Modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus

Abstract

A modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus is disclosed and configured for providing modular, selectively modifiable, interchangeable jigsaw puzzle pieces. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus provides a plurality of substantially planar puzzle pieces, along with an at least one substantially planar modular piece providing a first end and an opposing second end. The first end of the at least one modular piece is sized and shaped as a tab capable of indexing into a correspondingly sized and shaped blank of at least one of the puzzle pieces. The second end of the at least one modular piece is configured for selective removable engagement with another of the puzzle pieces. Accordingly, the at least one modular piece is capable of selectively modifying a shape of the at least one puzzle piece.

Description

MODULAR JIGSAW PUZZLE APPARATUSRELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority and is entitled to the filing date of U.S. provisional application serial number 63 / 465,673, filed on May 11 , 2023. The contents of the aforementioned application are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND

[0002] The subject of this provisional patent application relates generally to jigsaw puzzles, and more particularly to a modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus configured for providing modular, selectively modifiable, interchangeable jigsaw puzzle pieces.

[0003] Applicant hereby incorporates herein by reference any and all patents and published patent applications cited or referred to in this application.

[0004] By way of background, a jigsaw puzzle is a tiling puzzle that requires the assembly of often irregularly shaped interlocking and mosaicked pieces. Adjacent puzzle pieces have complementary shaped tabs and indentations (also referred to as “blanks”) that enable the adjacent puzzle pieces to interlock with one another.

[0005] Jigsaw puzzles have been around for hundreds of years, with many iterations. In the two- dimensional jigsaw puzzle class, there are many shapes, sizes and types of tabs. There are puzzles that have one correct configuration, multiple solutions, and puzzle pieces that are uniform and are meant to be switchable. There are puzzles that have curvy / non-linear edges, and sometimes no edge pieces as art of the design. In the current art, puzzles are designed to have edges. If multiple puzzles line up to have a continuous design, there are straight edges against straight edges. This ensures that each puzzle can be completed on its own as well as be part of a larger design. However, the shapes of the pieces are typically static and cannot be modified to serve different purposes. In other words, with current jigsaw puzzle pieces, the shapes are typically an edge or internal piece, but not both.

[0006] Thus, there remains a need for jigsaw puzzle pieces that are capable of serving multiple purposes - either as an internal piece, part of an edge, or serve as a connector from one puzzle toanother. Aspects of the present invention fulfill these needs and provide further related advantages as described in the following summary.

[0007] It should be noted that the above background description includes information that may be useful in understanding aspects of the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.SUMMARY

[0008] Aspects of the present invention teach certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the exemplary advantages described below.

[0009] The present invention solves the problems described above by providing a modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus configured for providing modular, selectively modifiable, interchangeable jigsaw puzzle pieces. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus provides a plurality of substantially planar puzzle pieces, along with an at least one substantially planar modular piece providing a first end and an opposing second end. The first end of the at least one modular piece is sized and shaped as a tab capable of indexing into a correspondingly sized and shaped blank of at least one of the puzzle pieces. The second end of the at least one modular piece is configured for selective removable engagement with another of the puzzle pieces. Accordingly, the at least one modular piece is capable of selectively modifying a shape of the at least one puzzle piece.

[0010] Other features and advantages of aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of aspects of the invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The accompanying drawings illustrate aspects of the present invention. In such drawings:

[0012] Figures 1 and 2 are top plan views of an exemplary modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0013] Figure 3 is a side elevational view thereof, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0014] Figure 4 is a further top plan view thereof, illustrating the apparatus interlocked with a further puzzle piece, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0015] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a further exemplary modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0016] Figures 6 and 7 are top plan views of a still further exemplary modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus, in accordance with at least one embodiment; and

[0017] Figures 8 and 9 are top plan views of a still further exemplary modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus, in accordance with at least one embodiment.

[0018] The above described drawing figures illustrate aspects of the invention in at least one of its exemplary embodiments, which are further defined in detail in the following description. Features, elements, and aspects of the invention that are referenced by the same numerals in different figures represent the same, equivalent, or similar features, elements, or aspects, in accordance with one or more embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Turning now to Figs. 1 and 2, there are shown top plan views of an exemplary embodiment of a modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus 20. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus 20 provides an at least one substantially planar puzzle piece 22 along with an at least one substantially planar modular piece 24 configured for removable engagement with the puzzle piece 22 in order to selectively modify the shape of the puzzle piece 22, as described further below. In at least one embodiment, each of the at least one puzzle piece 22 may provide one or more indentations (also referred to herein as “blanks” 26) and / or one or more tabs 28 that are sized and shaped for removable engagement with one another, thereby allowing two or more puzzle pieces 22 to be interlocked with one another. In at least one embodiment, the at least one puzzle piece 22 may provide no blanks 26, or may provide no tabs 28.

[0020] In that regard, it should be noted that while certain embodiments of the apparatus 20 are depicted in the accompanying drawings and described herein for illustrative purposes, in further embodiments, the apparatus 20 may take on any other sizes, shapes, dimensions and / or configurations (including the sizes, shapes, dimensions, configurations and / or quantities of the at least one puzzle piece 22, along with the sizes, shapes, dimensions, configurations, quantities and / or relative positions of the tabs 28 and blanks 26 provided by the at least one puzzle piece 22),now known or later developed - dependent at least in part on the overall design of the apparatus 20 - so long as the apparatus 20 is capable of substantially carrying out the functionality described herein. Similarly, in further embodiments, the at least one modular piece 24 may take on any sizes, shapes, dimensions, configurations, quantities and / or relative positions, now known or later developed - dependent at least in part on the overall design of the apparatus 20 - so long as the apparatus 20 is capable of substantially carrying out the functionality described herein.

[0021] With continued reference to Figs. 1 and 2, in at least one embodiment, the at least one modular piece 24 has a first end 30 and an opposing second end 32. In at least one embodiment, the first end 30 is sized and shaped for functioning as a tab 28 - i.e., for indexing into a correspondingly sized and shaped blank 26 of a puzzle piece 22, as illustrated in Fig. 4. Additionally, in at least one embodiment, the opposing second end 32 is substantially linear, and is sized and shaped to complement a free edge 34 of the puzzle piece 22. In at least one such embodiment, the second end 32 is removably engageable with the free edge 34 of the puzzle piece 22, as discussed further below. Thus, in such embodiments, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, with the edge-shaped second end 32 of the modular piece 24 removably engaged with the free edge 34 of the puzzle piece 22, the tab 28-shaped first end 30 of the modular piece 24 creates an additional tab 28 for the puzzle piece 22 at the free edge 34 of the puzzle piece 22. Alternatively, as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, the tab 28-shaped first end 30 of the modular piece 24 may be indexed into a blank 26 of the puzzle piece 22, such that the edge-shaped second end 32 of the modular piece 24 cooperates with the puzzle piece 22 to create a substantially linear edge, effectively converting the puzzle piece 22 into an “edge piece” (i.e., a puzzle piece 22 to be positioned on a perimeter edge of the larger puzzle).

[0022] In at least one alternate embodiment, as illustrated in Fig. 5, the second end 32 of the at least one modular piece 24 is sized and shaped for functioning as a tab 28 as well, similar to the first end 30. In such embodiments, the tab 28-shaped second end 32 is sized and shaped to approximate the dimensions of a blank 26 of the puzzle piece 22 so as to be removably engageable with the blank 26 of the puzzle piece 22. Thus, in such embodiments, with the tab 28- shaped second end 32 of the modular piece 24 removably engaged with the blank 26 of the puzzle piece 22, the tab 28-shaped first end 30 of the modular piece 24 creates an additional tab 28 for the puzzle piece 22, effectively converting the blank 26 into a tab 28. Accordingly, in at least one embodiment, a given puzzle piece 22 can be selectively modified to become an edge piece, or an internal piece, or a connector piece.

[0023] In at least one embodiment, the second end 32 of the at least one modular piece 24 provides an at least one modular engagement mechanism 36, while the puzzle piece 22 provides a corresponding at least one puzzle engagement mechanism 38 positioned and configured for removable engagement with the at least one modular engagement mechanism 36. Additionally, in at least one embodiment, the first end 30 of the at least one modular piece 24 provides a further at least one modular engagement mechanism 36, while the puzzle piece 22 provides a corresponding further puzzle engagement mechanism 38 positioned and configured for removable engagement with the further at least one modular engagement mechanism 36. In at least one embodiment, the at least one modular engagement mechanism 36 is positioned on a sidewall 40 of the modular piece 24, while the corresponding at least one puzzle engagement mechanism 38 is positioned on a sidewall 42 of the puzzle piece 22. In at least one embodiment, where the at least one modular engagement mechanism 36 is positioned on the first end 30 of the modular piece 24, the corresponding at least one puzzle engagement mechanism 38 is positioned on the sidewall 42 of the puzzle piece 22 within a blank 26 of the puzzle piece 22, such that the at least one modular engagement mechanism 36 aligns with the corresponding at least one puzzle engagement mechanism 38 when the first end 30 of the modular piece 24 is indexed into the blank 26 of the puzzle piece 22. In at least one embodiment, where the at least one modular engagement mechanism 36 is positioned on the second end 32 of the modular piece 24, and the second end 32 is tab 28-shaped, the corresponding at least one puzzle engagement mechanism 38 is positioned on the sidewall 42 of the puzzle piece 22 within a blank 26 of the puzzle piece 22, such that the at least one modular engagement mechanism 36 aligns with the corresponding at least one puzzle engagement mechanism 38 when the second end 32 of the modular piece 24 is indexed into the blank 26 of the puzzle piece 22. In at least one embodiment, where the at least one modular engagement mechanism 36 is positioned on the second end 32 of the modular piece 24, and the second end 32 is edge-shaped, the corresponding at least one puzzle engagement mechanism 38 is positioned on the sidewall 42 of the puzzle piece 22 on the free edge 34 of the puzzle piece 22.

[0024] In at least one embodiment, as best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the at least one modular engagement mechanism 36 is a protrusion 44 extending perpendicularly from the sidewall 40 of the modular piece 24 (so as to lie substantially in the same plane as the modular piece 24), while the corresponding at least one puzzle engagement mechanism 38 is a slot 46 positioned within the sidewall 42 of the puzzle piece 22 and configured for slidably receiving the protrusion 44. In at least one such embodiment, the slot 46 is sized and configured for creating a friction fit with the protrusion 44 when the protrusion 44 is inserted therewithin, thereby assisting to prevent the modular piece 24 from becoming unintentionally disengaged from the puzzle piece 22. In at least one alternate embodiment, the slot 46 is sized and configured for creating an interference fit withthe protrusion 44 when the protrusion 44 is inserted therewithin. In still further embodiments, any other mechanism or technique, now known or later developed, capable of assisting to prevent the modular piece 24 from becoming unintentionally disengaged from the puzzle piece 22, may be substituted.

[0025] In at least one alternate embodiment, as best illustrated in Fig. 5, each of the at least one modular engagement mechanism 36 and corresponding at least one puzzle engagement mechanism 38 is a magnet 48. In at least one further alternate embodiment, the at least one modular engagement mechanism 36 is a magnet 48, while the puzzle piece 22 (or at least appropriate portions / locations of the puzzle piece 22, such as the sidewall 42 of the puzzle piece 22, for example) is constructed out of a magnetic material (such as metal, for example). In at least one further alternate embodiment, the at least one puzzle engagement mechanism 38 is a magnet 48, while the modular piece 24 (or at least appropriate portions / locations of the modular piece 24, such as the sidewall 40 of the modular piece 24, proximal to the first end 30 or second end 32, for example) is constructed out of a magnetic material (such as metal, for example). In at least one still further alternate embodiment, each of the at least one puzzle piece 22 and modular piece 24 is constructed out of a magnetized material, thereby allowing each of the at least one puzzle piece 22 and modular piece 24 to be positioned on a magnetic surface (such as a metal surface, for example) to assist in preventing the at least one puzzle piece 22 and modular piece 24 from becoming unintentionally disengaged.

[0026] In further alternate embodiments, one or more of the at least one modular engagement mechanism 36 and corresponding at least one puzzle engagement mechanism 38 may take on any other configurations, and may utilize any other removable engagement mechanisms or techniques, now known or later developed - including but not limited to snaps, buttons, hook-and-loop fasteners, adhesives, etc. - so long as the apparatus 20 is capable of substantially carrying out the functionality described herein. Additionally, in further embodiments, each of the at least one modular engagement mechanism 36 and corresponding at least one puzzle engagement mechanism 38 may take on any sizes, shapes, dimensions, configurations, quantities and / or relative positions, now known or later developed - dependent at least in part on the overall design of the apparatus 20 - so long as the apparatus 20 is capable of substantially carrying out the functionality described herein.

[0027] In at least one embodiment, the at least one modular piece 24 and puzzle piece 22 may be constructed out of plastic, cardboard, wood, metal, magnetic material, or any other material, now known or later developed, so long as the apparatus 20 is capable of substantially carrying out the functionality described herein.

[0028] In at least one embodiment, the puzzle pieces 22 can be individually packaged with or without the modular pieces 24, sold in sets, sold to be placed together in a puzzle with one or multiple configurations, sold to connect one puzzle with another puzzle, etc. In at least one embodiment, the modular pieces 24 can also be added or sold separately. In at least one further embodiment, the puzzle pieces 22 may be blank 26, have solid colors printed thereon, or have any other design printed thereon - either separately or in combination with multiple puzzle pieces 22. In at least one embodiment, a standard puzzle piece 22 shape is used due to familiarity; but puzzles already incorporate design elements in the shape of the puzzle pieces 22 (animal / shape / brand, etc.) and those shapes will be utilized and have modifiable connection when appropriate.

[0029] In at least one embodiment, a puzzle may consist solely of the puzzle pieces 22, or a puzzle can consist of a combination of puzzle pieces 22 and regular (i.e., non-modular) pieces to complete the puzzle. Additionally, in at least one embodiment, the edge of the puzzle may utilize the puzzle pieces 22 to allow for multiple puzzles to connect to each other. This will allow for puzzles to be made for the purposes of connecting with other puzzles, allowing for the connections to continue across the edge like the other pieces, instead of having a solid edge line internal of the combined puzzle. In at least one embodiment, while the puzzle can be expected to be placed together once, the intention is to have a highly modifiable puzzle that can be placed together multiple times and in multiple different arrangements. In at least one embodiment, these modifiable puzzle pieces 22 can be used in three-dimensional puzzles as well, with the understanding that the difference in the puzzle pieces 22 is the compatibility with the modular pieces 24 as described above.

[0030] In at least one embodiment, as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, the apparatus 20 can be used in therapeutic settings and can be used to represent various concepts such as boundaries, conflict management and personal growth. The modular puzzle pieces 22 allow for more flexibility in usage and engagement of kinesthetic and visual learners. By way of example, in discussing boundaries between two people, two puzzle pieces 22 can be positioned next to one other and connect with one puzzle piece’s 22 color / design to show one person is 100% and one person has 0% say, a modular piece 24 can be a blend of the two colors / designs of the puzzle pieces 22 to show 50 / 50 agreement, or the modular piece 24 can be missing and that negative space formed by the blanks 26 is a sign of a hard boundary / no agreement / future work. By using these modular puzzle pieces 22 as representations of concepts, there are many uses - e.g., therapeutic discussions, conflict management, and other work visually represented. As the concepts fit together, a puzzle can show growth over time, and it can show the flaws and missing pieces as much as the connections. Having modular puzzle pieces 22 allows more flexibility in usage withoutentering three dimensions. The two-dimensional jigsaw puzzle piece 22 is commonly recognizable and easy to understand, as well as a way to engage kinesthetic and visual learners.

[0031] By way of another example, the apparatus 20 is usable in play therapy and can be used to engage users that may find therapy confusing, off-putting, or childish. As puzzles are culturally acceptable in the Western cultures for all ages, there is less of a barrier as a tool.

[0032] Aspects of the present specification may also be described as the following embodiments:

[0033] 1. A modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus comprising: a plurality of substantially planar puzzle pieces; an at least one substantially planar modular piece providing a first end and an opposing second end; the first end of the at least one modular piece sized and shaped as a tab capable of indexing into a correspondingly sized and shaped blank of at least one of the puzzle pieces; and the second end of the at least one modular piece configured for selective removable engagement with another of the puzzle pieces; whereby, the at least one modular piece is capable of selectively modifying a shape of the at least one puzzle piece.

[0034] 2. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to embodiment 1 , wherein: the second end of the at least one modular piece has a substantially linear edge shape which complements a free edge of at least one of the puzzle pieces; and the second end of said modular piece is configured for removable engagement with said free edge of said puzzle piece; whereby, with the edge-shaped second end of said modular piece removably engaged with said free edge of said puzzle piece, the tab-shaped first end of said modular piece creates an additional tab for said puzzle piece at said free edge.

[0035] 3. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to embodiments 1 -2, wherein: the second end of the at least one modular piece has a substantially linear edge shape; whereby, with the tab-shaped first end of said modular piece indexed into a correspondingly sized and shaped blank of one of the puzzle pieces, the edge-shaped second end of said modular piece cooperates with said puzzle piece to create a substantially linear free edge, thereby converting said puzzle piece into an edge piece.

[0036] 4. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to embodiments 1 -3, wherein: the second end of the at least one modular piece is sized and shaped as a tab capable of indexing into a correspondingly sized and shaped blank of another of the puzzle pieces; whereby, with the tabshaped second end of said modular piece indexed into said blank of said puzzle piece, the tab-shaped first end of said modular piece creates a tab for said puzzle piece, thereby converting said blank of said puzzle piece into a tab.

[0037] 5. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to embodiments 1 -4, wherein: the second end of the at least one modular piece provides an at least one modular engagement mechanism; and at least one of the puzzle pieces provides a corresponding at least one puzzle engagement mechanism positioned and configured for removable engagement with the at least one modular engagement mechanism.

[0038] 6. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to embodiments 1 -5, wherein: the at least one modular engagement mechanism is positioned on a sidewall of the modular piece; and the corresponding at least one puzzle engagement mechanism is positioned on a sidewall of the puzzle piece.

[0039] 7. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to embodiments 1 -6, wherein: the second end of the at least one modular piece is sized and shaped as a tab capable of indexing into a correspondingly sized and shaped blank of said puzzle piece; and the at least one puzzle engagement mechanism is positioned within said blank of said puzzle piece; whereby, the at least one modular engagement mechanism aligns with the corresponding at least one puzzle engagement mechanism when the second end of said modular piece is indexed into said blank of said puzzle piece.

[0040] 8. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to embodiments 1 -7, wherein: the second end of the at least one modular piece has a substantially linear edge shape which complements a free edge of said puzzle piece; and the at least one puzzle engagement mechanism is positioned on said free edge of said puzzle piece.

[0041] 9. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to embodiments 1 -8, wherein: the at least one modular engagement mechanism is a protrusion extending perpendicularly from said sidewall of said modular piece; and the corresponding at least one puzzle engagement mechanism is a slot positioned within said sidewall of said puzzle piece and configured for slidably receiving the protrusion.

[0042] 10. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to embodiments 1 -9, wherein the slot is sized and configured for creating a friction fit with the protrusion when the protrusion is inserted therewithin, thereby assisting to prevent said modular piece from becoming unintentionally disengaged from said puzzle piece.

[0043] 11. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to embodiments 1-10, wherein the slot is sized and configured for creating an interference fit with the protrusion when the protrusion is inserted therewithin, thereby assisting to prevent said modular piece from becoming unintentionally disengaged from said puzzle piece.

[0044] 12. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to embodiments 1 -1 1 , wherein each of the at least one modular engagement mechanism and corresponding at least one puzzle engagement mechanism is a magnet.

[0045] 13. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to embodiments 1-12, wherein, for each of the at least one modular engagement mechanism and corresponding at least one puzzle engagement mechanism: a one of said modular engagement mechanism and corresponding puzzle engagement mechanism is a magnet; and the other of said modular engagement mechanism and corresponding puzzle engagement mechanism is constructed out of a magnetic material.

[0046] 14. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to embodiments 1 -13, wherein each of the at least one puzzle piece and modular piece is constructed out of a magnetized material.

[0047] 15. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to embodiments 1 -14, wherein: the first end of the at least one modular piece provides a further at least one modular engagement mechanism; and at least one of the puzzle pieces provides a corresponding at least one further puzzle engagement mechanism positioned and configured for removable engagement with the further at least one modular engagement mechanism.

[0048] 16. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to embodiments 1 -15, wherein: the further at least one modular engagement mechanism of the first end is positioned on a sidewall of the modular piece; and the corresponding at least one further puzzle engagement mechanism is positioned on a sidewall of the puzzle piece within a blank of the puzzle piece; whereby, the further at least one modular engagement mechanism aligns with the corresponding at least one further puzzle engagement mechanism when the first end of said modular piece is indexed into the blank of said puzzle piece.

[0049] 17. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to embodiments 1 -16, wherein: the further at least one modular engagement mechanism is a protrusion extending perpendicularly from said sidewall of said modular piece; and the corresponding at least one further puzzle engagement mechanism is a slot positioned within said sidewall of said puzzle piece and configured for slidably receiving the protrusion.

[0050] 18. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to embodiments 1-17, wherein the slot is sized and configured for creating a friction fit with the protrusion when the protrusion is inserted therewithin, thereby assisting to prevent said modular piece from becoming unintentionally disengaged from said puzzle piece.

[0051] 19. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to embodiments 1-18, wherein the slot is sized and configured for creating an interference fit with the protrusion when the protrusion is inserted therewithin, thereby assisting to prevent said modular piece from becoming unintentionally disengaged from said puzzle piece.

[0052] 20. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to embodiments 1 -19, wherein each of the further at least one modular engagement mechanism and corresponding at least one further puzzle engagement mechanism is a magnet.

[0053] 21. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to embodiments 1-20, wherein, for each of the further at least one modular engagement mechanism and corresponding at least one further puzzle engagement mechanism: a one of said modular engagement mechanism and corresponding puzzle engagement mechanism is a magnet; and the other of said modular engagement mechanism and corresponding puzzle engagement mechanism is constructed out of a magnetic material.

[0054] 22. A modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus comprising: a plurality of substantially planar puzzle pieces; an at least one substantially planar modular piece providing a first end and an opposing second end; the first end of the at least one modular piece sized and shaped as a tab capable of indexing into a correspondingly sized and shaped blank of at least one of the puzzle pieces; and the second end of the at least one modular piece having a substantially linear edge shape which complements a free edge of another of the puzzle pieces, the second end of said modular piece configured for removable engagement with said free edge of said puzzle piece; whereby, the at least one modular piece is capable of selectively modifying a shape of the at least one puzzle piece.

[0055] 23. A modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus comprising: a plurality of substantially planar puzzle pieces; an at least one substantially planar modular piece providing a first end and an opposing second end; the first end of the at least one modular piece sized and shaped as a tab capable of indexing into a correspondingly sized and shaped blank of at least one of the puzzle pieces; and the second end of the at least one modular piece sized and shaped as a tab capable of indexing into a correspondingly sized and shaped blank of another of the puzzle pieces; whereby,with the tab-shaped second end of said modular piece indexed into said blank of said puzzle piece, the tab-shaped first end of said modular piece creates a tab for said puzzle piece, thereby converting said blank of said puzzle piece into a tab.

[0056] In closing, regarding the exemplary embodiments of the present invention as shown and described herein, it will be appreciated that a modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus is disclosed and configured for providing modular, selectively modifiable, interchangeable jigsaw puzzle pieces. Because the principles of the invention may be practiced in a number of configurations beyond those shown and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not in any way limited by the exemplary embodiments, but is generally directed to a modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus and is able to take numerous forms to do so without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the particular geometries and materials of construction disclosed, but may instead entail other functionally comparable structures or materials, now known or later developed, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0057] Certain embodiments of the present invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventor(s) for carrying out the invention. Of course, variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor(s) expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor(s) intend for the present invention to be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described embodiments in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

[0058] Groupings of alternative embodiments, elements, or steps of the present invention are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other group members disclosed herein. It is anticipated that one or more members of a group may be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and / or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

[0059] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing a characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, term, and so forth used in the present specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the terms “about” and “approximately.” As used herein, the terms “about” and “approximately” mean that the characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, or term so qualified encompasses a range of plus or minus ten percent above and below the value of the stated characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, or term. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical indication should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and values setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical ranges and values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical range or value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Recitation of numerical ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate numerical value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value of a numerical range is incorporated into the present specification as if it were individually recited herein. Similarly, as used herein, unless indicated to the contrary, the term “substantially” is a term of degree intended to indicate an approximation of the characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, or term so qualified, encompassing a range that can be understood and construed by those of ordinary skill in the art, or at least encompassing a range of plus or minus ten percent above and below the value of the stated characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, or term.

[0060] Use of the terms “may” or “can” in reference to an embodiment or aspect of an embodiment also carries with it the alternative meaning of “may not" or “cannot.” As such, if the present specification discloses that an embodiment or an aspect of an embodiment may be or can be included as part of the inventive subject matter, then the negative limitation or exclusionary proviso is also explicitly meant, meaning that an embodiment or an aspect of an embodiment may not be or cannot be included as part of the inventive subject matter. In a similar manner, use of the term “optionally” in reference to an embodiment or aspect of an embodiment means that such embodiment or aspect of the embodiment may be included as part of the inventive subject matter or may not be included as part of the inventive subject matter. Whether such a negative limitation or exclusionary proviso applies will be based on whether the negative limitation or exclusionary proviso is recited in the claimed subject matter.

[0061] The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar references used in the context of describing the present invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Further, ordinal indicators - such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc. - for identified elements are used to distinguish between the elements, and do not indicate or imply a required or limited number of such elements, and do not indicate a particular position or order of such elements unless otherwise specifically stated. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the present invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the present specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

[0062] When used in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, the open-ended transitional term “comprising” (along with equivalent open-ended transitional phrases thereof such as “including,” “containing” and “having”) encompasses all the expressly recited elements, limitations, steps and / or features alone or in combination with un-recited subject matter; the named elements, limitations and / or features are essential, but other unnamed elements, limitations and / or features may be added and still form a construct within the scope of the claim. Specific embodiments disclosed herein may be further limited in the claims using the closed-ended transitional phrases “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of” in lieu of or as an amendment for “comprising.” When used in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, the closed- ended transitional phrase “consisting of” excludes any element, limitation, step, or feature not expressly recited in the claims. The closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting essentially of” limits the scope of a claim to the expressly recited elements, limitations, steps and / or features and any other elements, limitations, steps and / or features that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter. Thus, the meaning of the open-ended transitional phrase “comprising” is being defined as encompassing all the specifically recited elements, limitations, steps and / or features as well as any optional, additional unspecified ones. The meaning of the closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting of” is being defined as only including those elements, limitations, steps and / or features specifically recited in the claim, whereas the meaning of the closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting essentially of” is being defined as only including those elements, limitations, steps and / or features specifically recited in the claim and those elements, limitations, steps and / or features that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter. Therefore, the open-ended transitional phrase “comprising” (along with equivalent open-ended transitional phrases thereof)includes within its meaning, as a limiting case, claimed subject matter specified by the closed- ended transitional phrases “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of.” As such, embodiments described herein or so claimed with the phrase “comprising” are expressly or inherently unambiguously described, enabled and supported herein for the phrases “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of.”

[0063] Any claims intended to be treated under 35 U.S.C. §1 12(f) will begin with the words “means for,” but use of the term “for” in any other context is not intended to invoke treatment under 35 U.S.C. §1 12(f). Accordingly, Applicant reserves the right to pursue additional claims after filing this application, in either this application or in a continuing application.

[0064] It should be understood that any methods disclosed herein, along with the order in which the respective elements of any such method are performed, are purely exemplary. Depending on the implementation, they may be performed in any order or in parallel, unless indicated otherwise in the present disclosure.

[0065] All patents, patent publications, and other publications referenced and identified in the present specification are individually and expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for the purpose of describing and disclosing, for example, the compositions and methodologies described in such publications that might be used in connection with the present invention. These publications are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing in this regard should be construed as an admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention or for any other reason. All statements as to the date or representation as to the contents of these documents are based on the information available to the applicants and does not constitute any admission as to the correctness of the dates or contents of these documents.

[0066] While aspects of the invention have been described with reference to at least one exemplary embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here, that the inventor(s) believe that the claimed subject matter is the invention.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:1 . A modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus comprising: a plurality of substantially planar puzzle pieces; an at least one substantially planar modular piece providing a first end and an opposing second end; the first end of the at least one modular piece sized and shaped as a tab capable of indexing into a correspondingly sized and shaped blank of at least one of the puzzle pieces; and the second end of the at least one modular piece configured for selective removable engagement with another of the puzzle pieces; whereby, the at least one modular piece is capable of selectively modifying a shape of the at least one puzzle piece.

2. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus of claim 1 , wherein: the second end of the at least one modular piece has a substantially linear edge shape which complements a free edge of at least one of the puzzle pieces; and the second end of said modular piece is configured for removable engagement with said free edge of said puzzle piece; whereby, with the edge-shaped second end of said modular piece removably engaged with said free edge of said puzzle piece, the tab-shaped first end of said modular piece creates an additional tab for said puzzle piece at said free edge.

3. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus of claim 1 , wherein: the second end of the at least one modular piece has a substantially linear edge shape; whereby, with the tab-shaped first end of said modular piece indexed into a correspondingly sized and shaped blank of one of the puzzle pieces, the edge-shaped second end of said modular piece cooperates with said puzzle piece to create a substantially linear free edge, thereby converting said puzzle piece into an edge piece.

4. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus of claim 1 , wherein: the second end of the at least one modular piece is sized and shaped as a tab capable of indexing into a correspondingly sized and shaped blank of another of the puzzle pieces;whereby, with the tab-shaped second end of said modular piece indexed into said blank of said puzzle piece, the tab-shaped first end of said modular piece creates a tab for said puzzle piece, thereby converting said blank of said puzzle piece into a tab.

5. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus of claim 1 , wherein: the second end of the at least one modular piece provides an at least one modular engagement mechanism; and at least one of the puzzle pieces provides a corresponding at least one puzzle engagement mechanism positioned and configured for removable engagement with the at least one modular engagement mechanism.

6. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus of claim 5, wherein: the at least one modular engagement mechanism is positioned on a sidewall of the modular piece; and the corresponding at least one puzzle engagement mechanism is positioned on a sidewall of the puzzle piece.

7. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus of claim 6, wherein: the second end of the at least one modular piece is sized and shaped as a tab capable of indexing into a correspondingly sized and shaped blank of said puzzle piece; and the at least one puzzle engagement mechanism is positioned within said blank of said puzzle piece; whereby, the at least one modular engagement mechanism aligns with the corresponding at least one puzzle engagement mechanism when the second end of said modular piece is indexed into said blank of said puzzle piece.

8. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus of claim 6, wherein: the second end of the at least one modular piece has a substantially linear edge shape which complements a free edge of said puzzle piece; and the at least one puzzle engagement mechanism is positioned on said free edge of said puzzle piece.

9. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus of claim 6, wherein: the at least one modular engagement mechanism is a protrusion extending perpendicularly from said sidewall of said modular piece; andthe corresponding at least one puzzle engagement mechanism is a slot positioned within said sidewall of said puzzle piece and configured for slidably receiving the protrusion.

10. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus of claim 9, wherein the slot is sized and configured for creating a friction fit with the protrusion when the protrusion is inserted therewithin, thereby assisting to prevent said modular piece from becoming unintentionally disengaged from said puzzle piece.11 . The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus of claim 6, wherein each of the at least one modular engagement mechanism and corresponding at least one puzzle engagement mechanism is a magnet.

12. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus of claim 6, wherein, for each of the at least one modular engagement mechanism and corresponding at least one puzzle engagement mechanism: a one of said modular engagement mechanism and corresponding puzzle engagement mechanism is a magnet; and the other of said modular engagement mechanism and corresponding puzzle engagement mechanism is constructed out of a magnetic material.

13. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus of claim 5, wherein: the first end of the at least one modular piece provides a further at least one modular engagement mechanism; and at least one of the puzzle pieces provides a corresponding at least one further puzzle engagement mechanism positioned and configured for removable engagement with the further at least one modular engagement mechanism.

14. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus of claim 13, wherein: the further at least one modular engagement mechanism of the first end is positioned on a sidewall of the modular piece; and the corresponding at least one further puzzle engagement mechanism is positioned on a sidewall of the puzzle piece within a blank of the puzzle piece; whereby, the further at least one modular engagement mechanism aligns with the corresponding at least one further puzzle engagement mechanism when the first end of said modular piece is indexed into the blank of said puzzle piece.

15. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus of claim 14, wherein: the further at least one modular engagement mechanism is a protrusion extending perpendicularly from said sidewall of said modular piece; and the corresponding at least one further puzzle engagement mechanism is a slot positioned within said sidewall of said puzzle piece and configured for slidably receiving the protrusion.

16. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus of claim 15, wherein the slot is sized and configured for creating a friction fit with the protrusion when the protrusion is inserted therewithin, thereby assisting to prevent said modular piece from becoming unintentionally disengaged from said puzzle piece.

17. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus of claim 13, wherein each of the further at least one modular engagement mechanism and corresponding at least one further puzzle engagement mechanism is a magnet.

18. The modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus of claim 13, wherein, for each of the further at least one modular engagement mechanism and corresponding at least one further puzzle engagement mechanism: a one of said modular engagement mechanism and corresponding puzzle engagement mechanism is a magnet; and the other of said modular engagement mechanism and corresponding puzzle engagement mechanism is constructed out of a magnetic material.

19. A modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus comprising: a plurality of substantially planar puzzle pieces; an at least one substantially planar modular piece providing a first end and an opposing second end; the first end of the at least one modular piece sized and shaped as a tab capable of indexing into a correspondingly sized and shaped blank of at least one of the puzzle pieces; and the second end of the at least one modular piece having a substantially linear edge shape which complements a free edge of another of the puzzle pieces, the second end of said modular piece configured for removable engagement with said free edge of said puzzle piece; whereby, the at least one modular piece is capable of selectively modifying a shape of the at least one puzzle piece.

20. A modular jigsaw puzzle apparatus comprising: a plurality of substantially planar puzzle pieces; an at least one substantially planar modular piece providing a first end and an opposing second end; the first end of the at least one modular piece sized and shaped as a tab capable of indexing into a correspondingly sized and shaped blank of at least one of the puzzle pieces; and the second end of the at least one modular piece sized and shaped as a tab capable of indexing into a correspondingly sized and shaped blank of another of the puzzle pieces; whereby, with the tab-shaped second end of said modular piece indexed into said blank of said puzzle piece, the tab-shaped first end of said modular piece creates a tab for said puzzle piece, thereby converting said blank of said puzzle piece into a tab.

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