Abstract:
A jigsaw puzzle game system has a number of inter-fitting pieces which combine to create a finished visual effect. None of the puzzle pieces are interchangeable. All pieces have identical top and bottom surfaces and thus could be used on either side. The pieces do not carry a visual marker or design to assist in determining where the individual pieces fit in the overall puzzle scheme. Each puzzle is a unique design with a combination of pieces that will fit no other puzzle with similar visual appearance. Each puzzle is assigned a serial number and individual part numbers are assigned to each puzzle piece. A puzzle solution map is included with each puzzle. This map includes the unique serial number of the corresponding puzzle along with a completed visual scheme with each puzzle piece indicated with a part number that corresponds with the assigned number for each puzzle piece. A method is provided for computer-generated replacement of the puzzle solution map or individual puzzle pieces through an Internet website.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to jigsaw puzzle games which involve arranging multiple puzzle pieces to reach a solution and a system and method to provide a solution map and replacements pieces to the user.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Puzzles or games of various shapes and sizes that involve a user arranging and rearranging puzzle pieces to achieve a specified solution are well known in the art. In particular most people are familiar with “jigsaw” puzzles, in which a large number of interlocking pieces can be fitted together to make a recognizable two-dimensional picture or pattern. Such puzzles include, for example, the widely recognized Chinese puzzle known as the tangram that involves combining interlocking and non-interlocking geometric puzzle pieces into a larger shaped puzzle solution either contained within an external frame or tray, or within an edge formation that is composed of individual puzzle pieces commonly called border or edge pieces.  
         [0003]     Examples of puzzles with an external frame or tray are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,433,485 and 4,053,159. Examples of puzzles with an edge formation composed of individual border or edge pieces are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,067,714 and 6,550,769.  
         [0004]     These puzzles are usually played by a user as a source of an enjoyable challenge or entertainment. These puzzles also serve to improve the cognitive abilities of many users, especially children, and can therefore be a valuable educational aid or learning tool.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     One advantage of the inventive jigsaw puzzle game system is that none of the puzzle pieces are interchangeable. The upper and lower surfaces of all puzzle pieces are finished identically in all respects, including but not limited to smoothness and color, and thus could be used on either side. In addition, the upper and lower surfaces of the pieces carry no visual marker or design to assist in determining where the individual pieces fit in the overall puzzle scheme—all to increase the level of difficulty.  
         [0006]     Another advantage of the inventive jigsaw puzzle game system is that the user is afforded access to a graphic user interface screen display of a puzzle solution map through a computer-generated medium via an Internet web site.  
         [0007]     Another advantage of the inventive jigsaw puzzle game system is that each jigsaw puzzle game system may be unique. Each jigsaw puzzle game system is individually designed, manufactured, and signed by an artist. Each jigsaw puzzle game system has a serial number and part numbers assigned to each puzzle piece. The user can reproduce the puzzle solution map by graphic user interface screen display at the Internet web site and obtain replacement puzzle pieces, border pieces or frame tray identified on the screen display by following computer-implemented ordering instructions.  
         [0008]     It is an object of this invention to provide a new type of puzzle game system of inter-fitting puzzle pieces, preferably of the nature of a jigsaw puzzle that may be unique in design and visual appearance.  
         [0009]     It is a further object of this invention to provide a jigsaw puzzle game system comprising a plurality of puzzle pieces, said pieces being shaped to inter-fit with adjacent puzzle pieces to form an assembled puzzle structure, either within an external frame or bordering on an internal frame or having no frame, said assembled puzzle structure having a finished visual scheme being the outline of the pieces in coherent combination and where the combination of puzzle pieces will fit no other puzzle of similar visual appearance.  
         [0010]     It is a further object of this invention to provide a jigsaw puzzle game system comprising a plurality of puzzle pieces and a frame tray, said pieces being shaped to inter-fit with adjacent pieces and inter-fit with said frame tray to form an assembled puzzle structure, said assembled puzzle structure having a finished visual scheme being the outline of the pieces and frame tray in coherent combination and where the combination of puzzle pieces and frame tray will fit no other puzzle of similar visual appearance.  
         [0011]     It is a further object of this invention to provide a jigsaw puzzle game system comprising a plurality of puzzle pieces wherein each puzzle piece has identical upper and lower surfaces allowing the puzzle piece to be used on either side and where none of the puzzle pieces are interchangeable nor carry any visual marker, all to enhance the difficulty of the puzzle game.  
         [0012]     It is a further object of this invention to provide a jigsaw puzzle game system comprising a plurality of puzzle pieces wherein each puzzle game system is assigned and etched with an identifying serial number and each puzzle piece is assigned part numbers corresponding to the puzzle game system identified by serial number and where each puzzle piece may be etched with its corresponding part number.  
         [0013]     It is a further object of this invention to provide a jigsaw puzzle game system comprising a plurality of puzzle pieces wherein each puzzle game system further comprises a puzzle solution map designated for the puzzle game system and identified by the puzzle game system serial number and a completed visual scheme indicating each puzzle piece by part number.  
         [0014]     It is a further object of this invention to provide a jigsaw puzzle game system comprising a plurality of puzzle pieces wherein each puzzle game system further comprises a method for computer-implemented user access to a graphic user interface screen display of a puzzle solution map with access to replacement puzzle pieces through an Internet web site.  
         [0015]     It is a further object of this invention to provide an Internet web site with a graphics user interface screen display for each puzzle solution map for each puzzle game system.  
         [0016]     It is a further object of this invention that any embodiment of the inventive puzzle game system may be produced and offered to users as one-of-a-kind without duplication.  
         [0017]     It is a further object of this invention that the plurality of puzzle pieces and frame tray for any embodiment of the inventive puzzle game system may be fabricated from a variety of materials including but not limited to stainless steel, aluminum, titanium or any metal, metal alloy or non-metallic material and that said pieces and frame tray may be fabricated by a variety of precision cutting and machining techniques including but not limited to lasers with cutting tolerances within one 10,000 th  of an inch to enhance difficulty of assembly.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]      FIG. 1  is a partial plan view of a non-interlocking puzzle game system bordered with an external frame tray.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a cross-section of the non-interlocking puzzle game system depicted in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a partial plan view of an interlocking puzzle game system bordered with an external frame tray.  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is a cross-section of the interlocking puzzle game system depicted in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of a non-interlocking puzzle game system bordered with an internal arrangement of puzzle pieces.  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of an interlocking puzzle game system bordered with an internal arrangement of puzzle pieces. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]      FIG. 1  shows a partial plan view of an example of the inventive jigsaw puzzle game system  1  with a plurality of non-interlocking puzzle pieces  2  bordered by an external frame tray  3 . The non-interlocking puzzle pieces  2  are configured to inter-fit with adjacent puzzle pieces  2  and to inter-fit with the frame tray  3 , to together form an assembled puzzle structure having an assembled visual scheme being a coherent combination of the configurations of the puzzle pieces  2  within the frame tray  3 . The puzzle pieces  2  are placed within the external frame  3  to achieve an assembled visual effect unique to this combination of puzzle pieces  2  and frame tray  3 . This example of the inventive jigsaw puzzle game system  1  is given a serial number  5 , shown in  FIG. 1  on frame tray  3 , and each puzzle piece  2  and frame tray  3  is given a part number  4 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 2  is a cross section of the non-interlocking jigsaw puzzle game system  1  depicted in  FIG. 1  showing the external frame tray  3  and the non-interlocking puzzle pieces  2  in place within the external frame tray  3 . Also indicated in  FIG. 2  is an upper surface  6 , a lower surface  7 , and a side surface  9  for the non-interlocking puzzle pieces  2 , as well as an exterior side surface  8 , an interior surface  10 , an upper surface  11 , a bottom surface  12  and an inner bottom surface  12 a for the external frame tray  3 . As can be seen, the lower surfaces  7  of the non-interlocking puzzle pieces  2  are in contact with the inner bottom surface  12   a  of the external frame tray  3 . The interior surface  10  of the external frame tray  3  is configured to inter-fit with adjacent non-interlocking puzzle pieces  2  so that the frame tray  3  contributes to the level of difficulty of the inventive jigsaw puzzle game system  1 . The side surfaces  9  of the non-interlocking puzzle pieces  2  adjacent to the frame tray  3  are in contact with the interior surface  10  of the external frame tray  3 .  
         [0026]     While  FIG. 1  depicts the serial number  5  on the upper surface  11  of the external frame tray  3 , and the part numbers  4  on the upper surface  6  of the non-interlocking puzzle pieces  2 , the serial number  5  can be placed on any of the other surfaces  8 ,  10 ,  11 ,  12  and  12   a  of the external frame tray  3 , and the part numbers  4  can be placed on the lower surface  7  or side surface  9  of the non-interlocking puzzle pieces  2 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 1 , if presented as a complete plan view of this example of the inventive jigsaw puzzle game system  1 , would serve as a puzzle solution map which would be provided as part of the inventive jigsaw puzzle game system  1 , either in hard document form or by computer-assisted user access to an Internet web site or in both ways. While serial number  5  and part numbers  4  would be shown on the puzzle solution map for identification, either or both of these numbers need not be physically placed on either the external frame tray  3  or the puzzle pieces  2 , since the tray  3  and pieces  2  can be identified by the unique visual effect of this particular inventive jigsaw puzzle game system  1 . If either or both of numbers  5  and  4  are physically placed on the external frame tray  3  or the pieces  2 , then they may be placed on a side surface  8  or  10  or a bottom surface  12  or an inner bottom surface  12   a  of the external frame tray  3 , or on a side surface  9  of the non-interlocking puzzle pieces  2 . In this way, the numbers  5  and  4  would not detract from the unique visual effect nor detract from the difficulty of the inventive jigsaw puzzle game system  1 . It is also intended that the upper and lower surfaces  6  and  7  of the non-interlocking puzzle pieces  2  carry no visual marker or design to assist in determining where the individual puzzle pieces  2  fit in the overall puzzle scheme. Likewise it is intended that the upper and lower surfaces  6  and  7  be identical in finish. It is intended for purposes of this invention and all embodiments that finish as defined herein shall comprise surface smoothness, color, and all aspects of visual appearance.  
         [0028]     If numbers are physically placed on the external frame tray  3  or the non-interlocking puzzle pieces  2 , or both, then the corresponding numbers would be permanently affixed to the desired surface by a method appropriate to the material upon which the number is being affixed. For example, etching or engraving by machine or laser technique could be used on a metallic material.  
         [0029]      FIG. 3  shows a partial plan view of another example of the inventive jigsaw puzzle game system  1  with a plurality of interlocking puzzle pieces  13  bordered by an external frame tray  3 . The interlocking puzzle pieces  13  are configured to inter-fit with adjacent puzzle pieces  13  and to inter-fit with the frame tray  3 , to together form an assembled puzzle structure having an assembled visual scheme being a coherent combination of the configurations of the puzzle pieces  13  within the frame tray  3 . The puzzle pieces  13  are placed within the external frame tray  3  to achieve an assembled visual effect unique to this combination of puzzle pieces  13  and frame tray  3 . As in  FIG. 1 , this example of the inventive jigsaw puzzle game system  1  is given a serial number  5 , not shown in  FIG. 3 , and each puzzle piece  13  is given a part number  4 . The frame tray  3  may also be given a part number  4 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 4  is a cross section of the interlocking jigsaw puzzle game system  1  depicted in  FIG. 3  showing the external frame tray  3  and the interlocking puzzle pieces  13  in place within the external frame tray  3 . Also indicated in  FIG. 4  is an upper surface  14 , a lower surface  15 , and a side surface  16  for the interlocking puzzle pieces  13 , as well as an exterior side surface  8 , an interior surface  10 , an upper surface  11 , a bottom surface  12 , and an inner bottom surface  12   a  for the external frame tray  3 . As can be seen, the lower surfaces  15  of the interlocking puzzle pieces  13  are in contact with the inner bottom surface  12   a  of the external frame tray  3 . The interior surface  10  of the external frame tray  3  is configured to inter-fit with adjacent interlocking puzzle pieces  13  so that the frame tray  3  contributes to the level of difficulty of the inventive jigsaw puzzle game system  1 . The side surfaces  16  of the interlocking puzzle pieces  13  adjacent to the frame tray  3  are in contact with the interior surface  10  of the external frame tray  3 .  
         [0031]     While  FIG. 3  depicts the part numbers  4  on the upper surface  14  of the interlocking puzzle pieces  13 , the part numbers  4  can be placed on the lower surface  15  or side surface  16  of the interlocking puzzle pieces  13 . Likewise, the serial number  5  can be placed on any of the surfaces  8 ,  10 ,  11 ,  12  and  12   a  of the external frame tray  3 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 3 , if presented as a complete plan view of this example of the inventive jigsaw puzzle game system  1 , would serve as a puzzle solution map which would be provided as part of the inventive jigsaw puzzle game system  1 , either in hard document form or by computer-assisted user access to an Internet web site or in both ways. While serial number  5  and part numbers  4  would be shown on the puzzle solution map for identification, either or both of these numbers need not be physically placed on either the external frame tray  3  or the puzzle pieces  13 , since the frame tray  3  and puzzle pieces  13  can be identified by the unique visual effect of this particular inventive jigsaw puzzle game system  1 . If either or both of numbers  5  and  4  are physically placed on the external frame tray  3  or the puzzle pieces  13 , then they may be placed on a side surface  8  or  10  or a bottom surface  12  or an inner bottom surface  12   a  of the external frame tray  3 , or on a side surface  16  of the interlocking puzzle pieces  13 . In this way, the numbers  5  and  4  would not detract from the unique visual effect nor detract from the difficulty of the inventive jigsaw puzzle game system  1 . It is also intended that the upper and lower surfaces  14  and  15  of the puzzle pieces  13  carry no visual marker or design to assist in determining where the individual puzzle pieces  13  fit in the overall puzzle scheme. Likewise it is intended that the upper and lower surfaces  14  and  15  be identical in finish.  
         [0033]     Just as described above for the example inventive jigsaw puzzle game system  1  depicted in  FIG. 1 , if numbers are physically placed on the external frame tray  3  or the interlocking puzzle pieces  13 , then the corresponding numbers would be permanently affixed to the desired surface by a method appropriate to the material upon which the number is being affixed. For example, etching or engraving by machine or laser technique could be used on a metallic material.  
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of another example of the inventive jigsaw puzzle game system  1  with a plurality of non-interlocking puzzle pieces  2  bordered by an internal arrangement of border pieces  17 . The non-interlocking puzzle pieces  2  are configured to inter-fit with adjacent puzzle pieces  2  and to inter-fit with the border pieces  17 , to together form an assembled puzzle structure having an assembled visual scheme being a coherent combination of the configurations of the puzzle pieces  2  and the border pieces  17 . The puzzle pieces  2  are placed within and around the border pieces  17  to achieve an assembled visual effect unique to this combination of puzzle pieces  2  and border pieces  17 . This example of the inventive jigsaw puzzle game system  1  is likewise given a serial number  5 , not shown in  FIG. 5 , and each puzzle piece  2  and border piece  17  is given a part number  4 .  
         [0035]     As similarly indicated in  FIG. 2 , the non-interlocking puzzle pieces  2  and the border pieces  17  shown in  FIG. 5  have an upper surface  6 , a lower surface  7 , and a side surface  9 . While  FIG. 5  depicts the part numbers  4  on the upper surface  6  of the non-interlocking puzzle pieces  2 , the part numbers  4  can be placed on the lower surface  7  or side surface  9  of the non-interlocking puzzle pieces  2  and the border pieces  17 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 5  would serve as a puzzle solution map which would be provided as part of the inventive jigsaw puzzle game system  1  depicted in  FIG. 5 , either in hard document form or by computer-assisted user access to an Internet web site or in both ways. While serial number  5  and part numbers  4  would be shown on the puzzle solution map for identification, either or both of these numbers need not be physically placed on the puzzle pieces  2  or the border pieces  17 , since the pieces  2  and  17  can be identified by the unique visual effect of this particular inventive jigsaw puzzle game system  1 . If either or both of numbers  5  and  4  are physically placed on the puzzle pieces  2  or the border pieces  17 , then they may be placed on a side surface  9  of the non-interlocking puzzle pieces  2  or the border pieces  17 . In this way, the numbers  5  and  4  would not detract from the unique visual effect nor detract from the difficulty of the inventive jigsaw puzzle game system  1 . It is also intended that the upper and lower surfaces  6  and  7  of the pieces  2  and the border pieces  17  carry no visual marker or design to assist in determining where the individual pieces fit in the overall puzzle scheme. Likewise it is intended that the upper and lower surfaces  6  and  7  be identical in finish.  
         [0037]     Just as described above for the example inventive jigsaw puzzle game system  1  depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , if numbers are physically placed on the non-interlocking puzzle pieces  2  and the border pieces  17 , then the corresponding numbers would be permanently affixed to the desired surface by a method appropriate to the material upon which the number is being affixed. For example, etching or engraving could be used on a metallic material.  
         [0038]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of another example of the inventive jigsaw puzzle game system  1  with a plurality of interlocking puzzle pieces  13  bordered by an internal arrangement of border pieces  18  around a space  19 . The interlocking puzzle pieces  13  are configured to inter-fit with adjacent puzzle pieces  13  and inter-fit with border pieces  18 , to together form an assembled puzzle structure having an assembled visual scheme being a coherent combination of the configurations of the puzzle pieces  13  and border pieces  18 . The interlocking puzzle pieces  13  are placed around the border pieces  18  to achieve an assembled visual effect unique to this combination of puzzle pieces  13  and border pieces  18 . This example of the inventive jigsaw puzzle game system  1  is likewise given a serial number  5 , not shown in  FIG. 6 , and each puzzle piece  13  and border piece  18  is given a part number  4 .  
         [0039]     As similarly indicated in  FIG. 4 , the interlocking puzzle pieces  13  and the border pieces  18  shown in  FIG. 6  have an upper surface  14 , a lower surface  15 , and a side surface  16 . While  FIG. 6  depicts the part numbers  4  on the upper surface  14  of the interlocking puzzle pieces  13  and the border pieces  18 , the part numbers  4  can be placed on the lower surface  15  or side surface  16  of the interlocking puzzle pieces  13  and the border pieces  18 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 6  would serve as a puzzle solution map which would be provided as part of the inventive jigsaw puzzle game system  1  depicted in  FIG. 6 , either in hard document form or by computer-assisted user access to an Internet web site or in both ways. While serial number  5  and part numbers  4  would be shown on the puzzle solution map for identification, either or both of these numbers need not be physically placed on the puzzle pieces  13  or the border pieces  18 , since the pieces  13  and  18  can be identified by the unique visual effect of this particular inventive jigsaw puzzle game system  1 . If either or both of numbers  5  and  4  are physically placed on the puzzle pieces  13  or the border pieces  18 , then they may be placed on a side surface  16  of the interlocking puzzle pieces  13  and the border pieces  18 . In this way, the numbers  5  and  4  would not detract from the unique visual effect nor detract from the difficulty of the inventive jigsaw puzzle game system  1 . It is also intended that the upper and lower surfaces  14  and  15  of the puzzle pieces  13  and the border pieces  18  carry no visual marker or design to assist in determining where the individual puzzle pieces fit in the overall puzzle scheme. Likewise it is intended that the upper and lower surfaces  14  and  15  be identical in finish.  
         [0041]     Just as described above for the example inventive jigsaw puzzle game system  1  depicted in  FIGS. 1, 3  and  5 , if numbers are physically placed on the interlocking puzzle pieces  13  and the border pieces  18 , then the corresponding numbers would be permanently affixed to the desired surface by a method appropriate to the material upon which the number is being affixed. For example, etching or engraving by machine or laser technique could be used on a metallic material.  
         [0042]     To enhance the value and collectability of the inventive jigsaw puzzle game system, any embodiment with a unique assembled effect may be manufactured as one-of-a-kind without duplication. Likewise, the puzzle pieces, border pieces or frame tray for any embodiment may be manufactured from a durable, non-oxidizing metal or metal alloy such as stainless steel, titanium, or aluminum using cutting techniques such as a laser to achieve precision inter-fit between adjacent puzzle pieces, border pieces and frame trays.  
         [0043]     In any embodiment of the inventive jigsaw puzzle game system, the user would be provided with a puzzle solution map identified by the unique serial number and illustrative of the assembled visual scheme for the jigsaw puzzle game system with a part number and location for each puzzle piece within the assembled puzzle structure. The puzzle solution map could be provided as a hard document on a material such as paper or cardboard and also as a computer generated graphic user interface screen display of a puzzle solution map on an internet website available to the user as part of the inventive puzzle game system. The inventive puzzle game system website would also include ordering instructions for replacement of puzzle pieces, border pieces and frame trays.  
         [0044]     The examples of the inventive jigsaw puzzle game system  1  depicted in  FIGS. 1 through 6  are illustrative only and it is not intended that the inventive jigsaw puzzle game system  1  be limited to any of those depictions nor that the inventive jigsaw puzzle game system  1  be limited to non-interlocking or interlocking puzzle pieces or to any border arrangement or frame tray. Likewise, it is not intended that puzzle pieces, border pieces or frame trays be limited to any specific material, or that said puzzle pieces, border pieces or frame trays all be of the same material.  
         [0045]     The present invention also provides a method which allows the user to replace the puzzle solution map to the jigsaw puzzle game system and replace puzzle pieces. According to this method, the user is provided access to an Internet website. At the website, the user can access a computer generated graphic user interface screen display of a puzzle solution map identified by the unique serial number and illustrative of the assembled visual scheme for the jigsaw puzzle game system with a part number and location for each puzzle piece within the assembled puzzle structure which may further comprise a frame tray, border pieces or both. The user can then reproduce the puzzle solution map and obtain replacement puzzle pieces, border pieces or frame tray identified on the screen display by following computer-implemented ordering instructions.  
         [0046]     While this invention has been described as having multiple designs, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.