Patent Application
20120223478
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to spiritual boards and talking boards. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a spiritual board utilizing a suspended pendulum that acts as a pointer, which is positioned over the board having various symbols and letters thereon in a specific and defined pattern to form answers and provide insight into an individual's question. The motion of the pendulum over the board surface, either through conscious or unconscious movement, is provided as guidance for an individual's questions or issues.
The present invention is related generally to spiritualism and entertainment game boards. Spiritualism is the belief system in which individuals believe spirits of those who have passed away are willing and able to communicate with the living through formal communication sessions known as séances or similar medium. Generally these medium have included spirit boards, talking boards or Ouija boards in which an indicator or pointer is positioned over a board having various symbols or messages provided thereon. The user, a facilitating spiritual guide or a plurality of users positions the pointer over the symbols to form messages or answers for a given question. The motion of the pointer may be guided by the conscious or unconscious movement of those involved or via discarnate entities being summoned for input. A question or issue may be posed, in which a user controlling the pointer attempts to facilitate communication or a spiritual response through the use of the board. Complete relaxation and free movement of the pointer relays messages or points to a series of signs such that a response is derived. The present invention relates to these types of boards and the general classification in the art. The present invention is does not contemplate interaction with abstract entities or spiritual input. At the same time it is not desired to question or contemplate the workings of an extrasensory spiritual input device, but it is rather desired to disclose a board having uses in spiritual communication or for entertainment purposes, wherein the board is provided with a specific set of indicia and a game piece or pointer having specific methods of use.
Whether for entertainment or for channeling the energy and input of spiritual beings, the present invention is provided in a unique design and having a unique method of use. Its purpose is to aid users navigate through obstacles and decision-making processes in their life, wherein a controlling facilitator provides guidance to a consultee via the board output and his or her input over the pointer. The guidance provided may be used for answering questions confronting a consultee, or alternatively the device may be utilized purely for entertainment purposes. For entertainment purposes, the device may be utilized during events or during parties as a party favor or entertaining group game, wherein answers to questions may be gleaned from the board and pointer, or further the results may be used to direct a user to a certain action or activity.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Spiritual boards in the art include familiar design features for the purposes of communicating with spiritual entities or for entertainment purposes. These devices employ a board structure having a distinct pattern of symbols or indicia, wherein the type, pattern and style of indicia and board varies between types. It is not uncommon to employ a pointer that slides, translates or is suspended over the board for reading signs therefrom. While providing similar design features, these devices fail to disclose the layout of the present board and its method of use.
Ouija boards are one such board device in the art in which a heart shaped pointer known as a planchette is positioned on a board having a plurality of numbers, letters and symbols thereon for the purposes of generating input from the controlling user, users or extrasensory/paranormal feedback. Similar to the present invention, these devices are adapted to channel the energy of spiritual being, along with the subconscious thoughts and intuitive energy of users to create a message to a given problem, question or issue. However, these devices utilize a sliding pointer mechanism and a stacked pattern of symbols to create their board structure, differentiating and limiting its use over the present invention.
Several other devices related to spiritual communication and pendulum games or devices have been disclosed in the prior art. These include patents and published applications that employ similar design elements or intent as the present invention. While these devices provide unique game boards, spiritual devices or timepieces, they fail to disclose the elements, layout and method of use of the present pendulum spirit board. The following is a list of what is considered the most relevant devices provided in the prior art.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,400,791 to Bigelow is one such device that describes an improved structure for a Ouija-board wherein a pointer device slides within a dovetail groove provided along a board having a plurality of indicia thereon. Upon complete muscular and mental relaxation, subconscious thoughts provide movement of the points along the groove in the board, wherein stops in movement point to specific indicia, being that of a letter, number or phrase that provides insight into a given situation, problem or question related to a person of interest engaged in the Ouija board activity. The dovetail groove provides an improved guiding means, wherein the pointer stays aligned with the indicia and further provides a compact construction for the board. While the Bigelow device is related to spiritual boards and message boards having a pointer mechanism, its construction, intent and spirit differ from the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,232 to Beebe is another device which discloses a time keeping device comprising a pendulum suspended from an upwardly facing clock face, wherein under the clock face is an electromagnet means provided along the face periphery. The electromagnet catches and holds the bob of the pendulum over specific clock indicia along its periphery, and then moves it therealong for timekeeping purposes. The electromagnet is carried on a rotating assembly that progressively spins around the clock face peripheral edge, allowing the bob to move in accordance with a given time, such as minutes, hours, etc. The Beebe device is a unique timepiece that provides a pendulum suspended from a support and controlled by magnetic assembly. While a pendulum is involved, this device does not encompass the spirit or the intent of the present invention, which relies on human input for spiritual guidance using a game board and a handheld pendulum bob.
Further, U.S. Pat. No. 1,637,010 to Rees discloses a game apparatus comprises a unitary device that may be held in the hand and which embodies both a pendulum and a dial. The pendulum is mounted to a transparent housing, wherein the base of the housing is a dial bearing a plurality of symbols. The top of the pendulum is adorned with a decorative figurine head, which bobs and nods as the pendulum swings. The dial is grasped by a user's hand and the movement thereof, through conscious or subconscious movement, creates mechanical motion of the pendulum and therefore its motion across the dial. While providing a novel construction for a similar game or spiritual device, the Rees device differs in elements from the present invention, which specifically does not provide a housing or a handheld device.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,707,290 to Birnkrant discloses an answer board device comprising a suspended pointer above an answer board, wherein the pointer is suspended via a filament connecting to a support above the center of the board. Within the center of the board and below the suspended pointer is a permanent magnet which cooperates with a permanent magnet within the pointer. As the pointer is moved through the magnetic field of the board magnet, it is repelled and thus changes position with each pass thereover, allowing different and erratic indicia to be chosen as the pointer swings through its motion and across the underlying board surface. The edges of the magnet within the board are notched such that the flux lines are not uniformly distributed, thus creating a more erratic repelling force for the swinging pointer and more random movement thereof. The Birnkrant device provides a very unique pointer device with a specific construction that requires the use of a suspended pointer within an enclosure, along with cooperating magnets which control movement of the pointer device as it swings freely from its support and over a provided answer board. The present invention does not provide any external perturbation of its suspended pendulum pointer, but rather allows user input based on relaxation and spiritual input to guide the pointer to various locations on the board surface.
U.S. Published Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0087083 to Bond describes a pendulum game for answering questions posed to the pendulum, which is suspended through an aperture along the upper region of a transparent dome. The dome encloses the game board of the device, which prevents air currents from disturbing the motion of the pendulum during question and answer activities. In use, a player or user holds the suspended pendulum via a string connected to the pendulum bob. The user selects a game card from a deck of cards, upon which a question is provided. The player thinks of the answer while holding the pendulum, which begins to move based on minor movement of the user's hand during the activity. The direction of the bob on the board therebelow provides an answer based on how the user inputs the pendulum. While the Bond device provides a unique adaptation to the pendulum answering board, wherein an enclosure is provided, the game board sufficiently diverges from that of the present invention.
Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,116,445 to Forbes discloses a game of thought dynamics comprising a game board having a particular pattern thereon, a removable magnet provided in the center of the board, and a lead pendulum element adapted to be suspended over the board by a user. The pendulum is free to swing from its secured position in the user's hand. To initiate the game, the pendulum bob is positioned in proximity to the magnet, wherein it is either repelled or attracted. The user can then have input as the pendulum begins to swing. The magnet can be removed and thus the pendulum is free to swing in a direction as determined by the user's input, wherein the pendulum bob swings over different areas of the board during the game. The Forbes device provides a board with an imbedded weight, which either initiates or interferes with the user's input on the motion of the pendulum. The present invention is adapted to take input only from a user, which is controlling the pendulum through conscious or unconscious movement and in order to answer a given question proposed to the user holding the suspended pendulum.
The present invention provides a spirit board adapted to be utilized in conjunction with a suspended pendulum pointer, wherein the pointer takes input from a user controlling the pivot point of the pendulum over the board. As the pointer moves over the board, a message or answer is given to a provided question. The layout of the board is one of half-moon shape, wherein symbols are provided around the perimeter of the half-moon moving radially outward. The board is further segmented into other symbolized regions for which the pointer to pass over and provide indication of a perceived message or direction. The layout of the board and is method of use are substantially divergent in design elements from the prior art, consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing pendulum spirit board devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of pendulum spirit boards now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new spirit board and method of use wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when providing guidance to a consultee, channeling extrasensory input or further for entertainment purposes.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved pendulum spirit board device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a spirit board having a defined and intentional layout so as to facilitate communication and provide guidance to an individual posing a specific question, wherein a pointer is provided that is capable of being utilized to derive information related to the problem.
Another object of the present invention is to disclose a spirit board and pendulum pointer device that is held above the board, its motion functioning with the lay-out of the board to facilitate a message or answer.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a spirit board with a half-moon layout, the half-moon having an origin and a plurality of symbols provided thereon and changing along its perimeter and moving radially outward.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a spirit board and pendulum pointer than can be utilized by a controlling user, known as a “Pendulist,” who can utilize the elements of the board to provide information to a consultee requesting information, insight or help with a question/problem.
A final object of the present invention is to disclose a method of utilizing the present spirit board and pendulum pointer for use in spiritual guidance or for entertainment purposes.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.
Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the pendulum spirit board. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for providing spiritual insight or entertainment for users, wherein information is derived via the board and pendulum pointer device. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to
Further provided on the present spirit board are a plurality of astrological and logical characters which help to further form a message or communication. Placed orthogonally on the half-moon 12 are a “no”, “yes”, and second “no” message to indicate a specific answer to a yes/no question. These are located along the base of the half-moon and at its highest point on the board. Within the half-moon 12 are a male and female gender symbol 23, indicating a specific gender or message related to the sex of an individual or problem. The male symbol is located on an opposite side of the ordinate 13 as the female symbol. Similarly positioned on either side of the ordinate 13, but outside of the half-moon are a positive 23 and negative 21 sign, indicating a positive/negative message, up/down, or similarly associated message. Furthering the polarity of the board and juxtaposition of either side are the symbols representing the sun 20 and moon 19 on either upper side of the board, just above the positive and negative signs. Similarly to the gender and positive/negative sign, the sun and moon split the board into halves that create opposing views. The sun 20 represents daylight and warmth, while the moon represents the night, darkness or coldness. A final symbol is located along a vertical centerline of the half-moon diagram 12 and positioned within its interior. This final symbol shows a bag of money or treasure, and represents good fortune, wealth and prosperity.
The symbols provided on the disclosed board are those which are meant to be utilized with the disclosed pendulum device to derive a given message, direction or indication. The board is polarized and split in half, each half having opposing views. At the same time, a plurality of numbers, letters and calendar markings provide clearer symbols for message creation, and potentially a more concrete message.
Referring now to
The present invention provides a spiritual device that can help those seeking advice or guidance. Conversely, the present invention may be provided as an entertainment device, wherein the movement of the pendulum over the board may be taken as directions or moves within a game amongst a group of people. This includes directions to do a certain task or conduct a given act based on the motion of the pendulum and the given symbol being pointed to at a given time. It is not desired to limit the present invention to a particular goal, whether that is spiritual guidance or entertainment purposes, but rather it is desired to disclose a spirit board and pendulum device that may facilitate either.
It is known that many individuals struggle with decisions that will affect their futures, and further struggle to work through obstacles by themselves. Advice given by other individuals may not be helpful, as other individuals may not fully understand or comprehend an individual's specific situation or predicament. One may desire a solution that will facilitate their own ability to solve a given problem or more easily navigate through a decision making process without relying on other individuals. For these spiritual and life-concerning issues, the present invention is provided as a means to aid users in navigating unclear situations by answering questions and presenting information about future outcomes in a new and unique manner. It may be believed that a skilled Pendulist may be able to evoke certain questions and responses from a consultee, or further the Pendulist may be able to glean information gathered through the use of the present spirit board in an effort guide or ease an individual experiencing a turbulent period. For those believing in divine intervention or spiritual guidance, use of the present board and its associated method of use may be helpful to clarify, decode, and explain uncertain immediate and future situations.
In light of the present disclosure and the elements in the prior art, it is submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/447,993 filed on Mar. 1, 2011, entitled “Pendulus.”
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61447993 | Mar 2011 | US |
