US20230285845A1

US20230285845A1 - Three Dimensional Puzzle Assembly

Info

Publication number: US20230285845A1
Application number: US17/690,476
Authority: US
Inventors: Ilana Figlin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-03-09
Filing date: 2022-03-09
Publication date: 2023-09-14

Abstract

A three dimensional puzzle assembly includes a three dimensional puzzle comprising a plurality of puzzle pieces. Each of the puzzle pieces has a series of channels and fingers each being integrated into the puzzle pieces. The channels in each of the puzzle pieces insertably receive a finger on a respective one of the puzzle pieces such that the puzzle pieces fit together. Additionally, the three dimensional puzzle has the ornamental appearance of a three dimensional object when the three dimensional puzzle is assembled. Each of the plurality of puzzle pieces has dimensions sufficiently large for being incapable of being swallowed by a child. A toy is positionable within the three dimensional object defined by the three dimensional puzzle when the three dimensional puzzle is assembled. The toy is exposed when the user successfully disassembles the plurality of puzzle pieces.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM.

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to puzzle devices and more particularly pertains to a new puzzle device for entertaining and intellectually stimulating a user. The puzzle device includes a plurality of puzzle pieces that define a three dimensional object when the puzzle pieces are assembled. Additionally, each of the puzzle pieces has dimensions that are sufficiently large such that the puzzle pieces cannot be swallowed by a child. The device includes a toy that is contained within the three dimensional puzzle which can be accessed when the three dimensional puzzle is disassembled.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The prior art relates to puzzle devices including a three dimensional puzzle that includes boreholes and rods that are insertable into the boreholes. The prior art discloses a three dimensional puzzle that comprises a plurality of planar pieces that slide together to define the skeleton of an extinct animal. The prior art discloses a three dimensional puzzle that includes a plurality of polygonal pieces. The prior art discloses a confectionary product that includes a first shell and a second shell hingedly coupled together and a toy contained therewithin. The prior art discloses a plush toy that contains a toy hidden therewithin. The prior art discloses a three dimensional puzzle comprising puzzle pieces that each has undulating edges for assembling into a cube.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a three dimensional puzzle comprising a plurality of puzzle pieces. Each of the puzzle pieces has a series of channels and fingers each being integrated into the puzzle pieces. The channels in each of the puzzle pieces insertably receive a finger on a respective one of the puzzle pieces such that the puzzle pieces fit together. Additionally, the three dimensional puzzle has the ornamental appearance of a three dimensional object when the three dimensional puzzle is assembled. Each of the plurality of puzzle pieces has dimensions sufficiently large for being incapable of being swallowed by a child. A toy is positionable within the three dimensional object defined by the three dimensional puzzle when the three dimensional puzzle is assembled. The toy is exposed when the user successfully disassembles the plurality of puzzle pieces.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a three dimensional puzzle assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure showing a puzzle assembled to define an elephant.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a puzzle assembled to define an elephant.

FIG. 3 is a back view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a puzzle assembled to define an elephant.

FIG. 4 is a right side view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a puzzle assembled to define an elephant.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a puzzle assembled to define an elephant.

FIG. 6 is a left side phantom view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a puzzle assembled to define an elephant.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a puzzle assembled to define an elephant.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a puzzle assembled to define a heart shape.

FIG. 9 is a front phantom view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a puzzle assembled to define a heart shape.

FIG. 10 is a left side view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a puzzle assembled to define a heart shape.

FIG. 11 is a back view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a puzzle assembled to define a heart shape.

FIG. 12 is a right side view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a puzzle assembled to define a heart shape.

FIG. 13 is a front view of a toy of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 13 thereof, a new puzzle device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 13 , the three dimensional puzzle assembly 10 generally comprises a three dimensional puzzle 12 which comprises a plurality of puzzle pieces 14. Each of the puzzle pieces 14 has a series of channels 16 and fingers 18 each being integrated into the puzzle pieces 14. Furthermore, the channels 16 in each of the puzzle pieces 14 insertably receive a finger 18 on a respective one of the puzzle pieces 14 such that the puzzle pieces 14 fit together. Each of the puzzle pieces 14 has a respective one of a plurality of structural elements 20 integrated therein. In this way the three dimensional puzzle 12 has the ornamental appearance of a three dimensional object 22 when the three dimensional puzzle 12 is assembled.
Each of the plurality of puzzle pieces 14 has a concave profile such that the plurality of puzzle pieces 14 forms a hollow structure when the three dimensional puzzle 12 is assembled. Furthermore, each of the plurality of puzzle pieces 14 has dimensions that are sufficiently large such that each of the puzzle pieces 14 is incapable of being swallowed by a child. In this way the puzzle pieces 14 do not pose a choking hazard thereby facilitating the three dimensional puzzle 12 to conform to American child safety laws with respect to consumer products. Each of the puzzle pieces 14 has an outer wall 24 and a bounding edge 26, and the outer wall 24 of each of the puzzle pieces 14 has an outer surface 28 and an inner surface 30. The outer surface 28 of the outer wall 24 of each of the puzzle pieces 14 is convexly arcuate with respect to the bounding edge 26. Furthermore, the inner surface 30 of the outer wall 24 of each of the puzzle pieces 14 is concavely arcuate with respect to the bounding edge 26.
Each of the structural elements 20 associated with each of the puzzle pieces 14 extends away from the outer surface 28 of the outer wall 24 of a respective puzzle piece 14. Moreover, an outside surface 32 of each of the structural elements 20 conforms to the outer surface 28 of the outer wall 24 of the respective puzzle piece 14. Each channel 16 associated with each of the puzzle pieces 14 extends from the bounding edge 26 into the outer wall 24 of the associated puzzle piece 14. Each finger 18 associated with each of the puzzle pieces 14 extends away from the bounding edge 26. Moreover, an exterior surface 34 of the fingers 18 conforms to the outer surface 28 of the outer wall 24 of the respective puzzle piece 14.
As is most clearly shown in FIGS. 1 through 7 , the three dimensional object 22 may be an animal, such as an elephant for example. The plurality of puzzle pieces 14 may include a pair of rear leg pieces 36, a pair of front leg pieces 38 and a pair of head pieces 40. The structural elements 20 associated with each of the rear leg pieces 36 may include a rear leg of an elephant 42, for example, and a rump of the elephant 44 for example. Additionally, the structural elements 20 associated with each of the front leg pieces 38 may include a front leg of the elephant 46, for example.
The structural elements 20 associated with each of the head pieces 40 may include a pair of elephant ears 48, for example, and a trunk 50 and a pair of eyes of the elephant 52, respectively. In this way the three dimensional puzzle 12 may resemble an elephant, or other animal depending upon the nature of the structural elements 20, when the three dimensional puzzle 12 is assembled. As is most clearly shown in FIGS. 8 through 12 , the three dimensional object 22 may be a heart shape 54, for example, or other geometric shape which is a caricature of a naturally occurring object. Furthermore, each of the puzzle pieces 14 associated with the caricature of the naturally occurring object may have structural elements 20 of varying qualities to facilitate the caricature to be defined by the plurality of puzzle pieces 14. As is most clearly shown in FIGS. 9 and 11 , respective ones of the fingers 18 associated with respective puzzle pieces 14 may extend through a front side 56 and a rear side 58 of the three dimensional object 22 when the three dimensional puzzle 12 is assembled.
A toy 60 is provided which is positionable within the three dimensional object 22 defined by the three dimensional puzzle 12 when the three dimensional puzzle 12 is assembled. Furthermore, the toy 60 is exposed when the three dimensional puzzle 12 is disassembled. In this way the toy 60 will surprise a user when the user successfully disassembles the plurality of puzzle pieces 14. As is most clearly shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the toy 60 may be a figurine that has the structural shape of an animal, such as a pig for example. As is most clearly shown in FIGS. 9 and 13 , the toy 60 may be a figurine that has the structural shape of a doll or other caricature of a human being.
In use, the three dimensional puzzle 12 may be purchased in a fully assembled condition in a retail environment, for example. The three dimensional puzzle 12 is disassembled to facilitate the toy 60 to be accessed. In this way a child, or other user, is rewarded for their efforts to dissemble the three dimensional puzzle 12 with the toy 60. Furthermore, the three dimensional puzzle 12 can be subsequently assembled and disassembled as many times as the child, or other user, may wish to do so. In this way the three dimensional puzzle 12 can facilitate endless hours of challenge and fun for the child or other user.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

Claims

1. A three dimensional puzzle assembly having dimensions being sufficiently large as to not pose a choking hazard to children, said assembly comprising:

a three dimensional puzzle comprising a plurality of puzzle pieces, each of said puzzle pieces having a series of channels and fingers each being integrated into said puzzle pieces, said channels in each of said puzzle pieces insertably receiving a finger on a respective one of said puzzle pieces such that said puzzle pieces fit together, each of said puzzle pieces having a respective one of a plurality of structural elements being integrated therein wherein said three dimensional puzzle has an ornamental appearance of a first animal when said three dimensional puzzle is assembled, each of said plurality of puzzle pieces having a concave profile such that said plurality of puzzle pieces forms a hollow structure when said three dimensional puzzle is assembled, each of said plurality of puzzle pieces having dimensions being sufficiently large wherein each of said puzzle pieces is configured to be incapable of being swallowed by a child; and

a toy being positionable within said three dimensional object defined by said three dimensional puzzle when said three dimensional puzzle is assembled, said toy being exposed when said three dimensional puzzle is disassembled wherein said toy is configured to surprise a user when the user successfully disassembles said plurality of puzzle pieces, said toy being a figurine depicting a second animal.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of said puzzle pieces has an outer wall and a bounding edge, said outer wall of each of said puzzle pieces having an outer surface and an inner surface, said outer surface of said outer wall of each of said puzzle pieces being convexly arcuate with respect to said bounding edge, said inner surface of said outer wall of each of said puzzle pieces being concavely arcuate with respect to said bounding edge.

3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein each of said structural elements associated with each of said puzzle pieces extends away from said outer surface of said outer wall of a respective puzzle piece such that an outside surface of each of said structural elements conforms to said outer surface of said outer wall of said respective puzzle piece.

4. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein said channel associated with each of said puzzle pieces extends from said bounding edge into said outer wall of said associated puzzle piece.

5. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein said finger associated with each of said puzzle pieces extends away from said bounding edge such that an exterior surface of said finger conforms to said outer surface of said outer wall of said respective puzzle piece.

6. A three dimensional puzzle assembly having dimensions being sufficiently large as to not pose a choking hazard to children, said assembly comprising:

a three dimensional puzzle comprising a plurality of puzzle pieces, each of said puzzle pieces having a series of channels and fingers each being integrated into said puzzle pieces, said channels in each of said puzzle pieces insertably receiving a finger on a respective one of said puzzle pieces such that said puzzle pieces fit together, each of said puzzle pieces having a respective one of a plurality of structural elements being integrated therein wherein said three dimensional puzzle has an ornamental appearance of a first animal when said three dimensional puzzle is assembled, each of said plurality of puzzle pieces having a concave profile such that said plurality of puzzle pieces forms a hollow structure when said three dimensional puzzle is assembled, each of said plurality of puzzle pieces having dimensions being sufficiently large wherein each of said puzzle pieces is configured to be incapable of being swallowed by a child, each of said puzzle pieces having an outer wall and a bounding edge, said outer wall of each of said puzzle pieces having an outer surface and an inner surface, said outer surface of said outer wall of each of said puzzle pieces being convexly arcuate with respect to said bounding edge, said inner surface of said outer wall of each of said puzzle pieces being concavely arcuate with respect to said bounding edge, each of said structural elements associated with each of said puzzle pieces extending away from said outer surface of said outer wall of a respective puzzle piece such that an outside surface of each of said structural elements conforms to said outer surface of said outer wall of said respective puzzle piece, said channel associated with each of said puzzle pieces extending from said bounding edge into said outer wall of said associated puzzle piece, said finger associated with each of said puzzle pieces extending away from said bounding edge such that an exterior surface of said finger conforms to said outer surface of said outer wall of said respective puzzle piece; and