The present invention relates to amusement games, and more particularly, to a balancing game and apparatus for use therein.
Various balancing amusement games are known in the art, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,303,193 to Miletich. These balancing games may be games of skill that require concentration, balance, and eye-hand coordination in ever-increasing amounts in order to improve and ultimately master the game. The present invention is directed to such skilled balancing games.
The present invention comprises a balancing apparatus having a vertically disposed elongated balance pole, a plurality of weighted members, and pivotable top. The balance pole preferably has an annular upper surface. Each weighted member preferably comprises a vertically disposed elongated rod having a spherical top and a weighted bottom. The pivotable top preferably has a convex surface, a concave surface having a plurality of tabs for reversibly securing the pivotable top to the annular upper surface, and an annular rim having a plurality of slots along the perimeter thereof for receiving the weighted members therein. The annular rim preferably has a first surface adjacent the convex surface and a second surface adjacent the concave surface. The balance pole is operable to support the pivotable top in a first orientation wherein the convex surface engages the annular upper surface such that the pivotable top is balanced on the balance pole. The second surface of the annular rim is operable to support the spherical tops of the weighted members thereon when the pivotable top is in the first orientation, thus allowing the weighted members to be hung from the pivotable top. The balance pole is further operable to support the pivotable top in a second orientation wherein the tabs on the concave surface engage the annular upper surface to reversibly secure the pivotable top to the annular upper surface. The first surface of the annular rim is operable to support the spherical tops of the weighted members thereon when the pivotable top is in the second orientation, thus allowing the weighted members to be hung from the pivotable top.
In use, the player decides whether to orient the pivotable top in the first or second orientation. The first orientation corresponds to a greater difficulty level (e.g. “expert”) whereas the second orientation corresponds to an easier difficulty level (e.g. “beginner”). According to the first orientation (e.g. “expert”), the convex surface of the pivotable top is oriented downward and balanced on the annular upper surface of the balance pole. The bottom end of the balance pole is then preferably balanced on a player's hand or finger(s). The weighted members can then be placed in the slots such that the spherical top of each weighted member is supported on the second surface of the annular rim. Because the pivotable top is not secured to the annular upper surface but rather is balanced thereupon, the pivotable top will freely pivot in the direction of weight load as the weighted members are hung in the slots around the perimeter of the pivotable top. According to the second orientation (e.g. “beginner”), the concave surface of the pivotable top is oriented downward and the tabs are pushed into locking engagement with the annular upper surface to reversibly secure the pivotable top to the annular upper surface of the balance pole. The bottom end of the balance pole is then preferably balanced on a player's hand or finger(s). The weighted members can then be placed in the slots such that the spherical top of each weighted member is supported on the first surface of the annular rim. Because the pivotable top is secured to the annular upper surface, the pivotable top will not pivot in the direction of weight load as the weighted members are hung in the slots around the perimeter of the pivotable top.
These and other features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in
The balance pole 11 is operable to support the pivotable top 20 in a first orientation (
In use, the length of the balance pole 11 is adjusted to the preference of the player. The player then decides whether to orient the pivotable top 20 in the first or second orientation. The first orientation (
According to the first orientation (
According to the second orientation (
While the invention has been shown and described in some detail with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, there is no intention that the invention be limited to such detail. On the contrary, the invention is intended to include any alternative or equivalent embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as shown and described herein and as recited in the appended claims.
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