Abstract:
A spherical puzzle for learning knowledge about geography is disclosed. The spherical puzzle comprises a plastic sphere and a plurality of plastic puzzle pieces. The plastic puzzle pieces are arranged on the plastic sphere by a user and are held to the sphere by magnetism. The puzzle pieces are formed in the shape of specific land masses. Metal mesh is provided on either the plastic puzzle pieces or the plastic sphere to attract magnets on the puzzle pieces or the plastic sphere. A base is provided for holding the sphere and allows the sphere to be rotated or turned.

Description:
The present invention is a continuous-in-part application of the application that is entitled “SPHERICAL PUZZLE” (application Ser. No. 12/827,543, filed Jun. 30, 2010), which is filed presently with the U.S. Patent &amp; Trademark Office, and which is used herein for reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to educational puzzles. More specifically, the present invention discloses a spherical puzzle with shaped puzzle pieces that attach to a sphere to provide an effective geography education tool. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     An understanding of geography is a basic fundamental of education. However, it can be difficult for students to grasp physical relationships or features of various countries of continents with the current educational tools. 
     Refer to  FIG. 1A , which is a drawing illustrating a flat two-dimensional map of the prior art. The conventional flat two-dimensional map  100  is typically a printed piece of paper containing outlines of various countries  105 . 
     When used as a learning tool, students must solely rely on memorization in order to learn the various countries  105  on the map  100 . However, it is difficult for students to learn relationships between countries, country locations, and shapes of countries as the countries  105  printed on the map  100  are fixed. 
     A number of flat maps  100  can be bound in a book to form an atlas. However, the conventional atlas has the same disadvantages as a single flat map  100 . 
     Refer to  FIG. 1B , which is a drawing illustrating a conventional globe of the prior art. A globe  120  is another conventional tool to learn geography. Outlines of countries of the world  125  are printed on a paper which is then adhered to a round cardboard ball. While students can obtain a better sense of country location than with a map, the printed map of the globe  120  is fixed and the student has difficulty learning country shape. 
     Refer to  FIG. 1C , which is a drawing illustrating a portion of a conventional jigsaw puzzle of the prior art. Jigsaw puzzles  150  are a common entertaining game where players fit puzzle pieces  151  together to form a single picture. While challenging and fun the shape of the individual puzzle pieces  151  bear no relationship with the content or image printed on the piece. Therefore, players tend to rely on trying to fit pieces in various locations until they find the proper position. This disadvantage makes conventional jigsaw puzzles  150  an inferior learning tool. 
     Therefore, there is need for an improved means of effectively providing and learning geographical information in an entertaining and informative manner. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To achieve these and other advantages and in order to overcome the disadvantages of the conventional methods in accordance with the purpose of the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention provides a spherical puzzle with shaped puzzle pieces that attach to a sphere to provide an effective geography education tool. 
     The spherical puzzle of the present invention comprises a sphere and a plurality of puzzle pieces. Each of the puzzle pieces is attachable to the sphere. For example, the sphere is made of plastic and each puzzle piece has a magnet. The plastic sphere further comprises a metal mesh layer or metal mesh pieces. Users place the magnetic puzzle piece over the metal mesh of the plastic sphere and magnetism holds the puzzle piece to the sphere. 
     Alternatively, the puzzle pieces are made of a plastic material with a metal mesh layer and the plastic sphere comprises a magnet or a plurality of magnets disposed on the interior or exterior of the sphere. 
     Also, in order to improve the effectiveness of learning, the puzzle pieces are formed in the shape of a land mass. For example, the puzzle piece is in the shape of a country, state, continent, province, region, etc. Some areas such as, for example, water, oceans, and seas are formed in the plastic sphere during production of the spherical puzzle. 
     Additionally, the puzzle pieces are contoured to show mountains, mountain ranges, and terrain contours. This allows students to learn additional information. 
     The spherical puzzle further comprises a resting base or a mounting base for holding the sphere. The mounting base allows the student to rotate the sphere. The resting base allows the student to rotate the sphere in any direction so that the student can easily position the puzzle pieces on any part of the sphere. 
     The puzzle pieces of the spherical puzzle further comprise data or information about the land mass or water mass such as country information, continent information, state information, province information, region information, territory information, land mass information, water mass information, mountain information, country flag, sports team information, advertising, population, logo, latitudinal information, longitudinal information, global positioning satellite information, or elevation information, or a combination of country information, continent information, state information, province information, region information, territory information, land mass information, water mass information, mountain information, country flag, sports team information, population, logo, latitudinal information, longitudinal information, global positioning satellite information, and elevation information. This further increases the amount of information the student can learn when using the spherical puzzle. 
     When the data or information is provided on the outer side of the puzzle piece the student can easily reference the information. When the data or information is provided on the inner side of the puzzle the data is visible or is hidden and the student can challenge their memorization of the information. 
     The sphere further comprises markings or indicators such as longitudinal and latitudinal indicators, land mass location or outline, or water mass location or outline. These markings provide a visual prompting for the student and make the puzzle easier for beginning students. 
     To further expand learning the spherical puzzle further comprises a plurality of country flags that are attachable to the plurality of puzzle pieces. After a puzzle piece is attached to the sphere the student places the appropriate flag on the country. 
     These and other objectives of the present invention will become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1A  is a drawing illustrating a flat two-dimensional map of the prior art; 
         FIG. 1B  is a drawing illustrating a conventional globe of the prior art; 
         FIG. 1C  is a drawing illustrating a portion of a conventional jigsaw puzzle of the prior art; 
         FIG. 2  is a drawing illustrating a sphere of a spherical puzzle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3A  is a drawing illustrating a top view of a puzzle piece of a spherical puzzle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3B  is a drawing illustrating a side view of a puzzle piece of a spherical puzzle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3C  is a drawing illustrating a spherical puzzle with a puzzle piece attached to a sphere according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a drawing illustrating a side view of a puzzle piece with terrain contours of a spherical puzzle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a drawing illustrating a sphere with longitudinal and latitudinal indicators; 
         FIG. 6  is a drawing illustrating an ocean puzzle piece formed in the shape of a small country according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7A  is a drawing illustrating a sphere with sphere mounting base according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7B  is an exploded view drawing illustrating a sphere and a sphere resting base according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7C  is an assembled view drawing illustrating a sphere and a sphere resting base according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8A  is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating a spherical puzzle with interior metal mesh according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8B  is a drawing illustrating metal mesh according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8C  is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating a spherical puzzle with exterior metal mesh according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9A  is a drawing illustrating a plastic puzzle piece with printing on the front of the plastic puzzle piece according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9B  is a drawing illustrating a plastic puzzle piece with printing on the back of the plastic puzzle piece according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10A  is a drawing illustrating a plastic puzzle piece with magnet according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 10B-10C  are drawings illustrating a plastic puzzle piece with printing and magnet according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10D  is a drawing illustrating a magnet molded inside the plastic puzzle piece according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11A  is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating a plastic sphere with interior magnet according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11B  is a drawing illustrating a plastic puzzle piece with metal mesh according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 12  is a drawing illustrating a plastic sphere with preformed water mass positions according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts. 
     Refer to  FIG. 2 , which is a drawing illustrating a sphere of a spherical puzzle according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the sphere  200  is formed in the shape of an orb. For ease in manufacture the sphere  200  comprises, for example, two half-sphere pieces that attach together. In an embodiment of the present invention the two half-sphere pieces are attached together prior to delivery to the user or distributor. In another embodiment the two half-sphere pieces are attached together by the user. For example, one half-sphere comprises a rim flange to allow the two pieces to fit tightly together to form the sphere  200 . 
     In an embodiment of the present invention the sphere  200  comprises a metal material. In this embodiment the puzzle pieces comprise magnetic material to allow the puzzle pieces to hold to the metallic sphere  200  via magnetism. In another embodiment of the present invention the sphere  200  comprises a non-metallic material, for example plastic. In this embodiment the sphere  200  further comprises magnetic material on the interior or exterior of the sphere  200  and the puzzle pieces are metallic. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention the two half-sphere pieces fit together and the attaching point forms a line representing the equator. This allows the user to additionally learn information regarding the two hemispheres of the earth. 
     Refer to  FIG. 3A , which is a drawing illustrating a top view of a puzzle piece of a spherical puzzle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 3A , the puzzle piece  210  is formed in the shape of a land mass such as, for example, a country, a continent, a state, a province, a region, a territory or a water mass such as, for example, a lake, an ocean, or a sea. 
     Since the shape of the puzzle pieces  210  relate to the shape of the land mass or water mass, the user learns the geographical shape as well as the position/location of the land or water mass. This is an advantage of the present invention. 
     Additionally, in embodiments of the present invention where the puzzle pieces  210  are in the shape of continents the user can obtain a better grasp of continental drift theory by positioning the puzzle pieces closer together or in their current position. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention the puzzle pieces  210  of the spherical puzzle further comprise data or information about the land mass or water mass such as country information, continent information, state information, province information, region information, territory information, land mass information, water mass information, mountain information, country flag, sports team information, advertising, population, logo, latitudinal information, longitudinal information, global positioning satellite information, or elevation information, or a combination of country information, continent information, state information, province information, region information, territory information, land mass information, water mass information, mountain information, country flag, sports team information, population, logo, latitudinal information, longitudinal information, global positioning satellite information, and elevation information. This further increases the amount of information the student can learn when using the spherical puzzle. 
     Refer to  FIG. 3B , which is a drawing illustrating a side view of a puzzle piece of a spherical puzzle according to an embodiment of the present invention and to  FIG. 3C , which is a drawing illustrating a spherical puzzle with a puzzle piece attached to a sphere according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention the puzzle piece  210  comprises a magnetic layer  215  and a printed layer  220 . The printed layer  220  is, for example, printed directly on the magnetic layer  215  or printed on a separate layer and adhered to the magnetic layer  215 . 
     The puzzle piece  210  is thin or flexible enough so that the puzzle piece  210  will automatically conform to the arc of the sphere  200 . 
     Refer to  FIG. 4 , which is a drawing illustrating a side view of a puzzle piece with terrain contours of a spherical puzzle according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention the puzzle piece  210  further comprises contours  211  to represent terrains, mountains, mountain ranges, or elevations. This allows the user to further learn information about terrains and elevations. The user can easily see and understand mountain formations of various countries. This is another advantage of the present invention. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention the contours  211  are integrated into the puzzle piece  210 . In another embodiment of the present invention the contours  211  are formed in a piece separate from the basic puzzle piece and the contoured piece attaches to the basic puzzle piece. This provides an increased difficulty level for the student as they need to understand country location as well as terrain location. 
     Refer to  FIG. 5 , which is a drawing illustrating a sphere with longitudinal and latitudinal indicators. 
     In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the sphere  200  further comprises markings that indicate longitude  201  and latitude  202 . In this embodiment the longitudinal  201  and latitudinal  202  indicators provide a reference for the user. Additionally, in embodiments where longitudinal and latitudinal information is provided on the puzzle piece, the user can more easily locate the proper position for the puzzle piece. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention the sphere  200  further comprises markings that indicate land mass or water mass. For example, outlines of countries or continents are provided so users can easily match the shape of the puzzle piece to the markings to find the correct position and orientation for the puzzle piece. 
     Refer to  FIG. 6 , which is a drawing illustrating an ocean puzzle piece formed in the shape of a small country according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Since some land masses  230 A such as islands are quite small it is not feasible to form the puzzle piece  210  in a separate piece. Therefore, in an embodiment of the present invention the land mass  230 A is combined with a water mass or a portion of a water mass  230 B to form the puzzle piece  210 . For example, an island or a plurality of islands is/are combined with an ocean puzzle piece. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6  the small land mass  230 A is included with a portion of a water mass  230 B. However, the land mass shape is retained by forming the portion of the water mass in the shape of the small land mass. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention a plurality of small land masses are formed in one puzzle piece. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention a small land mass is combined with a larger land mass in one puzzle piece. 
     Refer to  FIG. 7A , which is a drawing illustrating a sphere with sphere mounting base according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 7A  the spherical puzzle  300  further comprises a mounting base  240 . The mounting base  240  allows the sphere  200  to be positioned for display or use and allows the user to easily rotate or spin the sphere  200 . 
     Refer to  FIG. 7B , which is an exploded view drawing illustrating a sphere and a sphere resting base according to an embodiment of the present invention and to  FIG. 7C , which is an assembled view drawing illustrating a sphere and a sphere resting base according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIGS. 7B and 7C  the spherical puzzle  300  further comprises a sphere resting base  250 . The top of the sphere resting base  250  is formed to allow the sphere  200  to sit and rest in the resting base  250 . In this embodiment the user can easily reposition the sphere  200  in order to inspect various portions of the sphere  200 . For example, Australia is located in the lower region of the sphere and it would be difficult for a user to position the Australia puzzle piece  210 . With the sphere  200  resting in the sphere resting base  250  the user can easily rotate the sphere  200  so that Australia&#39;s location is position at or closer to the top. This freedom of movement of the sphere  200  enhances the user experience. 
     Refer to  FIG. 8A , which is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating a spherical puzzle with interior metal mesh according to an embodiment of the present invention and to  FIG. 8B , which is a drawing illustrating metal mesh according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 8A  the spherical puzzle comprises a plastic sphere  200 . A metal mesh  260  is positioned inside or on the interior surface of the plastic sphere  200 . 
     The metal mesh  260  is a flexible or semi-flexible metal material that flexes to conform to the shape or contour of the plastic sphere  200  or the puzzle pieces. The metal mesh  260  is attached to the plastic sphere  200  or the puzzles pieces by, for example, an adhesive. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention the metal mesh  260  is provided in only the positions where the puzzle pieces attach to the plastic sphere. 
     The combination of the metal mesh  260  and a magnet allow the puzzle piece to be attached magnetically to the plastic sphere  200 . 
     In an embodiment of the present invention the plastic sphere  200  comprises two half-sphere pieces that fit together to form the plastic sphere  200 . 
     Refer to  FIG. 8C , which is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating a spherical puzzle with exterior metal mesh according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8C  the metal mesh  260  is similar to the metal mesh  260  for  FIG. 8A  but in this embodiment the metal mesh  260  is positioned on the outside or exterior surface of the plastic sphere  200 . 
     In certain production situations it is easier to position the metal mesh  260  on the outside or exterior surface of the plastic sphere  200 . For example, in embodiments where the plastic sphere  200  is a single molded sphere, applying the metal mesh  260  to the outside surface of the plastic sphere  200  is more practical. 
     The spherical puzzle of the present invention further comprises puzzle pieces formed in the shape of a land mass such as, for example, a country, a continent, a state, a province, a region, or a territory. 
     Since the shape of the puzzle pieces relate to the shape of the land mass the user learns the geographical shape as well as the position/location of the land mass. This is an advantage of the present invention. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention the puzzle pieces of the spherical puzzle further comprise data or information about the land mass such as country information, continent information, state information, province information, region information, territory information, land mass information, water mass information, mountain information, country flag, sports team information, advertising, population, logo, latitudinal information, longitudinal information, global positioning satellite information, or elevation information, or a combination of country information, continent information, state information, province information, region information, territory information, land mass information, water mass information, mountain information, country flag, sports team information, population, logo, latitudinal information, longitudinal information, global positioning satellite information, and elevation information. This further increases the amount of information the student can learn when using the spherical puzzle. 
     Refer to  FIG. 9A , which is a drawing illustrating a plastic puzzle piece with printing on the front of the plastic puzzle piece according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9A , the plastic puzzle piece  210  comprises a plastic layer  212  that provides a base for the plastic puzzle piece  210 . The plastic layer  212  is formed in the shape of a specific land mass. For example, the plastic layer  212  is formed in the shape of California, Europe, Thailand, etc. 
     The plastic puzzle piece  210  further comprises a printed layer  220 . In this embodiment the printed layer  220  is disposed on the front surface of the plastic layer  212 . The printed layer  220  of the plastic puzzle piece  210  is clearly visible on the front surface of the plastic layer  212  and provides additional information or features for the plastic puzzle piece  210 . The printed layer  220  comprises, for example, colors, outlines, geographical markers, place names, etc. 
     Refer to  FIG. 9B , which is a drawing illustrating a plastic puzzle piece with printing on the back of the plastic puzzle piece according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9B  the printed layer  220  is disposed on the back surface of the plastic layer  212 . In this embodiment of the present invention the plastic layer  212  comprises a transparent plastic material. Since the plastic layer  212  is transparent, the details of the printed layer  220  are visible from the front side of the plastic layer  212 . Positioning the printed layer  220  behind the plastic layer  212  provides protection from scratches or damages for the printed layer  220  as the printed layer  220  is not exposed. 
     Refer to  FIG. 10A , which is a drawing illustrating a plastic puzzle piece with magnet according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 10A  the plastic puzzle piece  210  comprises a plastic layer  212  and a magnetic layer  215  disposed on the back surface of the plastic layer  212 . The magnetic layer  215  along with the metal mesh of the plastic sphere allows the plastic puzzle piece  210  to magnetically attach to the plastic sphere. 
     Refer to  FIG. 10B  which is a drawing illustrating a plastic puzzle piece with printing and magnet according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 10B  the plastic puzzle piece  210  comprises a transparent plastic layer  212 , a magnetic layer  215 , and a printed layer  220 . The printed layer  220  is disposed on the back surface of the plastic layer  212 . 
     The magnetic layer  215  is disposed on the printed layer  220  with the printed layer  220  between the magnetic layer  215  and the plastic layer  212 . Since the plastic layer  212  is transparent the details of the printed layer  220  are visible from the front of the plastic layer  212 . 
     Refer to  FIG. 10C  which is a drawing illustrating a plastic puzzle piece with printing and magnet according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 10C  the plastic puzzle piece  210  comprises a magnetic layer  215 , a plastic layer  212 , and a printed layer  220 . 
     The magnetic layer  215  is disposed on the back surface of the plastic layer  212 . The printed layer  220  is disposed on the front surface of the plastic layer  212 . 
     Refer to  FIG. 10D  is a drawing illustrating a magnet molded inside the plastic puzzle piece according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 10D  the plastic puzzle piece  210  comprises a plastic layer  212 , a printed layer  220  disposed on the front surface of the plastic layer  212 , and a magnet  215  molded into or molded inside of the plastic layer  212 . 
     Embedding or molding the magnet  215  into the plastic layer  212  prevents the magnet  215  from being easily separated from the plastic layer  212 . 
     Refer to  FIG. 11A , which is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating a plastic sphere with interior magnet according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 11A  the plastic sphere  200  of the spherical puzzle comprises a magnet  215  or a plurality of magnets disposed inside or on the interior surface of the plastic sphere  200 . 
     In an embodiment of the present invention the magnets are only disposed in areas where the plastic puzzle pieces are intended to be placed. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention the magnets are disposed on the outside or exterior surface of the plastic sphere. 
     Refer to  FIG. 11B , which is a drawing illustrating a plastic puzzle piece with metal mesh according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In embodiments of the present invention where magnets are positioned in or on the plastic sphere, the puzzle pieces  210  comprise metal mesh  260  for magnetically attachment of the plastic puzzle pieces  210  to the plastic sphere. The metal mesh  260  is disposed on the back surface of the plastic layer  212 . 
     In an embodiment of the present invention the puzzle piece  210  further comprises a printed layer between the metal mesh  260  and the plastic layer  212 . 
     In an embodiment of the present invention the puzzle piece  210  comprises a printed layer on the front surface of the plastic layer  212  and a metal mesh  260  on the back surface of the plastic layer  212 . 
     Refer to  FIG. 12 , which is a drawing illustrating a plastic sphere with preformed water mass positions according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 12 , areas on the plastic sphere  200  where there is a water mass such as, for example, a lake, an ocean, or a sea are formed in or on the plastic sphere  200  during production. This provides the user with a starting point in which to begin solving the spherical puzzle and also provides a reference for the user while solving the spherical puzzle. 
     For example, in  FIG. 12  the water mass  275  indicating the Pacific Ocean is formed in the surface of the plastic sphere  200  during production. Additionally, indicators for other water masses such as the Atlantic Ocean are also formed in the plastic sphere during production. For example, water mass locations are colored, indented, protruding, or outlined so that the locations of the water masses are easily visible and fixed. 
     Areas of the plastic sphere indicating land masses  280  are where the appropriate puzzle pieces are to be positioned. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention the land masses  280  comprise indications of the respective land mass. For example, name, outline, etc. are provided to help the user. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention no indicators or indications are provided to indicate the position or location of the land masses  280 . This makes solving the spherical puzzle more challenging. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention the spherical puzzle further comprises separate flag pieces representing the flags of individual countries. After the puzzle piece is positioned the user places the appropriate flag piece on/in the puzzle piece. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention the spherical puzzle further comprises separate informational pieces. The informational pieces allow the spherical puzzle to be personalized. The informational pieces comprise information such as, for example, sports team, advertising, company logo, etc. For example, a multinational corporation could provide informational pieces for indicating branch office locations. 
     The spherical puzzle of the present invention provides flexibility in learning. For example, basic puzzle pieces such as continents can be used by beginner students and more advanced puzzle pieces such as countries can be used by advanced students. Also, different students can use the same sphere with different puzzles. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the invention and its equivalent.