Jigsaw puzzle assembly tray and display frame

Abstract

A jigsaw puzzle display assembly includes (a) a base having a puzzle surface and a frame peripheral to the puzzle surface defining a well configured to hold a plurality of jigsaw puzzle pieces, and (b) a transparent sheet configured to overlie the jigsaw puzzle pieces within the well. The frame includes a detachable rail having a cantilevered segment that is dimensioned to overlie a peripheral portion of the transparent sheet without obscuring the puzzle pieces, i.e., with respect to an observer viewing a completed puzzle disposed within the display assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A jigsaw puzzle display assembly, comprising:
 a base having a puzzle surface and a frame peripheral to the puzzle surface defining a well configured to hold a plurality of jigsaw puzzle pieces; and   a transparent sheet configured to overlie the plurality of jigsaw puzzle pieces within the well, wherein the frame comprises a detachable rail having a cantilevered segment overlying a peripheral portion of the transparent sheet.   
     
     
         2 . The jigsaw puzzle display assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the base and the frame comprise a water-resistant polymer. 
     
     
         3 . The jigsaw puzzle display assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a depth of the well is substantially equal to a combined thickness of the transparent sheet and one of the plurality of jigsaw puzzle pieces. 
     
     
         4 . The jigsaw puzzle display assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the transparent sheet overlies a completed jigsaw puzzle. 
     
     
         5 . The jigsaw puzzle display assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of jigsaw puzzle pieces are unobscured by the detachable rail when the detachable rail is connected to the frame. 
     
     
         6 . The jigsaw puzzle display assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the detachable rail is connected to the frame through a tongue and groove fitting. 
     
     
         7 . The jigsaw puzzle display assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the detachable rail comprises one or more integral posts. 
     
     
         8 . The jigsaw puzzle display assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the detachable rail is connected to the frame through a post and cavity fitting. 
     
     
         9 . The jigsaw puzzle display assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a pair of detachable rails. 
     
     
         10 . The jigsaw puzzle display assembly of  claim 9 , wherein each detachable rail comprises a cantilevered segment overlying a respective peripheral portion of the transparent sheet. 
     
     
         11 . The jigsaw puzzle display assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of jigsaw puzzle pieces are unobscured by the detachable rails. 
     
     
         12 . The jigsaw puzzle display assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the transparent sheet overlies a ledge formed in the frame. 
     
     
         13 . The jigsaw puzzle display assembly of  claim 12 , wherein a height of the ledge above the puzzle surface is substantially equal to a thickness of one of the plurality of jigsaw puzzle pieces. 
     
     
         14 . The jigsaw puzzle display assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism reversibly connected to the frame, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to rotatably engage and disengage a portion of a top surface of the transparent sheet. 
     
     
         15 . The jigsaw puzzle display assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of jigsaw puzzle pieces are free of a backside adhesive. 
     
     
         16 . A jigsaw puzzle display assembly, comprising:
 a base having a puzzle surface and a frame peripheral to the puzzle surface; and   a transparent sheet overlying the puzzle surface, wherein the frame comprises a detachable rail having a cantilevered segment overlying a peripheral portion of the transparent sheet.   
     
     
         17 . The jigsaw puzzle display assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the frame comprises a pair of detachable rails, each detachable rail comprising a cantilevered segment overlying a respective peripheral portion of the transparent sheet. 
     
     
         18 . The jigsaw puzzle display assembly of  claim 16 , further comprising a locking mechanism reversibly connected to the frame, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to rotatably engage and disengage a portion of a top surface of the transparent sheet. 
     
     
         19 . A jigsaw puzzle assembly tray comprising:
 a primary tray having a primary puzzle surface and a primary frame peripheral to the primary puzzle surface; and   a secondary tray having a secondary puzzle surface and a secondary frame peripheral to the secondary puzzle surface, wherein outer areal dimensions of the secondary frame are less than respective inner areal dimensions of the primary frame, and the secondary tray is slidably disposed over the primary puzzle surface.   
     
     
         20 . The jigsaw puzzle assembly tray of  claim 19 , wherein the secondary frame comprises an opening through which puzzle pieces located on the secondary puzzle surface are movable to the primary puzzle surface.