The invention is a method to uplift education comprising of 4-dimensional, single- and multi layered educational puzzles, operating through 7 designs of functional relationships between the indicia (learning contents), and substrate.

The invention constitutes an effective method to teach persons of all ages, particularly children, any educational subject. Examples: literacy, biology, science, geography, maths, etcetera.

Themes of the puzzles are structured according to the objectives of local school curriculum wherever it is made available globally, and it therefore accelerates cognitive development.

The invention is unlimited in application and form an incomparable educational aid, versatile and valuable in the cognitive development of learners, especially in remedial teaching. It can be used in a one: one teacher or parent: learner/child situation, or a group,or individual situations in urban or rural areas, without electricity. Children love doing puzzles repetitively, therefore successful assimilation of educational material is assured.

The disclosed puzzle piece is attachable to, and releasable from, a baseplate where the baseplate includes forwardly extending male studs. The puzzle piece has at least one rear-facing engaging mechanism that is attachable to at least one of the forward-facing male studs carried by the baseplate. The puzzle piece has a particular outer shape defined by the outer shaped wall. The provided baseplate-piece(s) unit may be stored with the puzzle pieces engaged to the baseplate, but the puzzle pieces may be later detached for repeat use.

A method of modifying a non-magnetic surface to become magnetic enables magnetic puzzle pieces to be assembled thereon. The invention also includes the resulting modified article, which may be portable, enabling the magnetic lap desk to be transported from palace to place, including transportation by young children. A magnetic paint or primer is used to convert at least the top surface of the lap desk or other article. A further advantage of the invention is that since a user applies the paint or over-coats, different proprietary colors and/or designs may be achieved.

A container to store a reinforced puzzle therein, the container including a top surface, a plurality of walls extending perpendicularly away from the top surface, an inner surface formed by the plurality of walls, such that the inner surface is a surface on a side of the container opposite from the top surface, and a lip disposed around an edge of the plurality of walls to extend perpendicularly therefrom and inwardly toward a center of the container.

An example storage device for a puzzle, the storage device can include: a main portion positioned to provide a working surface for the puzzle; a cover portion positioned to cover the main portion to secure the puzzle; a hinge portion coupled to the main portion and the cover portion to allow the cover portion to move relative to the main portion between a closed position and an open position; and an inner border portion coupled to and extending from the main portion, wherein the inner border portion maintains the puzzle within the storage device.

A jigsaw-type puzzle has pieces that do not need to be flipped or turned prior to, or during assembly of the puzzle. The pieces have peripheral shapes or outlines that are symmetrical along at least one axis, with mirror images being printed on both sides of each piece so that either side of each piece can be used during assembly. Each piece shows a portion of a two-dimensional image, such that when the pieces are assembled, the two-dimensional image is completed. Each piece has first and second sides, with each piece portraying the same portion of the two-dimensional design, such that either side of any piece can be used to complete the puzzle. The invention is applicable to edge pieces, corner pieces and inner pieces, including square pieces with rounded tabs and voids that interlock, as well as non-traditional shapes, with or without interlocking joints, and tabs and voids with other shapes.

A rotatable platform for facilitating the assembly of a jigsaw puzzle by multiple person includes (a) a base having an upper or top surface and a lower surface or bottom surface; (b) a bearing or other pivot is secured to the bottom surface of the base for facilitating rotation of the platform; and (c) retainer for removably retaining a box top cover or similar part of the jigsaw puzzle box which shows the scene to be re-created is mounted to the upper surface of the platform.

System and method for additional amusement, entertaining and surprising visual or audible reward provided upon completing the reconstructing of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle. The puzzle pieces include conductive pads connected by a conductor such as a wire, a metallic strip or a conductive paint, so that upon assembling the puzzle, the pads are in contact to form a continuous conductive path. The frame or the puzzle pieces include a battery (or an AC adapter) and a visual or audible signaling device operating upon sensing the continuity of the conductive path. Each of the puzzle pieces may include three or more conductive pads, allowing for the forming two or more isolated or connected distinct conductive paths. The conductive path can further affect a time measurement and its related display for timing the puzzle solving.

A movable puzzle platform includes a puzzle board and a board accessible unit. The puzzle board has a bottom for supporting on a playing surface, and a top surface for playing puzzle piece thereon. The board accessible unit is coupled at the bottom of the puzzle board for sliding on the playing surface, wherein the board accessible unit provides accessibility for the puzzle board to move the puzzle board at different planar directions with respect to the playing surface. Therefore, a player is able to move the puzzle board on the playing surface at a desired orientation to assemble the puzzle pieces on the top surface of the puzzle board.

A puzzle platform includes two puzzle drawers, a puzzle board and a support assembly configured to support the puzzle board and having a receiving space cooperatively with the puzzle board. The support assembly includes a supporting member having a top wall, a partition wall configured to forming a pair of openings communicated with the receiving space cooperatively with the top wall. Each of the puzzle drawers is actuated to slide in-and-out of the receiving space through the openings. The partition wall is integral with the top wall, so that the manufacture of the puzzle platform is simple and low-cost.