PUZZLE

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to recreational games, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a jigsaw puzzle configured to be completed in an expeditious manner wherein the puzzle includes a first indicia displayed along an X-axis and a second indicia displayed along a Y-axis.

BACKGROUND

As is known in the art, a jigsaw puzzle is a puzzle utilizing pieces, or tiles, that require the assembly thereof wherein the pieces are irregularly shaped and configured to interlock with a particular additional piece. Typically, each piece has a portion of a picture, which is completed by solving the puzzle. Conventional jigsaw puzzles were invented in eighteenth century by painting a picture on a flat, rectangular piece of wood, then cutting the wood into small pieces. The term, jigsaw, comes from the type of tool that was utilized to cut the wood into the pieces after painting. Typically, the tools employed to manufacture the puzzle were jigsaws and scroll saws. John Spilsbury who was a cartographer and engraver was the inventor of the jigsaw puzzle and was the first to commercialize them. His design took world maps, and cut out the individual nations in order for them to be reassembled by students as a geographical teaching aid. Modern jigsaw puzzles are now traditionally manufactured from interlocking cardboard pieces, incorporating a variety of images and designs.

Jigsaw puzzles have been used in research studies to study cognitive abilities such as mental rotation and visuospatial abilities in children. Typical images on jigsaw puzzles include scenes from nature, buildings, and repetitive designs. Modern puzzle makers manufacture elaborate puzzles utilizing a wide range of subject matter, including optical illusions, unusual art, and personal photographs. While these conventional jigsaw puzzles meet the needs of some, others do not engage due to the complexity and time requirements for completion of a conventional jigsaw puzzle. The shades of coloring and complex pictures can result in the requirement of hours and days to complete a jigsaw puzzle. For many individuals who are seeking to engage in a shorter activity that includes a social element with others, these conventional jigsaw puzzles do not meet their criteria.

Accordingly, there is a need for a jigsaw puzzle that is configured with a color pattern and an indicia pattern that facilitates the completion of the puzzle in a relatively short time period.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a jigsaw puzzle that includes a multitude of interlocking pieces wherein the present invention includes an X-axis edge row.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a jigsaw puzzle that is manufactured to facilitate the completion thereof in a short time period wherein the present invention includes a Y-axis edge row.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a jigsaw puzzle that includes a multitude of interlocking pieces wherein the X-axis edge row includes a first type of indicia.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a jigsaw puzzle that is manufactured to facilitate the completion thereof in a short time period wherein the Y-axis edge row includes a second type of indicia.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a jigsaw puzzle that includes a multitude of interlocking pieces wherein the first type of indicia and second type of indicia are organized graphically in a pattern to indicate position location of a piece of the puzzle.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a jigsaw puzzle that is manufactured to facilitate the completion thereof in a short time period wherein the edge row pieces of the present invention are a different and distinct color from the interior pieces of the puzzle to facilitate the sorting of the edge row pieces from the interior pieces.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a jigsaw puzzle that includes a multitude of interlocking pieces wherein the first type of indicia and second type of indicia sequentially increase to further provide the identification of the location of the piece for assembly of the jigsaw puzzle.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a puzzle 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic.

Referring in particular to the Figures submitted herewith, the puzzle 100 is manufactured from a suitable material such as but not limited to cardboard. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the puzzle 100 could be provided in alternate sizes and shapes. While a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a color pattern that is darker proximate the center and lightens towards the lateral edges, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the puzzle 100 could employ various color patterns and images on the surface thereof. Furthermore, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the puzzle 100 could be comprised of various quantities of pieces and the pieces could be provided in alternate interlocking shapes.

The puzzle 100 includes opposing first lateral edges 10,12 and opposing second lateral edges 30,32. The firsts lateral edges are oriented in an X-axis direction and the second lateral edges 30,32 are oriented in a Y-axis direction. The puzzle 100 include four corner pieces 15 wherein the four corner pieces have indicia imprinted thereon that is different than the indicia imprinted on the rows 5 and columns 6 as is further discussed herein. The puzzle 100 includes a first edge border 40 and a second edge border 42 comprised of a plurality of pieces 99. The first edge border 40 and second edge border 42 are oriented in an X-axis row and have indicia imprinted thereon that is sequentially increasing. The first edge border 40 and second edge border 42 in a preferred embodiment have numbers imprinted thereon wherein the numbers increase from left to right across the puzzle facilitated by the operable connection of the pieces 99. While a preferred embodiment of sequentially increasing numbers has been disclosed herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the first edge border 40 and second edge border 42 could be imprinted with alternate indicia that indicate placement of a piece 99 thereof.

The puzzle 100 further includes a first column edge 50 and a second column edge 52 oriented in a Y-axis direction. The first column edge 50 and second column edge 52 are operably coupled with the first edge border 40 and second edge border 42 at corners 15. The first column edge 50 and second column edge 52 have indicia imprinted on the pieces 99 thereof that provide a sequential or ordering of the pieces 99 for assembly thereof in the correct manner. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first column edge 50 and second column edge 52 have imprinted thereon English alphabet characters. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the pieces 99 of the first column edge 50 and second column edge 52 could have alternate indicia imprinted thereon providing indication as to adjacent pieces 99 to connect during assembly of the puzzle 100.

The pieces 99 of the puzzle 100 intermediate the first edge border 40, second edge border 42, first column edge 50 and second column edge 52 include indica of both of the aforementioned to indicate the placement location of the piece 99 during assembly of the puzzle 100. By way of example but not limitation, piece 98 has the indicia imprinted thereon of an A and a 1. This indicia indicates the location of the piece 98 is in the row adjacent the, A, imprinted on the first column edge 50 and second column edge 52 and the column identified by the number 1 imprinted on the first edge border 40 and the second edge border 42. The remaining pieces 99 follow the same placement logic wherein the dual indicia imprinted on the pieces 99 provide indication of the placement of the piece 99 during assembly of the puzzle 100. It should be understood that the puzzle 100 illustrated herein is exemplary and alternate quantities of pieces and alternate indicia could be employed to facilitate the desired objective of providing indication of the location for a piece 99 during assembly of the puzzle 100. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the first indicia and second indicia could be interchangeably utilized on either the X-axis or Y-axis of the puzzle 100.

Referring in particular to FIG. 2 submitted herewith, the rear side of the puzzle is illustrated herein. The preferred color pattern of a darker color proximate the center of the puzzle migrating to a lighter color proximate the first edge border 40, second edge border 42, first column edge 50 and second column edge 52. The corners 15 have marking indicia 17 imprinted thereon wherein the marking indicia 17 provides indication that the piece is a corner piece 15. It should be further understood within the scope of the present invention that the first edge border 40, second edge border 42, first column edge 50 and second column edge 52 are provided in the same color that is different from all other pieces 99 indicating their location.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.