles.
For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the three-dimensional shape is a cube comprising a completed pictorial display of the first marking 1130 on the exterior, top side 1115 formed by the topmost puzzle layer 1100, a completed pictorial display of the second marking on the exterior, lower side 1215 formed by the lowermost puzzle layer 1200, and a completed pictorial display of a third marking 1330 on each of the sidewalls 1315 formed by the plurality of middle puzzle layers 1300, wherein each complete pictorial display corresponds to a different side of a die.
In the illustrated embodiment, the puzzle 1000 corresponds to the die such that the markings correspond to the numerical representations of the six-sided die wherein the summation of any opposing two sides equals seven. The upper and lower side 1115, 1215 form a complete pictorial display of three and four dots, respectively. A pair of opposing sidewalls 1315 form a complete pictorial display of one and six dots, respectively and a second pair of opposing sidewalls 1315 form a complete pictorial display of two and five dots, respectively. In some embodiments, the segment of each marking is different so each puzzle piece 1400 is configured to fit within the puzzle 1000 in only a single position. In alternate embodiments, a single puzzle piece can fit within the puzzle in a plurality of positions. In some embodiments, the three-dimensional puzzle 1000 is usable, wherein the completed die puzzle can be rolled for game play. In the illustrated embodiment, each puzzle layer 1100, 1200, 1300 is stacked to form the three-dimensional shape such that no gaps are disposed between the puzzle pieces 1400.
The three-dimensional puzzle requires a user to perform a multi-step process of first determining how to form each layer and then determine how the layers are stacked to form the completed pictorial display on each side thereof. If the pieces are not in a proper position, the pictorial display will not be complete and will appear distorted.
In the illustrated embodiment, each puzzle piece 1400 is void of interlocking joints (i.e., the exterior face of the sidewalls of a puzzle piece butts against an adjacent puzzle piece with no mechanical fastener or interlocking structure). A retaining element 1500 is embedded within each puzzle piece that allows two adjacent puzzle pieces 1400 to form a connection within one another, wherein the puzzle pieces are removably secured to one another. In some embodiments, the retaining element embedded within each puzzle piece allows a first puzzle piece to secure to a second puzzle piece disposed on a same horizontal plane and a third puzzle piece disposed on a same vertical plane.
In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining element 1500 is a magnet fastener composed of a magnetically positive pole embedded within a first puzzle piece and a magnetically negative pole embedded within a second, adjacent puzzle piece so that attraction between the positive pole and the negative pole is able to combine two adjacent puzzle pieces. In the illustrated embodiment, the magnetic fastener comprises a steel member embedded within each puzzle piece of the topmost puzzle layer and a magnet embedded into each puzzle piece of the layer directly below the topmost puzzle layer, such that when the adjacent layers are joined the magnetic attraction will secure the layers to one another. Each layer alternates between a magnet embedded within each puzzle piece and a steel member. In the shown embodiment, the magnet and steel member are embedded within a corner of each puzzle piece.
In other embodiments, the magnetic fastener comprises a magnet embedded into each corner of the first puzzle piece of topmost puzzle layer and a steel member embedded into each corner of the second puzzle piece of the topmost puzzle layer, such that when the pieces are joined the magnetic attraction will secure the pieces to one another. In some embodiments, each quadrant of the puzzle 1000 is composed of alternating layers of puzzle pieces having of a magnet or steel member disposed therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the magnets are ⅛th inch by 1/16th inch round structures and the steel members are 1/16th inch by 3/16th inch round. The magnets and steel members are embedded within the puzzle piece composition. In some embodiments, the retaining element is disposed in a corner of each puzzle piece, wherein the corner corresponds to an exterior of the three-dimensional shape. The retaining element of the displayed embodiment does not require or use interlocking puzzle pieces, clips, male and female fasteners, or the like to secure a pair of adjacent puzzle pieces to one another.
Referring now to
In the illustrated embodiment, each adjacent puzzle layer (a first puzzle piece stacked above a second puzzle piece) is intended to stack such that a direction of the pair of protruding sections with a playing suit 2450, when stacked, is oriented in opposing directions. In this way, the opposing, overlapping playing suits 2450 form more rigid and durable connecting layers. For example, in
Referring now to
In the illustrated embodiment, the stand puzzle 3300 is configured to suspend the three-dimensional shape if the flag from a first end thereof, wherein the base 3400 comprises a series of members configured to receive the second end of the stand puzzle to support the stand puzzle in an upright configuration. The stand puzzle 3300 is a second puzzle and forms a different three-dimensional shape than the three-dimensional shape of the flag puzzle. In other embodiments, the stand and base are each independent structures that do not form a puzzle, but instead are solid supports for the flag puzzle. In these embodiments, the stand and base are composed of any suitable material, such as wood, plastic, metal, and the like.
In the illustrated embodiment, a center layer of the flag puzzle 3100 comprises all magnetic fasteners embedded within each puzzle piece, whereas a perimeter of the flag puzzle 3100 comprises steel members embedded within each piece. The center layer, or the plurality of puzzle pieces disposed between the exterior layer of puzzle pieces, have no markings in the illustrated embodiment, whereas in other embodiments, the center layer(s) will have minimal markings to aid in the assembly of the three-dimensional puzzle. In some embodiments, the flag puzzle is 12 inches in height and 18 inches in width. In some embodiments, the base and the stand puzzle are each composed of a wooden structure.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
