Patent Publication Number: US-2012045962-A1

Title: User assembled motorized puzzle

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/375,611 filed on Aug. 20, 2010, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Puzzles are a fun recreational activity that have been used and played with for centuries. They can range from simple and easily done by children to some of the most complicated puzzles completed by adults or even studied by academics. They provide intellectual stimulation and encourage problem solving. Puzzles can help the user learn as they encourage the user to think about the solution process in new ways. 
     Puzzles can include virtually any type of problem solving activity. For example, puzzles can include two dimensional pieces that interlock with one another or can include complicated three dimensional models that require large amount of time to complete and which include intricate details. 
     However, many puzzles suffer a similar drawback. Namely, once the puzzle is assembled, the user is done with the puzzle. Some hobbyists glue the pieces together to keep the puzzle in the assembled configuration to preserve the completed puzzle, but rarely does the user ever use the completed puzzle for anything other than display. This means that the user&#39;s enjoyment of the puzzle is at an end once the puzzle has been completed. I.e., the user&#39;s enjoyment of the puzzle for its own sake is removed once the puzzle is completed. 
     Further, the completed puzzle is stationary. That is, the completed puzzle does not move. This makes it suitable for display, but does not make it suitable for further use, such as for use as a toy or for other uses. I.e., the puzzle cannot be moved to different poses or otherwise played with. In addition, the completed puzzle may be delicate. This means that children or others, who may have assisted in completing the puzzle, are unable to use the puzzle further for fear that damage will be done to the completed puzzle. 
     Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a puzzle which can be played with after completion. Further, there is a need in the art for the puzzle to be able to move or otherwise change positions. Additionally, there is a need in the art for the puzzle to be resilient. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     One example embodiment includes a movable puzzle. The movable puzzle includes a puzzle, where the puzzle forms a three dimensional shape when completed. The movable puzzle also includes a motor, where the motor is configured to move the completed puzzle. 
     Another example embodiment includes a movable puzzle. The movable puzzle includes a puzzle. The puzzle includes two or more pieces, the two or more pieces configured to connect to one another and forms a three dimensional shape when completed. The movable puzzle also includes a motor, where the motor is configured to move the completed puzzle. 
     Another example embodiment includes a movable puzzle. The movable puzzle includes a puzzle. The puzzle includes two or more pieces, the two or more pieces configured to connect to one another and forms a three dimensional shape when completed. The movable puzzle also includes a battery and a motor, where the motor is configured to convert energy in the battery to mechanical motion. The movable puzzle further includes a drive rod, where the drive rod transmits the mechanical motion output by the motor to motion of the puzzle. The movable puzzle additionally includes a linkage, where the linkage is configured to transmit motion of the drive rod to a portion of the completed puzzle. 
     These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To further clarify various aspects of some example embodiments of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a puzzle; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a simplified top view of the puzzle; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a simplified side view of the puzzle; and 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example of a puzzle with a controller. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made to the figures wherein like structures will be provided with like reference designations. It is understood that the figures are diagrammatic and schematic representations of some embodiments of the invention, and are not limiting of the present invention, nor are they necessarily drawn to scale. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a puzzle  100 . In at least one implementation, the puzzle  100  can include a construction puzzle. A construction puzzle can include any puzzle where a user assembles a given set of pieces in a certain configuration and/or order. In a construction puzzle the user builds (assembles) a technical contraption. This may be a static object (such as a bridge) or a mechanical object (like a machine or animal). One of skill in the art will appreciate that although an animal shaped construction puzzle is used as an example of the puzzle  100  in  FIG. 1  the puzzle is not limited to either animal shapes or construction puzzles but can include any desired puzzle type and shape. 
     Examples for these types of construction puzzles are stick puzzles, many tiling puzzles and also some mechanical puzzles. Stick puzzles use sets of “polysticks” (sticks attached to each other to form a line or at right angles within a plane) which have to be assembled into two- or three-dimensional configurations. Tiling puzzles are puzzles involving two-dimensional packing problems in which a number of flat shapes have to be assembled into a larger given shape without overlaps (and often without gaps). E.g., a jigsaw or similar puzzle. A mechanical puzzle is a puzzle presented as a set of mechanically interlinked pieces. In particular, a mechanical puzzle is a puzzle which can be used to form one or more three dimensional objects. 
     In at least one implementation, the puzzle  100  can be made of any suitable material. For example, the puzzle  100  can be made of wood, metal, plastic or any other suitable material. One of skill in the art will appreciate that the different portions of the puzzle  100  can be made of differing materials, as desired. Therefore, the composition material should not be considered as limiting unless otherwise indicated in the claims. 
       FIG. 1  shows that the puzzle  100  can include a body  102 . In at least one implementation, the body  102  can include the main design of the puzzle  100 . In particular, the body  102  can include a portion of the puzzle  100  which is intended to simulate the appearance of an object. I.e., the body  102  can, once assembled, be a completed model of an object. 
       FIG. 1  shows that the body  100  can include a trunk  104 . In at least one implementation, the trunk  104  can include the central portion of the puzzle  100 . In particular, the trunk  104  can provide support to other portions of the puzzle  100  and or contain other portions of the puzzle  100 , as described below. The trunk  104  can be composed of several parts or pieces which the user is required to assemble. The pieces may be required to be assembled in a particular order or can be assembled in any order, depending on the pieces used. 
       FIG. 1  additionally shows that the body  102  can include one or more legs  106 . In at least one implementation, the one or more legs  106  can include a weight bearing and locomotive structure. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more legs  106  can include additional details. For example, the one or more legs can include joints, feet and toes. The one or more legs  106  can have a columnar shape and can be connected to the trunk  104 . In particular, the one or more legs  106  can support the trunk  104  and provide motion which moves the trunk  104 , as described below. 
       FIG. 1  also shows that the body  102  can include one or more upper limbs  108 . In at least one implementation, the one or more upper limbs  108  can include one or more arms. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more upper limbs  108  can include additional legs. The one or more upper limbs  108  can include additional details. For example the upper limbs  108  can include joints, hands and fingers. 
       FIG. 1  further shows that the body  102  can include a head  110 . In at least one implementation, the head  110  can include the foremost portion of an animal. The head  110  can include additional details. For example, the head  110  can include joints, a mouth, eyes, a nose and a neck. 
       FIG. 1  additionally shows that the body  102  can include a tail  112 . In at least one implementation, the tail  112  can include the hindmost part of an animal. In particular, the tail  112  can include a distinct, flexible appendage to the trunk  104 . The tail  112  can provide balance or other functions. 
       FIG. 1  also shows that the puzzle  100  can include a motor  114 . In at least one implementation, the motor  114  is configured to produce motion in the puzzle  100 . The motor  114  can include any device capable of producing motion in the puzzle  100 . For example, the motor  114  can include a device that is configured to convert electrical power into mechanical motion. Additionally or alternatively, the motor  114  can include a device which the user can move and converts the motion into mechanical motion of the puzzle  100 . 
       FIG. 1  further shows that the puzzle  100  can include a battery  116 . In at least one implementation, the battery  116  can provide electrical or mechanical power to the motor  114 . In particular, the battery  116  can include an energy storage device which is capable of powering the motor  114 . For example, the battery  116  can include an electrochemical cell that converts chemical energy into electrical energy. Additionally or alternatively, the battery  116  can include a rubber band, a spring or other device capable of storing mechanical energy. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a simplified top view of the puzzle  100 . In at least one implementation, the completed puzzle  100  is capable of motion. I.e., the puzzle  100  can execute a series of movements once it is completed. The movements can be automatic or user controlled, as described below. 
       FIG. 2  shows that the puzzle  100  can include a drive rod  202 . In at least one implementation, the drive rod  202  can connect the motor  114  to the trunk  104 . In particular, the drive rod  202  can allow mechanical motion produced by the motor  114  to be translated into motion of the trunk  104 . I.e., the drive rod  202  can translate the mechanical motion output by the motor  114  to the trunk  104 , producing motion in the trunk  104 . One of skill in the art will appreciate that the drive rod  202  can produce motion in a portion of the puzzle  100  other than the trunk  104 . 
       FIG. 2  also shows that the puzzle  100  can include one or more linkages  204 . In at least one implementation, the one or more linkages  204  can allow the appendages of the body  102  to move. In particular, the one or more linkages  204  can allow mechanical motion produced by the motor  114  to produce motion in the appendages of the body  102 . For example, the one or more linkages  204  can provide a direct connection between the motor  114  or the connecting rod  202  and the appendages of the body  102 . Additionally or alternatively, the one or more linkages  204  can translate motion of the trunk  104  to motion of the appendages of the body  102 . 
       FIG. 2  further shows that the puzzle  100  can include a rear join plate  206 . In at least one implementation, the rear join plate  206  is configured to move the one or more legs  106 . In particular, the rear join plate  206  can be connected to the trunk  104  and the one or more legs  106  such that motion of the trunk  104  is translated into motion of the one or more legs  106 . Additionally or alternatively, the linkage  204  can connect the rear join plate  206  to the driver rod  202  and/or the motor  114 . In addition, the rear join plate  206  can induce motion in the tail  112 , either through a direct connection to the tail  112  or through a linkage  204 . 
       FIG. 2  additionally shows that the puzzle  100  can include a front join plate  208 . In at least one implementation, the front join plate  208  is configured to move the head  110  In particular the front join plate  208  can be connected to the trunk  104  and the head  110  such that motion of the trunk  104  is translated into motion of the head  110 . Additionally or alternatively, the linkage  204  can connect the front join plate  208  to the driver rod  202  and/or the motor  114 . In addition, the front join plate  208  can induce motion in the upper limbs  108 , either through a direct connection to the upper limbs  108  or through a linkage  204 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a simplified side view of the puzzle  100 . In at least one implementation, the puzzle  100  can move when completed. For example, the puzzle  100  can drive, walk, move arms, portions can swivel or produce other motions, as described below. 
       FIG. 3  shows that the puzzle  100  can include a head motion mechanism  302 . In at least one implementation, the head motion mechanism  302  can produce motion in the head  110 . In particular, the head motion mechanism  302  can be connected to a drive rod  202  by a linkage  204 . The linkage  204  can transmit motion of the drive rod  202  to the head motion mechanism  302 . The head motion mechanism  302  can include various apparatus to allow the head  110  to produce desired motions. For example, the head motion mechanism  302  can include a four-rod mechanism composed of an upper jaw, an upper rod of the neck, a lower rod of the neck, and a head-arms middle rod. The four-rod mechanism can allow different portions of the head  110  to move in distinct manners from one another providing a more realistic motion. 
       FIG. 3  also shows that the puzzle  100  can include a trunk motion mechanism  304 . In at least one implementation, the trunk motion mechanism  304  can produce motion in the trunk  104 . In particular, the trunk motion mechanism  304  can be connected to a drive rod  202  by a linkage. The linkage can transmit motion of the drive rod  202  to the trunk motion mechanism  304 . The trunk motion mechanism  304  can include various apparatus to allow the trunk  104  to produce desired motions. For example, the trunk motion mechanism  304  can include a four-rod mechanism composed of an upper rod of the back, a middle rod of the back, a lower rod of the back, and the arms-back middle rod. The four-rod mechanism can allow different portions of the trunk  104  to move in distinct manners from one another providing a more realistic motion. 
       FIG. 3  further shows that the puzzle  100  can include a upper limb motion mechanism  306 . In at least one implementation, the upper limb motion mechanism  306  can produce motion in the upper limbs  108 . In particular, the upper limb motion mechanism  306  can be connected to a drive rod  202  by a linkage  204 . The linkage  204  can transmit motion of the drive rod  202  to the upper limb motion mechanism  306 . The upper limb motion mechanism  306  can include various apparatus to allow the upper limbs to produce desired motions. For example, the upper limb motion mechanism  306  can include a four-rod mechanism composed of a head-arms middle rod, an upper rod of the arms, a lower rod of the arms, and an arms-back middle rod. The four-rod mechanism can allow different portions of the upper limbs  108  to move in distinct manners from one another providing a more realistic motion. 
     The head motion mechanism  302 , the trunk motion mechanism  304  and the upper limb motion mechanism  306  are illustrated for exemplary purposes only. That is, they are applicable in animal and human puzzles  100 . However, other puzzles  100  can include other shapes, such as machines and the like. One of skill in the art will appreciate that other shapes may require other motion mechanisms. For example, a car may require motion mechanisms which turn the wheels, move the doors, etc. Therefore, the motion mechanisms should not be seen as limiting unless otherwise specified in the claims. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example of the puzzle  100  with a controller  400 . In at least one implementation, the controller  400  can allow a user to control the motion of the puzzle  100 . In particular, a user can use the controller  400  to produce desired motions in the puzzle  100 , as described below. 
       FIG. 4  shows that the controller  400  can include a connection  402  to the puzzle  100 . In at least one implementation, the connection  402  can include any device or apparatus which is capable of communicating control signals from the controller  402  to the puzzle  100  and vice versa. For example, the connection  402  can include one or more wires or wireless transmitters and receivers. 
       FIG. 4  also shows that the controller  400  can include one or more controls  404 . In at least one implementation, the one or more controls  404  can allow a user to select movements of the puzzle  100 . For example, the one or more controls  404  can include joysticks, buttons, touch screens and the like. The one or more controls  404  can translate movements of the user to motion in the puzzle  100 . 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.