Self-righting handheld utensil

• US 9,668,598 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2015
• Issued: 06/06/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vartian Corp.
• Original Assignee: Vartian Corp.
• Inventors: Wartersian, Harout, Wartersian, Kevork
• Primary Examiner(s): BAXTER, GWENDOLYN WRENN
• Application Number:
  US14/817,713
• Publication Number:
  US 20160245456A1
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 248111, 2483462, 248910, 248364, 401131, 401243, 401246
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0097 Self supporting, e.g. brushes that stand upright or in other particular ways
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/1066 Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures A61C17/16 takes precedence; bristles arrangements for toothbrushes A46B9/04
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 21/02 Forks; Forks with ejectors; Combined forks and spoons; Salad servers
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 21/023 Forks; Forks with ejectors
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 21/04 Spoons; Pastry servers
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2400/086 Self-levelling
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/102 the shape being specially adapted to facilitate handling or improve grip
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 3/36 Lap joints; Riveted, screwed, or like joints socket, tang, or like fixings B25G3/02
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 23/04 enabling the writing implement to be set upright
• CPC Class Codes: B43L 19/0056 Holders for erasers

Abstract

A self-righting handheld utensil comprises a weighted base having a generally rounded bottom end, an elongated region extending outwardly from the base, and a use portion. The base, by virtue of its generally rounded bottom and mass, provide for a self-righting function for the disclosed utensil such that, when placed on a flat or substantially flat surface, it counterbalances the utensil to an upright vertical orientation without the need for user intervention or the application of any external force. The base need not become uncoupled from the elongated region and use portion before the user makes operative use of the disclosed utensil. The bottom end of the base may comprise one of several structural embodiments that retain the self-righting function of the utensil.

Claims

1. A self-righting handheld utensil comprising:

a base having a top side and a bottom side;

a weighted element disposed within at least a portion of said base;

an elongated region extending outwardly from said base, said elongated region having a first end and a second end, at least a portion of said first end of said elongated region being disposed within at least a portion of said base, said elongated region capable of being held by a user;

a use portion disposed on said second end of said elongated region; and

an internal element disposed within at least a portion of said elongated region and said use portion, said internal element containing a chamber,

wherein said weighted element is capable of counterbalancing said 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 said elongated region and said 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 said base first having to be separated from said elongated region or said use portion, and

wherein said bottom side of said 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.

2. The utensil of claim 1, wherein said first end of said elongated region is in communication with said weighted element.

3. The utensil of claim 1, wherein said top end of said weighted element comprises one of a flat surface, a generally concave surface, and a generally convex surface.

4. The utensil of claim 1, wherein said 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.

5. The utensil of claim 1, wherein said utensil is one of a pen, pencil, marker, crayon, eraser, highlighter, toothbrush, fork, and spoon.

6. The utensil of claim 1, wherein said chamber is suitable for containing at least one of ink, lead, graphite, and wax.

7. A self-righting handheld utensil comprising:

a base having a top side and a bottom side;

a weighted element disposed within at least a portion of said base;

an elongated region extending outwardly from said base, said elongated region having a first end and a second end, at least a portion of said first end of said elongated region being disposed within at least a portion of said base, said elongated region capable of being held by a user;

a use portion disposed on said second end of said elongated region; and

a coupling removably engaging said top end of said base and said first end of said elongated region,

wherein said weighted element is capable of counterbalancing said 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 said elongated region and said 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 said base first having to be separated from said elongated region or said use portion, and

wherein said elongated region and said use portion are removably attached to said base, and

wherein said bottom side of said 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.

8. The utensil of claim 7, wherein said first end of said elongated region is in communication with said weighted element.

9. The utensil of claim 7, wherein said 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.

10. The utensil of claim 7, wherein said utensil is one of a pen, pencil, marker, crayon, eraser, highlighter, toothbrush, fork, and spoon.

11. The utensil of claim 7, wherein said utensil further comprises a chamber suitable for holding at least one of ink, lead, graphite, and wax.

12. The utensil of claim 7, wherein said coupling comprises one of a threading, snap-fit engagement, and mechanical interference.