U.S. patent application number 11/186902 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-17 for puzzle with lenticular images.
Invention is credited to Schwartz, Robert.
Application Number | 20050253336 11/186902 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35308678 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050253336 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schwartz, Robert |
November 17, 2005 |
Puzzle with lenticular images
Abstract
A puzzle comprises a plurality of puzzle pieces adapted to be
assembled in a predetermined pattern on a puzzle tray to form a
complete image. Each puzzle piece has a lenticular display
providing first and second separately viewable lenticular images
dependent upon a viewer's line of sight. The first lenticular image
of each of the puzzle pieces forms a portion of the complete image.
The second image of each of the puzzle pieces matches corresponding
indicia provided on the puzzle tray. The puzzle tray and the puzzle
pieces can be magnetic and the tray provided with a hanger or an
easel to support the assembled puzzle in a display position.
Inventors: |
Schwartz, Robert; (St.
Laurent, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OGILVY RENAULT LLP
1981 MCGILL COLLEGE AVENUE
SUITE 1600
MONTREAL
QC
H3A2Y3
CA
|
Family ID: |
35308678 |
Appl. No.: |
11/186902 |
Filed: |
July 22, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11186902 |
Jul 22, 2005 |
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11088246 |
Mar 24, 2005 |
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60555679 |
Mar 24, 2004 |
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60590926 |
Jul 26, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/157R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2009/1033 20130101;
A63F 9/10 20130101; A63F 2009/0633 20130101; A63F 9/0613 20130101;
A63F 2009/0035 20130101; A63F 2009/0032 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/157.00R |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/10 |
Claims
1. An educational lenticular puzzle comprising a puzzle substrate,
a plurality of puzzle pieces adapted to be assembled in a
predetermined pattern on said puzzle substrate to form a complete
image, each of said puzzle pieces having a lenticular display
providing first and second separately viewable lenticular images
dependent upon a viewer's line of sight, wherein said first
lenticular image of each of said puzzle pieces forms a portion of
said complete image, and wherein said second image of each of said
puzzle pieces matches a corresponding indicia provided on said
puzzle substrate.
2. An educational lenticular puzzle as defined in claim 1, wherein
said corresponding indicia indicates where the puzzle piece having
the matching second lenticular image is to be placed on the puzzle
substrate.
3. An educational lenticular puzzle as defined in claim 1, wherein
said puzzle substrate has a top surface defining a plurality of
puzzle piece regions in the form of outlines of respective puzzle
pieces, each of said indicia being provided in a corresponding one
of said puzzle piece regions.
4. An educational lenticular puzzle as defined in claim 3, wherein
said top surface is circumscribed by a frame for holding the puzzle
pieces in said predetermined pattern.
5. An educational lenticular puzzle as defined in claim 2, wherein
said corresponding indicia are provided on a sheet-like member
adapted to be removably installed on said puzzle substrate.
6. A packaging for an educational lenticular puzzle as defined in
claim 2, wherein said packaging has a removable paperboard-like
section adapted to be fitted on said puzzle substrate, and wherein
said indicia are provided on said removable paperboard-like
section.
7. A puzzle comprising a number of puzzle pieces, each of said
puzzle pieces bearing an image portion, wherein an assembled image
is formed when the puzzle pieces are assembled in a puzzle-solving
arrangement, and a puzzle substrate on which said puzzle pieces are
placed in said puzzle-solving arrangement, wherein a lenticular
image is provided on each of said puzzle pieces so that when a
particular puzzle piece is viewed from a given angle, the viewer
perceives an indicia corresponding to a location where said
particular puzzle piece is to be placed on said puzzle
substrate.
8. A puzzle as defined in claim 7, wherein said puzzle substrate
includes a puzzle tray having a frame circumscribing a puzzle
receiving area, said puzzle receiving area comprising a puzzle map
provided with a plurality of puzzle piece region indicia
corresponding to the lenticular images of respective puzzle
pieces.
9. A puzzle as defined in claim 8, wherein said puzzle map defines
a plurality of puzzle piece regions in the form of outlines of
respective puzzle pieces, each said puzzle piece region indicia
being provided in a corresponding one of said puzzle piece
regions.
10. A puzzle as defined in claim 8, wherein said puzzle map is
removably received in said recess of said puzzle tray.
11. A puzzle as defined in claim 10, wherein said puzzle map is
printed on a removable section of a packaging member in which said
puzzle is shipped.
12. A puzzle as defined in claim 11, wherein said packaging
includes a paperboard like member having a score line defining the
outline of said puzzle map.
13. A puzzle comprising a puzzle board and a plurality of puzzle
pieces which when assembled in a predetermined pattern on said
puzzle board forms an assembled image, and wherein each of said
puzzle pieces has a lenticular image matching a corresponding
symbol on said puzzle board.
14. A puzzle as defined in claim 13, wherein said lenticular images
and said corresponding symbols on said puzzle board provide
indications as to where the puzzle pieces are to be placed on the
puzzle board to form said assembled image.
15. A method of making a lenticular puzzle comprising the steps of:
providing a number of puzzle pieces, each puzzle piece having a
lenticular display providing first and second lenticular images,
said first lenticular image forming a portion of a complete image,
providing a puzzle substrate having indicia thereon, and matching
said second lenticular images of said puzzle pieces with
corresponding indicia on said puzzle substrate.
16. A puzzle comprising a number of puzzle pieces adapted to be
assembled in a puzzle-solving arrangement to form an image, and a
puzzle substrate on which said puzzle pieces are placed in said
puzzle-solving arrangement, said puzzle substrate being provided
with an easel for holding the puzzle pieces at an angle to a
support surface on which the puzzle substrate stands.
17. A puzzle packaging comprising a number of puzzle pieces
pre-assembled and retained on an outer surface of a movie holding
case such as to form a cover thereof, the puzzle forming an image
representative of a movie contained in the movie holding case.
18. A puzzle packaging as defined in claim 17, wherein said puzzle
pieces are shrink wrapped onto said outer surface of said movie
holding case.
19. A puzzle kit comprising a number of magnetic puzzle pieces
adapted to be assembled in a puzzle-solving arrangement to form an
image, and a magnetic puzzle board on which said magnetic puzzle
pieces are adapted to be magnetically held in said puzzle-solving
arrangement, said magnetic puzzle board being provided with at
least one of a support for holding the puzzle pieces at an angle to
a support surface on which the puzzle board stands and a hanger for
hanging the board on wall surface.
20. A puzzle kit as defined in claim 19, wherein the magnetic
puzzle board is foldable.
21. A puzzle kit as defined in claim 20, wherein a lock is provided
to releasably maintain the magnetic puzzle board in an unfolded
state.
22. A puzzle kit as defined in claim 21, wherein said magnetic
puzzle board is foldable along a fold line, and wherein said lock
comprises at least one slidable locking member, the slidable
locking member being mounted at the back of the magnetic puzzle
board and slidable relative thereto between an unlocking position
wherein said locking member is spaced from said fold line and a
locking position wherein said locking member extends across said
fold line.
23. A puzzle kit as defined in claim 22, wherein said hanger is
incorporated into said at least one slidable locking member.
24. A puzzle kit as defined in claim 23, wherein said hanger is
provided as a butterfly die cut defined in said slidable locking
member.
25. A puzzle kit as defined in claim 25, wherein said butterfly die
cut is accessible only when said at least one locking member is in
said locking position thereof.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation in part (CIP) of United States patent
application Ser. No. 11/088,246 filed Mar. 24, 2005, and which
claims priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos.
60/555,679 and 60/590,926 filed on Mar. 24, 2004 and Jul. 26, 2004
respectively.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to educational games and, more
particularly, to puzzles.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Over the years various educational puzzles have been
developed for allowing young children to assimilate various
concepts while playing.
[0006] Jigsaw puzzles for young children generally comprise a
puzzle tray and a number of puzzle pieces adapted to be assembled
on the puzzle tray in a predetermined pattern to form a complete
image. Each puzzle piece typically carries a single image portion
which appears the same irrespective from which angle the piece is
viewed.
[0007] Lenticular image products are well known for visually
displaying various optical images. By viewing the lenticular image
product from different angles, different images can be perceived by
the viewer.
[0008] It would be desirable to provide a new puzzle wherein such a
lenticular display is provided on each puzzle piece for allowing
the children to match a second image associated with the piece with
corresponding indicia on the puzzle tray, thereby allowing the
children to assimilate a predetermined concept while making the
puzzle.
[0009] It would also be desirable to provide a new puzzle kit
whereby the assembled puzzle pieces could be displayed on a variety
of wall surfaces or supported in an upstanding displayed
position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a
new puzzle having a multi-function aspect.
[0011] It is also an aim of the present invention to provide a new
puzzle having enhanced entertainment and educational aspects.
[0012] It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a
new puzzle packaging arrangement.
[0013] Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, there
is provided an educational lenticular puzzle comprising a puzzle
substrate, a plurality of puzzle pieces adapted to be assembled in
a predetermined pattern on said puzzle substrate to form a complete
image, each of said puzzle pieces having a lenticular display
providing first and second separately viewable lenticular images
dependent upon a viewer's line of sight, wherein said first
lenticular image of each of said puzzle pieces forms a portion of
said complete image, and wherein said second image of each of said
puzzle pieces matches a corresponding indicia provided on said
puzzle substrate.
[0014] In accordance with another general aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a puzzle comprising a number of puzzle
pieces, each of said puzzle pieces bearing an image portion,
wherein an assembled image is formed when the puzzle pieces are
assembled in a puzzle-solving arrangement, and a puzzle substrate
on which said puzzle pieces are placed in said puzzle-solving
arrangement, wherein a lenticular image is provided on each of said
puzzle pieces so that when a particular puzzle piece is viewed from
a given angle, the viewer perceives an indicia corresponding to a
location where said particular puzzle piece is to be placed on said
puzzle substrate.
[0015] In accordance with a further general aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a puzzle comprising a puzzle board and
a plurality of puzzle pieces which when assembled in a
predetermined pattern on said puzzle board forms an assembled
image, and wherein each of said puzzle pieces has a lenticular
image matching a corresponding symbol on said puzzle board.
[0016] In accordance with a still further general aspect of the
present invention, there is provided a method of making a
lenticular puzzle comprising the steps of: providing a number of
puzzle pieces, each puzzle piece having a lenticular display
providing first and second lenticular images, said first lenticular
image forming a portion of a complete image, providing a puzzle map
having indicia thereon, and matching said second lenticular images
of said puzzle pieces with corresponding indicia on said puzzle
map.
[0017] In accordance with a still further general aspect of the
present invention, there is provided a puzzle comprising a number
of puzzle pieces adapted to be assembled in a puzzle-solving
arrangement to form an image, and a puzzle substrate on which said
puzzle pieces are placed in said puzzle-solving arrangement, said
puzzle substrate being provided with an easel for holding the
puzzle pieces at an angle to a support surface on which the puzzle
substrate stands.
[0018] In accordance with a still further general aspect of the
present invention, there is provided a puzzle packaging comprising
a number of puzzle pieces pre-assembled and retained on an outer
surface of a movie holding case such as to form a cover thereof,
the puzzle forming an image representative of a movie contained in
the movie holding case.
[0019] In accordance with a further general aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a puzzle kit comprising a number of
magnetic puzzle pieces adapted to be assembled in a puzzle-solving
arrangement to form an image, and a magnetic puzzle board on which
said magnetic puzzle pieces are adapted to be magnetically held in
said puzzle-solving arrangement, said magnetic puzzle board being
provided with at least one of a support for holding the puzzle
pieces at an angle to a support surface on which the puzzle board
stands and a hanger for hanging the board on wall surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Having thus generally described the nature of the invention,
reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by
way of illustration a preferred embodiment thereof, and in
which:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an educational lenticular
puzzle comprising a number of puzzle pieces assembled in a puzzle
tray in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the puzzle tray,
[0023] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a puzzle map adapted to be
fitted within the frame of the puzzle tray to provide a puzzle
pieces location aid;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a puzzle packaging member
carrying a puzzle map in accordance with another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a back perspective view of a tray support for
supporting the puzzle pieces at an angle on a support surface;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a puzzle forming the
cover or jacket of a DVD case;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a front view of a magnetic puzzle board hanging on
a wall in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0028] FIG. 8 is a back view of magnetic puzzle board with
butterfly die cut for hanging;
[0029] FIG. 9 is a front view of the magnetic puzzle board on a
desk, the board being shown in a partly upstanding folded position;
and
[0030] FIG. 10 is a closed up view on the butterfly die cuts on the
back of the magnetic puzzle board.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates an educational lenticular puzzle 10
comprising a plurality of puzzle pieces 12a, 12b, 12c . . . adapted
to be assembled in a puzzle-solving arrangement on a puzzle tray
14. Unlike conventional jigsaw puzzle pieces, which bear a single
printed image portion, each puzzle piece 12 is provided with a
lenticular display providing first and second separately viewable
lenticular images 16 and 18 dependent upon a viewer's line of
sight. The lenticular display is of conventional construction and
generally comprises an overlying lenticular lens that decodes an
underlying lenticular image, as well known in the art. The first
lenticular image 16 of each puzzle piece 12 forms a portion of a
complete assembled image (a lion in the illustrated example). The
second lenticular image 18 of each puzzle piece 12 is provided in
the form indicia, which indicates the specific position of the
puzzle piece 12 on the puzzle tray 14. The indicia could, for
instance, take the form of a number (as in the illustrated
example), a letter, a color, a geometrical shape or a planet. This
is not intended to be an exhaustive list. One skilled in the art
will understand that the indicia can relate to various other
educational concepts.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the puzzle tray 14 has a backing 20
defining a puzzle receiving area 22 circumscribed by a frame 24.
The frame 24 is preferable in that it prevents the puzzle pieces
12a, 12b, and 12c . . . from sliding off the puzzle receiving area
22. However, the puzzle tray 14 could be frameless. The puzzle
receiving area 22 is divided in a number of puzzle piece regions
26a, 26b, and 26c . . . . in the form of outlines 28 of respective
puzzle pieces. The puzzle piece outlines 28 can be printed directly
on the top surface of the backing 20 of the puzzle tray 14 or
otherwise defined thereon, such as by embossing. Each puzzle piece
region 26 has indicia 30 matching the second lenticular image 18 of
a corresponding puzzle piece 12. In this way, one has simply to
tilt a particular puzzle piece 12 to view the second lenticular
image 18 on the puzzle piece 12 and then find the corresponding
indicia or indication on the puzzle tray 14, as shown in FIG. 1.
This allows young children to develop their associativity sense
while making the puzzle. It also provides them with an assistance
to locate where the puzzle pieces 12 are to be placed on the puzzle
tray 14. Furthermore, when the puzzle is completed, the children
can look at the puzzle from different angles to see the assembled
image (i.e. the lion) or the completion of the educational concept
of the puzzle (i.e. the numbers 1, 2, 3 . . . ). The second
lenticular image 18 is preferably more than just a locating aid but
also a teaching aid. In the illustrated example, each puzzle piece
12 carries a number, by placing the pieces 12a, 12b, 12c . . . at
the proper locations on the tray 14, the numbers will appear in
ascending order from right to left. The puzzle can thus be used to
teach children how to count.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the puzzle piece regions 26a, 26b, 26c .
. . and the associated location indicia 30 could be printed on a
separate puzzle map 32 adapted to be removably received within the
frame 24. In this case, the top surface of the backing 20 could be
provided in the form of a free-marking surface having no puzzle
piece region and localization indicia. This would provide the
puzzler with the choice of making the puzzle with a puzzle piece
location aid or not. In this way, the level of difficulty can be
changed according to the ability of the puzzler.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 4, the puzzle map 32 can conveniently be
provided as a detachable part of the puzzle packaging. The puzzle
10 could be sold with the puzzle pieces 12a, 12b, 12c . . .
assembled in the puzzle tray 14 and with the latter covered by a
paperboard or a fiberboard-like packaging member 34 having a pair
of opposed folding flaps 36a and 36b adapted to extend on the
opposite face of the tray 14. As shown in FIG. 4, a score line 38
can be defined in the packaging member 34 to facilitate detachment
of the puzzle map 32 from the packaging member 34 once the puzzle
packaging has been opened.
[0035] Once the puzzle map 32 has been removed from the packaging
member 34, it can be placed in the tray 14 for allowing the puzzler
to match the second lenticular image 18 of each piece 12 with the
corresponding indicia on the puzzle map 32.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 5, the fiberboard like packaging member 34
could be provided on a back side thereof with an easel 40 provided
in the form of an integral tab 42 pivotable out of the back side of
the packaging member 34. A locking tab 44 is also pivotable out of
the back side of member 34 to maintain the tab 42 in its deployed
position. Tabs 42 and 44 are pivotable about perpendicular axes.
The locking tab 44 is engageable in a semi-circular recess defined
in the proximal edge of tab 42. The puzzle pieces 12a, 12b, 12c . .
. can be assembled directly on the front facing side 46 of member
34 and then displayed at an angle on a support surface by virtue of
easel 40. In this case no additional puzzle tray is required, it is
the packaging member 34 itself which as a frameless tray. The
member 34 is typically not provided with any peripheral rim for
retaining the puzzle pieces on the front face thereof. However, the
matching indicia are still provided on its front face.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 6, the packaging member could also be
provided in the form of a DVD (digital video disk) case 34'. The
puzzle 12 would form the cover or jacket of the DVD movie housed in
the case 34' or otherwise be representative of the content of the
disk housed in the case. This would be a value added product for
children's movies. It is understood that the same concept could be
applied to CD cases and video cases for cassette tapes.
[0038] The DVD case is of conventional construction and generally
comprises a lid 50 and a base 52 pivotally connected thereto by a
live hinge 54. A standard disk mounting structure 56 is provided on
an inner surface of the base 52 and comprises a central hub 58 for
receiving the disk hole and on which the disk can be mounted by
pushing the disk onto the hub 58. The puzzle pieces 12a, 12b, 12c .
. . are pre-assembled onto the flat outer surface of the lid 50 and
are suitably attached thereto, such as with the shrink wrap
commonly used to envelope disk cases. The puzzle can be shrink
wrapped or slide into the plastic wrapping that the traditional
cover is placed into. The person skilled in the art will understand
that the manner by which the puzzle pieces are releasably retained
in an assembled configuration on the case is immaterial to the
present invention.
[0039] Also, the puzzle pieces 12a, 12b and 12c could be made of a
magnetic material to magnetically adhere to the case 34'. The
puzzle pieces could be removed from the case and then applied onto
a magnetic surface, such as the electrical appliance found in
kitchens.
[0040] FIGS. 7 to 10 show a puzzle kit 100 including a magnetic
puzzle board 114 that holds magnetic puzzle pieces 112 and turns
into a picture that you can hang. This advantageously allows a
puzzler to expose his/her puzzle on a wall after it has been
completed. The magnetic puzzle board 114 is adapted to magnetically
retain the puzzle pieces 112. The puzzle board 114 can be installed
at a wide variety of location on a wall is thus not limited to
mounting on a magnetic surface, such as a kitchen electrical
appliance.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 9, the puzzle board 114 folds in half along
a central fold line 116. This provides for compact packaging.
Furthermore, by partly folding the board as shown in FIG. 9, it
provides the required support to hold the board in a vertical
displayed position on a horizontal surface, such as a desk or a
table. Another type of support, such as an easel, can be integrated
to the back of the board to hold the board 114 in an upstanding
position. The term easel is herein intended to include any type of
foldable supporting legs and the like.
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, a pair of vertically
spaced-apart locking members 118 is provided at the back of the
board 114 for releasably locking the board against folding once the
puzzle pieces 112 have been assembled together on a front surface
of the board 114. The number of locking members 118 can vary
depending on the dimensions of the board 114. The locking members
118 hold the board 114 in an unfolded position. Each locking member
118 is slidably received in a cutout 120 defined in the back of the
board 114. The locking members 118 are slidable in respective
cutouts 120 between a locking position (see FIGS. 8 and 10) wherein
the locking members extend transversally through the fold line 116
and on each side thereof and an unlocking position (not shown)
wherein the locking members 118 are spaced from the fold line 116,
the entire extent of the locking members 118 being located on a
side of the fold line 116.
[0043] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, a butterfly die cut 122 is
defined in each locking member 118 for hanging the board 114. The
butterfly die cut 122 are only accessible when the locking members
118 are slid to their locking position.
[0044] It is understood that other type of hangers could be used to
hang the board 114 on a wall. Furthermore, the hanger does not have
to be incorporated to the locking members 118.
* * * * *