WO2000045913A1 - Animated puzzle having interlocking elements - Google Patents
Animated puzzle having interlocking elements Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2000045913A1 WO2000045913A1 PCT/US1999/026810 US9926810W WO0045913A1 WO 2000045913 A1 WO2000045913 A1 WO 2000045913A1 US 9926810 W US9926810 W US 9926810W WO 0045913 A1 WO0045913 A1 WO 0045913A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- puzzle
- animated
- gear
- wall
- supported
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F9/00—Games not otherwise provided for
- A63F9/06—Patience; Other games for self-amusement
- A63F9/08—Puzzles provided with elements movable in relation, i.e. movably connected, to each other
- A63F9/0803—Two-dimensional puzzles with slideable or rotatable elements or groups of elements, the main configuration remaining unchanged
- A63F9/0819—Two-dimensional puzzles with slideable or rotatable elements or groups of elements, the main configuration remaining unchanged with rotatable non-concentric discs, e.g. gear games
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to puzzles and particularly to those having an animated or movement feature in combination therewith.
- jigsaw puzzles have enjoyed a consistent and ever increasing popularity among a wide range of players.
- Jigsaw puzzles are often utilized by extremely young children as well as mature adults.
- practitioners in the art have responded to this long term and extensive popularity by providing a virtually endless variety of jigsaw puzzles.
- One of the attractive aspects of jigsaw puzzles as seen by the manufactures thereof is its ready adaptability to suit the age, development, and skills of a particular user. While all jigsaw puzzles include the same basic elements primary among which is a plurality of irregularly shaped generally flat elements which interlock when assembled in the proper fashion.
- Each jigsaw puzzle element supports a small portion of an overall image such that when the jigsaw pieces are properly combined a particular picture or image is depicted. Also certain jigsaw puzzles have been provided with a backing having a confining frame for the jigsaw puzzle elements. Thus practitioners are able to vary elements such as the size and complexity of the puzzle elements to target a particular age group.
- the basic play pattern of jigsaw puzzles has proven to be an excellent skill development tool requiring the exercise of skills such as spaceial relationships, shape distinction, color matching, and problem solving.
- US Patent 2,585,419 issued to Zarlengo sets forth ANIMATED JIGSAW PUZZLES having a supporting board defining a plurality of socket portions therein.
- a plurality of figures each formed of a further plurality of interlocking puzzle components is supportable upon the board in pivotal support using the sockets.
- connecting links between the puzzle pieces are provided to cause movement of all pieces when one puzzle piece is pivoted.
- US Patent 4,508,348 issued to Lapointe sets forth ANIMATED PUZZLE BLOCK GAME having an open top box including side walls and at least one floor.
- a plurality of similar regular blocks designed to be removably contained in the box are provided.
- At least one of the blocks includes a moveable part embedded therein.
- the moveable part includes a top face occupying a restricted portion of one of the faces of at least one of the blocks to constitute an animated portion.
- British Patent 2,091,566 sets forth a GAME APPARATUS having a base supporting an angularly disposed upwardly extending member which generally provides a silhouette of a head.
- a plurality of moveable elements are attachable to the upwardly extending member and are provided with interlock to a moving mechanism supported within the base. As a result the user is able to manipulate the facial elements to change expressions ect.
- US Patent 3,748,748 issued to Bevan et al sets forth VOICE PUZZLE GAME for receiving selected ones of a plurality of uniquely shaped elements to form a sentence or phrase which is autoblized by a sound system within the puzzle.
- an animated puzzle comprising: a base defining an outer wall, an inner wall, a generally planar surface therebetween and a recess and an aperture formed within the inner wall, said inner wall being formed of first and second arcuate portions resembling a pair of partially intersecting circles; a first post supported within the first arcuate portion and a second post supported within the second arcuate portion; a lever, pivotally supported on the base, having one end supporting a knob and another end supporting a gear segment, the gear segment extending partially through the aperture formed in the inner wall; a first animated element having a first gear supported thereon, the first gear defining a first gear aperture; a second animated element having a second gear supported thereon, the second gear defining a second gear aperture; and a plurality of interlocking puzzle pieces which mutually interlock with other ones of the puzzle, certain ones of the puzzle pieces having arcuate edges for interlocking with portions of the inner wall, the first and second animated elements being constructed to be rotat
- Figure 2 sets forth a rear view of the interlocking animated puzzle elements of the present invention puzzle removed from the remainder of the puzzle;
- Figure 3 sets forth the animated elements of figure 2 having been move to an alternate configuration in accordance with the present invention
- Figure 4 sets forth a section view of the present invention animated puzzle taken along section lines 4- 4 in figure 1;
- Figure 5 sets forth a partial perspective assemble view of the present invention animated puzzle having the animated elements removed.
- FIG. 1 sets forth a front view of the present invention animated puzzle in its fully assembled configuration and generally referenced by numeral 10.
- Puzzle 10 includes a base 11 preferably formed of a molded plastic material or the like and defining a generally rectangular outer wall 12.
- Base 11 further includes a generally plainer puzzle piece surface 13 which extends within outer wall 12 to an inter wall 83 (better seen in figure 5) to form a plainer surface upon which puzzle pieces may be fitted.
- Base 11 further defines a raised portion 20 generally contiguous with outer wall 12 having a curved edge 21 and a recess 22 formed therein.
- a lever 50 having a knob 51 extends downwardly into recess 22.
- Puzzle 10 further includes a plurality of interlocking puzzle pieces 30-41 each having an image on one surface thereof.
- the individual images on puzzle pieces 30 through 41 are portions of a combined total image in accordance with conventional jigsaw puzzle fabrication.
- each of puzzle pieces 30-41 defines multiply curved edges which interlock with adjacent puzzle pieces to form combined image shown.
- puzzle 10 further includes an animated element 60 supported above puzzle pieces 30-41 as shown below.
- Puzzle 10 further includes an animated element 61 supported between element 60 and puzzle pieces 30-41.
- the apparatus by which animated element 60 and animated element 61 are supported is shown in greater detail in figure 4. However suffice it to note here that animated element 60 being raised above animated element 61 allows elements 60 and 61 to move with respect with each other without contacting or abutting to interfere with the element motion.
- animated elements 60 and 61 include respective gears 65 and 62 which engage and couple elements 60 and 61 together.
- lever 50 includes a gear segment 52 which engages gear 65 of animated element 60.
- the user moves knob 51 within recess 22 in either direction to produce pivotal motion of lever 50.
- the pivotal movement of lever 50 produces corresponding pivotal movements of animated element 60 and animated element 61 with respect to the image surface upon puzzle pieces 30-41.
- knob 51 is moved in the direction indicated by arrow 70
- lever 50 is correspondingly pivoted causing animated element 60 to pivot in the direction indicated by arrow 71.
- the pivotal movement of animated element 60 causes animated element 61 to pivot in the direction indicated by 72.
- the movement of knob 51 in the direction indicated by arrow 73 pivots element 60 in the direction of arrow 74 and element 61 in the direction indicated by arrow 75.
- the manipulation by the child user of puzzle 10 in the assembled configuration is more entertaining and of using than the play pattern provided by prior art animated puzzle.
- the animated elements of the present invention puzzle move at different heights from the underlining puzzle pieces to facilitate more intricate and interesting movement while nontheless being fabricated of relatively simple easily assembled components.
- the gear and gear segment coupling by which pivotal movement by knob 51 results in pivotal movement of elements 60 and 61 and the assembly thereof into puzzle 10 provides the child user with additional development of mechanical skills.
- the interlocking gears and gear segments utilized in the present invention must be understood by the child user to fully assemble puzzle 10 in the manner seen in figure 1.
- the child user is presented with a more complex set of skill developments which is beneficial for very young children.
- Figure 2 sets forth a rear view of animated elements of 60 and 61 together with lever 50 apart from the remainder of puzzle 10 in order to illustrate the gear drive mechanism thereof.
- lever 50 defines a knob 51 and an aperture 54 together with a gear segment 52.
- Aperture 54 receives a post 55 (seen in figure 4) formed within base 11 to provide a pivoting support for lever 50.
- Animated element 60 supports a gear 65 on its rear surface having an aperture 66 formed therein.
- animated element 61 supports a gear 62 on its rear surface which in turn defines an aperture 63 therein.
- FIG. 2 the rear view of the animated portions of the present invention puzzle as shown in figure 2 having been moved in response to pivoting lever 50. More specifically as animated element 60 supports a gear 65 having an aperture 66 formed therein. An animated element 61 supports a gear 62 having an aperture 63 formed therein. A lever 50 having a knob 51 is pivotally supported at an aperture 54 and includes a gear segment 52. Gear segment 52 and gear 62 each engage gear 65 of element 60.
- knob 51 of lever 50 has been moved in the direction indicated by arrow 45.
- This motion of lever 50 produces a corresponding clockwise motion of gear segment 52 which due to the engagement thereof with gear 65 causes a counter clockwise rotation of gear 65.
- This counter clockwise rotation intern is imparted to element 60 causing it to rotate in the direction indicated by arrow 46.
- Concurrently the counter clockwise rotation of gear 65 causes gear 62 to rotate in the clockwise direction which in tern rotates element 61 in the clockwise direction indicated by arrow 47.
- FIG. 4 sets forth a partial section view of the present invention puzzle taken along section lines 4-4 in figure 1.
- a base 11 defines a outer wall 12 and puzzle piece surface 13 extending inwardly from wall 12.
- puzzle piece surface 13 defines a generally plainer surface upon which the plurality of puzzle pieces (puzzle pieces 30-41 seen in figure 1) are supported.
- base 11 further defines an inner wall 83 and a cylindrical post 81.
- base 11 further defines a recess 82 having a generally cylindrical post 80 supported therein.
- a lever 50 defines an aperture 54 which receives a post 55 formed in base 11 to pivotally secure lever 50 upon base 11.
- Lever 50 further includes a gear segment 52 which extends through an aperture 83 formed in base 11 into recess 82.
- An animated element 60 includes a generally cylindrical gear support 67 and a gear 65 secured thereto.
- Gear 65 defines an aperture 66 which rotatable supports gear 65 upon post 80 formed in base 11. As a result gear 65 is rotatable within recess 82.
- Gear 65 is engaged by gear segment 52.
- An animated element 61 includes a gear 62 having an aperture 63 formed therein. Aperture 63 allows gear 62 to rotatably supported upon post 81 formed in base 11. In addition, gear 62 engages gear 65.
- An inner wall 83 (better seen in figure 5) forms a figure-eight shape and defines an interior wall against which puzzle pieces 31, 33, 34, 35, 37, 40 and 41 interlock in an abutting relationship (seen in figure 5) . It should be noted that in accordance with an important aspect of the present invention puzzle pieces such as pieces 31 and 37 formed the lowest level of the assembled puzzle while animated element 60 forms the highest element of the animated puzzle.
- Animated element 61 is interposed between puzzle piece 31 and animated element 60. The result is a very pleasing and interesting multi-level animated puzzle structure which has been found to be extremely entertaining to very young children.
- Figure 5 sets forth a perspective assembly view of the present invention puzzle having animated elements 60 and 61 removed therefrom.
- puzzle 10 includes a base 11 having an outer wall 12 which generally encloses a plainer puzzle piece surface 13.
- Base 11 further defines a raised portion 20 having a curved edge 21 and a recess 22 formed therein.
- Base 11 further defines an inner wall 83 which defines a figure-eight like wall formed by intersecting circles and a cylindrical recess 82.
- Recess 82 in turn defines an aperture 83 in the wall thereof.
- a cylindrical post 81 extends upwardly from the approximate center of radius of inner wall 83.
- a similar but larger post 80 also of generally cylindrical shape extends upwardly form the bottom surface of recess 82.
- a lever 50 supports a knob 51 within recess 22 and a gear segment 52. As is set forth above lever is pivotally secured upon base 11 such that gear segment 52 extends partially into recess 82 through aperture 83. With temporary return to figure 4 it will be noted that the extension of gear segment 52 into recess 82 provides the gear coupling there between. Also with temporary reference to figure 4 it will be seen that gear 66 is of sufficient height to facilitate the engagement of gear 62 rotatable upon post 81.
- puzzle 10 includes a plurality of interlocking variously curved puzzle pieces 30-41.
- various image elements such as element 25 are shown on the upper surfaces of the puzzle pieces.
- certain ones of puzzle pieces 30-41 define arcuate edges which fit against inner wall 83 to permit insertion of the puzzle piece.
- puzzle piece 41 defines arcuate edges 48 and 49 which conform to the adjacent portion of inner wall 83 when puzzle piece 41 is assembled.
- the inventive puzzle is directed primarily at young children and is fabricated of relatively simple but interesting elements to provide a completed structure which children may utilize to improve their skills in assembling puzzle pieces together with their mechanical skills in obtaining some level of understanding of gears and gear couplings.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Toys (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA002345060A CA2345060A1 (en) | 1999-02-05 | 1999-11-10 | Animated puzzle having interlocking elements |
EP99958929A EP1156860B1 (en) | 1999-02-05 | 1999-11-10 | Animated puzzle having interlocking elements |
DE69926546T DE69926546T2 (en) | 1999-02-05 | 1999-11-10 | Animated puzzle with interlocking elements |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US24598599A | 1999-02-05 | 1999-02-05 | |
US09/245,985 | 1999-02-05 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2000045913A1 true WO2000045913A1 (en) | 2000-08-10 |
Family
ID=22928889
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1999/026810 WO2000045913A1 (en) | 1999-02-05 | 1999-11-10 | Animated puzzle having interlocking elements |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1156860B1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2345060A1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69926546T2 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2247844T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2000045913A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20170348590A1 (en) * | 2016-06-03 | 2017-12-07 | Stuart Patrick Alexander Reece | Gear-based mechanical puzzle |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CA3212717A1 (en) * | 2022-09-18 | 2024-03-18 | Bradley N. Litwin | Animated puzzle |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2585419A (en) * | 1949-10-01 | 1952-02-12 | Dominic A Zarlengo | Animated jigsaw puzzle |
US3417996A (en) * | 1966-02-23 | 1968-12-24 | Marvin Glass & Associates | Jigsaw puzzle with rotatable pieces |
US4508348A (en) * | 1984-03-08 | 1985-04-02 | Wildy Lapointe | Animated puzzle block game |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5098102A (en) * | 1989-04-03 | 1992-03-24 | Cooper John S | Mechanically driven moveable jigsaw puzzle pieces having a magnetic coupling |
CA2020225A1 (en) * | 1990-06-29 | 1991-12-30 | Antonio Cannata | Puzzle |
-
1999
- 1999-11-10 EP EP99958929A patent/EP1156860B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-11-10 DE DE69926546T patent/DE69926546T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1999-11-10 WO PCT/US1999/026810 patent/WO2000045913A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1999-11-10 CA CA002345060A patent/CA2345060A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-11-10 ES ES99958929T patent/ES2247844T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2585419A (en) * | 1949-10-01 | 1952-02-12 | Dominic A Zarlengo | Animated jigsaw puzzle |
US3417996A (en) * | 1966-02-23 | 1968-12-24 | Marvin Glass & Associates | Jigsaw puzzle with rotatable pieces |
US4508348A (en) * | 1984-03-08 | 1985-04-02 | Wildy Lapointe | Animated puzzle block game |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See also references of EP1156860A4 * |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20170348590A1 (en) * | 2016-06-03 | 2017-12-07 | Stuart Patrick Alexander Reece | Gear-based mechanical puzzle |
US9987551B2 (en) | 2016-06-03 | 2018-06-05 | Stuart Patrick Alexander Reece | Gear-based mechanical puzzle |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1156860A1 (en) | 2001-11-28 |
EP1156860B1 (en) | 2005-08-03 |
DE69926546T2 (en) | 2006-03-30 |
ES2247844T3 (en) | 2006-03-01 |
EP1156860A4 (en) | 2003-07-02 |
DE69926546D1 (en) | 2005-09-08 |
CA2345060A1 (en) | 2000-08-10 |
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