A puzzle chest

Abstract

A puzzle chest that allows a puzzle to be displayed, the puzzle chest comprising a top panel and a bottom panel that when connected together define a cavity that can hold a puzzle. Typically, each panel presents four sections that are adapted to connect to each other and then attach to each other, defining a space or cavity to hold a puzzle board. Mounting points allow the assembled housing to be hung up.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a puzzle chest with integrated mounting functionality. BACKGROUND

[0002] Jigsaw puzzles are a form of entertainment or intellectual challenge. Some jigsaw puzzles are very complex and completing the pattern gives the user a sense of achievement. Once the puzzle is completed it is either stored back in the container it came from or can be placed into a custom jigsaw puzzle container. There is no jigsaw puzzle container that is able to store the finished product within a chest that can be mounted and displayed or within which the puzzle can be built. Typically this would be done using a picture frame.

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a puzzle chest to address the above shortcomings, or at least to provide a useful alternative. SUMMARY

[0004] According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a puzzle chest comprising: a top panel defined by a number of sections adapted to be detachably connected together; a bottom panel defined by a number of sections adapted to be detachably connected together; the top panel being adapted to join the bottom panel and define a cavity between the top panel and the bottom panel to thereby permit a jigsaw puzzle to be placed in the cavity.

[0005] Preferably the top panel is transparent.

[0006] Preferably the bottom panel comprises structural reinforcement such as ribs.

[0007] Preferably the top panel and the bottom panel are adapted to be detachably attached to each other using clips.

[0008] Preferably each panel comprises four sections.

[0009] It should be noted that where appropriate any of the above aspects can include any of the features of any of the other aspects and can include any of the features of any of the embodiments described below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] The preferred features, embodiments and variations of the present invention can be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The detailed description is not to be taken as limiting the scope of the preceding summary of the invention in any way. The detailed description will refer to the following drawings.

[0011] Figure 1 illustrates a fully assembled complete puzzle chest comprising a top panel and a bottom panel;

[0012] Figure 2 is a bottom perspective view of the puzzle chest;

[0013] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the puzzle chest;

[0014] Figure 4 is a bottom side view of the bottom panel; and

[0015] Figure 5 is a top side view and a bottom side view of the panel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The following detailed description of the application refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or like parts. Certain components shown in the drawings can be exaggerated or modified for clarity or illustration purposes.

[0017] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 , the puzzle chest 10 includes eight sub-sections. However, it is not limited to having eight sub-sections.

[0018] The puzzle chest 10 with optional mounting fittings includes top panel sections 2, 4, 6, and 8, and at least one clip 700 extending downward at the edge of each panel section. The base panel 20 includes base sections 12, 14, 16, and 18 and at least one clip hole or aperture 702 on the edge of each base section, where the corresponding clip on the top panel can engage the corresponding clip hole. Mounting points 301 on the base panel can be used to hang the puzzle container for display.

[0019] The base sections 12, 14, 16, 18 are connected to a single base panel 20. The base sections 12, 14, 16, 18 are connected to each other by interlocking male clips 800 that engage female clips 802 by pushing the female and male clips together as shown in Figure 2 .

[0020] The male clips 800 and female clips 802 are on the inner edges of each of the base sections 12, 14, 16, 18. The inner edges of these base panel sections have at least one male clip 800 and at least one female clip 802 that mate with each other on opposite panels. Figure 4 One arrangement of clips 800, 802 on the inner edges is shown. It can be appreciated that there can be many solutions for how the base sections are connected and it is not intended to limit the invention to this particular embodiment.

[0021] The outer edge of the base panel section includes a female snap hole 702 that mates to the top panel outer edge male snap 700.

[0022] The base sections 12, 14, 16, 18 include an upper surface that is flat and smooth for the puzzle to rest on. The underside of the base sections 12, 14, 16, 18 has a surface with ribbing in a grid pattern that increases the strength of the panel to prevent it from flexing Figure 2 , Figure 4 ). The mounting point 301 is located in the center of each base panel. The mounting point 301 is square shaped, located in the back of the base panel Figure 4 , with a D-shaped hook in the center of the square. As shown in Figure 5 , the D-shaped hook is surrounded by ribbing that helps reinforce the board. It is not intended to limit the invention to having a mounting point.

[0023] After the base panels 12, 14, 16, 18 are connected to form a single base panel 20, the puzzle board can be placed on top of the base panel 20. Of course, the puzzle board can be constructed within the base panel 20.

[0024] The top panel 22 is assembled by interlocking each of the top panel sections 2, 4, 6, and 8 together. Each top panel 2, 4, 6, 8 includes an inner lip 200. The inner lip 200 is a full length of an inner panel edge, and the inner lip 200 is designed to accommodate an opposing panel lip 202 by extending over or under the opposing lip 200, 202. Thus, alternating sections will have an alternating configuration of opposing lips.

[0025] The top panel 2, 4, 6, 8 is connected by pushing the inner lips 200, 202 together. The inner lips 200, 202 hold the top panel sections together to form one top panel 22. Other ways of connecting the sections together are possible and can be designed by those skilled in the relevant art.

[0026] Once the top panel is connected as one, the top panel 22 can be joined with the base panel 20. When connected, there is a very thin cavity between the top panel and the bottom panel that allows the puzzle to be effectively sandwiched between the two when completed. Depending on the thickness of the puzzle board pieces, the depth of the space can be only a few millimeters. The outer edge of the top panel 2, 4, 6, 8 includes a male locking snap 700 that secures into a mating base panel female snap hole 702 on the base panel 20.

[0027] Once the top panel 22 and bottom panel 20 are connected and form a complete puzzle panel 10, the mounting point 301 can be used to store or hang the puzzle case 10 for display.

[0028] The base sections 12, 14, 16, 18 and the top sections 2, 4, 6, 8 are made from a suitable plastics material, with the top sections being transparent to allow viewing of the pattern material.

[0029] On the back of the base sections 12, 14, 16, 18 there are different methods that can be used to hang the panels on a structure for display. Firstly, there can be a hole 301 on the back of each bottom panel 12, 14, 16, 18. The mounting point 301 has a D-shape hook that extends downwards, the D-shape providing a fastening point to mount the panel to a structure such as a wall or a post. The hook can also be used to attach a string, thread or cord to allow the panel to be hung on a peg. Secondly, by applying double sided tape to the flat section of the bottom panel, the panel can be stuck to a structure using the double sided tape.

[0030] The puzzle case can be detached by unclipping the panel clips 700, which are disengaged by removing them from the bottom panel clip holes 702.

[0031] When all the clips have been disengaged, they will allow the top panel 22 and the bottom panel 20 to be separated.

[0032] It will be appreciated that the number of sections, and their geometry, can vary. However, typically there will be four upper sections and four lower sections to provide an effective space to hold a complete puzzle. Again, we reiterate that the engagement of each section, and the engagement of the top and bottom panels, can be achieved by various means, and the above description is not intended to limit the invention to this embodiment.

[0033] The reader will now appreciate the invention, which provides a puzzle protection case. A further advantage is that the size of the panels allows them to be packed into a box that includes the puzzle pieces. Thus, a user can purchase a puzzle board that includes sections that can be assembled together to provide support for a puzzle.

[0034] Other advantages and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon reading the description of the invention. While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to the embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention. It is intended that all such changes fall within the scope of the claims. Any discussion of prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field.

[0035] In this specification and claims (if any), the word "comprising" and its derivatives (including "comprises" and "comprises") mean including but not limited to, and the word "comprised of" means including but not limited to.

[0036] List of components

[0037] The accompanying drawings include the following figures.

[0038] 2, 4, 6, 8 Top panel sections

[0039] 10 Puzzle chest

[0040] 12, 14, 16, 18 Base sections

[0041] 20 Base panel

[0042] 22 Top panel

[0043] 200 Inner lip

[0044] 202 Opposing lip

[0045] 301 Mounting point

[0046] 700 Male locking catch

[0047] 702 Female catch aperture

[0048] 800 Interlocking male catch

[0049] 802 Female catch

Claims

1. A jigsaw puzzle box, comprising: A top panel comprising a plurality of transparent top segments, each top segment comprising at least one inner edge and at least one outer edge; A bottom panel, the bottom panel comprising a plurality of bottom segments, each bottom segment comprising at least one inner edge and at least one outer edge; Each top segment includes at least one snap-fit ​​extending downward from at least one outer edge of the top segment; Each bottom segment includes at least one latching hole located on at least one outer edge of the bottom segment, wherein the at least one latching hole corresponds to the position of the at least one buckle; Inner lip edge, the inner lip edge between adjacent top segments of the plurality of top segments, wherein the inner lip edge of each top segment extends above or below the inner lip edge of its adjacent top segment to overlap each other so that the plurality of top segments can be combined to form a top panel; and A connecting device is provided between adjacent bottom segments of the plurality of bottom segments, wherein the connecting device includes a concave latch and a convex latch located on the inner edge of each bottom segment, the concave latch being adapted to engage with the convex latch on the inner edge of the adjacent bottom segment so that the plurality of bottom segments can be assembled into a bottom panel. Wherein, the at least one buckle and the at least one latch are located between each of the plurality of top segments and the bottom segment of the plurality of bottom segments that is vertically adjacent to each of the plurality of top segments, wherein at least one buckle of the plurality of top segments is adapted to detachably engage at least one latch of the plurality of bottom segments such that after the top panel and the bottom panel are engaged, there is a cavity between the top panel and the bottom panel, the depth of which is sufficient to allow the assembled puzzle to be sandwiched between the top panel and the bottom panel and to be displayed through the top panel.

2. The puzzle chest of claim 1, wherein, The plurality of bottom sections include structural reinforcements.

3. The puzzle box according to claim 2, wherein, The structural reinforcement is a rib.

4. The puzzle box according to claim 1, comprising four top sections and four bottom sections.

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