US20200061453A1

US20200061453A1 - Circular Mosaic Puzzle

Info

Publication number: US20200061453A1
Application number: US16/550,034
Authority: US
Inventors: Dejan Lalic; Robert Fuhrer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-08-23
Filing date: 2019-08-23
Publication date: 2020-02-27

Abstract

A circular mosaic puzzle for retaining a puzzle design that is adjustable between ordered and disordered configurations. Plural circular mosaic substructures, each with a display surface, a central section, and four peripheral sections, are rotatably retained relative to a frame. Adjacent circular mosaic substructures have overlapping circumferences. Each peripheral section has opposed convex arcuate surfaces, and each central section has four concave arcuate surfaces for receiving one or more peripheral sections. Concentric actuation knobs can be retained relative to reverse surfaces of the substructures. A receiving track in the frame rotatably receives the circular mosaic substructures. The receiving track corresponds in shape and size to the shape and size of the overlapping circular mosaic substructures. The track can be a depressed formation within the frame that is laterally bounded by the border structure. Correspondingly disposed apertures in the track permit passage of hubs to permit manipulation of the substructures.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/721,835, filed Aug. 23, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to puzzles. More particularly, disclosed herein is a circular mosaic puzzle with a plurality of rotatable intersecting circular mosaic substructures. Each circular mosaic substructure is rotatable about an axis, and each circular mosaic substructure is formed by a plurality of discrete sections with intersecting arcs. The intersecting arcs have a radial dimension equal to a radial dimension of the circular mosaic substructures. Peripheral sections have convex arcuate surfaces, and central sections have concave arcuate surfaces of radii matching radii of the peripheral discrete sections. Peripheral discrete sections are common to adjacent circular mosaic substructures. Peripheral discrete sections can be selectively exchanged between adjacent circular mosaic substructures. Under this construction of the circular mosaic puzzle, graphic puzzles, such as images, colors, and other puzzles, spanning the circular mosaic substructures can be completed and deconstructed by a selective relative rotation of the circular mosaic substructures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art has disclosed innumerable puzzles for challenging and entertaining users. Puzzles are known with plural pieces that, when properly arranged, display predetermined graphic designs, such as photographs, artwork, geometric designs, and other organized graphic designs.
Movable mosaics have been taught wherein plural intersecting circular structures are rotatable within a frame. The intersecting circular structures are adorned with graphic designs subsections. A composite graphic design can be completed by a selective rotation of the circular structures to cause the graphic design subsections to align in a predetermined manner.
Numerous skilled inventors have contributed to the current state of the art. However, many rotatable puzzles of the prior art have proven to be difficult and cumbersome to manipulate. Moreover, prior art rotatable puzzles have commonly relied on manual handles disposed on the puzzle face whereby the graphic design sought to be competed is at least partially obscured by the handles themselves.
It is apparent to the present inventors, therefore, that there remains a need in the art for a challenging and entertaining puzzle design that can be selectively manipulated by a user to provide intellectual challenge and entertainment in a readily accessible manner with a substantially continuous display surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With a knowledge of the state of the art as summarized above, the present invention is founded on the basic object of providing a circular mosaic puzzle capable of providing intellectual challenges and entertainment to users while exhibiting a substantially continuous display surface.
A further object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a circular mosaic puzzle that can be selectively actuated manually to manipulate displays between disordered and ordered configurations.
Another object of the invention in certain embodiments is to provide a circular mosaic puzzle that can be selectively actuated in a convenient and readily accessible manner.
These and further objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious not only to one who reviews the present specification and drawings but also to those who have an opportunity to play with an embodiment of the circular mosaic puzzle disclosed herein. However, it will be appreciated that, although the accomplishment of each of the foregoing objects in a single embodiment of the invention may be possible and indeed preferred, not all embodiments will seek or need to accomplish each and every potential advantage and function. Nonetheless, all such embodiments should be considered within the scope of the present invention.
In carrying forth one or more objects of the invention, an embodiment of the circular mosaic puzzle retains a puzzle design capable of being adjusted between an ordered configuration and a disordered configuration. The circular mosaic puzzle is founded on a frame. Plural circular mosaic substructures are rotatably retained relative to the frame. Each circular mosaic substructure has a display surface for retaining a portion of a puzzle design. Adjacent circular mosaic substructures of the plural circular mosaic substructures have overlapping circumferences. Each circular mosaic substructure has a central section and four peripheral sections with one or more of the peripheral sections being jointly a portion of an adjacent circular mosaic substructure. Each peripheral section has first and second opposed convex arcuate surfaces, and each central section has four concave arcuate surfaces. The concave arcuate surfaces of each central section receive at least a portion of at least one peripheral section, and the puzzle design spans at least some of the central section and the four peripheral sections. Under this construction, the puzzle design can be reconfigured between a disordered configuration and an ordered configuration by a selective rotation of the circular mosaic substructures to produce an exchange and relocation and reorientation of the peripheral sections and the central sections.
In certain practices of the invention, the circular mosaic substructures have display surfaces and reverse surfaces opposite to the display surfaces. Actuation knobs are retained relative to the reverse surfaces of the circular mosaic substructures. With that, the circular mosaic substructures can be selectively manipulated by rotation of the actuation knobs while the display surfaces of the circular mosaic substructures are provided in a substantially unobstructed configuration. Further, the frame can have a display surface for retaining a portion of the puzzle design, and the display surfaces of the circular mosaic substructures and the frame can be generally coplanar.
The circular mosaic substructures have matching radii. The concave arcuate surfaces of the central sections have radial dimensions, the peripheral sections have radial dimensions, and the radial dimensions of the central sections match the radial dimensions of the peripheral sections.
For each circular mosaic substructure, an actuation structure, such as a concentrically disposed knob, can permit a selective manual rotation of the circular mosaic substructure. Preferably, the actuation structure for each circular mosaic substructure is not disposed on the display surface of the circular mosaic substructure whereby the display surfaces of the circular mosaic substructures are not obstructed by the actuation structures. For instance, each circular mosaic substructure can have an underside surface facing oppositely away from the display surface, and the knob of each circular mosaic substructure can project from the underside surface.
In other embodiments, such as where the frame is considered to have a lateral edge, the actuation structure for each circular mosaic substructure can take the form of a control dial disposed along the lateral edge of the frame. Further embodiments are contemplated where a transparent cover panel is disposed to overlie the circular mosaic substructures.
The number, size, and relative configuration of the circular mosaic substructures can vary widely within the scope of the invention. In certain non-limiting practices, there may be two circular mosaic substructures, but other embodiments are contemplated with three, four, nine, and any other plurality of circular mosaic substructures.
As disclosed herein, a receiving track can be formed in the frame for rotatably receiving the circular mosaic substructures. For example, the receiving track can correspond in shape and size to a shape and size of the plural circular mosaic substructures when the circular mosaic substructures are disposed to have overlapping circumferences. In certain embodiments, the receiving track comprises a depressed formation within the frame that is laterally bounded by the border structure.
For each circular mosaic substructure, an aperture can be disposed within the receiving track in the frame disposed to be concentric with the circular mosaic substructure. Also for each circular mosaic substructure, a knob can be provided for engaging the circular mosaic substructure to enable a manipulation of the circular mosaic substructure through the aperture. Still further, for the central section of each circular mosaic substructure, a hub can project concentrically to be disposed through the aperture for that circular mosaic substructure. In such embodiments, the knob can then be engaged and retained relative to the hub to permit effective and convenient manipulation of the respective circular mosaic substructure.
One will appreciate that the foregoing discussion broadly outlines the more important goals and features of the invention to enable a better understanding of the detailed description that follows and to instill a better appreciation of the inventors' contribution to the art. Before any particular embodiment or aspect thereof is explained in detail, it must be made clear that the following details of construction and illustrations of inventive concepts are mere examples of the many possible manifestations of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a circular mosaic puzzle according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a rearward perspective view of the circular mosaic puzzle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the circular mosaic puzzle of FIG. 1 with the puzzle reconfigured to a partially ordered configuration;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the circular mosaic puzzle of FIG. 1 with the puzzle reconfigured to a fully ordered configuration;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative circular mosaic puzzle in a partially ordered configuration;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the circular mosaic puzzle of FIG. 5 with the puzzle reconfigured to a fully ordered configuration;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the circular mosaic puzzle according to the invention;

FIG. 8 is a rearward perspective view of the circular mosaic puzzle of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the circular mosaic puzzle of FIG. 7 with the puzzle reconfigured to a fully ordered configuration;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the circular mosaic puzzle in a partially ordered configuration;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the circular mosaic puzzle of FIG. 10 with the puzzle reconfigured to a fully ordered configuration;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a still further embodiment of the circular mosaic puzzle according to the invention;

FIG. 13 is a rearward perspective view of the circular mosaic puzzle of FIG. 13;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the circular mosaic puzzle of FIG. 13 with the puzzle reconfigured to a fully ordered configuration;

FIG. 15A is an exploded view in front elevation of the circular mosaic puzzle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 15B is an exploded view in side elevation of the circular mosaic puzzle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 15C is an exploded perspective view of the circular mosaic puzzle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 is an exploded upper perspective view of components of the circular mosaic puzzle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is an exploded lower perspective view of components of the circular mosaic puzzle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18A is an exploded view of components of the circular mosaic puzzle of FIG. 12;

FIG. 18B is an exploded view in side elevation of components of the circular mosaic puzzle of FIG. 12;

FIG. 19 is an exploded upper perspective view of components of the circular mosaic puzzle of FIG. 12;

FIG. 20 is an exploded lower perspective view of components of the circular mosaic puzzle of FIG. 12;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the circular mosaic puzzle;

FIG. 22 is an exploded view of the circular mosaic puzzle of FIG. 21; and

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the circular mosaic puzzle.

Any materials, dimensions, or other particular features referenced in the drawings should be considered merely to expound on and elucidate the present disclosure and should not be considered as limiting as to material, dimension, relative positioning, or in any other way.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Circular mosaic puzzles according to the invention disclosed herein can pursue a variety of embodiments. Certain preferred embodiments of the broader invention taught herein are described below and shown in the accompanying drawings to ensure that one skilled in the art will fully understand and, in appropriate cases, be able to practice the present invention.
Turning more particularly to the accompanying drawing figures, a circular mosaic puzzle according to the invention is indicated generally at 10 in FIGS. 1 through 4. The circular mosaic puzzle 10 has first and second rotatable, intersecting circular mosaic substructures 16A and 16B, each rotatable about a central axis. Each circular mosaic substructure 16A and 16B is formed by a plurality of discrete sections 20 and 22 with intersecting arcs.
More particularly, each circular mosaic substructure 16A and 16B is formed with a central section 20 and four peripheral sections 22. The circular mosaic substructures 16A and 16B are retained within a frame 12, and a border structure 14 surrounds the circular mosaic substructures 16A and 16B. In this example, the border structure 14 is generally rectangular in peripheral shape. However, it will be understood that other shapes are possible within the scope of the invention, including square shapes, oval and circular shapes, and still other shapes. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, for instance, the central sections 20 and the peripheral sections 22 are bordered by the border structure 14. The central sections 20, the peripheral sections 22, and the border structure 14 have substantially coplanar display surfaces. As in FIG. 1, for instance, a stand 100 can be provided for permitting an unobstructed, upright display of the puzzle 10.
A puzzle design spans some or all of the central and peripheral sections 20 and 22 and the border structure 14 of the circular mosaic puzzle 10. The puzzle design is separated into sections corresponding to the shape and size of the central and peripheral sections 20 and 22 and, as may be applicable, the border structure 14. Any puzzle design could be provided. Puzzle designs can include, by way of example and not limitation, graphic art images, geometric designs, photographs, color combinations, and any other puzzle design. Puzzle designs could be standardized. In other embodiments, as in FIGS. 5 and 6, for example, puzzle designs could be personalized, such as with a selected photograph or other design.
The central sections 20 of each circular mosaic substructure 16A and 16B are identical in shape and size, and the peripheral sections 22 within each circular mosaic substructure 16A and 16B and as between the circular mosaic substructures 16A and 16B are likewise identical in shape and size. Each peripheral section 22 has first and second opposed convex arcuate surfaces. Each central section 20 has four concave arcuate surfaces, each receiving a peripheral section 22. The convex arcuate surfaces of the peripheral sections 22 are received into the concave arcuate surfaces of the central sections 20 with one or more peripheral sections 22 being partially or entirely received into a given concave arcuate surface at any given time.
The circular mosaic substructures 16A and 16B have matching radii. The concave arcuate surfaces of the central sections 20 have radial dimensions that match radial dimensions of the peripheral sections 22. Accordingly, the intersecting arcs of the sections 20 and 22 have radial dimensions, which comprise radii of circular shapes along which the concave and convex arcuate surfaces are disposed, equal to the radii of the circular mosaic substructures 16A and 16B.
During use of the puzzle 10, the peripheral sections 22 are common to the circular mosaic substructures 16A and 16B such that the peripheral sections 22 can be selectively exchanged between the adjacent circular mosaic substructures 16A and 16B. Consequently, graphic puzzles spanning the circular mosaic substructures 16A and 16B can be completed and deconstructed by a selective relative rotation of the circular mosaic substructures 16A and 16B to induce a movement, reorientation, and, potentially, an exchange of particular peripheral sections 22 between the circular mosaic substructures 16A and 16B in a manner calculated by the user as necessary to bring the central sections 20 and the peripheral sections 22 to locations and orientations designed to achieve an ordered configuration of the puzzle 10.
Each circular mosaic substructure 16A and 16B can be manually and independently rotated about its axis. With reference to FIG. 2 and with further reference to FIGS. 15A through 15C, it can be perceived that the substructure 16A can be rotated by actuation of an actuation structure, which comprises an actuation knob 18A in this embodiment, and substructure 16B can be independently rotated by actuation of an actuation knob 18B. As FIGS. 15A through 15C show, the central section 20 of each substructure 16A and 16B has a concentric hub, and the respective knobs 18A and 18B are matingly engaged with the concentric hubs.
The circular mosaic substructures 16A and 16B have display surfaces and oppositely facing underside surfaces. The concentric hubs and the knobs 18A and 18B project from the underside surfaces of the substructures 16A and 16B. As a consequence, the display surfaces of the circular mosaic substructures 16A and 16B are wholly unobstructed while the substructures 16A and 16B can be readily rotated manually by operation of the knobs 18A and 18B. A rotation of a central section 20 will induce a dependent movement of the peripheral sections 22 that are engaged therewith.
When a peripheral section 22 is entirely common to the adjacent substructures 16A and 16B, that peripheral section 22 can be selectively carried away from its position as common to the substructures 16A and 16B by a rotation of one of the substructures 16A or 16B. Sufficient relative rotation and selective positioning of a substructure 16A or 16B can bring a desired peripheral section 22 into position as a common peripheral section 22. With that, the desired, now common peripheral section 22 can then be carried to a given orientation and location by rotation of one or the other of the substructures 16A or 16B.
However, when a peripheral section 22 is not aligned to be a common peripheral section 22, relative rotation of the substructures 16A and 16B is prevented. To permit rotation of the adjacent substructures 16A and 16B, a peripheral section 22 must be brought into mutual alignment with the substructures 16A and 16B to become a common peripheral section 22 shared by the adjacent, overlapping circular substructures 16A and 16B.
With a skilled rotation and manipulation of the substructures 16A, the several peripheral sections 22 can be exchanged and repositioned to reconfigure the puzzle 10 from a disordered configuration as, for example, in FIG. 1, to a further ordered configuration as, for instance, in FIG. 3, and finally to a fully solved, organized configuration as, for example, in FIG. 4 to display a coherent image. With the actuation knobs 18A and 18B disposed to the reverse surfaces of the substructures 16A and 16B, the image of the puzzle 10 can be fully perceived without interruption apart from the arcuate junctures between the sections 20 and 22 and the border structure 14.
As, for example, in FIGS. 16 and 17, embodiments of the circular mosaic puzzle 10 are contemplated wherein a transparent cover panel 24 overlies the display surface formed by the central and peripheral sections 20 and 22 and the border structure 14. Under such constructions, manipulation is achieved by a rotation of the actuation knobs 18A and 18B. In other embodiments, it is contemplated that the display surfaces of the central and peripheral sections 20 and 22 may be partially or entirely exposed, such as by having apertures in the transparent cover panel 24 or by foregoing the cover panel 24 entirely. Such an embodiment of the circular mosaic puzzle 10 is illustrated in FIG. 23. There, first, second, and third circular mosaic substructures 16A, 16B, and 16C are retained within a frame 12 bordered by a border structure 14 to provide a display surface. Adjacent substructures 16A, 16B, and 16C of the substructures 16A, 16B, and 16C again have overlapping circumferences with the substructures 16A, 16B, and 16C respectively divided into central sections 20 and potentially common peripheral sections 22, each with arcuate edges as described hereinabove. Here, however, the transparent cover panel 24 is foregone such that manipulation of three circular mosaic substructures 16A, 16B, and 16C and the selective exchange and reposition of the several peripheral sections 22 can be achieved by direct contact with and actuation of the substructures 16A, 16B, and 16C, such as by a user's fingers.
Still further, it would be possible for actuation structures 18, such as control dials 18, to be positioned laterally on the frame 12 while still leaving the display surfaces of the substructures 16A, 16B, 16 n unobstructed. For instance, reference may be had to FIGS. 21 and 22. There, first, second, and third circular mosaic substructures 16A, 16B, and 16C are retained within a frame 12. A border structure 14 provides a display surface surrounding the circular mosaic substructures 16A, 16B, and 16C. Here, however, the circular mosaic substructures 16A, 16B, and 16C are controlled by respective first, second, and third control dial actuation structures 18A, 18B, and 18C that are accessible laterally on the frame 12. The first, second, and third actuation structures 18A, 18B, and 18C could be drivingly engaged with the circular mosaic substructures 16A, 16B, and 16C either directly, through a gear system, or through some other method or mechanism.
Even further, it would be possible to provide a circular mosaic puzzle 10 that comprises an electronic display. For example, plural substructures 16A, 16B, 16 n could be displayed on a display surface of an electronic device, such as a laptop or tablet computer or a smart phone, operating a software application. In such practices of the puzzle 10, substructures 16A, 16B, 16 n can be selectively manipulated as by direct contact with a user's fingers or otherwise.
In certain practices of the circular mosaic puzzle 10, the circular mosaic substructures 16A and 16B can be freely rotatable. In other practices of the invention, a feedback feature can be provided. By way of a non-limiting example, a clicking feedback feature can be incorporated so that a user can tangibly perceive rotation of the substructures 16A and 16B.
The number of substructures 16A, 16B, 16 n can be varied within the scope of the invention. For example, as in FIGS. 7 through 9, circular mosaic puzzles 10 are contemplated wherein first, second, and third circular mosaic substructures 16A, 16B, and 16C are retained within a frame 12 bordered by a border structure 14 to provide a display surface. Adjacent substructures 16A, 16B, and 16C of the substructures 16A, 16B, and 16C have overlapping circumferences as described previously. The substructures 16A, 16B, and 16C are again divided into central sections 20 and potentially common peripheral sections 22, each with arcuate edges as described hereinabove. With this, a more complex puzzle 10 is created, requiring for its solution the skilled manipulation of three circular mosaic substructures 16A, 16B, and 16C and the selective exchange and reposition of the several peripheral sections 22 from, for example, the disordered configuration of FIG. 7 to the solved, ordered configuration of FIG. 9 by actuation of respective actuation knobs 18A, 18B, and 18C disposed to the reverse sides of the circular mosaic substructures 16A, 16B, and 16C.
Increased numbers of circular mosaic substructures 16A, 16B, 16 n can be provided to enable puzzle challenges of increased complexity. In FIGS. 10 and 11, for example, four overlapping substructures 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D are selective manipulated by respective actuation knobs. Even further, as in FIGS. 12 through 14 and 18 through 20, circular mosaic puzzles 10 are within the scope of the invention wherein nine circular mosaic substructures 16A through 16I are capable of being selectively controlled by corresponding actuation knobs 18A through 18I.
The structure and operation of potential embodiments of the circular mosaic puzzle 10 can be further understood with additional reference to FIGS. 15 through 20. An embodiment of the puzzle 10 is shown with two circular mosaic substructures 16A and 16B in FIGS. 15A through 17 and with nine circular mosaic substructures 16A through 16I in FIGS. 18A through 20.
In the example of the circular mosaic puzzle 10 of FIGS. 15A through 17, the puzzle 10 is founded on the frame 12, which in this example is rectangular with rounded corners. The frame has a border structure 14 that surrounds circular mosaic substructures 16A and 16B when the puzzle 10 is fully assembled. Each circular mosaic substructure 16A and 16B is formed with a central section 20 and four peripheral sections 22 that together form a circular substructure 16A or 16B. The circular mosaic substructures 16A and 16B overlap by a shape matching a shape of one of the peripheral sections 22 so that the shape of one peripheral section 22 is effectively shared between the substructures 16A and 16B and so that one fewer than four multiplied by the number of substructures 16A and 16B is required.
In this embodiment, what can be referred to as a receiving track 28 is formed in the frame 12 corresponding in shape and size to the shape and size of the overlapping circular mosaic substructures 16A and 16B. Here, the receiving track 28 comprises a depressed formation within the frame 12 that is laterally bounded by the border structure 14. Since the overlapping circular mosaic substructures 16A and 16B have a figure eight shape, the receiving track 28 thus has a figure eight shape with first and second overlapping circular portions. The circular mosaic substructures 16A and 16B are rotatably received within the circular portions of the receiving track 28. Concentric apertures 30 are disposed in the circular portions of the receiving track 28 for receiving the hubs 26 of the central sections 20 therethrough. With the hubs 26 projecting through the apertures 30, knobs 18 can be affixed to the hubs 26, such as by adhesive, snap-fitting, fasteners, or by some other method or combination thereof, to permit selective manipulation of the circular mosaic substructures 16A and 16B from the undersurface of the frame 12 while the display surface is unobstructed. The receiving track 28 has a depth approximately equal to a thickness of the central and peripheral sections 20 and 22 so that a generally coplanar display surface is formed.
As shown and described previously, the central sections 20 of each circular mosaic substructure 16A and 16B are identical in shape and size, and the peripheral sections 22 within each circular mosaic substructure 16A and 16B and as between the circular mosaic substructures 16A and 16B are likewise identical in shape and size. Each peripheral section 22 has first and second opposed convex arcuate surfaces. Each central section 20 has four concave arcuate surfaces, each receiving a peripheral section 22. The convex arcuate surfaces of the peripheral sections 22 are received into the concave arcuate surfaces of the central sections 20 with one or more peripheral sections 22 being partially or entirely received into a given concave arcuate surface at any given time.
Again, a puzzle design spans some or all of the central and peripheral sections 20 and 22 and the border structure 14 of the circular mosaic puzzle 10. The puzzle design is separated into sections corresponding to the shape and size of the central and peripheral sections 20 and 22 and, as may be applicable, the border structure 14.
In the circular mosaic puzzle 10 of FIGS. 18A through 20, the puzzle 10 is again founded on the frame 12, but the frame is generally square. A border structure 14 surrounds circular mosaic substructures 16A through 16I when the puzzle 10 is fully assembled. Each circular mosaic substructure 16A through 16I is formed with a central section 20 and four peripheral sections 22 that together form a circular substructure 16A through 16I. Adjacent circular mosaic substructures 16A through 16I overlap by a shape matching a shape of one of the peripheral sections 22 so that the shape of one peripheral section 22 is effectively shared between each adjacent substructures 16A through 16I.
A receiving track 28 is formed in the frame 12 corresponding in shape and size to the shape and size of the overlapping circular mosaic substructures 16A through 16I. The circular mosaic substructures 16A through 16I are rotatably received within the circular portions of the receiving track 28. Concentric apertures 30 are disposed in the circular portions of the receiving track 28 for receiving the hubs 26 of the central sections 20 therethrough. With the hubs 26 projecting through the apertures 30, knobs 18 are affixed to the hubs 26, such as by adhesive, snap-fitting, fasteners, or by some other method or combination thereof, to permit selective manipulation of the circular mosaic substructures 16A through 16I from the undersurface of the frame 12 while the display surface is unobstructed. The receiving track 28 has a depth approximately equal to a thickness of the central and peripheral sections 20 and 22 so that a generally coplanar display surface is formed.
The central sections 20 of each circular mosaic substructures 16A through 16I are identical in shape and size, and the peripheral sections 22 within each circular mosaic substructure 16A through 16I and as between the circular mosaic substructures 16A through 16I are likewise identical in shape and size. Each peripheral section 22 has first and second opposed convex arcuate surfaces. Each central section 20 has four concave arcuate surfaces, each receiving a peripheral section 22. The convex arcuate surfaces of the peripheral sections 22 are received into the concave arcuate surfaces of the central sections 20 with one or more peripheral sections 22 being partially or entirely received into a given concave arcuate surface at any given time. A puzzle design is again separated into sections corresponding to the shape and size of the central and peripheral sections 20 and 22 and, as may be applicable, the border structure 14.
The number and positioning of the circular mosaic substructures 16A through 16 n can be varied within the scope of the invention. With each such variation, the configuration of the receiving track 28 will vary in correspondence to the resulting shape and size of the overlapping circular mosaic substructures 16A through 16 n.
With certain exemplary embodiments and details of the present invention for a mosaic puzzle 10 disclosed, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that numerous changes and additions could be made thereto without deviating from the spirit or scope of the invention. This is particularly true when one bears in mind that the presently preferred embodiments merely exemplify the broader invention revealed herein. Accordingly, it will be clear that those with major features of the invention in mind could craft embodiments that incorporate those major features while not incorporating all of the features included in the preferred embodiments.
Therefore, the following claims are intended to define the scope of protection to be afforded to the inventors. The claims shall be deemed to include equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention. It must be further noted that a plurality of the following claims may express certain elements as means for performing a specific function, at times without the recital of structure or material. As the law demands, any such claims shall be construed to cover not only the corresponding structure and material expressly described in this specification but also all equivalents thereof.

Claims

We claim as deserving the protection of Letters Patent:

1. A circular mosaic puzzle for retaining a puzzle design that is adjustable between an ordered configuration and a disordered configuration, the circular mosaic puzzle comprising:

a frame;

plural circular mosaic substructures rotatably retained relative to the frame, each circular mosaic substructure with a display surface for retaining a portion of a puzzle design;

wherein adjacent circular mosaic substructures of the plural circular mosaic substructures have overlapping circumferences, wherein each circular mosaic substructure has a central section and four peripheral sections, wherein each peripheral section has first and second opposed convex arcuate surfaces, wherein each central section has four concave arcuate surfaces, wherein each concave arcuate surface of each central section receives at least a portion of at least one peripheral section, and wherein the puzzle design spans at least some of the central section and the four peripheral sections;

whereby the puzzle design can be reconfigured between a disordered configuration and an ordered configuration by a selective rotation of the circular mosaic substructures to produce an exchange and relocation and reorientation of the peripheral sections and the central sections.

2. The circular mosaic puzzle of claim 1 wherein the circular mosaic substructures have display surfaces and reverse surfaces opposite to the display surfaces and further comprising actuation knobs retained relative to the reverse surfaces of the circular mosaic substructures whereby the circular mosaic substructures can be selectively manipulated by rotation of the actuation knobs and whereby the display surfaces of the circular mosaic substructures can be provided in a substantially unobstructed configuration.

3. The circular mosaic puzzle of claim 2 wherein the frame has a display surface for retaining a portion of the puzzle design and wherein the display surfaces of the circular mosaic substructures and the frame are generally coplanar.

4. The circular mosaic puzzle of claim 1 wherein the circular mosaic substructures have matching radii.

5. The circular mosaic puzzle of claim 4 wherein the concave arcuate surfaces of the central sections have radial dimensions, wherein the peripheral sections have radial dimensions, and wherein the radial dimensions of the central sections match the radial dimensions of the peripheral sections.

6. The circular mosaic puzzle of claim 1 further comprising an actuation structure for each circular mosaic substructure for permitting a selective manual rotation of the circular mosaic substructure.

7. The circular mosaic puzzle of claim 6 wherein the actuation structure for each circular mosaic substructure is not disposed on the display surface of the circular mosaic substructure whereby the display surfaces of the circular mosaic substructures are not obstructed by the actuation structures.

8. The circular mosaic puzzle of claim 7 wherein the actuation structure for each circular mosaic substructure comprises an actuation knob.

9. The circular mosaic puzzle of claim 8 wherein each circular mosaic substructure has an underside surface facing oppositely away from the display surface and wherein the knob of each circular mosaic substructure projects from the underside surface.

10. The circular mosaic puzzle of claim 9 wherein the knobs are disposed concentrically on the circular mosaic substructures.

11. The circular mosaic puzzle of claim 7 wherein the frame has a lateral edge and wherein the actuation structure for each circular mosaic substructure comprises a control dial disposed along the lateral edge of the frame.

12. The circular mosaic puzzle of claim 1 further comprising a transparent cover panel disposed to overlie the circular mosaic substructures.

13. The circular mosaic puzzle of claim 1 wherein there are two circular mosaic substructures.

14. The circular mosaic puzzle of claim 1 wherein there are at least four circular mosaic substructures.

15. The circular mosaic puzzle of claim 1 wherein a receiving track is formed in the frame for rotatably receiving the circular mosaic substructures.

16. The circular mosaic puzzle of claim 15 wherein the receiving track corresponds in shape and size to a shape and size of the plural circular mosaic substructures when the circular mosaic substructures are disposed to have overlapping circumferences.

17. The circular mosaic puzzle of claim 16 wherein the receiving track comprises a depressed formation within the frame.

18. The circular mosaic puzzle of claim 17 wherein the receiving track is laterally bounded by the border structure.

19. The circular mosaic puzzle of claim 16 further comprising for each circular mosaic substructure an aperture within the receiving track in the frame disposed to be concentric with the circular mosaic substructure.

20. The circular mosaic puzzle of claim 19 further comprising for each circular mosaic substructure a knob for engaging the circular mosaic substructure to enable a manipulation of the circular mosaic substructure through the aperture.

21. The circular mosaic puzzle of claim 20 further comprising for the central section of each circular mosaic substructure a hub that projects concentrically from the central section to be disposed through the aperture for that circular mosaic substructure.