DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 18, is an example of the single and multiple versions of the CrossWordSearch puzzle game constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the single version of the CrossWordSearch begins with a crossword puzzle grid section 10 in which blank squares represent spaces for letters to form words in an across and down format and black squares to represent divisions between words. In addition, there is a crossword clues section 20 for both across and down clues.

[0028] The single version of the present invention also includes a Hidden Words clues section that includes clues 30 and spaces to the right of the clues 40 for placement of the correct letters of the Hidden Words. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, the spaces 90 in the Hidden Words clues section are filled in with the correct letters of the Hidden Words. The object of the single version of the CrossWordSearch puzzle game is to solve the crossword puzzle; solve the Hidden Words, then find and circle the Hidden Words in the crossword puzzle solution. As seen in FIGS. 3 and 6, the fully completed crossword puzzle includes the circled 50 Hidden Words found in a diagonal direction in a straight line. It is important to note that Hidden Words will always be found in either an ascending or descending diagonal direction and always in a straight line. This version is called the single CrossWordSearch puzzle game.

[0029] The preferred version of this invention includes two or more single CrossWordSearch puzzles and a Word Search component. As seen in FIG. 7., the Word Search component includes an Ultimate Word Search Grid section 60; and, an Ultimate Hidden Word clue section 70 including spaces 80 for placement of the correct letters of the Ultimate Hidden Word. The object of this version is to create an Ultimate Word Search Diagram, solve the Ultimate Hidden Word, then, find and circle the Ultimate Hidden Word in the Ultimate Word Search Diagram. The Ultimate Word Search Diagram is created by filling in the blank squares of the Ultimate Word Search Grid with the letters of the Hidden Words from the single version games in a predetermined order. As seen in FIG. 8, the Ultimate Word Search Diagram 100 was created by placing the letters of the Hidden Words 91 and 92 and 93 as seen in FIG. 2, and 94 and 95 and 96 as seen in FIG. 5 in chronological order with one Hidden Word in each row. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the spaces 110 for letters to the Ultimate Hidden Word are filled in. As seen in FIG. 10, the location of the Ultimate Final Hidden Word 120 is circled in the Ultimate Word Search Diagram. It is important to note that the Ultimate Hidden Word will always be found in either an ascending or descending diagonal direction and always in a straight line. This version is called the multiple CrossWordSearch puzzle game.

[0030] There can be many variations to the single and/or multiple versions of the CrossWordSearch puzzle game. One variation of the single version of the CrossWordSearch puzzle game might include more or less Hidden Words than described in the single version. For example, in the single version as seen in FIGS. 3 and 6, three 50 Hidden Words were used. More or fewer Hidden Words could have been used.

[0031] Another variation of the single version of the CrossWordSearch puzzle game may include different crossword grid sizes that could influence the number of Hidden Words used. For example, FIGS. 1 and 4 illustrate the most popular crossword grid size of 15×15 (225 squares), but other popular crossword grid sizes could be used such as 17×17 (289 squares), 19×19 (361 squares), 21×21 (441 squares) and 23×23 (529 squares). If a 23×23 (529 squares) crossword grid size is used instead of the preferred crossword grid size of 15×15 (225 squares), there would be more than double the number of squares used creating more squares available for additional Hidden Words.

[0032] A variation of the multiple CrossWordSearch puzzle game might include more than the two single version games as seen in FIGS. 1 & 4. With more single version games, there would be more Hidden Words, thereby increasing the size of the Ultimate Word Search Grid. The larger the Ultimate Word Search Grid, the greater the potential for more Ultimate Hidden Words. For example, six single version puzzle games could used for the multiple version instead of two puzzles as used in the preferred version; and, each of the six puzzles could include four Hidden Words instead of the three Hidden Words used in the preferred version. If each of the Hidden Words was six letters in length, the Ultimate Word Search Grid size would be 144 squares (6 puzzles times 4 Hidden Words per puzzle times 6 letters in each Hidden Word) instead of the 36 squares in the preferred version (2 puzzles times 3 Hidden Words per puzzle times 6 letters in each Hidden Word). This would result in placing two Hidden Words in each row with a total of 12 rows.

[0033] Several related strategies could be utilized to solve the single or multiple version of the CrossWordSearch puzzle game. Based upon the degree of difficulty of the crossword puzzle component of the single version, the participant may not be able to solve all of the crossword puzzle without help.

[0034] One strategy might include solving as much of the crossword puzzle as possible; solving all of the related Hidden Words; then, attempting to locate one or more of the Hidden Words in the partially completed crossword puzzle. As seen in FIG. 2, a Hidden Word 92 has been solved and the correct letters placed in the spaces to the right of the clue. The object of this strategy is to find the Hidden Word in the partially completed crossword puzzle for the purpose of aiding in the solution of the crossword puzzle. Next, the participant would examine the partially solved crossword puzzle by looking for a pattern in either an ascending or descending diagonal direction in a straight line that might provide clues as to the location of the Hidden Word(s). As seen in FIG. 11, most of the letters of the Hidden Word 92 are filled in from solving the across and down clues in the partially completed crossword puzzle and one letter 125 of the Hidden Word is missing. In FIG. 12, the missing letter 130 of the Hidden Word has been inserted in the blank space. The missing letter inserted in the crossword grid has now created sufficient clues to solve an additional across word 140 as seen in FIG. 13 and an additional down word 150 as seen in FIG. 14. Finding the location of other Hidden Words and inserting other missing letters may provide even more clues to solving other across and down words in the crossword puzzle.

[0035] The present invention, in either the single or multiple version, also allows for solving one or more of the Hidden Words that could not be solved from the Hidden Word clues alone. This strategy includes solving as much of the crossword puzzle as possible then solving as many of the Hidden Words as possible. The object of this strategy is to find any unsolved Hidden Words by examining the partially completed crossword puzzle. Sometimes looking at the partially completed crossword puzzle may provide sufficient hints to solve the remaining unsolved Hidden Words. For example, in FIG. 15 one of the Hidden Words 160 has not yet been solved. By looking at the partially completed crossword puzzle, as seen in FIG. 16, the Hidden Word 170 can be solved because there are sufficient across and down words filled in the crossword puzzle. This strategy provides an additional benefit of completing some of the crossword puzzle in circumstances where the Ultimate Word Search Diagram cannot be created because the participant is not yet able to solve some or all of the Hidden Words.

[0036] Also, in the preferred version of the multiple CrossWordSearch puzzle game, another strategy might include solving all of the Hidden Words; then, creating the Ultimate Word Search Diagram without completing any portion of any of the crossword puzzle(s). The participant may simply solve the Hidden Words for each single version game by placing the correct letters in the spaces to the right of the Hidden Words clues; then, transferring the letters from the Hidden Words to the Ultimate Word Search Grid in a predetermined order. At this point the participant may be able to solve and find the Ultimate Hidden Word(s).

[0037] Another strategy might include creating as much of the Ultimate Word Search Diagram as possible, solving the Ultimate Hidden Word then finding and circling the Ultimate Hidden Word in the Ultimate Word Search Diagram. This can be accomplished by first solving as many of the Hidden Words as possible; then, transferring the Hidden Words in a predetermined order, as seen in FIG. 17, to the partially completed 180 Ultimate Word Search Diagram. The object of this strategy is to solve and find the Ultimate Hidden Word without knowing all single version Hidden Words. For example, in FIG. 18, one of the Hidden Words is unsolved and missing from the Ultimate Word Search Diagram; however, the Ultimate Word Search Diagram was sufficiently complete to be able to find and circle the 190 Ultimate Hidden Word.

[0038] The intention of the CrossWordSearch puzzle game is to provide a novel, exciting, interesting, and challenging mystery puzzle game to be played in a simple or complex manner. An advantage of the CrossWordSearch puzzle game is that it provides an integrated framework offering the participant a wide array of options that range from a simple single version to a complex multiple version. In the simple single version, coordination between solving the crossword puzzle and solving for the Hidden Words helps to fill-in additional across and down words; solve any remaining Hidden Words that could not be solved from the clues alone; and, helps find Hidden Words in the crossword puzzle. Likewise, in the complex multiple version, coordination between solving the single version Hidden Words and solving the Ultimate Hidden Words helps to create the Ultimate Word Search Diagram and find the Ultimate Hidden Word(s) in the Ultimate Word Search Diagram.

[0039] Although the CrossWordSearch puzzle game has been described in considerable detail and with reference to certain preferred versions, other versions are possible. For example, it is clear that any number of crossword puzzles and/or grid sizes could be used. In addition, any number of Hidden Words could be used which would influence the size of the Ultimate Word Search Diagram as well as the number of Ultimate Hidden Words. This invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.