GB2311944A

GB2311944A - Puzzle protector

Info

Publication number: GB2311944A
Application number: GB9607545A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Slater
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-04-11
Filing date: 1996-04-11
Publication date: 1997-10-15
Anticipated expiration: 2016-04-11
Also published as: GB2311944B; GB9607545D0

Abstract

Puzzles of the kind that comprise a tray or a series of sockets in which pieces are placed to complete the puzzle are given protection against loss of or damage to pieces by the provision of a protector which comprises two cardboard or like sheets self-hinged by bending and which may be provided with a foam interlay 14, a positioning strip 15 and a catch 16.

Description

PRE-SCHOOL INSET/TRAY PUZZLE PROTECTOR This invention relates to Pre-school inset and tray puzzle protection.

By far the majority of pre-school inset and tray puzzles do not have a permanent means of keeping the pieces from being lost, damaged, kept clean or kept in position.

When purchased they usually come with shrink-wrap packaging. This gives a little protection until the puzzle is opened but is not reusable. The more expensive inset/tray puzzles sometimes come in boxes being specific to the actual puzzle itself. With a box the contents are not held firmly and can come loose if shaken. If the box is dropped it may come open and the contents fall out.

In Educational Establishments, Day Nurseries and Homes the inset/tray puzzles are typically stacked on top of each other and have little protection. When the puzzle is next used quite often pieces are missing or damaged.

This invention provides a simple and economical means of providing protection against these problems, which can be used by both children and carers.

Inset/tray puzzles come in all shapes and sizes and the invention caters for a whole range by being able to be made in many sizes to suit.

To protect the inset/tray puzzle, it is placed within the protector and fastened. It can now be stored or transported with protection.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : Figure 1 shows in perspective the inset/tray puzzle protector.

Figure 2 shows the protector opened out flat before the inset/tray puzzle is placed within.

Figure 3 shows a typical placement of a an inset/tray puzzle on the protector.

Figure 4 shows the protector closed and fully fastened.

Figure 5 shows the positions of the spiked Velcro Referring to Figure 1 the protector comprises of a sheet of single fluted two faced corrugated cardboard or similar 10, the dimensions of which to suit inset/tray puzzles.

The cardboard has creases running across the flutes 13 which forms the spine, this enables it to be folded Fixed on the top underside of the protector 11 is a foam pad 14 of suitable dimensions that will press against the top of the puzzle when in use as illustrated in Figure 2.

On the inside bottom portion 12 of the protector is fixed a strip of foam 15 . This provides extra grip to inset/tray puzzles that are thinner or smoother than usual.

The top portion of the protector 11 is shorter in depth than the bottom 12, when it is fastened the spine height 13 of the protector reduces allowing it to fit closer to the puzzle therefore more tighter.

After the inset/tray puzzle is placed on the protector as illustrated in figure 3 it is closed. The spine 13 on the protector acts like a hinge and the foam pads 14 and 15 will press against the puzzle as illustrated in Figure 4.

To keep the protector shut it is fastened using a,- "Velcro'4* ype strap 16. The tighter the "Velcro't strap 16 is pulled, the stronger the grip is on the puzzle.

4 The spiked portion of the "Velcro"/ 17 is positioned both on the front and underside of the protector, as illustrated in Figure 5.

The strap 16 is fastened at one end and loops over the edge to the underside and attached thereby securing the protector closed.

As the spiked portion 17 is on both sides it is possible to pull off the strap 16 completely allowing the reversal of the closure, i.e. the loop is formed so that it can be fastened on the top rather than the bottom.

Claims

1 A pre-school inset/tray puzzle protector comprising of a sheet of single fluted two faced corrugated cardboard or similar. The cardboard has creases running across the flutes which enable it to be folded over the inset/tray puzzle.

2 A pre-school inset/tray puzzle protector as in claim 1 that has fixed on the inside top face of the protector a foam pad that will press against the top of the puzzle when in use. On the inside bottom face of the protector a thin strip of foam is fixed which will press against the underside of the puzzle.

3 A pre-school puzzle protector as in claim 1 and 2 where the top portion of the protector is shorter in depth than the bottom so that when it is fastened the spine height of the protector reduces allowing the foam pad to fit closer to the puzzle, therefore more tighter.

4 A pre-school puzzle protector as in claim 1, 2 and 3 where to keep ths protector shut it is fastened using a "Velcro" J"type strap so that the tighter the strap is pulled the stronger the grip is on the puzzle.

5 A pre-school puzzle protector as in previous- < claims where the spiked portion of the "Velcro" is positioned both on the top and bottom faces.

It will now be possible to pull off the strap completely allowing the reversal of the closure, i.e. the loop is formed so that it can be fastened on the top rather than bottom.

6 A pre-schocl puzzle protector substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 5 of the accompanying drawings.