Musical jigsaw-type puzzle

• US 4,893,817 A
• Filed: 10/17/1988
• Issued: 01/16/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ronen Shilo
• Original Assignee: Ronen Shilo
• Inventors: Shilo, Ronen
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/258,822
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 273/156, 273/157 R, 434/338, 434/339, 434/340, 434/330, 434/333
• US Class Current: 273/157.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/00675 Reed relay
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/1033 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/1066 completing a circuit if solved correctly
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2476 Speech or voice synthesisers, e.g. using a speech chip
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00119 Board games concerning music, theatre, cinema, or art
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/10 Two-dimensional jig-saw puzzles

Abstract

Pieces of a conventional jigsaw picture puzzle are cut to fit within a frame and over a base. Each piece has a suitable actuator (e.g., a magnet) embedded therein. The base has a switch (e.g., a magnetic switch) located below the location of the magnet of a particular piece when that piece is properly positioned within the frame to "solve" the puzzle. The switches are wired in series with a source of power, a melody generator and an amplifier. When the puzzle pieces are in proper position, the melody generator produces a tune appropriate for the picture of the puzzle. Several different puzzles may be provided fitting within the same frame. For each puzzle there is a key piece. For different puzzles the switch actuator of the key piece of located in a different location. A separate switch is located on the base below each actuator of the key piece and is wired to generate a different tune by being in series with a different melody generator. Instead of generating tunes, the device may actuate lights or speech.

Claims

1. A jigsaw-type puzzle comprising a base having edge frame members, a plurality of irregularly-shaped puzzle pieces each having a portion of a picture on its upper face, said puzzle pieces being shaped to fit together resting on said base within said frame members, at least some of said puzzle pieces having switch actuating means, said base having switch means in positions corresponding to said switch actuating means when said puzzle pieces are fitted together, said switch actuating means and said switches co-acting to close said switches when positioned in proximity to each other, a source of power, an electrical device, wiring to connect in series said switch means, said source of power and said electrical device, whereby said electrical device is energized only when all said puzzle pieces are fit together to fill the area above said base and within said frame members, a second plurality of second irregularly-shaped puzzle pieces each having second switch actuating means and a key puzzle piece having third switch actuating means, said base having second switch means and a second electrical device connected thereto, said second switch means and said second electrical device being in series with said source of power and said amplifier and to all but one of said first-mentioned switches, said second switch actuating means corresponding in position to all but one of said first-mentioned switch-actuating means when said second puzzle pieces are fit together to fill the area above said base and within said frame member, said third switch actuating means being positioned in proximity to said second switch means, whereby said second electrical device is energized and said first-mentioned electrical device is not energized.

2. A puzzle according to claim 1 in which at least one said electrical device comprises a melody generator.

3. A puzzle according to claim 2 which further comprises an amplifier driven by said melody generator.

4. A puzzle according to claim 1 in which at least one said switch actuating means comprises a magnet and at least one said switch means comprises a magnetically-closed switch.