Tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle

Abstract

A tier-on-tier 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 puzzle is formed of a lower, base puzzle and an upper puzzle, which when combined 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.

Claims

1. A tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle, wherein the tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle comprises a plurality of puzzle pieces further comprising: a base puzzle composed of a plurality of base puzzle pieces forming a base puzzle face and base puzzle upper puzzle interface; wherein the base puzzle face is composed of an image adapted to interact with an upper puzzle to form a tiered or three-dimensional image; wherein the base puzzle upper puzzle interface is composed of printed facts pertaining to the tiered or three-dimensional image of the puzzle, a color, a message, a lip bordering the base puzzle upper puzzle interface, a pattern, or textured material adapted to engage a bottom face of the upper puzzle, or a recreation of an image from the base puzzle on the upper puzzle; wherein the plurality of base puzzle pieces further comprise: a plurality of single tier puzzle pieces, wherein the single tier puzzle pieces comprise: at least a base tier, wherein the base tier has a top face, a bottom face, and at least three irregular edges disposed between the top face and the bottom face; at least one knob or hole disposed on at least one irregular edge of the at least a base tier, wherein the knob or hole is complementary to and interlocking with an adjacent puzzle piece; a plurality of multiple tier base puzzle pieces, wherein the multiple tier base puzzle pieces comprise: a base tier, wherein the base tier has a top face, a bottom face, and at least three irregular edges disposed between the top face and the bottom face; at least one base knob or base hole disposed on one of the at least three irregular edges; a first elevated tier disposed on the top face of the base tier, wherein the first elevated tier has a first tier top face and a first tier bottom face, and is at a first height; at least one irregular edge disposed between the first elevated tier top face and the first elevated tier bottom face and correlating with one of the at least three irregular edges disposed on the base tier; at least one knob or hole disposed on at least one irregular edge of the first elevated tier and aligned with at least one base knob or base hole, respectively, wherein the knob or hole is complementary to and interlocking with an adjacent puzzle piece; an upper puzzle composed of a plurality of upper puzzle pieces, wherein the upper puzzle pieces further comprise: a plurality of single tier upper puzzle pieces, wherein the single tier upper puzzle pieces comprise: a first tier, wherein the first tier has a top face, a bottom face, and at least three irregular edges disposed between the top face and the bottom face; at least one knob or hole disposed on at least one irregular edge of the at least a first tier, wherein the knob or hole is complementary to and interlocking with an adjacent puzzle piece; at least one multiple tier upper puzzle piece, wherein the multiple tier upper puzzle piece further comprises: a first tier, wherein the first tier has a top face, a bottom face, and at least three irregular edges disposed between the top face and the bottom face; at least a first elevated tier disposed on the top face of the first tier, wherein the first elevated tier has a first tier top face and a first tier bottom face, and is at a first height; at least one knob or hole disposed on at least one irregular edge of the first tier and first elevated tier, wherein the knob or hole is complementary to and interlocking with an adjacent puzzle piece; and wherein at least one puzzle piece forming the upper puzzle engages at least one puzzle piece forming the base puzzle to fix the upper puzzle to the base puzzle.

2. The tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle of claim 1, wherein the base tier of the plurality of single tier puzzle pieces has a thickness of about 1.6 mm to about 1.9 mm.

3. The tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle of claim 1, wherein the base tier of the plurality of multiple tier puzzle pieces has a thickness of about 1.6 mm to about 1.9 mm.

4. The tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle of claim 3, wherein the first elevated tier of the multiple tier base puzzle or the first elevated tier of the multiple tier upper puzzle piece has a thickness of about 1.2 mm to about 1.9 mm.

5. The tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle of claim 1, wherein the plurality of puzzle pieces are cardboard, wood, paperboard, chipboard, or plastic.

6. The tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle of claim 1, wherein the completed puzzle is between 3 tiers thick and 5 tiers thick.

7. The tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle of claim 1, wherein the plurality of puzzle pieces has an average planar or surface area of at least 0.85 square inches.

8. The tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle of claim 1, wherein the plurality of single tier puzzle pieces of the base puzzle, the plurality of single tier puzzle pieces of the upper puzzle, the plurality of multiple tier puzzle pieces of the base puzzle, and the at least one multiple tier puzzle piece of the upper puzzle are comprised of the following: at least 40% of the pieces have a maximum elevated tier of a base tier or visible tier 1; and at least 40% of the pieces have a maximum elevated tier of a first elevated tier or visible tier 2.

9. The tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle of claim 1, wherein the upper puzzle forms at least 25% of the total piece count of the puzzle.

10. The tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle of claim 1, wherein the plurality of single tier puzzle pieces of the base puzzle, the plurality of single tier puzzle pieces of the upper puzzle, the plurality of multiple tier puzzle pieces of the base puzzle, and the at least one multiple tier puzzle piece of the upper puzzle are comprised of the following: at least 30% of the pieces have a maximum elevated tier of a base tier or visible tier 1; at least 15% of the pieces have a maximum elevated tier of a first elevated tier or visible tier 2; and at least 15% of the pieces have a maximum elevated tier of a second elevated tier or visible tier 3.

11. The tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle of claim 1, wherein the plurality of single tier puzzle pieces of the base puzzle and the plurality of single tier puzzle pieces of the upper puzzle comprise at least 20% of the pieces; wherein the at least one multiple tier puzzle piece are bi-level pieces, and the bi-level pieces comprise at least 35% of the pieces; wherein the at least one multiple level puzzle piece are tri-level pieces, and the tri-level pieces comprise at least 5% of the pieces.

12. The tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle of claim 1, wherein the plurality of single tier puzzle pieces of the base puzzle and the plurality of single tier puzzle pieces of the upper puzzle further comprise at least 35% of the pieces.

13. The tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle of claim 1, wherein the at least one multiple tier puzzle piece is a plurality of puzzle pieces and the at least one multiple tier puzzle pieces comprise the following: at least 25% of the pieces have one change in tier elevation; and at least 12% of the pieces have two changes in tier elevation.

14. The tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle of claim 13, wherein the at least one multiple tier puzzle pieces further comprise at least 8% of the pieces have three changes in tier elevation.

15. The tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle of claim 1, wherein the top face of at least one of the plurality of single tier puzzle pieces in the upper puzzle has a contour or a contoured texture, wherein the contour or contoured texture mimics a subject object.

16. The tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle of claim 1, wherein the top face of at least one multiple tier puzzle piece has a contoured texture, wherein the contoured texture mimics a subject object.

17. The tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle of claim 1, wherein the puzzle has a straight border, jigsaw border, or a contoured border.

18. The tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle of claim 1, wherein the tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle further comprise the following: the plurality of upper puzzle pieces comprise a minimum of 25% of the total number of plurality of puzzle pieces.

19. The tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle of claim 1, wherein top face of at least one of the plurality of single tier puzzle pieces and at least one multiple tier puzzle piece has a texture, therein the texture is smocking, velour, velvet, felt, artificial fur, flocking, plush, glitter, foil, vinyl leather-texture material, vinyl wood-texture material, sand, or combinations thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a top-down view of a tier-on-tier multilevel jigsaw puzzle in an embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 2a is a top-down view of a tier-on-tier multilevel jigsaw puzzle in an embodiment of the invention, showing the base puzzle and without the upper puzzle.

(4) FIG. 2b is a top-down view of a tier-on-tier multilevel jigsaw puzzle in an embodiment of the invention, showing the upper puzzle.

(5) FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a base puzzle piece showing a single tier embodiment of the invention.

(6) FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an upper puzzle piece showing multiple tiers, with numerous changes in elevation.

(7) FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an upper puzzle piece showing multiple tiers, with a single elevation change.

(8) FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an upper puzzle piece having multiple changes in tier elevations and three visible tiers, in an embodiment of the invention.

(9) FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an upper puzzle piece having two changes in tier elevation, and three visible tiers in an embodiment of the invention. The piece can also be identified as a 3-1-3 piece.

(10) FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a base puzzle piece having a single tier and an upper puzzle piece having two visible tiers and one change in tier elevation, in an embodiment of the invention. Assembled, the base puzzle and upper puzzle combine, resulting in two changes in tier elevation.

(11) FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a base puzzle piece having two tiers and an upper puzzle piece having three tiers, in an embodiment of the invention. Assembled, the base puzzle and upper puzzle combine, resulting in a single change in tier elevation and a three tier change in elevation.

(12) FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a base puzzle piece showing a single tier, with an indent interface in an embodiment of the invention.

(13) FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a base puzzle piece having a single tier, with an indent interface, and an upper puzzle piece of a three tier piece having two visible tiers and three changes in tier elevation, in an embodiment of the invention.

(14) FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a base puzzle piece having two tiers, with an indent interface, and an upper puzzle piece of a three tier piece having one visible tier and three changes in tier elevation, in an embodiment of the invention.

(15) FIG. 13 is an isometric view of a base puzzle piece having a single tier, with an indent interface, in an embodiment of the invention.

(16) FIG. 14 is an isometric view of a base puzzle piece having multiple changes in tier elevations and two visible tiers, in an embodiment of the invention. The piece can also be identified as a 2-1-2 piece.

(17) FIG. 15 is an isometric view of a base puzzle piece jigsaw puzzle piece with three irregular edges and three holes.

(18) FIG. 16 is an isometric view of a multilevel jigsaw puzzle piece in an embodiment of the invention showing the tiers having different thicknesses.

(19) FIG. 17 is an isometric view of a plurality of jigsaw puzzle pieces that combine to fix, connect, or lock the upper puzzle to the lower puzzle in one variation of the invention.

(20) FIG. 18 is an isometric view of a multilevel jigsaw puzzle piece with a contour textured surface in an embodiment of the invention.

(21) FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view of FIG. 18 at location A-A, showing the multiple contour textured surfaces.

(22) FIG. 20 is a top-down view of a multilevel jigsaw puzzle in an embodiment of the invention. In the disclosed embodiment, the puzzle has a straight-edged border.

(23) FIG. 21 is a top-down view of a multilevel jigsaw puzzle in an embodiment of the invention. In the disclosed embodiment, the puzzle has a jigsaw-edged border.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(24) The inventive multiple level jigsaw puzzle is designed to enhance the image and alter the strategy and assembly used in completing jigsaw puzzles. The pieces include single level pieces and multiple level puzzle pieces. The puzzle pieces include at least a base tier, and optionally one or more elevated tiers are disposed on the base tier. The multiple level puzzle pieces optionally have one elevated tier, or two elevated tiers, and can include one elevation change, two elevation changes, or three elevation changes. The puzzle pieces of the multiple level puzzle are optionally up to 3 tiers thick. The tier elevation changes optionally include two separate visible tiers or three separate visible tiers. The multiple level puzzle optionally includes a contoured texture disposed on the top face of the puzzle pieces, designed to mimics a subject object.

(25) As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an insert” includes a single element or two or more elements.

(26) As used herein, “about” means approximately or nearly and in the context of a numerical value or range set forth means±15% of the numerical.

(27) As used herein, “adjacent” means a section of the puzzle in proximity to the puzzle piece when the puzzle is assembled.

(28) As used herein, “top” or “upper” and “lower” or “bottom” are referenced on the image depicted in FIG. 4. “Top” or “upper” means any portion of the puzzle directed to the top in FIG. 4. For example, reference number 21b is above reference number 21a. “Lower” or “bottom” is directed toward the bottom of FIG. 4.

(29) As used herein, “complementary” means geometrically shaped and sized elements that conform to the adjacent element, such that a male element conforms to a female part to which it is being interconnected, or a female element conforms to a male element.

(30) As used herein, “interlocking” means the respective pieces are united firmly together due to adjacent elements having complementary contours of recesses and projections.

(31) As used herein, “visible” means the top face of the tier element is capable of being seen.

(32) As used herein, “knob” means a protrusion extending from the edge of a puzzle piece. In some instances, the knob is rounded, though a protrusion is not required to be rounded to meet the definition herein.

(33) As used herein, “hole” means a gap or opening along the edge of a puzzle piece, i.e. a section of the puzzle recessing in from the edge of the puzzle piece.

(34) As used herein, “thickness” means the distance between the top face and the bottom face of a tier or puzzle piece.

(35) As used herein, “tier” means one of a number of successively overlapping layers or rows placed one above the other to from multiple tiers. For a single tier puzzle piece, the puzzle piece may have overlapping tiers or may be formed on a single, base tier having no overlapping layers or rows. The tiers include the full row or a subset thereof. For example, where a tier is 1.6 mm thick, the tier can vary in thickness to accommodate a texture on the tier. In some examples, without being limited in scope, the 1.6 mm thick tier can vary from about 0.8 mm to 2.0 mm, accommodating a contoured texture that approximates the three-dimensional elements of an image, such as those depicted in FIGS. 18 and 19.

(36) Ranges disclosed herein include subsets of the specified ranges.

Example 1

(37) Tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle 1 is formed of base puzzle 1a and upper puzzle 1b, as seen in FIG. 1. Base puzzle 1a is composed of a plurality of base puzzle piece 2, which form base puzzle face 2a and base puzzle upper puzzle interface 2b, seen in FIG. 2a. Base puzzle face 2a is visible upon completion of the tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle, whereas base puzzle upper puzzle interface 2b is concealed by upper puzzle 1b upon completion of the puzzle. As such, puzzle upper puzzle interface 2b optionally includes fun facts about the upper puzzle image or words, a repeat of the upper image, color, pattern or area called lower puzzle or level.

(38) Upper puzzle 1b is composed of a plurality of upper puzzle piece 5, which form the upper elevated structure of tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle 1. Upper puzzle 1b optionally includes numerous changes in elevation, resulting in upper puzzle first elevation 5a, upper puzzle second elevation 5b, and upper puzzle third elevation 5c, as seen in FIG. 2b.

(39) Each of the plurality of base puzzle piece 2, is composed of at least base tier 3, as seen in FIG. 3. Knob 10 is positioned on one or more tiers and dimensioned to engage, or interlock with, hole 15 on an adjacent piece, thereby locking the two adjacent puzzle pieces together. Hole 15 is similarly positioned on one or more tiers to engage knob 10 of an adjacent puzzle piece. The puzzle pieces may include any combination of knobs and holes along the edges of the piece. Further, the puzzle pieces include along the irregular edges of the piece, which are complementary to the geometry on an adjacent puzzle piece. Base tier face 7 is disposed on the upper face of the base tier.

(40) Upper puzzle piece 5 is a multiple tier puzzle piece formed having two or more different visible tiers on the same piece, as seen in FIGS. 4 through 7. Upper puzzle piece 5 includes upper puzzle piece base tier 21a and at least one elevated tier. Upper puzzle piece 5 optionally has numerous changes in elevation, as seen in FIG. 4, where the elevation difference is one tier between upper puzzle piece base tier 21a and a first elevated tier on a subsection of the puzzle piece and the elevation difference is two or more tiers on a different subsection of the puzzle piece. For example, upper puzzle piece base tier 21a and upper puzzle piece first elevated tier 21b form a first elevated tier on one section of the puzzle piece, resulting in upper puzzle piece bottom face 8a and upper puzzle piece first elevated face 8b. On another section of the upper puzzle piece, the elevation difference is two tiers between upper puzzle piece base tier 21a and upper puzzle piece second elevated tier 21c, resulting in upper puzzle piece bottom face 8a and upper puzzle piece second elevated face 8c. As with the base puzzle pieces, upper puzzle piece 5 includes holes and knobs. Of note, where the holes and knobs are present on sections of the puzzle piece having multiple tiers, the hole or knob extends throughout the tiers present on that particular section of the puzzle piece, as illustrated in the figure, i.e. the holes for each tier align with the hole in the adjacent tiers and knobs similarly align as seen in FIG. 5. Other embodiments of upper puzzle piece 5 possess one change in elevation, as seen in FIG. 5, where the elevation difference is one tier. In the figure, the piece is formed of upper puzzle piece base tier 21a and upper puzzle piece first elevated tier 21b having a smaller area than upper puzzle piece base tier 21a. Optionally, upper puzzle piece first elevated tier 21b can include a second upper puzzle piece first elevated tier 21b, as seen in the figure, whereby upper puzzle piece bottom face 8a is partially sandwiched between two upper puzzle piece first elevated face 8b.

(41) Upper puzzle piece 5 can be formed having two or more different visible tiers on the same piece. For example, upper puzzle piece 5 can include visible sections of tier 1, 2, or top-most tier 3, in any combination, except that the top-most tier must be exposed. The multiple tier puzzle piece, the puzzle piece has two drops in elevation, as seen in FIG. 6. An example for this variation shows upper puzzle piece 5 with exposed, or visible, sections of tier 1, 2, and 3. Upper puzzle piece 5 includes upper puzzle piece base tier 21a, upper puzzle piece first elevated tier 21b, and upper puzzle piece second elevated tier 21c, where upper puzzle piece first elevated tier 21b and upper puzzle piece second elevated tier 21c have a smaller area than upper puzzle piece base tier 21a. Upper puzzle piece second elevated tier 21c has a smaller area than upper puzzle piece base tier 21a and upper puzzle piece first elevated tier 21b, resulting in the puzzle piece having three exposed faces and three exposed tiers.

(42) In other variations of upper puzzle piece 5, the puzzle piece includes upper puzzle piece base tier 21a, upper puzzle piece first elevated tier 21b, and upper puzzle piece second elevated tier 21c, as seen in FIG. 7. Upper puzzle piece 5 results in upper puzzle piece first elevated tier 21b having the same size as upper puzzle piece second elevated tier 21c, and smaller than upper puzzle piece base tier 21a, as depicted in the figure.

(43) Tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle 1 is assembled by completing base puzzle 1a, followed by upper puzzle 1b. After completing base puzzle 1a, upper puzzle piece 5 is placed over base puzzle piece 2, over puzzle upper puzzle interface 2b, as seen in FIGS. 8 and 9.

Example 2

(44) Tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle 1 is formed of base puzzle 1a and upper puzzle 1b, as described in Example 1. In this variation, the plurality of base puzzle piece 2, include a base puzzle piece indent interface between base puzzle face 2a and base puzzle upper puzzle interface 2b, i.e. a partial change in elevation between the base puzzle face 2a and base puzzle upper puzzle interface 2b as seen in FIG. 10. In these embodiments, base puzzle piece 2 includes base tier 3a and indent elevation 3b. Indent elevation 3b forms base puzzle piece indent interface 4 between base puzzle face 2a and base puzzle upper puzzle interface 2b. Notably, indent elevation 3b is substantially smaller than a tier elevation, typically having only sufficient thickness to secure upper puzzle 1b. In the illustrative example, indent elevation 3b has a thickness between 1/64 inch and 1/32 inch (between 0.4 mm and 0.8 mm).

(45) Upper puzzle 1b is composed of a plurality of upper puzzle piece 5, as described in Example 1. Upper puzzle 1b optionally includes numerous changes in elevation, resulting in upper puzzle first elevation 5a, upper puzzle second elevation 5b, and upper puzzle third elevation 5c.

(46) Tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle 1 is assembled by completing base puzzle 1a, followed by upper puzzle 1b. After completing base puzzle 1a in this variation, base puzzle 1a depicts a void to accept upper puzzle 1b defined by base puzzle piece indent interface 4. Upper puzzle piece 5 is placed over base puzzle piece 2, where the outermost edges of upper puzzle 1b fits against base puzzle piece indent interface 4, as seen in FIGS. 11 and 12.

Example 3

(47) Tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle 1 is formed of base puzzle 1a and upper puzzle 1b, as discussed in prior Examples. Base puzzle 1a is composed of a plurality of base puzzle piece 2. Base puzzle piece 2 is composed of base tier 3, and base first elevated tier 20b, as seen in FIG. 13. Knob 10 is positioned on one or more tiers and dimensioned to engage, or interlock with, hole 15 on an adjacent piece, thereby locking the two adjacent puzzle pieces together. Hole 15 is similarly positioned on one or more tiers to engage knob 10 of an adjacent puzzle piece. The puzzle pieces may include any combination of knobs and holes along the edges of the piece. Base tier face 7a is disposed on the upper face of the base tier, and base upper tier face tier face 7b is disposed on the upper face of base first elevated tier 20b.

(48) Alternatively, base puzzle piece 2 possess two changes of one tier in elevation, as seen in FIG. 14. In the figure, the piece is formed of base first elevated tier 20b having a smaller area than base tier 3, and disposed on a first section of base tier 3, and another base first elevated tier 20b having a smaller area than base tier 3, and disposed on a second section of base tier 3. Base tier face 7a is disposed on the upper face of the base tier, and base upper tier face tier face 7b is disposed on the upper face of base first elevated tier 20b. Base puzzle 1a includes base puzzle upper puzzle interface 2b as described in prior Examples.

(49) Upper puzzle 1b is composed of a plurality of upper puzzle piece 5, as described in prior Examples. Upper puzzle 1b can interact with base puzzle pieces as disclosed in the various Examples herein to form tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle 1.

Example 4

(50) Tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle 1 is formed of base puzzle 1a and upper puzzle 1b, as provided in the prior examples. However, unlike the prior examples, the puzzle pieces, when viewed by the major side elements and ignoring knobs and holes, approximate geometric shapes. For example, the puzzle pieces can approximate a triangle, as seen in FIG. 15. In the Figure, the puzzle piece approximates a right-angled triangle when holes 15 are ignored. The puzzle pieces can also approximate quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons, or heptagons. However, in most instances the plurality of puzzle pieces approximate an irregular rectangle. Irregular edges are not defined as holes or knobs if they do not interconnect. In the figure, irregular edge 50 is complementary to, and interlocks with an adjacent puzzle piece. In other embodiments, the puzzle piece is an upper puzzle piece. The puzzle piece can also be an edge or corner puzzle piece, such as 32, with a knob or hole on two sides and a straight third edge. Conversely, puzzle piece can also be an edge or corner puzzle piece of puzzle 35, such as 33. Edge or border puzzle piece 36 or 37 has a knob or hole on three sides.

Example 5

(51) Tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle 1 is formed of base puzzle 1a and upper puzzle 1b. The puzzle has a maximum of either 3 tiers, 4 tiers, or 5 tiers, when assembled, as provided for in the previous Examples. The puzzle pieces forming the puzzle have one or more tiers, and optionally include a single-tier of base puzzle piece 2 and multiple-tier upper puzzle piece 5. In certain embodiments, the base tier of base puzzle piece 2 has a first thickness A and the tiers of upper puzzle piece 5 have a thickness which differs from first thickness A, as seen in FIG. 16. As seen in the figure, upper puzzle piece base tier 21a has a thickness B, upper puzzle piece first elevated tier 21b has a thickness C, and upper puzzle piece second elevated tier 21c has a thickness D. In specific embodiments, base tier 3 has a thickness of 1.6 mm or 1.9 mm. The elevated tiers, i.e. upper puzzle piece base tier 21a, upper puzzle piece first elevated tier 21b, upper puzzle piece second elevated tier 21c, and upper puzzle piece third elevated tier 21d, have a thickness of 1.2 mm to 1.6 mm. Optionally, thicknesses B through D have the same thickness. In a nonlimiting example, thicknesses B through D are all 1.2 mm or about 1.2 mm, and are the same thickness. Further, the puzzle piece average surface area varies, such as different puzzle pieces having surface areas of 0.7 sq.in. to 1.3 sq.in., but the pieces of the puzzle form an average surface area of at least 0.85 sq.in.

Example 6

(52) The multiple level puzzle has a maximum of either 3 tiers, 4 tiers, or 5 tiers, when assembled, as provided for in the previous Examples. The puzzle pieces of the multiple level jigsaw puzzle have a varied design, based on the desired complexity of the puzzle. The puzzle pieces can be formed of six knob and hole variations; knob-hole-knob-hole, knob-knob-hole-hole, knob-knob-knob-hole, hole-hole-hole-knob, knob-knob-knob-knob, hole-hole-hole-hole. The composition of each variation alters the complexity of assembly, with puzzles containing more similarly constructed pieces increasing the complexity. For example, puzzles with a high composition of knob-hole-knob-hole pieces increase assembly difficulty, as the pieces cannot be distinguished by unique knob-hole combinations. To increase the ease of assembly, the puzzle piece composition is made of about an equal number of the six knob and hole combination.

Example 7

(53) Tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle 1 is formed of base puzzle 1a and upper puzzle 1b, which are connected by one or more linking puzzle pieces, as seen in FIG. 17. In the example, base puzzle 1a is composed of a plurality of base puzzle pieces, including at least one single tier lower puzzle piece 50, and two-tier lower puzzle piece 51. Upper puzzle 1b is composed of a plurality of upper puzzle pieces, including at least one two-tier linking puzzle piece 54 and single tier upper puzzle piece 55. The single tier lower puzzle piece 50 is covered by two-tier linking puzzle piece 54 and forms a link between base puzzle 1a and upper puzzle 1b.

(54) The base puzzle can be assembled first, such as linking single tier lower puzzle piece 50 with two-tier lower puzzle piece 51. After completion of the base puzzle, the upper puzzle is assembled on the base puzzle. Single tier upper puzzle piece 55 is assembled onto two-tier lower puzzle piece 51b. Two-tier linking puzzle piece 54 is assembled on single tier lower puzzle piece 50, fitting into the gap formed by two-tier lower puzzle piece 51a and two-tier lower puzzle piece 51b of the base puzzle and single tier upper puzzle piece 55 of the upper puzzle, causing two-tier linking puzzle piece 54 join the base puzzle and upper puzzle. The upper face of single tier lower puzzle piece 50 optionally includes printed facts, textures, colors, images, patterns, or other features listed in the puzzle interface.

Example 8

(55) Tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle 1 is formed of base puzzle 1a and upper puzzle 1b, similar to the structure described in Example 7. In this example, the base puzzle 1a and upper puzzle 1b are composed of a plurality single-tier puzzle pieces and two-tier puzzle pieces, as seen in FIG. 17. The two-tier and single-tier puzzle pieces interact to interlock the upper puzzle and base puzzle together.

Example 9

(56) The multiple level jigsaw puzzle is formed of a plurality of contour textured multilevel puzzle pieces and contour textured single level puzzle pieces, similar to the multilevel puzzle pieces of Examples 1 through 6. The puzzle pieces include contour textured puzzle piece 25, formed as single level puzzle pieces or multilevel puzzle pieces. The contour textured single level puzzle piece can be at any elevation. As such, the contour textured single level puzzle piece can be a base level or a single elevated tier, formed of base puzzle 1a and upper puzzle 1b. The multilevel puzzle piece has two or more changes in elevation. The multilevel puzzle piece includes a base level and upper tier, as discussed in the prior Examples. For example, the contour textured multilevel puzzle piece can possess a single change in elevation, where the elevation difference is a single tier. In other variations of the contour textured multilevel puzzle piece, the puzzle piece has a change in elevation covering multiple tiers, as seen in FIG. 18. In other variations of the invention, the puzzle piece includes two drops in elevation, or puzzle pieces which include two changes in elevation from a first elevation to a second elevation and back to the first elevation.

(57) The top-most tier of the contour textured puzzle piece 25 has textured face 29, such as an ear seen in FIG. 18. The textured face is formed from contoured relief 26. Contoured relief 26 includes contour indent 27, contour projection 28, or a combination of the indent and projection, as seen in FIG. 19. Assembly of the multiple level puzzle pieces proceeds similarly to Examples 1 through 6, with the subject image, and optionally background, having a gentle relief mimicking the imagery of the puzzle subject.

Example 10

(58) Contour textured puzzle piece 25 is formed of puzzle pieces as disclosed in the previous Examples. The base puzzle has at least base tier 3, having a thickness of 1.6 mm. For base puzzle piece 2 formed of elevated tiers, i.e. base first elevated tier 20b, the elevated tier has a minimum thickness of 1.2 mm. Upper puzzle piece 5 is formed of elevated tiers, such as upper puzzle piece base tier 21a, upper puzzle piece first elevated tier 21b, and upper puzzle piece second elevated tier 21c, whereby each of the elevated tiers has a minimum thickness of 1.2 mm. Embodiments of this example have a contoured relief 25 which does not extend beyond the thickness of the tier, i.e. the relief does not exceed 1.2 mm. The puzzle pieces assemble to form edged puzzle 30 having a raised relief image, or jigsaw edged puzzle 35 having a relief image.

Example 11

(59) The multiple level puzzle has a maximum of either 3 tiers, 4 tiers, or 5 tiers, when assembled, as provided for in the previous Examples. The puzzle pieces include knob 10 hole 15 along the irregular edges of the piece, which interlock and are complementary to the knob and hole on an adjacent puzzle piece. Straight edged puzzle 30 has edges of the puzzle border which are straight, regardless of the tier, i.e. the base tier and any elevated tier contacting the edge of the puzzle have a straight edge, as seen in FIG. 20. The subject image has a contoured edge, mimicking the subject image or a portion thereof. In some embodiments, the image possesses various levels, such as a second level for the subject rear body, a third level for the subject front body, and a fourth level for the subject head.

(60) Jigsaw edged puzzle 35, seen in FIG. 21, is formed of a plurality of multilevel puzzle pieces and single level puzzle pieces, as disclosed in Example 1. Jigsaw edged puzzle 35 has edges of the puzzle border which mimic the jigsaw edges, i.e. the puzzle edges have puzzle pieces including knob 10 and hole 15 along the puzzle edges. The knob or hole on the border edge does not interlock with an adjacent piece and can be simply an irregular edge. The edges include base tier and any elevated tier contacting the edge of the puzzle. The subject image has a contoured edge, mimicking the subject image or a portion thereof. In some embodiments, the image possesses various levels, such as a second level for the subject rear body, a third level for the subject front body, and a fourth level for the subject head.

Example 12

(61) The puzzle pieces of the multiple level jigsaw puzzle, described in the previous Examples, have three tiers; a base tier, a first elevated tier, and a second elevated tier. In this embodiment, the base tier has a thickness of 1.9 mm, the first elevated tier has a thickness of 1.9 mm, and the second elevated tier has a thickness of 1.9 mm. The breakdown of percentages of puzzle pieces are a minimum of 40% of the puzzle pieces have only a base tier, i.e. tier 1; and 40% of the puzzle pieces have maximum elevated tier of a first elevated tier or visible tier 2. Alternatively, the puzzle pieces are a minimum of 40% of the puzzle pieces have only a base tier; a minimum of 40% of the puzzle pieces have a base tier and first elevated tier, i.e. tier 2; and a minimum of 20% of the puzzle pieces have all three tiers, or tier 3.

Example 13

(62) The puzzle pieces of the multiple level jigsaw puzzle, described in the previous Examples, have four tiers on the completed puzzle; a base tier on the base puzzle, a base tier on the upper puzzle piece, a first elevated tier on the upper puzzle piece, and a second elevated tier on the upper puzzle piece. In this embodiment, the base tier has a thickness of 1.6 mm, and an upper puzzle base tier has a thickness of 1.6 mm, the first elevated tier has a thickness of 1.6 mm, and the second elevated tier has a thickness of 1.6 mm. The breakdown of percentages of puzzle pieces are a minimum of 30% of the puzzle pieces have only a base tier, i.e. tier 1; a minimum of 15% of the puzzle pieces have a base tier and first elevated tier, i.e. tier 2; and a minimum of 15% of the puzzle pieces have three tiers, or tier 3.

Example 14

(63) The puzzle pieces of the multiple level jigsaw puzzle, described in the previous Examples, have five tiers when completed; for example a base tier on the base puzzle piece; a base tier on the upper puzzle piece, a first elevated tier on the upper puzzle piece, a second elevated tier on the upper puzzle piece, a third elevated tier on the upper puzzle piece, and a fourth elevated tier on the upper puzzle piece. Alternatively, the puzzle may have a base tier on the base puzzle piece, and a first elevated tier on the upper puzzle piece; and a base tier on the upper puzzle piece, a first elevated tier on the upper puzzle piece, and a second elevated tier on the upper puzzle piece. In this embodiment, the base tier has a thickness of 1.6 mm, the first elevated tier has a thickness of 1.2 mm, the second elevated tier has a thickness of 1.2 mm, and the third elevated tier (in those examples) has a thickness of 1.2 mm. The breakdown of percentages of puzzle pieces are a minimum of 30% of the puzzle pieces have only a base tier, i.e. tier 1; a minimum of 15% of the puzzle pieces have a base tier and first elevated tier, i.e. tier 2; a minimum of 15% of the puzzle pieces have three tiers, or tier 3; a minimum of 15% of the puzzle pieces have four tiers, or tier 4.

Example 15

(64) The puzzle pieces of the multiple level jigsaw puzzle, described in any one of the previous Examples, can be classified based on the highest number of visible tiers disposed on the puzzle piece of a completed puzzle. For example, the single level puzzle pieces can be classified as visible tier 1 or 2 on the completed puzzle; visible tier 1, 2, or 3, for variations having up to 3 tiers on the completed puzzle; depending on the number of elevated tiers. Multiple level pieces can also be classified by their visible tiers. For example, a multiple level piece with a tier 1 and a tier 3, or 1+3 puzzle piece, is classified both as a visible tier 1 and a visible tier 3. In such classification, to meet the enhanced image and assembly strategy goals of the invention, the puzzle pieces for any of Examples 1 through 5, 7, or 8, are formed such that at least 40% of the puzzle pieces contain a visible tier 1 classification, and at least 40% fall into a visible tier 2 classification. In examples having 3 tiers, at least 40% of the puzzle pieces contain a visible tier 1 classification, at least 20% fall into a visible tier 2 classification, and at least 20% fall into a visible tier 3 classification.

Example 16

(65) The puzzle pieces of the multiple level jigsaw puzzle, described in any one of the previous Examples, can be classified based on the type of puzzle piece, or piece type. The specific piece types include flat, bi-level, and, in some variations, tri-level. In such classification, to meet the enhanced image and assembly strategy goals of the invention, the puzzle pieces for any of Examples 1 through 4 are formed such that at least 20% of the puzzle pieces fall into a flat classification, meaning the puzzle pieces do not change elevation. At least 35% of the puzzle pieces fall into a bi-tier classification, meaning there are two separate tiers on the puzzle piece. At least 5% of the puzzle pieces fall into a tri-tier classification, or the puzzle piece contains three separate tiers on the piece. The classification may also be undertaken for a completed puzzle.

Example 17

(66) The puzzle pieces of the multiple level jigsaw puzzle, described in any one of the previous Examples, can be classified based on the change in tier elevation on the completed puzzle. The specific changes in tier elevation include one, two, and/or three. In such classification, to meet the enhanced image and assembly strategy goals of the invention, the puzzle pieces for any of Examples 1 through 4 are formed such that at least 25% of the puzzle assemblies have one change in tier elevation, such as from the base tier to tier 2, from tier 2 to tier 3, i.e. 2+3, etc. At least 12% of the puzzle assemblies have two changes in tier elevation, such as from the base tier to tier 3, i.e. 1+3, from tier 2 to tier 4, i.e. 2+4 piece. The pieces can assemble to form multiple changes in elevation such as from the base tier to tier 3 and to tier 2, i.e. 1+2+4 assembly. In some variations of the invention, at least 8% of the puzzle pieces have a three-tier changes in tier elevation, such as from the base tier to tier 4, or 1+4 piece. The pieces can assemble to form multiple changes in elevation such as from the base tier to tier 4 and to tier 1, i.e. 1+2+5 assembly. The remaining pieces do not have a change in elevation, either the base tier or a flat elevated tier. At least 35% of the puzzle pieces are puzzle pieces having no change in tier elevation.

Example 18

(67) Tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle 1 is formed of base puzzle 1a and upper puzzle 1b, as provided in the prior examples. The tier-on-tier multiple level puzzle has a maximum of either 3 tiers, 4 tiers, or 5 tiers, when assembled, as provided for in any of prior Examples 1 through 9. The puzzle pieces include knob 10 hole 15 along the edges of the puzzle pieces, which interlock and are complementary to the knob and hole on an adjacent puzzle piece. Straight edged puzzle 30 has edges of the puzzle border which are straight, regardless of the tier, i.e. the base tier and any elevated tier contacting the edge of the puzzle have a straight edge, as seen in FIG. 20. In some embodiments, corner puzzle piece 32 has a knob or hole on two sides. Edge or border puzzle piece 33 has a knob or hole on three sides.

Example 19

(68) Tier-on-tier multiple level jigsaw puzzle 1 is as provided in the prior examples, having jigsaw edge. Jigsaw edged puzzle 35, seen in FIG. 21, is formed of a plurality of multilevel puzzle pieces and single level puzzle pieces, as disclosed in any of prior Examples 1 through 9. Jigsaw edged puzzle 35 has edges of the puzzle border which mimic the jigsaw edges, i.e. the puzzle edges have puzzle pieces including knob 10 and hole 15 along the puzzle edges for jigsaw corner puzzle piece 36 and jigsaw border puzzle piece 37. The knob or hole on the border edge does not interlock with an adjacent piece and can be simply an irregular edge. The edges include base tier and any elevated tier contacting the edge of the puzzle. The subject image has a contoured edge, mimicking the subject image or a portion thereof. In some embodiments, the image possesses various levels, such as a second level for the subject rear body, a third level for the subject front body, and a fourth level for the subject head.

(69) The disclosures of all publications cited above are expressly incorporated herein by reference, each in its entirety, to the same extent as if each were incorporated by reference individually.

(70) It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there between. Now that the invention has been described, what is claimed is: