U.S. patent application number 11/759753 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-11 for three-dimensional puzzle maze.
Invention is credited to Hyun-Chul Chang, Jim Lai.
Application Number | 20080303212 11/759753 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40095128 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080303212 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lai; Jim ; et al. |
December 11, 2008 |
Three-Dimensional Puzzle Maze
Abstract
A 3-dimensional puzzle maze structure that can be made by foam
pieces that are inter-connected with one another. Castle pieces can
fit onto the base pieces. Castle pieces can also fit onto other
castle pieces. Second base pieces can fit on top of castle pieces.
The users can build this type of 3-dimensional puzzle maze
according to individual creativity and imagination. This puzzle
maze is stimulating towards children's play activities and good for
education purposes.
Inventors: |
Lai; Jim; (City of Industry,
CA) ; Chang; Hyun-Chul; (Seoul, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAW OFFICES OF J.F. LEE
17800 CASTLETON STREET, SUITE 383
CITY OF INDUSTRY
CA
91748
US
|
Family ID: |
40095128 |
Appl. No.: |
11/759753 |
Filed: |
June 7, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/157R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/082 20130101;
A63F 9/12 20130101; A63F 2009/1248 20130101; A63F 2250/183
20130101; A63F 2009/1232 20130101; A63F 7/041 20130101; A63F 9/0078
20130101; A63F 9/1288 20130101; A63F 2009/1292 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/157.R |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/12 20060101
A63F009/12 |
Claims
1. A puzzle maze, comprising: A plurality of first base pieces of
foam material, each having jagged edges around the perimeter for
inter-connecting with other first base pieces, and each having
carved out plus signs evenly spread out the surface area of said
first base piece; A plurality of first castle pieces of foam
material, each having two prongs at bottom and three prongs on top,
so that the two bottom prongs can fit snugly into two adjacent
carved out plus signs; and, A plurality of tunnel pieces of foam
material, each having two prongs at bottom and an arched top, so
that the two bottom prongs can fit snugly into two adjacent carved
out plus signs.
2. The puzzle maze of claim 1, further comprising: A plurality of
second base pieces of foam material, each having carved out plus
signs evenly spread out the surface area of said second base piece,
and each having carved out squares evenly spread out the surface
area of said second base piece.
3. The puzzle maze of claim 2, further comprising: A plurality of
second castle pieces of foam material, each having three prongs at
top and bottom, so that said second base piece can fit snugly on
top of said second castle pieces, forming a multi-level maze
structure.
Description
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF PRESENT INVENTION
[0001] Foam puzzle pieces are available in many stores. However,
these pieces are for 2-dimensional uses only. That is, users can
connect these pieces into floor boards of various shapes. Mostly,
people use these foam floor boards as decorative objects and as a
protection to cushion children's accidental falls during play
activities.
OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0002] A main object of the present invention is to provide
3-dimensional puzzle maze building structure, based upon the foam
pieces, so that children that can use their creativity and
imagination to construct 3-dimensional puzzle mazes.
[0003] Another object of the present invention is to provide the
opportunity to build a puzzle maze structure integrated to the area
where children are playing, instead of just a cushion area that
children treated as separate from their play things.
[0004] Accordingly, in order to accomplish the above objects, the
present invention provides a combination foam pieces that can be
fitted to one another and inter-connected with one another.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first base piece, having
jagged edges on all sides for inter-connecting with other base
pieces.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first castle piece, having
two prongs at bottom and three prongs on top.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tunnel piece, having two
prongs at bottom and an arched top.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second base piece, where
carved out squares are added from first base piece.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second base piece, having
two prongs at top and bottom.
[0010] FIG. 6 is an assembled view of a puzzle maze using
combinations of first base piece, first castle pieces and tunnel
pieces.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT
[0011] Referring to FIG. 1, a first base piece of foam material
serves as the floor of a puzzle maze.
[0012] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, first castle pieces and tunnel
pieces can be inserted into the carved out plus signs on the first
base piece, as users see fit. First castle pieces can be fitted on
top of other castle pieces.
[0013] Referring to FIG. 6, it shows an assembled view of a puzzle
maze having various castle pieces and tunnel pieces fitted on a
base piece. A ball shape is shown, as illustration of potential
manner of play.
[0014] Users can put a hamster, or an electronically controlled
mouse, to run along the maze.
[0015] Referring to FIG. 4, a second base piece of foam material is
shown. It is essentially the same as the first base piece, having
jagged edges around its perimeter, so that many base pieces can be
inter-connected. However, as can be seen, a carved out square hole
is made in between every two carved out plus signs, so that the
center prong from the 3-prong side of a castle piece can be
inserted into said square hole.
[0016] Referring to FIG. 5, a second castle piece is shown,
containing three prongs on top and on bottom. Such second castle
piece can be fitted snugly into second base piece.
[0017] This allows a second floor of base piece to be built on top
of castle pieces. In fact, users can put castle pieces on top of
castle pieces, to users' liking, and then put a second base on top,
and then build more castle pieces, second castle pieces and tunnels
on the second floor, and on and on. No drawing of second or third
floor assembled puzzle maze is needed, as the disclosure herein is
sufficient for reasonably skilled people in this regard.
[0018] The jagged edges around the perimeter allow the base pieces
(including the first and the second) to be inter-connected.
[0019] Other than gravity, users' imagination and creativity are
the only limitations as to how the 3-dimensional puzzle maze can be
built.
[0020] The foam material can be any type of flexible material
commonly found on toys available in the market and requires no
disclosure in present invention and is not part of the claimed
invention, except to the extent it is used with other claimed
elements.
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