BALANCING JIGSAW PUZZLE SCULPTURE AND SUPPORT

Abstract: A jigsaw puzzle sculpture (100) and support (80) comprises a plurality of interlocking pieces (12, 14, 16, etc.) with a suspension point (72) oriented relative to the center of gravity of the assembled puzzle sculpture. The suspension point is provided for display of the figure on a support (80) to replicate the natural posture of the creature represented by the sculpture. In the preferred embodiment, the puzzle sculpture (100) replicates a living or extinct creature, such as a bird, which perches on a support (80) in a natural position.

Description: BALANCING JIGSAW PUZZLE SCULPTURE AND SUPPORT FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to a decorative three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle sculpture. More specifically, this invention relates to a jigsaw puzzle sculpture in which the center of gravity has been pre-determined thus allowing the assembled jigsaw puzzle sculpture to balance, or perch, on a horizontal rod, vertical balancing point, support or similar device for viewing. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Within the field of puzzles are many solid types, and most notable are the common table-top jigsaw puzzles. The name evolved from the most common method of fabrication to the present day punched-out cardboard types. Assembly costs of the ancestral wooden jigsaw puzzles is high due to the circuitous path the cutting blade of the jigsaw must follow, with thicker wood complicating the process substantially. The cost issue has led to the more common punched variety. A few substantially thick two-dimensional types are still made, as are three-dimensional wooden block puzzles. Among the many types of existing puzzles there are three basic categories. The first is a jigsaw puzzle which consists of interlocking pieces which, when assembled, form a flat picture. The second category of puzzles form a two- or three- dimensional design. United States Patents to Meisser et al No. 4,570,936; Foresse et al No 5, 165,689; and Gallent No. 5,251,900 are jigsaw puzzles which include a feature by which the completed jigsaw puzzle forms a three-dimensional figure. In Meisser, two or more completed puzzles, each containing open slots, are interfitted together to form a three-dimensional figure which is capable of being displayed on a flat surface, such as a table or a shelf. The Foresse patent teaches the use of a three-dimensional form which retains two or more completed puzzles which, when fully assembled, provide a decorative piece of art capable of being displayed on a flat surface, such as a table. The three-dimensional puzzle disclosed in Gallent when asembled creates a self-standing, three-dimensional building structure. This is accomplished by first assembling the interlocking walls and then interlocking puzzle walls that are transverse to one another with complementary dovetail joints. The third type of puzzle, the block puzzle, challenges the user's mental process to arrive at the correct solution to interconnect parts which fit together with mortised joints to form a pre-determined three-dimensional geometric figure. Dykstra U. S Patent No 5,040,797 and Embro U. S. No 5,405, 135 are examples of block puzzle disclosures. Dykstra discloses a three-dimensional geometric puzzle which can be assembled into two distinct three-dimensional geometric figures in a variety of ways. The block puzzle disclosed in Embro is a cubic block which is assembled from interfitting puzzle pieces shaped like various letters of the alphabet and has at least one assembled condition wherein all of the pieces cooperate in interfitting relation to each other to form a cube The completed jigsaw puzzle must be displayed on a sizable horizontal flat surface, or by gluing the assembled puzzle onto a backing to display the puzzle vertically. The difficulty encountered in the past with three-dimensional puzzles was a means for displaying the completed puzzle in its natural form. The three-dimensional puzzle disclosed in Meisser allows the completed form of an animal to stand on its legs. A building structure disclosed in the Gallent patent when fully assembled creates a self-standing, three-dimensional building structure. The existing art is limited to depicting forms which naturally stand on a flat, horizontal surface. A natural perching place for a bird is on a branch or some other type of horizontal rod member; such perching cannot be accomplished in a puzzle utilizing the existing art. Unlike the jigsaw and block puzzles previously discussed, the present invention utilizes the assembled puzzle sculpture's natural center of gravity to create a self-balancing, three-dimensional sculpture such as an exotic, endangered or extinct bird. Determining the center of gravity for the puzzle is unique to the engineering and design of the puzzle and intergal to its nature, thereby allowing the fully assembled sculpture to balance on a support or a horizontal rod member resembling a branch or on a vertical balancing point. The interlocking puzzle pieces may be constructed of a substantially thick material which allows the pieces to be moved forward or backward to further enhance the three-dimensional effect. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention overcomes the aforementioned balancing problem in a jigsaw puzzle containing a plurality of releasable interlocking pieces by providing a suspension point relative to the completed puzzle sculpture's center of gravity, in that its assembled form will balance or perch on a display means, such as a vertical point, horizontal rod member, or other support thereby exhibiting the sculpture, such as an exotic, endangered or extinct bird, in its natural perching position. In another aspect of the invention, a balancing support is provided for the jigsaw puzzle sculpture and comprises an arcuate perch with a movable hanger. In preferred form the perch defines a major segment of a circle and the hanger is adjustable from first to second positions to provide suspension of the support from a ceiling or to provide mounting of the support on a wall. It is an object of the invention to provide a plurality of interlocking pieces which can be assembled into a pre-determined form, such as an exotic, endangered or extinct bird. The puzzle is preferably made of wood or a wood composite material, however, other materials, such as a polymer resin or foam material, may also be used. The interlocking pieces of the jigsaw piuzzle are flat, planar blocks which may be of substantial thickness to allow the individual pieces to slide forward and backward to produce a three-dimensional effect mimicking anatomical, functional, or characteristic segments of the replicated figure. In the preferred embodiment, the three-dimensional effect can be manipulated within anatomical segments, such as wing structure, feather variations, beak and feet manipulations and/or puffed chest. Another embodiment of this invention is to place a suspension point at the center of a recess relative to the center of gravity of the completed jigsaw puzzle sculpture. In the preferred embodiment, the center of gravity is in a location below the center of a recess replicating the bird's claws, thus allowing the assembled form to naturally balance, or perch, on a support, horizontal rod member, or vertical balancing point. An alternative embodiment of the invention includes compressible inserts, such as felt and velour, which are adhesively attached on the inside mating surfaces of the puzzle pieces to provide a friction fit, thus preventing the pieces from dislodging unless a sufficient force is applied. An object of the invention is to provide a support for a balancing sculpture. Another object of the invention is to provide a support for a balancing sculpture which can be suspended from a ceiling or mounted on a wall. Another object of the invention is to provide a support for a balancing sculpture wherein the sculpture assumes a natural posture or stance. The novel features which characterize the invention are defined by the appended claims. The foregoing and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will hereinafter appear, and for the purpose of illustration of the invention, but not a limitation of, an explanatory embodiment is shown in the appended drawing. For the purposes of illustration, the Scarlet Macaw is shown as the preferred embodiment, intended for balancing on a support, horizontal rod member, or branch. This is not intended to limit the scope of this invention to living or extinct creatures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a jigsaw puzzle sculpture perched on a horizontal rod member for viewing in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a front view of the puzzle pieces interlocked together to form a predetermined figure in accordance with the invention. Figure 3 is a plan view illustrating the interlocking puzzle pieces within various anatomical segments of the figure as an embodiment of the invention. Figure 4a is a perspective view of an embodiment of the jigsaw puzzle wherein a combination of pieces are moved forward or backward to produce an enhanced three-dimensional effect. Figure 4b is an edge view ofthe embodiment ofthe invention shown in Figure 4a illustrating the resulting enhanced three-dimensional effect. Figure 5 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the jigsaw puzzle wherein compressible inserts are attached longitudinally to the inside mating surfaces of the puzzle pieces to provide a friction fit between the interlocking puzzle pieces. Figure 6a is a silhouette drawing cut-out of the jigsaw puzzle sculpture placed horizontally on a knife-edge. Figure 6b is a silhouette drawing cut-out of the jigsaw puzzle sculpture placed in an alternate horizontal orientation from Figure 6a on a knife-edge. Figure 7 is a front view of the support according to the invention. Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the support of Figure 7. Figure 9 is a perspective view of a support according to the invention mounting a balancing sculpture. Figure 10 is a perspective view of a hanger for the support of Figures 7-9. Figure 11 is a side elevational view of a modified perch according to the invention DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Figure 1 is a perspective view of a three-dimensional, self balancing jigsaw puzzle sculpture 100 suspended on a horizontal rod member 80 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention. The innovative feature of the assembled puzzle sculpture 100 is that the center of gravity is predetermined to be in a place directly below the selected suspension point, allowing the sculpture 100 to balance on a support, horizontal rod member or vertical point. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the puzzle pieces 12, 14, 16, etc. which provide the surface design and color are inetrconnected to form a pre-determined sculpure 100 as a Scarlet Macaw which balances on a horizontal rod member 80, however, other figures which balance on a horizontal rod member or vertical balancing point could be used. As shown in Figure 2, the preferred embodiment includes a plurality of puzzle pieces 12, 14, 16, etc., which can be releasably interlocked to form a pre-determined sculpture 100. The suspension point 72 in the preferred embodiment of the invention is the claw 26 which represents the replicated bird's natural perching point. When the claw 26 of the assembled puzzle sculpture 100 is placed upon the horizontal rod member 80, the sculpture 100 balances on the horizontal rod member as previously shown in Figure 1. The suspension point 72 is located directly above the pre-determined center of gravity 70. In the preferred embodiment, the assembled sculpture 100 represents a bird which is perched on a horizontal rod member which represents a branch. As shown in Figure 3, each puzzle piece 12, 14, 16, etc., contains at least one male projection 60 or female recess 62. As an example, the puzzle piece 16 has two female recesses 62 which are correspondingly shaped to the male projections 60 of the adjacent puzzle pieces 22 and 32, and one male projection 60 of puzzle piece 16 which corresponds to the female recess 62 of the puzzle piece 32 to allow the pieces to interlock in a conventional manner. As further illustrated in Figure 3, the puzzle pieces 12, 14, 16, etc., which provide the overall surface design and color further correspond to the body parts of the assembled puzzle sculpture's 100 overall characteristics. The assembled sculpture 100 shown in Figure 3 consists of a head 10, a chest 20, a wing 30, a tail 40 and a claw 26, all of which interconnect to form peripheral edges that resemble the silhouette of the Scarlet Macaw. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the puzzle pieces 12, 14, 16, etc., making up these anatomocal parts of the bird further define the details within each part of the anatomy. The head 10 consists of puzzle pieces 12, 14 and 16 wherein piece 12 is the bill, piece 14 is the face, and piece 16 is the nape and crown of the bird. The chest 20 consists of two puzzle pieces 22 and 24 wherein piece 22 is the figure's breast and piece 24 is the figure's abdomen; the wing 30 consists of puzzle pieces 32, 34, 36 and 38 which are cut to resemble feathers in the preferred embodiment. In the preferred embodiment each piece is painted a color resembling the color of the bird's actual feathers at or near that location. For example, piece 32 is scarlet red, piece 34 is yellow, piece 36 is green, and piece 38 is violet blue, which when assembled, compare realistically with the actual species Scarlet Macaw's wing shape and coloring. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the puzzle pieces 12, 14, 16, etc., may be substantially thick to allow the pieces to be moved forward or backward in any combination, such as shown in Figures 4a and 4b, to produce an enhanced three-dimensional effect while maintaining the center of gravity 70 which allows the assembled puzzle sculpture to balance on a horizontal rod member 80 or other support. In the preferred embodiment the puzzle pieces 12, 14, 16, etc., are made of wood or a wood composite material, such as medium density fiberboard. Figure 4a illustrates various puzzle pieces moved forward and backward to further enhance three-dimensionality. Figure 4b shows the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle displaced in Figure 4a in an edge view of the completed jigsaw puzzle sculpture 100. Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 5, wherein a plurality of compressible inserts 90, having a transverse width or diameter which is less than the thickness of the puzzle pieces are fixedly attached longitudinally to the inside mating surfaces of the puzzle pieces to provide a friction fit between the interlocking surfaces, thus frictionally securing the complementary puzzle pieces to prevent them from dislodging unless sufficient force is applied. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the compressible inserts 90 are circular. A method of making a self-balancing jigsaw puzzle is shown in Figures 6a and 6b. As previously shown in Figure 2, the puzzle sculpture 100 has a suspension point 72 at the top center of the recess 28 which represents the natural perching point. The innovative feature is the placement of the puzzle sculpture's suspension point 72 at a point directly above the center of gravity 70 to allow the completed 5 puzzle sculpture 100 to balance with the proper vertical orientation or posture. First, a figure having a natural display balancing point is selected as a basis for the completed jigsaw puzzle sculpture 100. A silhouette or outline drawing of the selected figure, including its natural suspension point 72, is drawn in an upright position. The representation of the sculpture 100 is then cut from a rigid material 10 such as cardboard. With the puzzle figure 100 in a horizontal orientation, the center of gravity 70, or centroid, is determined using a balancing procedure. The figure 100 is placed horizontally on a relatively thin vertical edge 92, such as the edge of a ruler or a knife, which acts as a fulcrum 98 as shown in Figures 6a and 6b. When the figure 100 is balanced on the vertical edge 92 of the fulcrum 98, the line formed on 15 the horizontal figure 100 and the vertical edge 92 of the fulcrum is the first balance line 94. The figure is rotated some arbitrary amount and the method is then repeated to find the second balancing line 96 as shown in Figure 6b. The point at which the two balancing lines 94 and 96 intersect is the center of gravity 70 of the Figure 100. All balancing lines pass through the center of garvity 70 of the figure 20 100, whether or not the balancing lines 94 and 96 are orthogonal. The distance between the center of gravity 70 and the suspension point 72 is directly proportionate to the degree of stability of the assembled puzzle sculpture 100 when displayed in the preferred natural posture of the replicated figure. If the center of gravity 70 is too close to the suspension point, the puzzle will not maintain 25 balance in the proper orientation. The lower the center of gravity 70 below the perching point 72, the greater the resistance to rotation on the horizontal rod member 80. In the event the balancing lines 94 and 96 intersect at an orientation inappropriate to the suspension point 72, the sculpture 100 may be altered to redistribute the mass, thus shifting the center of gravity 70 to a point below the suspension point. The shape of the sculpture is then systematically altered to create an optimum location for its suspension point 72 by adding or removing mass from the sculpture 100 while performing the balancing procedure and maintaining the 5 sculpture's 100 overall characteristics. The resultant optimally balanced sculpture 100 is then cut into a plurality of puzzle pieces 12, 14, 16, etc., containing corresponding male projections 60 and female recesses 62 and defining anatomical, functional, or characteristic segments ofthe sculpture 100. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a computer drafting or 10 Computed Aided Design software program is utilized to determine the center of gravity 72 and to distribute the mass as previously described. Referring to Figures 7-11 of the drawing, the support 110 comprises an arcuate perch 112 preferably defining an arc of a circle greater than 180 deg. and preferably about 210 degrees from tip A to tip B. The perch is formed of a tubular 15 member with circular cross-section, and with finishing plugs 114a, 114b fitted into each end of the tube at tips A and B. A hanger 116 is slidably mounted on the perch for suspending the perch from a ceiling or mounting the perch on a wall W. Both positions (116a ceiling position, 20 116b wall position) are shown in Figure 8 and it is to be understood that a single hanger is used in either one of the two positions shown. The hanger 116 comprises a hub 116c and integral upstanding connector plate 116d. The plate includes an aperture 116e for connection to a support line 25 suspended from a ceiling. The hub has a central bore 116f conforming to the outer contour 112a of the perch for slidably fitting the hanger onto the perch. In the first hanger position 116a, the support is connected to a ceiling line or wire (not shown) for suspending the support and displaying a balancing sculpture. In 30 the second hanger position 116b, the support is mounted on a wall by connection of the upper aperture to a suitable wall fitting such as a wall hook 117. The support is maintained in this position by the wall hook and by contact at W between the perch and the wall below the wall hook. A modified structure for the perch 112 is shown in Figure 11 and comprises an assembly of a crescent shaped rod 120 preferably of steel defining a core for the perch, together with a covering tube 122 preferably formed of foam rubber and fitted onto the rod. End caps 124 each having a domed head 124a and axial connecting shaft 124b are applied to the tips 112 a-b of the perch. The undersurface 124c of each cap abuts an end face 122a of the cover tube. Each cap shaft is secured to a recess 120a at the tips of the core rod by any suitable means such as a screw thread connection. Alternatively, each cap may have an axial recess in its undersurface to receive a stud projecting from the rod end face, with the cap and stud joined and secured by press fit or adhesive. The covering tube may be colored as appropriate to enhance the appearance of the ensemble of support and balancing sculpture. The balancing sculpture 100 is positioned at the lower reach 112b of the perch as shown in Figures 8 and 9 for both the first and second hanger positions. Various changes may be made to the structure embodying the principles of the invention. The foregoing embodiments are set forth in an illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims appended hereto.

Claims: We claim: 1. A balancing jigsaw sculpture and support comprising: a. a plurality of puzzle pieces containing male projections and female recesses such that a female recess is correspondingly shaped to a male projection of an adjacent puzzle piece to allow the plurality of pieces to interlock in a conventional manner wherein the outer peripheral edges of the assembled jigsaw puzzle forms the sculpture; b. the assembled jigsaw puzzle sculpture having a predetermined center of gravity; c. the sculpture having a suspension point defined by a recess in one of the puzzle pieces with the suspension point being located vertically above the predetermined center of gravity; and d. a support member for engaging the recess of the sculpture with the sculpture disposed in vertical orientation with respect to the support so that the sculpture balances for display on the support member. 2. A balancing jigsaw sculpture and support as defined in claim 1 wherein the puzzle pieces are substantially thick to allow the pieces to be moved forward or backward in any combination to produce a three-dimensional effect. 3. A balancing jigsaw sculpture and support as defined in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of compressible inserts and an adhesive means for fixedly attaching the inserts longitudinally to the inside of the puzzle pieces to provide a friction fit between the interlocking puzzle pieces to prevent them from dislodging unless sufficient force is applied wherein the compressible inserts have a transverse width which is less than the thickness of the puzzle pieces. 4. A balancing jigsaw sculpture and support as defined in claim 3 wherein the inserts are a woven or non-woven fabric material. 5. A balancing jigsaw sculpture and support as defined in claim 3 wherein the inserts are a synthetic material. 6. A balancing jigsaw sculpture as defined in claim 1 in which the plurality of puzzle pieces are fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of wood, wood composite, polymer resin, and foam. 7. A balancing jigsaw sculpture replicating a bird and a support for the sculpture comprising: a. a plurality of puzzle pieces containing male projections and female recesses such that a female recess is correspondingly shaped to a male projection of an adjacent puzzle piece to allow the plurality of pieces to interlock in a conventional manner wherein the outer peripheral edges of the assembled jigsaw puzzle replicate a bird; b. the assembled jigsaw puzzle sculpture having a predetermined center of gravity; c. the sculpture having a suspension point defined by a recess replicating a bird's claws in one of the puzzle pieces with the suspension point being located vertically above the predetermined center of gravity; and d. a horizontal support member for engaging the recess of the sculpture replicating a bird's natural perching posture with the sculpture disposed in vertical orientation with respect to the support so that the sculpture balances for display on the support member. 8. A balancing jigsaw sculpture and support as defined in claim 7 in which puzzle pieces are made in the shape of anatomical parts and markings of a bird. 9. A balancing jigsaw sculpture and support as defined in claim 8 in which the puzzle pieces are colored to resemble a bird's feathers. 10. A balancing jigsaw sculpture and support as defined in claim 1 in which the support comprises an arcuate perch having a lower reach for receiving and displaying the balancing sculpture, a hanger mounted on the perch for movement between a first position wherein the support is suspended from a ceiling by means of a line connected to the hanger, and a second position wherein the support is adapted to be mounted on a wall by means of the hanger engaging a wall hook, so that the perch is maintainedjn the second position by the wall hook and by contact between the perch and the wall. 11. A balancing jigsaw sculpture and support as defined in claim 1 in which the support comprises a perch member defining an arc of a circle having a lower reach for receiving and displaying a balancing sculpture, a hanger slidably mounted on the perch for movement between a first position wherein the support is suspended from a ceiling by means of a line engaging the hanger, and a second position wherein the support is mounted on a wall by means of a wall hook engaging the hanger so that the perch is maintained in the second position by the wall hook and by contact between the perch and the wall, the hanger being a plate with a top aperture for receiving said line, and a lower aperture for fitting onto the perch in sliding relation thereto. 12. A balancing jigsaw sculpture and support as defined in claim 1 in which the support comprises a perch defining an arc of a circle greater than 180 degrees having a lower reach for receiving and displaying a balancing sculpture, the perch being formed of a tubular member, a hanger having a aperture and a hub, the hanger mounted on the perch by the hub for movement between a first position from which a line suspended from a ceiling is connected to the aperture, and a second position in which the aperture of the hanger mounts the support on a wall hook, so that the perch is maintained in the second position by the wall hook and by contact between the perch and the wall belowjhe wall hook. 13. The combination of a support and a balancing sculpture, the support comprising an arcuate perch having an upper portion and a lower portion, a hanger mounted on the upper portion for movement between a first position wherein the support is suspended from a ceiling by means of a line engaging the hanger, and a second position wherein the support is mounted on a wall by means of a wall fitting engaging the hanger, so that the perch is maintained in the second position by the wall fitting and by contact between the perch and the wall and the balancing sculpture mounted on the lower portion of the perch. 14. A balancing jigsaw sculpture and support as defined in claim 1 in which the support comprises a perch, the perch being an arc of a circle terminating in tips, the perch including an assembly of a crescent shaped core rod covered by a tube member, end caps connected to the core rod at each tip, and means fitted onto the tube for selectively connecting the support to a ceiling or to a wall. 15. A balancing jigsaw sculpture and support as defined in claim 14 in which the tube member is foam rubber. 16. A balancing jigsaw sculpture and support as defined in claim 1 in which the sculpture is formed by: a. drawing a silhouette of a sculpture including its natural balancing point on a substantially rigid material; b. cutting the sculpture along the peripheral lines; c. determining the sculpture's center of gravity which is the intersection point of a first and a second balancing line by i. balancing the figure horizontally on the vertical edge of a fulcrum to find a first balancing line; ii. rotating the sculpture to a different horizontal orientation; and iii. balancing the sculpture horizontally on the vertical edge of a fulcrum to find a second balancing line; d. redistributing the sculpture's mass to shift the center of gravity to a point directly below the sculpture's suspension point; and e. cutting the figure to form a plurality of puzzle pieces containing corresponding male projections and female recesses. 17. A balancing jigsaw sculpture and support as defined in claim 1 in which the sculpture is formed by: a. drawing a silhouette of a sculpture including its natural balancing point on a substantially rigid material; b. cutting the sculpture along the lines of the silhouette; c. determining the sculpture's center of gravity at the intersection point of first and second balancing lines by i. balancing the sculpture horizontally on the vertical edge of a fulcrum to locate a first balancing line; ii. rotating the sculpture to a different horizontal orientation on the fulcrum; iii. balancing the sculpture horizontally on the fulcrum at said different horizontal orientation to locate a second balancing line; d. selecting a suspension point for the sculpture at a location vertically above the center of gravity; and e. cutting the sculpture to form a plurality of jigsaw puzzle pieces.

Inventors: ELLINGHAM DONALD B, GOLDBLATT MARC, NISSIM OFER, SUTHERLAN TRISHA, ELLINGHAM, DONALD, B., GOLDBLATT, MARC, NISSIM, OFER, SUTHERLAN, TRISHA
Applicants: NISSIM OFER, NISSIM, OFER
Application year: 1997
Main classification: B44C3
IPC codes: A63F9