Circular Mosaic Puzzle

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.

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 of  claim 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 of  claim 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 of  claim 1  wherein the circular mosaic substructures have matching radii. 
     
     
         5 . The circular mosaic puzzle of  claim 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 of  claim 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 of  claim 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 of  claim 7  wherein the actuation structure for each circular mosaic substructure comprises an actuation knob. 
     
     
         9 . The circular mosaic puzzle of  claim 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 of  claim 9  wherein the knobs are disposed concentrically on the circular mosaic substructures. 
     
     
         11 . The circular mosaic puzzle of  claim 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 of  claim 1  further comprising a transparent cover panel disposed to overlie the circular mosaic substructures. 
     
     
         13 . The circular mosaic puzzle of  claim 1  wherein there are two circular mosaic substructures. 
     
     
         14 . The circular mosaic puzzle of  claim 1  wherein there are at least four circular mosaic substructures. 
     
     
         15 . The circular mosaic puzzle of  claim 1  wherein a receiving track is formed in the frame for rotatably receiving the circular mosaic substructures. 
     
     
         16 . The circular mosaic puzzle of  claim 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 of  claim 16  wherein the receiving track comprises a depressed formation within the frame. 
     
     
         18 . The circular mosaic puzzle of  claim 17  wherein the receiving track is laterally bounded by the border structure. 
     
     
         19 . The circular mosaic puzzle of  claim 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 of  claim 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 of  claim 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.