GB2265836A - A jigsaw puzzle - Google Patents

Abstract

A tray jigsaw puzzle comprises a basal template 15 which has a plurality of sockets 22 and a plurality of puzzle pieces 8, 10 adapted to be received by the sockets 22. The depth of the sockets is greater than the thickness of the respective pieces so that more than one piece can be received in the socket with the pieces being stacked one on another in the sockets. Access holes 16 are provided in the basal template to allow the pieces to be pressed up out of the sockets. <IMAGE>

Description

A JIGSAW PUZZLE This invention relates to a jigsaw puzzle.

A jigsaw puzzle has a large number of pieces which have to be arranged together in a pre-defined arrangement such that when this arrangement is achieved, the faces of all the pieces display a particular image. Jigsaw puzzles are often intended for entertainment and amusement, but they may also be used for educational or instructional or indeed other purposes, and the term "jigsaw puzzle" as used in this specification is not limited by the intended end use of the product.

The invention is particularly concerned with tray jigsaw puzzles which consist of a fixed basal template with sockets, into each of which a specific piece can be fitted.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a tray jigsaw puzzle comprising a basal template which has a plurality of sockets, and a plurality of puzzle pieces adapted to be received in the sockets, the depth of the sockets being greater than the thickness of the respective pieces so that more than one piece can be received in each socket with the pieces being stacked one on another in the sockets.

Each socket of the plurality of sockets may be defined either by edges of the basal template or by edges of adjacent pieces or by a combination of the edges of the template and the edges of the pieces.

The thickness of the pieces is preferably related to the depth of the sockets such that the total thickness of the pieces to be placed in a socket is equal to the depth of the socket. It is preferred if all the pieces have the same thickness so that there may be, for example, two pieces for each socket each having a thickness equal to half the depth of the socket. The pieces can preferably be inserted in the socket in any order.

A hole may be present through the basal template, at the bottom of a socket, to permit insertion of a finger to facilitate the upward displacement of pieces from the socket for easy removal and re-arrangement. Where the sockets are small and adjacent to one another, a finger hole may overlap several sockets.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a tray jigsaw puzzle comprising a basal template which has a plurality of sockets and a plurality of puzzle pieces adapted to be received in the sockets, wherein an access hole is provided through the basal template at the bottom of a socket.

The puzzle may depict a geographical map with for example one set of pieces (forming a first layer) depicting countries or states and a further set of pieces (forming a second layer) depicting the names of the countries or states. If there are three layers, then a third layer can depict, for example, the industries of that country.

The puzzle may be provided with one or more printed overlays which can be placed over the image presented by the completed puzzle to impart further information. These overlays are preferably printed on transparent film and means may be provided to ensure that the image on the overlay registers correctly with the image on the puzzle.

This registration may be provided by printed marks on the puzzle image and on the overlay image, or by mechanical means such as a peg on the puzzle and a corresponding hole on the overlay.

The invention also extends to additional pieces for use with a puzzle as set forth above, the pieces having a thickness less than the depth of the socket on the puzzle.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a completed jigsaw puzzle in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a section through the puzzle of Figure 1 on the line II - II; Figure 3 is a plan view of part of the puzzle; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the puzzle, on a larger scale than Figure 1, and with some pieces removed.

The puzzle shown in the drawings produces, when assembled, an image of the continent of Africa. The puzzle has a basal template 2 which is a continuous piece of material fixed in position and which carries reference marks 3. Within the outline 17 of the continent are several pieces 10 each of which (size permitting) represents one country. The pieces can be separately removed from and replaced in the template 2. When all the pieces are removed from the template 2, a recess is left in the template. This recess is subdivided into individual sockets as pieces are replaced, to define the socket walls for other pieces.

The section represented in Figure 2 shows that the template 2 is built up from a base 14 and a template layer 15. The template layer 15 is in fact produced by overlaying two separate pieces of material 4, 20 for reasons which will be described later. The template layer is cut away to leave a socket 22, the perimeter of which follows the outline 17 of the image as seen in Figure 1. Figure 2 shows a section through part of the puzzle where only one country is present, and the pieces 8, 10 which represent this country can be seen in cross-section in Figure 2. The piece 8 is placed at the bottom of the socket 22, and the piece 10 covers it. The outlines of both pieces 8 and 10 are identical and they can be placed in the socket 22 in either order. They will each have different images on their upper faces.

In the base 14 of the template there is an access hole 16 through which a finger can be placed to lift the pieces 8, 10 so that they can be removed.

Figure 2 also shows an overlay 10 in the form of a continuous foil which can be laid over the whole surface of the puzzle. The overlay has marks on it which are to be lined up with the reference marks 3 to ensure correct positioning of the overlay.

Figure 4 shows the bottom part of the puzzle with the pieces 8, 10 removed from the same part of the socket 22 which is shown in Figure 2. Part of this socket is bounded by the wall 17 of the template which corresponds to the outline of the African continent. Another part 19 of the socket from which the parts have been removed is bounded by other pieces 8a, 10a, 8b, lOb, 8c and loc. The peripheral shapes of these pieces will correspond to the adjacent edge of the pieces 8, 10.

Figure 4 also shows a differently positioned pair of pieces 8d, lOd. In this case the upper piece lod is shown removed to expose the image on the lower piece 8d.

Where there are a number of small adjacent pieces such as those indicated by 24, 26 and 28 in Figure 3, then there may be insufficient space for an access hole 16 for each piece.

In this case a single access hole may be provided under the boundary between adjacent pieces so that they can be lifted from beneath.

Although the drawings show the pieces 8 and lo to be of identical sizes, it is also possible for, for example, the lower piece 8 to correspond in size to a group of pieces 10, each of which represents a single country, or vice versa.

The overlay 12 can be used to provide another layer of information over the puzzle and datum marks may be printed on the overlay and on the face of the puzzle so that the two can be lined up.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the thicknesses of the pieces 8 and 10 are each one half of the depth of the socket 22. However it would equally be possible for one piece to have a thickness one quarter the depth and another piece to have a thickness of three quarters the depth (or any other fractions) so that when both pieces are in place a flush surface is produced.

It may also be possible to have additional pieces made from thin film or card, of negligible thickness, which can be included in the socket.

In order to make maximum use of the possibilities of this invention, it may be useful to provide more pieces shaped to fit in each socket than can be fitted in the socket at one time. For example one piece may show the physical geographical characteristics of a country, another piece may show the climatic conditions and another may show political features. Any combination of these possibilities can be placed in the socket at any one time.

To manufacture the puzzle, it may be convenient to make the template layer 15 from two layers 4, 20 the thickness of each of which corresponds to one of the pieces 8, 10. If the layers 4, 20 are glued together outside of the outline S7 of the image, and the pieces are subsequently cut to shape then two pieces will automatically be produced for each socket space.

The invention is not restricted to the use of a map as the image on the puzzle. An unlimited variety of other images can be used. For example the user may be presented with information about a subject by the top piece 10, and predict what the picture associated with that piece will be in the layer or layers below. Alternatively the top piece may bear a picture or photograph and lower layers may carry quiz answers relating to it.

Claims (15)

1 A jigsaw puzzle, the puzzle comprising a basal template which has a plurality of sockets and a plurality of puzzle pieces adapted to be received in the sockets, wherein an access hole is provided through the basal template at the bottom of a socket.

2 A jigsaw puzzle, the puzzle comprising a basal template which has a plurality of sockets, and a plurality of puzzle pieces adapted to be received in the sockets, the depth of the sockets being greater than the thickness of the respective pieces so that more than one piece can be received in each socket with the pieces being stacked one on another in the sockets.

3 A jigsaw puzzle according to claim 2, wherein the total thickness of the pieces to be placed in a socket is equal to the depth of the socket.

4 A jigsaw puzzle according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein all the pieces have the same thickness.

5 A jigsaw puzzle according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the basal template has holes at the bottom of one or more sockets so as to permit insertion of a finger to facilitate the upward displacement of pieces from the socket.

6 A jigsaw puzzle according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the puzzle depicts a geographical map, the puzzle having a first set of pieces forming a first layer which depicts countries or states, and a second set of pieces forming a second layer which depicts the names of the countries or states.

7 A jigsaw puzzle according to claim 6, wherein the puzzle has a third set of pieces forming a third layer which depicts the industries of the country or state.

8 A jigsaw puzzle according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the puzzle is provided with one or more printed overlays which can be placed over the image presented by a completed puzzle to impart further information.

9 A jigsaw puzzle according to claim 8, wherein the overlay is printed on transparent film.

10 A jigsaw puzzle according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the overlay is provided with means to ensure that the image on the overlay registers correctly with the image on the puzzle.

11 A jigsaw puzzle according to claim 10, wherein the registration means comprise printed marks on the puzzle image and on the overlay image.

12 A jigsaw puzzle according to claim 10, wherein the registration means are mechanical

13 A jigsaw puzzle according to claim 12, wherein the mechanical registration means comprise a peg on the puzzle and a corresponding hole on the overlay.

14 A piece for use with a jigsaw puzzle according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the piece has a thickness less than the depth of the socket on the puzzle.

15 A jigsaw puzzle substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings 16 A piece for a jigsaw puzzle substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.