Jigsaw puzzle with frame

Abstract

An jigsaw puzzle kit is provided comprising a plurality of puzzle pieces each piece having a portion of a puzzle image imprinted thereon, a frame for the image imprinted on said puzzle pieces, said frame being incorporated with the puzzle itself, glue and a sponge applicator therefore for gluing the completed puzzle and frame together, and mounting means for hanging the completed and glued puzzle and frame to a wall or similar surface. In another embodiment, a three-dimensional frame having a shape or design similar to that of a frame used to mount a print, painting or other artwork is also contemplated, wherein the three-dimensional frame includes means by which the completed and glued puzzle may be attached thereto so as to create a complete work of art, including frame.

1 . An improved jigsaw puzzle comprising: 
 a plurality of individual puzzle pieces, each puzzle piece including interlocking means provided thereon for engaging adjacent puzzle pieces, wherein each puzzle piece includes an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein a portion of a puzzle image is provided on said upper surface thereof; and    at least one frame element, said frame element being integral with said puzzle such that said puzzle pieces are attached directly to said frame element.    
   
   
       2 . The jigsaw puzzle of  claim 1 , wherein said frame element comprises a plurality of edge pieces and corner pieces.  
   
   
       3 . The jigsaw puzzle of  claim 1 , wherein said interlocking means comprise male and female engaging members provided on both said puzzle pieces and on said frame element.  
   
   
       4 . The jigsaw puzzle of  claim 1 , further including an adhesive and applicator therefor, and wherein said puzzle includes an assembled and an unassembled state, and wherein said adhesive may be applied to lower surface of said puzzle pieces when said puzzle is in an assembled state so as to permanently secure said puzzle pieces in said assembled state.  
   
   
       5 . The jigsaw puzzle of  claim 4 , further including wall mounting means for attaching said assembled and permanently secured puzzle to a wall.  
   
   
       6 . The jigsaw puzzle of  claim 5 , wherein wall mounting means comprises at least one mounting loop and at least one wall hook.  
   
   
       7 . The jigsaw puzzle of  claim 1 , wherein said frame element is composed of the same material as and is similar in thickness to said puzzle pieces.  
   
   
       8 . The jigsaw puzzle of  claim 1 , wherein said frame element is three-dimensional and shaped to mimic the shape of a picture frame.  
   
   
       9 . An improved jigsaw puzzle having an assembled and a disassembled state, said puzzle comprising: 
 a plurality of individual puzzle pieces, each puzzle piece including interlocking means provided thereon for engaging adjacent puzzle pieces, wherein each puzzle piece includes an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein a portion of a puzzle image is provided on said upper surface thereof, wherein said interlocking means comprise male and female engaging members provided on said puzzle pieces;    at least one frame element, said frame element being integral with said puzzle such that said puzzle pieces are attached directly to said frame element, said frame element comprising a plurality of edge pieces and corner pieces, and wherein said frame element further includes male and female engaging members corresponding to those provided on said puzzle pieces;    an adhesive and applicator therefor, wherein said adhesive may be applied to lower surface of said puzzle pieces when said puzzle is in an assembled state so as to permanently secure said puzzle pieces in said assembled state; and    wall mounting means for attaching said assembled and permanently secured puzzle to a wall.    
   
   
       10 . The jigsaw puzzle of  claim 9 , wherein said frame element is composed of the same material as and is similar in thickness to said puzzle pieces.  
   
   
       11 . The jigsaw puzzle of  claim 9 , wherein said frame element is three-dimensional and shaped to mimic the shape of a picture frame.  
   
   
       12 . A method for assembling, framing and mounting a jigsaw puzzle, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a jigsaw puzzle having an assembled and a disassembled state, said jigsaw puzzle comprising: 
 a plurality of individual puzzle pieces, each puzzle piece including interlocking means provided thereon for engaging adjacent puzzle pieces, wherein each puzzle piece includes an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein a portion of a puzzle image is provided on said upper surface thereof, wherein said interlocking means comprise male and female engaging members provided on said puzzle pieces;  
 at least one frame element, said frame element being integral with said puzzle such that said puzzle pieces are attached directly to said frame element, said frame element comprising a plurality of edge pieces and corner pieces, and wherein said frame element further includes male and female engaging members corresponding to those provided on said puzzle pieces;  
 an adhesive and applicator therefor, wherein said adhesive may be applied to lower surface of said puzzle pieces when said puzzle is in an assembled state so as to permanently secure said puzzle pieces in said assembled state; and  
 wall mounting means for attaching said assembled and permanently secured puzzle to a wall;  
   assembling said pieces of said jigsaw puzzle with said frame to create a framed puzzle image;    applying said adhesive to said lower surface using said applicator;    allowing said adhesive time to dry;    attaching said wall mounting means to said puzzle and a wall; and    securing said puzzle to said wall using said wall mounting means.