Patent Publication Number: US-6708973-B1

Title: Puzzle device and method of using

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates games, more particularly to a puzzle device and associated method of using the device to construct a contiguous packed configuration puzzle having a hexagonal shape. 
     DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART 
     Many varieties of puzzle board games exist. Puzzles of a geometric nature have been enjoyed in endless variety for countless years. One popular class of such puzzles consists of those in which a set of separate pieces, each having a substantially planar face and capable of matching or interfitting edge-to-edge with other pieces, must be arranged into some sort of overall whole. 
     A wide variety of puzzles devices is currently available on the commercial market and an even larger number of these types of devices are known in the art of puzzle devices, for example, the puzzle disclosed by Thurston in U.S. Pat. No. 490,689; the puzzle disclosed by Brown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,532,875; the puzzle disclosed by Haswell in U.S. Pat. No. 1,558,165; the puzzle disclosed by Clark in U.S. Pat. No. 4,410,180; the color match board game disclosed by Rowbal in U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,952; the matching puzzle with multiple solutions disclosed by Vogeler in U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,749; the twelve-sided polygon tile game and method of playing in U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,151; and the combined puzzle and container therefor in U.S. Pat. No. D353,167. 
     While all of the above-described devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a puzzle device having a generally rectangular board with a hexagonal outline and a plurality of geometrically identically identical tiles, in which each tile is partitioned into a first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth triangular zones, wherein each zone has a different color than any other zone on that tile so that each tile of the plurality of tiles is unique from all other tiles. This combination of elements would specifically match the user&#39;s particular individual needs of making it possible to construct a contiguous packed configuration from the tiles by adjoining together all of the tiles within the hexagonal outline in a manner that the coloration of all of the triangular zones of each tile matches the coloration of adjacent triangular zones of adjacent tiles and matches the coloration of adjacent triangles in the board. The above-described patents make no provision for a puzzle device having a generally rectangular board with a hexagonal outline and a plurality of geometrically identically identical tiles, in which each tile is partitioned into a first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth triangular zones, wherein each zone has a different color than any other zone on that tile so that each tile of the plurality of tiles is unique from all other tiles. 
     Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved puzzle device having a generally rectangular board with a hexagonal outline and a plurality of geometrically identically identical tiles, in which each tile is partitioned into a first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth triangular zones, wherein each zone has a different color than any other zone on that tile so that each tile of the plurality of tiles is unique from all other tiles. In this respect, the puzzle device according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing a means for connecting, obtaining, laying, placing, and scattering so that a contiguous packed configuration may be constructed by adjoining together all of the tiles within the hexagonal outline in a manner where the coloration of all of the triangular zones of each tile matches the coloration of adjacent triangular zones of adjacent tiles and matches the coloration of adjacent triangles in the board. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present device and method of using, according to the principles of the present invention, overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a puzzle device and an associated method of using the device are disclosed. The device comprises a generally rectangular board and a plurality of geometrically identically identical tiles. The generally rectangular board having a playing surface, in which the board includes a large hexagonal outline embossed on the playing surface of the board in which a plurality of triangles is embossed on the playing surface of the board along the perimeter of the hexagonal outline of the board. Each tile having a generally flattened hexagonal geometry wherein each tile is partitioned into a first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth triangular zones, wherein each zone being a different color than any other zone on each tile so that each tile of the plurality of tiles is unique from all other tiles. The contiguous packed configuration is constructed by adjoining together all of the tiles within the hexagonal outline in a manner so that the coloration of all of the triangular zones of each tile matches the coloration of adjacent triangular zones of adjacent tiles and matches the coloration of adjacent triangles in the board. The method of using the device comprises the steps of connecting, obtaining, laying, placing, and scattering. 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known type puzzle devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved puzzle device, which will be described subsequently in great detail, is to provide a new and improved puzzle device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a generally rectangular board and a plurality of geometrically identically identical tiles. The generally rectangular board having a playing surface, in which the board includes a large hexagonal outline embossed on the playing surface of the board in which a plurality of triangles is embossed on the playing surface of the board along the perimeter of the hexagonal outline of the board. Each tile having a generally flattened hexagonal geometry wherein each tile is partitioned into a first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth triangular zones, wherein each zone being a different color than any other zone on each tile so that each tile of the plurality of tiles is unique from all other tiles. The contiguous packed configuration is constructed by adjoining together all of the tiles within the hexagonal outline in a manner so that the coloration of all of the triangular zones of each tile matches the coloration of adjacent triangular zones of adjacent tiles and matches the coloration of adjacent triangles in the board. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution of the art may be better appreciated. 
     The invention may also include cylindrical column attached to each tile. There are of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached. 
     Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompany drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved puzzle device that has all the advantages of the prior art puzzle device and none of the disadvantages. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved puzzle device that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved puzzle device that has a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such multipurpose storage unit and system economically available to the buying public. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new puzzle device that provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thererof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a puzzle device having a generally rectangular board with a hexagonal outline and a plurality of geometrically identically identical tiles, in which each tile is partitioned into a first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth triangular zones, wherein each zone has a different color than any other zone on that tile so that each tile of the plurality of tiles is unique from all other tiles. This combination of elements makes it possible to construct a contiguous packed configuration from the tiles by adjoining together all of the tiles within the hexagonal outline in a manner that the coloration of all of the triangular zones of each tile matches the coloration of adjacent triangular zones of adjacent tiles and matches the coloration of adjacent triangles in the board. 
     Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved method of using comprising the steps of connecting, obtaining, laying, placing, and scattering. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and description matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the puzzle device having the plurality of tiles positioned within the hexagonal outline as constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the puzzle device showing the hexagonal outline on the board of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a tile of the puzzle device of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a tile of the puzzle device of the present invention. 
     The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, and in particular FIG. 1 to  4  thereof, one preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral  10 . One preferred embodiment of a puzzle device  10  comprises a generally rectangular board  12  and a plurality of geometrically identically identical tiles  20 . The generally rectangular board  12  having a playing surface  14 , in which the board  12  includes a large hexagonal outline  16  embossed on the playing surface  14  of the board  12 ; and a plurality of triangles  18  embossed on the playing surface  14  of the board  12 , each triangle  18  of the plurality of triangles  18  disposed adjacent to each other in a contiguous manner around the perimeter of the hexagonal outline  16 , each triangle  18  having coloration selected from the group consisting of a first color, a second color, a third color, a fourth color, a fifth color, and a sixth color, wherein each triangle  18  of the plurality of triangles  18  having coloration different from coloration of adjacent triangles  18 . The plurality of geometrically identically identical tiles  20  having a generally flattened hexagonal geometry, each tile  20  includes a first triangular zone  22 , a second triangular zone  22 , a third triangular zone  22 , a fourth triangular zone  22 , a fifth triangular zone  22 , and a sixth triangular zone  22 . The first triangular zone  22  having coloration from the group consisting of the first color, the second color, the third color, the fourth color, the fifth color, and the sixth color. The second triangular zone  22  has a coloration selected from the group consisting of the first color, the second color, the third color, the fourth color, the fifth color, and the sixth color, in which the coloration of the second triangular zone  22  is different than the coloration of the first triangular zone  22 . The third triangular zone  22  has a coloration selected from the group consisting of the first color, the second color, the third color, the fourth color, the fifth color, and the sixth color, in which the coloration of the third triangular zone  22  is different than the coloration of the first and second triangular zones  22 . The fourth triangular zone  22  has a coloration selected from the group consisting of the first color, the second color, the third color, the fourth color, the fifth color, and the sixth color, in which the coloration of the fourth triangular zone  22  is different than the coloration of the first, second and third triangular zones  22 . The fifth triangular zone  22  has a coloration selected from the group consisting of the first color, the second color, the third color, the fourth color, the fifth color, and the sixth color, in which the coloration of the fifth triangular zone  22  is different than the coloration of the first, second, third, and fourth triangular zones  22 . The sixth triangular zone  22  has a coloration selected from the group consisting of the first color, the second color, the third color, the fourth color, the fifth color, and the sixth color, in which the coloration of the sixth triangular zone  22  is different than the coloration of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth triangular zones  22 . Each tile  20  of the plurality of tiles  20  has a color distribution unique to each tile. The plurality of tiles  20  are positionable within the hexagonal outline  16  of the playing surface  14  of the board  12  in a contiguous packed configuration so that the coloration of all of the triangular zones  22  of each tile  20  in the contiguous packed configuration matches the coloration of adjacent triangular zones  22  of adjacent tiles  20  and matches the coloration of adjacent triangles  18 . 
     Optional logo indicia  24  may be embossed on the playing surface  14  of the board  12  in which the logo indicia  24  comprises “HEXED-AGAIN GAME Board  12 ”. 
     An optional a cylindrical column  26  attached to each tile  20  of the plurality of tiles  20  An optional six pointed star  28  may be embossed on the playing surface  14  of the board  12 . One preferred configuration of the six pointed star  28  comprises a second plurality of triangular zones  22  forming the star  28 , each triangular zone  22  of the second plurality of triangular zones  22  having coloration selected from the group consisting of the first color, the second color, the third color, the fourth color, the fifth color, and the sixth color. Another preferred configuration of the six pointed star  28  comprises a plurality of interconnected adjacent rhombuses forming the six pointed star  28 , each rhombus having coloration selected from the group consisting of the first color, the second color, the third color, the fourth color, the fifth color, and the sixth color. 
     Another preferred embodiment of the puzzle device  10  consisting essentially of: a generally rectangular board  12  having a playing surface  14 , the board  12  including: a large  20  hexagonal outline  16  embossed on the playing surface  14  of the board  12 ; and a plurality of triangles  18  embossed on the playing surface  14  of the board  12 , each triangle  18  of the plurality of triangles  18  disposed adjacent to each other in a contiguous manner around the perimeter of the hexagonal outline  16 , each triangle  18  having coloration selected from the group consisting of a first color, a second color, a third color, a fourth color, a fifth color, and a sixth color, wherein each triangle  18  of the plurality of triangles  18  having coloration different from coloration of adjacent triangles  18 ; and a plurality of geometrically identically identical tiles  20  having a generally flattened hexagonal geometry, each tile  20  including: a first triangular zone  22  having coloration from the group consisting of the first color, the second color, the third color, the fourth color, the fifth color, and the sixth color; a second triangular zone  22  having coloration selected from the group consisting of the first color, the second color, the third color, the fourth color, the fifth color, and the sixth color, the coloration of the second triangular zone  22  is different than the coloration of the first triangular zone  22 ; a third triangular zone  22  having coloration selected from the group consisting of the first color, the second color, the third color, the fourth color, the fifth color, and the sixth color, the coloration of the third triangular zone  22  is different than the coloration of the first and second triangular zones  22 ; a fourth triangular zone  22  having coloration selected from the group consisting of the first color, the second color, the third color, the fourth color, the fifth color, and the sixth color, the coloration of the fourth triangular zone  22  is different than the coloration of the first, second and third triangular zones  22 ; a fifth triangular zone  22  having coloration selected from the group consisting of the first color, the second color, the third color, the fourth color, the fifth color, and the sixth color, the coloration of the fifth triangular zone  22  is different than the coloration of the first, second, third, and fourth triangular zones  22 ; a sixth triangular zone  22  having coloration selected from the group consisting of the first color, the second color, the third color, the fourth color, the fifth color, and the sixth color, the coloration of the sixth triangular zone  22  is different than the coloration of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth triangular zones  22 ; and a cylindrical column  26  attached to each tile  20 , wherein each tile  20  of the plurality of tiles  20  having a color distribution unique to each tile, wherein the plurality of tiles  20  are positionable within the hexagonal outline  16  of the playing surface  14  of the board  12  in a contiguous packed configuration so that the coloration of all of the triangular zones  22  of each tile  20  in the contiguous packed configuration matches the coloration of adjacent triangular zones  22  of adjacent tiles  20  and matches the coloration of adjacent triangles  18 ; a logo indicia  24  embossed on the playing surface  14  of the board  12 , wherein the logo indicia  24  comprises “HEXED-AGAIN GAME Board  12 ”; and a six pointed star  28  embossed on the playing surface  14  of the board  12 , wherein the six pointed star  28  comprises a plurality of interconnected adjacent rhombuses forming the six pointed star  28 , each rhombus having coloration selected from the group consisting of the first color, the second color, the third color, the fourth color, the fifth color, and the sixth color. 
     The tiles  20  of the device  10  may be made of any commercially available material. One preferred configuration is that the tiles  20  are made of plastic where the plastic is selected from the group consisting of polyester, polypropylene, polyurethanes, polyacryls, polymethacryls, cellulosic polymers, styrene-acryl copolymers, polystyrene-polyacryl mixtures, polysiloxanes, urethane-acryl copolymers, siloxane-urethane copolymers, polyurethane-polymethacryl mixtures, silicone-acryl copolymers, vinyl acetate polymers, and mixtures thereof. 
     The number of tiles in the plurality of tiles  20  may be any integer number. One preferred configuration is that the number of the plurality of tiles  20  at least seven tiles  20 . Another preferred configuration is that the number of the plurality of tiles  20  at least nineteen tiles  20 . Yet another preferred configuration is that the number of the plurality of tiles  20  at least thirty seven tiles  20 . Still yet another preferred configuration is that the number of the plurality of tiles  20  at least sixty one tiles  20 . A most preferred configuration is that the number of the plurality of tiles  20  comprises sixty two. 
     The board  12  may be made of any commercially available material. One preferred configuration of the board  12  is that it is made of cardboard  12 . 
     One preferred embodiment of a method of using a puzzle device  10 , the method comprising the steps of connecting, obtaining, laying, placing, and scattering. The obtaining step comprises obtaining the device  10  comprising: a generally rectangular board  12  having a playing surface  14 , the board  12  including: a large hexagonal outline  16  embossed on the playing surface  14  of the board  12 ; and a plurality of triangles  18  embossed on the playing surface  14  of the board  12 , each triangle  18  of the plurality of triangles  18  disposed adjacent to each other in a contiguous manner around the perimeter of the hexagonal outline  16 , each triangle  18  having coloration selected from the group consisting of a first color, a second color, a third color, a fourth color, a fifth color, and a sixth color, wherein each triangle  18  of the plurality of triangles  18  having coloration different from coloration of adjacent triangles  18 ; and a plurality of geometrically identically identical tiles  20  having a generally flattened hexagonal geometry, each tile  20  including: a first triangular zone  22  having coloration from the group consisting of the first color, the second color, the third color, the fourth color, the fifth color, and the sixth color; a second triangular zone  22  having coloration selected from the group consisting of the first color, the second color, the third color, the fourth color, the fifth color, and the sixth color, the coloration of the second triangular zone  22  is different than the coloration of the first triangular zone  22 ; a third triangular zone  22  having coloration selected from the group consisting of the first color, the second color, the third color, the fourth color, the fifth color, and the sixth color, the coloration of the third triangular zone  22  is different than the coloration of the first and second triangular zones  22 ; a fourth triangular zone  22  having coloration selected from the group consisting of the first color, the second color, the third color, the fourth color, the fifth color, and the sixth color, the coloration of the fourth triangular zone  22  is different than the coloration of the first, second and third triangular zones  22 ; a fifth triangular zone  22  having coloration selected from the group consisting of the first color, the second color, the third color, the fourth color, the fifth color, and the sixth color, the coloration of the fifth triangular zone  22  is different than the coloration of the first, second, third, and fourth triangular zones  22 ; a sixth triangular zone  22  having coloration selected from the group consisting of the first color, the second color, the third color, the fourth color, the fifth color, and the sixth color, the coloration of the sixth triangular zone  22  is different than the coloration of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth triangular zones  22 ; a cylindrical column  26  attached to each tile  20 , wherein each tile  20  of the plurality of tiles  20  having a color distribution unique to each tile, wherein the plurality of tiles  20  are positionable within the hexagonal outline  16  of the playing surface  14  of the board  12  in a contiguous packed configuration so that the coloration of all of the triangular zones  22  of each tile  20  in the contiguous packed configuration matches the coloration of adjacent triangular zones  22  of adjacent tiles  20  and matches the coloration of adjacent triangles  18 ; a logo indicia is  24  embossed on the playing surface  14  of the board  12 , wherein the logo indicia  24  comprises “HEXED-AGAIN GAME Board  12 ”; and a six pointed star  28  embossed on the playing surface  14  of the board  12 , wherein the six pointed star  28  comprises a plurality of interconnected adjacent rhombuses forming the six pointed star  28 , each rhombus having coloration selected from the group consisting of the first color, the second color, the third color, the fourth color, the fifth color, and the sixth color, wherein the number of the plurality of tiles  20  comprises sixty two. The laying step comprises laying the board  12  down onto a level surface so that the playing surface  14  of the board  12  in facing upwards. The placing step comprises placing the plurality of tiles  20  onto a flat surface. The scattering step comprises scattering randomly each tile  20  of the plurality of tiles  20  placed onto the flat surface. The connecting step comprises connecting together each tile  20  of the plurality of tiles  20  within the hexagonal outline  16  of the playing surface  14  of the board  12  into the contiguous packed configuration so that the coloration of all of the triangular zones  22  of each tile  20  in the contiguous packed configuration matches the coloration of adjacent triangular zones  22  of adjacent tiles  20  and matches the coloration of adjacent triangles  18 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 1 which depicts a top plan view of an preferred embodiment of the puzzle device  10  showing the plurality of tiles  20  positioned within the hexagonal outline  16  in the a contiguous packed configuration. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, which depicts a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the puzzle device  10  having the hexagonal outline  16  on the board  12 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 3 which depicts a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a tile  20  of the puzzle device  10  showing the tile  20  having a first triangular zone  22 , a second triangular zone  22 , a third triangular zone  22 , a fourth triangular zone  22 , a fifth triangular zone  22 , and a sixth triangular zone  22 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 4 which depicts a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a tile of the puzzle device  10  showing the tile  20  having a first triangular zone  22 , a second triangular zone  22 , a third triangular zone  22 , a fourth triangular zone  22 , a fifth triangular zone  22 , a sixth triangular zone  22 , and a cylindrical column. 
     As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     While a preferred embodiment of the puzzle device has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” or the term “includes” or variations, thereof, or the term “having” or variations, thereof will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element or integer or group of elements or integers but not the exclusion of any other element or integer or group of elements or integers. In this regard, in construing the claim scope, an embodiment where one or more features is added to any of the claims is to be regarded as within the scope of the invention given that the essential features of the invention as claimed are included in such an embodiment. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications that fall within its spirit and scope. The invention also includes all of the steps, features, compositions and compounds referred to or indicated in this specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of said steps or features. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.