Two-dimensional tiling puzzle having three-dimensional features
View Patent ↗A tiling puzzle having a first two-dimensional portion and a second three-dimensional portion that extends away from the plane of the first two-dimensional portion.
1. A puzzle apparatus comprising:
a two-dimensional planar section comprising a plurality of planar pieces;
a three-dimensional section comprising a plurality of three-dimensional pieces, wherein each of the plurality of three-dimensional pieces comprises one or more tabs, wherein the one or more tabs are folded into engagement with one or more tabs on one or more adjacent three-dimensional pieces and secured to the one or more tabs on the one or more adjacent three-dimensional pieces with one or more couplings; and
one or more fasteners for coupling the two-dimensional planar section to the three-dimensional section.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the individual three-dimensional pieces are initially planar.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the individual three-dimensional pieces are foldable.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein folds of the individual three-dimensional pieces are designated to fold below a horizontal plane of the unfolded individual three-dimensional pieces.
5. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein folds of the individual three-dimensional pieces are designated to fold above a horizontal plane of the unfolded individual three-dimensional pieces.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the two-dimensional planar section comprises an opening to accommodate the three-dimensional section.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional section extends away from the plane of the two-dimensional planar section.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of planar pieces comprise flat irregularly shaped interlocking puzzle pieces.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the couplings are U-shaped clips.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the couplings are selected from the group consisting of: staples, glue, tape, and combinations thereof.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the two-dimensional planar section defines an opening, and wherein the three-dimensional section is disposed within the opening.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the three-dimensional section defines a base perimeter, and wherein the opening matches the base perimeter to provide an interference fit between the two-dimensional planar section and three-dimensional section.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of planar pieces comprise flat irregularly shaped interlocking puzzle pieces, and wherein at least one of the plurality of three-dimensional pieces comprises a base panel portion and an interlocking panel portion, wherein the at least one of the plurality of three-dimensional pieces is foldable between the base panel portion and the interlocking panel portion such that the interlocking panel portion occupies the plane of the two-dimensional planar section and interlocks with a planar piece, and the base panel portion extends away from the plane of the two-dimensional planar section.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an L-shaped connector that connects the two-dimensional planar section to the three-dimensional section.
15. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of three-dimensional pieces comprises portions that interlock with at least one of the plurality of planar pieces.
16. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the couplings are applied with a tool.
17. A method of assembling a puzzle, the method comprising:
providing a puzzle, wherein the puzzle comprises:
a two-dimensional planar section comprising a plurality of planar pieces;
a three-dimensional section comprising a plurality of three-dimensional pieces,
wherein each of the plurality of three-dimensional pieces comprises one or more tabs;
one or more couplings; and
one or more connectors;
assembling the plurality of planar pieces;
folding the one or more tabs into engagement with one or more tabs on one or more adjacent three-dimensional pieces;
coupling the one or more tabs together with the one or more tabs on one or more adjacent three-dimensional pieces with the one or more couplings; and
coupling the two-dimensional planar section to the three-dimensional section with the one or more connectors.
18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising gluing the two-dimensional planar section prior to coupling the two-dimensional planar section to the three-dimensional section.
19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the one or more couplings are one or more U-shaped coupling.
20. The method of claim 17 , wherein the one or more couplings are selected from the group consisting of: staples, glue, tape, and combinations thereof.
21. The method of claim 17 , wherein the individual three-dimensional pieces are initially two-dimensional and are foldable.