Two-dimensional tiling puzzle having three-dimensional features

Abstract

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 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 
 couplings for coupling individual three-dimensional pieces together. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement comprises contact. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the individual three-dimensional pieces are initial two-dimensional and 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 couplings are U-shaped clips inside of which two mating flaps are held together. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the individual pieces of the three-dimensional section are held together one or more of: U-shaped clips, staples, glue, tape, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional section forms piece selected from the group consisting of: a mask, a model, a building, a decoration, a lamp shade, a window hanging where the three-dimensional section is translucent or transparent, a sculpture, a poster, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a two-dimensional planar section comprising a plurality of planar pieces coupled to the three-dimensional section. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the two-dimensional planar section is coupled to the three-dimensional section by one or more fasteners. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , 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. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising an L-shaped connector that connects the two-dimensional planar section to the three-dimensional section. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , 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. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the couplings are applied with a tool. 
     
     
         15 . A method of assembling a puzzle, the method comprising:
 providing a puzzle, wherein the puzzle comprises:
 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; and 
 
 one or more couplings; 
   folding the one or more tabs into engagement with one or more tabs on one or more adjacent three-dimensional pieces; and   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.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein tabs on corresponding three-dimensional pieces are coupled together with one or more U-shaped coupling. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein tabs on corresponding three-dimensional pieces are coupled together with one or more of staples, glue, tape, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the individual three-dimensional pieces are initially two-dimensional and are foldable. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the puzzle further comprises a two-dimensional planar section comprising a plurality of planar pieces and one or more connectors. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising assembling the plurality of planar pieces, and coupling the two-dimensional planar section to the three-dimensional section with the one or more connectors.