Multi-layered decorative puzzle apparatus

• US 6,692,001 B2
• Filed: 01/10/2002
• Issued: 02/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Julio C. Romano
• Original Assignee: Julio C. Romano
• Inventors: Romano, Julio C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Kien T.
• Application Number:
  US10/042,467
• Publication Number:
  US 20030127794A1
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• Field of Search: 273/153.R, 273/156, 273/157.R, 273/157.A, 273/153.S, 273/DIG.24, 446/219
• US Class Current: 273/157.00A
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/12 Three-dimensional jig-saw puzzles

Abstract

A multilayered decorative puzzle apparatus constructed into a three dimensional geometric structure. The puzzle apparatus further includes an innermost and an outermost layer. Each layer further comprises a set of puzzle pieces which are arranged around a rod securely attached to the center of a base. The base supports the constructed geometric structure. A cover is provided to encompass and protect the constructed geometric structure.

Claims

1. A puzzle apparatus comprising:

a base having a top surface;

an elongated rod being securely attached at a centrally located position on the top surface of the base;

an innermost layer having a first set of puzzle pieces, each puzzle piece being defined by a front plane and a rear plane, the front plane of each puzzle piece having a recess adapted to be seated upon the rod, and the first set of puzzle pieces being arranged into a first predetermined geometric shape;

an outermost layer having a second set of puzzle pieces, each puzzle piece being defined by a front plane and a rear plane, the front plane of each puzzle piece being adapted to seat upon the rear edge of each puzzle piece of the innermost layer, and the second set of puzzle pieces being arranged into a second predetermined geometric shape;

a solid three dimensional geometrical structure being formed from the first set of arranged puzzle pieces and the second set of arranged puzzle pieces, the geometrical structure being supported by the top surface of the base; and

wherein

the outermost layer is made of a transparent or a translucent material.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a cover defining a frame completely encompassing the geometrical structure, the cover sitting upon the top surface of the base enclosing the geometric structure.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising;

a groove engraved along the top surface of the base outer peripheral edge;

the cover having a bottom edge with a shape corresponding to the groove; and

the bottom edge of the cover sitting inside the groove, whereby the cover is held in a stationary position on the top surface of the base.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the innermost layer is made of a translucent or a transparent material.

5. The apparatus according to of claim 4 wherein the rod is made of a transparent or a translucent material.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising an electrically connected neon light situated inside of the rod.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the innermost layer is made of a material that is non-transparent and non-translucent.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a rotating means for rotating the base in a circular motion; and

the rotating means being connected underneath the base or situated inside the base.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the geometrical structure further comprises:

a plate member having a support peg connected underneath the plate member; and

upper end of the rod adapted to receive the support peg such that the plate member overlays the arranged puzzle pieces of the innermost layer and the outermost layer.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the plate member is shaped like a dome.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the plate member, the first set of puzzle pieces, and the second set of puzzle pieces are arranged into a pod shape.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each puzzle piece in the first set of puzzle pieces and in the second set of puzzle pieces further comprises a plurality of side planes forming a polyhedron.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein each side plane of each puzzle piece in the first set of puzzle pieces and in the second set of puzzle pieces is aligned adjacent to a corresponding side plane of another puzzle piece in its respective set, whereby the innermost layer and the outermost layer are stacked into the first predetermined geometric shape.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein each side plane of each puzzle piece in the first set of puzzle pieces and in the second set of puzzle pieces have a means for interlocking with a corresponding side plane of another puzzle piece in its respective set, whereby the innermost layer and the outermost layer are interlocked into the second predetermined geometric shape.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the innermost layer and outermost layer further comprises:

a plurality of segments;

each segment having a innermost layer section and an outermost section;

the outermost layer section being formed for a subset of the second set of puzzle pieces;

the outermost layer section being formed for a subset of the second set of puzzle pieces;

and each section concentrically positioned around the rod.

16. A puzzle apparatus comprising:

a base having a top surface;

a rod having an upper end and a lower end, a mid-section being disposed between the upper end and the lower end, the lower end being connected to the top surface of the base; and

an innermost layer having a first set of puzzle pieces, each puzzle piece being defined by a front plane and a rear plane, the front plane of each puzzle piece having a recess adapted to be seated upon the mid-section rod, and the first set of puzzle pieces being arranged into a first predetermined geometric shape;

a solid three dimensional geometrical structure being formed from the first set of arranged puzzle pieces and the second set of arranged puzzle pieces, the geometrical structure being supported by the top surface of the base;

a cover defining a frame completely encompassing the geometrical structure, the cover sitting upon the top surface of the base enclosing the geometrical structure; and

the rotating means being connected underneath the base or situated inside the base.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising:

a groove engraved along the top surface of the base outer peripheral edge;

the cover having a bottom edge with a shape corresponding to the groove; and

the bottom edge of the cover sitting inside the groove, whereby the cover is held in a stationary position on the top surface of the base.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the outermost layer is made of a transparent of translucent material.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the innermost layer is made of a translucent or transparent material.

20. The apparatus according to of claim 19 wherein the rod is made of transparent or translucent material.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 further comprising an electrically connected neon light situated inside the rod.

22. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the innermost layer is made of a material that is non-transparent and non-translucent.

23. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the geometrical structure further comprises:

a plate member having a support peg connected underneath the plate member; and

the upper end of the rod adapted to receive the support peg such that the plate member overlays the arranged puzzle pieces of the innermost layer and the outermost layer.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the plate member is shaped like a dome.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the plate member, the first set of puzzle pieces, and the second set of puzzle pieces are arranged into a pod shape.

26. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein each puzzle piece in the first set of puzzle pieces and in the second set of puzzle pieces further comprises a plurality of side planes forming a polyhedron.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein each side plane of each puzzle piece in the first set of puzzle pieces and in the second set of puzzle pieces is aligned adjacent to a corresponding side plane of another puzzle piece in its respective set, whereby the innermost layer and the outermost layer are stacked into the first predetermined geometric shape.

28. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein each puzzle piece in the first set of of puzzle pieces and in the second set of puzzle pieces have a means for interlocking with a corresponding side plane of another puzzle piece in its respective set, whereby the innermost layer and the outermost layer are interlocked into the second predetermined geometric shape.

29. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the innermost layer and the outermost layer further comprises:

a plurality of segments;

each segment having an innermost layer section and an outermost layer section;

the innermost layer section being formed for a subset of the first set of puzzle pieces;

the outermost layer section being formed for a subset of the second set of puzzle pieces;

and each section concentrically positioned around the rod.

31. The apparatus of claim 20 further comprising a cover defining a frame completely encompassing the geometrical structure, the cover sitting upon the top surface of the base enclosing the geometric structure.

32. The apparatus of claim 31 further comprising;

a groove engraved along the top surface of the base outer peripheral edge;

the cover having a bottom edge with a shape corresponding to the groove; and

the bottom edge of the cover sitting inside the groove, whereby the cover is held in a stationary position on the top surface of the base.

30. A puzzle apparatus comprising:

a base having a top surface;

an elongated rod being securely attached at a centrally located position on the top surface of the base;

an innermost layer having a first set of puzzle pieces, each puzzle piece being defined by a front plane and a rear plane, the front plane of each puzzle piece having a recess adapted to be seated upon the rod, and the first set of puzzle pieces being arranged into a first predetermined geometric shape;

an outermost layer having a second set of puzzle pieces, each puzzle piece being defined by a front plane and a rear plane, the front plane of each puzzle piece being adapted to seat upon the rear edge of each puzzle piece of the innermost layer, and the second set of puzzle pieces being arranged into a second predetermined geometric shape;

a solid three dimensional geometrical structure being formed from the first set of arranged puzzle pieces and the second set of arranged puzzle pieces, the geometrical structure being supported by the top surface of the base; and

the innermost layer section and the outermost layer section further comprises;

a plurality of segments;

each segment having a innermost layer section and an outermost section;

the outermost layer section being formed for a subset of the second set of puzzle pieces;

the outermost layer section being formed for a subset of the second set of puzzle pieces;

and each section concentrically positioned around the rod.

33. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the outermost layer is made of a transparent or a translucent material.

34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the innermost layer is made of a translucent or a transparent material.

35. The apparatus according to of claim 34 wherein the rod is made of a transparent or a translucent material.

36. The apparatus of claim 35 further comprising an electrically connected neon light situated inside of the rod.

37. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the innermost layer is made of a material that is non-transparent and non-translucent.

38. The apparatus of claim 30 further comprising:

a rotating means for rotating the base in a circular motion; and

the rotating means being connected underneath the base or situated inside the base.

39. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the geometrical structure further comprises:

a plate member having a support peg connected underneath the plate member; and

the upper end of the rod adapted to receive the support peg such that the plate member overlays the arranged puzzle pieces of the innermost layer and the outermost layer.

40. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the plate member is shaped like a dome.

41. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the plate member, the first set of puzzle pieces, and the second set of puzzle pieces are arranged into a pod shape.

42. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein each puzzle piece in the first set of puzzle pieces and in the second set of puzzle pieces further comprises a plurality of side planes forming a polyhedron.

43. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein each side plane of each puzzle piece in the first set of puzzle pieces and in the second set of puzzle pieces is aligned adjacent to a corresponding side plane of another puzzle piece in its respective set, whereby the innermost layer and the outermost layer are stacked into the first predetermined geometric shape.

44. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein each side plane of each puzzle piece in the first set of puzzle pieces and in the second set of puzzle pieces have a means for interlocking with a corresponding side plane of another puzzle piece in its respective set, whereby the innermost layer and the outermost layer are interlocked into the second predetermined geometric shape.