GB2182253A - Jigsaw puzzle - Google Patents

Abstract

A jigsaw puzzle with a number of identically shaped pieces different in shape to the other pieces of the jigsaw, which number of pieces fit into apertures created by assembling the other pieces to thereby allow interchangeability between each of the number of pieces to change the jigsaw. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Jigsaw puzzle This invention relates to jigsaw puzzles and more particularly to jigsaw puzzles providing an educational or amusement benefit.

Known jigsaw puzzles consist of a large number of separate pieces shaped to interlockto form a picture.

Afurther known jigsaw puzzle comprises a border defining a country such as England and Wales and further pieces shaped in the outline shapes ofthe counties for positioning within the defined border.

Though each of the above known jigsaws provide entertainment in positioning the pieces correctly there is no element of selection since the pieces must be placed in their correctly defined positions.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a jigsaw puzzle in which at least several of the pieces may be placed in different positions within spaces formed by the remaining pieces of jigsaw. Such pieces which may be positioned in different places musttherefore be ofthe same shape and thejigsaw may be used for educational or amusement pur poses.

According to the invention, a jigsaw puzzle comprises a first set of pieces of generally random shapes, arranged to provide, when fitted together, a plurality of apertures into which any of a second set of pieces of identical shape, but different in shape from any of the first set, may be interchangeablyfitted.

Preferably, the completed puzzle forms a picture, of which each piece in the second set bears a discrete part compatible with the portion of the picture sur- rounding each of the apertures, whereby the picture may be varied by interchanging the pieces of the second set. The pieces in the second set may be gen eraliysmallerorthe same size asthe pieces of the first set, but are preferably largerthan those ofthe first set.

Preferably, the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle are interlocking.

The jigsaw may have athird set of pieces of a different size to the second set each of the third set of pieces being of identical shape to fit into a further set of apertures. Each piece of the third set may preferably be smaller in size to each piece of the second set.

Reference is made to the drawing, which illustrates a jigsaw puzzle in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The greater part of the picture formed by the puzzle is composed of a plurality of randomly shaped puzzle pieces 10 which are interlocking and which fit together in such a manner asto define five identical apertures into which five identical puzzle pieces 20, identified as pieces 1,2,3,4 and 5, forming the second set may befitted.

In the example illustrated the piece 1 is in a single aperture but two pairs of apertures may be conjoined so as to receive a pair of interlocked pieces of the second set. However, any of the pieces 20 ofthe second set may be interchanged with any other so as to vary the picture produced bythe puzzle. Forexample, the pieces in the second set numbered 1 and 2 may be exchanged so that the man depicted in the piece marked 2 now appears to be spraying water over one of his workmates instead of over the duck.

Apart from the entertainment afforded by such a puzzle, the puzzle may also be used for ediucation purposes; a child using the puzzle learns notonlyto fit the correct shapes together, but also to select the correct association between the piece in the second set and its surroundings. Thus, the puzzle might show letters, numerals, or patterns instead of a pic turetoenablewordsorshortsentencesto becor- rectly assembled.

In the example illustrated in the drawings, the five pieces 20 ofthe second set give the possibility of producing ten different pictures, and using a larger number of pieces 20 in the second setwill give the possibility of an even larger number of picture variations.

In an alternative embodiment within a large jigsaw a third set of pieces of identical shape may be included to fit within a second series of apertures of different shape or possibly of the same shape but smaller. Thus, for example, the second set might depict picturesofanimalsandthethird mighthavethe names of the animals. The second set of apertures might be belowthe first set thereby allowing a child to select the correct name forthe animal and also to select the correct position of an animal in for example a forest scene.

1. Ajigsaw puzzle comprises a first set of pieces of generally random shapes, arranged to provide, when fitted together, a plurality ofapertures into which any of a second set of pieces of identical shape, but different in shape from any of the first set, may be interchangeably fitted.

2. Ajigsaw puzzle as claimed in Claim 1 inwhich the completed puzzle forms a picture, of which each piece in the second set bears a discrete partcompat ible with the portion of the picture surrounding each ofthe apertures, whereby the picture may be varied by interchanging the pieces ofthe second set.

3. Ajigsaw puzzle as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the pieces in the second set are largerthan those of the first set.

4. Ajigsaw puzzle as claimed in anyone of Claims 1 to 3 in which the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle are interlocking.

4. Ajigsaw as claimed in any preceding claim including a third set of pieces of a different size to the second set each of the third set of pieces being of identical shape to fit into a further set of apertures.

5. Ajigsaw puzzle as claimed in Claim 4 in which each piece of the third set may preferably be smaller in size to each piece ofthe second set.

6. Ajigsawsubstantially as described with refer ence to the accompanying drawing.

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

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Jigsaw puzzle This invention relates to jigsaw puzzles and more particularly to jigsaw puzzles providing an educational or amusement benefit. Known jigsaw puzzles consist of a large number of separate pieces shaped to interlockto form a picture. Afurther known jigsaw puzzle comprises a border defining a country such as England and Wales and further pieces shaped in the outline shapes ofthe counties for positioning within the defined border. Though each of the above known jigsaws provide entertainment in positioning the pieces correctly there is no element of selection since the pieces must be placed in their correctly defined positions. It is an object of the present invention to provide a jigsaw puzzle in which at least several of the pieces may be placed in different positions within spaces formed by the remaining pieces of jigsaw. Such pieces which may be positioned in different places musttherefore be ofthe same shape and thejigsaw may be used for educational or amusement pur poses. According to the invention, a jigsaw puzzle comprises a first set of pieces of generally random shapes, arranged to provide, when fitted together, a plurality of apertures into which any of a second set of pieces of identical shape, but different in shape from any of the first set, may be interchangeablyfitted. Preferably, the completed puzzle forms a picture, of which each piece in the second set bears a discrete part compatible with the portion of the picture sur- rounding each of the apertures, whereby the picture may be varied by interchanging the pieces of the second set. The pieces in the second set may be gen eraliysmallerorthe same size asthe pieces of the first set, but are preferably largerthan those ofthe first set. Preferably, the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle are interlocking. The jigsaw may have athird set of pieces of a different size to the second set each of the third set of pieces being of identical shape to fit into a further set of apertures. Each piece of the third set may preferably be smaller in size to each piece of the second set. Reference is made to the drawing, which illustrates a jigsaw puzzle in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The greater part of the picture formed by the puzzle is composed of a plurality of randomly shaped puzzle pieces 10 which are interlocking and which fit together in such a manner asto define five identical apertures into which five identical puzzle pieces 20, identified as pieces 1,2,3,4 and 5, forming the second set may befitted. In the example illustrated the piece 1 is in a single aperture but two pairs of apertures may be conjoined so as to receive a pair of interlocked pieces of the second set. However, any of the pieces 20 ofthe second set may be interchanged with any other so as to vary the picture produced bythe puzzle. Forexample, the pieces in the second set numbered 1 and 2 may be exchanged so that the man depicted in the piece marked 2 now appears to be spraying water over one of his workmates instead of over the duck. Apart from the entertainment afforded by such a puzzle, the puzzle may also be used for ediucation purposes; a child using the puzzle learns notonlyto fit the correct shapes together, but also to select the correct association between the piece in the second set and its surroundings. Thus, the puzzle might show letters, numerals, or patterns instead of a pic turetoenablewordsorshortsentencesto becor- rectly assembled. In the example illustrated in the drawings, the five pieces 20 ofthe second set give the possibility of producing ten different pictures, and using a larger number of pieces 20 in the second setwill give the possibility of an even larger number of picture variations. In an alternative embodiment within a large jigsaw a third set of pieces of identical shape may be included to fit within a second series of apertures of different shape or possibly of the same shape but smaller. Thus, for example, the second set might depict picturesofanimalsandthethird mighthavethe names of the animals. The second set of apertures might be belowthe first set thereby allowing a child to select the correct name forthe animal and also to select the correct position of an animal in for example a forest scene. CLAIMS

1. Ajigsaw puzzle comprises a first set of pieces of generally random shapes, arranged to provide, when fitted together, a plurality ofapertures into which any of a second set of pieces of identical shape, but different in shape from any of the first set, may be interchangeably fitted.

2. Ajigsaw puzzle as claimed in Claim 1 inwhich the completed puzzle forms a picture, of which each piece in the second set bears a discrete partcompat ible with the portion of the picture surrounding each ofthe apertures, whereby the picture may be varied by interchanging the pieces ofthe second set.

3. Ajigsaw puzzle as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the pieces in the second set are largerthan those of the first set.

4. Ajigsaw puzzle as claimed in anyone of Claims 1 to 3 in which the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle are interlocking.

4. Ajigsaw as claimed in any preceding claim including a third set of pieces of a different size to the second set each of the third set of pieces being of identical shape to fit into a further set of apertures.

5. Ajigsaw puzzle as claimed in Claim 4 in which each piece of the third set may preferably be smaller in size to each piece ofthe second set.

6. Ajigsawsubstantially as described with refer ence to the accompanying drawing.