A breakable shell defining an enclosure within which a toy is contained. The breakable shell has a plurality of plastic shell pieces able to self-retain together to define the enclosure. The shell, when dropped from a sufficient height on a solid surface will break apart by the shell pieces all disconnecting from each other thereby revealing the toy.

A breakable shell defining an enclosure within which a toy is contained. The breakable shell has a plurality of plastic shell pieces able to self-retain together to define the enclosure. The shell, when dropped from a sufficient height on a solid surface will break apart by the shell pieces all disconnecting from each other thereby revealing the toy.

Polycube-based puzzles are disclosed. Three-dimensional Sudoku-like puzzles using polycubes of various sizes and dimensions, where the cubes making up each polycube have visually identifiable features on all sides such that sets of polycubes can be created to facilitate the Sudoku-like puzzle game. Polycube-based puzzles using sets of polycubes arranged in different configurations where each side of a resulting combination of a set of polycubes has no repeated visual identifier.

Collapsible structures may be formed from planar solids. The structures may be comprised of multiple planar objects hingedly connected, where each planar object may include magnetic materials (e.g., magnets, ferromagnetic metals) or electromagnetic materials. Using the magnetic or electromagnetic materials, the connected planar objects may be arranged as a single planar object with multiple layers, or may be arranged as a three-dimensional (3-D) object, where the magnetic or electromagnetic materials may be used to retain the formed 3-D object shape. Application of a current to the electromagnetic materials may cause the collapsible structure to form the 3-D object, and removal of the electric current may cause the collapsible structure to revert to a single planar object. Multiple structures may be combined to form larger structures.

A three dimensional puzzle (10) is disclosed. Puzzle (10) has having a plurality of three dimensional first components (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24) for engagement to form a three-dimensional finished shape (10), each of the three-dimensional first components (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24) being shaped for interlocking engagement with at least one other of the three-dimensional first components (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24). At least one of the three-dimensional first components (20, 22, 24) is made in two parts (20a, 20b, 22a, 22b, 24a, 24b) adapted to be joined together by engagement different from the interlocking engagement. Also disclosed is a three dimensional puzzle (10) in which the three-dimensional finished shape (10) has an outer surface containing a three-dimensional pattern (52), which can enhance optional overmoulding.

A three dimensional puzzle (10) is disclosed. Puzzle (10) has having a plurality of three dimensional first components (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24) for engagement to form a three-dimensional finished shape (10), each of the three-dimensional first components (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24) being shaped for interlocking engagement with at least one other of the three-dimensional first components (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24). At least one of the three-dimensional first components (20, 22, 24) is made in two parts (20a, 20b, 22a, 22b, 24a, 24b) adapted to be joined together by engagement different from the interlocking engagement. Also disclosed is a three dimensional puzzle (10) in which the three-dimensional finished shape (10) has an outer surface containing a three-dimensional pattern (52), which can enhance optional overmoulding.

A multiple level jigsaw puzzle comprised of varying thickness and irregular interlocking pieces which, when assembled, form an image with visible surfaces in relief relative to the tabular surface. The pieces have variable distinct surfaces and variable thickness with planar and/or textured surfaces to result in a raised relief 3D effect. The specific mix of individual pieces exhibiting variable thicknesses & distinct surfaces enhances enjoyment by adding strategic elements to puzzle assembly and optimizes the quality of the image.

A three-dimensional puzzle comprising a plurality of cuboid puzzle blocks together forming a predetermined three-dimensional puzzle shape, wherein each puzzle block comprises either a male or a female connecting element on each of at least three sides of the puzzle block; wherein the connecting elements for the respective puzzle block are configured such that each puzzle block is unique.

Toys that comply with at least American Society for Testing and Materials educational and safety standards are provided. Embodiments include grasping toys, rattle toys, rolling drum toys, shape fitting toys, and hex with ball toys.

A handheld touch apparatus for providing a variety of tactile sensations to the fingers and thumb of a hand of a user. The touch apparatus includes a multi-faceted block body having an outer surface defined by a plurality of planar faces joined together by radiused edges that meet together to form rounded corners. The block body is sized for holding within the palm of the user's hand and for being supported, rotated and manipulated by the fingers and thumb of the same hand. The touch apparatus further includes tactile features extending from the planar faces of the block body and that are selectively movable relative to their associated planar faces. The tactile features are contained within the volume of an imaginary sphere defined by the rounded corners and isolated from the tactile features on adjacent planar faces by the radiused edges of the block body.