EP1023928A1

EP1023928A1 - Jigsaw puzzle

Info

Publication number: EP1023928A1
Application number: EP99830041A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Arvedo Arvedi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-01-28
Filing date: 1999-01-28
Publication date: 2000-08-02

Abstract

The present invention relates to a jigsaw puzzle comprising a plurality of separate pieces (1) which can be associated with one another so as to create a single image (3) contained partially on an upper side (4) thereof situated opposite to an underside (5) thereof. Each piece has a perimetral profile (7) for fitting together with the corresponding pieces (1) which are adjacent within the compositional layout of the image (3). The pieces (1) can be organized into homogeneous groups which can be distinguished from one another by means of a marking (A, B, C, D, E, F) formed on the underside (5) so that the pieces (1) in each group have overall the same possibilities for combination with the playing pieces (1) as the pieces (1) in each of the remaining groups. Each group of pieces (1) has, for this purpose, an identical number of pieces (1) with the same combination possibilities. Advantageously the markings (A, B, C, D, E, F) designed to distinguish the different groups of pieces (1) consist of colours.

Description

The present invention relates to a jigsaw puzzle for the entertainment and amusement of several persons during party games.
The game in question is intended to be played by at least two players competing with each other.
More particularly, this game involves the use of a plurality of pieces which are distributed among all the players at the start of the game.
Each player competes with the others, trying to use up first all his/her pieces by arranging them so as to form a mosaic structure together with all the other players.
At present, party games commonly called "puzzles" are well-known, said puzzles consisting of a plurality of pieces which can be fitted together in an ordered manner so as to create a predetermined image formed on one side thereof. The game therefore consists in correctly combining the individual pieces so as to recreate the image shown on one side of the pieces and split up into the individual pieces.
As is known, the individual pieces (mainly made of cardboard, but also available in wood, fabric, etc.) can be correctly fitted together generally using only the pieces which are designed to be arranged in an adjacent position during composition of the puzzle image.
The ability of the person playing the puzzle game consists in identifying, from among the many pieces which are available, those pieces which can be combined together to form a part of the puzzle image.
The players therefore have the possibility of exercising their skill whenever an attempt is made to add a piece.
In this connection an important observation is that the skill of the players depends both on their capacity to memorize the individual pieces and on the rapidity in associating said pieces with one another and on the manual speed in fitting them together.
At present, with the jigsaw puzzle games of the known type it is not possible to compare the different abilities of the individual players.
Therefore these games do not allow the individual players to compete with each other by comparing their individual ability to associate correctly the single pieces.
This makes jigsaw puzzles of the known type simple pastimes which are devoid of the stimuli which may arise from a competitive spirit, albeit for recreational purposes.
The main object of the present invention is therefore that of overcoming the drawbacks associated with jigsaw puzzles of the known type, by providing a new jigsaw puzzle which allows the players to compete with each other by comparing their own ability to associate correctly the individual pieces in order to create a common image formed on one side of the pieces themselves.
A further object of the present invention is that of providing a jigsaw puzzle which generates, albeit in a competitive atmosphere, a healthy spirit of cooperation between all the players.
These and other objects are all achieved by the jigsaw puzzle in question which is characterized essentially by the fact that it comprises a plurality of separate pieces which can be associated with one another so as to create a single image contained partially on an upper side thereof opposite to a corresponding underside. Each piece has a perimetral profile which is designed to fit together with at least one corresponding profile of a piece adjacent to it in the compositional layout of the image. The pieces can be organized into at least two homogeneous groups which can be distinguished from one another by means of a marking provided on the underside so that the pieces in a same group have the same possibilities for combination with the playing pieces as the pieces in each of the remaining groups.
In accordance with a further characteristic feature of the invention, the markings which are designed to distinguish the various groups of pieces consist of colours.
The technical features of the invention, in accordance with the abovementioned objects, may be clearly determined from the contents of the claims indicated below and the advantages thereof will emerge more clearly from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which show a purely exemplary and non-limiting embodiment, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of the underside of a first example of pieces which are combined correctly with each other;
Figure 2 shows a schematic view of the underside of a second example of pieces combined correctly with each other;
Figure 3 shows a schematic view of the upper side of the second example according to Fig. 2;
Figures 4, 5 and 6 each show a piece respectively with two, three and four possibilities for combination with the remaining pieces.

In accordance with the figures of the accompanying drawings, 1 denotes each individual piece and 2 a plurality of pieces 1 which are correctly combined together.
Below reference will be made to pieces 1 which have a shape substantially similar to that found in games which are commonly referred to by the name of "jigsaw puzzles".
However, it is understood that the pieces 1 of the jigsaw puzzle according to the present invention may also have shapes or configurations which are different from those illustrated hereinbelow without thereby departing from the protective scope of the present patent.
With reference to the accompanying figures, the jigsaw puzzle in question therefore comprises a plurality of separate pieces 1 which can be associated with one another so as to create a single image 3 (see Fig. 3) formed partially on each upper side 4 thereof.
In the case of the illustrative example according to Fig. 3, the image 3 shown on the upper side 4 consists of a helm.
The image 3 shown may obviously be of any kind and obviously may be obtained both by means of a drawing and by means of a photographic reproduction.
The upper side 4 of each piece 1 contains only a small portion of the overall image 3 which is completely visible only when all the pieces 1 are correctly combined with one another.
With reference to the examples shown, each piece 1 has a substantially flat form so as to define the upper side 4 having, on its upper surface, the image 3 to be formed and an underside 5 which is substantially opposite to the upper side 4. The flat form of the pieces 1 allows them to be arranged more easily on a flat support surface such as, for example, a table (not shown).
Each piece 1 has peripherally a perimetral profile 7 which is designed to fit together with the corresponding profiles 7 of the pieces 1 adjacent thereto in the compositional layout of the image 3. With reference to the accompanying figures, the individual pieces 1 have lobes 8 and recesses 9 which allow them to be combined with the other pieces 1, generally in an exclusive manner, in the correct positions within the image 3.
The underside 5 of each piece 1 is distinguished by a marking which allows the pieces 1 to be organized into different groups of homogeneous pieces.
In Figure 1, six markings which are different from one another and correspond to six different groups have been indicated by A, B, C, D, E and F.
Advantageously these markings designed to distinguish the various groups of pieces 1 may consist of different colours.
The number of pieces 1 of each group, their type 1 and their distribution within the image 3 are such as to ensure that each group has the same possibilities for combination with the playing pieces 1 as the pieces 1 in each of the remaining groups.
Therefore, each group of pieces 1 will be formed by a same number of components and a same number of pieces 1 with the same combination possibilities. More particularly, the pieces 1 may offer different possibilities for combination with the other pieces 1 (see Figs. 4, 5 and 6) depending on their perimetral profile 7. For example, the pieces 1 shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 have respectively two, three or four combination possibilities.
Obviously the number of combination possibilities with which the pieces 1 may be provided may be any depending on how the corresponding perimetral profiles 7 are formed. In Figure 2, 10 denotes certain pieces 1 combined with more than four other pieces 1.
In order to provide each group with the same combination possibilities, the pieces are therefore divided up so that each group has the same number of pieces for each different combination possibility.
A further criterion used in the formation of the groups of pieces 1 envisages that the relative spatial distribution of the pieces 1 of each group within the image 3 is substantially the same for all the groups.
Obviously the absolute spatial distribution of the pieces with respect to the image cannot be the same since several pieces 1 cannot occupy the same position within the image 3.
The aim of this is obviously to avoid not only pieces 1 from the same group being all concentrated within a small zone of the image 3, but also the presence of preferential logical combinations between the pieces 1 of a group and the image 3 to be formed.
Advantageously, therefore, this subdivision of the pieces 1 into groups, designed to ensure the same opportunities for association of the individual groups, may be performed by means of a computer which calculates, with the aid of a program, a certain distribution of the pieces within the image and their configuration in accordance with the criteria described above.
It should be noted that the pieces 1 of each group may have the same combination possibilities as the pieces of the remaining groups with respect to all the playing pieces 1 or only with respect to the pieces of the remanining groups, depending on whether or not it is envisaged that the pieces 1 of a same group may also be combined with one another.
The jigsaw puzzle described hitherto is suitable for use by several persons playing party games together as illustrated below.
Initially, each group of pieces 1 is assigned to at least one player and, should the number of groups be greater than the number of players, all the groups of pieces 1 which are in excess are commonly assigned to all the players.
Therefore, at the start of the game, each player has a group of pieces 1 which has the same combination possibilities as the groups of pieces 1 of the other players.
The game then envisages that all the players should create together the image 3 reproduced on the upper side 4 of the pieces 1. Each individual player helps form the image 3 using exclusively his/her own pieces 1 (or the commonly assigned pieces 1) and using his/her own ability to find as quickly as possible the correct combinations.

Claims

Jigsaw puzzle comprising a plurality of separate pieces (1) which can be associated with one another so as to create a single image (3) contained partially on an upper side (4) thereof, each said piece having at least one underside (5) which is substantially opposite to said upper side (4) and a perimetral profile (7) which is designed to allow it to fit together with at least one corresponding profile (7) of a piece (1) adjacent to it within the compositional layout of said image (3), characterized in that said pieces (1) can be organized into at least two homogeneous groups which can be distinguished from one another by means of a marking (A, B, C, D, E, F) formed on said underside (5) so that the pieces (1) in each group have the same possibilities for combination with the playing pieces (1) as the pieces (1) in each of the remaining groups.
Jigsaw puzzle according to Claim 1, characterized in that each group of pieces (1) has an equal number of pieces (1) with the same combination possibilities.
Jigsaw puzzle according to Claim 1, characterized in that the relative spatial distribution of the pieces (1) of each group within the compositional layout of the image (3) is substantially the same for each of the groups.
Jigsaw puzzle according to Claim 1, characterized in that the spatial distribution of the pieces (1) of each group within the compositional layout of the image (3) allows the same possibilities for association of the pieces (1) of each group with said image (3).
Jigsaw puzzle according to Claim 1, characterized in that said marking (A, B, C, D, E, F) designed to distinguish said different groups of pieces (1) consists of a colour.
Jigsaw puzzle according to Claim 1, characterized in that the pieces (1) in each group have the same possibilities for combination with the pieces (1) of the remaining groups as do the pieces (1) in each of the remaining groups.
Jigsaw puzzle according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least one different identifiable group of pieces (1) may be assigned to each player.
Jigsaw puzzle according to Claim 1, characterized in that each group of pieces (1) not assigned to any player may be commonly assigned to all the players.