Puzzle with tactile clues

Abstract

A puzzle with tactile clues that includes a tactile image that can be felt by a visually impaired person includes orientation indicia for the puzzle, as well as orientation indicia for individual pieces. The puzzle orientation indicia are raised, distinguishable clues. The piece orientation indicia are indicated by the shape of the tabs and blanks. The puzzle is waterjet cut to ensure a tight tolerance, and constructed of a washable material so it can be disinfected. Optionally, a guide puzzle of less difficulty may be included with the primary puzzle to instruct the assembler on assembly and the final image.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A puzzle with tactile clues comprising a kit of interlocking pieces, said assembled puzzle having a front, a top and bottom defining a vertical puzzle axis, and left and right sides defining a horizontal puzzle axis, wherein one of said puzzle axes comprises a first puzzle indicia oriented with a puzzle axis. 
     
     
         2 . The puzzle of  claim 1  further comprises a second puzzle indicia oriented with the second puzzle axis. 
     
     
         3 . The puzzle of  claim 2  wherein said first and second puzzle indicia comprise raised print. 
     
     
         4 . The puzzle of  claim 1 , wherein each interlocking piece has a left and right sides defining a first piece axis and a top and bottom defining a second piece axis, wherein a plurality of said pieces comprise a first piece indicia indicating a first piece axis. 
     
     
         5 . The puzzle of  claim 4 , further comprising an image printed with raised print on said front. 
     
     
         6 . The puzzle of  claim 5  manufactured of a washable material. 
     
     
         7 . A puzzle with tactile clues comprising a kit of interlocking pieces for assembly into a unique configuration, wherein each interlocking piece has a left and right side defining a first piece axis and a top and bottom defining a second piece axis, wherein a plurality of said pieces have a first piece indicia indicating a first piece axis. 
     
     
         8 . The puzzle of  claim 7  wherein said interlocking pieces interlock via tabs on a first piece and a shape defining a blank for receipt of said tab on a second piece, said tab and said blank incorporating said piece indicia. 
     
     
         9 . The puzzle of  claim 8 , said puzzle cut by non-abrasive waterjet to ensure said interlocking pieces interlock with one another with a tolerance of less than 0.005″. 
     
     
         10 . The puzzle of  claim 9 , said assembled configuration having a front, a top and bottom defining a vertical puzzle axis, and left and right sides defining a horizontal puzzle axis, wherein said front has an image printed with raised print. 
     
     
         11 . The puzzle of  claim 10 , wherein one of said puzzle axes has a first puzzle indicia oriented with said axis. 
     
     
         12 . A puzzle with tactile clues comprising a kit of interlocking pieces for assembly into a unique configuration, said assembled puzzle having a front, a top and bottom defining a vertical puzzle axis, and left and right sides defining a horizontal puzzle axis; said interlocking pieces having a top and bottom defining a vertical piece axis and left and right sides defining a horizontal axis, at least one said piece has at least one tab, and at least one said piece defining a blank for receiving and interlocking said tab, comprising a tactile image on said front printed with raised print. 
     
     
         13 . The puzzle of  claim 12  further comprising a first puzzle indicia oriented with a puzzle axis. 
     
     
         14 . The puzzle of  claim 12  further comprising a first piece orientation indicia encoded in said tab. 
     
     
         15 . The puzzle of  claim 12  wherein interlocking pieces that define corners of said puzzle further incorporate a distinct whimsey piece. 
     
     
         16 . The puzzle with tactile clues of  claim 12  wherein said kit includes no more than four interlocking pieces for assembly into a second puzzle that conveys the image and format of the puzzle with tactile clues. 
     
     
         17 . The puzzle of  claim 12  wherein said pieces are cut by non-abrasive waterjet with a tolerance of less than 0.005″. 
     
     
         18 . The puzzle of  claim 17  comprised of a washable material.