PUZZLE

Abstract

A puzzle kit and a puzzle constructed from said puzzle kit. The puzzle kit comprises a three dimensional substrate having an outer surface, and a plurality of puzzle pieces that cannot interlock. Each puzzle piece has a first surface and an opposite second surface and a thickness defined between the first and second surfaces. Each puzzle piece comprises first attachment means and the outer surface of the substrate defines a plurality of complementary second attachment means, such that the first attachment means and the second attachment means magnetically attach each puzzle piece to the outer surface. The first attachment means comprises a projection extending from the second surface of the puzzle piece. The second attachment means comprises a hole to partly receive the projection.

Claims

1. A puzzle kit comprising: a three dimensional substrate having an outer surface; and a plurality of puzzle pieces that cannot interlock with each other, each puzzle piece having a first surface and an opposite second surface and a thickness defined between the first and second surfaces; each puzzle piece comprising first attachment means and the outer surface of the substrate defining a plurality of complementary second attachment means, such that the first attachment means and the second attachment means attach each puzzle piece to the outer surface; wherein the first and second attachment means are configured to magnetically attach at least one puzzle piece to the outer surface, the puzzle piece having first attachment means comprising a projection extending from the second surface of the puzzle piece and the outer surface having complementary second attachment means comprising a hole to partly receive the projection.

2. A puzzle comprising: a three dimensional substrate having an outer surface; and a plurality of puzzle pieces that cannot interlock with each other, each puzzle piece having a first surface and an opposite second surface and a thickness defined between the first and second surfaces; each puzzle piece comprising first attachment means and the outer surface of the substrate defining a plurality of complementary second attachment means, such that the first attachment means and the second attachment means attach each puzzle piece to the outer surface; wherein the first and second attachment means magnetically attach at least one puzzle piece to the outer surface, the puzzle piece having first attachment means comprising a projection extending from the second surface of the puzzle piece and the outer surface having complementary second attachment means comprising a hole that partly receives the projection thereby forming a puzzle layer spaced from the outer surface.

3. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface is helmet-shaped.

4. The kit or puzzle according to claim 1, wherein the projection has a length and the hole that receives the projection has a depth that is 90% or less of the length of the projection.

5. The kit according to claim 5, wherein the depth of the hole corresponds to 50 to 80% of the length of the projection.

6. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the projection has a hexagonal cross section.

7. The kit according to claim 1, wherein at least one puzzle piece has a first surface that is hexagonal.

8. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of puzzle pieces comprise hexagonal and pentagonal puzzle pieces.

9. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the projection has a maximum diameter and the first surface has a maximum diameter that is at least two times greater than the maximum diameter of the projection.

10. The kit according to claim 1, wherein one or more puzzle pieces has a convex surface and an opposing concave surface.

11. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of puzzle pieces form a puzzle layer that extends over 50% or more of the outer surface of the substrate.

12. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is hollow.

13. The kit according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of puzzle pieces form a puzzle layer having an opening therein.

14. The kit according to claim 1, additionally comprising one or more of: a visor, a sun shield, a face guard, a vent, or an aerodynamic fin.

15. The kit according to claim 1, additionally comprising a light source and/or a stand.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0107] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0108] FIG. 1 shows views of a puzzle piece in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

[0109] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the substrate and a number of puzzle pieces according to embodiments of the invention;

[0110] FIG. 3 shows perspective views of: a partially arranged set of the puzzle pieces with the substrate absent for clarity (3A); a substrate according to embodiments of the invention with several puzzle pieces attached to the surface (3B); and a complete puzzle according to embodiments of the invention;

[0111] FIG. 4 shows: an exploded view of a substrate composed of multiple parts according to embodiments of the invention; a perspective view (4B) and side view (4C) of the substrate according to the same embodiment, fully constructed;

[0112] FIG. 5 shows side views of puzzle substrates, according to embodiments of the invention; and

[0113] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram demonstrating the tilting mechanism.

[0114] FIG. 1 shows a puzzle piece 10 for use in embodiments of the invention. The puzzle piece 10 can be described as a tile and has a front surface 12, an opposite rear surface 14 and a thickness therebetween. As discussed in more detail below, the piece is attached to a substrate by means of a hexagonal projection 16 which extends from the rear face 14 of the piece, and which serves as a first attachment means. The projection 16 extends from the centre point of the rear face 16 and has a longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the rear face. The projection has a hexagonal cross-section measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A diameter can also be measured in the plane perpendicular to the axis. The projection 16 tapers (narrows) away from the rear face 16 and towards a magnet 18 which is seated at the end of the projection furthest from the rear face. The magnet 18 may be a neodymium magnet.

[0115] The puzzle piece 10 is generally hexagonal, i.e. both the front face and the rear face have a generally hexagonal cross-section. As such, a plurality of the pieces will tessellate but they cannot interlock with each other.

[0116] The puzzle piece 10 is curved to align with a substrate; the front face 12 is convex and the rear face 14 is concave.

[0117] Both the front face 12 and the projection 16 have regular hexagonal cross-sections. The cross-sections are concentric i.e. they have the same centre. They are in register, i.e. one hexagon is not rotated relative to the other.

[0118] FIG. 2 shows how the puzzle piece 10 interacts with a substrate 20. This substrate is hollow and in the shape of a helmet, but only a portion is shown. The hexagonal projection 16 having the magnet 18 therein couples to a corresponding magnet (not shown) set within a hexagonal hole or recess 22 in the outer surface of the substrate 20. This hexagonal hole 22 and the magnet form the second attachment means. It will be appreciated that it is not essential to have a magnet on both the puzzle piece and the substrate. One component could have a magnet and the other component could be magnetic (e.g. iron).

[0119] The use of a hexagonal projection 16 and corresponding hexagonal recess 22 allows the puzzle piece 10 to adopt six different orientations within the hole. This makes the puzzle more challenging that a conventional jigsaw since each position is equally likely to form the structure. Hence, a design on the front face 12 provides the clue as to its solution.

[0120] The projection 16 has a length (measured along its longitudinal axis), which is greater than the depth of the recess 22. As such, the puzzle piece 10 is spaced from the substrate 20 and held in place by the magnet 18. This allows the projection 16 to serve as a pivot (or fulcrum). Pressing down on one edge of the puzzle piece causes the opposite edge to tilt upwards. The contact between the magnets can be temporarily broken while tilting takes place. This tilting mechanism allows the pieces to be removed easily, even where a piece is surrounded by other pieces.

[0121] It will be understood that the generally triangular pieces described in GB1284872 cannot tilt for easy removal. The pieces are attached to a frame by triangular pegs that fit in triangular peg holes. As such, it would be difficult to move the pieces once in place and there would be a risk of breakage if pushed downwards on one side.

[0122] FIG. 3A shows the puzzle pieces arranged in an almost complete puzzle but without the substrate for clarity. The pieces tessellate to form one continuous surface. Figure 3B shows the puzzle pieces arranged on the helmet shaped substrate. The helmet shaped substrate comprises a regular array of hexagonal depressions, each containing a magnet to complement those in the puzzle pieces; FIG. 3C shows a completed helmet shaped puzzle. The majority of the puzzle pieces are hexagonal but some pentagonal pieces are present to obtain the curved surface and some pieces are cropped to allow a smooth line at the edges.

[0123] FIG. 4 shows a substrate according to one embodiment of the invention in which the substrate is composed of multiple parts which can be combined to form the helmet shaped substrate.

[0124] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the substrate comprises multiple, interchangeable lower front sections that can be exchanged to change the look of the helmets. Curved edge pieces can be used to cover the gap between the substrate 20 and regular puzzle pieces 10 around the opening of the helmet. Such components may produce a more realistic finish to the puzzle.

[0125] FIG. 6 demonstrates the tilting mechanism for easy removal of the puzzle pieces. It can be seen that the puzzle pieces 10 form a puzzle layer spaced from the substrate 20. This spacing allows the puzzle piece 10 to be pressed down on a peripheral edge (as indicated by the down arrow) and causes the opposite edge to move upwards. In this way it can be grasped by a user and removed.

[0126] Stands may be used to support a puzzle according to the present invention. A stand may comprise a base that, in use, is positioned in a horizontal plane. Each stand may also comprise a vertical member, the vertical member comprising a first end and a second end. The first end of the vertical member may be attached to the base.

[0127] A stand may comprise a light source to illuminate the puzzle. The light sources may be configured to illuminate a void of a substrate, such that light radiates from the void of the substrate.