Jigsaw puzzle

Abstract

The invention relates to a jigsaw puzzle for the composition of multiple puzzles from a single support (1), which comprises an internally hollow support (1) with a general polyhedral shape defining multiple faces oriented in different spatial planes, the faces being intended to define multiple images from a plurality of individual puzzle pieces (2), and wherein mechanical releasable coupling means are provided for securing the individual puzzle pieces (2) to the outer surface of the faces of the support (1).

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The object of the present application is to provide a jigsaw puzzle for the composition of multiple puzzles that comprises a support for multiple puzzle compositions in different spatial planes.

[0002] The field of application of the invention is within the industry dedicated to the manufacture of games for any age.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Currently there is a wide variety of puzzles that take the most varied forms and layouts for entertaining users of any age.

[0004] Nowadays, it is possible to find puzzles with a two-dimensional as well as three-dimensional layout simulating a 3D object. With regards to the classic two-dimensional layout, boards and supports for the composition of puzzles have been developed, with the aim of being able to handle the puzzle once formed. Many supports, however, are designed to create and subsequently keep the puzzle in a horizontal plane.

[0005] There are means to keep a puzzle composition vertically. Although there are adhesive substances that keep puzzle pieces connected to each other, they have the drawback that said adhesive substance cannot be handled by young children and, moreover, once applied it cannot be removed.

[0006] Furthermore, the known supports are designed to make one or barely more than one composition in the same plane, which therefore limits the possibilities for play, especially for young users.

[0007] It is known from prior art Document no. GB 2129312 disclosing a jigsaw puzzle for the composition of multiple puzzles with a general polyhedral shape, the common features of which are part of the preamble of claim 1.

[0008] Other similar jigsaw puzzles are also known in documents US 20060033271 and DE 29907235.

[0009] Furthermore, the applicant is currently unaware of any invention that has all of the features described in this specification.DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention has been developed with the aim of providing a jigsaw puzzle that is configured as a novelty within the field of application and solves the previously mentioned drawbacks, further contributing other additional advantages that will be obvious from the description below.

[0011] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a jigsaw puzzle for the composition of multiple puzzles, comprising an internally hollow support with a polyhedral shape defining multiple faces in different orientations intended to define multiple images from a plurality of individual puzzle pieces, wherein mechanical releasable coupling means are provided for securing the individual pieces to the outer surface of the faces.

[0012] Thanks to these features, a jigsaw puzzle is gained that is easy to manufacture and can be used at any age, which allows a multitude of puzzles to be created on the same board or support, either in a horizontal or vertical plane. Furthermore, there is no risk that the individual puzzle pieces positioned in a vertical plane according to the placement of the support will fall due to gravity force as a result of the arrangement of the releasable coupling means for securing the individual puzzle pieces. Thus, advantageously, it is possible to place the support in any arrangement without the risk of the puzzle pieces detaching and without the need to use adhesive substances.

[0013] Preferably, the aforementioned mechanical releasable coupling means comprise a plurality of through holes present in the multiple faces, and wherein each of the individual puzzle pieces comprises on the rear face (which corresponds to the face not visible when the piece is mounted on the support) a protruding stud with dimensions such that it can fit into the aforementioned through hole.

[0014] According to the invention, the mechanical releasable coupling means may also include a groove following an arcuate path arranged at least partially around each of the through holes, where the groove has an extension ending in the hole, thus acting as an elastic means that makes it easier to place and / or remove the individual puzzle pieces.

[0015] According to the invention, it has a perimeter projection around each through hole that protrudes internally on the inner surface of the faces, the projection defining a loop that is not closed due to the presence of the groove extension.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support of the jigsaw puzzle can have a cubic shape, such that it defines six faces (panels) intended to allow making up six equal or different puzzle compositions, i.e., one composition for each one of the faces.

[0017] Advantageously, the puzzle pieces intended to be placed in the area of the edges of each of the faces may have at least one bevelled straight side or edge, so as to allow an effect of continuity between panels and increase the general dimensions of the compositions made up of multiple individual puzzle pieces.

[0018] Additionally, the various panels that make up the support include a positioning means to connect adjacent panels to each other, maintaining the parallel and / or perpendicularity between panels that provide rigidity to the entire cubic support. It is important to note that the fact that the panels can be easily assembled / disassembled allows, for example, the jigsaw puzzle to be marketed disassembled, in other words, the panels are detached from each other so that the assembly occupies less space.

[0019] According to the invention, the positioning means consists of a linear rib extending parallel to one of the edges of the panel, which is configured to be joined by snap-fitting to a guide rail made on an adjacent panel.

[0020] Thus, the jigsaw puzzle described represents an innovative structure with structural and constituent features heretofore unknown for its intended purpose, reasons which, taken together with its usefulness, provide it with sufficient grounds for obtaining the requested exclusivity privilege.

[0021] Other features and advantages of the jigsaw puzzle object of the present invention will be evident in light of the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the drawings which are attached, in which:BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the jigsaw puzzle according to the present invention, with the presence of several individual puzzle pieces; Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of two panels of the cube-shaped support assembled together; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a panel that is part of the cubic support, seen from the rear, i.e., the portion not seen when the support is assembled; Figure 4 is a perspective view of an individual puzzle piece; and Figure 5 is an elevation view of an individual puzzle piece intended to be connected to an edge of one of the panels. DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0023] In view of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the adopted numbering, one may observe therein a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, which comprises the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.

[0024] Moreover, the terms first, second, third, and the like in the description and in the claims are used to distinguish between similar elements and not necessarily to describe a sequential or chronological order. The terms may be interchanged under appropriate circumstances and the embodiments of the invention may operate in sequences other than those described or illustrated herein.

[0025] Moreover, the terms upper, lower, up, down, and the like in the description and in the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily to describe relative positions.

[0026] As shown in the figures, one embodiment of a jigsaw puzzle for the composition of multiple puzzles comprises a support, made of plastic material, generally indicated with the reference (1), and internally hollow with a polyhedral shape defining multiple faces intended to define multiple images from a plurality of individual puzzle pieces (2) that fit together, being of the type that comprises a laminar body provided with preferably curved fitting recesses and projections (22, 23) to join puzzle pieces together. Mechanical releasable coupling means are provided, which are configured to secure said individual puzzle pieces (2) to the outer surface of the faces.

[0027] The support (1) has a cubic shape, such that it defines six faces intended to make up six equal or different puzzle compositions, i.e., it comprises six panels (3) with a quadrangular base that make up each of the faces, said panels (3) being removably connected to each other in a manner that will be described later.

[0028] With particular reference to the mechanical releasable coupling means, they comprise a plurality of through holes (4) present in the multiple faces in a matrix arrangement, and wherein each of the individual puzzle pieces (2) comprise on the rear face (which corresponds to the face not visible when the piece is mounted on the support) a stud (20) located in a substantially centred manner and with dimensions such that it can fit into the through hole (4).

[0029] Furthermore, a groove following an arcuate path (5) is arranged around each of the through holes (4), where the groove (5) has an extension ending in the through hole (4).

[0030] As shown in figure 3, it also has a perimeter projection (6) located around each through hole (4) that protrudes internally on the inner surface of the faces, the projection defining a loop that is not closed due to the presence of the groove extension.

[0031] To connect adjacent panels (3) to each other, the panels include a positioning means that essentially consists of a rib (7) with a linear path and extending parallel to one of the edges of the panel (3). Thus, this rib (7) is configured to be joined by snap-fitting to a guide rail (8) made on an adjacent panel, as shown more clearly in figures 2 and 3.

[0032] Furthermore, the individual puzzle pieces (2) that are specially designed to be placed in the area of the edges of each of the faces have at least one bevelled straight side (21) (see figure 5), so that they coincide with individual puzzle pieces (2) adjacent to other panels.

[0033] In this embodiment, the support (1) described above, as well as the individual puzzle pieces (2) are made of a relatively rigid plastic material that provides rigidity to the arrangement of the puzzle formed by the very support (1) and the individual puzzle pieces (2).

[0034] The details, shapes, dimensions and other accessory elements, used to manufacture the jigsaw puzzle of the invention, may be suitably substituted for others that do not depart from the scope defined by the claims which are included below.

Claims

1. A jigsaw puzzle for the composition of multiple puzzles, comprising an internally hollow support (1) with a general polyhedral shape that defines multiple faces in different spatial planes, the faces being intended to define multiple images from a plurality of individual puzzle pieces (2), and wherein mechanical releasable coupling means are provided for securing the individual puzzle pieces (2) to the outer surface of the faces of the support (1), the support (1) comprising a plurality of panels (3) that make up each of the faces, the panels (3) being removably connected to each other, wherein the panels (3) include a positioning means configured to connect adjacent panels (3) to each other, characterised in that the positioning means consists of a rib (7) with a linear path extending parallel to one of the edges of the panel (3), which is configured to be joined by snap-fitting to a guide rail (8) made on an adjacent panel.

2. The jigsaw puzzle according to claim 1, characterised in that the mechanical releasable coupling means comprise a plurality of through holes (4) present in the multiple faces, and wherein each of the individual puzzle pieces (2) comprise on their rear face a protruding stud (20) with dimensions such that it can fit into the through hole (4).

3. The jigsaw puzzle according to claim 2, characterised in that it includes a groove (5) following an arcuate path arranged at least partially around each of the through holes (4), where the groove has an extension ending in the through hole (4).

4. The jigsaw puzzle according to claims 2 and 3, characterised in that the mechanical releasable coupling means have a perimeter projection around each through hole (4) that protrudes internally on the inner surface of the faces, the projection defining a loop that is not closed due to the presence of the groove extension.

5. The jigsaw puzzle according to claim 1, characterised in that the support (1) has a cubic shape, such that it has six faces intended to make up six equal or different puzzle compositions.

6. The jigsaw puzzle according to claim 1, characterised in that the individual puzzle pieces (2) intended to be placed in the area of the edges of each of the faces have at least one bevelled straight side (21).

7. The jigsaw puzzle according to claim 1, characterised in that the support (1) is made of plastic material.

8. The jigsaw puzzle according to claim 1, characterised in that the individual puzzle pieces (2) are made of plastic material, cardboard or similar.

Images