Patent Publication Number: US-10322354-B2

Title: Angularly adjustable balancing device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/456,265, entitled ADJUSTABLE PIVOT POINT ASSEMBLY, filed on Feb. 8, 2017 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to balancing devices of the type which affix at or near an object&#39;s center of gravity and which naturally return an object to a balanced angular equilibrium determined by where on the object the device is affixed, in relation to the center of gravity. In particular, the present invention relates to balancing devices capable of achieving a desired angular orientation of an object without rotating such device or adding, moving, or adjusting a counterweight and which can still allow the object to freely rotate about a point. 
     The ability to balance items about a point, like a tip is known to and particularly useful amongst toys, games, tops, and other novelty devices. However, many such devices commonly require rotation at a particular speed to be balanced on a tip, thereby not allowing balancing of a stationary item. Even if they do allow balancing of a stationary item, such devices commonly require engagement of the tip in a way that limits the motion of the device, such as not allowing the device to be freely spun about a point. Further, even if such devices do not require rotation to balance and allow the free motion of the device, it is uncommon for such devices to allow variation of the angle at which the device is balanced by any other means that adjustment, changing, or combining or counterweights. Lastly, no matter how such devices are balanced, many such devices commonly do not also allow a user to choose various objects to be supported. The following references serve as examples of such devices and are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,417,506 
     An articulated body composed of a lower hollow portion adapted to be balanced on a support, and an upper portion movably connected to the lower portion and carrying an arcuate balancing rod of substantial length and curvature which has a weight affixed to each of its ends. An electric motor is located within the hollow portion of the body and is adapted to move the upper portion of the body relative to the lower portion. Dry cell batteries are used for the weights and electrical conductor means extending through the arcuate rod electrically connect the batteries with the electric motor. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,782 
     An instructional balancing toy set for use, for instance, by preschool children to amuse and entertain the children while at the same time conveying concepts of object size and object weight. The device includes a base and a plurality of vertically stackable balancing members. The base is upwardly converging and frusto-conical in shape and rests on a support surface, and has a circular top lip which receives a generally spherical intermediate second balancing member to hold the spherical member in a predetermined upright proper orientation. The spherical member when properly oriented, includes an upwardly projecting lug at the top thereof which is received in a lug receiver on the bottom of a figurine to support the figurine in upright position on top of the spherical member as a third member of the assembly. The figurine member includes a generally concave depression on the top surface thereof. 
     Additional vertically stackable balancing members are intended to be stacked in a certain order and have decreasing size and weight characteristics progressively from the bottom of the stack to the top. Each member, in the form of a figurine or portion of a figurine, has a bottom pointed projection for forming a fulcrum when supported in a top depression of another member. Each also has opposing outwardly and downwardly projecting arms terminating in weights of sufficient mass, the weights being sufficiently below the respective bottom pointed projection so that when the balancing member is placed with the tapered point received in the concave depression at the top of the lower balancing member, a fulcrum effect and stable balancing equilibrium can be achieved. 
     The device can be constructed in a special form in which the balancing members are intended to be vertically oriented in a particular seriatim order. In such form, the balancing member weights are of a proper mass and at a proper distance below the balancing point or fulcrum so as to be insufficient to provide stable equilibrium for a stack in which a heavier balancing member is positioned out of order there-above. Stable equilibrium will not be achieved and the stack will fall causing the child to try again until the balancing members are in proper order. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,932,303 
     An ornament shaped to be in balance about a surface point that is adapted to engage an upstanding projection. In one preferred embodiment, the ornament is formed from paper and is in the shape of a bird. The surface point is located at the bird&#39;s beak. The beak is adapted to engage the drinking edge of a vessel such as a glass. The center of mass of the bird is located below the surface point so that the bird has a stable equilibrium. The bird has a flat tail positioned to face upward. The tail may be written on, making the bird suitable for use a place indicator on a table at a formal function 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,895 
     A gyroscopic toy having a housing and an end post. The housing contains a spinning member, which can be caused to rotate about a first rotation axis of the housing for producing a gyroscopic effect while the end post rests on a surface to support the housing. A gimbals member is movably mounted on the exterior of the housing so that the first gimbals member can rotate about a second axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis. Two crescent-shaped members are movably mounted to the gimbals and one or two figurines are attached to the crescent-shaped members to enhance the visual effect. The toy comes with a support stand, the upper end of which has a concave surface to seat the end post. Alternatively, at least one foot of the figurine has a concave surface to seat the end post when the figurine is used as the support stand. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,773,328 
     A system comprising a rotating device and a finger supported charging assembly for powering the rotating device. The rotating device has a housing with a base upon which the housing spins. An electric motor is contained within the housing that causes the housing to spin when the motor is activated. The finger supported charging assembly includes two contacts that are coupled to opposite terminals of a battery pack. The contacts are worn on opposing fingers and come into contact with the rotating device when the base of the rotation device is supported with the opposing fingers, when contacting the rotating device, the contacts on the opposing fingers provide electricity to the rotating device that powers the motor within the rotating device. 
     However, these earlier efforts suffer from one or more of the following disadvantages, which decrease the utility and entertainment value of such efforts: they are limited in what objects may be angularly balanced, they do not allow for adjustment of the equilibrium balancing angle of an object affixed thereto without adjusting, changing, or combining counterweights, they do not utilize a pointed spike and concave depression arrangement between their balance members and supports, they do not utilize magnets to connect a balance member to an object and maintain the equilibrium balancing angle, they are not able to balance without spinning, and they do not allow an object to freely move about a point upon which it is supported. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a balancing device that, in one or more aspects, supports a variety of objects at an equilibrium balancing angle that is adjustable without adjusting, changing, or combining counterweights, utilizes a magnetic attachment between a balance member and object to be balanced, utilizes a pointed spike and concave depression arrangement between a balance member affixed to the object and stand therefor, maintains an equilibrium balancing angle without requiring an object to be spun, and allows and object to freely spin about a point. 
     In accordance with a first embodiment, a balancing device is composed of a ferrous metal plate to be affixed to an object to be balanced, a balance member having a magnet to adjustably attach to the ferrous metal plate at one end and a pointed spike protruding from another end, and a support with a concave recess to receive and support the spike of the balance member. In addition, the ferrous metal plate of the first embodiment is clamped to the surface of the object and positioned so the plate is near a point vertically in line with the object&#39;s center of gravity. Also in accord with the first embodiment, the balance member has a cylindrical shaped body with a magnet at one end and pointed spike protruding from an opposite end. Further, with respect to the first embodiment, the support is an inverse funnel shape with a flat base to rest on a flat surface and tubular opposite end terminating in a concave recess at a point above the resting surface to receive and support the pointed spike. 
     In use, a user selects an object to be balanced, such as a plate, panel, board, or even bottle and affixes the ferrous metal plate to the surface thereof so the ferrous metal plate is preferably near a point vertically in line with the object&#39;s center of gravity. For example, the user may clamp the ferrous metal plate to a U-shaped board so the ferrous metal plate located at a point within the legs and base of the shape corresponding with its center of gravity. Once affixed, the user then magnetically attaches the balance member to a point on a surface of the ferrous metal plate and places the balance member and object upon the support so that the pointed spike rests within the concave recess thereof. Upon placement, the object will naturally come to rest at an equilibrium angle based on the location of the balance member with respect to the ferrous metal plate and the center of gravity of the object. A user can then adjust the equilibrium balancing angle, as desired, by altering the location of the balance member on the ferrous metal plate. In addition, the object may be freely rotated about the support. An object, so supported may thereby remain balanced on a particular point at a particular angle so long as the spoke and concave recess remains vertically in-line with the object&#39;s center of gravity. 
     Thereby, with a balancing device as described, a user may balance an object for entertainment and enjoyment purposes. For example, a user may choose to balance a game board, so placement of game pieces thereupon may provide an entertaining and challenging feature to the game. In an additional example, a user may choose to balance a bottle so that bottle may pivot and freely spin about a point and the motion of the bottle may provide entertainment—such as being utilized in the classic game of spin-the-bottle—or be utilized for pouring a substance contained therein in a novel and entertaining way. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a balancing device balancing a U-shaped board at an angle including a ferrous metal plate affixed by clamp to the U-shaped board and attached to the magnet of a cylindrical shaped body member which has a protruding pointed spike inserted into and held up by a concave recess in an inverse funnel shaped support: 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a balancing device including a ferrous metal plate underneath and vertically in line with the center of gravity of a bar shaped object, a balance member with a magnet, a cylindrical shaped body and a removable pointed spike, and a support with a concave recess; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of one embodiment of a balancing device balancing a bar shaped object where a plate is affixed by hook and loop fastener to a object at a point vertically in line with the center of gravity of the object; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a balancing device balancing a rectangular block shaped object wherein a plate is threaded to screw into a recess in the object and thereby able to allow removal of the plate and adjustment of the distance between the object and the support; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a balancing device balancing a rectangular block shaped object wherein the pointed spike of the balance member is threaded to screw into a recess in the body thereof and thereby able to allow removal of the pointed spike and adjustment of the distance between the object and the support; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a balancing device balancing a rectangular block shaped object and including a support with a pointed spike which is inserted into the concave recess in the body of the balance member thereby supporting the balance member, plate, and object: 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of one embodiment of a balancing device balancing a bottle at an angle having a plate shaped to receive and support a bottle and where the angle the bottle is balanced at is influenced by where the balance member is attached along the plate with respect to the center of gravity of the bottle and plate; and 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of one embodiment of a balancing device balancing a bottle at an angle where the plate is removably affixed to the bottle through hook and loop fasteners and the angle the bottle is balanced at is influenced by where the plate, and thereby the balance member, is disposed on the bottle with respect to the center of gravity of the bottle and plate. 
     
    
    
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 REFERENCE NUMERALS 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 10 
                 Balancing Device 
                 12 
                 Plate 
               
               
                 14 
                 Clamp 
                 16 
                 Balance Member 
               
               
                 18 
                 Body 
                 20 
                 Magnet 
               
               
                 22 
                 Pointed Spike 
                 24 
                 Support 
               
               
                 26 
                 Flat Base 
                 28 
                 Concave Recess 
               
               
                 30 
                 Object 
                 32 
                 Center of Gravity 
               
               
                 40 
                 Threaded Plate 
                 42 
                 Threaded Pointed Spike 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference now to the drawings, a new balancing device  10  and method of use for balancing an object at an adjustable equilibrium balancing angle without adjusting, changing, or combining counterweights are herein described. 
     First Embodiment of the Balancing Device 
     As in  FIG. 1 , the present invention includes in a first embodiment, a balancing device for balancing an object  30  having a ferrous metal plate  12  to be affixed to the object  30 , a balance member  16  to magnetically and adjustably attach to the ferrous metal plate  12  and with a pointed spike  22  at an end thereof, and a support  24  which can rest on a surface and has a concave recess  28  to receive and support the pointed spike  22  of the balance member and thereby support the object  30 . Further in accordance with the first embodiment, the balance member  16  magnetically and adjustably attaches to the ferrous metal plate  12  through a magnet  20  affixed to an end of a cylindrical shaped body  18  opposite the pointed spike  22 . Also, in accordance with the first embodiment, the support  24  has an inverse funnel shape terminating at one end in a flat base  26  to rest on a flat surface and at another end in a smaller tubular end with a concave recess  28  which supports the balance member  16  and object  30  above the resting surface and facilitates a wide range of angular motion. Lastly in accordance with first embodiment, the ferrous metal plate  12  thereof is affixed to the object  30  through a clamp  14 , as in  FIG. 1 , so that the ferrous metal plate  12  can be located near a point vertically in line with the object&#39;s center of gravity  32  even though such center of gravity  32  is located outside of the object  30 , like with the U-shaped board. 
     First Embodiment of the Method of Use 
     In a first embodiment, a method of utilizing a balancing device  10  includes a user selecting an object  30  to be balanced. Objects  30  may include one of a number of articles, including—but not limited to—a shaped flat sheet, dish, or even a bottle. Once selected, a user may then affix the ferrous metal plate  12  to the object  30  so the ferrous metal plate  12  is disposed near a point vertically in line with the object&#39;s center of gravity  32 . For example, if a user selected a U-shaped board  30 —as in  FIG. 1 —the user may clamp  14  the ferrous metal plate  12  to the board  30  so that the plate  12  is located between the legs and base of the board  30 , at a point corresponding to the center of gravity  32  of the board  30 . 
     Once the ferrous metal plate  12  is affixed to the object  30 , the user may then attach the balance member  16 , through its magnet  20 , to a point on the surface of the ferrous metal plate  12 . Upon attaching the balance member  16 , the user may then place the balance member  16 , and object  30 , on top of the support  24  so that the pointed spike  22  rests within the concave recess  28  thereof, just as in  FIG. 1 . After placing the object  30  and balance member  16  on the support  24 , the user may then let the object  30  naturally come to rest at an equilibrium balancing angle based on the location of the balance member  16  with respect to the ferrous metal plate  12  and center of gravity  32  of the object  30 . As desired, a user may then adjust the equilibrium balancing angle by shifting the location of the balance member  16  on the surface of the ferrous metal plate  12  and may also freely rotate the object  30  about the support  24 . Also, an object  30  may thereby remain balanced on a particular point at a particular angle as long as the spike  22  and concave recess  28  remains vertically in-line with the center of gravity  32 . 
     Variations—Balancing Device 
     Plate 
     While in the first embodiment, the ferrous metal plate  12  is affixed to the object  30  via a clamp  14 , it is foreseen that in alternative embodiments the plate  12  may be affixed in a number of ways temporarily or permanently. For example, the plate  12  may be affixed through adhesives, fasteners (as in  FIG. 3 ), or being integrally formed with the object  30 . Further, in alternative embodiments, the plate  12  may also be affixed to an object  30  by being threaded to screw into a threaded recess in the object  30  directly, as in  FIG. 4 , or in an intermediary connecting element affixed to an object  30 . Such a threaded plate  40  and recess may also, depending upon their dimensions, allow adjustment of the distance between the pointed spike  22  and object  30 . In a further example, the plate  12  may be affixed to an object  30  by being shaped to receive such object  30 , as in the plate  12  and bottle  30  of  FIG. 7 . 
     In further embodiments, the plate  12  may also allow for adjustment of the distance between the spike  22  and the object  30  by being affixed to an end of a threaded screw which is adjustably affixed to the object  30  directly or through an intermediary connecting element, such as a clamp  14 . It is also foreseen that, in lieu of a threaded screw, alternative means for affixing the plate  12  to the object  30  which allows for the distance therebetween to be adjusted may be utilized. There are many means for providing such adjustment, and one skilled in the art will recognize that any suitable means for providing such adjustment may be employed. 
     Also, while the plate  12  of the first embodiment is described as being made of ferrous metal, it is foreseen that other types of plates may be utilized in the present device  10 , as long as they allow for removable attachment of a balance member  16  thereto. For example, the plate  12  may comprise a hook and loop fastener (e.g. VELCRO®) layer or region along a surface to which the balance member  16  may be affixed. 
     Furthermore, while the ferrous metal plate  12  of the first embodiment includes no specific counterweights, it is foreseen—as in  FIGS. 7 and 8 —that such counterweights may be attached to a plate  12  to adjust the location of the relevant center of gravity  32 , thereby creating a more stable balancing arrangement. Since both the plate  12  and object  30  are balanced, the addition of counterweights to the plate  12  or the use of a plate  12  with integrated counterweights influences the center of gravity  32  by averaging it between both the counterweighted plate  12  and the object  30  instead of just the object  30 . It is also foreseen that, in addition to or in lieu of the plate  12 , counterweights may additionally be affixed to the object  30  itself, to also influence the relevant center of gravity  32 . 
     Lastly, while  FIGS. 2 and 4-6  show the plate  12  as a disk, it is foreseen that the plate  12  may be any suitable shape. For example, the plate  12  may be flat or tubular, with a square, rectangular, oval, circular, or other shape surface upon which the balance member  16  may be positioned. 
     Balance Member 
     While in the first embodiment, the balance member  16  has a cylindrical body  18 , in alternative embodiments, it is also foreseen that the body  18  of the balance member  16  may be any desired shape. For example, the body  18  may be a square, rectangle, or prism shape. Further, it is also foreseen that the magnet  20  may be removably affixed to the body  18 , thereby allowing substitution of different magnets  20 , such as those of different strengths. 
     Also, while the balance member  16  is affixed to the plate  12  through a magnet  20  in the first embodiment, in alternative embodiments it is foreseen that the balance member  16  may be affixed to the plate  12  by other means, particularly if such plate  12  is not composed of ferrous metal. For example, the balance member  16  and plate  12  may be affixed together through hook and loop fasteners (such as VELCRO®), thereby allowing the balance member  16  to be adjustably affixed upon the plate  12 . However, there are many other means for providing such adjustable attachment, and one skilled in the art will recognize that any suitable means for providing such attachment may be employed. 
     Moreover, in particular embodiments, the pointed spike  22  may also be removable from the body  18 . For example, the pointed spike  22  may be threaded to screw into a threaded recess in the body  18 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 . Thereby, the threaded pointed spike  42  may be removed from the body  18  and, depending upon the dimensions of the pointed spike  42  and the recess in the body  18 , may allow adjustment of the distance between the pointed spike  42  and the object  30  by being screwed in and out. Also, the pointed spike  22  may be removably affixed to the body  18  through hook and loop fasteners (such as VELCRO®). There are many other means for providing such removable attachment, and one skilled in the art will recognize that any suitable means for providing such attachment may be employed. 
     Lastly, while in the first embodiment, a user can manually adjust the position of the balance member  16  with respect to the plate  12 , it is also foreseen that the balancing device  10  may also include an additional mechanism which can independently adjust the position of the balance member  16  automatically or in response to a user&#39;s demand. For example, the balance member  16  may include a controller device which can receive commands from a remote and adjust the position of the balance member  16  on the plate  12  in response to those commands. For example, such a controller device may include a wireless signal receiver connected to a battery and rotor or arm assembly which, upon reception of a wireless signal may move the rotor or arm to engage the plate  12  or balance member  16  itself to thereby adjust the balance member&#39;s position. 
     Support 
     Also, while in the first embodiment the support  24  is described as being an inverse funnel shape, it is foreseen that in alternative embodiments the support  24  may be any desired shape. For example, the support  24  may be tubular, rectangular, or square shaped. Further, in additional embodiments, it is also foreseen that the support  24  may be adjustable in length or width, to highlight the operation and enhance entertainment and enjoyment of the balancing device  10 . While it is preferred that the support  24  be freely movable, it is also foreseen that the support  24  may be affixed or include means to be affixed to a surface in a temporary or permanent manner to enhance the stability of the support  24  and balancing device  10 . 
     Spike/Concave Recess Arrangement 
     Further, while in the first embodiment the pointed spike  22  protrudes from the body  18  and rests in a concave recess  28  formed at an end of the support  24  (as in  FIGS. 1 and 3-5 ), it is also foreseen that in an alternate embodiment, this arrangement may be amended so that the concave recess  28  is formed into the body  18  while an end of the support  24  may terminate in the pointed spike  22 , as in  FIG. 6 . Thereby, the concave recess  28  and body  18  rests upon and is supported by the pointed spike  22 . 
     Variations—Method of Use 
     Moreover, while the equilibrium balancing angle is adjusted in a first method of use by altering the location of the magnet  20  and the balance member  16  upon the surface of a plate  12  (as in  FIG. 7 ), in alternative embodiments, a user may adjust the equilibrium balancing angle by altering where the plate  12  is affixed in relation to the center of gravity  32  of the object  30 , as in  FIG. 8 . Such alteration may be done in place of or in addition to movement of the balance member  16  on a plate  12 . Thereby, the range of the equilibrium balancing angle of an object  30  may be extended and the angle itself may be influenced without adjusting, changing, or combining counterweights. 
     Also, while the relevant center of gravity  32  in the first embodiment is that of the object  30  itself, it is foreseen that such center of gravity  32  may be influenced by an initial choice of counterweights. As in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a user may select or be provided with a plate  12  that has counterweights attached specifically designed to create a stable balancing angle for a particular object  30 . Alternatively, a user may select or be provided with counterweights that may be affixed directly to an object  30  which are similarly designed to create a stable balancing angle for a particular object  30 . Thereby, use of the device  10  may include a user choosing a particular plate  12  having counterweights, counterweights to affix to an adaptable plate  12 , or counterweights to affix directly to an object  30 , to influence the center of gravity  32  and stability of the balancing arrangement. 
     In further alternative embodiments, a user may also adjust the distance of the pointed spike  22  with respect to the object  30  being balanced by extending or retracting the pointed spike  22  itself from the body  18  of the balance member  16  or the plate  12  from the object  30 . Thereby, the magnitude of an adjustment of the equilibrium balance angle by movement of the balance member  16  on the surface of the plate  12  may be influenced and the range of the equilibrium balancing angle may be extended. 
     It is also foreseen that, in an embodiment, a user may adjust the height of the object  30  from a surface by adjusting the length of the support  24 . Thereby, a user may highlight the operation and enhance the entertainment and enjoyment of the balancing device  10 . 
     The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, ingredients, steps. etc. are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” (or “which comprises”) components A. B, and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A. B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B. and C but also one or more other components. 
     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with possible reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein. All features disclosed in this specification may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. Further, it is not necessary for all embodiments of the invention to have all the advantages of the invention or fulfill all the purposes of the invention. 
     In the present description, the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a claim, that feature can also be employed, to the extent possible, in aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally. 
     Also, although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but as merely providing illustrations of some of several embodiments. Thus, the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.