Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/670,302, filed Apr. 12, 2005, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. The Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a decorative 3-dimensional assembly. More specifically, the present invention relates to a 3-dimensional structure which is assembled from 3 flat pieces and which may be used as a puzzle, toy, decoration, engineering structure, etc. 
   2. State of the Art 
   3-dimensional structures are desirable for numerous uses such as decorations or toys. Additionally, structures which require assembly are often used as puzzles, toys, and the like. Existing structures are somewhat limited as to how the structure may be assembled. For example, some 3-dimensional structures have pieces which are all oriented such that each planar piece falls along a common axis. Other 3-dimensional structures require bending of the individual pieces to assemble the pieces into the resulting structure, limiting the choice of materials used to make the structure. 
   It is thus desirable to provide a 3-dimensional structure which may be assembled with minimal or no bending of the pieces or which allows the individual pieces to be assembled so as to be disposed in various intersecting planes. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved 3-dimensional structure. In particular, a structure is provided which may be assembled from interlocking 2-dimensional pieces. 
   According to one aspect of the present invention, a structure is provided in which 2-dimensional pieces may be assembled into a 3-dimensional structure. The pieces may be disposed at right angles to each other once assembled. According to another aspect of the present invention, the 2-dimensional pieces may be formed such that each of the pieces is functionally identical. Thus, each piece may have identical interconnecting slots or cuts and the pieces are interchangeable in constructing the resulting 3-dimensional assembly. 
   These and other aspects of the present invention are realized in a 3-dimensional assembly as shown and described in the following figures and related description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Various embodiments of the present invention are shown and described in reference to the numbered drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1  shows a top view of a piece of a 3-dimensional structure according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  shows a top view of another piece of a 3-dimensional structure according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  shows a side view of the structure piece of  FIG. 2  taken along line  3 - 3 ; 
       FIG. 4  shows a side view of the structure piece of  FIG. 2  taken along line  4 - 4 ; 
       FIG. 5  shows a top view of another piece of a 3-dimensional structure according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  shows a top view of another piece of a 3-dimensional structure according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  shows a top view of another piece of a 3-dimensional structure according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  shows a top view of another piece of a 3-dimensional structure according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  shows a top view of another piece of a 3-dimensional structure according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of a 3-dimensional structure according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 11  shows another perspective view of a 3-dimensional structure according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 12  shows yet another perspective view of 3-dimensional structure according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 13  shows top views of pieces of a 3-dimensional structure according to the present invention; and 
       FIG. 14  shows a perspective view of a 3-dimensional structure according to the present invention. 
   

   It will be appreciated that the drawings are illustrative and not limiting of the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims. The various embodiments shown accomplish various aspects and objects of the invention. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The drawings will now be discussed in reference to the numerals provided therein so as to enable one skilled in the art to practice the present invention. The drawings and descriptions are exemplary of various aspects of the invention and are not intended to narrow the scope of the appended claims. 
   Turning to  FIG. 1 , a plan view of a 2-dimensional piece used to form a 3-dimensional assembly is shown. The piece, indicated generally at  10 , has been cut from a generally planar material. The piece  10  has an attachment section  14  having a size indicated by arrows  18  which define the size of attachment section  14 , and which interlocks 3 of such pieces together into a 3-dimensional assembly. A primary slot  22  and secondary slot  26  are formed in section  14 . The slots are formed such that the width of the slots  22 ,  26  is equal to or slightly larger than the thickness of the material used to form the piece  10 , and such that the length of slot  26  is equal to length  18  minus the length of slot  22 . When pieces  10  are assembled into a 3-dimensional structure, slot  22  of a first piece is inserted into slot  26  of a second piece and the relationship between the lengths of slots  22  and  26  maintains proper alignment of the two pieces  10 . It will be appreciated that length  30  plus the length of slot  26  is equal to half of length  18 . Optimum strength of a piece  10  occurs when slot  26  is about one fourth of length  18  and slot  22  is about three-fourths of length  18 , such that length  30  is equal to length  34  and is equal to one-fourth of length  18 . However, other lengths may be used. 
   The piece  10  may be made so as to be equal to or smaller than attachment section  14 . Thus, a square piece  10  as defined by dashed square outline  38  may be formed. Pieces  10  of other shapes, such as is defined by dashed diamond outline  42 , may be formed by removing material from square  38  while leaving slots  22 ,  26  intact. Thus, many shapes having straight or curved lines may be formed by removing material from square  38  while leaving slots  22 ,  26  intact. Additionally, other shapes of pieces  10  larger than square  38 , utilizing area  46 , may be formed, allowing a multitude of possible shapes. If the piece  10  is larger than square  38 , relief cuts as shown by triangular cutout areas  50  must be made to allow assembly of pieces  10  into a 3-dimensional structure. (As shown below, it will be appreciated that the relief cuts need not be triangular.) Additionally, assembly is made easier if the corner  54  between slot  26  and corresponding relief cut  50  is rounded somewhat. Thus, the piece  10  may be made in any shape desired so long as the piece  10  has properly sized slots  22 ,  26  and relief cuts  50 . Additionally, various pieces  10  which have different shapes may be assembled into a 3-dimensional structure so long as the pieces  10  have the same thickness and the same size of slots  22 ,  26 , and relief cuts  50  (i.e. dimension  18  is the same for each piece). 
   Turning now to  FIG. 2 , a top view of another piece of a 3-dimensional structure is shown. The piece  10 ′ is formed along diamond shape  42  of  FIG. 1 . The piece  10 ′ has slots  22  and  26  formed therein. In order to facilitate assembly of the 3-dimensional structure, slot  22  may have bevels  70  formed therein, as may be seen more clearly in  FIG. 3 . Additionally, slot  26  is formed such that the outer edge of the slot  26  curves outwardly, beginning about half way out from the inside of the slot  26 . Slot  26  is curved such that upper edge  74  of the right side of the slot  26  is curved out up to 25 degrees and preferably about 15 degrees, while lower edge  78  of the right side of the slot  26  is curved out up to 10 degrees and preferably about 5 degrees. Upper edge  82  of the left side of slot  26  is curved out up to 10 degrees, and preferably about 5 degrees, and lower edge  86  (dashed line) of the left side of slot  26  is curved out up to 25 degrees and preferably about 15 degrees. 
   The curvature formed in slot  26  and the bevels  70  formed in slot  22  allow pieces  10  to be oriented at less than 90 degree angles relative to each other while assembling the 3-dimensional structure, which is necessary for assembly. For thicker pieces  10  or  10 ′ or pieces formed from rigid material, the bevels are necessary to allow assembly yet provide a tightly fitting 3-dimensional structure. Conversely, the slots  22 ,  26  may simply be cut wider than is necessary to allow assembly without cutting the bevels  70  and curvature  74 ,  78 ,  82 ,  86 . In order to achieve a more rigid assembled structure (one which does not have excessive movement between the pieces, especially where the slots are made somewhat wider than the thickness of the pieces of material), detents or dimples  80  and corresponding bumps  84  maybe added to the pieces such that the bumps  84  engage the adjacent dimples  80  of the adjacent other piece when assembled, locking the structure more securely in place. It is appreciated that the dimples may be formed as bumps and vice versa. Any such engaging structure may be used at the joints between the pieces of the resulting 3-dimensional assembly. It is appreciated that the use of such an engaging structure allows the pieces to fit together more loosely during assembly allowing for easier assembly, while still fitting more tightly together in a completed form. For pieces  10  made of thinner and somewhat flexible materials, the pieces  10  will flex slightly during assembly such that bevels  70  and curvature  74 ,  78 ,  82 ,  86  are not necessary. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 3 , and end view of slot  22  of  FIG. 2  is shown. The slot  22  formed in piece  10  has a width, indicated by arrow  102 , approximately equal to the thickness of the piece  10 . Bevels  70  are formed in the slot  22  such that the upper right edge of the slot  22  is beveled outwardly and the lower left edge of the slot  22  is beveled outwardly. The bevels are preferably formed of an angle of approximately 15 degrees relative to the surface of the slot  22  and extend across approximately half of the vertical height of the slot  22 . 
   Turning now to  FIG. 4 , a end view of slot  26  of  FIG. 2  is shown. The slot  26  is formed in piece  10  such that the back portion of the slot is roughly square, being about the same width as the thickness of the piece  10 . The edges of the slot  26  then are beveled or curve outwardly as they extend towards the front of the slot  26 . Upper right edge  74  curves outwardly approximately 15 degrees relative to the back of the slot. Lower right edge  78  curves out about 5 degrees. Upper left edge  82  curves out about 5 degrees and lower left edge  86  curves out about 15 degrees. The beveled and curved slots  22 ,  26  shown in  FIG. 2  through  FIG. 4  allow a pieces  10  of substantial thickness to be assembled into a 3-dimensional structure. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 5 , a top view of a piece of a 3-dimensional structure is shown. The piece  10 ″ is formed in the shape of a star and includes slots  22 ,  26  and cutout areas  50  to facilitate assembly. It will thus be appreciated that the cutout areas  50  can be mirrored on other sides of piece  10 ″ to preserve a symmetrical shape of the piece  10 . 
   Turning now to  FIG. 6 , a top view of another structure piece is shown. The piece  10 ′″ is formed in the shape of a cross and includes slots  22 ,  26  and cutout areas  50 . Individual pieces  10 ′″ may be formed in any number of different shapes. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 7 , a top view of another structure piece according to the present invention is shown. The piece  10 ″″ has been formed as a butterfly or flower-like shape. The piece  10 ″″ includes slots  22 ,  26  and cutout areas  50  to facilitate assembly. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 8 , a top view of another structure piece according to the present invention is shown. The piece  10 ′″″ is formed in a cross shape. The piece  10 ′″″ includes slots  22 ,  26  and cutout areas  50  so as to allow assembly of three such pieces into a 3-dimensional structure. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 9 , a top view of yet another structure piece according to the present invention is shown. The piece  10 ″″″ has been formed into a curved cross shape, and includes slots  22 ,  26  and a cutout area  50  to allow three of such pieces  10 ″″″ to be assembled into a 3-dimensional structure. The piece  10 ″″″ has been formed so as to have cutout portions  110  which extend inwardly between slots  22 ,  26 . In comparison,  FIG. 5  through  FIG. 8  show pieces  10  where tabs extend outwardly from the slots  22 ,  26 . It will thus be appreciated that any shape may be made so long as the integrity of the slots  22 ,  26  is preserved, and ample cutout areas  50  exist where necessary for assembling three pieces  10  into a 3-dimensional structure. It will also be appreciated that while pieces  10 - 10 ″″″ have been shown which exhibit radial symmetry, non-symmetric pieces are also possible. Nearly any shape which is desired may be made. Thus, the pieces may be formed such that when three pieces are assembled into a 3-dimensional structure, the resulting structure resembles a desired object, such as a star, snowflake, or even a comic character. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 10 , a perspective view of a 3-dimensional assembly according to the present invention is shown. The assembly, indicated generally at  126 , comprises a first piece  10   a , a second piece  10   b , and a third piece  10   c . As shown, the pieces  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c  are disposed in a first step of assembly, wherein piece  10   c  is disposed in the slot  22   a  of piece  10   a , piece  10   a  is disposed in slot  22   b  of piece  10   b , and piece  10   b  is disposed in slot  22   c  of piece  10   c . Pieces  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c  are disposed substantially perpendicular to each other. Additionally, the pieces  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c  are arranged in such a manner that as piece  10   a  is moved in the direction of arrow  130  slot  22   b  moves towards slot  26   a  wherein slot  22   b  engages slot  26   a . Similarly, as piece  10   b  is moved in the direction of arrow  134  slot  26   b  moves to engage slot  22   c  and as piece  10   c  moves in the direction of arrow  138  slot  26   c  moves to engage slot  22   a . As shown, a small triangular opening  142  is formed between pieces  10   a ,  10   b , and  10   c . As the pieces  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c  are simultaneously moved in the direction of arrows  130 ,  134 ,  138 , opening  142  disappears. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 11 , another perspective view of a 3-dimensional assembly according to the present invention is shown. The assembly  126  is the same assembly shown in  FIG. 10 . As opening  142  ( FIG. 10 ) disappears, the pieces  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c  are rotated so as to be at an angle slightly less than perpendicular to each other, approximately 75 degrees, allowing slot  22   a  to engage slot  26   c , slot  22   b  to engage slot  26   a , and slot  22   c  to engage slot  26   b , as is shown. At this point during the construction process of assembly  126 , the openings of slots  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c  all meet in the location of opening  142  ( FIG. 10 ). Pieces  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c  are then rotated so as to be once again perpendicular to each other, allowing slot  22   a  to fully engage slot  26   c , slot  22   b  to fully engage slot  26   a , and slot  22   c  to fully engage slot  26   b.    
   Turning now to  FIG. 12 , a perspective view of the completed 3-dimensional assembly of  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11  is shown. Pieces  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c  have been rotated and moved into a position wherein each of the pieces  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c  are perpendicular to each other, and wherein slot  22   a  fully engages slot  26   c , slot  22   b  fully engages slot  26   a , and slot  22   c  fully engages slot  26   b.    
   Turning now to  FIG. 13 , a top view of pieces of a 3-dimensional structure of the present invention is shown. The three dimensional structure is functionally similar to the 3-dimensional structures shown earlier, and will thus be discussed in less detail as the assembly and use of the structure is similar to the earlier embodiments. The structure differs in that smaller 3-dimensional structures are added to a primary 3-dimensional structure. Thus, three of pieces  150  are assembled as discussed previously to form a 3-dimensional structure. 
   Additionally, the pieces  150  are formed such that arms  154  extend outwardly from the piece. The end of each arm  154  has been formed with slots  158 ,  162  such that the end of the arm  154  may be assembled as part of an additional 3-dimensional structure with pieces  190 . The ends of arms  154  may thus be formed with notches or openings  166  as is aesthetically desired or as is required for assembly of the additional 3-dimensional structure. Piece  190  of the additional 3-dimensional structure has slots  158  and  162  which functionally engage slots  158 ,  162  during assembly such that two of pieces  190  and the end of arm  154  are assembled to form a 3-dimensional assembly as has been previously discussed. Pieces  190  may be formed with notches or openings  166 ′ corresponding to notches or openings  166 . 
   It is thus appreciated that two of pieces  190  are required to form a 3-dimensional assembly with each arm  154  of piece  150 . Thus, if twelve arms  154  are formed on piece  150 , twenty four of pieces  190  are required to form 3-dimensional assemblies on the end of each arm  154 . It is also appreciated that it is not necessary to form 12 arms on piece  150 . Each of piece  150  may contain one, two, three, four, or more arms  154  extending from the piece, and any or all of these arms  154  may be assembled into additional 3-dimensional assemblies as is desired. Thus, the number and shape of smaller 3-dimensional assemblies made with arms  154  and pieces  190  may be altered such that the resulting assembly has any of a variety of possible shapes and appearances. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 14 , a perspective view of a 3-dimensional assembly resulting from assembly of the pieces of  FIG. 13  is shown. The assembly, indicated generally at  194 , includes a 3-dimensional assembly  198  constructed of pieces  150  of  FIG. 13 , and further includes twelve smaller 3-dimensional assemblies  202  constructed of pieces  190  of  FIG. 13 . One smaller 3-dimensional assembly  202  is formed on each arm of the larger 3-dimensional assembly  198 . It is thus appreciated that a variety of structures may be formed by including one or more 3-dimensional assembly according to the present invention. Multiple 3-dimensional assemblies of the same or varying sizes may be attached together to result in any combination of assemblies. 
   There is thus disclosed an improvement in a 3-dimensional assembly. It will be appreciated that the various embodiments shown are illustrative of the various aspects of the present invention and should not limit the pending claims.

Technology Category: 1