The invention generally relates to multi-dimensional puzzles for teaching, entertainment, and construction. One embodiment of the invention comprises two forms, one planar and one non-planar, which comprise a plurality of protrusions and recesses. These forms may be assembled by selectively interconnecting the various protrusions and recesses to create multi-dimensional shapes such as a cube, cylinder, and sphere among many other possibilities.

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 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 spherical construction toy includes six segments consisting of a single outer convex surface and four inner concave surfaces, twelve segments consisting of a single outer convex surface, two inner convex surfaces, and two inner concave surfaces; and eight segments consisting of a single, outer convex surface and three inner convex surfaces. The segments are defined by the intersection of spherical surfaces having identical radius and disposed along Cartesian coordinate axes with the surface at the common center. The segments, when assembled in a base configuration with the outer surfaces disposed away from the common center, form a spherical assembly.

A panel and a system for use in building a lightweight structure are provided. The panel, made of a film or a sheet capable of being curved or bent with fingers, includes a body in a geometric shape circumscribed by straight or curved edges, and at least one joint formation along the edge for panel connection. The joint formation has tabs separated by at least one gap. Each tab expands bilaterally and proximally from the body at its base, and each gap is positioned along the edge so as to accept the base of the tab. The joint formations along the edges of varied curvatures are alignedly, hingedly, and detachably interlocked with each other by twisting the panels with fingers to individually hook the tab at the gap. The panels are assembled into geometric structures having flat or curved faces.

A jigsaw puzzle kit is provided having a plurality of interlocking puzzle pieces configured for assembly to form a three dimensional image, each puzzle piece having a surface an image applied thereon, a resilient layer for generating a tactile response when the puzzle piece is depressed, and a rigid backing layer below the resilient layer for providing support. Also provided is a method of manufacturing a jigsaw puzzle which includes the steps of applying an image onto the surface of a resilient material; applying a mold to the resilient material so as to create variations in the height of the resilient layer; adhering a rigid backing material to the molded resilient material; and die cutting the resilient material and the rigid backing material to create a plurality of interlocking puzzle pieces.

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 panel and a system for use in building a lightweight structure are provided. The panel, made of a film or a sheet capable of being curved or bent with fingers, includes a body in a geometric shape circumscribed by straight or curved edges, and at least one joint formation along the edge for panel connection. The joint formation has tabs separated by at least one gap. Each tab expands bilaterally and proximally from the body at its base, and each gap is positioned along the edge so as to accept the base of the tab. The joint formations along the edges of varied curvatures are alignedly, hingedly, and detachably interlocked with each other by twisting the panels with fingers to individually hook the tab at the gap. The panels are assembled into geometric structures having flat or curved faces.

A globe can include a plurality of pieces structured to inter-attach to form a surface of the globe, and an attachment system. Each piece can be substantially rigid, and can have an outer major surface shaped to form a portion of the surface of the globe. The plurality of pieces can include a first quantity of substantially identically-shaped polygonal pieces. The attachment system can be configured to attach at least some adjacent edges of the pieces, and can attach at least one edge of each of the pieces to an adjacent edge of another of the pieces. The attachment system can be configured such that the globe has sufficient structural integrity to substantially maintain a globular shape under its own weight. Each of a majority of the pieces can include a printed image on its outer major surface that is different than any printed image of any other piece.

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 overmolding.