EP0123675A1

EP0123675A1 - Toy making acquainted - while entertaining - with the physical essence of the group of driving moments arising around a horizontal axis and the combined influence

Info

Publication number: EP0123675A1
Application number: EP82903053A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Antal Kelle; Krisztina Majercsik; Vladimir Monostori
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-10-15
Filing date: 1982-10-15
Publication date: 1984-11-07
Also published as: WO1984001652A1; EP0123675A4

Abstract

Le principal avantage est que tant les enfants que les adultes peuvent jouer avec ce jeu dont le déroulement et la pratique ne comportent aucun aspect pénible. Le jeu est petit, facile à transporter, sa construction est simple, ses coûts de production faibles. Le jeu peut être aisément manipulé, les règles s'apprennent facilement. La caractéristique principale du jeu selon l'invention consiste à former sur la plaque de support, des deux côtés du plan vertical contenant l'axe horizontal de rotation, symétriquement par rapport à celui-ci et à égale distance, une série d'évidements pouvant recevoir des corps. Ces corps ayant des poids et des tailles différents servant de poids, chaque groupe de poids contenant des corps de même numérotation. Le jeu est pourvu d'une base portant ladite plaque de support. A l'écart de l'axe de rotation, pratiquement horizontalement sur les deux côtés, se trouve un bord ou une surface de support, chacune d'elles permettant de positionner la plaque de support et de la maintenir dans une position horizontale et de libre oscillation.The main advantage is that both children and adults can play with this game whose course and practice have no painful aspect. The game is small, easy to transport, its construction is simple, its production costs are low. The game can be easily manipulated, the rules are easily learned. The main characteristic of the game according to the invention consists in forming on the support plate, on both sides of the vertical plane containing the horizontal axis of rotation, symmetrically with respect to the latter and at equal distance, a series of recesses which can receive bodies. These bodies having different weights and sizes serving as weights, each group of weights containing bodies of the same numbering. The game is provided with a base carrying said support plate. Away from the axis of rotation, practically horizontally on both sides, there is an edge or a support surface, each of which makes it possible to position the support plate and to keep it in a horizontal and free position. oscillation.

Description

Toy making acquainted - while entertaining - with the physical essence of the group of driving moments arising around a horizontal axis and the combined influence

Technical field

The invention relates to a toy making acquainted - while - entertaining - with the physical essence of the group of driving moments arising around a horizontal axis and the combined influence thereof, yielding effectual entertainment both for adults and children, simultaneously developing the ability of recognizing and solving problems to be met in everyday life, skill and logical way of thinking.

Background art

In course of designing toys the tendency increasingly prevails, in so far as in addition to the prymary aim, i.e. entertainment, the toy has to make acquainted the child with phenomena occuring in everyday life, laws of nature etc. the child is going to meet in future life.

Several toys have been developed with the endeavour to meet this requirement, however, none of them enables - with simultaneous enterteinment - the recognition of the regularities and laws of natural sciences, which relate to the essence, use and utilization of the driving moments to be calculated on basis of the product of forces and arms. This is to be considered as a deficiency, since in everyday life we are often confronted with problems relating to the driving moments and the groups thereof, not only in school and productional working places but also in several other fields, in sports, traffic and household-activity.

The aim of the invention is to create a toy which makes you acqua-inted - while entertaining - with the physical essence of the group of driving moments, being of relatively small size, accordingly it is easy to carry, it has a simple construction, accordingly, it is cheap; a further requirement lies in that it could be easily learnt and manipulated; grade of complexity should be such as to enable finding pleasure in playing both for adults and children, so due to the fluent course of the game playing will never become tedious.

Disclosure of Invention

The aim set has been achieved by a toy making acquainted - while entertaining- with the physical essence of the group of driving moments arising around a horizontal axis and the combined influence thereof, which is provided with a carrier plate extending to both sides of the axis of rotation, with the bodies - serving as weights - arranged on different places thereon; the toy can be characterized in that on the carrier plate, on both sides of the vertical plane containing the horizontal axis of rotation, symmetrically therewith and arranged in equal mutual distances a series of indentations are formed for receiving the bodies, furtheron the toy comprises bodies - serving as weights - of different sizes and weights, each group of weights containing even-numbered bodies, furtheron there is a base supporting the carrier plate; beside the axis of rotation, practically horizontally on both sides, there is a supporting edge or a supporting surface each for positioning and keeping the carrier plate in a horizontal swingingfree position.

A further characteristic of the toy according to the invention lies in that the indentations in the carrier plate receiving the bodies (weights) are formed in the longitudinal section of the carrier plate either as triangular channels extending in a transversal direction across the carrier plate and/or holes with the cross-seotion of a truncated cone are provided.

With a further preferred embodiment of the invention the carrier plate engages by means of a base each along the longitudinal sides, while the two bases are coming downwards from the side rims of the carrier place; the bottom of the bases has preferably the shape of a circle or an ellipsis and the supporting edges are formed on the peakparτ of the circle or the ellipsis.

A further characteristic lies in that the carrier plate and the base are formed as separate pieces and the base is a U-shaped profile and on the top of the lateral walls thereof a positioning pin ending in an edge protrudes into the groove having been formed in the lower surface of the middle of the side of the carrier plate arranged on the base, furtheron on the top of the side-walls of the base, oh both sides of the positioning pins supporting surfaces - lying at a lower level than the edge of the positioning pins - are to be found.

Brief Description of Drawings

The toy according to the invention will be described in details by means of some preferred embodiments, by the aid of the drawings enclosed, wherein

Figure 1 is showing the schematic perspectivic view of a preferred embodiment of the toy,

Figure 2 ia a perspectivic view of a further embodiment, Figure 3 gives the perspectivic view of the base

(also to be seen in Figure 2), Figure 4 illustrates the prerequisites for keeping the horizontal position of the carrier plate of the embodiment according to Figure 1.

Best Mode of Carrying our the Invention With the embodiment shown in Figure 1 the carrier plate 1 and the base 2 are forming a monolithic unit; preferably, both the carrier plate I and the base 2 are made of a synthetic material by pressing and are mutually engaged along the longitudinal sides.

In the carrier plate 1 the indentations 3 are formed, showing a triangular cross-section in the length of the carrier plate 1. The indentations 3 are extending in a transversal direction on the carrier plate 1 and out of a 3aid indentations the middle one and the two outermost ones are slightly longer in order to be able to receive, more bodies 4, then the intermediate indentations 3. Without this. formation the play becomes impossible. The longitudinal centreline of the middle and longer indentation is running parallel with the axis of rotation and in a hori zontel poeition of the carrier plate 1 it is lying above the theoretical axis of rotation (not illustrated here 3 in the vertical plane. The longer indenta tions 3 may be open at the bottom.

With the embodiments shown in Figure 1 the bodies 4 are balls, however, cylinders, cubes etc. may be also used. The number of the bodies 4 may be optional ly selected, varying in the range between two and twenty. The bodies 4 can be subdivided into two or more groups with different sizes and weights, however, within one group size and weight of the bodies are always identical. In the single groups there are even-numbered bodies 4, while the weight of the bodies in one group amounts to the double, the half or to the integral multiple of the weight of the bodies belonging to the nearest body-group. With the embodiment shown in Figure 1 steel balls are used as bodies 4.

The confining edge of the lower bottom 5 of the bases 2 has preferably the shape of a circular arc or an ellipsis. While playing the game, the toy, when placed onto a smooth horizontal surface, e.g. en the floor or on the table, is bearing up against the horizontal surface at some point of the confining edge of the bottom 5. When the carrier plate 1 is in a horizontal position, the bases 2 are bearing up against the horizontal surface by means of the peaks of the confining edges of the bases 2. For positioning the carrier plate 1 into the horizontal in a swinging-free manner and for keeping the position adjusted, on the peak of the confining edge of the bottom 5 the groove 6 in a width of 2 to 5 mm has been cut out. Accordingly, in the horizontal position of the carrier plate 1 the carrier plate 1 and the bases 2 are bearing up against the table or any other flat surface with the two shorter supporting edges 7 each, however, if the carrier plate is tilted from its horizontal position at the smallest angle, bearing up is performed on one edge each only.

With the embodiment shown in Figure 2 the carrier plate 1 and the base 2 are formed as separate parts. Practically, the carrier plate 1 is a flat plate, while the base is formed as a U-shaped profile. At the top of the two side-walls 3 of the base 2 - seen in the length of the base 2 - there is a positioning pin 9 each of an approximately triangular shape, which is protruding into the groove (not illustrated here) formed in the lower surface of the middle of the longitudinal lateral edges of the carrier plate 1.

The positioning pins 9 are facilitating the arrangement of the carrier plate 1 onto the base 2. The upper edges of the positioning pins 9 do not come into contact with the wall surface of the grooves having been formed In the carrier plate 1. Beside the positioning pins 9 having been arranged en the top of the side walls 3 the supporting surfaces 10 are formed, fulfilling the same task as the supporting edges having been specified in connection with Figure 1. Simultaneously, on the rim of said supporting surfaces supporting edges may be formed. The carrier plate 1 may be formed either in accordance with Figure 1 or in compliance with the embodiment shown in Figure 2. In case of the formation according to Figure 2, instead of the shorter transversal indentation (channels) lying between the middle and the outmost indentations 3 two hole-like indentations each with a cross-section of a truncated cone and having been arranged in two parallel lines may be formed.

In Figure 4 an example is given for the arrangement of two bodies, e.g. balls with a weight proportion of 1:3 in relation to the vertical plane passing through the theroretical space of the peak of the part 5 and incorporating the axis of rotation extending in a transversal direction in the carrier plate 1 in order to be able to turn the carrier plate into the horizontal position and maintaining it therein.

With the toy according to the invention several games can be played. Out of these possibilities one will be described in details.

On both sides of the carrier plate 1 bodies in the same weight distribution and in identical number are arranged, i.e. at the beginning of the game both players have balls in the same number and weight. For facilitating distinction, the bodies ( balls) 4 of the single players have the same colour. The bodies 4 are arranged on both sides of the carrier plate 1 showing an opposite-hand view. The players are playing with a dice and they throw one after another.

The game may be played so that according to the numbers appearing on the dice thrown the player is making the necessary steps with one of the bodies 4, the aim is to maintain the horizontal position of the carrier table 1 after the steps. If this could not be achieved after the steps made in compliance with the number thrown with the dice, the player cannot make any further steps, he passes. The game is considered as finished, if all the bodies 4 of one of the players are lying in the outmost indentation 3 so, as simultaneously keeping up the horizontal position of the carrier plate 1.

It is not easy to realize the aim set, since the partner is also moving his bodies 4, and possibly so, as to prevent the arrangement of all of the bodies in the outmost indentation on the other partner's side, simultaneously maintaining the horizontal position of the carrier plate 1. When trying to reach the aim set, a further difficulty lies in that both players have bodies 4 of the same size and weight, accordingly, the prerequisite for bringing all the bodies 4 into the outmost indentation lies in that the partner should also bring the bodies - in his era field - into the outmost indentation. To eliminate thi3 difficulty, it is allowed to step with one or more bodies into the middle indentation 3, where the body or bodies does (do) not give arise to moments.

It is also allowed to use the play field of the partner for making step≤ with the own bodies. It is also possible to remove the body of the partner, when stepping into an indentation having been already occupied by the partner's body 4. A selection, of the rules of the game and possible order of the position of the bodies ( weights) is enclosed to the toy, the partners may choose the most suitable version. The number of possibilities and manner of playing is utmost high.

The most important advantages of the toy according to the invention are as follows:

In an early age the child becomes acquainted with the physical essence and common effect of the groups of the driving moments. Both children and adults enjoy the game, the fluent course of the play excludes any tedious feature. The portable toy is of small size, it can be easily learnt and manipulated; the construction is simple, production costs are low. A special advantage lies in that the carrier plate does not carry out any swinging motion while turning, i.e. occupying its horizontal position, one has not to wait until it reaches the desired position, a3 a consequence, the rapid course of the game is promoted and the game never becomes tedious.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. Toy making acquainted - while entertaining - with the physical essence of the group of driving moments arising around a horizontal axis and the combined influence thereof, which Is provided with a carrier plate extending to both sides of the axis of rotation, with the bodies serving as weights arranged on differences places thereon, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that on the carrier plate (1), on both sides of the vertical plane containing the horizontal axis of rotation, symmetrically therewith and arranged in equal mutual distances a series each of indentations (3) are formed for receiving the bodies (4), further on the toy comprises bodies - serving as weights - of different sizes and weights, each group of weights containing even-numbered bodies (4), further on there is a bass (2) supporting the carrier plate (1), beside the axis of rotation, practically hori zontally on both sides there is a supporting edge

(7) or a supporting surface (10) each for positioning and keeping the carrier plate (1) in a horizontal swinging-free position.

2. Toy as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e ri z e d in that the indentations (3) in the carrier plate (1) receiving the bodies (4) are formed in the longitudinal section of the carrier plate (1) either as triangular channel3 extending in a trans versa! direction across the carrier plate and/or holes with the cross-section of a truncated cone.

3. Toy as claimed in claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the carrier plate (1) engages by means of a base (2) each along the longitudinal sides, while the two bases (2) are coming downwards from the side rims of the carrier plate (1), the bottom of the bases (2) has preferably the shape of a circle or of an ellipsis and the supporting edges (7) are formed on the peak-part of the circle or of the ellipsis.

Toy as claimed in claim 1 or 2, ch a r a c t e r i z e d in that the carrier plate (1) and the base (2) are formed as separate pieces and the base (2) is a U-shaped profile, and on the top of the lateral walls (8) thereof a positioning pin (9) ending In an edge protrudes into the groove having been formed in the lower surface of the middle of the side of the carrier plate (1) arranged on the base (2), furtheron on the top of the side-walls (8) of the base (2), on both sides of the positioning pins (9) supporting surfaces (10) - lying on a lower level than the edges of the positioning pins - are to be found.