GB2398257A

GB2398257A - Jigsaw puzzle

Info

Publication number: GB2398257A
Application number: GB0303455A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sian Roberts; Maria Sutton; Simon Bingham
Original assignee: STAR STUDIOS
Current assignee: STAR STUDIOS
Priority date: 2003-02-14
Filing date: 2003-02-14
Publication date: 2004-08-18
Also published as: GB0303455D0

Abstract

A puzzle (10) comprising a plurality of interlocking jigsaw puzzle pieces (12, 14), wherein each piece has a magnetic portion (not shown), the magnetic portion having a magnetic strength sufficient to support the entire weight of the piece when magnetically attached to a vertically oriented surface. The puzzle incorporates a connector for an electrical source (30), an alerting means (not shown), such as a speaker or one or more LEDs, and electrical circuitry (24) arranged such that completion of the puzzle connects the connector for an electrical source to the alerting means,preferably comprising a light and/or sound emitter.

Description

PUZZLE

This invention relates to puzzles and more particularly to jigsaw puzzles.

Jigsaw puzzles have long been known as a way of providing entertainment. However, due to their fragility, it has often been difficult to use them in circumstances where they may be disturbed. For children, jigsaw puzzles can assist with the development of observation, spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination skills. However, younger children may be defeated by the complexity of the puzzle and it is difficult to store unfinished jigsaw puzzles for later completion. As an incentive to complete the puzzle, it normally incorporates an image which will be popular with the child to encourage them to complete the puzzle.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a puzzle comprising a plurality of interlocking jigsaw puzzle pieces, wherein each piece has a magnetic portion, the magnetic portion having a magnetic strength sufficient to support the entire weight of the piece when magnetically attached to the vertically oriented surface; the puzzle incorporating a connector for an electrical source, an alerting means, and electrical circuitry arranged such that completion of the puzzle connects the connector for an electrical source to the alerting means.

The alerting means of the present invention is preferably activated by connection of the alerting means to an electrical source via the connector for an electrical source.

Thus, when the puzzle is completed, the alerting means is activated thereby giving an incentive and encouragement to children to complete the puzzle beyond the simple reward deriving from completion of the image on the puzzle.

In one case, the alerting means comprises a sound generating means.

The sound generating means may conveniently comprise a loud speaker.

Furthermore, the sound generating means can comprise means for playing a musical tune and/or means for playing a pre-recorded voice-message.

Thus, the completion of the puzzle gives a surprise in the form of a musical tune or audible voice-message as a reward for completion of the puzzle.

In another case, the alerting means comprises a light generating means.

Thus, the completion of the puzzle gives a surprise in the form of visual display as a reward for completion of the puzzle.

The light generating means may conveniently comprise one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

Conveniently, the alerting means plays for a limited duration.

This avoids the need for the puzzle to be disassembled in order to deactivate the alerting means. Accordingly, the puzzle can be displayed in its completed state for prolonged periods of time without consuming electrical power or causing annoyance associated with continuous play of the alerting means.

By having each piece with a magnetic portion, a more secure assembly of the puzzle is assured. In particular, the jigsaw puzzle can be assembled even in locations where it may be disturbed by jogging of the surface on which the puzzle is being assembled. Thus, the jigsaw puzzle is less likely to be destroyed by tipping over of that surface during construction of the puzzle. Furthermore, the puzzle can be assembled on a sloped surface or even in a generally upright manner. This increases the versatility of use of the jigsaw - 3 puzzle enabling it to be assembled in the back of a car for example. Moreover, an unfinished jigsaw puzzle can easily be stored and returned to at a later time.

In one preferred embodiment, the pieces comprise fridge magnets.

By providing fridge magnets in the form of a puzzle, they function not only for the normal use of attaching paper sheets and the like to a fridge or the like, they can provide an exciting opportunity for the development of observation, spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination skills in young children in a convenient and easily accessible location.

Examples of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a front or printed side of a fridge magnet jigsaw puzzle embodying the present invention; and Figure 2 is a view of the fridge magnet jigsaw puzzle of the present invention, showing a plurality of conductors and circuitry attached to the faces of the pieces of the puzzle.

Common components between the drawings bear common reference numerals.

Referring to figure 1, the front or printed face of a nine-piece jigsaw puzzle 10 is shown.

The jigsaw puzzle is shown un-assembled with the individual pieces orientated for assembly. The puzzle comprises eight peripheral pieces 12 and a central piece 14.

Each of the pieces has a front face 16 containing part of an image and a rear face 18 on the opposite side thereof. The pieces are provided with a plurality of female slots 20 and corresponding protrusions 22. As is known with jigsaw puzzles, the slots and the protrusions have different shapes and are arranged on the pieces to ensure that assembly of the pieces together can only be made in one way to produce the aforesaid image. When all the pieces are interlocked the - 4 - complete image printed on the pieces is presented.

The pieces may be made from any suitable material including plastics (for example ABS), ceramic, wood or cardboard. The pieces may be moulded if ceramic or plastic, or cut if wood or cardboard. The pieces may be coated with a durable outer layer of plastic if required. The image may be applied directly to the pieces or alternatively a pre-printed sheet or sheets containing the image could be adhered to the pieces. In either case the material to which the image is applied can be soft PVC. Each piece can have a layered structure with differing materials in each layer and the pieces are generally of equal thickness with similar overall dimensions.

In the present case, each piece has a magnet within the most rearward layer. However, the magnet could also be in the form of a layer of magnetized ferro-magnetic material. The layer may be provided over the whole or only part of the rear face 18 of the pieces. The magnetic strength of the magnet or the magnetic layer is determined by the weight of the pieces and is preferably selected such that the magnetic force generated by the magnetic layer is at least sufficient to support the weight of the entire piece when magnetically attached to an inclined or vertical surface.

In this way, the jigsaw puzzle can be assembled in a secure manner and is less likely to be destroyed during assembly. Indeed, the jigsaw puzzle can be constructed in locations where disruption of a conventional jigsaw puzzle would inevitably occur, for example during travelling. In addition, convenient storage of an unfinished jigsaw puzzle is provided.

In the present case, the magnetic strength of the magnet or magnetic layer is selected to provide sufficient magnetic attraction to support the weight of the pieces and any paper - 5 - sheets or the like placed between the pieces and the surface to which the piece is magnetically attached so as to provide fridge magnets.

By providing fridge magnets in the form of a puzzle, each piece can function in the usual manner for attaching paper sheets and additionally provide a puzzle within easy reach of children.

Figure 2 illustrates a view of the jigsaw puzzle shown in figure 1, showing a plurality of conductors 26 attached to the faces 18 of the pieces of the puzzle. The conductors are positioned in grooves (not shown) formed in the pieces so that the exterior faces remain flat. In an alternative embodiment, the conductors may be disposed internally between external layers. Contacts 28 can be formed by depositing metal on the side edges of the female slots 20 and male protrusions 22 where the conductors terminate. Alternatively, the contacts may be provided by metal inserts along at least part of the interlocking side edges thereof. Thus, the contacts 28 are arranged to electrically connect the conductors 26 of adjacent pieces when they are joined together. The conductors 26 are arranged so that only when each and every piece has been correctly assembled in the jigsaw puzzle, do they define a circuit 24.

In the present case a central piece 14 of the jigsaw puzzle includes a connector for an electrical power source 30 for connecting a power source in the form of one or more electrical cells, a micro-processor 32, and a speaker (not shown). The microprocessor and connector for an electrical power source are connected together by the circuit 24. When power is provided to the micro-processor, it is actuated to cause the speaker to provide an audible output in the form of a musical tune. Accordingly, when the circuit 24 is completed by correctly assembling every piece in the jigsaw puzzle, the 6 - circuit 24 is completed and the musical tune will be output.

In use, the pieces may be assembled on any flat surface.

When the final piece is added the completed circuit will cause the microprocessor to output the pre-programmed tune.

Alternatively or in addition, when power is provided to the microprocessor, it may be activated to trigger the activation of a means for playing a pre-recorded voice message.

Further, alternatively or in addition, one or more lights (not shown) can be added into the circuit 24 so that they too are actuated when the final piece is added. The one or more lights may be provided in the form of light emitting diodes (LEDs). The output provided when the microprocessor is activated may continue until one of the pieces is removed or alternatively, may continue for a limited duration only.

It will be apparent that the present invention can take many forms, the detailed configurations of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the present invention can provide a puzzle having a plurality of interlocking jigsaw puzzle pieces, wherein each piece has a magnetic portion. Thus, the jigsaw puzzle may be assembled on an inclined or vertical surface. The jigsaw puzzle may, for example, be assembled on a ferro-magnetic board or the side of a domestic appliance. This can avoid storage requirements and also help prevent individual pieces being lost. The present invention can provide a puzzle having any number of pieces greater than two.

It is preferred that the pieces comprise fridge magnets.

In this way, the jigsaw puzzle as a whole or individual pieces thereof may be used to attach sheets of paper or the like to such objects when not being played as a game.

It will also be apparent that the present invention provides a puzzle which results in some form of indication to À 7 - a user on successful completion of the puzzle. Preferably, these pieces have a magnet, and the pieces can comprise fridge magnets. - 8 -

Claims

1. A puzzle comprising a plurality of interlocking jigsaw puzzle pieces, wherein each piece has a magnetic portion, the magnetic portion having a magnetic strength sufficient to support the entire weight of the piece when magnetically attached to a vertically oriented surface; the puzzle incorporating a connector for an electrical source, an alerting means, and electrical circuitry arranged such that completion of the puzzle connects the connector for an electrical source to the alerting means.

2. A puzzle according to claim 1 wherein the alerting means of the present invention is activated by connection of the alerting means to an electrical source via the connector for an electrical source.

3. A puzzle according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the alerting means plays for a limited duration.

204. A puzzle according to any preceding claim wherein the alerting means comprises a sound generating means.

5. A puzzle according to claim 4, wherein the sound generating means comprises a speaker.

6. A puzzle according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the sound generating means comprises means for playing a musical tune.

7. A puzzle according to any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the sound generating means comprises means for playing a pre-recorded voice-message.

8. A puzzle according to any preceding claim wherein - 9 - the alerting means comprises a light generating means.

9. A puzzle according to claim 7 wherein the light generating means comprises one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

10. A puzzle according to any preceding claim wherein the edges of the pieces are metallised to provide electrical connections between adjacent pieces.

11. A puzzle according to any preceding claim wherein the magnetic portion comprises a layer on the puzzle portion.

12. A puzzle according to any preceding claim wherein the pieces comprise fridge magnets.

13. A puzzle substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.