US20200061453A1 - Circular Mosaic Puzzle - Google Patents

Abstract

A circular mosaic puzzle for retaining a puzzle design that is adjustable between ordered and disordered configurations. Plural circular mosaic substructures, each with a display surface, a central section, and four peripheral sections, are rotatably retained relative to a frame. Adjacent circular mosaic substructures have overlapping circumferences. Each peripheral section has opposed convex arcuate surfaces, and each central section has four concave arcuate surfaces for receiving one or more peripheral sections. Concentric actuation knobs can be retained relative to reverse surfaces of the substructures. A receiving track in the frame rotatably receives the circular mosaic substructures. The receiving track corresponds in shape and size to the shape and size of the overlapping circular mosaic substructures. The track can be a depressed formation within the frame that is laterally bounded by the border structure. Correspondingly disposed apertures in the track permit passage of hubs to permit manipulation of the substructures.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION
• This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/721,835, filed Aug. 23, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates generally to puzzles. More particularly, disclosed herein is a circular mosaic puzzle with a plurality of rotatable intersecting circular mosaic substructures. Each circular mosaic substructure is rotatable about an axis, and each circular mosaic substructure is formed by a plurality of discrete sections with intersecting arcs. The intersecting arcs have a radial dimension equal to a radial dimension of the circular mosaic substructures. Peripheral sections have convex arcuate surfaces, and central sections have concave arcuate surfaces of radii matching radii of the peripheral discrete sections. Peripheral discrete sections are common to adjacent circular mosaic substructures. Peripheral discrete sections can be selectively exchanged between adjacent circular mosaic substructures. Under this construction of the circular mosaic puzzle, graphic puzzles, such as images, colors, and other puzzles, spanning the circular mosaic substructures can be completed and deconstructed by a selective relative rotation of the circular mosaic substructures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The prior art has disclosed innumerable puzzles for challenging and entertaining users. Puzzles are known with plural pieces that, when properly arranged, display predetermined graphic designs, such as photographs, artwork, geometric designs, and other organized graphic designs.
• Movable mosaics have been taught wherein plural intersecting circular structures are rotatable within a frame. The intersecting circular structures are adorned with graphic designs subsections. A composite graphic design can be completed by a selective rotation of the circular structures to cause the graphic design subsections to align in a predetermined manner.
• Numerous skilled inventors have contributed to the current state of the art. However, many rotatable puzzles of the prior art have proven to be difficult and cumbersome to manipulate. Moreover, prior art rotatable puzzles have commonly relied on manual handles disposed on the puzzle face whereby the graphic design sought to be competed is at least partially obscured by the handles themselves.
• It is apparent to the present inventors, therefore, that there remains a need in the art for a challenging and entertaining puzzle design that can be selectively manipulated by a user to provide intellectual challenge and entertainment in a readily accessible manner with a substantially continuous display surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• With a knowledge of the state of the art as summarized above, the present invention is founded on the basic object of providing a circular mosaic puzzle capable of providing intellectual challenges and entertainment to users while exhibiting a substantially continuous display surface.
• A further object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a circular mosaic puzzle that can be selectively actuated manually to manipulate displays between disordered and ordered configurations.
• Another object of the invention in certain embodiments is to provide a circular mosaic puzzle that can be selectively actuated in a convenient and readily accessible manner.
• These and further objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious not only to one who reviews the present specification and drawings but also to those who have an opportunity to play with an embodiment of the circular mosaic puzzle disclosed herein. However, it will be appreciated that, although the accomplishment of each of the foregoing objects in a single embodiment of the invention may be possible and indeed preferred, not all embodiments will seek or need to accomplish each and every potential advantage and function. Nonetheless, all such embodiments should be considered within the scope of the present invention.
• In carrying forth one or more objects of the invention, an embodiment of the circular mosaic puzzle retains a puzzle design capable of being adjusted between an ordered configuration and a disordered configuration. The circular mosaic puzzle is founded on a frame. Plural circular mosaic substructures are rotatably retained relative to the frame. Each circular mosaic substructure has a display surface for retaining a portion of a puzzle design. Adjacent circular mosaic substructures of the plural circular mosaic substructures have overlapping circumferences. Each circular mosaic substructure has a central section and four peripheral sections with one or more of the peripheral sections being jointly a portion of an adjacent circular mosaic substructure. Each peripheral section has first and second opposed convex arcuate surfaces, and each central section has four concave arcuate surfaces. The concave arcuate surfaces of each central section receive at least a portion of at least one peripheral section, and the puzzle design spans at least some of the central section and the four peripheral sections. Under this construction, the puzzle design can be reconfigured between a disordered configuration and an ordered configuration by a selective rotation of the circular mosaic substructures to produce an exchange and relocation and reorientation of the peripheral sections and the central sections.
• In certain practices of the invention, the circular mosaic substructures have display surfaces and reverse surfaces opposite to the display surfaces. Actuation knobs are retained relative to the reverse surfaces of the circular mosaic substructures. With that, the circular mosaic substructures can be selectively manipulated by rotation of the actuation knobs while the display surfaces of the circular mosaic substructures are provided in a substantially unobstructed configuration. Further, the frame can have a display surface for retaining a portion of the puzzle design, and the display surfaces of the circular mosaic substructures and the frame can be generally coplanar.
• The circular mosaic substructures have matching radii. The concave arcuate surfaces of the central sections have radial dimensions, the peripheral sections have radial dimensions, and the radial dimensions of the central sections match the radial dimensions of the peripheral sections.
• For each circular mosaic substructure, an actuation structure, such as a concentrically disposed knob, can permit a selective manual rotation of the circular mosaic substructure. Preferably, the actuation structure for each circular mosaic substructure is not disposed on the display surface of the circular mosaic substructure whereby the display surfaces of the circular mosaic substructures are not obstructed by the actuation structures. For instance, each circular mosaic substructure can have an underside surface facing oppositely away from the display surface, and the knob of each circular mosaic substructure can project from the underside surface.
• In other embodiments, such as where the frame is considered to have a lateral edge, the actuation structure for each circular mosaic substructure can take the form of a control dial disposed along the lateral edge of the frame. Further embodiments are contemplated where a transparent cover panel is disposed to overlie the circular mosaic substructures.
• The number, size, and relative configuration of the circular mosaic substructures can vary widely within the scope of the invention. In certain non-limiting practices, there may be two circular mosaic substructures, but other embodiments are contemplated with three, four, nine, and any other plurality of circular mosaic substructures.
• As disclosed herein, a receiving track can be formed in the frame for rotatably receiving the circular mosaic substructures. For example, the receiving track can correspond in shape and size to a shape and size of the plural circular mosaic substructures when the circular mosaic substructures are disposed to have overlapping circumferences. In certain embodiments, the receiving track comprises a depressed formation within the frame that is laterally bounded by the border structure.
• For each circular mosaic substructure, an aperture can be disposed within the receiving track in the frame disposed to be concentric with the circular mosaic substructure. Also for each circular mosaic substructure, a knob can be provided for engaging the circular mosaic substructure to enable a manipulation of the circular mosaic substructure through the aperture. Still further, for the central section of each circular mosaic substructure, a hub can project concentrically to be disposed through the aperture for that circular mosaic substructure. In such embodiments, the knob can then be engaged and retained relative to the hub to permit effective and convenient manipulation of the respective circular mosaic substructure.
• One will appreciate that the foregoing discussion broadly outlines the more important goals and features of the invention to enable a better understanding of the detailed description that follows and to instill a better appreciation of the inventors' contribution to the art. Before any particular embodiment or aspect thereof is explained in detail, it must be made clear that the following details of construction and illustrations of inventive concepts are mere examples of the many possible manifestations of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• In the accompanying drawing figures:
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a circular mosaic puzzle according to the invention;
• FIG. 2 is a rearward perspective view of the circular mosaic puzzle ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the circular mosaic puzzle ofFIG. 1 with the puzzle reconfigured to a partially ordered configuration;
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the circular mosaic puzzle ofFIG. 1 with the puzzle reconfigured to a fully ordered configuration;
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative circular mosaic puzzle in a partially ordered configuration;
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the circular mosaic puzzle ofFIG. 5 with the puzzle reconfigured to a fully ordered configuration;
• FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the circular mosaic puzzle according to the invention;
• FIG. 8 is a rearward perspective view of the circular mosaic puzzle ofFIG. 7;
• FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the circular mosaic puzzle ofFIG. 7 with the puzzle reconfigured to a fully ordered configuration;
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the circular mosaic puzzle in a partially ordered configuration;
• FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the circular mosaic puzzle ofFIG. 10 with the puzzle reconfigured to a fully ordered configuration;
• FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a still further embodiment of the circular mosaic puzzle according to the invention;
• FIG. 13 is a rearward perspective view of the circular mosaic puzzle ofFIG. 13;
• FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the circular mosaic puzzle ofFIG. 13 with the puzzle reconfigured to a fully ordered configuration;
• FIG. 15A is an exploded view in front elevation of the circular mosaic puzzle ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 15B is an exploded view in side elevation of the circular mosaic puzzle ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 15C is an exploded perspective view of the circular mosaic puzzle ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 16 is an exploded upper perspective view of components of the circular mosaic puzzle ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 17 is an exploded lower perspective view of components of the circular mosaic puzzle ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 18A is an exploded view of components of the circular mosaic puzzle ofFIG. 12;
• FIG. 18B is an exploded view in side elevation of components of the circular mosaic puzzle ofFIG. 12;
• FIG. 19 is an exploded upper perspective view of components of the circular mosaic puzzle ofFIG. 12;
• FIG. 20 is an exploded lower perspective view of components of the circular mosaic puzzle ofFIG. 12;
• FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the circular mosaic puzzle;
• FIG. 22 is an exploded view of the circular mosaic puzzle ofFIG. 21; and
• FIG. 23 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the circular mosaic puzzle.
• Any materials, dimensions, or other particular features referenced in the drawings should be considered merely to expound on and elucidate the present disclosure and should not be considered as limiting as to material, dimension, relative positioning, or in any other way.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• Circular mosaic puzzles according to the invention disclosed herein can pursue a variety of embodiments. Certain preferred embodiments of the broader invention taught herein are described below and shown in the accompanying drawings to ensure that one skilled in the art will fully understand and, in appropriate cases, be able to practice the present invention.
• Turning more particularly to the accompanying drawing figures, a circular mosaic puzzle according to the invention is indicated generally at10 inFIGS. 1 through 4. Thecircular mosaic puzzle10 has first and second rotatable, intersecting circularmosaic substructures16A and16B, each rotatable about a central axis. Each circularmosaic substructure16A and16B is formed by a plurality ofdiscrete sections20 and22 with intersecting arcs.
• More particularly, each circularmosaic substructure16A and16B is formed with acentral section20 and fourperipheral sections22. The circularmosaic substructures16A and16B are retained within aframe12, and aborder structure14 surrounds the circularmosaic substructures16A and16B. In this example, theborder structure14 is generally rectangular in peripheral shape. However, it will be understood that other shapes are possible within the scope of the invention, including square shapes, oval and circular shapes, and still other shapes. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 3, for instance, thecentral sections20 and theperipheral sections22 are bordered by theborder structure14. Thecentral sections20, theperipheral sections22, and theborder structure14 have substantially coplanar display surfaces. As inFIG. 1, for instance, astand100 can be provided for permitting an unobstructed, upright display of thepuzzle10.
• A puzzle design spans some or all of the central andperipheral sections20 and22 and theborder structure14 of thecircular mosaic puzzle10. The puzzle design is separated into sections corresponding to the shape and size of the central andperipheral sections20 and22 and, as may be applicable, theborder structure14. Any puzzle design could be provided. Puzzle designs can include, by way of example and not limitation, graphic art images, geometric designs, photographs, color combinations, and any other puzzle design. Puzzle designs could be standardized. In other embodiments, as inFIGS. 5 and 6, for example, puzzle designs could be personalized, such as with a selected photograph or other design.
• Thecentral sections20 of each circularmosaic substructure16A and16B are identical in shape and size, and theperipheral sections22 within each circularmosaic substructure16A and16B and as between the circularmosaic substructures16A and16B are likewise identical in shape and size. Eachperipheral section22 has first and second opposed convex arcuate surfaces. Eachcentral section20 has four concave arcuate surfaces, each receiving aperipheral section22. The convex arcuate surfaces of theperipheral sections22 are received into the concave arcuate surfaces of thecentral sections20 with one or moreperipheral sections22 being partially or entirely received into a given concave arcuate surface at any given time.
• The circularmosaic substructures16A and16B have matching radii. The concave arcuate surfaces of thecentral sections20 have radial dimensions that match radial dimensions of theperipheral sections22. Accordingly, the intersecting arcs of thesections20 and22 have radial dimensions, which comprise radii of circular shapes along which the concave and convex arcuate surfaces are disposed, equal to the radii of the circularmosaic substructures16A and16B.
• During use of thepuzzle10, theperipheral sections22 are common to the circularmosaic substructures16A and16B such that theperipheral sections22 can be selectively exchanged between the adjacent circularmosaic substructures16A and16B. Consequently, graphic puzzles spanning the circularmosaic substructures16A and16B can be completed and deconstructed by a selective relative rotation of the circularmosaic substructures16A and16B to induce a movement, reorientation, and, potentially, an exchange of particularperipheral sections22 between the circularmosaic substructures16A and16B in a manner calculated by the user as necessary to bring thecentral sections20 and theperipheral sections22 to locations and orientations designed to achieve an ordered configuration of thepuzzle10.
• Each circularmosaic substructure16A and16B can be manually and independently rotated about its axis. With reference toFIG. 2 and with further reference toFIGS. 15A through 15C, it can be perceived that thesubstructure16A can be rotated by actuation of an actuation structure, which comprises anactuation knob18A in this embodiment, andsubstructure16B can be independently rotated by actuation of anactuation knob18B. AsFIGS. 15A through 15C show, thecentral section20 of eachsubstructure16A and16B has a concentric hub, and therespective knobs18A and18B are matingly engaged with the concentric hubs.
• The circularmosaic substructures16A and16B have display surfaces and oppositely facing underside surfaces. The concentric hubs and theknobs18A and18B project from the underside surfaces of thesubstructures16A and16B. As a consequence, the display surfaces of the circularmosaic substructures16A and16B are wholly unobstructed while thesubstructures16A and16B can be readily rotated manually by operation of theknobs18A and18B. A rotation of acentral section20 will induce a dependent movement of theperipheral sections22 that are engaged therewith.
• When aperipheral section22 is entirely common to theadjacent substructures16A and16B, thatperipheral section22 can be selectively carried away from its position as common to thesubstructures16A and16B by a rotation of one of thesubstructures16A or16B. Sufficient relative rotation and selective positioning of asubstructure16A or16B can bring a desiredperipheral section22 into position as a commonperipheral section22. With that, the desired, now commonperipheral section22 can then be carried to a given orientation and location by rotation of one or the other of thesubstructures16A or16B.
• However, when aperipheral section22 is not aligned to be a commonperipheral section22, relative rotation of thesubstructures16A and16B is prevented. To permit rotation of theadjacent substructures16A and16B, aperipheral section22 must be brought into mutual alignment with thesubstructures16A and16B to become a commonperipheral section22 shared by the adjacent, overlappingcircular substructures16A and16B.
• With a skilled rotation and manipulation of thesubstructures16A, the severalperipheral sections22 can be exchanged and repositioned to reconfigure thepuzzle10 from a disordered configuration as, for example, inFIG. 1, to a further ordered configuration as, for instance, inFIG. 3, and finally to a fully solved, organized configuration as, for example, inFIG. 4 to display a coherent image. With theactuation knobs18A and18B disposed to the reverse surfaces of thesubstructures16A and16B, the image of thepuzzle10 can be fully perceived without interruption apart from the arcuate junctures between thesections20 and22 and theborder structure14.
• As, for example, inFIGS. 16 and 17, embodiments of thecircular mosaic puzzle10 are contemplated wherein atransparent cover panel24 overlies the display surface formed by the central andperipheral sections20 and22 and theborder structure14. Under such constructions, manipulation is achieved by a rotation of theactuation knobs18A and18B. In other embodiments, it is contemplated that the display surfaces of the central andperipheral sections20 and22 may be partially or entirely exposed, such as by having apertures in thetransparent cover panel24 or by foregoing thecover panel24 entirely. Such an embodiment of thecircular mosaic puzzle10 is illustrated inFIG. 23. There, first, second, and third circularmosaic substructures16A,16B, and16C are retained within aframe12 bordered by aborder structure14 to provide a display surface.Adjacent substructures16A,16B, and16C of thesubstructures16A,16B, and16C again have overlapping circumferences with thesubstructures16A,16B, and16C respectively divided intocentral sections20 and potentially commonperipheral sections22, each with arcuate edges as described hereinabove. Here, however, thetransparent cover panel24 is foregone such that manipulation of three circularmosaic substructures16A,16B, and16C and the selective exchange and reposition of the severalperipheral sections22 can be achieved by direct contact with and actuation of thesubstructures16A,16B, and16C, such as by a user's fingers.
• Still further, it would be possible foractuation structures18, such as control dials18, to be positioned laterally on theframe12 while still leaving the display surfaces of thesubstructures16A,16B,16nunobstructed. For instance, reference may be had toFIGS. 21 and 22. There, first, second, and third circularmosaic substructures16A,16B, and16C are retained within aframe12. Aborder structure14 provides a display surface surrounding the circularmosaic substructures16A,16B, and16C. Here, however, the circularmosaic substructures16A,16B, and16C are controlled by respective first, second, and third controldial actuation structures18A,18B, and18C that are accessible laterally on theframe12. The first, second, andthird actuation structures18A,18B, and18C could be drivingly engaged with the circularmosaic substructures16A,16B, and16C either directly, through a gear system, or through some other method or mechanism.
• Even further, it would be possible to provide acircular mosaic puzzle10 that comprises an electronic display. For example,plural substructures16A,16B,16ncould be displayed on a display surface of an electronic device, such as a laptop or tablet computer or a smart phone, operating a software application. In such practices of thepuzzle10,substructures16A,16B,16ncan be selectively manipulated as by direct contact with a user's fingers or otherwise.
• In certain practices of thecircular mosaic puzzle10, the circularmosaic substructures16A and16B can be freely rotatable. In other practices of the invention, a feedback feature can be provided. By way of a non-limiting example, a clicking feedback feature can be incorporated so that a user can tangibly perceive rotation of thesubstructures16A and16B.
• The number ofsubstructures16A,16B,16ncan be varied within the scope of the invention. For example, as inFIGS. 7 through 9, circularmosaic puzzles10 are contemplated wherein first, second, and third circularmosaic substructures16A,16B, and16C are retained within aframe12 bordered by aborder structure14 to provide a display surface.Adjacent substructures16A,16B, and16C of thesubstructures16A,16B, and16C have overlapping circumferences as described previously. Thesubstructures16A,16B, and16C are again divided intocentral sections20 and potentially commonperipheral sections22, each with arcuate edges as described hereinabove. With this, a morecomplex puzzle10 is created, requiring for its solution the skilled manipulation of three circularmosaic substructures16A,16B, and16C and the selective exchange and reposition of the severalperipheral sections22 from, for example, the disordered configuration ofFIG. 7 to the solved, ordered configuration ofFIG. 9 by actuation ofrespective actuation knobs18A,18B, and18C disposed to the reverse sides of the circularmosaic substructures16A,16B, and16C.
• Increased numbers of circularmosaic substructures16A,16B,16ncan be provided to enable puzzle challenges of increased complexity. InFIGS. 10 and 11, for example, four overlappingsubstructures16A,16B,16C, and16D are selective manipulated by respective actuation knobs. Even further, as inFIGS. 12 through 14 and 18 through 20, circularmosaic puzzles10 are within the scope of the invention wherein nine circularmosaic substructures16A through16I are capable of being selectively controlled by correspondingactuation knobs18A through18I.
• The structure and operation of potential embodiments of thecircular mosaic puzzle10 can be further understood with additional reference toFIGS. 15 through 20. An embodiment of thepuzzle10 is shown with twocircular mosaic substructures16A and16B inFIGS. 15A through 17 and with nine circularmosaic substructures16A through16I inFIGS. 18A through 20.
• In the example of thecircular mosaic puzzle10 ofFIGS. 15A through 17, thepuzzle10 is founded on theframe12, which in this example is rectangular with rounded corners. The frame has aborder structure14 that surrounds circularmosaic substructures16A and16B when thepuzzle10 is fully assembled. Each circularmosaic substructure16A and16B is formed with acentral section20 and fourperipheral sections22 that together form acircular substructure16A or16B. The circularmosaic substructures16A and16B overlap by a shape matching a shape of one of theperipheral sections22 so that the shape of oneperipheral section22 is effectively shared between thesubstructures16A and16B and so that one fewer than four multiplied by the number ofsubstructures16A and16B is required.
• In this embodiment, what can be referred to as a receivingtrack28 is formed in theframe12 corresponding in shape and size to the shape and size of the overlapping circularmosaic substructures16A and16B. Here, the receivingtrack28 comprises a depressed formation within theframe12 that is laterally bounded by theborder structure14. Since the overlapping circularmosaic substructures16A and16B have a figure eight shape, the receivingtrack28 thus has a figure eight shape with first and second overlapping circular portions. The circularmosaic substructures16A and16B are rotatably received within the circular portions of the receivingtrack28.Concentric apertures30 are disposed in the circular portions of the receivingtrack28 for receiving thehubs26 of thecentral sections20 therethrough. With thehubs26 projecting through theapertures30, knobs18 can be affixed to thehubs26, such as by adhesive, snap-fitting, fasteners, or by some other method or combination thereof, to permit selective manipulation of the circularmosaic substructures16A and16B from the undersurface of theframe12 while the display surface is unobstructed. The receivingtrack28 has a depth approximately equal to a thickness of the central andperipheral sections20 and22 so that a generally coplanar display surface is formed.
• As shown and described previously, thecentral sections20 of each circularmosaic substructure16A and16B are identical in shape and size, and theperipheral sections22 within each circularmosaic substructure16A and16B and as between the circularmosaic substructures16A and16B are likewise identical in shape and size. Eachperipheral section22 has first and second opposed convex arcuate surfaces. Eachcentral section20 has four concave arcuate surfaces, each receiving aperipheral section22. The convex arcuate surfaces of theperipheral sections22 are received into the concave arcuate surfaces of thecentral sections20 with one or moreperipheral sections22 being partially or entirely received into a given concave arcuate surface at any given time.
• Again, a puzzle design spans some or all of the central andperipheral sections20 and22 and theborder structure14 of thecircular mosaic puzzle10. The puzzle design is separated into sections corresponding to the shape and size of the central andperipheral sections20 and22 and, as may be applicable, theborder structure14.
• In thecircular mosaic puzzle10 ofFIGS. 18A through 20, thepuzzle10 is again founded on theframe12, but the frame is generally square. Aborder structure14 surrounds circularmosaic substructures16A through16I when thepuzzle10 is fully assembled. Each circularmosaic substructure16A through16I is formed with acentral section20 and fourperipheral sections22 that together form acircular substructure16A through16I. Adjacent circularmosaic substructures16A through16I overlap by a shape matching a shape of one of theperipheral sections22 so that the shape of oneperipheral section22 is effectively shared between eachadjacent substructures16A through16I.
• A receivingtrack28 is formed in theframe12 corresponding in shape and size to the shape and size of the overlapping circularmosaic substructures16A through16I. The circularmosaic substructures16A through16I are rotatably received within the circular portions of the receivingtrack28.Concentric apertures30 are disposed in the circular portions of the receivingtrack28 for receiving thehubs26 of thecentral sections20 therethrough. With thehubs26 projecting through theapertures30, knobs18 are affixed to thehubs26, such as by adhesive, snap-fitting, fasteners, or by some other method or combination thereof, to permit selective manipulation of the circularmosaic substructures16A through16I from the undersurface of theframe12 while the display surface is unobstructed. The receivingtrack28 has a depth approximately equal to a thickness of the central andperipheral sections20 and22 so that a generally coplanar display surface is formed.
• Thecentral sections20 of eachcircular mosaic substructures16A through16I are identical in shape and size, and theperipheral sections22 within each circularmosaic substructure16A through16I and as between the circularmosaic substructures16A through16I are likewise identical in shape and size. Eachperipheral section22 has first and second opposed convex arcuate surfaces. Eachcentral section20 has four concave arcuate surfaces, each receiving aperipheral section22. The convex arcuate surfaces of theperipheral sections22 are received into the concave arcuate surfaces of thecentral sections20 with one or moreperipheral sections22 being partially or entirely received into a given concave arcuate surface at any given time. A puzzle design is again separated into sections corresponding to the shape and size of the central andperipheral sections20 and22 and, as may be applicable, theborder structure14.
• The number and positioning of the circularmosaic substructures16A through16ncan be varied within the scope of the invention. With each such variation, the configuration of the receivingtrack28 will vary in correspondence to the resulting shape and size of the overlapping circularmosaic substructures16A through16n.
• With certain exemplary embodiments and details of the present invention for amosaic puzzle10 disclosed, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that numerous changes and additions could be made thereto without deviating from the spirit or scope of the invention. This is particularly true when one bears in mind that the presently preferred embodiments merely exemplify the broader invention revealed herein. Accordingly, it will be clear that those with major features of the invention in mind could craft embodiments that incorporate those major features while not incorporating all of the features included in the preferred embodiments.
• Therefore, the following claims are intended to define the scope of protection to be afforded to the inventors. The claims shall be deemed to include equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention. It must be further noted that a plurality of the following claims may express certain elements as means for performing a specific function, at times without the recital of structure or material. As the law demands, any such claims shall be construed to cover not only the corresponding structure and material expressly described in this specification but also all equivalents thereof.

Claims (21)

We claim as deserving the protection of Letters Patent:

1. A circular mosaic puzzle for retaining a puzzle design that is adjustable between an ordered configuration and a disordered configuration, the circular mosaic puzzle comprising:

a frame;

plural circular mosaic substructures rotatably retained relative to the frame, each circular mosaic substructure with a display surface for retaining a portion of a puzzle design;

wherein adjacent circular mosaic substructures of the plural circular mosaic substructures have overlapping circumferences, wherein each circular mosaic substructure has a central section and four peripheral sections, wherein each peripheral section has first and second opposed convex arcuate surfaces, wherein each central section has four concave arcuate surfaces, wherein each concave arcuate surface of each central section receives at least a portion of at least one peripheral section, and wherein the puzzle design spans at least some of the central section and the four peripheral sections;

whereby the puzzle design can be reconfigured between a disordered configuration and an ordered configuration by a selective rotation of the circular mosaic substructures to produce an exchange and relocation and reorientation of the peripheral sections and the central sections.

2. The circular mosaic puzzle ofclaim 1 wherein the circular mosaic substructures have display surfaces and reverse surfaces opposite to the display surfaces and further comprising actuation knobs retained relative to the reverse surfaces of the circular mosaic substructures whereby the circular mosaic substructures can be selectively manipulated by rotation of the actuation knobs and whereby the display surfaces of the circular mosaic substructures can be provided in a substantially unobstructed configuration.

3. The circular mosaic puzzle ofclaim 2 wherein the frame has a display surface for retaining a portion of the puzzle design and wherein the display surfaces of the circular mosaic substructures and the frame are generally coplanar.

4. The circular mosaic puzzle ofclaim 1 wherein the circular mosaic substructures have matching radii.

5. The circular mosaic puzzle ofclaim 4 wherein the concave arcuate surfaces of the central sections have radial dimensions, wherein the peripheral sections have radial dimensions, and wherein the radial dimensions of the central sections match the radial dimensions of the peripheral sections.

6. The circular mosaic puzzle ofclaim 1 further comprising an actuation structure for each circular mosaic substructure for permitting a selective manual rotation of the circular mosaic substructure.

7. The circular mosaic puzzle ofclaim 6 wherein the actuation structure for each circular mosaic substructure is not disposed on the display surface of the circular mosaic substructure whereby the display surfaces of the circular mosaic substructures are not obstructed by the actuation structures.

8. The circular mosaic puzzle ofclaim 7 wherein the actuation structure for each circular mosaic substructure comprises an actuation knob.

9. The circular mosaic puzzle ofclaim 8 wherein each circular mosaic substructure has an underside surface facing oppositely away from the display surface and wherein the knob of each circular mosaic substructure projects from the underside surface.

10. The circular mosaic puzzle ofclaim 9 wherein the knobs are disposed concentrically on the circular mosaic substructures.

11. The circular mosaic puzzle ofclaim 7 wherein the frame has a lateral edge and wherein the actuation structure for each circular mosaic substructure comprises a control dial disposed along the lateral edge of the frame.

12. The circular mosaic puzzle ofclaim 1 further comprising a transparent cover panel disposed to overlie the circular mosaic substructures.

13. The circular mosaic puzzle ofclaim 1 wherein there are two circular mosaic substructures.

14. The circular mosaic puzzle ofclaim 1 wherein there are at least four circular mosaic substructures.

15. The circular mosaic puzzle ofclaim 1 wherein a receiving track is formed in the frame for rotatably receiving the circular mosaic substructures.

16. The circular mosaic puzzle ofclaim 15 wherein the receiving track corresponds in shape and size to a shape and size of the plural circular mosaic substructures when the circular mosaic substructures are disposed to have overlapping circumferences.

17. The circular mosaic puzzle ofclaim 16 wherein the receiving track comprises a depressed formation within the frame.

18. The circular mosaic puzzle ofclaim 17 wherein the receiving track is laterally bounded by the border structure.

19. The circular mosaic puzzle ofclaim 16 further comprising for each circular mosaic substructure an aperture within the receiving track in the frame disposed to be concentric with the circular mosaic substructure.

20. The circular mosaic puzzle ofclaim 19 further comprising for each circular mosaic substructure a knob for engaging the circular mosaic substructure to enable a manipulation of the circular mosaic substructure through the aperture.

21. The circular mosaic puzzle ofclaim 20 further comprising for the central section of each circular mosaic substructure a hub that projects concentrically from the central section to be disposed through the aperture for that circular mosaic substructure.

Images