Patent Publication Number: US-2018043728-A1

Title: Self-righting handheld utensil

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a divisional of pending United States non-provisional patent application, Ser. No. 14/627,001, filed on Feb. 20, 2015. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to a handheld utensil, and more particularly, to a handheld utensil, such as a pen, capable of self-righting to a vertical orientation upon being dropped, thrown, or otherwise moved onto a flat or substantially flat surface. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Handheld utensils are used every day to make people&#39;s lives easier. Certain utensils, such as forks and spoons, assist in the delivery of food from a plate or bowl to a person&#39;s mouth. Similarly, other utensils, such as pens and pencils, allow a person to write, draw, or otherwise record anything he or she wishes on a paper or substrate. Still further utensils such as toothbrushes allow a user to easily clean his or her teeth and gums. The quality of being handheld makes a utensil easy to use, maintain, and store. 
     However, given that handheld utensils are generally relatively small objects, it is easy for them to become lost or misplaced, or otherwise become buried underneath larger objects. For example, a user of a pen may set down the pen upon finishing a sentence, but later, after numerous papers have been placed over the pen, when the user subsequently requires it again, he or she may be unable to locate it underneath the papers. As such, it is desirable for a handheld utensil to provide some easy means of permitting its user to locate it in a short time, and it is further desirable that such means be inexpensive and not interfere with the character or operation of the utensil. 
     An option for solving the aforesaid problem is by introducing a self-righting or biasing element to the handheld utensil. A first solution for providing a self-righting handheld utensil is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,052 as a balancing pen. The disclosed balancing pen includes a bulb having a center of mass therein and rounded underside for balancing the pen when not in use, which bulb separates from the pen when the user requires use thereof. That is, the user may replace the pen within the bulb when same is not in use, and the bulb maintains the pen in a generally upright orientation. Regardless, this disclosure fails to teach a self-righting handheld utensil wherein the portion providing the self-righting feature remains coupled to the utensil itself during operative use of the utensil. In other words, should the user misplace the bulb while using the disclosed writing implement, this prior art disclosure would cease to operate as intended (in that the disclosed writing implement could no longer self-right). 
     Thus, while existing solutions show some self-righting features, various drawbacks, including those mentioned above, remain. 
     Consequently, there exists a need for a handheld utensil that self-rights itself to an upright vertical orientation when placed on a flat or substantially flat surface, and which comprises a base providing for the self-righting features that does not need to be uncoupled from the use portion of the utensil in order for a user to operatively use the utensil. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages of the prior art, a self-righting handheld utensil configured to include all the advantages of the prior art and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein is provided. It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a self-righting handheld utensil that comprises a weighted base having a generally convex bottom side so as to provide for an automatic balancing of the utensil to an upright vertical orientation when placed on a flat or substantially flat surface, i.e. without the need for user intervention or application of any external force. It is further an object of the present disclosure to provide a self-righting handheld utensil wherein the weighted base does not need to be uncoupled from the remainder of the utensil (i.e., the use portion thereof) in order for the user to operatively use the utensil. 
     In an embodiment, a self-righting handheld utensil comprises a base having a top side and a bottom side, the bottom side being generally convex; a weighted element disposed within at least a portion of the base; an elongated region extending outwardly from the base, the elongated region having a first end and a second end, at least a portion of the first end of the elongated region being disposed within at least a portion of the base, the elongated region capable of being held by a user; and a use portion disposed on the second end of the elongated region, wherein the weighted element is capable of counterbalancing the utensil to an upright vertical orientation with respect to a flat or substantially flat surface supporting the utensil without the need for user intervention or an application of an external force, resulting in the elongated region and the use portion becoming oriented vertically with respect to the flat or substantially flat surface supporting the utensil, and wherein the utensil may be used without the base first having to be separated from the elongated region or the use portion. 
     Further alternatives and embodiments are herein contemplated. In a further embodiment, the first end of the elongated region is in communication with the weighted element. In another embodiment, the base comprises one of a sphere and an ovoid. In another embodiment, the top side of the base comprises one of a flat surface, a generally concave surface, and a generally convex surface. In another embodiment, the weighted element comprises at least one of a metal, metal alloy, sand, rubber, plastic, liquid, stone, silicone, oil, wood, gel, soil, and a processed material comprising one or more of the foregoing. In another embodiment, the base further comprises an aesthetic feature on an outer surface thereof. In another embodiment, the utensil is one of a pen, pencil, marker, crayon, eraser, highlighter, toothbrush, fork, and spoon. In another embodiment, the utensil further comprises an internal element disposed within at least a portion of the elongated region and the use portion, the internal element containing a chamber suitable for containing at least one of ink, lead, graphite, and wax. In another embodiment, the elongated region and use portion are removably attached to the base via a coupling, such as a threading, snap-fit engagement, and mechanical interference. 
     These together with other aspects of the present disclosure, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of the present disclosure. For a better understanding of the present disclosure, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and detailed description in which there are illustrated and described exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows an exemplary depiction of the disclosed self-righting handheld utensil in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2A  shows an exemplary depiction of the disclosed self-righting handheld utensil in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2B  shows an exemplary depiction of the disclosed self-righting handheld utensil in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2C  shows an exemplary depiction of the disclosed self-righting handheld utensil in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2D  shows an exemplary depiction of the disclosed self-righting handheld utensil in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  shows an exemplary depiction of the elongated region and use portion of the disclosed self-righting handheld utensil separated from the base thereof in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 4  shows an exemplary depiction of the disclosed self-righting handheld utensil including aesthetic features on the base thereof in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The best mode for carrying out the present disclosure is presented in terms of its preferred embodiments, herein depicted in the accompanying figures. The preferred embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present disclosure comprises a handheld utensil capable of self-righting itself to a vertical orientation upon being dropped, thrown, or otherwise moved. The utensil comprises a base, a weighted element disposed within at least a portion of the base, an elongated region extending outwardly from the base, and a use portion disposed on an end of the elongated region distal from the base. The base may be of any geometric shape provided that it has a generally convex bottom side, for example, as a sphere or ovoid. 
     The elongated region is capable of being held by a user and may itself comprise a handle or otherwise graspable portion of the embodied utensil. The use portion comprises the specific part of the utensil operated by or for the user, such as the portion of a pen from which ink is drawn, the spokes of a fork that retain collected food, or the bristles of a toothbrush that make contact with and clean a user&#39;s teeth and gums. The elongated region may further include an internal element disposed therein, for example, as an ink cartridge. In an embodiment, the internal element is removably disposed within the elongated region. In a further embodiment, the elongated region and use portion of the utensil are removably attached to the base. Notwithstanding the particular embodiment of the present disclosure, it will be apparent that the elongated region and use portion in combination must comprise a lesser mass than that of the weighted element in order for the disclosed self-righting effect of the base to occur. 
     At any time when the user has finished using the disclosed utensil, he or she may simply toss, throw, drop, or otherwise move it away from his or her person without having to place the utensil in a particular rest position. That is, upon being so displaced on a flat or substantially flat surface, and regardless of the utensil&#39;s orientation at the time the user displaces same, the weighted element therein in conjunction with the generally convex bottom side of the base directs the utensil into an upright vertical orientation without the need for user intervention or application of any external force. By way of further benefit, the present disclosure teaches allowing a user to operate the disclosed utensil without having to first remove the base (i.e., that the base may remain attached while the utensil is in operative use), which prevents the user from misplacing or losing the base while separated from the remainder of the utensil. The present disclosure may conceivably pertain to any relatively lightweight, handheld utensil, most notably a pen, a similar writing tool, or a toothbrush, noting that the embodiments discussed herein are intended to be non-exhaustive. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , and in an embodiment, a self-righting handheld utensil is shown at  100  as relating to a pen. The use portion  10  of the utensil (e.g., the end of the pen from which ink is drawn) is shown at a terminal end of the utensil  100  so as to permit for the unobstructed use of the utensil  100  as desired by the user. An elongated region  12  extends laterally from the use portion  10  relative to the remainder of the utensil  100 , which elongated region  12  is capable of being held by a user in one or more portions thereof. 
     A base  14  is disposed at an end of the utensil  100  distal from the use portion  10  thereof and is coupled to and receives at least a portion of the elongated region  12 . Additionally disposed within the base  14  is a weighted element  16 , which weighted element must be of a mass greater than that of the combined mass of the elongated region  12  and use portion  10  of the utensil  100 . It will be apparent that the weighted element may comprise a metal, metal alloy, sand, rubber, plastic, liquid, stone, silicone, oil, wood, gel, soil, a processed material comprising one or more of the foregoing, or any other combination thereof. In an embodiment, the portion of the elongated region  12  received within the base  14  is in communication with the weighted element  16 . In an alternative embodiment, the elongated region  12  and weighted element  16  do not contact one another. Nevertheless, in a preferred embodiment, with exception to the portion of the elongated region  12  received within the base  14  and the weighted element  16  disposed within the base  14 , the base  14  is otherwise hollow. 
       FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D  illustrate alternative embodiments for the disclosed utensil  100 . In  FIG. 2A , the utensil  100  is shown as a toothbrush and the base  14  is shown as having a generally concave top side  18 , wherein the weighted element  16  comprises sand or a processed material comprising sand. In  FIG. 2B , the utensil  100  is shown as a spoon and the base  14  is shown as having a flat top side  18 , wherein the weighted element  16  comprises a metal or metal alloy or a processed material comprising a metal or metal alloy. In  FIG. 2C , the utensil  100  is shown as a highlighter and the base  14  is shown as being an ovoid, wherein the weighted element  16  comprises a liquid or gel or a processed material comprising a liquid or gel. In  FIG. 2D , the elongated region  12  of the utensil  100  is shown as having a first end  22  in communication with the weighted element  16 , wherein the weighted element  16  comprises plastic or a processed material comprising plastic. Although  FIG. 2D  depicts the first end  22  as being received within a portion of the weighted element  16 , it is contemplated and understood that communication between the first end  22  of the elongated region  12  and the weighted element  16  may be defined as the mere contacting of those components or instead as an intersection thereof (e.g., wherein one such component is partially received by the other, such as is shown in the figure). 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, in a preferred embodiment, the base  14  comprises a sphere, excepting any apertures for receiving the elongated region  12 . However, alternatively, and as generally indicated by the figures, the base  14  may comprise any geometric shape provided that the bottom side  20  thereof has a generally convex surface. That is, and as will be discussed below, it will be apparent that, in order to operate as intended, the base  14  must have a generally rounded bottom side. Separately, the top side  18  of the base  14  may comprise any of a flat surface, a generally concave surface, and a generally convex surface. It is understood that the base  14  may in fact comprise any suitable geometry wherein the bottom side  20  thereof is generally rounded, provided that the combined mass of the top side  18  of the base  14  and the elongated region  12  (including the use portion  10  of the utensil  100 ) remains less than that of the bottom side  20  of the base  14 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , it will be apparent that the elongated region  12  may further include an internal element  24  disposed therein, which internal element may be necessary for the operation, or beneficial for the optimal operation, of the utensil  100 . For example, wherein the utensil  100  is a pen, the internal element  24  may comprise an ink cartridge. In an embodiment wherein the elongated region  12  comprises an internal element  24 , the internal element  24  is removably disposed within the elongated region  12 . For example, the user may wish to replace the internal element  24  wherein it comprises an ink cartridge that has emptied. In a further such embodiment, the internal element  24  is inseparable from the elongated region  12 . 
     The utensil  100  may further include a coupling  26  at or near the first end  22  of the elongated region  12  that removably secures the utensil  100  to the base  14 , for example, for use in the event the utensil  100  becomes damaged and requires replacement. The coupling  26  may be any structural mechanism for removably engaging the utensil  100  and base  14 ; however, preferably, the coupling  26  will be one of a threading, snap-fit engagement, or mechanical interference. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it will be apparent that any structure may be utilized provided that the coupling  26  operates in accordance with this disclosure. 
       FIG. 4  depicts the disclosed utensil  100  as having aesthetic features  28  disposed on an outer surface of the base  14 . In an exemplary embodiment, the aesthetic features  28  as shown in the figure represent the appearance of the base  14  as a baseball. However, it will be apparent that virtually any aesthetic features  28  may be used to provide unique appearances for the base  14 . It will further be apparent that the particular type of aesthetic features  28 , and, furthermore, the presence of any such aesthetic features  28 , shall have no effect on the operation or use of the disclosed utensil  100  for its intended purpose. 
     In use, the user may operate the utensil  100  as desired without first having to separate any components thereof, such as by uncoupling the base  14  with the elongated region  12  and use portion  10 . In this way, the risk of misplacing any separated components is eliminated. Once the user has finished using the utensil  100 , he or she may toss, throw, drop, or otherwise move it away from his or her person without having to place it in a particular rest position. The disclosed utensil  100 , upon being so displaced on a flat or substantially flat surface, will be directed to an upright vertical orientation wherein, as a result of the self-righting mechanism, the use portion  10  becomes pointed upwardly relative to said flat surface, which makes the utensil  100  more readily available and identifiable to the user for future use. In that the use portion  10  of the utensil  100  may be used without first having to separate the elongate region  12  or any other portion of the utensil  100  from the base  14 , the risk of the user losing or misplacing the base  14  while the utensil  100  is in operative use is entirely eliminated. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.