EP2078544A1

EP2078544A1 - Self-braking marble

Info

Publication number: EP2078544A1
Application number: EP08380333A
Authority: EP
Inventors: David Bella Martorell
Original assignee: Martomagic SL
Current assignee: Martomagic SL
Priority date: 2008-01-10
Filing date: 2008-12-12
Publication date: 2009-07-15
Also published as: ES1067264Y; ES1067264U

Abstract

The invention relates to a marble which comprises:-a spherical body formed by two halves (1a, 1b) joined by complementary joining means, defining a central cavity (2) with a plurality of side housings (3) defined by partitions (7) and, - an inner ball (4) capable of free movement between said side housings (3) through the central cavity (2), to define a variable centre of gravity causing during the movement of the marble the braking of said marble. The spherical body externally has ornamented areas (9) arranged diametrically opposite the housings (3).

Description

Object of the Invention

The present invention relates to a self-braking marble, usable as a toy for children.

Background of the Invention

The game of marbles has been known to children since ancient times. These marbles are generally formed by a spherical body of reduced dimensions and preferably of rigid materials, such as glass, ceramic, metal and others, being able to have an ornament embedded therein, as is the case of transparent or translucent marbles.
The games usually consist of making the different marbles of the players collide with one another, using the ground or any other more or less horizontal surface as the playing space.
However, the urban environment, in which children usually are nowadays, prevents the playing surface from being the traditional ground of earth, irregular and full of stones and mounds. However, asphalted ground, very smooth pavements and tables and other considerably regular or flat surfaces are currently played on; this makes the game as it is known difficult, because the absence of irregularities and loose sand or earth makes the thrown or pushed marbles roll without braking and without the possibility of stopping or coming up against obstacles affecting their progress, making the movement of the marbles uniform and difficult to control in the path.

Description of the Invention

The self-braking marble, object of this invention, has some technical particularities, intended to provide it with an irregular movement when it is thrown or pushed, even if said movement occurs on a completely smooth and flat surface, thus allowing the introduction of complexity in the actions of the players and a braking action during the movement of the marble.
The marble of this invention has a spherical body with a central cavity provided with a plurality of side housings and in which a ball is housed, with the possibility of free movement between the different side housings through the central cavity, defining a variable centre of gravity of the marble.
This centre of gravity allows the self-braking marble to cover, once thrown, a smaller distance than that of a conventional marble, especially when said marble is thrown onto a smooth and regular surface. It is thus possible to play with said self-braking marbles on very smooth and flat surfaces without their path being excessive.
In an embodiment the side housings are defined by partitions projecting from the inner wall of the spherical body, which is formed by a thin outer shell, for example. The central cavity for the passage of the ball between the different housings is defined by the upper edges of said partitions.
These side housings can have inner stops at their bottom preventing the ball from being excessively introduced therein, which could make its change of position towards another attached housing difficult. With these stops it is achieved that the inner ball has a greater or lesser predisposition to change from one housing to another, and therefore the marble brakes earlier.
To offer a more recreational character of the marble, the spherical body externally has ornamented areas arranged opposite the housings. The marble thus has greater usefulness, since the player can use it with other marbles, and can use it alone as a game by throwing it. Said ornamented areas further allow the identification of different marbles and their use as objects which can be collected and exchanged between the players.
In a preferred embodiment the spherical body is formed by two halves joined by complementary joining means. This construction based on two hemispheres allows introducing the inner ball easily and subsequently closing it. These complementary joining means are preferably a set of conjugated appendages and recesses arranged on the opposing faces of both halves, whereby the spherical body of the marble is closed by simple pressure.

Description of the Drawings

To complement the description being made and with the aim of facilitating the understanding of the features of the invention, a set of drawings is attached to the present specification in which the following has been shown with an illustrative and non-limiting character:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the marble.
Figure 2 shows a plan view of one of the halves of the marble.
Figure 3 shows a sectioned elevational view of both halves of the marble.
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the open marble.

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

As can be observed in the referenced figures, the self-braking marble is formed by a spherical body formed by two halves (1a, 1b) between which there is defined a central cavity (2), which has a plurality of side housings (3) in which a freely moveable ball (4) of a heavy material, such as steel, is arranged.
The two halves (1a, 1b), with a hemispherical constitution in this case, have on their complementary faces complementary joining means, more specifically conjugated appendages (5) and recesses (6).
The side housings (3) and the central cavity (2) are defined by partitions (7) projecting from the inner wall of the spherical body, the central cavity (2) for the passage of the ball (4) between the different housings (3) being defined by the edges of said partitions (7). At the bottom of the side housings (3), stops (8) preventing the excessive entrance of the ball (4) into said housings are defined.
On the outer face of the spherical body there are defined ornamented areas (9), arranged opposite the housings (3) for their visible arrangement when the marble stops and the ball (4) is partially housed in the housing occupying the lower position, determining a stable position of the marble.
Having sufficiently described the nature of the invention, as well as a preferred embodiment, it is stated for the relevant purposes that the materials, shape, size and arrangement of the elements described can be modified, provided that this does not involve an alteration of the essential features of the invention which are claimed below.

Claims

A self-braking marble, of the type comprising a spherical body, characterized in that it has a central cavity (2) with a plurality of side housings (3) and an inner ball (4) capable of free movement between said side housings (3) through the central cavity (2), to define a variable centre of gravity causing during the movement of the marble the braking of said marble and in that the spherical body externally has ornamented areas (9) arranged diametrically opposite the housings (3).
The marble according to claim 1, characterized in that the side housings (3) are defined by partitions (7) projecting from the inner wall of the spherical body, the central cavity (2) for the passage of the ball (4) between the different housings (3) being defined by the edges of said partitions (7).
The marble according to claim 1, characterized in that the side housings (3) have inner stops (8) for the introduction of the ball (4).
The marble according to claim 1, characterized in that the spherical body is formed by two open halves (1a, 1b) joined by complementary joining means.
The marble according to claim 4, characterized in that the complementary joining means are a set of conjugated appendages (5) and recesses (6), defined on the opposing faces of the two halves (1a, 1b) of the spherical body.