US3811203A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Puzzle for psychological testing
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-04-12
•
Granted: 1974-05-21
•
Expires: 1993-04-12
Abstract
Abstract A psychological testing device in the form of a puzzle having a plurality of interrelated substantially flat jigsaw puzzle elements, the elements divided into a minimum of three sets with each set including a total of four puzzle pieces of an identical shape and size, the puzzle pieces of any one set being different from the puzzle pieces of any other set, and with the puzzle pieces within each set being interchangeable amongst themselves with each adapted to occupy any one of the number of preset positions intended for anyone of the puzzle pieces of the particular set, and to occupy only such positions so that when the puzzle pieces of all of the sets are properly placed together a square is formed. The number of possible solutions of the puzzle is equal to 4n where the numeral 4 represents the total number of puzzle pieces in any one set, and the letter n represents the total number of sets in the puzzle.
Inventors
- 👤 S Mayfield
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:29
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/16; A61B5/165; A63; A63F; A63F9/00; A63F9/06; A63F9/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A puzzle for psychological testing comprising a plurality of interrelated substantially flat jigsaw puzzle elements each adapted to occupy any one of a number of predetermined positions in the puzzle, and only those particular positions, such that when properly placed together in their appropriate positions a rectangular shape is formed; said puzzle elements comprising a plurality of sets of puzzle pieces; each set comprising four identically sized and shaped puzzle pieces; the puzzle pieces of each set being of a different shape and size from the puzzle pieces of each other set; the puzzle pieces of each set adapted for interchangeable relationship relative to every other puzzle piece in the same set with each puzzle piece in any one set adapted to occupy any position intended for any one of the other puzzle pieces in the same set; and each puzzle piece of each set having a similarly finished front and back surface so that puzzle pieces may be used with either the front surface facing upwards or the back surface facing upwards when assembling all of the puzzle pieces such that when properly placed together a square is formed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
A puzzle for psychological testing comprising a plurality of interrelated substantially flat jigsaw puzzle elements each adapted to occupy any one of a number of predetermined positions in the puzzle, and only those particular positions, such that when properly placed together in their appropriate positions a rectangular shape is formed; said puzzle elements comprising a plurality of sets of puzzle pieces; each set comprising four identically sized and shaped puzzle pieces; the puzzle pieces of each set being of a different shape and size from the puzzle pieces of each other set; the puzzle pieces of each set adapted for interchangeable relationship relative to every other puzzle piece in the same set with each puzzle piece in any one set adapted to occupy any position intended for any one of the other puzzle pieces in the same set; and each puzzle piece of each set having a similarly finished front and back surface so that puzzle pieces may be used with either the front surface facing upwards or the back surface facing upwards when assembling all of the puzzle pieces such that when properly placed together a square is formed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A puzzle for psychological testing as claimed in claim 1 further characterized by there being a minimum number of three sets forming the puzzle with each set consisting of four identically shaped and sized interchangeable puzzle pieces thus making a minimum total number of twelve puzzle pieces in the puzzle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
A puzzle for psychological testing as claimed in claim 2 further characterized by the corner puzzle pieces each being of the same set and adapted for assembly in the puzzle in positions where each corner puzzle piece simultaneously contacts at least one puzzle piece of each of the other sets when the square puzzle is properly assembled.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
A puzzle for psychological testing as claimed in claim 2 further characterized by the number of possible positions of the puzzle pieces to correctly assemble the square shaped puzzle is defined by the formula 4n where 4 represents the number of puzzle pieces in each set and n represents the total number of sets in the puzzle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
106 words
A puzzle for psychological testing as claimed in claim 1 further characterized by the sets of puzzle pieces having one of the sets including four interchangeable corner puzzle pieces; the second of the sets including four interchangeable edge puzzle pieceS adapted for positioning adjacent and contacting at least one of the respective corner puzzle pieces for assisting in defining the outermost perimeter of the puzzle; and the third of the sets including interchangeable puzzle pieces adapted for disposition in the puzzle relative to the first and second sets to complete the square shape of the fully assembled puzzle when the puzzle pieces are properly placed together.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
97 words
A puzzle for psychological testing as claimed in claim 5 further characterized by the corner puzzle pieces of the first set each being adapted for positioning in the puzzle to define the four outermost corners of the square puzzle perimeter; and each corner puzzle piece adapted to simultaneously contact in an abutting manner at least one puzzle piece of the second set and one puzzle piece of the third set in a specific predetermined manner to complete assembly of the aquare shaped puzzle when all of the puzzle pieces are properly placed together in their intended manner.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
A puzzle for psychological testing as claimed in claim 6 further characterized by the number of possible positions of the puzzle pieces to correctly assemble the square shaped puzzle is defined by the formula 4n where 4 represents the number of puzzle pieces in each set and n represents the total number of sets in the puzzle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1325369A
Cited
US669445A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-05-20 | 1977-11-19 | 1978-05-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-20 | 1981-11-19 | 1982-05-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-20 | 1985-11-19 | 1986-05-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |