Patent Application
20140312569
The present invention relates generally to entertainment games of skill, and more particularly to entertainment games of skill involving balancing marbles on flat surfaces, within a contained outer structure.
Since the dawn of consciousness, Human beings have sought ways to entertain themselves once their essential survival needs have been met. Throughout the ages, members of society have found entertainment in various forms of games. The phenomena of gravity and the curious structure that is the sphere have had significant staying power as sources of intrigue and entertainment in the gaming arena.
Often times, it is the simple obstacles in life that are the most frustrating and as a result it is often the simple accomplishments in life that can be rewarding and overcoming those simple obstacles can provide a source of entertainment. For example, balancing a small sphere on a flat surface, wherein the sphere and flat surface are both contained within a larger sphere, such that when the smaller sphere is balanced on the flat surface, the larger sphere is at an equilibrium and therefore stationary when placed on flat surface, is a simple obstacle that can be very frustrating until it is overcome; but once this simple obstacle is overcome, the responsible party experiences a sense of accomplishment and the whole experience has an entertainment value.
In light of the above, it would be beneficial to provide a simple obstacle contained in a game that can be overcome with a little skill and patience to provide a source of entertainment to the user.
The present invention is directed to a balancing game. One embodiment of the present invention can include a pair of opposing plastic substantially semi-spherical halves and a central unit which are configured when joined to create a generally sphere-like structure having an interior chamber that defines a linear shaft terminating in a flat landing portion and an opposing counter balance with a marble whereby when the marble is balanced on the flat landing portion of the linear shaft, the entire structure is at an equilibrium such that the generally sphere like assembled unit will maintain a stationary position when left at rest on a flat surface.
Another embodiment of the present invention can include interchangeable covers so that the generally sphere shaped assembled unit can resemble a number of sphere shaped objects relevant to pop culture.
Another embodiment of the present invention can include a game with multiple linear shafts and multiple marbles.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention can include a game wherein the semi-spherical halves and central unit are made of non-plastic materials.
Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.
For purposes of this description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
The present invention is directed to a self-contained game for balancing a marble on a surface.
As described herein, the first substantially semispherical housing 100a also may include at least a portion that is flat 110. While the dimensions of the semispherical housing are not critical, in the preferred embodiment, the housing can have a radius of approximately an inch and a half. Of course, any number of other dimensions are also contemplated. In one embodiment of the invention the first substantially semispherical housing 100a can include a plurality of pin like protrusions 112a extending outward and upward from a peripheral edge 114a.
As shown in
Referring back to
In one preferred embodiment, the first substantially semispherical housing 100a, the central unit 200 and second substantially semispherical housing 100b can be constructed from single molds of injection plastic, however, any number of manufacturing materials and or manufacturing methods can be utilized ranging from glass to wood to metal.
b illustrates an alternate embodiment of the central unit 200 that includes a plurality of coplanar linear shafts 230a-230d, each contacting the landing portion 240. Such a feature can provide additional game play elements for positioning the marble 300 onto the landing portion.
As illustrated best in
It is envisioned that alternate embodiments might include interchangeable parts so that the game 10, when assembled, resembles any number of identifiable sphere shaped items, including various balls used in traditional sports or other round items that have pop culture relevance. Such a feature can be accomplished, for example through the use of colored materials, stamping of images onto the spheres themselves, or through the insertion of various templates depicting images within the sphere itself.
As described herein, the composite parts that create the sphere-like structure of the game 10 are held together using a pin and bore system; however additional attachment means can be used such as the use of adhesives or other glues.
In one embodiment, the game 10 can include a method of play wherein the user can attempt to align the marble 300 with the coplanar linear shaft 230 and balance the marble 300 along the linear shaft 230 until the marble 300 has reached the landing portion 240. Once the marble 300 has reached the landing portion 240 and is balanced thereon, the game 10 will be in its “solved” resting, balanced, position and the game 10 will remain stationary when the flat portion 110 is in contact with a flat surface such as a table. The equilibrium is achieved because the weight of the counter balance 250 is equal to the combined weight of linear shaft 230 plus the landing portion 240, plus the marble 300 and therefore neutralizing any competing forces of gravity when the game 10 is solved.
As to a further description of the manner and use of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
