Patent Publication Number: US-5893560-A

Title: Games, puzzles and the like

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to games, puzzles and the like involving reconstitution of pictures, images or designs, hereinafter referred to simply as &#34;pictures&#34;. 
     PRIOR ART 
     A traditional jigsaw puzzle comprises a picture cut into interlocking jigsaw pieces. In use the pieces are jumbled, and the puzzle is to assemble the pieces to reconstitute the picture. The jigsaw puzzle may be used by one person, or by several persons. 
     Children&#39;s toys are known comprising a number of cube shaped blocks with each block bearing elements of a picture on several faces thereof. The blocks are assembled to form a bigger block bearing a picture on each exposed face thereof. 
     A variety of other games and puzzles are also known. 
     OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The invention provides a game including a game board provided with two recesses and including two sets of pieces which may be assembled to reconstitute two similar pictures, one picture within and filling each recess, the pieces of the two sets being of the same shape and size but each piece belonging to one set only and not the other by virtue of the pieces bearing non-interchangeable elements of pictures to be reconstituted. 
     The puzzle may be played competitively, with two players racing against one another to complete pictures. 
     Preferably the pieces are rectangular, with one picture being reconstituted from pieces bearing upright rectangular elements of the picture and the other picture being reconstituted from pieces bearing horizontal rectangular elements of the picture. 
     Preferably the game includes additional pieces. 
     Preferably the two pictures are identical. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, two embodiments of the game according to the invention, and the manner in which it is played. In the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a box containing a game in accordance with the first embodiment; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the game of FIG. 1 in use; 
     FIGS. 3a and 3b show two reconstituted pictures of the first embodiment; and 
     FIGS. 4a and 4b correspond to FIGS. 3a and 3b, but relate to the second embodiment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 shows the box generally designated 1, comprising a box tray 2 and a box cover 3 bearing a picture 4. 
     FIG. 2 shows the various parts of the game and the use thereof. The Figure shows a table 100 which forms no part of the present invention. Two players (not shown) sit at opposite sides 101, 102 of the table. The cover 3 of the box is removed and is placed face upwards to one side 103 of the table. The tray 2 of the box is placed at the other side 104 of the table. A board 5 is removed from the tray and is placed centrally on the table 100. The board comprises two recesses 5a, 5b, one facing each player. The tray 2 contains pieces 6 for use in reconstituting two identical pictures. 
     The pieces 6 comprise two sets. The two pictures 4 can be assembled, one by each player, in competition with one another. Although the two pictures 4 to be reconstituted are identical, and although all the pieces are of identical shape and size, nevertheless each piece 6 belongs to a particular set. Referring to FIGS. 3a and 3b, the two sets of pieces 6 are shown assembled to form two identical pictures 4. The pieces 6 are rectangular. As shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the two identical pictures 4 have been die cut, and the die cutting of the picture 4 shown in FIG. 3b is at right angles relative to the die cutting of the picture 4 shown in FIG. 3a, so that the picture shown in FIG. 3a is divided into upright rectangular pieces whereas the picture shown in FIG. 3b is divided into horizontal rectangular pieces. 
     The object of the game is to reconstitute a picture 4. The player seated at side 101 uses recess 5a of the board, the player seated at side 102 uses recess 5b of the board. Each player should try and complete his picture 4 as quickly as possible, but a player may not hoard pieces 6, a player may not stack pieces 6 on top of another piece 6, a player may possess at any one time only as many pieces 6 as will fit in one layer within the confines of a recess 5a or 5b. 
     FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate a second embodiment making use of a circular picture. FIG. 4a shows the circular picture 4 printed upright on a square background which is then divided into square pieces 6. FIG. 4b shows the identical circular picture 4 printed at an angle on a square background which is then divided into square pieces 6. 
     Many variations are possible. A game may be provided for three, four or more players, this involves the provision of a board with a suitable number of recesses, and a suitable number of sets of pieces. Additional pieces may be included which do not fit either of the two (or more) sets, these are introduced to complicate the game. Alternatively, additional pieces may be provided which do fit (i.e. duplicate pieces), and these may simplify the game.