1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a three dimensional jigsaw puzzle, and more particularly
to a three dimensional jigsaw puzzle composed of pieces and a hollow interior. Each
piece has protrusions and cutouts respectively corresponding to the cutouts and protrusions
of an adjacent piece so as to form a complete pattern when the jigsaw puzzle is completed.
2. Description of Related Art
[0002] Jigsaw puzzles are popular toys for children and even adults. Conventional jigsaw
puzzles generally have planar pictures which have cut up into pieces, and then the
pieces are fitted together to recreate the pictures again. The quantities of pieces
in puzzles can be varied by manufacturers so that assorted difficulty levels in doing
the puzzles are achieved in order satisfy consumer demands.
[0003] There have been some jigsaw puzzles invented that are called three-dimensional puzzles.
One of the three dimensional puzzles is composed of cubic pieces that each have six
surfaces painted with various patterns and that can be recombined to form six pictures
corresponding to the respective surfaces of the cubic pieces.
[0004] Another three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle has a dimensional frame being composed of
horizontal brackets and vertical brackets. The brackets have a plurality of apertures
defined therein. Puzzle pieces with poles can be mounted on the brackets by the poles
inserted in the apertures to form a three-dimensional shape.
[0005] In a third three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle, there are a plurality of sheets painted
with the same picture. The sheets are cut according to the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle.
The pieces are respectively adhered with the sheets having different numbers. Whereby,
the pieces have different thickness and the picture is recreated by the pieces so
as to present a three-dimensional effect.
[0006] However, all the conventional jigsaw puzzles present only two-dimensional pictures
combined by the pieces. There is no true three-dimensional effect in the jigsaw puzzles.
[0007] Different jigsaw puzzles are known using an auxiliary assistance inside the three
dimensional puzzle as disclosed in EP-A-0 164 861, GB-A-2 139 512, and EP-A-0 295
787.
[0008] Another related patent is US-A-6 073 929. This patent has multiple pieces each having
a lower contour and an upper contour having an inclined orientation opposite to that
of the lower contour and an upper contour having an inclined orientation opposite
to that of the lower contour such that the radius of the sphere does not pass through
the lower contour nor the upper contour such that the combination between two adjacent
pieces it not tightly secured.
[0009] In order to provide three dimensional effect, the invention according to independent
claim 1 provides an improved jigsaw puzzle to mitigate and/or obviate the afore mentioned
problems. A further modification is defined in the dependent claim.
[0010] The primary objective of the invention is to provide a jigsaw puzzle which has a
true three-dimensional effect and uses no auxiliary assistance, such as a bladder
inside the three dimensional jigsaw puzzle so that the difficulty of assembling the
jigsaw puzzle is increased not only by the quantity of the pieces, but also by forming
and maintaining the 3D jigsaw puzzle.
[0011] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent
from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
Fig. 1 is a plan view showing the 3D jigsaw puzzle; and
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the 3D jigsaw puzzle in Fig. 1, wherein a portion
of the pieces is removed to show that the 3D jigsaw puzzle is completely hollow.
[0012] With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, a three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle in accordance
with the invention is a sphere (1) composed of pieces (2). Each piece (2) has a unitary
thickness and has protrusions (3) and cutouts (4). The protrusions (3) and cutouts
(4) of every two adjacent pieces (2) are formed to correspond to each other and each
of the pieces (2) has side faces each having an upper contour and a lower contour,
protrusions (3) and cutouts (4), wherein any radius of the sphere (1) passes through
the lower contour first will then pass through the upper contour, so that after combination
of all the pieces (2), the sphere (1) is recreated. That is, from Fig. 2 of the present
invention, each piece (2) has side faces each defined by an upper contour (a) and
a lower contour (b), wherein a radius from the center of the sphere (1) passes through
the lower contour (b) first and then the upper contour (a).
[0013] In another embodiment, each of the pieces (2) is able to be painted with a portion
of a picture so that when combining the sphere (1), each piece (2) provides a clue
to the player to form the entire sphere (1).
[0014] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages
of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together
with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative
only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and
arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated
by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
1. A three dimensional Jigsaw puzzle having no auxiliary inside assistance comprising:
a. a sphere (1) composed of multiple pieces (2), each piece (2) having side faces
each defined by an upper contour and a lower contour, protrusions (3) and cutouts
(4), so that when all the pieces are combined, the sphere (1) is recreated, characterized in that
b. any radius of the sphere (1) that passes through the lower contour first will then
pass through the upper contour, wherein
c. the protrusions (3) and cutouts (4) of every two adjacent pieces (2) correspond
to each other.
2. The three dimensional Jigsaw puzzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the pieces
(2) has a unitary thickness.
1. Ein dreidimensionales Puzzlespiel, das keine zusätzliche innere Unterstützung aufweist,
mit
a.) einer Kugel (1) bestehend aus einer Vielzahl von Teilen (2), wobei jedes Teil
(2) von einer oberen Kontur und einer unteren Kontur definierte Seitenflächen, Vorsprünge
(3) und Ausschnitte (4) aufweist, sodass die Kugel (1) wieder hergestellt wird, wenn
alle Teile kombiniert werden, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
b.) jeder Radius der Kugel (1), der zuerst durch die untere Kontur verläuft, dann
durch die obere Kontur verläuft, wobei
c.) die Vorsprünge (3) und Ausschnitte (4) von je zwei benachbarten Teilen (2) einander
entsprechen.
2. Das dreidimensionale Puzzlespiel gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei jedes der Teile (2) eine
einheitliche Dicke aufweist.
1. Puzzle tridimensionnel sans aide auxiliaire intérieure, comprenant :
a. une sphère (1) composée d'éléments multiples (2), chaque élément (2) ayant des
faces latérales, chacune définie par un contour supérieur et un contour inférieur,
des saillies (3) et des découpes (4), de sorte que lorsque tous les éléments sont
associés, la sphère (1) est recréée, caractérisé en ce que :
b. un rayon quelconque de la sphère (1) passant tout d'abord à travers le contour
inférieur passera ensuite à travers le contour supérieur, dans lequel
c. les saillies (3) et les découpes (4) de chaque deux éléments adjacents (2) se correspondent
mutuellement.
2. Puzzle tridimensionnel selon la revendication 1, dans lequel chacun des éléments (2)
a une épaisseur unitaire.