Shape only

Abstract

One aspect of the disclosed puzzle includes a puzzle frame and a plurality of puzzle pieces. The plurality of puzzle pieces may be associated with a particular color scheme. The particular color scheme associated with the plurality of puzzle pieces may be particularly chosen to force an individual to focus on the spatial characteristics of the puzzle frame and each of the plurality of puzzle pieces during puzzle assembly. This method challenges the way an individual has been trained to typically assemble puzzles, e.g., by requiring that an individual must analyze the shape of one or more puzzle pieces with respect to the corresponding space available within the puzzle frame as opposed to focusing primarily upon an attempt to match the images that are displayed on the front face of each puzzle piece. Accordingly, the disclosure may facilitate the development of enhanced spatial organization skills.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An educational puzzle comprising:
 a plurality of puzzle pieces, wherein the plurality of puzzle pieces are associated with an image-less color scheme; and,   a puzzle frame configured to receive the plurality of puzzle pieces, wherein the puzzle frame is associated with at least one spatial characteristic, wherein the puzzle frame is configured to educationally engage an individual.   
     
     
         2 . The educational puzzle of  claim 1 , wherein the color scheme includes a plurality of colors. 
     
     
         3 . The educational puzzle of  claim 2 , wherein the color scheme includes a single color. 
     
     
         4 . The educational puzzle of  claim 1 , wherein the puzzle frame includes at least one groove. 
     
     
         5 . The educational puzzle of  claim 4 , wherein e at least one groove includes a plurality of grooves. 
     
     
         6 . The educational puzzle of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one groove spans a substantial portion of the puzzle frame. 
     
     
         7 . The educational puzzle of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one groove comprises a shape of an Object. 
     
     
         8 . The educational puzzle of  claim 7 , wherein all of the one or more puzzle pieces are configured to fit within the boundaries of the at least one groove when properly arranged. 
     
     
         9 . The educational puzzle of  claim 1 , wherein the puzzle frame includes a puzzle frame mechanism that causes the surface of the puzzle frame to move or vibrate. 
     
     
         10 . The educational puzzle of claim I, wherein at least one of the plurality of puzzle pieces includes a puzzle piece mechanism that is configured to cause at least one of the plurality of puzzle pieces to move or vibrate. 
     
     
         11 . A method of educating an individual, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a plurality of puzzle pieces, wherein the plurality of puzzle pieces are associated with an image-less color scheme;   providing a puzzle, wherein the puzzle includes a puzzle frame, wherein the puzzle frame includes a groove;   arranging the puzzle pieces on the surface of the puzzle frame within the groove without utilizing aspects of the color scheme.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the color scheme includes a plurality of colors. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the color scheme includes a single color. 
     
     
         14 . The educational puzzle of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one groove is in the shape of an object. 
     
     
         15 . A method of educating an individual utilizing a puzzle without a puzzle frame, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a plurality of puzzle pieces, wherein the plurality of puzzle pieces are associated with an image-less color scheme;   providing instructions which request that an individual arrange the puzzle pieces on a without utilizing aspects of the color scheme.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises:
 arranging the puzzle pieces on a surface without utilizing aspects of the color scheme.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the color scheme includes a plurality of colors. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the color scheme includes a single color. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the arranged puzzle pieces form a particular object. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the object includes a truck, plane, train, boat, castle, butterfly, animal.