Three dimensional puzzle

Abstract

A three dimensional puzzle comprising a plurality of layers, at least one of the layers comprising a plurality of seperable pieces; the layers being arrangeable about an elongated former to provide a three dimensional sculpture, wherein each of the pieces individually locks by a locking means to the former to retain a spatial relationship with the former, such that correct assembly of the pieces around the former provides a recognizable entity.

1 . A three dimensional puzzle comprising a plurality of layers, at least one of said layers comprising a plurality of separable pieces; said layers being arrangeable about an elongated former to provide a three dimensional sculpture, wherein each of said pieces individually locks to said former by a locking means to retain a spatial relationship with said former, such that correct assembly of the pieces around the former provides a recognizable entity. 
     
     
         2 . The three dimensional puzzle of  claim 1  wherein said former is attached to a base. 
     
     
         3 . The three dimensional puzzle of  claim 2  wherein said former is attachable to said base via a bearing allowing rotating movement between said former and said base. 
     
     
         4 . The three dimensional puzzle of  claim 1  wherein said former comprises a plurality of slats arranged radially around a cylindrical hub and said locking means comprises a slot running along each of said pieces for slottingly engaging one of said slats. 
     
     
         5 . The three dimensional puzzle of  claim 1  wherein said former comprises a plurality of equally spaced rods arranged around the circumference of a circle and said locking means comprises a protrusion that is wedgeably afixxable between a pair of said equally spaced rods to be gripped thereby. 
     
     
         6 . The three dimensional puzzle of  claim 1  wherein said former comprises a plurality of equally spaced rods arranged around the circumference of a circle and said locking means comprises a pair of jaws for that are wedgeably clampable around one of said equally spaced rods for grippably engaging said rod. 
     
     
         7 . The three dimensional puzzle of  claim 1  wherein said former comprises a plurality of spokes arranged around the circumference of a circle and said locking means comprises a pair of jaws for that is wedgeably clampable around one of said spokes for grippably engaging said spoke. 
     
     
         8 . The three dimensional puzzle of  claim 1  wherein said former comprises a plurality of ferrous profiles arranged around the circumference of a circle and said locking means comprises a magnet that magentically engages one of said profiles. 
     
     
         9 . The three dimensional puzzle of  claim 1  wherein said former comprises a polygonal rod having outer faces therearound, said pieces have blunt inner corners having inner faces thereon having widths compatible with said outer faces of said polygonal rod, said locking means being a magnetic locking means, with at least one of said polygonal rod and said pieces being magnetic, and at least one of said polygonal rod and said pieces being magentically attractable. 
     
     
         10 . The puzzle of  claim 1 , said recognizable entity being selected from the list of objects, representations of cartoon characters, likenesses to famous people, stereotypes and representations of animals.