US3682479A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Three dimensional puzzle
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-05-11
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Granted: 1972-08-08
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Expires: 1990-05-11
Abstract
Abstract A three dimensional puzzle formed of several, similarly or differently colored, stacked layers of interlocked puzzle segments with each layer containing one or more voids through which portions of the layers beneath it and the interior surface of a supporting tray are visible to produce a pleasing visual effect.
Inventors
- 👤 Edmund S Miller
- 👤 Nancy W Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 16:10
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F9/00; A63F9/06; A63F9/12; A63F9/0613; A63F2009/0615; A63F9/10; A63F2009/1083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
A multi-layer three dimensional unit comprising: a. a plurality of planar layers of interlocked puzzle segments, b. each of said layers being of substantially the same size and shape and having substantially planar upper and lower faces and substantially continuous peripheral edges, c. said layers being assembled in laminar relationship to each other with their peripheral edges substantially continuous and forming a stack having a substantially continuous peripheral edge defined by said peripheral edges of said layers, d. at least the layers above the lowermost layer in said stack having portions defining voids therethrough, e. each of said voids being positioned wholly within the boundary of the layer in which it is formed in non-intersecting relationship to the peripheral edge thereof, and f. said voids being of progressively decreasing area from the uppermost layer toward the bottom of said stack, g. said voids in each layer being positioned with respect to the voids in the other layers such that each void and a portion of the layer in which it is located are visible from the top of said stack when said stack is fully assembled; whereby a pleasing visual effect is thereby obtained.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
A multi-layer three dimensional unit comprising: a. a plurality of planar layers of interlocked puzzle segments, b. each of said layers being of substantially the same size and shape and having substantially planar upper and lower faces and substantially continuous peripheral edges, c. said layers being assembled in laminar relationship to each other with their peripheral edges substantially continuous and forming a stack having a substantially continuous peripheral edge defined by said peripheral edges of said layers, d. at least the layers above the lowermost layer in said stack having portions defining voids therethrough, e. each of said voids being positioned wholly within the boundary of the layer in which it is formed in non-intersecting relationship to the peripheral edge thereof, and f. said voids being of progressively decreasing area from the uppermost layer toward the bottom of said stack, g. said voids in each layer being positioned with respect to the voids in the other layers such that each void and a portion of the layer in which it is located are visible from the top of said stack when said stack is fully assembled; whereby a pleasing visual effect is thereby obtained.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The puzzle of claim 1 wherein: a. said visible portions of a layer are a different color than visible portions of an adjacent one of said layers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The puzzle of claim 1 further comprising: a. a tray supporting said layers of puzzle segments, b. means defining a void through said lowermost layer, and c. portions of said tray being visible through said void in said lowermost layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The puzzle of claim 1 further comprising: a. means associated with each of said puzzle segments for distinguishing segments of each layer from other puzzle segments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The puzzle of claim 4 wherein: a. said distinguishing means comprises color coding.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The puzzle of claim 4 wherein: a. said distinguishing means comprises identifying indicia.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The puzzle of claim 4 wherein: a. said distinguishing means is applied to the lower surface of said puzzle segments.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The puzzle of claim 1 wherein: a. opposite sides of each puzzle segment are differently colored.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
187 words
A multi-layer, three dimensional unit comprising: a. a plurality of layers of interlocked puzzle segments, b. each of said layers having substantially planar upper and lower faces and substantially continuous peripheral edges, c. a plurality of frames of substantially the same exterior configuration each having means defining an opening therethrough, d. each of said layers being positioned in an opening in one of said frames with the boundaries of a frame and the periphery of the layer associated therewith complementary, e. each associated layer and frame being assembled in laminar relationship to the other associated layers and frames, f. means defining voids in said layers positioned wholly within the boundaries of the layers in non-intersecting relationship to the peripheral edges of the layers, g. said voids being of progressively decreasing area from the uppermost layer toward the bottom most layer, h. said voids in each layer being positioned with respect to the voids in the other layers such that each void and a portion of the layer in which it is located are visible when said layers and frames are assembled to provide a pleasing visual effect.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
187 words
A multi-layer, three dimensional unit comprising: a. a plurality of layers of interlocked puzzle segments, b. each of said layers having substantially planar upper and lower faces and substantially continuous peripheral edges, c. a plurality of frames of substantially the same exterior configuration each having means defining an opening therethrough, d. each of said layers being positioned in an opening in one of said frames with the boundaries of a frame and the periphery of the layer associated therewith complementary, e. each associated layer and frame being assembled in laminar relationship to the other associated layers and frames, f. means defining voids in said layers positioned wholly within the boundaries of the layers in non-intersecting relationship to the peripheral edges of the layers, g. said voids being of progressively decreasing area from the uppermost layer toward the bottom most layer, h. said voids in each layer being positioned with respect to the voids in the other layers such that each void and a portion of the layer in which it is located are visible when said layers and frames are assembled to provide a pleasing visual effect.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The puzzle of claim 9 wherein: a. the opening through each of the uppermost frames is larger than the opening through the frame beneath it.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The puzzle of claim 9 wherein: a. said layers are colored, and b. each of said frames aRe the same color as the layer with which it is associated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
183 words
A three dimensional puzzle comprising: a. a tray having a planar base and upstanding side walls, b. a plurality of frames of contrasting colors stacked in said tray, c. each of said frames having an opening formed in a central portion thereof with the opening in each of the lowermost frames being smaller than the openings in the frame thereabove, d. a layer of interlocked puzzle segments positioned in each of said frame openings with each of said layers being of substantially the same thickness and color as the frame in which it is positioned, e. means defining a void of geometric shape through each of said layers, f. portions of each of the lowermost layers underlying the area defined by the void in the layer immediately thereabove, g. means imprinting a simulated, interlocked puzzle segment design on a portion of said planar base underlying the area defined by the void in the lowermost one of said layers, and h. means associated with the lower surface of each segment in each layer for identifying the layer in which each segment should be positioned.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
183 words
A three dimensional puzzle comprising: a. a tray having a planar base and upstanding side walls, b. a plurality of frames of contrasting colors stacked in said tray, c. each of said frames having an opening formed in a central portion thereof with the opening in each of the lowermost frames being smaller than the openings in the frame thereabove, d. a layer of interlocked puzzle segments positioned in each of said frame openings with each of said layers being of substantially the same thickness and color as the frame in which it is positioned, e. means defining a void of geometric shape through each of said layers, f. portions of each of the lowermost layers underlying the area defined by the void in the layer immediately thereabove, g. means imprinting a simulated, interlocked puzzle segment design on a portion of said planar base underlying the area defined by the void in the lowermost one of said layers, and h. means associated with the lower surface of each segment in each layer for identifying the layer in which each segment should be positioned.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-08 | 1976-02-07 | 1976-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-08 | 1980-02-07 | 1980-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-08 | 1984-02-07 | 1984-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |