US20190314718A1

US20190314718A1 - Symbolic Unity Ceremony Puzzle Product

Info

Publication number: US20190314718A1
Application number: US16/386,292
Authority: US
Inventors: Jeannette Marie Aragon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-04-17
Filing date: 2019-04-17
Publication date: 2019-10-17
Also published as: US20210001210A1

Abstract

A symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product in a tray and a method of assembly thereof for a unity ceremony are provided. The symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product comprises a tray comprising a circular cavity, edge puzzle components, and central puzzle components. Each edge puzzle component has a shape of an annular sector comprising an inner arc, an outer arc, and two radially oriented sides. Each of the edge puzzle components is configured to one of engageably connect and contiguously connect with adjacent edge puzzle components. Furthermore, the edge puzzle components are positioned along a peripheral edge of the circular cavity of the tray to form an annular puzzle component. The central puzzle components are positioned in the tray within the annular puzzle component formed by the edge puzzle components. Each central puzzle component is configured to one of engageably connect and contiguously connect with one or more adjacent central puzzle components.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of provisional patent application titled “Symbolic Unity Puzzle in a Tray”, application No. 62/658,602, filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Apr. 17, 2018. The specification of the above referenced patent application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The apparatus disclosed herein, in general, relates to puzzles. More particularly, the apparatus disclosed herein relates to an article of manufacture comprising puzzle components that are assembled to form a symbolic unity puzzle in a tray, for example, a unity ceremony for representing vows taken in the unity ceremony. A unity ceremony, for example, a wedding, is a celebration of the joining of two families. The unity ceremony is made memorable by associating several memorabilia with the unity ceremony. Examples of such memorabilia comprise photographs, unity candles, a sand blend created in a sand ceremony, etc. These memorabilia generally allow the participants of the unity ceremony a single opportunity to participate in creating the memorabilia, or engage in an activity with the memorabilia. These memorabilia do not allow participants to repeat an activity with the same memorabilia.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,143,914, titled “Puzzle Game And Method Of Use” discloses an article of manufacture comprising a hand-held puzzle game having an outer cube-shaped puzzle surrounding an inner spherical puzzle. The outer cube-shaped puzzle has a six-sided, two-by-two cube puzzle and the inner spherical puzzle has nine floating two-color parts and six pole centers, three of which are V-shaped to restrict rotation in some directions. The outer cube and inner sphere puzzles maybe solved independently, or the two puzzles may be solved jointly to solve the entire puzzle.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,188,937, titled “Puzzle Book” discloses an article of manufacture comprising a puzzle book comprising linked sequence of mechanically encoded puzzle pages. Each page is comprised of multiple planar layers interconnected to implement the puzzle design of the page. The puzzle of each page must be solved to disengage a latching mechanism enabling the player to turn the page and begin solving the puzzle in the next page.
However, the puzzle related articles of manufacture disclosed in the above patents are not associated with a unity ceremony. Hence, there is a long felt and unresolved need for a memorabilia representing a unity ceremony that allows users to commemorate, recall, replay, recreate, or celebrate an activity, for example, a wedding unity, with the memorabilia.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce the apparatus and a method of assembling a puzzle component that are further disclosed in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is not intended to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The unity puzzle product disclosed herein addresses the long felt but unresolved need for a unity ceremony that allows users to repeat an activity with memorabilia representing a unity ceremony.
A symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product disclosed herein comprises a tray having a circular cavity, wherein the circular cavity is configured to accommodate multiple edge puzzle components and multiple central puzzle components in a single plane. The edge puzzle components have a shape of an annular sector comprising an inner arc, an outer arc, and two radially oriented sides. Each of the edge puzzle components is configured to either engageably connect or contiguously connect with adjacent edge puzzle components. Furthermore, the edge of the puzzle components is positioned along a peripheral edge of the circular cavity of the tray to form an annular puzzle component. The central puzzle components are positioned in the tray within the annular puzzle component formed by the edge puzzle components. Furthermore, each of the central puzzle components is configured to either engageably connect or contiguously connect with one or more adjacent central puzzle components.
In an embodiment, the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product comprises a tray comprising a circular cavity, an annulus edge puzzle component, and multiple central puzzle components. The annulus edge puzzle component and multiple central puzzle components are accommodated in the circular cavity in a single plane. The annulus edge puzzle component comprises an inner periphery that defines an outline of a tree comprising a crown and a trunk of the tree. The central puzzle components comprise multiple crown components that together define the crown of the tree, one or more branch components of the tree, and one or more trunk components that define the trunk of the tree.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a symbolic unity puzzle product for use in a unity ceremony, where the symbolic unity puzzle product is shown in a disassembled state.

FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the symbolic unity puzzle product shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates a front perspective view of the symbolic unity puzzle product shown in FIG. 1, where the symbolic unity puzzle product is shown in an assembled state.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the symbolic unity puzzle product, where the symbolic unity puzzle product is shown in an assembled state.

FIGS. 5-7 exemplarily illustrate stands for supporting and displaying a symbolic unity puzzle product.

FIG. 8 exemplarily illustrates a rear perspective view of a tray of a symbolic unity puzzle product, showing a hook positioned on a rear surface of the tray for hanging the symbolic unity puzzle product.

FIG. 9A exemplarily illustrates a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the symbolic unity puzzle product showing different central puzzle components.

FIG. 9B exemplarily illustrates a disassembled view of the symbolic unity puzzle product shown in FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10 exemplarily illustrates front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the symbolic unity puzzle product showing different central puzzle components.

FIG. 11A exemplarily illustrates front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the symbolic unity puzzle product showing different central puzzle components.

FIG. 11B exemplarily illustrates a disassembled view of the symbolic unity puzzle product shown in FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12 exemplarily illustrates front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the symbolic unity puzzle product showing different central puzzle components.

FIG. 13A exemplarily illustrates a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the symbolic unity puzzle product showing different edge and central puzzle components.

FIG. 13B exemplarily illustrates a disassembled view of the symbolic unity puzzle product shown in FIG. 13A.

FIG. 14 illustrates a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product comprising a square shaped tray.

FIG. 15 illustrates a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product comprising a heart shaped tray.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a symbolic unity puzzle product 100 for use in a unity ceremony, where the symbolic unity puzzle product is shown in a disassembled state. In an embodiment, the symbolic unity puzzle product 100 disclosed herein is handcrafted and designed to provide a self-expression, or a story to tell, for example, a love story of a bride and a groom in a wedding ceremony, for use, for example, as a family heirloom. In an embodiment, the symbolic unity puzzle product 100 is made for and characterizes the unity ceremony also referred as a unity puzzle ceremony. The unity ceremony is based on the characteristics of each individual symbolic unity puzzle product 100. A consumer selects, for example, a color, a shape, a design, a font, a theme, and/or details 108 a, 108 b, and 108 c, for example, a date, a quote, a photograph, a saying, a bible verse, etc., or any combination thereof of a unity ceremony, for example, a wedding union, a family union, etc., for incorporating into the symbolic unity puzzle product 100 constituted by the puzzle components 103. For example, two people who love hiking and collect arrow heads can customize the puzzle components 103 to create a symbolic unity puzzle product 100 in the shape of an arrow head. In an embodiment, each of the puzzle components 103 is assigned to a member, for example, a bride, a groom, father, mother, siblings, relatives, a priest, members absent from the unity ceremony, etc., associated with the union. In an embodiment, the puzzle components 103 are assigned traits or concepts, for example, faith, hope, charity, etc. The details 108 a, 108 b, and 108 c of the union comprise, for example, a theme 108 a such as a wedding theme, a story such as a love story or a family story; names 108 b of the members for example, a bride, a groom, father, mother, siblings, relatives, etc., associated with the union, a family name; and other details 108 c of the union.
The details 108 of the union, for example, names of the family members are wood burned and stained on the surfaces of the puzzle components 103, while other details 108 of the union, for example, a date, a quote, a saying, etc., are wood burned and stained on the surface of the circular tray 102.
The symbolic unity puzzle product 100 corresponds to the unity ceremony. To construct the symbolic unity puzzle product 100 disclosed herein, puzzle components 101 comprising a tray 102 and multiple puzzle components 103 are provided. The tray 102 is of a predetermined shape, for example, a circular shape, an oval shape, a polygonal shape, irregular shape, etc. In an embodiment, the tray 102 can be of different sizes. The tray 102 comprises a cavity 102 a for accommodating and securing the puzzle components 103 therewithin in a single plane. The cavity 102 a, as used herein is a hollow space in the tray 102. In an embodiment, the cavity 102 a is a circular cavity 102 a. The tray 102 and the puzzle components 103 are made from materials, for example, wood, metal, plastic, etc. In an embodiment, the tray 102 and the puzzle components 103 are obtained by cutting a wood panel into shapes of the tray 102 and the puzzle components 103. The wood panel, for example, is made of maple wood, poplar hardwood, etc., where the grain of the wood is consistent across the tray 102 and the puzzle components 103 in the symbolic unity puzzle product 100. In an embodiment, the tray 102 and the puzzle components 103 are constructed, for example, from a panel of wood that has a width of about 13 inches and a length of about 13 inches. In an embodiment, the wood panel allows a manufacturer to cut the puzzle components 103 such that the wood grain is the same across all the puzzle components 103 and the tray 102. The tray 102 is, for example, about 1 inch thick. When the tray 102 of the symbolic unity puzzle product 100 is circular in shape, the tray 102 is, for example, about 10.5 inches in diameter and the cavity 102 a, for example circular in shape has a diameter of about 8.5 inches. The tray 102 acts as an organizer and allows positioning of the puzzle components 103 in a single plane with the grains of the puzzle components 103 lining up.
The puzzle components 103 of the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100 are of configurable shapes, sizes, designs, and colors. In an embodiment, the thickness of the puzzle components 103 is about 0.75 inch. The thickness of each of the puzzle components 103 provides a heft to the puzzle components 103. In an embodiment, the puzzle components 103 are cut from a log of wood, for example, using a scroll saw with a blade. A seam is created between two puzzle components 103 when edges of the two puzzle components 103 touch each other. In an embodiment, thickness of the seam is about 0.019 inch. In an embodiment, the puzzle components 103 are smoothened to remove sharp surfaces and sharp edges by sanding the surfaces and the edges of the puzzle components 103. The smoothened surfaces of the puzzle components 103 are finished, for example, using non-toxic stains and coatings. The smoothened puzzle components 103 are buffed out for further smoothening. In an embodiment, surfaces of the puzzle components 103 are painted, for example, using non-toxic paints. The symbolic unity puzzle product 100 constituted by the connected puzzle components 103 in the tray 102 is sealed with a glaze, for example, a Krylon® triple thick glaze of Swimc LLC, for durability and providing shine to the symbolic unity puzzle product 100. In an embodiment, to seal the ink of the color glaze pens on the puzzle components 103 and the tray 102, two or more coats of the glaze, for example, the Krylon® triple thick glaze is applied on the puzzle components 103 and the tray 102.
In an embodiment, one or more of the details 108 of the union in the unity ceremony are also etched on the tray 102. In another embodiment, the details 108 of the union are wood burned onto the surfaces of the puzzle components 103 and the tray 102 as shown in FIG. 2. In an embodiment, the details 108 of the union are wood burned onto the peripheral edges 102 b of the circular cavity 102 a and a base surface 102 c of the circular cavity 102 a of the tray 102. The wood burned puzzle components 103 are stained with colors selected by the consumer based on the details 108 of the union comprising, for example, a theme, a story, an activity, etc. The wood burned details 108 of the union on the puzzle components 103 and the tray 102 are then written over with writing elements, for example, color glaze pens such as a black glaze pen, a silver glaze pen, a gold glaze pen, a white glaze pen, etc., selected by the consumer for highlighting the wood burned details 108 of the union on the puzzle components 103 and the tray 102. In an embodiment, the tray 102 comprises a puzzle component map (not shown) embedded therewithin for indicating locations for positioning the puzzle components 103 in the circular cavity 102 a of the tray 102 to minimize uncertainties during assembly of the symbolic unity puzzle product 100.
In an embodiment, the puzzle components 103 of the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100 shown in FIGS. 1-3 comprise edge puzzle components 104, and one or more central puzzle components 105 configured to engageably connect, or in an embodiment, contiguously connect with the edge puzzle components 104. An engageable connection of the puzzle components 103 refers to interlocking the puzzle components 103. A contiguous connection of the puzzle components 103 refers to a placement of the puzzle components 103 adjacent to each other. The edge puzzle components 104 are positioned and connected at or proximal to the peripheral edges 102 b of the circular cavity 102 a of the tray 102.
In an embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, each edge puzzle component 104 has a shape of an annular sector comprising an inner arc 104 a, an outer arc 104 b, and two radially oriented sides 104 c and 104 d. As illustrated in FIG. 3, each edge puzzle component 104 is configured to contiguously connect with an adjacent edge puzzle component 104. The edge puzzle components 104 are positioned along the peripheral edge 102 b of the circular cavity 102 a of the tray 102 to form an annular puzzle component 111, as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2.
The central puzzle components 105 of the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100 shown in FIG. 3 are positioned in the tray 102 within the annular puzzle component 111 shown in FIG. 2 formed by the edge puzzle components 104. Each central puzzle component 105 is configured to interlock with one or more adjacent central components 105 of the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100, as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.
In an embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 9A, 10, 11A, 12, and 13A, the central puzzle components 105 of the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100 are centrally positioned and comprise intermediate puzzle components 106 and one or more inner-most puzzle components 107. In an embodiment, the intermediate puzzle components 106 surround the inner-most puzzle components 107, as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. The intermediate puzzle components 106 and the one or more inner-most puzzle components 107 are disposed in the circular cavity 102 a of the tray 102 to engageably connect, or, in an embodiment, contiguously connect with and provide unified structural support to the puzzle edge components 104 of the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100 at the peripheral edges 102 b of the circular cavity 102 a of the tray 102, thereby completing the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100 in the tray 102 for symbolizing the union in the unity ceremony. In an embodiment, the inner-most puzzle components 107 of the symbolic unity puzzle 100 are, for example, fretwork art design puzzle components. The central puzzle components 105 provide structural strength to the symbolic unity puzzle 100 in the tray 102. In an embodiment, the central puzzle components 105 are positioned in the circular cavity 102 a of the tray 102 after positioning the edge puzzle components 104 in the circular cavity 102 a of the tray 102 to form the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100, thereby providing structural support to the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100. In an embodiment, the central puzzle components 105 of the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100 are assigned a unifying trait for symbolizing the union in the unity ceremony.
In an embodiment, as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the radially oriented sides 104 c and 104 d of the edge puzzle components 104 of the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100 are corrugated to form a contiguous connection. The corrugations on each radially oriented side comprise a projection 104 g and a recess 104 h, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The projection 104 g of the radially oriented side 104 c of one edge of the puzzle component 104 fits in the recess 104 h of the radially oriented side 104 d of an adjacent puzzle edge component 104 of the unity puzzle product 100.
In an embodiment, the central puzzle components 105 of the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100 comprise intermediate puzzle components 106 which further comprise a first semicircular puzzle component 106 a, a second semicircular puzzle component 106 b, and one or more inner-most puzzle component 107 as shown in FIG. 1. The first semicircular puzzle component 106 a and the second semicircular puzzle component 106 b comprise one or more cutouts 112 in a base 106 c of first semicircular puzzle component 106 a and in a base 106 d of the second semicircular puzzle component 106 b, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The one or more cutouts 112 are shaped to receive one or more puzzle components 103, for example, the central puzzle components 105. In an embodiment, the width of the edge puzzle components 104 is between 1 to 2 inches, and the length of the edge puzzle components 104 is between 3 to 7 inches. The length of the edge puzzle components 104 is dependent on the number of edge puzzle components 104 in the unity puzzle product 100. For example, FIG. 1 shows a unity puzzle product 100 comprising 4 edge puzzle components 104 and FIG. 9A shows a unity puzzle product 100 comprising 5 edge puzzle components. Assuming that the diameters of the circular cavities 102 a of the unity puzzle product 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 9A are the same, the length of the edge puzzle components 104 shown in FIG. 1 are greater than the length of the edge puzzle components 104 shown in FIG. 9A. In an embodiment, size of the central puzzle components 103 is dependent on the amount of space required to enter details 108 a, 108 b, and 108 c of the union.
FIG. 4 exemplarily illustrates a front perspective view of a symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100 in an assembled state. In an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the edge puzzle components 104 and the central puzzle components 105 comprise an interlocking mechanism comprising one or more tabs 104 e and/or one or more blanks 104 f, as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 4. The tabs 104 e of the puzzle components 103 are configured to engage within blanks 104 f of the puzzle components 103. The puzzle components 103 with blanks 104 f are configured to receive the tabs 104 e of adjacent puzzle components 103 and interlock with the puzzle components 103 having the tabs projections 104 e. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a tab 104 e of an edge puzzle component 104 engages within a blank 104 f of an adjacent edge puzzle component 104, thereby connecting the adjacent edge puzzle components 104. In an embodiment, the tabs 104 e are knob shaped and each blank 104 f is shaped to resemble an outline of a tab 104 e in-order to receive the tab 104 e. In an embodiment, the tabs 104 e and blanks 104 f comprise rounded sides, as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 4. In another embodiment, the tabs 104 e and blanks 104 f comprise angled sides and the tabs 104 e and blanks 104 f engage in a dovetail joint. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the tray 102 comprises an annular separator 401 within the circular cavity 102 a for separating the central puzzle components 105 and the edge puzzle components 104. In an embodiment, the annular separator 401 is attached within the circular cavity 102 a of the tray 102. In another embodiment, the annular separator 401 is one of the puzzle pieces 103.
As exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 4, the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100 comprises a circular tray 102 and puzzle components 103 comprising edge puzzle components 104 and central puzzle components 105. The edge puzzle components 104 are positioned at the peripheral edges 102 b of the circular cavity 102 a and interlock with each other. For example, the tabs 104 e in an edge puzzle component 104 engage with blanks 104 f in adjacent edge puzzle components 104. The tabs 104 e in the two central puzzle components 105 engage with the corresponding blanks 104 f in the two central puzzle components 105. The edge puzzle components 104 and central puzzle components 105 are frictionally engaged to one another and accommodated within the circular tray 102. The details 108 of the union, for example, names of the family members are wood burned and stained on the surfaces of the puzzle components 103, while other details 108 of the union, for example, a date, a quote, a saying, etc., are wood burned and stained on the surface of the circular tray 102.
FIGS. 5-7 exemplarily illustrate display stands 501 and 601 for supporting and displaying a symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100. FIGS. 5-6 exemplarily illustrate display stands 501 and 601 for supporting and displaying the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100, for example, on a table or a shelf. In an embodiment, a display stand 501 comprising poles 501 a and 501 b, a base 501 c and a slot 501 d as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 5, is provided for supporting and displaying the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100 in an upright position. The tray 102 comprising the puzzle components 103 facing an upward direction is leaned against the poles 501 a and 501 b. A portion of the tray is slid inside the slot 501 d to prevent the tray from sliding out from the display stand 501.
In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6, a display stand 601 comprising poles 601 a and 601 b, and slots 601 c and 601 d is provided for supporting and displaying the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100 in an upright position.
FIG. 7 exemplarily illustrates a front perspective view of the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100 supported by the stand 601. The slots 601 c and 601 d accommodate the tray 102 of the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100 while the supports 601 a and 601 b provide a rear support to the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100.
FIG. 8 exemplarily illustrates a rear perspective view of the tray 102 of the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100, showing a sawtooth hanger 801 positioned on a rear surface 102 d of the tray 102 for hanging the unity puzzle product 100. The sawtooth hanger 801 is attached to the rear surface 102 d of the tray 102 for hanging the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100, for example, on a nail on a wall. In an embodiment, alternative hanging mechanisms comprising rings, hooks, etc., are used instead of the sawtooth hangar 801 to hang the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100.
FIG. 9A exemplarily illustrates front perspective views of an alternate embodiment of the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100 showing different central puzzle components. FIG. 9B exemplarily illustrates a disassembled view of the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100 shown in FIG. 9A The puzzle components 103 are configured to be of different shapes and sizes based on a predetermined theme, for example, a story, a design, an arrangement, etc., for customizing the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100. During the ceremony, for example, a wedding ceremony, each member of the family places his or her respective puzzle component 103 in the puzzle tray 102. After the bride and groom place their respective puzzle components 103, for example, central puzzle components 105 together, the inner-most puzzle component 107 is placed in the center of the puzzle joining the central puzzle components 105 of the bride and groom together. The puzzle components 104 of other family members interlock and surround the inner-most puzzle component 107 and the central puzzle components 105 of the bride and the grooms. The symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100 is complete after all the puzzle components 103 are been placed in the circular cavity 102 a, symbolizing the unity of the family.
FIGS. 10-13 exemplarily illustrate front perspective views of alternate embodiments of the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100 showing different central puzzle components. The puzzle components 103 comprise the edge puzzle components 104 and the central puzzle components 105. The puzzle components 103 are disposed in the circular cavity 102 a of the tray 102 and interlocked together as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 10, 11A and 11B. The puzzle components 101 of the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100 comprise a circular tray 102 and edge puzzle components 104 with tabs 104 e and blanks 104 f. The edge puzzle components 104 are positioned and interlocked at the peripheral edges 102 b of the circular cavity 102 a of the circular tray 102 by engaging the tabs 104 e with the corresponding blank 104 f of the edge puzzle components 104. In an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the central puzzle components 105 comprise intermediate puzzle components 106 which further comprise a first semicircular puzzle component or a first half heart shaped component 106 a, and a second semicircular puzzle component or a second half heart shaped component 106 b in which the inner part of the semicircles that are corrugated in shape, firmly lock with the inner-most puzzle component 107 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 10. In an embodiment, the inner part of intermediate puzzle components 106 that are corrugated in shape, interlock to make a heart shape. The central puzzle components 105 include the inner-most puzzle component 107 to give structural strength to the puzzle component 100 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 10.
FIG. 11A exemplarily illustrates the front perspective view of a symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100. FIG. 11B exemplarily illustrates a disassembled view of the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100 shown in FIG. 11A. Each of the intermediate puzzle components 106 comprises a tab 104 e on each of the two sides and an inner-most puzzle component 107. In an embodiment, the inner arc of the edge puzzle components comprises a blank 104 f and a tab 104 e for interlocking with one or more other puzzle components. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11A, the central puzzle components 105 comprise one or more frames 109 located adjacent to each other, wherein the central puzzle components 105 further comprise one or more intermediate puzzle components 106 placed within and adjacent to one or more frames 109, wherein the one or more intermediate puzzle components 106 comprise cutouts 112 for receiving and accommodating one or more inner-most puzzle components 107. The details 108 of the union, for example, names of the family members are wood burned and stained on the surfaces of the puzzle components 103, while other details 108 of the union, for example, a date, a quote, a saying, etc., are wood burned and stained on the surface of the circular tray 102 as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B.
In an embodiment, as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 12, the puzzle components 103 are positioned adjacent to each other and do not interlock with each other when the puzzle components 103 are positioned in the tray 102. The puzzle components 103 are in a contiguous connection to form the symbolic unity puzzle product 100 as disclosed in the detailed description of FIG. 1. In an embodiment, radially oriented sides 104 c and 104 d of the edge puzzle components 104 are straight. The central puzzle components 105 comprise intermediate puzzle components 106 and inner-most puzzle components 107. The intermediate puzzle components 106 are corrugated and together form a predetermined shape, for example a heart shape, as shown in FIG. 12. In an embodiment, the central puzzle components 105 are customizable in accordance with a consumer's requirement and are assigned traits. For example, the central puzzle components 105 can depict a tree, a heart, a symbol such as an infinity symbol, an infinity heart, a name, an initial, a letter, a cross, a mountain, a picture such as a family photograph, etc., as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 9-12.
FIG. 13A exemplarily illustrates a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the symbolic unity puzzle showing different edge and central puzzle components. FIG. 13B exemplarily illustrates a disassembled view of the symbolic unity puzzle shown in FIG. 13A. As illustrated in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the symbolic unity puzzle product 100 comprises a circular cavity 102 a that accommodates an annulus edge puzzle component 104 and central puzzle components 105 in a single plane is exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 13A and 13B. In an embodiment, the inner part of the annulus edge puzzle component 104 defines an outline of a tree comprising a crown and a trunk of the tree. The central puzzle components 105 comprise a number of crown components that define the crown, one or more branch components, and one or more trunk components that define the trunk. Each of the central puzzle components 105 of the crown comprises a tab 104 e and a blank 104 f. The branch components are organized to one of engageably connect and contiguously connect with and provide unified structural support to the crown components and the central most puzzle components 107 comprising a heart shaped puzzle component. The details 108 of the union, for example, names of the family members, sayings, dates, an initial of a family name, etc., are wood burned and stained on the surfaces of the puzzle components 103, while other details 108 of the union, for example, sayings, a bible verse, dates, etc., are wood burned and stained on the surface of the tray 102 as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 9-13.
In an embodiment, each symbolic unity puzzle product 100 is designed for an individual family. If a family wishes to share any aspect of their family, the same is incorporated into the puzzle. For example, if the family collects turtles, the symbolic unity puzzle product 100 may be customized to include a turtle family puzzle swimming in a pond or a family tree. Any idea that is imagined can be used to create a symbolic unity puzzle product 100. For example, a bride and a groom who work as an emergency medical technician (EMT) and a fireman respectively can customize the symbolic unity puzzle product 100 to include a Maltese cross with a star of life as an inner-most puzzle component 107 of the central puzzle component 105 of the symbolic unity puzzle product 100. A consumer may create a theme for the symbolic unity puzzle product 100 that tells a story. For example, a couple who met at a pumpkin patch festival may customize the symbolic unity puzzle product 100 with puzzle components 103 to include a pumpkin shaped puzzle component to represent the couple and leaf shaped puzzle components to represent their children.
In an embodiment, the names of all the members associated with the union, for example, family members can be written on the puzzle components 103. In the above example, the names of the children can be written on the leaf shaped puzzle components and the names of the parents can be written on the pumpkin shaped puzzle component positioned as the central puzzle component 105 in the tray 102. On assembling the puzzle components 103 in the tray 102, when the tray 102 is full, the symbolic unity puzzle product 100 of the family is complete. The puzzle components 103 can indicate the way two people met, a favorite activity of a family, etc. The symbolic unity puzzle product 100 can be customized to convey the story of the family The symbolic unity puzzle product 100 symbolizes, for example, the making of a family, the joining of two individuals or two families into one, creation of any form of union, etc. The symbolic unity puzzle product 100 comprises puzzle components 103 for each family member featuring the name of the family member, for use in a unity ceremony. Each family member can carry the puzzle components 103 with their names thereon during the unity ceremony and place their respective puzzle components 103 in the tray 102.
The puzzled components 103 of different shapes and sizes can be used to indicate different attributes, for example, traits, interests, talents, etc., of the members of a union, for example, a family. In an example, at a unity ceremony such as a wedding ceremony, each family member places their respective puzzle components 103 in the tray 102 in a sequence. For example, children first place their puzzle components 103 with their names etched thereon in the tray 102, followed by the bride and the groom placing their puzzle components 103 in the tray 102. The central puzzle components 105 positioned with cutouts 112 are then placed into the circular cavity 102 a of the tray 102 as a center component by both the bride and the groom together or by a priest, thereby completing the symbolic unity puzzle product 100 which symbolizes the newly formed family or the unity of the family. The symbolic unity puzzle product 100 is used as a tool in the unity ceremony to symbolize forming of a union. In another example, the parents of the bride and the parents of the groom place the puzzle components 103 with their names wood burned on the surfaces of the puzzle components 103 into the circular cavity 102 a of the tray 102. The bride and the groom then place the puzzle components 103 with their names wood burned on the surfaces of the puzzle components 103 into the circular cavity 102 a of the tray 102. A priest or the bride and the groom together place the inner-most component 107 as the final puzzle component into the circular cavity 102 a of the tray 102 forming a complete symbolic unity puzzle product 100 symbolizing the newly formed family or the joining of two families. The symbolic unity puzzle product 100 is customizable to represent a story such as a love story of two people, a story of how two people met, a story of a family, etc. The symbolic unity puzzle product 100 includes details 108 of the story or the family in the puzzle components 103 and/or the tray 102. In an embodiment, a circular tray 102 is used to form a circular symbolic unity puzzle product 100, because a circle represents eternity. Once the symbolic unity puzzle product 100 is complete with the puzzle components 103 of the family members in place in the tray 102, the symbolic unity puzzle product 100 creates a picture that represents a complete family.
In an embodiment, the puzzle components 103 of different sizes and shapes can be placed together in one way in the tray 102 to form the symbolic unity puzzle product 100. In an embodiment, the puzzle components 103 are left blank to allow members of a union to personalize the puzzle components 103 with their signatures using a marker. In an embodiment, a puzzle kit comprising the tray 102, the puzzle components 103, and a marker is provided. In another embodiment, one or more extra puzzle components that may be needed at a later point in time, are provided in the puzzle kit. For example, for a symbolic unity puzzle product 100 that symbolizes a family, a name of an additional child can be wood burned on the surface of an extra puzzle component for addition to the symbolic unity puzzle product 100. The extra puzzle component can be sanded down and re-stained to add the name of the additional child. In an embodiment, the puzzle kit further comprises decorative elements or embellishments, for example, rhinestones, charms, etc., to be added to the tray 102 and/or the puzzle components 103 to enhance the appearance and/or theme of the symbolic unity puzzle product 100.
FIG. 14 illustrates a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100 comprising a generally square shaped tray 102. The tray 102 is of a predetermined shape, for example, a circular shape, a polygonal shape, a heart shape, a squircle shape, or an oval shape. A squircle is a shape intermediate between a square and a circle. The tray 102 comprises a cavity 102 a, as shown in FIG. 2, for accommodating and securing the puzzle components 103 therewithin in a single plane. The shape of the cavity 102 a is also, for example, generally square shaped to accommodate the puzzle components. The puzzle components 103 are of configurable shapes, sizes, designs, and colors. The puzzle components 103 comprise edge puzzle components 104 and one or more central puzzle components 105. The edge puzzle components 104 are positioned and connected at peripheral edges 102 b, as shown in FIG. 11B, of the cavity of the square 102 a of the tray and the one or more central puzzle components 105 are centrally positioned in the cavity 102 b of the tray 102 to one of engageably and contiguously connect with and provide unified structural support to the edge puzzle components 103 at the peripheral edges 102 b of the cavity 102 a of the tray 102.
FIG. 15 illustrates a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100 comprising a heart shaped tray 102. The heart shaped tray 102 comprises a cavity 102 a, as shown in FIG. 2, for accommodating and securing the puzzle components 103 comprising edge puzzle components 104 and a central puzzle component 105. The shape of the cavity 102 a is also, for example, heart shaped to accommodate the puzzle components 103. The symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product 100 comprising the heart shaped tray 102 is displayed on the display stand shown in FIG. 5. The tray 102 comprising the puzzle components 103 facing an upward direction is leaned against the poles 501 a and 501 b of the display stand 501. A portion of the tray 102 is slid inside the slot 501 d to prevent the tray 102 from sliding out from the display stand 501.
The foregoing examples have been provided merely for explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the symbolic unity puzzle product 100 disclosed herein. While the symbolic unity puzzle product 100 has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Furthermore, although the symbolic unity puzzle product 100 has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the symbolic unity puzzle product 100 is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the symbolic unity puzzle product 100 extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. While multiple embodiments are disclosed, it will be understood by those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, that the symbolic unity puzzle product 100 disclosed herein is capable of modifications and other embodiments may be effected and changes may be made thereto, without departing from the scope and spirit of the symbolic unity puzzle product 100 disclosed herein.

Claims

I claim:

1. A symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product, comprising:

a tray comprising a circular cavity, wherein said circular cavity is configured to accommodate a plurality of edge puzzle components and a plurality of central puzzle components in a single plane;

each of said edge puzzle components having a shape of an annular sector comprising an inner arc, an outer arc, and two radially oriented sides, wherein each of said edge puzzle components is configured to one of engageably connect and contiguously connect with adjacent said edge puzzle components, and wherein said edge puzzle components are positioned along a peripheral edge of said circular cavity of said tray to form an annular puzzle component; and

said central puzzle components positioned in said tray within said annular puzzle component formed by said edge puzzle components, wherein each of said central puzzle component is configured to one of engageably connect and contiguously connect with one or more adjacent said central puzzle components.

2. The symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product of claim 1, wherein said radially oriented sides are corrugated, wherein each of said radially oriented side of said edge puzzle components comprises a projection and a recess, and wherein said projection of said radially oriented side of one of said edge puzzle components is configured to fit in said recess of said radially oriented side of an adjacent one of said edge puzzle components.

3. The symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product of claim 1, wherein said central puzzle components comprise a first semicircular puzzle component and a second semicircular puzzle component.

4. The symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product of claim 3, wherein said first semicircular puzzle component and said second semicircular puzzle component comprise one or more cutouts in a base of said first semicircular puzzle component and in a base of said second semicircular puzzle component for receiving one or more inner-most puzzle components.

5. The symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product of claim 3, wherein said first semicircular puzzle component and said second semicircular puzzle component comprise one or more of a blank and a tab in a base of said first semicircular puzzle component and said second semicircular puzzle component.

6. The symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product of claim 5, wherein said tray comprises an annular separator within said circular cavity for separating said central puzzle components and said edge puzzle components.

7. The symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product of claim 1, wherein said radially oriented sides of each of said edge puzzle components comprise one of a blank and a tab.

8. The symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product of claim 1, wherein said central components comprise an outer arc, a blank, and a tab.

9. The symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product of claim 1, wherein said central puzzle components together form one or more heart shapes, and wherein said inner arc of one or more of said edge puzzle components comprise one or more of an extended portion and a recessed portion to one of engageably connect and contiguously connect with and provide unified structural support to said central puzzle components that together form one or more heart shapes.

10. The symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product of claim 9, wherein said central puzzle components together forming said one or more heart shapes comprise one or more cutouts for receiving one or more puzzle components.

11. The symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product of claim 1, wherein one or more of said central puzzle components comprise one or more cutouts for receiving one or more puzzle components.

12. The symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product of claim 1, wherein said inner arc of said edge puzzle components comprise a blank.

13. The symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product of claim 1, wherein said central puzzle components comprise one or more frames located adjacent to each other.

14. The symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product of claim 13, wherein said central puzzle components further comprise one or more intermediate puzzle components placed within and adjacent to said one or more frames, wherein one or more of said intermediate puzzle components comprise cutouts for receiving and accommodating one or more inner-most puzzle components.

15. The symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product of claim 1, wherein said inner arc of said edge puzzle components comprise cutouts for receiving one or more puzzle components.

16. The symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product of claim 1, wherein inner arc comprises a blank and a tab for interlocking with one or more puzzle components.

17. The symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product of claim 1, wherein said central puzzle components comprise a first puzzle component and a second puzzle component, wherein said first puzzle component and said second puzzle component together form a heart shape.

18. A symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product, comprising:

a tray comprising a circular cavity, wherein said circular cavity is configured to accommodate an annulus edge puzzle component and a plurality of central puzzle components in a single plane;

said annulus edge puzzle component comprising an inner periphery, said inner periphery defining an outline of a tree comprising a crown and a trunk of said tree; and

said central puzzle components comprising a plurality of crown components that together define said crown, one or more branch components of said tree, and one or more trunk components that define said trunk.

19. The symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product of claim 18, wherein each of said crown puzzle components comprise one or more of a tab and a blank.

20. The symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product of claim 18, wherein said one or more branch components are configured to one of engageably connect and contiguously connect with and provide unified structural support to said crown components.

21. The symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product of claim 18, wherein said central puzzle components further comprise a heart shaped puzzle component.

22. A symbolic unity ceremony puzzle product, comprising:

a tray of a predetermined shape, the tray comprising a cavity for accommodating and securing the puzzle components therewithin in a single plane; and

a plurality of puzzle components of configurable shapes, sizes, designs, and colors, each of the puzzle components configured to represent details of a union and assigned to a member associated with the union, the puzzle components comprising edge puzzle components and one or more central puzzle components, wherein the edge puzzle components are positioned and connected at peripheral edges of the cavity of the tray, and wherein the one or more central puzzle components are centrally positioned in the cavity of the tray to one of engageably and contiguously connect with and provide unified structural support to the edge puzzle components at the peripheral edges of the cavity of the tray, thereby completing the symbolic unity puzzle in the tray for symbolizing the union in the unity ceremony.

23. The symbolic unity puzzle of claim 22, wherein said predetermined shape of said tray is one of a circular shape, a polygonal shape, a heart shape, and an oval shape.