EP2371430A1

EP2371430A1 - Puzzle piece with interchangeable picture

Info

Publication number: EP2371430A1
Application number: EP11380024A
Authority: EP
Inventors: designation of the inventor has not yet been filed The
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-03-31
Filing date: 2011-03-30
Publication date: 2011-10-05
Also published as: ES1072183Y; ES1072183U

Abstract

Puzzle piece with interchangeable picture, being of the type of puzzles intended for children at very young age, in which the pieces, usually of a considerable size, have a generally flattened configuration and puzzle of which is preferably formed, on the ground, defining the puzzle piece (1) by a base body (2), generally flat with straight sides, to which a film (3) made of transparent-translucent material is fixed, from at least one of its longer faces, this being fixed to the base body (2) by, at least, one of its sides, so that on the different pieces making up the puzzle any desired pictures (animals, photographs, numbers, letters, bits of intelligence or visual information cards, etc.) may be placed.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The following Utility Model, as the title of the present specification states, relates to a puzzle piece with interchangeable picture, being of the type of puzzles intended for children at very young age, in which the pieces, of a considerable size, generally have a flattened configuration and puzzle of which is preferably formed on the ground, so that the piece making up the puzzle is defined by a base body that, in at least one of its longer faces has at least a film made of transparent-translucent material, being attached thereto by at least one of its side.
In a embodiment of the invention to the base body of the piece making up the puzzle, a transparent-translucent film by two of its adjacent sides and with an outline similar to that of the base body is fixed, from at least one of its longer faces, in order to place, between both, a sheet with the desired image, and the mentioned sheet being interchangeable. The transparent-translucent film may be fixed by one, two or three sides to the base body.
Similarly, in an embodiment variant the base body can be provided with a longitudinal or transverse strip made of transparent-translucent material, instead using the transparent-translucent film.
In this way, on the different pieces making up the puzzle any desired pictures (animals, photographs, numbers, letters, bits of intelligence or visual information cards, etc.) may be placed.
Moreover, the base body can be provided on its sides with at least one projection and one recess, preferably in a dovetail shape so as to bind to each other.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

In the present specification a puzzle piece with an interchangeable picture is described, this being specially applicable to those puzzles made up by pieces having a generally flat shape, of considerable size, puzzles of which are intended for children at very young age, and assembled on the ground.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As it is known in the market a variety of puzzles are known, so that according to their complexity are intended for children of different ages, or even older people.
Moreover, among the different types of puzzles, it can be considered those that are made up of a series of cube-shaped pieces that in their six faces have images related to corresponding images for defining the puzzles, so that six different puzzles can be made from them.
Likewise, it can be considered those puzzles made up of a very variable number of pieces, depending on their complexity (from two pieces, even to five thousand pieces) with a small thickness and varying in size, the puzzle being made up by fitting some pieces with another until forming the printed image in all pieces, so that depending on their difficulty are intended for children of different ages or older people.
These puzzles are usually made in cardboard, though, those puzzle of a very small number of pieces intended for younger children, may be made of wood.
Similarly, it can be considered those puzzles intended for children at very young age and more related to the object of the invention, which are made up of a series of pieces, with generally flattened configuration of considerable size, sides of which have fitting projections/recesses.
All these types of puzzle pieces that have the characteristic that the picture included for making up the puzzle is fixed (not interchangeable), usually being printed or stamped on the piece itself.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the present specification a puzzle piece with interchangeable picture is described, being of the type of puzzles intended for children at very young age, in which the pieces, usually of a considerable size, have a flattened configuration and puzzle of which is preferably formed on the ground, so that the piece making up the puzzle is defined by a base body, generally flat with straight sides, to which at least one film made of transparent-translucent material is fixed, from at least one of its sides.
In a first embodiment of the invention, to the base body, of rectangular base and small thickness, a film made of transparent-translucent material is fixed from two of the adjacent sides of one of its longer faces.
In a second embodiment of the invention, to the base body, of rectangular base and small thickness, a film made of transparent-translucent material is fixed from two of the adjacent sides of its two longer faces.
The transparent-translucent film may be fixed to the base body by one, two or three of its sides.
Likewise, the film made of transparent- translucent material can be replaced by a strip made of the same material that is arranged in a position longitudinal or transverse to the base body.
The base body can be made of different materials, and thus it may be made of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), cork, etc.
Thus, an interchangeable sheet, with a printed image or a drawing is included between the film made of transparent-translucent material and the face attached thereto from the base body.
In alternative embodiment, the base body in at least one of its lateral sides is provided with at least one projection and one recess in a dovetail shape with a lesser thickness than the base body.
Thus, in the attachment of the pieces that make up the puzzle, the projection and the recess, in a dovetail shape, on the side of the attachment of a first piece are fitted into the corresponding recess and projection of a similar shape of the attachment side of a second piece, allowing the puzzle to be assembled in a bound manner preventing its easy disassembling.
Moreover, the base body making up the piece has on its surface a plurality of through holes, which allows reducing the material and weight.
Thus, the interchangeable sheets can refer to many different topics and can include, for example, pictures of animals, numbers, letters, photographs, bits of intelligence intended for children at young age, etc.
To complement the description that will be made below, and in order to help to a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings in figures of which the most characteristic details of the invention are represented in an illustrative and not limitative manner, is attached to the present specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1. Shows a perspective view of a puzzle piece object of the invention, wherein it can be seen how through one of the longer faces of the base body a film made of transparent-translucent material is fixed, which has been represented slightly elevated at its free end.
Figure 2. Shows a side elevational view of the puzzle piece to the previous figure.
Figure 3. Shows a perspective view of a puzzle piece object of the invention, wherein it can be seen how a sheet is arranged between the film made of transparent material and the base body.
Figure 4. Shows a perspective view of a puzzle piece object of the invention, according to a practical alternative embodiment in which the base body has a transparent-translucent film on its two longer faces.
Figure 5. Shows a plan view of an embodiment in which to the base body a strip made of transparent-translucent material, shorter than the length covered by one or the two longer faces, has been fixed by its side faces.
Figure 6. Shows a plan view of an alternative embodiment wherein the base body is provided, on all sides, with a projection and a recess is a dovetail shape, as well as a plurality of through holes.
Figure 7. Shows a sectional view according to the cut I-I in the previous figure.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In view of the mentioned figures and according to the numbering it can be seen how the puzzle piece 1 is made up of a base body 2, which has a generally flattened shape with straight sides and small thickness, so that to said body base 2, a film 3 made of transparent-translucent material on at least one of its sides and film of which may have an outline similar to that of the base body 2, is fixed from at least one of its longer faces.
The base body 2 with rectangular base and small thickness can be made of different materials, and thus it may be made of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), cork, etc.
In a first embodiment of the invention by one of the longer faces of the base body 2 a film 3 made of transparent -translucent will be fixed from two of its adjacent sides.
Logically, the film 3 made of a transparent-translucent material may be fixed to the base body 2 by one, two or three sides.
In a second embodiment of the invention to the base body 2, of rectangular base and small thickness, a film 3 made of transparent-translucent material is fixed from two of the adjacent sides of its longer faces.
Also, to the base body 2 a strip 5, of less width, made of transparent-translucent material can be longitudinally or transversely fixed, as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings.
In this way, an interchangeable sheet 4 with a printed image or any drawing is included between the film 3 made of a transparent material and the face attached thereto from the base body.
Thus, the interchangeable sheets 4 may refer to very different topics, including, for example, pictures of animals, numbers, letters, photographs, bits of intelligence, etc.
In view of Figures 1 and 3 it can be seen how when lifting the film 3 made of transparent-translucent material at its free end, separates from the base body 2 and will allow placing a sheet 4 with the desired impression thereon. To make the sheet exchange is sufficient to lift the free end of the film 3 in order to remove the sheet that is on the base body 2 and then place a new desired sheet or turning it around by being provided with the corresponding two-faced printing.
In view of Figure 5 of the drawings, it can be seen how the sheet 4 to be placed will be arranged between the strip 5 and exchanged.
Thus, each of the sheets to be placed may be printed on both faces, allowing having a greater variety.
Thus, in a simple and convenient manner, the puzzle can be adapted to the desired pictures, with the advantage that the sheets are protected by the film 2 made of transparent material.
The sheets to be placed may have standard measurements, such as A-4, whereby it is not require having to make cutbacks, that is, a tool accessory is not required.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention the base body 2 in, at least one, of its lateral sides is provided with at least one projection 6 and one recess 7 in a dovetail shape thinner than the base body 2.
Thus, in the attachment of the pieces 1 that make up the puzzle, the projection 6 and the recess 7, in a dovetail shape, on the side of the attachment of a first piece 1 are fitted into the corresponding recess 7 and projection 6 of a similar shape of the attachment side of a second piece 1, being the pieces 1 bounded together and preventing the puzzle being configured from easy disassembling.
Moreover, the base body 2 making up the piece 1 has on its surface a plurality of through holes 8, which allows reducing the material and weight.
Also, the base body 2 making up the piece 1 may have on its surface a grid in many different forms, achieving the same effect.

Claims

Puzzle piece with interchangeable picture, being of the type of puzzles intended for children at very young age, in which the pieces, usually of a considerable size, have a generally flattened configuration and puzzle of which is preferably formed on the ground, characterized in that the puzzle piece (1) is defined by a base body (2), generally flat with straight sides, to which a film (3) made of transparent-translucent material is fixed from at least one of its longer faces, this being fixed to the base body (2) by, at least, one of its sides.
Puzzle piece with interchangeable picture, according to claim 1, characterized in that to the base body (2), with rectangular plan and small thickness, a film (3) made of transparent-translucent material and outline similar to that of the base body (2), is fixed from two of the adjacent sides of one of its longer faces.
Puzzle piece with interchangeable picture, according to claim 1, characterized in that to the base body (2), with rectangular plan and small thickness, a film (3) made of transparent-translucent material, is fixed from two of the adjacent sides of its longer faces.
Puzzle piece with interchangeable picture, according to claim 1, characterized in that to the base body (2) a strip (5) of lesser width, made of transparent-translucent material is longitudinally or transversely fixed.
Puzzle piece with interchangeable picture, according to claim 1, characterized in that between the film (3) made of transparent material and the face attached thereto of the base body (2), an interchangeable sheet (4) with a printed or drawn picture is included.
Puzzle piece with interchangeable picture, according to claim 1, characterized in that the base body (2) in, at least one of its lateral sides has, at least, one projection (6) and one recess (7) in a dovetail shape, thinner than the base (2).
Puzzle piece with interchangeable picture, according to claims 1 and 6, characterized in that the attachment of the pieces (1) that make up the puzzle, the projection (6) and the recess (7), in a dovetail shape, on the attachment side of a first piece (1) is fitted into the corresponding recess (7), and similarly the projection (6), on the attachment side of a second piece (1).
Puzzle piece with interchangeable picture, according to claim 1, characterized in that the base body (2) making up the piece (1) has on its surface a plurality of through holes (8).