GB2263645A - Puzzles - Google Patents

Abstract

The puzzles comprise base boards (12) having shaped but flat pieces (13) which fit into one or more shaped recesses (14) in the board so that the puzzle can be transported and stored substantially flat. However, the pieces are designed to interfit and be built into simple upright structures such as a balance, cruciform shaped pieces or an arch. The pieces preferably have slots by which they are interfitted. <IMAGE>

Description

PUZZLES This invention relates to puzzles. Conventional puzzles are essentially two dimensional, either with a pl-urality of pieces which fit together to provide a two dimensional sheet usually with a picture on it, or comprising a base board provided with shaped recesses into which a variety of shapes corresponding to the recesses fit.

An object of the present invention is to provide a puzzle in which basically flat pieces fit together to form three dimensional objects or alternatively fit into a recess or recesses in a board so that they can be packed and stored Elat. Such puzzles are designed particularly as educational toys for small children.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a base board and a plurality of substantially flat pieces, at least some of which have different shapes from others, the base board having one or a plurality of shaped recesses into which the pieces fit, and in which the pieces are designed to fit together to provide one or more upright structures.

In one form the pieces fit together by means of interfitting slots which open at angles normal or at 1800 to one another.

In one preferred embodiment the pieces fit together to provide a balance. In another embodiment the pieces fit together to provide separate cruciform shapes with rounded, square or conical forms.

In a further embodiment the pieces are wedge shaped and can be fitted together to provide an arch, with the ends of the arch restrained in the recess in the base board.

Three embodiments of puzzle will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 shows in perspective a base board and pieces of a first embodiment of puzzle, Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the pieces illustrating how they fit together, Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the majority of pieces fitted together to form a balance, Figure 4 is a side view of the balance of Figure 3, Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 4 but with one further piece used as a weight to tip the balance to one side, Figure 6 to 8 show a further embodiment of puzzle in which Figure 6 is a perspective view of the board and pieces fitted together, Figure 7 is an exploded view showing how the pieces fit together and Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the pieces fitted together, and Figures 9 to 11 show perspective views of a further embodiment of puzzle in which: Figure 9 shows the puzzle and pieces fitted together substantially flat, Figure 10 shows the pieces fitted together in an upright position in the board and Figure 11 shows the central piece removed to provide an arch.

Each of the puzzles comprises a base board 12 having shaped but flat pieces 13 which fit into one or more shaped recesses 14 in the board so that the puzzle can be transported and stored substantially flat. However, the pieces are designed to interfit and be built into simple upright structures. The board and pieces can be made of wood, moulded material or the like and the pieces can be painted in suitable colours to illustrate which pieces interfit with one another.

The puzzle of Figures 1 to 5 has seven pieces which fit into similarly shaped recesses in the board. The pieces comprise a symmetrical balance arm 15 comprising a generally elongate member having a flat upper surface 16 with upwardly opening slots 17 at opposite ends and a downwardly opening central slot 18 in its lower surface 20, from which slot this surface 20 tapers upwardly at each side. A piece 21 comprises a balance arm support in the form of a rectangle with an upwardly opening slot 22 in its upper surface.

The piece 21 is designed to extend at right angles to the balance arm and interfit therewith via the slots 21 and 18.

Two further pieces comprise balance pans 23 which are basically round with oppositely opening slots 24 on opposite sides. These balance pans are designed to interfit with and lie flush with the ends of the balance arm via the slots 24 and 17. Three round pieces 25 form weights for use in illustrating how the balance tips when not equally weighted at both ends of the balance arm.

The puzzle of Figures 6 to 8 has six pieces each fitting in an individual recess of its own shape. The pieces are each designed to fit together with one other piece so as to form three differently shaped three dimensional structures. The pieces 30 are round with an outwardly opening radial slot 31. The pieces 32 are rectangular with an outwardly opening slot 33 extending for half the depth of the pierce. The piece 34 is triangular with a slot 35 opening to the top so that the point is missing and the piece 36 is a similar shaped triangle with a slot 37 opening to its base and having a depth equal to the distance between the base of slot 35 and the base of part 34. As seen in Figures 7 and 8 the pieces of substantially the same shape interfit together with one another via the slots when they are located at right angles to one another and form cruciform shaped three dimensional pieces having substantially round substantially square and substantially conical forms.

The puzzle of Figures 9 to 11 has a board 12 with a single recess 14 into which the pieces fit either flat as seen in Figure 9 or upright to form an arch. The recess is semicircular and a central one 36 of the six pieces is also semicircular of smaller radius. The other five 37 of the six pieces are similar wedge shaped parts of an arch. The pieces can be built into an upright arch by locating the base pieces in the recess and building them up as shown in Figure 10. The central piece 36 can then be removed to leave the arch upright with its base supported by the edges of the recess.

Claims (11)

1. A puzzle comprising a base board and a plurality of substantially flat pieces at least some of which have different shapes from others, the base board having one or a plurality of shaped recesses into which the pieces fit, and in which the pieces are designed to interfit to build into one or more upright structures.

2. A puzzle according to Claim 1 in which the pieces define slots of a width to just accommodate the thickness of other pieces so that the pieces interfit with the planes of adjacent pieces at right angles to one another.

3. A puzzle according to Claim 2 in which the pieces interfit with parts of each of two adjacent pieces accommodated in a slot of the other piece.

4. A puzzle according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 in which the slots have depths such that when two adjacent parts are fitted together they have co-planar upper surfaces.

5. A puzzle according to any of Claims 1 to 4 in which the pieces fit together to provide a balance.

6. A puzzle according to any of Claim 1 to 4 in which the pieces fit together to provide cruciform shapes with rounded, square and/or conical forms.

7. A puzzle according to Claim 1 in which the pieces fit together to provide an arch.

8. A puzzle according to Claim 7 in which at least some of the pieces are wedge shaped.

9. A puzzle according to Claim 8 including an additional piece which fits in the space under the arch.

10. A puzzle according to any of Claims 7 to 9 in which the arch is intended to be built with the ends restrained in the recess in the base board.

11. A puzzle substantially as described herein with reference to or as illustrated in any of Figures 1 to 5, 6 to 8 or 9 to 11.