GB2173708A

GB2173708A - Games and containers for games

Info

Publication number: GB2173708A
Application number: GB08609321A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Mallea
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-04-17
Filing date: 1986-04-16
Publication date: 1986-10-22
Also published as: GB8609321D0; GB8509838D0

Abstract

A container 10 for use in assembling a jig-saw has a base 11 with a floor 12 on which pieces 20 can be assembled and a top 14 having a rigid sheet 15 with a resilient lining 16. The top can be closed on to the base so that the sheet 15 rests on a wall 13 around the floor 12 and the lining 16 presses on the assembled pieces 20 to hold them against relative movement despite a change in orientation of the container. The top can be removed to allow assembly of the jig-saw to continue. The top may be hinged to the base, and releasable clips may hold the top closed, and a handle can be provided. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Games and containers for games This invention relates to games and containers for games.

Jig-saws are often assembled on tables, with the result that if assembly of the jig-saw is interrupted or temporarily stopped, the table remains occupied by the part-assembled jig-saw.

According to one aspect of the invention a method of assembling a jig-saw from pieces comprises assembling pieces on a surface, and engaging assembled pieces to hold the assembled pieces against movement relative to each other.

The assembled pieces may be pressed against the surface.

According to another aspect of this invention a container for use in assembling a jig-saw comprises a base providing a surface on which a jig-saw can be assembled, and a top movable to a closed position overlying the surface for holding assembled jig-saw pieces on the surface against movement relative to each other.

The container may have a wall around the surface.

The top may comprise resilient material engageable with assembled pieces on the surface, for example foamed plastics material.

The top may be hinged to the base for movement between an open position in which the surface is exposed for assembly of the jig-saw, and a closed position in which the pieces are held against relative movement.

Releasable means may hold the top and base against movement relative to each other in the closed position.

The container may have a handle.

Also according to the invention a method of assembling a jig-saw from pieces comprises assembling the pieces on the surface of a container as above and moving the top to the closed position.

The invention includes a container however defined and a method however defined of assembling a jig-saw.

The invention may be performed in various ways and two specific embodiments with possible modifications will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one container; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of another container in open condition.

Referring to Figure 1 a container 10 for use when assembling a jig-saw has a base 11 with a flat floor 12 and a peripheral wall 13. The floor 12 may have a soft surface e.g. a felt baize lining. In one example the base is hardwood, the wall white softwood 2.5 cm high, the base being 50 cmx 62.5 cm. A lid or top 14 has a rigid top portion 15 for resting on the top edge of the wall 13 and a lining 16 which has a flat lower surface parallel to floor 12 in the closed position and is generally soft e.g. of foamed plastics and is of a size to fit snugly within the wall 13 when the lid is closed on to the base.

In use, the pieces of the jig-saw are assembled on the floor 12 as indicated for example at flat assembly 20 and if the user wishes to stop assembly for a while, the top 14 is closed onto the base. The unassembled loose pieces 21 and the assembled pieces 20 are held by the lining. in position without movement of the pieces relative to each other or to the base or top and the closed container can be moved to a temporary storage position for example resting upright on one side of the container. There is no relative movement irrespective of the orientation of the closed container.

The lining 16 may press the pieces against the floor 12 when the user wishes to recommence assembly of the jig-saw, the container is placed flat on a support, e.g. a table, and the lid removed, exposing the pieces still in the positions when assembly was stopped. The unassembled pieces 21 may be removed and placed in a separate container before closing the lid 15. The foam lining engages the pieces 20 and exposed pieces 21 and is preferably of an unstressed initial thickness that on closing the lid 15 in the absence of pieces 20, 21 the foam engages the surface of floor 12 and is slightly compressed, that is the thickness of the foam is greater than the height of the wall 13 above the floor 12.

The lining could be foamed polystyrene bonded to a wood top portion 15. The base and top 15 could be made of plastics.

The base and top may be provided with releasable clip parts for engagement in the container-closed position to assist in holding the parts together; for example each side of the base and top could have engageable clip parts.

In Figure 2 the top or lid is hinged at one side at 30 to the wall 13 and a two-part clip lock 31 provided at the opposite side. A handle 32, e.g. of plastics, is also provided adjacent the lock. A handle could be provided in the Figure 1 arrangement.

In a modification of Figure 1 or Figure 2 the wall 13 is omitted.

1. A method of assembling a jig-saw from pieces comprising assembling pieces on a surface, and engaging assembled pieces to hold the assembled pieces against movement relative to each other 2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, in which the assembled pieces are pressed against the surface.

3. A container for use in assembling a jig-saw comprising a base providing a surface on which a jig-saw can be assembled, and a top movable to a closed position overlying the surface for holding assembled jig-saw pieces on the surface against movement relative to each other.

4. A container as claimed in Claim 3, including a wall around the surface.

5. A container as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4, in which the top comprises resilient material engageable with assembled pieces on the surface.

6. A container as claimed in Claim 5, in which the resilient material comprises foamed plastics.

7. A container as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 6,

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Games and containers for games This invention relates to games and containers for games. Jig-saws are often assembled on tables, with the result that if assembly of the jig-saw is interrupted or temporarily stopped, the table remains occupied by the part-assembled jig-saw. According to one aspect of the invention a method of assembling a jig-saw from pieces comprises assembling pieces on a surface, and engaging assembled pieces to hold the assembled pieces against movement relative to each other. The assembled pieces may be pressed against the surface. According to another aspect of this invention a container for use in assembling a jig-saw comprises a base providing a surface on which a jig-saw can be assembled, and a top movable to a closed position overlying the surface for holding assembled jig-saw pieces on the surface against movement relative to each other. The container may have a wall around the surface. The top may comprise resilient material engageable with assembled pieces on the surface, for example foamed plastics material. The top may be hinged to the base for movement between an open position in which the surface is exposed for assembly of the jig-saw, and a closed position in which the pieces are held against relative movement. Releasable means may hold the top and base against movement relative to each other in the closed position. The container may have a handle. Also according to the invention a method of assembling a jig-saw from pieces comprises assembling the pieces on the surface of a container as above and moving the top to the closed position. The invention includes a container however defined and a method however defined of assembling a jig-saw. The invention may be performed in various ways and two specific embodiments with possible modifications will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one container; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of another container in open condition. Referring to Figure 1 a container 10 for use when assembling a jig-saw has a base 11 with a flat floor 12 and a peripheral wall 13. The floor 12 may have a soft surface e.g. a felt baize lining. In one example the base is hardwood, the wall white softwood 2.5 cm high, the base being 50 cmx 62.5 cm. A lid or top 14 has a rigid top portion 15 for resting on the top edge of the wall 13 and a lining 16 which has a flat lower surface parallel to floor 12 in the closed position and is generally soft e.g. of foamed plastics and is of a size to fit snugly within the wall 13 when the lid is closed on to the base. In use, the pieces of the jig-saw are assembled on the floor 12 as indicated for example at flat assembly 20 and if the user wishes to stop assembly for a while, the top 14 is closed onto the base. The unassembled loose pieces 21 and the assembled pieces 20 are held by the lining. in position without movement of the pieces relative to each other or to the base or top and the closed container can be moved to a temporary storage position for example resting upright on one side of the container. There is no relative movement irrespective of the orientation of the closed container. The lining 16 may press the pieces against the floor 12 when the user wishes to recommence assembly of the jig-saw, the container is placed flat on a support, e.g. a table, and the lid removed, exposing the pieces still in the positions when assembly was stopped. The unassembled pieces 21 may be removed and placed in a separate container before closing the lid 15. The foam lining engages the pieces 20 and exposed pieces 21 and is preferably of an unstressed initial thickness that on closing the lid 15 in the absence of pieces 20, 21 the foam engages the surface of floor 12 and is slightly compressed, that is the thickness of the foam is greater than the height of the wall 13 above the floor 12. The lining could be foamed polystyrene bonded to a wood top portion 15. The base and top 15 could be made of plastics. The base and top may be provided with releasable clip parts for engagement in the container-closed position to assist in holding the parts together; for example each side of the base and top could have engageable clip parts. In Figure 2 the top or lid is hinged at one side at 30 to the wall 13 and a two-part clip lock 31 provided at the opposite side. A handle 32, e.g. of plastics, is also provided adjacent the lock. A handle could be provided in the Figure 1 arrangement. In a modification of Figure 1 or Figure 2 the wall 13 is omitted. CLAIMS

1. A method of assembling a jig-saw from pieces comprising assembling pieces on a surface, and engaging assembled pieces to hold the assembled pieces against movement relative to each other

2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, in which the assembled pieces are pressed against the surface.

4. A container as claimed in Claim 3, including a wall around the surface.

7. A container as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 6, in which the top is hinged to the base for movement between an open position in which the surface is exposed for assembly of the jig-saw, and a closed position in which the pieces are held against relative movement.

8. A container as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 7, including releasable means for holding the top and the base against movement relative to each other in the closed position.

9. A container as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 8, including a handle for use in carrying the container when closed.

10. A container for use in assembling a jig-saw substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figure 1, or Figure 2, of the accompanying drawings.

11. A method of assembling a jig-saw as claimed in Claiml and substantially as hereinbefore described.

12. A method of assembling a jig-saw comprising assembling pieces on the surface of a container as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 10 and moving the top to the closed position.