US3517937A - Lighted jig saw puzzle - Google Patents

Description

June so, 1970 M. l, GLASS Em 3,517,937

LIGHTED JIG SAW PUZZLE Filed Aug. 19', 1968 I-NVENTORS MAPV/A/ A 64455 #AQPY 0/5/70 BY ,1 Mia ATTORNEYS,

3,517,937 Patented June 30, 1970 3,517,937 LIGHTED JIG SAW PUZZLE Marvin I. Glass, Chicago, and Harry Disko, Park Ridge,

111 assignors to Marvin Glass & Associates, a partnership Filed Aug. 19, 1968, Ser. No. 753,424 Int. Cl. A63f 9/10 US. Cl. 273-157 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to games, and more particularly, to an improvement in puzzle construction.

Description of the prior art Typically, jigsaw puzzles are composed of interfitting component pieces which, when completed, provide a representation of a meaningful figure, diagram, map or the like. In some cases the borders of the puzzle are defined by the outer edge pieces themselves. With respect to childrens puzzles it is not uncommon for the border of the puzzles to interfit within a peripheral confinement af forded by a framework or the like that supports the puzzle pieces in their assembled condition. In general, children are fascinated with games or toys that involve animation, mechanical operation or other forms of stimulation of actual conditions. However, it is also a requisite that childrens games and puzzles and the like be relatively simple to comprehend and execute so as to encourage the child to continue to play with such apparatus, such encouragement naturally flowing from the success resultant from employing the limited skills to a succesful fruition of the game or juzzle or the like. Thus a need has arisen for a jigsaw puzzle which simulates like-like conditions and yet is easily assembled and manipulated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed, in brief, to the provision of an improved jigsaw puzzle having, in association therewith, means for simulating the transmission of light in puzzle pieces having portions representing light reflective or light transmitting elements. The best mode currently contemplated for carrying out this invention comprises a puzzle receiving frame having a translucent puzzle supporting surface and a source of light positioned thereunder. The several puzzle pieces have, in the area of representations of light reflective or light transmitting elements, transparent or translucent portions so that when the puzzle pieces are assembled on the puzzle frame and the source of light thereunder is activated, the light will be transmitted through the translucent surface and the light transmitting portions of the puzzle pieces to simulate the transmission or reflection of light by the elements represented in the pieces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the jigsaw puzzle of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the puzzle of this invention partially broken away in section;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged horizontal section of the puzzle shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the puzzle pieces as shown in FIG. 2.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, a specific embodiment therefor, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Puzzle 10 of this invention includes a frame 12 composed of side walls 14 ,16, 18 and 20 asembled in a generally rectangular configuration. Preferably, the several side walls 14, 16, .18 and 20 are formed of the cardboard or plastic-like material, each bent upon itself so as to be economical to manufacture and light in weight. The side walls provide a puzzle confining area defined by inner depending wall surfaces 14a, 16a, 18a and 20a, which are generally parallel to, and spaced from, outer depending wall surfaces 14b, 16b, 18b and 20b, respectively. A bottom 22 spans the several side walls of the frame and a grid-like top or puzzle supporting surface 24, having depending sides, such as 24a and 24b, spans the walls 14, 16, 18 and 20 in spaced relationship to the bottom 22.

Means are provided under grid 24 for providing a source of light. Included in this means is a light bulb 26 preferably of the small flashlight type operatively connected to lead wires 28 and 30. Wire 28 is connected to post 32 of battery bracket 34 and wire 30 is connected to post 32 of battery bracket 34 and wire 30' is connected to switch arm 36 pivotally mounted at 38 on leg 40, extending upwardly from the base 22. Aligned openings 40a, 40b and 400 are formed in the wall 24a of grid 24 and the inner and outer surfaces of side wall 14 to provide a means for gaining access to switch arm 36 to permit the switch arm to be activated by an operator from the exterior of the frame 12. When batteries 42 are positioned in bracket 34 and the switch arm 36 is rotated to contact post 44, a circuit is completed with the light bulb 26 to thereby light the same and transmit light to the grid 24. If desired, the spaces between the grid may be provided with a suitable light transmitting medium 45 such as a translucent or transparent film.

A plurality of puzzle pieces such as 46, 48, 50, 52 and 54 are provided. In the usual fashion, these pieces are intended to interengage and fit within the confinement afforded by the side walls 14, 16, 18 and 20, resting upon the supporting surface afforded by the grid 24. For example, puzzle piece 46 has two rectilinear edges 46a and 46b for mating with surfaces 16a and 18a of walls 16 and 18 and also has irregular edges 46c and 46d for mating with irregular edges 52a and 48a of adjacent puzzle pieces 52 and 48, respectively.

As a composite, the several puzzle pieces present a representation, here as shown in FIG. 1. being that of a group of children about a campfire near the seashore with a lighthouse and a crescent moon. Thus the puzzle provides a plurality of light transmitting or light reflecting representations including the moon representation 56, stars 58, lighthouse 60, water reflection spots 62, childrens eyes 64a and 64b, a flashlight 66 and campfire flames 68. Each of the puzzle pieces is formed with openings in the several areas 56 through 68 so that light from the light bulb 26 may be transmitted therethrough. Again, these openings may be covered by a suitable light transmitting or translucent film.

In operation, after the user has assembled the several puzzle pieces together in the fashion shown in FIGS. 1 I

and 2, the user may then turn the switch arm 36 into contact with post 44, completing the circuit with light bulb 26, thereby causing light to be transmitted through the several openings of the puzzle pieces, such as the openings 56 through 68. In this fashion, the puzzle will show light in the area of the moon, water reflections, stars, lighthouse, childrens eyes, flashlight and fire, providing a realistic simulation of this scene represented by the puzzle. If desired, the user may insert different colored pieces of light transmitting material, such as different colored pieces of cellophane, under the different openings of the puzzle. For example, a film of paper, generally red in color, may be inserted under the fire flame opening 68 and a film, slightly yellow in color, can be inserted under the moon opening 56. The eyes may be shaded different colors as desired also in this fashion. This affords a versatility in individual selectively to the ultimate representation of the puzzle thereby providing some individuality of expression to each puzzle user.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as some modifications may be obvious to those skilled in the art.

We claim:

1. A jigsaw puzzle comprising a puzzle supporting frame structure including a bottom Wall, side walls extending upwardly from said bottom wall, a grid-like puzzle supporting structure supported on said side walls in elevated rela- '-tionto said bottom, a plurality of pieces of differently References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,898,463 2/1933 Nulsen.

2,826,844 3/1958 Leika 40l52.2 2,902,787 9/ 1959 Cook 40152.2

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,363,263 5/1964 France.

386,446 12/ 1923 Germany.

633,951 12/1949 Great Britain.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. XJR. 40152.2

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