GB2460628A

GB2460628A - Self righting mechanism using magnets

Info

Publication number: GB2460628A
Application number: GB0809601A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Meir Amiram; Moshe Shalom Shor; Haim Hazan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-05-28
Filing date: 2008-05-28
Publication date: 2009-12-09
Also published as: GB0809601D0

Abstract

A self righting mechanism for elongate objects1such as toothbrushes, razors, pens, medical instruments etc comprises a magnet3at or near a bottom edge of the elongate object1and at least one contrary magnet5, 6, 7in a base portion11, magnetic attraction between the two magnets causing the object1to self-right. The elongate object1may have two remote ends one of which can be used a leg2for supporting the object1on the base portion11whilst the other end4is positioned in free air. The base portion11may comprise an array of at least one contrary magnet5, 6, 7. The magnet3of the elongated object1may be located in an extension member configured to be connected to or to receive a bottom end of the elongate object. Also claimed are an elongated object, a stand and a kit of parts comprising a plurality of elongated objects each having a magnet and a stand comprising a plurality of contrary magnets.

Description

SELF RIGiTING MECHANISM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of self righting of elongated objects such as toothbrushes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has been suggested to provide tooth brushes with righting feature for improving hygiene, by minimizing undesired contact between the cleaning parts of the brush and a surface upon which the brush is to be stored between uses.

In order to provide self righting capabilities to an elongated object having remote opposite ends, its center of gravity must be located as close as possible to the object's end intended to serve as a basis. Furthermore, it must be shaped to contain a fulcrum between its center of gravity and its floating end, such that in any orientation or position of the object on a surface, its weight will be translated into a righting moment about the fulcrum. Since the weight of objects such as tooth brushes or pens is normally spread substantially evenly along their length, it can be appreciated that the center of gravity of these objects will normally be found near their geometrical center.

Accordingly, certain changes are to be made in the shape and design of an elongated object such as a tooth brush or pen in order to provide it with self righting capabilities.

W08401700 discloses a tooth-brush characterized by a handle shaped as a ball provided at the end of a rod. The ergonomic handle enables an easy handling of the tooth-brush. The tooth-brush has self righting capabilities by means of a weight provided in the bottom of said ball shape.

W09844823 disclosed a personal hygiene implement, such as a toothbrush, constructed to have a self-righting tendency to elevate a portion of the implement to avoid contamination from a support surface upon which it rests.

The implement includes a functional head and a handle having a curved outer surface. When placed upon a horizontal surface on the curved outer surface, the implement rolls by gravity to a stable position in which the head is not in contact with the horizontal surface.

In some cases a ballast material offsets the gravitational center of the implement to increase the self-righting tendency. Barrel-shaped, bulb-shaped and cylindrical handles are disclosed, as is a method of use.

It is appreciated that the implementation of a self righting feature in an object as suggested by present art involves significant increase in the weight of the object, changes its shape, and considerably influences the way a user's hand experiences the object through its main use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a self righting mechanism, characterized by a magnet located near or constituting a bottom edge of an elongated object for self righting the object on a base surface by magnetic attraction between the magnet and a contrary magnet located behind or constituting the base surface.

Preferably, the magnets are of a high magnetic-strength to weight ratio, such as may be obtained by Neodymium Iron Boron magnets known to those skilled in the art as sintered NdFeB magnets (commonly referred to as Neodymium magnets, or NIB magnets), thereby allowing for featuring an object with self righting with minimum influence on the weight and appearance of the object.

According to one variation of the mechanism, the elongated object's magnet is located in an extension member configured to be connected to or to receive a bottom end of the elongated object. The connection between said attachment member and the object can be made permanent or removable, as may be found appropriate for the intended application.

The invention further relates to an elongated object having two remote ends one of which is to be used as a leg for supporting the object on a base surface while the other end is positioned free in the air, wherein a magnet is located near or constituting an edge of the leg to be contacting the base surface for self righting the object on the surface by magnetic attraction.

In a first embodiment the elongated object is a toothbrush. In another embodiment the elongated object is a razor. In yet further embodiment the elongated object is a pen. In other embodiments the elongated object is a probe, a fabrication tool, or a medical instrument.

The invention yet relates to a stand for positioning elongated self righting objects on a top surface thereof constituting a base surface for the objects, the stand comprises an array of at least one contrary magnet for self righting one elongated object per each contrary magnet in the array. According to various embodiments the stand further comprises means for securing it to an infrastructure such as a shelf or a wall.

The invention relates also to a kit comprising a plurality of elongated objects each having a magnet for self righting; and a stand comprising a plurality of contrary magnets spaced from one another in an array for self righting the elongated objects in a correlative array.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be further explained by the accompanying Figures. These figures are solely intend to exemplify some embodiments of the invention and in no manner intend to limit its scope of patentability.

Brief Description of the Figures

Fig. 1 illustrates a general cross section view of a toothbrush resembling an elongated self righting object according to the invention in position on a stand according to the invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates an enlarged cross section view of a bottom part of an elongated self righting object according to the invention laying parallel to a base surface before taking an upright position about the surface due to magnetic attraction according to the invention.

Fig. 3 differs from Fig. 2 in the position of the magnets constituting the self righting mechanism, according to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGs.

Fig. 1 illustrates a general cross section view of a toothbrush (1) resembling an elongated self righting object according to the invention, in position on a stand (11) according to the invention. The stand (11) is shown with (3) contrary magnets (5) (6) and (7), which constitute an array of magnets for positioning a respective number of toothbrushes (1) (only one of which is shown in the Figure) . It is appreciated that the stand according to the invention may be designed with any desired number of contrary magnets, respective to the intended number of one or more self-righting objects it should serve. The magnets may be positioned in straight lines, along a circle, or in any acceptable design of array. The toothbrush (1) comprises a leg portion (2) which serves also as a handle. The leg is used for positioning the toothbrush in an upright orientation on a base surface (9) which is a top surface of the stand (11) . The upright orientation of the toothbrush (1) on the base surface (9) is achieved automatically by means of a magnet (3) located near the bottom edge (8) of the toothbrush leg (2) . The magnet (3) is attracted to a contrary magnet (5) in the stand (11), thus tends to move until reaching the closest possible distance between the attracting poles of both magnets. The bottom edge of the elongated body and the location of the magnet (3) are designed such that said distance is the closest possible when the elongated body (1) is in the desired orientation respective to the base surface. The stand (11) may be equipped with means for securing it to an infrastructure, e.g. a bathroom shelf, a basin's rim, or a wall. In the illustrated embodiment said means comprise suction cups (17) located in the bottom (10) of the stand (11) . In other embodiments the stand may comprise a side wall for wall attachment, or with other or additional means of attachment such as self adhesive, screws, and the like.

It may also comprise weights e.g. a lead made core portion, and anti-slip elements, as an alternative for its attachment to an infrastructure, which prevent undesired movements of the stand during use.

Fig. 2 illustrates an enlarged cross section view of a bottom part (2) of an elongated self righting object according to the invention, laying parallel to a base surface (9) before taking an upright position about the surface (9) due to magnetic attraction according to the invention. A magnet (3) of a cylindrical design having an axis of symmetry (22) passing through its bases is arranged with its axis (22) along the longitudinal dimension of the elongated object. The magnet (3) is magnetized through its bases, i.e. having its N and S poles each aligned with one of its bases, respectively. A contrary magnet (5) is located behind a top surface(9) of a stand body (12), and us serving as a base surface (9) for the self righting object. The contrary magnet (5) is of cylindrical shape having an axis of symmetry (21) passing through its bases, and is magnetized through its bases, i.e. having its N and S poles each aligned with one of its bases, respectively. The contrary magnet (5) is oriented with its symmetry axis perpendicular to the surface (9), thus having one of its magnetic poles, which in the illustrated embodiment is the N pole, close to the surface (9) . The magnet (3) is arranged with its S pole close to the bottom edge (8) of the self righting object.

Magnetic attraction occurring between the contradicting poles of the magnets (3) and (5) tends to minimize the distance between the two magnets thus pulling the bottom edge (8) of the self righting object in the direction indicated by the arrow (23) . Assuming the magnetic attraction is strong enough to comply against the moment force of the object's weight about a fulcrum created in the contact point between the edge (8) and the surface (9), the magnetic attraction will pull the object about the fulcrum in the direction indicated by the arrow (24) until the object becomes stabilized in the right position shown by Fig. 1, with the symmetry axes (21) and (22) of the magnets (3) and (5) substantially aligned. The self righting operation and the positioning of the elongated object with the axis (22) substantially aligned with the axis (21) is further enhanced by the magnetic repulsion between the similar poles of the magnets (3) and (5), which in the illustrated embodiment are the N poles.

These similar poles are closer when the elongated object is in the position illustrated by Fig. 2, and the repulsive magnetic force between them thus tend to push the elongated object in the direction indicated by the arrow (24) . It can be appreciated that the mechanism can operate in a similar manner in case both magnets are arranged with their poles switched by 180 degrees.

Fig. 3 differs from Fig. 2 in the position of the magnets constituting the self righting mechanism, according to another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment a cylindrical magnet (13) is snugly fitted within a hole formed in the bottom of the elongated object (32), such that one of its bases constitutes the bottom edge (18) of the self righting object. The stand may be the one illustrated by Fig. 2, or a variation of the same as illustrated by this Fig. 3, having an upper base of the contrary magnet (15) aligned with the top surface of the stand body (42), thus constituting a base surface (19) for right positioning of the self righting object. Since the magnets (15) and (13) are arranged closer one to another comparing to the distance between the magnets in Fig. 2, a smaller magnet can be used in either parts to comply with a given weight of the self righting object.

It should be noted that since even small magnets may easily comply against gravity, the bottom edge of the self righting object may not necessarily be formed in a curved shape. The location of the magnet and of the contrary magnet in the mechanism, as well as their sizes may easily designed to provide the elongated object with self righting capabilities even in cases where the bottom edge of the elongated object is substantially flat and or forms an angled corner with the side walls of the leg portion of the elongated object.

In an experiment taken by the inventors a self righting of a conventional toothbrush has been achieved using sintered NdFeB magnets, N48 grade, Nickel coated. The toothbrush was about 18 grams in weight, 20cm in length, and about 9mm in diameter near its handle's bottom end.

The magnet used in the bottom end of the toothbrush was of a cylindrical shape 6.25 millimeters in diameter and 12.5 millimeters in height between bases. The contrary magnet used was of a cylindrical shape 12.5 millimeters in diameter and 6.25 millimeters in height between bases.

The close bases of both magnets have been located about 1 millimeter behind the respective contacting surfaces of the elongated object and the stand. It should be appreciated that the sizes, shapes, dimensions, locations and material of the magnets may be changed as a matter of design without departing from the scope of the present invention.

As can be appreciated, the self righting mechanism according to the invention allows for self righting of conventional elongated objects such as toothbrushes, pens, razors, or other instruments, with a minimum change to their ergonomic and/or ornamental design, and to their total weight, and with a negligible effect on the location of the object's center of gravity.

It should be noted that the invention provides also for a detachable self righting mechanism comprising a magnetic stand having a top surface for positioning an elongated object; and an extension member configured to be connected to, or to receive, a bottom end of an elongated object and comprising a magnet, thereby enabling to provide the elongated object with a self righting feature on the stand.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A self righting mechanism, characterized by a magnet located near or constituting a bottom edge of an elongated object for self righting the object on a base surface by magnetic attraction between the magnet and a contrary magnet located behind or constituting the base surface.
2. A self righting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the magnets is an NdFeB magnet.
3. In a self righting mechanism according to any one of claims 1 -2 an elongated object having two remote ends one of which is to be used as a leg for supporting the object on a base surface while the other end is positioned free in the air, wherein a magnet is located near or constituting an edge of the leg to be contacting the base surface for self righting the object on the surface by magnetic attraction.
4. An elongated object according to claim 3, constituting a toothbrush, a razor, a pen, a probe, a fabrication tool, or a medical instrument.
5. In a self righting mechanism according to any one of claims 1 -2, a stand for positioning elongated self righting objects on a top surface thereof constituting a base surface for the objects, the stand comprises an array of at least one contrary magnet for self righting one elongated object per each contrary magnet in the array.
6. A stand according to claim 5, further comprising means for securing it to an infrastructure such as a shelf or a wall.
7. A stand according to claim 5, wherein the securing means comprise at least one suction cup.
8. A kit comprising a plurality of elongated objects according to any one of claims 3-4, each having a magnet for self righting; and a stand according to any one of claims 5-7, comprising a plurality of contrary magnets spaced from one another in an array for self righting the elongated objects in a correlative array.
9. A self righting mechanism according to any one of claims 1 -2, wherein the elongated object's magnet is located in an extension member configured to be connected to or to receive a bottom end of the elongated object.
10. A self righting mechanism according to thedescription, figures, and claims.