Polyhedral Jigsaw Puzzle With Releasable Piece Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing jigsaw puzzles are limited to single-plane compositions, often requiring adhesive substances that are unsafe for young children and cannot be easily removed, and lack versatility for creating multiple puzzles.

Innovation Solution

A jigsaw puzzle with a polyhedral support and mechanical releasable coupling means, featuring through holes, studs, and grooves for securing puzzle pieces, allowing multi-plane compositions without adhesives and ensuring pieces stay in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If adhesive substances are used to keep puzzle pieces connected, then the puzzle pieces can be secured in place, but the adhesive cannot be handled by young children and cannot be removed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepuzzle piece retentionVSAvoidsafety for young children
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces adhesive substances with a mechanical coupling system consisting of recesses in the support and corresponding protrusions on puzzle pieces. This mechanical interlocking mechanism provides secure retention without using chemical adhesives that are unsafe for children, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Stability of the object's composition

If supports are designed for horizontal plane composition, then puzzle assembly is stable, but the puzzle cannot be composed vertically or in multiple planes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepuzzle assembly stabilityVSAvoidmulti-plane composition capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support is designed with recesses that can accommodate puzzle pieces in multiple orientations and planes. The mechanical coupling system works regardless of whether pieces are arranged horizontally, vertically, or in three-dimensional configurations, allowing a single support to serve multiple functions and enable versatile puzzle composition across different planes while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional horizontal puzzle assembly to three-dimensional multi-plane composition. The support structure with its recesses and the mechanical coupling system enable puzzle pieces to be arranged not only in the horizontal plane but also in vertical and diagonal orientations, adding spatial dimensions to the puzzle composition capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If known supports are designed for one composition, then the support structure is simple, but the possibilities for play are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport structure simplicityVSAvoidplay possibilities
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure maintains relative simplicity while incorporating recesses that can accommodate various puzzle piece configurations. This universal design allows the same support to facilitate multiple different puzzle compositions and arrangements, greatly expanding play possibilities without proportionally increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables easy assembly and disassembly of multiple puzzles in any plane, ensuring stability without adhesives, suitable for all ages, and allowing diverse compositions.

Implementation Method 1

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

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

mechanical releasable coupling means are provided for securing the individual pieces to the outer surface of the faces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP4678251A1Jigsaw puzzle
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 EDUCA BORRAS SAU
  • EP4678251A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4678251A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4678251A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

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).