Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
SELF-RIGHTING HANDHELD UTENSIL
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present disclosure claims priority to United
States Non-Provisional Applications Serial No. 14/627,001, filed on February
20, 2015, Serial
No. 14/673,142, filed on March 30, 2015, and Serial No. I 4/8 1 7,7 1 3 ,
filed on August 4, 2015,
2015 .
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002]
The present disclosure relates to a handheld utensil, and more particularly,
to a
handheld utensil, such as a pen, capable of self-righting to a vertical
orientation upon being
dropped, thrown, or otherwise moved onto a flat or substantially flat surface
BACKGROUND
[0003]
Handheld utensils are used every day to make people's lives easier. Certain
utensils, such as forks and spoons, assist in the delivery of food from a
plate or bowl to a
person's mouth. Similarly, other utensils, such as pens and pencils, allow a
person to write,
draw, or otherwise record anything he or she wishes on a paper or substrate.
Still further
utensils such as toothbrushes allow a user to easily clean his or her teeth
and gums. The quality
of being handheld makes a utensil easy to use, maintain, and store.
[0004]
However, given that handheld utensils are generally relatively small objects,
it is
easy for them to become lost or misplaced, or otherwise become buried
underneath larger
objects. For example, a user of a pen may set down the pen upon finishing a
sentence, but later,
after numerous papers have been placed over the pen, when the user
subsequently requires it
again, he or she may be unable to locate it underneath the papers. As such, it
is desirable for a
handheld utensil to provide some easy means of permitting its user to locate
it in a short time,
and it is further desirable that such means be inexpensive and not interfere
with the character or
operation of the utensil.
[0005] An
option for solving the aforesaid problem is by introducing a self-righting or
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biasing element to the handheld utensil. A first solution for providing a self-
righting handheld
utensil is shown in United States Patent No. 6,200,052 as a balancing pen. The
disclosed
balancing pen includes a bulb having a center of mass therein and rounded
underside for
balancing the pen when not in use, which bulb separates from the pen when the
user requires
use thereof. That is, the user may replace the pen within the bulb when same
is not in use, and
the bulb maintains the pen in a generally upright orientation. Regardless,
this disclosure fails to
teach a self-righting handheld utensil wherein the portion providing the self-
righting feature
remains coupled to the utensil itself during operative use of the utensil.
[0006] In
other words, should the user misplace the bulb while using the
disclosed writing implement, this prior art disclosure would cease to operate
as intended (in
that the disclosed writing implement could no longer self-right).
[0007]
Thus, while existing solutions show some self-righting features, various
drawbacks, including those mentioned above, remain.
[0008]
Consequently, there exists a need for a handheld utensil that self-rights
itself to
an upright vertical orientation when placed on a flat or substantially flat
surface, and which
comprises a base providing for the self-righting features that does not need
to be uncoupled
from the use portion of the utensil in order for a user to operatively use the
utensil.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In view of the foregoing disadvantages of the prior art, a self-
righting
handheld utensil configured to include all the advantages of the prior art and
to overcome the
drawbacks inherent therein is provided. It is an object of the present
disclosure to provide a
self-righting handheld utensil that comprises a weighted base having a
generally convex
bottom side so as to provide for an automatic balancing of the utensil to an
upright vertical
orientation when placed on a flat or substantially flat surface, i.e. without
the need for user
intervention or application of any external force. It is further an object of
the present
disclosure to provide a self-righting handheld utensil wherein the weighted
base does not
need to be uncoupled from the remainder of the utensil (i.e., the use portion
thereof) in order for
the user to operatively use the utensil.
[0010] In an embodiment, a self-righting handheld utensil comprises a base
having a top
side and a bottom side, the bottom side being generally convex; a weighted
element disposed
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within at least a portion of the base; an elongated region extending outwardly
from the base, the
elongated region having a first end and a second end, at least a portion of
the first end of the
elongated region being disposed within at least a portion of the base, the
elongated region
capable of being held by a user; and a use portion disposed on the second end
of the elongated
region, wherein the weighted element is capable of counterbalancing the
utensil to an upright
vertical orientation with respect to a flat or substantially flat surface
supporting the utensil
without the need for user intervention or an application of an external force,
resulting in the
elongated region and the use portion becoming oriented vertically with respect
to the flat or
substantially flat surface supporting the utensil, and wherein the utensil may
be used without the
.. base first having to be separated from the elongated region or the use
portion.
[0011]
Further alternatives and embodiments are herein contemplated. In a further
embodiment, the first end of the elongated region is in communication with the
weighted
element. In another embodiment, the base comprises one of a sphere and an
ovoid. In another
embodiment, the top side of the base comprises one of a flat surface, a
generally concave
surface, and a generally convex surface. In another embodiment, the
weighted element
comprises at least one of a metal, metal alloy, sand, rubber, plastic, liquid,
stone, silicone, oil,
wood, gel, soil, and a processed material comprising one or more of the
foregoing. In
another embodiment, the base further comprises an aesthetic feature on an
outer surface thereof.
In another embodiment, the utensil is one of a pen, pencil, marker, crayon,
eraser, highlighter,
toothbrush, fork, and spoon. In another embodiment, the utensil further
comprises an internal
element disposed within at least a portion of the elongated region and the use
portion, the
internal element containing a chamber suitable for containing at least one of
ink, lead, graphite,
and wax. In another embodiment, the elongated region and use portion are
removably attached
to the base via a coupling, such as a threading, snap-fit engagement, and
mechanical
.. interference.
[0012] It
is another object of the present disclosure to provide a self-righting
handheld
utensil that comprises a weighted element as a base having a generally convex
bottom end so as
to provide for an automatic balancing of the utensil to an upright vertical
orientation when
placed on a flat or substantially flat surface, i.e. without the need for user
intervention or
application of any external force. It is further an object of the present
disclosure to provide a
self-righting handheld utensil wherein the weighted element does not need to
be uncoupled from
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the remainder of the utensil (i.e., the use portion thereof) in order for the
user to operatively use
the utensil
[0013] In
an embodiment, a self-righting handheld utensil comprises a weighted element
having a top end and a bottom end, the bottom end being generally convex; a an
elongated
region extending outwardly from the weighted element, the elongated region
having a first end
and a second end, the first end being in communication with the top end of the
weighted
element, the elongated region capable of being held by a user, and a use
portion disposed on the
second end of the elongated legion, wherein the weighted element is capable of
counterbalancing the utensil to an upright vertical orientation with respect
to a flat or
substantially flat surface supporting the utensil without the need for user
intervention or an
application of an external force, resulting in the elongated region and the
use portion becoming
oriented vertically with respect to the flat or substantially flat surface
supporting the utensil, and
wherein the utensil may be used without the weighted element first having to
be separated from
the elongated region or the use portion.
[0014] Further alternatives and embodiments are herein contemplated. In a
further
embodiment, at least a portion of the first end of the elongated region is
received within at least
a portion of the top end of the weighted element. In another embodiment, at
least a portion of
the top end of the weighted element is received within at least a portion of
the first end of the
elongated region In another embodiment, the top end of the weighted element
comprises one
of a flat surface, a generally concave surface, and a generally convex
surface. In another
embodiment, the weighted element comprises at least one of a metal, metal
alloy, sand, rubber,
plastic, liquid, stone, silicone, oil, wood, gel, soil, and a processed
material comprising one or
more of the foregoing. In another embodiment, the utensil is one of a pen,
pencil, marker,
crayon, eraser, highlighter, toothbrush, fork, and spoon. In another
embodiment, the utensil
further comprises an internal element disposed within at least a portion of
the elongated region
and the use portion, the internal element containing a chamber suitable for
containing at least
one of ink, lead, graphite, and wax. In another embodiment, the elongated
region and use
portion are removably attached to the weighted element via a coupling, such as
a threading,
snap-fit engagement, and mechanical interference.
[0015] In yet another embodiment, the bottom end of the base or the bottom
end of the
weighted element comprises one of a flat region, a plurality of spike elements
having generally
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flat ends, and a plurality of spike elements having generally rounded ends.
[0016]
These together with other aspects of the present disclosure, along with the
various features of novelty that characterize the present disclosure, are
pointed out with
particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of the present
disclosure. For a better
understanding of the present disclosure, its operating advantages, and the
specific objects
attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings
and detailed
description in which there are illustrated and described exemplary embodiments
of the present
disclosure.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The advantages and features of the present invention will become better
understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims
taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are
identified with like
symbols, and in which:
Figure 1 shows an exemplary depiction of the disclosed self-righting handheld
utensil in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2A shows an exemplary depiction of the disclosed self-righting handheld
utensil in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2B shows an exemplary depiction of the disclosed self-righting handheld
.. utensil in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure;
Figure 2C shows an exemplary depiction of the disclosed self-righting handheld
utensil in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2D shows an exemplary depiction of the disclosed self-righting handheld
utensil in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 shows an exemplary depiction of the elongated region and use portion
of
the disclosed self-righting handheld utensil separated from the base thereof
in accordance
with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4 shows an exemplary depiction of the disclosed self-righting handheld
utensil
including aesthetic features on the base thereof in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of
the present disclosure;
Figure 5 shows another an exemplary depiction of the disclosed self-righting
handheld
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utensil in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 6 shows an exemplary depiction of the disclosed self-righting handheld
utensil in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure comprising a
flat region on
the bottom end of the base;
Figure 7A shows an exemplary depiction of the disclosed self-righting handheld
utensil
in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure
comprising a plurality of
spike elements having generally flat ends, and
Figure 7B shows an exemplary depiction of the disclosed self-righting handheld
utensil
in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure
comprising a plurality of
spike elements having generally rounded ends.
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of
several
views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0017] The best mode for carrying out the present disclosure is presented
in terms of its
preferred embodiments, herein depicted in the accompanying figures. The
preferred
embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to
many variations.
[0018] It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of
equivalents are
contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but are
intended to cover the
application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of
the present
disclosure.
[0019] The terms "a" and "an" herein do not denote a limitation of
quantity, but rather
denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.
[0020] In an embodiment, the present disclosure comprises a handheld
utensil capable
of self-righting itself to a vertical orientation upon being dropped, thrown,
or otherwise moved.
The utensil comprises a base, a weighted element disposed within at least a
portion of the base,
an elongated region extending outwardly from the base, and a use portion
disposed on an end of
the elongated region distal from the base The base may be of any geometric
shape provided
that it has a generally convex bottom side, for example, as a sphere or ovoid.
[0021] The elongated region is capable of being held by a user and may
itself
comprise a handle or otherwise graspable portion of the embodied utensil. The
use portion
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comprises the specific part of the utensil operated by or for the user, such
as the portion of a pen
from which ink is drawn, the spokes of a fork that retain collected food, or
the bristles of a
toothbrush that make contact with and clean a user's teeth and gums. The
elongated region may
further include an internal element disposed therein, for example, as an ink
cartridge. In an
embodiment, the internal element is removably disposed within the elongated
region. In a
further embodiment, the elongated region and use portion of the utensil are
removably
attached to the base. Notwithstanding the particular embodiment of the present
disclosure, it
will be apparent that the elongated region and use portion in combination must
comprise a lesser
mass than that of the weighted element in order for the disclosed self-
righting effect of the base
to occur. At any time when the user has finished using the disclosed utensil,
he or she may
simply toss, throw, drop, or otherwise move it away from his or her person
without having to
place the utensil in a particular rest position. That is, upon being so
displaced on a flat or
substantially flat surface, and regardless of the utensil's orientation at the
time the user displaces
same, the weighted element therein in conjunction with the generally convex
bottom side
of the base directs the utensil into an upright vertical orientation without
the need for user
intervention or application of any external force. By way of further benefit,
the present
disclosure teaches allowing a user to operate the disclosed utensil without
having to first remove
the base (i.e., that the base may remain attached while the utensil is in
operative use), which
prevents the user from misplacing or losing the base while separated from the
remainder of the
utensil. The present disclosure may conceivably pertain to any relatively
lightweight, handheld
utensil, most notably a pen, a similar writing tool, or a toothbrush, noting
that the embodiments
discussed herein are intended to be non-exhaustive.
[0022] In
another embodiment, a handheld utensil capable of self-righting itself to a
vertical orientation upon being dropped, thrown, or otherwise moved. The
utensil comprises a
weighted element, an elongated region extending outwardly from the weighted
element, and a
use portion disposed on an end of the elongated region distal from the
weighted element. The
weighted element may be of any geometric shape provided that it has a
generally convex bottom
end.
[0023] In
an embodiment, the bottom end of the base comprises one of a flat region, a
plurality of spike elements having generally flat ends, and a plurality of
spike elements having
generally rounded ends.
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[0024] Referring now to Figure 1, and in an embodiment, a self-
righting handheld
utensil is shown at 100 as relating to a pen. The use portion 10 of the
utensil (e.g., the end of
the pen from which ink is drawn) is shown at a terminal end of the utensil 100
so as to permit
for the unobstructed use of the utensil 100 as desired by the user. An
elongated region 12
extends laterally from the use portion 10 relative to the remainder of the
utensil 100, which
elongated region 12 is capable of being held by a user in one or more portions
thereof.
[0025] A
base 14 is disposed at an end of the utensil 100 distal from the use portion
10
thereof and is coupled to and receives at least a portion of the elongated
region 12. Additionally
disposed within the base 14 is a weighted element 16, which weighted element
must be of a mass
greater than that of the combined mass of the elongated region 12 and use
portion 10 of the
utensil 100. It will be apparent that the weighted element may comprise a
metal, metal alloy,
sand, rubber, plastic, liquid, stone, silicone, oil, wood, gel, soil, a
processed material
comprising one or more of the foregoing, or any other combination thereof. In
an
embodiment, the portion of the elongated region 12 received within the base 14
is in
communication with the weighted element 16. In an alternative embodiment, the
elongated
region 12 and weighted element 16 do not contact one another. Nevertheless, in
a preferred
embodiment, with exception to the portion of the elongated region 12 received
within the base 14
and the weighted element 16 disposed within the base 14, the base 14 is
otherwise hollow.
[0026]
Figures 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D illustrate alternative embodiments for the
disclosed utensil 100. In Figure 2A, the utensil 100 is shown as a toothbrush
and the base 14 is
shown as having a generally concave top side 18, wherein the weighted element
16
comprises sand or a processed material comprising sand. In Figure 2B, the
utensil 100 is shown
as a spoon and the base 14 is shown as having a flat top side 18, wherein the
weighted element 16
comprises a metal or metal alloy or a processed material comprising a metal or
metal alloy. In
Figure 2C, the utensil 100 is shown as a highlighter and the base 14 is shown
as being an ovoid,
wherein the weighted element 16 comprises a liquid or gel or a processed
material comprising a
liquid or gel. In Figure 2D, the elongated region 12 of the utensil 100 is
shown as having a first
end 22 in communication with the weighted element 16, wherein the weighted
element 16
comprises plastic or a processed material comprising plastic. Although Figure
2D depicts
the first end 22 as being received within a portion of the weighted element
16, it is
contemplated and understood that communication between the first end 22 of the
elongated
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region 12 and the weighted element 16 may be defined as the mere contacting of
those
components or instead as an intersection thereof (e.g., wherein one such
component is partially
received by the other, such as is shown in the figure).
[0027]
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in a preferred embodiment, the base comprises a
sphere, excepting any apertures for receiving the elongated region 12.
However, alternatively,
and as generally indicated by the figures, the base 14 may comprise any
geometric shape
provided that the bottom side 20 thereof has a generally convex surface.
[0028]
That is, and as will be discussed below, it will be apparent that, in order to
operate as intended, the base 14 must have a generally rounded bottom side.
Separately, the
top side 18 of the base 14 may comprise any of a flat surface, a generally
concave
surface, and a generally convex surface. It is understood that the base 14 may
in fact comprise
any suitable geometry wherein the bottom side 20 thereof is generally rounded,
provided
that the combined mass of the top side 18 of the base 14 and the elongated
region 12 (including
the use portion 10 of the utensil 100) remains less than that of the bottom
side 20 of the base 14.
[0029] As shown in Figure 3, it will be apparent that the elongated region
12 may
further include an internal element 24 disposed therein, which internal
element may be
necessary for the operation, or beneficial for the optimal operation, of the
utensil 100. For
example, wherein the utensil 100 is a pen, the internal element 24 may
comprise an ink
cartridge. In an embodiment wherein the elongated region 12 comprises an
internal element the
internal element 24 is removably disposed within the elongated region 12. For
example,
the user may wish to replace the internal element 24 wherein it comprises an
ink cartridge that
has emptied. In a further such embodiment, the internal element 24 is
inseparable from the
elongated region 12.
[0030]
The utensil 100 may further include a coupling 26 at or near the first end 22
of
the elongated region 12 that removably secures the utensil 100 to the base 14,
for example, for
use in the event the utensil 100 becomes damaged and requires replacement.
The
coupling 26 may be any structural mechanism for removably engaging the utensil
100 and base
14; however, preferably, the coupling 26 will be one of a threading, snap-fit
engagement, or mechanical interference. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it will
be apparent
that any structure may be utilized provided that the coupling 26 operates in
accordance with this
disclosure.
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[0031]
Figure 4 depicts the disclosed utensil 100 as having aesthetic features 28
disposed on an outer surface of the base 14. In an exemplary embodiment, the
aesthetic
features 28 as shown in the figure represent the appearance of the base 14 as
a baseball.
However, it will be apparent that virtually any aesthetic features 28 may be
used to provide
unique appearances for the base 14. It will further be apparent that the
particular type of
aesthetic features 28, and, furthermore, the presence of any such aesthetic
features 28, shall
have no effect on the operation or use of the disclosed utensil 100 for its
intended purpose.
[0032] In
use, the user may operate the utensil 100 as desired without first having to
separate any components thereof, such as by uncoupling the base 14 with the
elongated region
12 and use portion 10. In this way, the risk of misplacing any separated
components is
eliminated. Once the user has finished using the utensil 100, he or she may
toss, throw, drop, or
otherwise move it away from his or her person without having to place it in a
particular rest
position. The disclosed utensil 100, upon being so displaced on a flat or
substantially flat
surface, will be directed to an upright vertical orientation wherein, as a
result of the self-
righting mechanism, the use portion 10 becomes pointed upwardly relative to
said flat
surface, which makes the utensil 100 more readily available and identifiable
to the user for
future use. In that the use portion 10 of the utensil 100 may be used without
first having to
separate the elongate region 12 or any other portion of the utensil 100 from
the base 14, the risk
of the user losing or misplacing the base 14 while the utensil 100 is in
operative use is entirely
eliminated.
[0033]
Referring to Figure 5, in another embodiment, a self-righting handheld utensil
is
shown at 200 as relating to a pen. The use portion 210 of the utensil (e.g.,
the end of the pen
from which ink is drawn) is shown at a terminal end of the utensil 200 so as
to peimit for the
unobstructed use of the utensil 200 as desired by the user. An elongated
region 212 extends
laterally from the use portion 210 relative to the remainder of the utensil
200, which elongated
region 212 is capable of being held by a user in one or more portions thereof.
A weighted
element 216 is disposed at an end of the utensil 200 distal from the use
portion 210 thereof. A
top end 218 of the weighted element 216 is in communication with at least a
portion of a first
end 214 of the elongated region 212. Although the figure depicts the first end
214 as being
received within a portion of the top end 218 of the weighted element 216, it
is contemplated and
understood that communication between the first end 214 of the elongated
region 212 and the
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top end 218 of the weighted element 216 may be defined as the mere contacting
of those
components or instead as an intersection thereof (e.g., wherein one such
component is partially
received by the other, such as is shown in the figure).
[0034] It
will be apparent that, in order for the disclosed counterbalancing function to
operate as intended, the weighted element 216 must be of a mass greater than
that of the
combined mass of the elongated region 212 and use portion 210 of the utensil
200.
Notwithstanding that the figure depicts the weighted element 216 as comprising
plastic or a
processed material comprising plastic, it is understood and contemplated that
the weighted
element 216 may comprise a metal, metal alloy, sand, rubber, plastic, liquid,
stone, silicone, oil,
wood, gel, soil, a processed material comprising one or more of the foregoing,
or any other
combination thereof.
[0035]
The weighted element 216 may comprise any geometric shape provided that the
bottom end 220 thereof has a generally convex surface. That is, and as
discussed elsewhere, it
will be apparent that, in order to operate as intended, the weighted element
216 must have a
generally rounded bottom end 220. Separately, the top end 218 of the weighted
element 216
may comprise any of a flat surface, a generally concave surface, and a
generally convex surface.
It is understood that the weighted element 216 may in fact comprise any
suitable geometry
wherein the bottom end 220 thereof is generally rounded, provided that the
mass of the
elongated region 212 (including the use portion 210 of the utensil 200)
remains less than that of
the weighted element 216. In a further embodiment, the bottom end 220 of the
weighted
element 216 may include one of a flat region, a plurality of spike elements
having generally flat
ends, and a plurality of spike elements having generally rounded ends, such as
the flat region as
shown in Figure 6, the spike elements having generally flat ends as shown in
Figure 7A, and the
spike elements having generally rounded ends as shown in Figure 7B.
[0036] In an embodiment,
and as shown in Figure 6, the bottom end 22 of the base 14 of
a utensil 100 comprises a generally convex, rounded shape, except that a flat
region 34 is located
at the terminal point thereof It will be apparent that the presence of the
flat region 34 to flatten
or limit the roundedness of the bottom end 22 of the base 14 does not
detrimentally affect the
self-righting function of the utensil 100, but rather may support more stable
retention of the
utensil 100 in said upright position once the self-righting function has
completed. That is, by
presenting a flat region 34 on the terminal portion of the bottom end 22 of
the base 14, the
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surface area of the portion of the base in contact with the generally flat
surface upon which the
utensil 100 comes to rest may be maximized, which minimizes any undesirable
rocking or
teetering movement of the utensil 100 subsequent to the performance of the
self-righting
function.
[0037] In a further exemplary embodiment, and as shown in Figure 7A, the
bottom side
22 of the base 14 may alternatively comprise a plurality of individual spike
elements 36 that are
generally formed in a spherical arrangement in order to provide for the self-
righting function of
the utensil 100. The spike elements 36 are separated (i.e., they do not form a
continuous
structure), and it will be apparent that the degree to which same are spaced
does not matter so
long as the self-righting function of the utensil 100 remains satisfactory.
While the spike
elements 36 of Figure 7A are generally flat on the bottom ends thereof, Figure
7B depicts
another exemplary embodiment wherein the spike elements 36 are generally
rounded.
[0038] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the
present disclosure
have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not
intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed,
and obviously many
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The
exemplary
embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of
the present
disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in
the art to best utilize
the disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are
suited to the
particular use contemplated.
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