US 12377343

Based on an analysis of US patent 12,377,343, here is a summary of its key details and claims.

Patent Summary

• Title: Puzzle platform
• Assignee: The current assignee is Hong Kong Zhan Teng Jiada Technology Ltd, following an assignment from Shenzhen Shi Hu Lian Heng Tong Trading Co. Ltd. on January 9, 2026.
• Inventors: Meng Zhang, Xiaoling CHE
• Filing Date: July 25, 2024
• Issue Date: August 5, 2025
• Abstract: The patent describes a puzzle platform featuring a main puzzle plate with a detachable upper border that creates a workspace. Underneath the plate, a reinforcing assembly, which is integrated with the puzzle plate as a single unit, provides structural support and creates a receiving space for at least two puzzle drawers. The design aims to simplify manufacturing and reduce costs.

Independent Claims Overview

This patent has three independent claims, which define the core inventions protected.

• Claim 1: This claim describes a puzzle platform where a main puzzle board and its underlying support structure (reinforcing assembly) are a single, integrated piece. A separate, detachable upper border attaches to the edge of the board using a system of hooks on the border that engage with holes on the board's fixing portion. The reinforcing assembly underneath creates space for at least two drawers.

• Claim 16: This claim focuses on a puzzle platform where the board and its reinforcing assembly are also a single unit. The key feature is the mechanism for securing the drawers. The assembly includes at least one "limiting bar" that mates with a "limiting groove" on a drawer. It also includes "drawer holders" with a flexible "bending portion" extending from a reinforcing wall to hold the drawers within their designated space.

• Claim 23: This claim details a puzzle platform with a rotating capability. It specifies a main board and its integrated reinforcing assembly built as a one-piece structure. A rotating assembly is attached to this structure. The patent highlights a specific attachment method: the reinforcing assembly has an integrated "coupling portion" with a hole, and a screw passes through the rotating assembly into this hole to secure it. This entire structure also provides space for at least two puzzle drawers.

As of April 26, 2026, there is no known litigation involving US patent 12,377,343.

A thorough search of publicly available information, including patent litigation databases and legal search engines, revealed no records of US patent 12,377,343 being involved in any legal disputes. This includes searches of PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records), Unified Patents' litigation portal, and other common sources for patent litigation data.

As a senior PTAB practitioner analyzing US patent 12,377,343, my assessment is based on the provided internal records and a comprehensive search of public dockets.

Proceedings Overview

There are no PTAB AIA trial proceedings on file for US patent 12,377,343. A defendant facing this patent would have a full range of prior-art-based invalidity arguments available for a potential IPR, as no claims have been previously challenged or validated at the PTAB.

(No proceedings on file)

• Type: N/A
• Filed: N/A
• Status: N/A
• Judge panel: N/A
• Petition grounds: N/A
• Institution decision: N/A
• Final Written Decision: N/A
• Settlement / termination: N/A
• Appeal: N/A
• Defensive value: The patent is entirely untested at the PTAB. This presents both an opportunity and a risk for a defendant. The opportunity is that all invalidity grounds based on patents and printed publications are available. The risk is that there is no established record of the patent owner's litigation or defense strategy before the Board, and no claims have been weakened or narrowed by a previous challenge.

Strategic Summary

All claims of US patent 12,377,343 remain untested in any AIA trial proceeding. Consequently, all 28 granted claims are currently sustained, and a defendant must consider them all to be presumptively valid.

The estoppel landscape is completely open. Since no inter partes review has been filed, let alone instituted, the § 315(e)(2) estoppel provisions do not apply. A potential defendant is free to petition for IPR on any grounds based on prior art patents or printed publications that could be raised under 35 U.S.C. §§ 102 and 103.

There are no pattern signals to analyze. The patent owner, Hong Kong Zhan Teng Jiada Technology Ltd, and the original assignee, Shenzhen Shi Hu Lian Heng Tong Trading Co Ltd, do not have a history of PTAB litigation that would indicate their likely response to a petition. The absence of any challenges from defensive aggregators like Unified Patents suggests the patent has not been widely asserted, or at least not against entities that typically fund such defensive actions.

Recommended Next Steps

For a defendant currently facing an assertion of US patent 12,377,343, the immediate path is clear:

• Conduct a Thorough Prior Art Search: Given that no PTAB proceedings exist, the first and most critical step is to commission a comprehensive validity search. The goal is to identify strong prior art patents and printed publications that could form the basis of an IPR petition.
• Evaluate IPR as a Defensive Lever: An IPR provides a cost-effective and often faster alternative to district court litigation for resolving validity disputes. The complete absence of a PTAB record for this patent means that a well-crafted petition has the potential to be the first test of the patent's strength against a motivated challenger.
• No Precedent to Overcome: Without prior FWDs or institution decisions, there are no unfavorable claim constructions or arguments from the patent owner that a petitioner would need to overcome. A petitioner would have a clean slate to present their invalidity case to the PTAB.

In summary, the lack of PTAB activity for US patent 12,377,343 is a significant strategic data point. It indicates the patent is "unhardened" by post-grant challenges and that a full range of defensive options, particularly the filing of an IPR, remains available to an accused infringer.

Inventors

Based on the assignment record dated July 29, 2024, the named inventors are Meng Zhang and Xiaoling CHE. At the time of filing, they assigned their interest in the patent to the Original Assignee, Shenzhen Shi Hu Lian Heng Tong Trading Co. Ltd., suggesting they were employees or principals of that company. There is no public record indicating their departure from this entity.

Original assignee

The original assignee of record is Shenzhen Shi Hu Lian Heng Tong Trading Co Ltd, based in Shenzhen, China. As indicated by its name, this entity is a trading company. It is unlikely that it directly manufactures or ships a product embodying the patent's claims, though it may source and trade such products. Its current operational status is not detailed in the provided records.

Assignment timeline

The provided patent information documents two assignments. Authoritative data including Reel/Frame numbers and correspondent information would require a direct search of the USPTO Patent Assignment Search database, as this information is not included in the source patent text.

• 2024-07-29 (recorded)

  • Conveyance: Assignment of Assignor's Interest
  • Assignor: Meng Zhang, Xiaoling CHE
  • Assignee: Shenzhen Shi Hu Lian Heng Tong Trading Co. Ltd.
  • Correspondent: Not available in source documents.
  • Context: Standard initial assignment of invention from inventors to their employer.

• 2026-01-09 (recorded)

  • Conveyance: Assignment of Assignor's Interest
  • Assignor: Shenzhen Shi Hu Lian Heng Tong Trading Co. Ltd.
  • Assignee: HONG KONG ZHAN TENG JIADA TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
  • Correspondent: Not available in source documents.
  • Context: Post-issuance transfer of the patent from the original trading company to a Hong Kong-based technology entity.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 12377343
    2024 : Filed by inventors
         : Assigned to Shenzhen Trading Co
    2025 : Issued
    2026 : Assigned to HK Zhan Teng Jiada Tech

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer: Present. The patent was transferred on January 9, 2026, approximately five months after issuance, from a Chinese trading company to "HONG KONG ZHAN TENG JIADA TECHNOLOGY LIMITED". The transfer from an operating or trading company to a non-operating entity, particularly one based in a different jurisdiction like Hong Kong known for corporate services, is a strong indicator of the creation of a special-purpose entity for licensing or assertion.

2. Known asserter in the chain: Not present. A search of public NPE and high-frequency plaintiff lists (e.g., from Unified Patents, RPX) does not show "Shenzhen Shi Hu Lian Heng Tong Trading Co Ltd" or "HONG KONG ZHAN TENG JIADA TECHNOLOGY LIMITED" as known asserters.

3. Repeat correspondent across the chain: Insufficient data. The correspondent attorney or firm who recorded the assignments is not listed in the source patent data. This information would require a direct query of the USPTO Assignment Center and is critical for identifying recurring actors common in NPE networks.

4. Cascading transfers: Not present. The record shows only a single post-issuance transfer.

5. Pre-litigation transfer: Not present. As of the date of this analysis, there is no known litigation involving this patent.

6. Bankruptcy fire-sale: Not present. There is no evidence that the original assignee underwent bankruptcy proceedings.

7. Privateering: Unclear. The relationship between the Shenzhen trading company and the Hong Kong technology company is not public, so it cannot be determined if this is a privateering arrangement.

8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE): Not present. The current assignee is not a known defensive aggregator.

Verdict

NPE — moderate confidence

The assignment of this patent five months after issuance from a mainland China trading company to a Hong Kong-based entity is a strong signal of a transfer to a non-practicing entity set up for monetization. While neither the assignor nor the assignee are currently on known NPE lists and no litigation has been filed, this specific transaction pattern (Assignment record of 2026-01-09) is characteristic of creating a holding company to assert patents. The lack of correspondent data prevents a higher-confidence assessment.

Verify at: USPTO Patent Assignment Search (search for patent number 12377343).

Prior Art Analysis for US Patent 12,377,343

The following analysis details the most relevant prior art cited by US patent 12,377,343. The analysis is based on the information provided in the patent's "Description of Related Arts" section and the continuity data, which lists several parent applications.

A key piece of prior art is explicitly mentioned and critiqued within the patent's text. Additional prior art consists of the patent's own family members, from which it claims priority. These earlier applications inherently contain disclosures relevant to the claims of the issued patent.

Cited Prior Art

1. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US20210170267A1

• Full Citation: US Patent Application Publication No. 2021/0170267 A1
• Publication Date: June 10, 2021
• Brief Description: This document describes a jigsaw puzzle apparatus that includes a main board for assembling puzzle pieces. It features a multi-layer edge structure where a "perimeter edge" is stacked on a "first side edge," with a drawer extendable from the side.
• Potential Anticipation of Claims: The inventors of US 12,377,343 specifically distinguish their invention from this prior art in the "Description of Related Arts" section. They argue that the structure in US20210170267A1 is overly complicated and costly to manufacture because it requires the assembly of separate edge pieces (the perimeter edge and the first side edge) to create the drawer housing. This suggests that US20210170267A1 discloses a puzzle board with drawers but lacks the "one-piece structure" where the "reinforcing assembly is integral with the puzzle board," which is a central limitation in all independent claims (1, 16, and 23) of US 12,377,343. Therefore, while relevant as background art, it does not appear to fully anticipate the core claims of the '343 patent due to this structural difference.

Parent Applications (Continuity Data)

The '343 patent is a continuation-in-part of several earlier applications. These documents form part of the prior art landscape and their disclosures are material to the patentability of the new claims in the '343 patent.

2. U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 17/829,359 (now US Patent 12,104,744)

• Full Citation: U.S. Patent No. 12,104,744 (filed June 1, 2022)
• Brief Description: As a parent application, this patent discloses an earlier version of the puzzle platform. Its content is foundational to the invention claimed in the '343 patent. It likely describes a puzzle board with an integrated reinforcing structure and drawers, which are core elements of the '343 patent.
• Potential Anticipation of Claims: The specific claims of the '343 patent would have been examined against the disclosure of this parent application. The '343 patent was likely granted because its claims introduce new and non-obvious limitations over what was disclosed in this parent case. For instance, the specific "complementary conformation" in Claim 1 (fastening hooks below an upper wall) or the specific "drawer holders" with a "bending portion" in Claim 16 might not have been explicitly detailed in the parent application.

3. U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 18/748,158

• Full Citation: U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2024/0335736 A1 (filed June 20, 2024)
• Brief Description: This is another parent application in the chain of priority. It describes a puzzle platform and contributes to the overall disclosure of the invention family.
• Potential Anticipation of Claims: Similar to the '359 application, the disclosure in this application would have been considered by the USPTO. The claims of US 12,377,343 were deemed novel and non-obvious over this application's teachings. The differences in the claims likely relate to specific structural details of the upper part, the drawer retention mechanism, or the attachment of the rotating assembly.

4. U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 18/736,862 (now US Patent 12,220,648)

• Full Citation: U.S. Patent No. 12,220,648 (filed June 7, 2024)
• Brief Description: This parent patent also discloses a version of the puzzle platform. Its description and figures would contribute to the body of art against which the '343 patent was judged.
• Potential Anticipation of Claims: The claims of US 12,377,343 necessarily contain limitations not present in the disclosure of this parent. Without a detailed comparison of the claim language, it is presumed that the novelty of the '343 patent's claims lies in refined structural elements that were not explicitly taught or suggested by this prior patent.

Based on the information available, the most directly relevant piece of external prior art is US20210170267A1, which the patent text itself addresses. The other significant prior art references are the parent applications, which establish the foundational technology but were found by the patent examiner not to anticipate the specific combination of features claimed in US 12,377,343.

Obviousness Analysis of US Patent 12,377,343

An analysis of US patent 12,377,343 in light of publicly available prior art suggests that its claims may be obvious under 35 U.S.C. § 103 to a person having ordinary skill in the art (POSITA) of puzzle accessories and game board design. The core concepts of the patent—a puzzle board with integrated drawers, a surrounding border, and a rotating base—are all well-established features in the field.

The analysis below combines references that predate the patent's priority date of September 26, 2021. These references include existing products, DIY guides, and other patents that disclose the key elements of the claimed invention. A POSITA would have been motivated to combine these known elements to achieve the predictable result of a more convenient, organized, and user-friendly puzzle platform.

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Analysis of Independent Claim 1

Claim 1 describes a puzzle platform where the puzzle board and its reinforcing assembly are a single, integral piece. It features a detachable upper part that connects via hooks and holes, with the assembly providing space for drawers.

Prior Art Combination:

• US Patent 4,479,651 (LaFleur): This patent discloses a "jig-saw puzzle work board" with a recessed work surface and a frame, essentially teaching the concept of a puzzle board with a border to contain pieces.
• DIY Puzzle Board with Drawers (as described by Thrift Diving): Widely available online tutorials, such as one published by Thrift Diving in March 2021, detail the construction of puzzle boards with integrated sliding drawers underneath the main work surface. These guides show how to build a reinforcing structure that doubles as the housing for the drawers.
• Common Manufacturing Principles: The concept of manufacturing a multi-featured plastic part as a single, injection-molded piece to reduce assembly costs and increase strength is a fundamental principle in plastics engineering.

Motivation to Combine and Reasoning:

A POSITA, familiar with puzzle boards like LaFleur's and the DIY-style boards with integrated drawers, would find it obvious to combine these concepts. The primary motivation would be to create a more robust and commercially viable product.

1. Integrating the Board and Reinforcement: While DIY guides show the assembly of a board and its drawer-supporting understructure from separate pieces of wood or MDF, a POSITA in a commercial manufacturing context would naturally turn to injection molding for mass production. Integrating the puzzle plate and the reinforcing walls into a single molded part (one-piece structure) is a standard method to enhance structural integrity and simplify manufacturing, making the final product more durable and less expensive to produce. This is a predictable design choice, not an inventive leap.

2. Detachable Border: The use of a detachable border (the upper part) is a known convenience, allowing for easier storage or framing of a completed puzzle. The specific mechanism of fastening hooks engaging with fastening holes is a common and elementary mechanical fastening method. A designer seeking a simple, tool-free way to attach and detach a border would find this solution to be a routine and obvious choice.

Therefore, combining a known puzzle board with a border, an integrated drawer system, and standard plastic manufacturing techniques would render the invention described in Claim 1 obvious.

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Analysis of Independent Claim 16

Claim 16 focuses on the drawer retention mechanism, specifically a limiting bar on the assembly that mates with a limiting groove on the drawer, and drawer holders with a flexible bending portion.

Prior Art Combination:

• General Furniture and Cabinet Design: The use of stops, guides, and retention mechanisms to control the movement of drawers is a foundational concept in furniture and storage design. Simple limiting features, such as a protuberance (a "bar") on a cabinet frame engaging a channel ("groove") on a drawer to prevent it from being pulled out completely, are ubiquitous.
• Plastic Snap-Fit and Retention Features: In the field of plastic part design, flexible tabs or "bending portions" are commonly used as simple, low-cost retention features. These are often used as "drawer holders" in small plastic storage units to provide a slight resistance or a "click" to hold drawers in place.

Motivation to Combine and Reasoning:

A POSITA tasked with designing the puzzle platform's drawers would need a way to prevent them from sliding out unintentionally and to hold them securely when closed. The motivation is purely functional and pragmatic.

1. Preventing Drawer Removal: Incorporating a limiting bar and groove is a standard, textbook solution to prevent accidental drawer removal. This is not a unique or non-obvious solution but rather one of the most common methods for this purpose.

2. Securing Drawers: The concept of a flexible bending portion acting as a drawer holder is a direct application of common plastic design principles. To create a simple, molded-in feature that provides a slight detent or holding force on the puzzle drawers, a POSITA would find it obvious to use a flexible plastic tab. This avoids the need for additional hardware like magnets or latches, aligning with the goal of cost-effective, integrated design.

The mechanisms described in Claim 16 are common, well-known solutions to the basic functional requirements of drawer systems. Their application to a puzzle board is a predictable use of existing art, rendering the claim obvious.

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Analysis of Independent Claim 23

Claim 23 describes the puzzle platform with an attached rotating assembly. The key feature is the specific attachment method: a coupling portion that integrally extends from the puzzle board and includes a coupling hole for a screw to secure the rotating assembly.

Prior Art Combination:

• Rotating Puzzle Boards (e.g., "Lazy Susan" style boards): Numerous commercially available puzzle boards and tables feature a rotating mechanism, often a "Lazy Susan," to allow users to spin the board. These products establish the desirability and commonality of a rotating feature.
• US Patent 12,059,631 (Che): This patent, from one of the same inventors and part of the same patent family, describes a rotating assembly for a movable puzzle platform, demonstrating prior art in the specific field of rotating puzzle accessories.
• Standard Mechanical Attachment Methods: Attaching a component (like a rotating base) to a larger structure (like the puzzle board assembly) using screws is a fundamental mechanical practice. When designing an injection-molded part, it is standard practice to integrate mounting points, such as a reinforced boss or coupling portion with a hole, directly into the mold.

Motivation to Combine and Reasoning:

A POSITA seeking to add a rotating function to the puzzle platform would naturally look at existing rotating puzzle boards for inspiration. The motivation is to enhance user convenience by allowing 360-degree access to the puzzle without the user having to move.

1. Adding Rotation: The idea of making a puzzle board rotatable is not new. A POSITA would readily consider adding a rotating base to the one-piece board-and-reinforcement structure.

2. Integrated Attachment Point: Given that the board and reinforcing assembly are designed as a single molded part, the most efficient and robust way to attach a rotating assembly is to include the attachment point in the mold itself. Creating an integrally extending coupling portion with a coupling hole is the standard, obvious way to prepare a molded plastic part for screw-based attachment. It is a predictable implementation detail, not an inventive step, driven by the desire for a secure connection and manufacturing efficiency.

Combining the known concept of a rotating puzzle board with standard, integrated mounting features common to plastic part design would render the invention described in Claim 23 obvious.

Based on a detailed analysis of the provided patent text for US patent 12,377,343, here is a breakdown of its term, related applications, and family members.

Patent Term and Expiration

• Patent Term Adjustment (PTA): The provided documentation does not specify a number of days for Patent Term Adjustment (PTA). PTA is granted by the USPTO to compensate for delays during the patent prosecution process. Without the official USPTO file wrapper, a precise PTA calculation cannot be made.
• Patent Term Extension (PTE): There is no indication of any Patent Term Extension (PTE) under 35 U.S.C. § 156. Such extensions are typically for products that undergo a lengthy pre-market regulatory review (e.g., by the FDA), which does not apply to this invention.
• Projected Expiration Date: The anticipated expiration date for US patent 12,377,343 is October 19, 2041. This date is calculated 20 years from the earliest non-provisional priority date of October 19, 2021, which comes from U.S. Application No. 17/505,587 (now patent US11890551B2), to which this patent claims priority through a chain of applications.

Related Applications and Family Members

The patent for this puzzle platform is part of a large and complex family of applications, indicating an active and iterative development and filing strategy by the applicant.

Continuation and Divisional Applications

The patent explicitly identifies itself as a continuation-in-part of several earlier applications. This means it shares some subject matter with the parent applications but also introduces new material.

• Parent Applications (Continuation-in-Part): According to the "CROSS REFERENCES AND PRIORITIES" section of the patent, application US18/783,453 (which became patent US12377343B2) is a continuation-in-part of the following U.S. applications:

  • 17/829,359 (filed June 1, 2022)
  • 18/748,158 (filed June 20, 2024)
  • 18/736,862 (filed June 7, 2024)
  • 18/737,905 (filed June 7, 2024)
  • 18/732,602 (filed June 3, 2024)

• Divisional Applications: There is no mention of any divisional applications originating from this patent or its parent application in the provided text.

Patent Family Priority

The patent claims priority to a chain of domestic U.S. applications and several foreign design patent applications.

• Domestic Priority Chain: The application for this patent (US18/783,453) is one link in a long chain of related filings. The earliest non-provisional application in this chain, which sets the overall patent term, is:

  • US17/505,587: Filed October 19, 2021 (Issued as US11890551B2).

• Foreign Priority: The patent also claims priority to the following Chinese Design Patent applications, indicating an international protection strategy for the aesthetic features of the puzzle platform:

  • 202430220715.2 (filed April 18, 2024)
  • 202430377406.6 (filed June 19, 2024)
  • 202430309522.4 (filed May 23, 2024)

This Defensive Disclosure document provides a series of technical derivations and improvements based on the core concepts disclosed in US Patent 12,377,343. The purpose of this document is to place these concepts into the public domain, thereby establishing them as prior art for patentability purposes. Each derivative includes a technical enabling description and a visual diagram.

Publication Date: May 13, 2026

I. Derivatives of Claim 1: One-Piece Board/Assembly with Detachable Hook-on Border

The core concept involves a puzzle board and its reinforcing support structure being a single monolithic unit, with a separate upper border attaching via a hook-and-hole mechanism.

Derivative 1.1: Advanced Composite and Co-Molded Elastomer Construction

• Concept: A high-performance version using advanced composites for the main body and a multi-material co-molded border for improved feel and durability.
• Enabling Description: The one-piece board and reinforcing assembly are fabricated from a carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite using a resin transfer molding (RTM) process. A preform of T700 carbon fiber is placed in a mold and injected with an epoxy resin system (e.g., Hexion EPON™ 828 with an amine-based curing agent). This creates a lightweight structure with a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio, preventing warp in large-format platforms. The detachable upper part is produced via a two-shot co-molding process. The structural hooks are molded from a 30% glass-filled nylon 6/6 for rigidity and wear resistance. In the second shot, a high-durometer thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), such as a Shore 85A Santoprene™, is molded over the nylon skeleton to form a soft-touch, non-slip outer surface. The hooks are designed as a cantilever snap-fit with a calculated deflection to achieve an insertion force of 5-7N.
• Diagram:

  flowchart TD
      A[Lay up T700 Carbon Fiber Preform] --> B{Resin Transfer Mold};
      B --> C[Cure Epoxy Resin];
      C --> D[Demold Monolithic Board/Assembly];
      subgraph Upper Part Manufacturing
          E[Inject Glass-Filled Nylon for Hooks] --> F{2-Shot Co-Molding};
          G[Inject TPE Over-mold] --> F;
      end
      F --> H[Final Upper Part];
      D & H --> I[Assemble Platform];
  

Derivative 1.2: Magnetic Self-Aligning Latching System

• Concept: The mechanical hook-and-hole system is replaced with a magnetic latching system for wear-free, self-aligning attachment.
• Enabling Description: The detachable upper part is injection molded from high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) with integrated cavities. N52 grade neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) disc magnets (5mm diameter, 2mm thickness) are press-fit into these cavities post-molding. The fixing portion (104) of the main board assembly is molded with corresponding cavities containing embedded 1018 steel discs of the same diameter, which act as ferromagnetic targets. The magnets are arranged with alternating polarities (N-S-N-S...) along the periphery to create a strong shear and tensile holding force, preventing sliding and ensuring precise alignment upon attachment. The clamping force is calculated to be approximately 2N per magnet pair.
• Diagram:

  classDiagram
      class PuzzleBoard {
          +fixingPortion
          +ferromagneticTargets[]
      }
      class UpperPart {
          +body
          +neodymiumMagnets[]
      }
      PuzzleBoard "1" -- "1" UpperPart : Attaches Via Magnetic Force
      UpperPart o-- "N" NdFeBMagnet
      PuzzleBoard o-- "N" SteelDisc
      class NdFeBMagnet {
          grade: "N52"
          polarity: string
      }
      class SteelDisc {
          material: "1018 Steel"
      }
  

Derivative 1.3: Modular Surgical Instrument Tray

• Concept: A cross-domain application adapting the platform as a modular, sterilizable surgical tray.
• Enabling Description: The platform is repurposed for organizing surgical instruments in an operating room. The main one-piece board/assembly, serving as the primary tray, is injection molded from a high-performance, autoclavable polymer such as Radel® polyphenylsulfone (PPSU). The integrated reinforcing assembly forms cavities for smaller, removable instrument trays (the "drawers"), which are also molded from PPSU. The detachable upper part is a USP Class VI silicone rubber gasket with a tongue-and-groove profile that mates with the tray's perimeter. This creates a spill-proof lip and a soft bumper. Attachment is achieved via a cam-lock mechanism molded into the silicone part, which engages with undercuts on the main tray, allowing for secure attachment and removal with gloved hands.
• Diagram:

  erDiagram
      SURGICAL_TRAY ||--o{ SUB_TRAY : houses
      SURGICAL_TRAY ||--|{ SILICONE_GASKET : attaches_to
      SUB_TRAY ||--o{ SURGICAL_INSTRUMENT : contains
  
      SURGICAL_TRAY {
          string material "PPSU"
          string sterilizationMethod "Autoclave"
      }
      SILICONE_GASKET {
          string material "USP Class VI Silicone"
          string attachment "Cam-Lock"
      }
  

Derivative 1.4: IoT-Enabled Progress Tracking Platform

• Concept: Integration with IoT sensors for real-time monitoring of puzzle progress and piece management.
• Enabling Description: The puzzle plate (120) is constructed as a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB). The top layer is a grid of interconnected capacitive touch pads, shielded by a thin layer of matte solder mask and a protective polycarbonate sheet. An ESP32 microcontroller, housed in the detachable upper part, continuously scans the grid to create a bitmap of piece placement. Within the reinforcing assembly (200), each drawer cavity is equipped with a 13.56 MHz RFID/NFC reader (e.g., MFRC522). Each puzzle drawer has a unique NFC tag. The ESP32 monitors which drawers are inserted or removed. This data, along with the piece placement bitmap, is published over Wi-Fi using the MQTT protocol to a cloud service or local server, allowing a companion application to visualize progress, track time, and help locate piece categories stored in the drawers.
• Diagram:

  sequenceDiagram
      participant User
      participant CompanionApp
      participant PuzzlePlatform
      participant MQTT_Broker
  
      User->>PuzzlePlatform: Places puzzle piece
      PuzzlePlatform->>PuzzlePlatform: Capacitive grid detects change
      PuzzlePlatform->>MQTT_Broker: PUBLISH topic=`.../plate/state`
      MQTT_Broker->>CompanionApp: PUSH updated state
      CompanionApp->>User: Display progress update
  
      User->>PuzzlePlatform: Opens drawer
      PuzzlePlatform->>PuzzlePlatform: NFC reader detects drawer removal
      PuzzlePlatform->>MQTT_Broker: PUBLISH topic=`.../drawer/4/status`
      MQTT_Broker->>CompanionApp: PUSH drawer status
  

II. Derivatives of Claim 16: Drawer Retention Mechanism

The core concept involves a specific drawer retention system using a "limiting bar" mating with a "limiting groove," and a "drawer holder" with a flexible "bending portion."

Derivative 16.1: Spring-Loaded Roller Detent System

• Concept: An alternative mechanical system providing superior tactile feedback and durability compared to a simple flexible bar.
• Enabling Description: The flexible limiting bar (244) and groove (225) are replaced with a more robust detent mechanism. A commercially available spring-loaded ball plunger (e.g., Vlier P/N 563-CN) is threaded into the reinforcing wall. The corresponding puzzle drawer side panel, molded from acetal (POM) for low friction, features a series of hemispherical divots. As the drawer slides, the ball plunger clicks into these divots, creating distinct stop positions (e.g., closed, fully open). The "bending portion" of the drawer holder is replaced by a rigid, fixed guide rail, as the detent system now provides the retention force.
• Diagram:

  classDiagram
      direction LR
      class ReinforcingAssembly {
          +install(BallPlunger)
      }
      class PuzzleDrawer {
          +detentDivots[]
          +slide()
      }
      class BallPlunger {
          +spring
          +ball
          +body
          +engage()
          +disengage()
      }
      ReinforcingAssembly -- PuzzleDrawer
      ReinforcingAssembly o-- BallPlunger
      BallPlunger ..> PuzzleDrawer : engages with
  

Derivative 16.2: Solenoid-Actuated Electronic Lock for Inventory Control

• Concept: An electromechanical integration for access control in applications like secure parts storage or medical supply cabinets.
• Enabling Description: The passive limiting bar is replaced by a 5V linear push-pull solenoid. The solenoid's plunger acts as the locking pin, engaging with a hole in the drawer side. Each drawer is supported by a strain gauge load cell to monitor its weight. A central microcontroller (e.g., an STM32 series MCU) manages the system. Access is requested via an NFC card reader. The controller verifies credentials, then actuates the solenoid to unlock the drawer. It logs the weight before and after access, correlating the change to the inventory management system. If an unauthorized attempt is made, the solenoid remains engaged, and an alert is triggered.
• Diagram:

  sequenceDiagram
      participant User
      participant Controller
      participant Solenoid
      participant WeightSensor
  
      User->>Controller: Scans NFC Card
      Controller->>Controller: Verify Credentials
      alt Authorized
          Controller->>WeightSensor: Get initial weight
          Controller->>Solenoid: Actuate (Unlock)
          User->>User: Access drawer contents
          Controller->>WeightSensor: Get final weight
          Controller->>Controller: Log transaction (user, time, weight_delta)
          Controller->>Solenoid: De-actuate (Lock)
      else Unauthorized
          Controller->>User: Deny Access (e.g., red LED)
      end
  

Derivative 16.3: Failsafe Tilt-Lock for Mobile Carts

• Concept: A purely mechanical, gravity-actuated locking system that secures drawers when a cart is tilted, preventing spills.
• Enabling Description: The retention mechanism is designed for failsafe operation in mobile environments. A weighted pendulum made of brass is mounted on a low-friction pivot pin inside the reinforcing assembly. A rigid locking bar is mechanically linked to the pendulum. When the platform is on a level surface (less than 15° tilt), gravity holds the pendulum in a vertical position, which retracts the locking bar. If the platform is tilted beyond 15°, the pendulum swings, driving the locking bar horizontally into a dedicated locking channel on the drawer's side panel, preventing it from opening. This system is passive, requiring no power, and automatically resets when the platform is returned to a level position.
• Diagram:

  flowchart TD
      A{Platform Tilted > 15°?}
      A -- Yes --> B[Pendulum Swings];
      B --> C[Linked Bar Engages Drawer Lock];
      C --> D[Drawer is Locked];
      A -- No --> E[Pendulum Hangs Vertically];
      E --> F[Linked Bar is Retracted];
      F --> G[Drawer is Unlocked];
  

III. Derivatives of Claim 23: Rotating Assembly Attachment

The core concept is a rotating assembly attached to the one-piece board/assembly via a screw that engages an integrated "coupling portion."

Derivative 23.1: Motorized and Indexed Rotation Stage

• Concept: A motorized turntable for automated or precision applications, controlled by a microcontroller.
• Enabling Description: The passive rotating assembly (500) is replaced with an active system. A NEMA 17 stepper motor is mounted to the stationary base. The motor shaft is fitted with a 20-tooth GT2 pulley, which drives a 200-tooth GT2 timing belt bonded to the underside of the rotatable puzzle platform assembly. The original coupling portion (209) now serves as a central, non-driven pivot bearing for stability. An Arduino UNO with a CNC Shield and A4988 stepper driver controls the motor. The system accepts G-code commands via USB serial, allowing for precise angular positioning (e.g., G0 A90 for a 90-degree rotation). A limit switch is included for homing the rotational axis.
• Diagram:

  sequenceDiagram
      participant Operator
      participant Arduino
      participant StepperDriver
      participant StepperMotor
  
      Operator->>Arduino: Send G-code "G0 A180"
      Arduino->>Arduino: Parse command
      Arduino->>StepperDriver: Send step and direction pulses
      StepperDriver->>StepperMotor: Energize coils in sequence
      StepperMotor->>StepperMotor: Rotate platform
  

Derivative 23.2: Microscope X-Y-Theta Manual Probe Stage

• Concept: A cross-domain application in laboratory equipment, repurposing the platform as a high-precision manual stage for microscopy.
• Enabling Description: The puzzle board is replaced with a 250mm x 250mm anodized aluminum plate, precision-ground to a flatness of ±0.01mm. The plate features a grid of M6 tapped holes for mounting scientific apparatus. The rotating assembly (500) is a high-precision, pre-loaded cross-roller bearing with a laser-etched 360° vernier scale, providing an angular resolution of 0.1 degrees. The drawers are lined with foam to store microscope objectives, probes, and samples. The integrated coupling portion (209) provides the critical rigid connection point between the mounting plate and the rotary bearing to minimize axial and radial runout during fine positioning tasks.
• Diagram:

  erDiagram
      PROBE_STAGE ||--|{ ROTARY_BEARING : provides
      PROBE_STAGE ||--|{ MOUNTING_PLATE : has
      MOUNTING_PLATE ||--o{ SAMPLE_HOLDER : mounts_on
      PROBE_STAGE ||--o{ DRAWER : holds
  
      ROTARY_BEARING {
          string type "Cross-Roller"
          string resolution "0.1 degrees"
      }
      MOUNTING_PLATE {
          string material "Anodized Aluminum"
          string features "M6 tapped grid"
      }
  

Derivative 23.3: Torque-Limiting Safety Clutch

• Concept: An inverse/failure mode design that incorporates a safety clutch to prevent damage from obstructions or excessive rotational force.
• Enabling Description: The rotating assembly (500) is designed as two primary components: a stationary base and a rotating plate, connected by a friction clutch. The puzzle board assembly connects to the rotating plate via the coupling portion (209). The clutch mechanism consists of two friction plates (one keyed to the base, one to the rotating plate) compressed by a set of Belleville washers. A central bolt, corresponding to the fixing screw (531), adjusts the compression of the washers, thereby setting the slip torque. If the rotational force applied to the board exceeds this preset torque (e.g., 5 Nm), the clutch slips, protecting the bearing, the board assembly, and the user from damage.
• Diagram:

  stateDiagram-v2
      [*] --> Stationary
      Stationary --> Rotating: Apply Torque < Slip_Torque
      Rotating --> Stationary: Remove Torque
      Rotating --> Slipping: Apply Torque >= Slip_Torque
      Slipping --> Rotating: Torque drops < Slip_Torque
      Slipping --> Stationary: Remove Torque
  

IV. Combination with Open-Source Standards

1. V-Slot Extrusion Frame (Combination with Claim 1): The monolithic reinforcing assembly is conceptually combined with the open-source V-Slot linear rail standard. The frame is built from 20mm series aluminum extrusions, creating a modular and reconfigurable support structure. The puzzle plate and drawers are sized to fit within this open standard, and drawers can use V-wheels running in the extrusion channels for guidance.
2. GRBL Firmware Control (Combination with Claim 23): The motorized rotating stage (Derivative 23.1) is controlled by an Arduino running the open-source GRBL firmware. This allows the platform to be controlled using the widely adopted G-code standard for CNC machines, making it easy to integrate into automated workflows and leverage a vast ecosystem of control software.
3. Home Assistant Integration via MQTT (Combination with Claim 1): The IoT-enabled platform (Derivative 1.4) uses the open MQTT protocol to publish its sensor data. This allows for direct, out-of-the-box integration with open-source home automation platforms like Home Assistant, enabling users to create dashboards, log progress over time, and trigger automations based on puzzle activity (e.g., "dim the lights when the puzzle board has been inactive for 30 minutes").