US3928923A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mathematical balance
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-11-12
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Granted: 1975-12-30
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Expires: 1993-11-12
Abstract
Abstract A mathematical balance is disclosed which is of one-piece, molded plastic construction, and which is employed as an aid primarily in the teaching of the basic mathematical operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. One embodiment utilizes a beam provided with a pair of opposed, elongated balance arms having multiple rows of conical recesses extending longitudinally from a central axis or balance line. The basic mathematical operations are performed by placing spherical tokens (such as marbles) of equal weight in the recesses on the opposing arms to produce a balanced condition representing a certain mathematical relationship. Linear scales from 0 to 10 are associated with the recesses to identify numerical values. A second embodiment employs transverse slots or troughs in the balance arms in lieu of the rows of recesses, and cylindrical tokens are used having weights that are in proportion to their lengths. Various cylinder lengths are provided in order to represent whole numbers and fractions, and several tokens may be placed end to end in a single trough to form a desired number. In both embodiments, the construction provides positive centering and retention of the received tokens, and the beam may be balanced utilizing integral feet depending therefrom or a suspension arrangement.
Inventors
- 👤 James Richard Harte
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:59
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B19/00; G09B19/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
In a mathematical balance: a beam having a pair of elongated balance arms extending in opposite directions away from a central origin, and further having a pair of spaced longitudinal edges, each of said arms being provided with an upper surface having a longitudinally extending row of uniformly spaced engagement zones, said zones subdividing each arm into a linear scale having numerical values associated with the zones that increase with increasing distance from said origin, the distance from said origin to each zone defining a lever arm having a length representing the associated numerical value; a plurality of tokens of predetermined weight, each configured for engagement with a selected zone; and means connected to said beam at said origin and suspending the beam for movement to and from a balanced condition in response to the selective positioning of said tokens at said zones, whereby the beam assumes said balanced condition when the tokens thereon are positioned to equalize the sum of the moments about said origin created by the weights thereof acting through the associated lever arms, said suspending means including a pair of flexible suspension elements connected with said beam adjacent corresponding edges, and a stand supporting said elements above said beam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
In a mathematical balance: a beam having a pair of elongated balance arms extending in opposite directions away from a central origin, and further having a pair of spaced longitudinal edges, each of said arms being provided with an upper surface having a longitudinally extending row of uniformly spaced engagement zones, said zones subdividing each arm into a linear scale having numerical values associated with the zones that increase with increasing distance from said origin, the distance from said origin to each zone defining a lever arm having a length representing the associated numerical value; a plurality of tokens of predetermined weight, each configured for engagement with a selected zone; and means connected to said beam at said origin and suspending the beam for movement to and from a balanced condition in response to the selective positioning of said tokens at said zones, whereby the beam assumes said balanced condition when the tokens thereon are positioned to equalize the sum of the moments about said origin created by the weights thereof acting through the associated lever arms, said suspending means including a pair of flexible suspension elements connected with said beam adjacent corresponding edges, and a stand supporting said elements above said beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
In the balance as claimed in claim 1, wherein said beam has a pair of transversely spaced holes therethrough at said origin, and wherein each of said elements extends upwardly through a corresponding hole.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
224 words
In a mathematical balance: a beam having a pair of elongated balance arms extending in opposite directions away from a central origin, each of said arms being provided with an upper surface having a longitudinally extending row of uniformly spaced, transverse troughs therein, said troughs subdividing each arm into a linear scale having numerical values associated with the troughs that increase with increasing distance from said origin, the distance from said origin to each trough defining a lever arm having a length representing the associated numerical value; a plurality of tokens of different predetermined weights each adapted to be received within a selected trough, and each of said troughs being of sufficient length to accommodate more than one of said tokens arranged therein along the length thereof, each of said troughs having a pair of sides presenting opposed, inclined internal wall surfaces converging with increasing depth of the trough and disposed to cause tokens received therebetween to be uniformly centered and held; and means supporting said beam at said origin for movement to and from a balanced condition in response to the selective positioning of said tokens in said troughs, whereby the beam assumes said balanced condition when the tokens thereon are positioned to equalize the sum of the moments about said origin created by the weights thereof acting through the associated lever arms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
224 words
In a mathematical balance: a beam having a pair of elongated balance arms extending in opposite directions away from a central origin, each of said arms being provided with an upper surface having a longitudinally extending row of uniformly spaced, transverse troughs therein, said troughs subdividing each arm into a linear scale having numerical values associated with the troughs that increase with increasing distance from said origin, the distance from said origin to each trough defining a lever arm having a length representing the associated numerical value; a plurality of tokens of different predetermined weights each adapted to be received within a selected trough, and each of said troughs being of sufficient length to accommodate more than one of said tokens arranged therein along the length thereof, each of said troughs having a pair of sides presenting opposed, inclined internal wall surfaces converging with increasing depth of the trough and disposed to cause tokens received therebetween to be uniformly centered and held; and means supporting said beam at said origin for movement to and from a balanced condition in response to the selective positioning of said tokens in said troughs, whereby the beam assumes said balanced condition when the tokens thereon are positioned to equalize the sum of the moments about said origin created by the weights thereof acting through the associated lever arms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
In the balance as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said tokens is of cylindrical configuration, and has a length proportional to the weight thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
In the balance as claimed in claim 4, wherein indicia is provided on said tokenS indicating the relative numerical value thereof according to weight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
In the balance as claimed in claim 3 wherein each of said tokens is of circular cross-sectional configuration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
In the balance as claimed in claim 3, wherein said beam has a pair of spaced longitudinal edges between which said troughs extend, said edges presenting wall means closing said troughs at their ends.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-29 | 1979-06-30 | 1979-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-29 | 1983-06-30 | 1983-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-29 | 1987-06-30 | 1987-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |