Abstract:
An identification device having a surface for the display of one&#39;s name, title, artwork, or other information which, after being positioned properly, gives the illusion of levitating without any visible supports. The device uses magnetic field repulsion to achieve this illusion with a simple, easy release mechanism for lateral stability.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The field of the invention is that of a display apparatus for personal identification which utilizes opposing magnetic fields in order to create a levitating illusion for the display surface.  
           [0003]    2. General Background  
           [0004]    In many businesses, it is desirable for a person to distinguish himself or herself and also inform others of their name and/or title in a non-obtrusive fashion. This is commonly accomplished in an office environment through the use of a simple desktop nameplate.  
           [0005]    3. Discussion of the Prior Art  
           [0006]    Desktop nameplates are common in almost all businesses and are produced in relatively simple form made of wood, plastic, and metal. Most are engraved, etched, or printed with a person&#39;s name and possibly title. They are, however, similar in overall construction and adequately convey the information.  
           [0007]    In the art of magnetic levitation, the display apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,178,707 (Littlefield) is commonly referenced. In this example, a first base magnet, formed as a bar uniformly polarized along its upper surface, repulses a second magnet enclosed in an object. A tether is attached to the object to provide lateral stability. The effect being that the magnetic repulsion counteracts gravity and the forces the object to remain toward the center of the first base magnet. This construction is lacking since it allows for only a simple object to be levitated with very limited movement or vibration experienced.  
           [0008]    Another example of magnetic levitation is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,182,533 (Ritts) wherein a spinning axle is suspended over a plurality of magnets. The axle is found in most embodiments with two circular magnets located co-axially at either end of the axle. The base magnets are polarized and positioned to repel the axle. This easily counteracts gravity, but does not provide for stability along the same axis as the axle. This is accomplished through the use of a vertical wall against which the axle rests at one end. This would be unsightly for aesthetic purposes, but works well for the scientific demonstration object for which it is used. This example is lacking due to its simple form which conveys little information. The unsightly wall, against which the axle rests, is also a drawback even when it is made out of a clear material (which is common in its commercially successful embodiment).  
           [0009]    4. Statement of Need  
           [0010]    Some individuals would prefer to stand out and leave a lasting favorable impression upon others or prefer to have something different than others as a conversation piece. This can be performed by having an individualized novelty item in open view of others that accomplishes the same function as a nondescript item. In this case, a levitating desktop nameplate which conveys the basic information and is novel in its form can create a positive impression.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    1. Objects of the Invention  
           [0012]    The present invention relates to a desktop nameplate which “levitates” above its platform. It provides room for a name and title or artwork, depending upon the text size, and appears to float in midair. This is accomplished through strategic positioning of magnets in the base and in the nameplate itself.  
           [0013]    In the preferred embodiment, the base of the assembly contains eight magnets positioned in groups of four at each end of the base. A small post extends vertically from the base and has a metal-tipped tether attached to it. The nameplate itself has a ball at each end, inside of which a magnet has been positioned. The tether is of a length such that the nameplate will be positioned slightly off center to the side away from the tether post.  
           [0014]    In an alternate embodiment, the post and tether are replaced with a post or wall, and the nameplate is positioned slightly off center to the side toward the post or wall.  
           [0015]    Further alterations of the preferred or alternate embodiments could include reducing the number of magnets from groups of four to groups of two. The nameplate will still need to be offset from the groups of magnets but will not levitate as high.  
           [0016]    2. Principles of the Invention  
           [0017]    A user inserts the metal end of the tether into a small hole in one of the balls and holds the nameplate in position over the base. The metal tip of the tether is held in place by the magnet located in the ball. Since the tether has positioned the nameplate slightly off center to the side away from the tether post, the tether and metal tip keep the nameplate from falling off of the magnetic field and provide lateral stability. The magnets in the nameplate balls are positioned to repel the magnets in the base assembly and counteract the effect of gravity. When the nameplate is properly positioned and the tether is drawn taught, the nameplate is released and will “levitate” over the base indefinitely or until it is knocked over. The tether is designed for easy release for any time in which the nameplate is knocked over or grasped by an observer.  
           [0018]    In the alternate embodiment, the nameplate is positioned slightly off center toward the post or wall, and the post keeps the nameplate from falling off of the magnetic field. When the nameplate is properly positioned and placed against the post, the nameplate is released and will levitate. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 is the top view of the base assembly of the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2 is the front view of the base assembly of the present invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3 is the top view of the assembly of the ball and nameplate components shown in FIG. 4.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4 is the top view of the nameplate assembly of the present invention.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 5 is the front view of the nameplate assembly of the present invention.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 6 is the top view of the assembly of both the base assembly and nameplate assembly.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 7 is the front view of the assembly of both the base assembly and nameplate assembly.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 8 is the front view of the assembly of both the base assembly and nameplate assembly in the alternate embodiment. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0027]    As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, eight magnets  106 A,  106 B,  106 C,  106 D,  106 E,  106 F,  106 G, and  106 H are inserted into the holes  116 A,  116 B,  116 C,  116 D,  116 E,  116 F,  116 G, and  116 H in base  101 , with an exact lengthwise center to center measurement equal to the length of the nameplate plus the thickness of one magnet  111 . The post  102  is inserted into hole  115  in base  101  and extends upward vertically so that the top of the post is even with the center of the levitating height. The tether  103  is attached to the post  102  by a screw  105  inserted into hole  120 . The metal tip  104  is attached to the tether  103 .  
         [0028]    Referring to FIG. 3, the plug  109  and magnet  111 A are inserted into hole  118  of ball  108 A and secured permanently. The plate  107  is then inserted into slot  119  of ball  108 A and permanently secured to the resulting assembly of the plug  109 , magnet  111 A, and ball  108 A. A similar assembly is made on the other end of the plate  107  using plug  110 , magnet  111 B, and ball  108 B.  
         [0029]    In FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the nameplate assembly is shown with the name lettering  112  printed, etched, or engraved on plate  107 .  
         [0030]    In FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the entire base assembly  113  and nameplate assembly  114  are shown in their “levitating” state and appear as they do in a physical model. The tip  104  of tether  103  is inserted into hole  117  of plug  109 . Tether  103  is long enough so that the nameplate assembly  114  tends to want to fall off the magnetic fields away from post  102 , but not so far as to cause tip  104  to let go of magnet  111 A. The resulting balance keeps assembly  114  “levitating”.  
         [0031]    In FIG. 8, the entire base assembly  113  and nameplate assembly  114  are shown in their “levitating” state and appear as they do in an alternate model. In this embodiment, the post  102 , screw  105 , tether  103 , and tip  104  are replaced by post  121 . Post  121  is positioned such that the nameplate assembly  114  tends to want to fall off the magnetic fields toward post  121  but is kept in place by post  121 .  
         [0032]    The base  101 , post  102 , plugs  109  &amp;  110 , balls  108 A &amp;  108 B, plate  107 , and lettering  112  should be made from a non-ferrous material in order to not interfere with the magnetic fields generated by the magnets. Tip  104 , however, must be made from a ferrous material. The screw  105  material is inconsequential as long as it provides sufficient strength to hold tether  103 . Tether  103  is best made of a very thin material to be as “invisible” as possible. If post  121  is used instead of the tether assembly, it must be made of a non-ferrous material. All magnets  106  and  111  should have as much magnetic strength as possible for best results.  
         [0033]    Since the levitating illusion is caused by the repelling effect of like-poled magnets, the arrangement of the magnets is crucial. Magnets  106 A and  106 B in the base  101  should repel the outboard side of magnet  111 A while magnets  106 C and  106 D repel the inboard side. Likewise, magnets  106 G and  106 H should repel the outboard side of magnet  111 B while magnets  106 E and  106 F repel the inboard side.  
         [0034]    It is apparent now that nameplate formed according to the present invention will produce the desired result of conveying the user&#39;s name and/or title in a novel and creative manner. It also presents the illusion of levitation even though the tether is attached for balance.  
         [0035]    With this disclosure, the applicant has provided a new and improved concept in the art of personal identification which yields a true advancement in the art. Many further modifications, alterations, embodiments; and artistic adaptations of this invention will now be apparent to those skilled in the art without exceeding the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.