Balance Figurine

Abstract

To provide a balanced ornament, such as a balancing toy, whose appearance such as color and pattern changes according to the change in posture caused by swinging. [Solution] A balanced figurine 1 has a fulcrum 11 located at a position higher than the center of gravity, and when the fulcrum 11 is supported (placed on the upper end of a pivot 32 of a mounting base 30), the figurine stands on its own in a balanced position and wobbles when an external force is applied. The balanced figurine 1 is provided with a plurality of reflective surfaces 12, 22 formed on a plurality of planes P1 to P3 having different orientations, and at least some of the reflective surfaces 12, 22 are mirror surfaces. As a result, when the balanced figurine 1 wobbles and changes its position, the colors and patterns of the reflective surfaces 12, 22 reflected by the observer's eyes change from moment to moment.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This invention relates to a balanced figurine that is configured to maintain a balanced posture like a "Yajirobee" and is used as an ornament or toy. [Background technology]

[0002] The aforementioned Yajirobee, an example of a balanced ornament, has long been known as a children's toy.

[0003] A well-known type of "stiltswing" is the "acorn stiltswing," made from acorns (the fruit of Quercus trees) and bamboo sticks; however, to add visual interest and enhance their decorative value as ornaments, proposals have also been made for stilts (balanced ornaments) with motifs of insects such as dragonflies and butterflies, or birds with spread wings, as in Patent Document 1 listed below.

[0004] Incidentally, although not an invention related to the balancing toy, Patent Document 2 listed below proposes a balanced ornament (mobile) made partly from fluorescent or phosphorescent material so that it can be viewed and enjoyed even in dark places. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6648991 [Patent Document 2] JP 2016-74119 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The balanced ornament introduced in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 sways gently when exposed to external force such as wind, allowing one to enjoy watching this movement. It is made by attaching two pairs of wings, also carved out of bamboo, to the body of an insect (dragonfly), carved out of bamboo, making it a visually beautiful craftwork that allows one to appreciate the beauty and texture of bamboo, a natural material.

[0007] However, with the balanced ornament in Patent Document 1, although it is possible to visually enjoy the colors and patterns inherent to the natural materials, these colors and patterns do not change, and it is not possible to visually enjoy the "changes" in appearance.

[0008] In addition, the balanced ornament in Patent Document 2 mentioned above is made partially from fluorescent or phosphorescent materials, so that its appearance changes when observed during the day or in a bright place with the lights on and when observed at night or in a dark place with the lights off; however, the change is monotonous, and the color or pattern does not change from moment to moment when viewed in a bright place or when viewed in a dark place, just like the balanced ornament in Patent Document 1 mentioned above.

[0009] On the other hand, with the spread of air conditioning equipment, air currents (wind) are generated indoors, whether in homes or offices, and this wind can cause balance ornaments to move constantly, even when placed indoors.

[0010] In addition, various lighting fixtures are installed in the room as light sources depending on the purpose (office, living room at home, child's room, bedroom, etc.), and the way the light from the light source hits the balance ornament and the type of light emitted (color, brightness, etc.) will change depending on the purpose of the room in which the balance ornament is installed.

[0011] Therefore, if it were possible to provide a balanced ornament that not only allows one to enjoy changes in movement such as swaying caused by wind, etc., but also changes in appearance such as color and pattern due to changes in the way light from the light source hits it in conjunction with this movement, it is believed that the aesthetic appeal of the balanced ornament could be further enhanced.

[0012] The present invention has been made to eliminate the drawbacks of the above-mentioned conventional technology, and aims to provide a balanced ornament that not only allows you to enjoy the movement that accompanies the application of external forces such as wind, but also allows you to enjoy the changes in appearance, such as color and pattern, that arise from the change in posture that accompanies this movement. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The means for solving the problem are described below together with the reference numerals used in the description of the mode for carrying out the invention. These reference numerals are described in order to clarify the correspondence between the description of the claims for the utility model registration and the description of the mode for carrying out the invention, and needless to say, are not used to restrict the interpretation of the technical scope of the invention.

[0014] In order to achieve the above object, the balance ornament 1 of the present invention is as follows: A balanced ornament 1 has a fulcrum 11 provided at a position higher than the center of gravity, and stands on its own in a balanced position with the fulcrum 11 supported (in the embodiment, placed on the upper end of a pivot 32 of a mounting base 30), and sways when an external force is applied. The reflecting surface 12, 22 is formed on each of a plurality of planes P1 to P3 having different orientations, At least a part of each of the reflecting surfaces 12, 22 is a mirror surface 12a, 22a (claim 1).

[0015] At least a part of each of the reflecting surfaces 12, 22 can be an uneven surface 12b, 22b (claim 2).

[0016] When the balance ornament 1 is made of metal, the uneven surfaces 12b, 22b can be made to be glossy surfaces formed by a collection of semicircular arc-shaped recesses (dimples) (claim 3).

[0017] Furthermore, when the balance ornament 1 is made of metal, the uneven surfaces 12b, 22b may be formed by a collection of randomly shaped recesses to give a matte surface (claim 4).

[0018] Furthermore, if the balance ornament 1 is made of metal, the uneven surfaces 12b, 22b may have both a glossy surface formed by a collection of semicircular arc-shaped recesses, and a matte surface formed by a collection of randomly shaped recesses (Claim 5).

[0019] When the uneven surfaces 12b, 22b are made to be glossy surfaces formed by a collection of semicircular arc-shaped recesses, the uneven surfaces 12b, 22b may be made translucent black by diffusing and penetrating carbon elements into the surface of the metal base material (Claim 6).

[0020] Such a balanced figurine 1 has a shape based on an insect or bird motif, with a body 10 having the fulcrum 11 at one end 10a in the length direction, and wing parts 20 protruding symmetrically from a position near the one end 10a of the body 10, The reflecting surfaces 12, 22 may be provided on the surface of the body 10 and on the surfaces of the left and right wing portions 20, 20 (claims 7 and 8). Effect of the Invention

[0021] With the configuration of the present invention described above, the balanced ornament 1 of the present invention can provide the following remarkable effects.

[0022] A single balanced ornament 1 is provided with a number of reflective surfaces 12, 22, 22 formed respectively on a number of planes P1 to P3 having different orientations, and at least a portion of these reflective surfaces 12, 22, 22 are made into mirror surfaces 12a, 22a. As a result, the angle of incidence of light from the light source differs for each reflective surface 12, 22, 22, and the surrounding scenery, etc. reflected on the mirror surfaces 12a, 22a provided on each reflective surface 12, 22, 22 also differs for each reflective surface 12, 22, 22. As a result, the colors and patterns of each reflective surface 12, 22, 22 appear different to the observer.

[0023] As the balance ornament 1 sways due to the wind from the air conditioning unit, for example, the angle of incidence of light on each reflective surface 12, 22, 22 and the surrounding scenery reflected on the mirror surfaces 12a, 22a change from moment to moment, allowing the observer to enjoy the complex changes in color and pattern of the mirror surfaces 12a, 22a.

[0024] In a configuration in which each reflective surface 12, 22, 22 has a mirror surface 12a, 22a as well as an uneven surface 12b, 22b, it is possible to enjoy the patterns that are created by the difference in appearance between the parts of the mirror surfaces 12a, 22a that reflect light directly and the parts of the uneven surfaces 12b, 22b that reflect light diffusely, and it is also possible to enjoy the changes in the appearance of the mirror surfaces 12a, 22a and the uneven surfaces 12b, 22b that change from moment to moment as the balance ornament 1 is swayed.

[0025] When the balance ornament 1 is made of metal and the uneven surfaces 12b, 22b are formed by a collection of semicircular arc-shaped depressions (dimples), for example by projecting spherical projection material by sandblasting, the formed uneven surfaces 12b, 22b can be made glossy. Also, when the uneven surfaces 12b, 22b are formed by a collection of randomly shaped depressions, such as when projection material having angular shapes is projected, the formed uneven surfaces 12b, 22b can be made matte.

[0026] Therefore, in the balanced ornament 1, which has a mixture of uneven surfaces 12b, 22b formed by a collection of semicircular arc-shaped depressions (dimples) on the reflective surfaces 12, 22, and uneven surfaces 12b, 22b formed by a collection of randomly shaped depressions, the appearance changes in a complex manner due to the patterns created by the mixture of two types of uneven surfaces 12b, 22b with different surface conditions and the differences in the changes in the light reflection conditions due to the differences in the light reflection conditions.

[0027] In a configuration in which carbon elements are diffused and infiltrated into at least a portion of the metal base material surface of the uneven surfaces 12b, 22b, the uneven surfaces 12b, 22b are colored black, which allows the colors and patterns imparted to them to be enjoyed.

[0028] In particular, in a configuration in which carbon elements are diffused and infiltrated into the base material surface of the uneven surfaces 12b, 22b formed by a collection of semicircular arc-shaped recesses (dimples), the uneven surfaces 12b, 22b turn black while retaining a metallic luster, and can be colored a translucent black (so-called "candy black").

[0029] Furthermore, the balanced ornament 1 is shaped like an insect or bird, with a body 10 having the fulcrum 11 at one end 10a in the longitudinal direction, and wing portions 20, 20 protruding symmetrically from a position near the one end 10a of the body 10, and by forming the reflective surfaces 12, 22 on the surfaces of the body 10 and the left and right wing portions 20, 20, the aesthetic appeal of the balanced ornament 1 can be further enhanced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a plan view of one embodiment of a balanced ornament according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of one embodiment of the balance ornament of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of one embodiment of a balanced ornament according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] In the following explanation, a balanced ornament with a dragonfly insect motif will be used as an example of a balanced ornament of the present invention; however, like the balanced ornament with a dragonfly motif shown in the embodiment, the balanced ornament of the present invention may be based on other insects with a body and wings (such as butterflies) or birds, or may be based on motifs of things other than living things, or may even have a shape without a specific motif, and its external shape is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0033] In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a balanced ornament according to the present invention.

[0034] In this embodiment, the balanced ornament 1 is formed by processing a mirror-finished stainless steel plate (SUS304) into a predetermined shape by methods such as punching and cutting. The degree of mirror finish of the aforementioned stainless steel plate (SUS304) is preferably a mirror finish of #400 or higher as shown in Table 1 below, and more preferably a BA finish or a mirror finish of No. 7, No. 8 or higher.

[0035] [Table 1]

[0036] The material of the balance ornament 1 is not limited to stainless steel such as SUS304, but may be other metals such as aluminum or copper, glass, quartz, ceramics, resin, etc., as long as it can provide a mirror finish equivalent to or better than that of SUS304 finished with #400.

[0037] However, as described below, when the uneven surfaces 12b, 22b formed on the reflective surfaces 12, 22 are formed by the collision of projection material (especially spherical projection material) using sandblasting, it is preferable to form the balance ornament 1 from a metal that undergoes plastic deformation upon collision with the projection material.

[0038] As described above, the balanced ornament 1 of this embodiment, which is based on the motif of the dragonfly insect, has an elongated body 10 with one end 10a forming the head side of the dragonfly and the other end 10b forming the tail side, and wing portions 20, 20 protruding to the left and right from a position near the end 10a of this body.

[0039] The end 10a of the body 10, which corresponds to the head of the dragonfly, has a tapered tip, and the fulcrum 11 of the balanced ornament 1 is formed by bending this tip downward (see Figures 2 and 3).

[0040] The tips of the wing portions 20, 20 protruding from the body 10 protrude forward from one end 10a of the body 10 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and also protrude diagonally downward from the body 10 as shown in Figures 2 and 3, thereby configuring the center of gravity of the balanced ornament 1 to be located below the fulcrum 11.

[0041] In the balanced ornament 1 of the present invention configured as described above, the surface of the body 10, the surface of the right wing portion 20, and the surface of the left wing portion 20 are formed on planes P1 to P3 (see Figure 3) each having a different orientation, and in this embodiment, the surface of the body 10 and the surfaces of the left and right wing portions 20, 20 are respectively made into reflective surfaces 12, 22.

[0042] The reflective surface 12 on the surface of the body 10 and the reflective surfaces 22, 22 on the surfaces of the left and right wing portions 20, 20 are both left in the mirror-like state of the base material (the aforementioned mirror-finished state of #400 or higher) without any additional processing, and therefore the entire reflective surfaces 12, 22, 22 may be made mirror-finished.

[0043] However, if the balance ornament 1 is made of a metal such as stainless steel (SUS304), it is also possible to leave part of the mirror surfaces 12a, 22a of this base material intact, and use a known sandblasting processing device to project and collide a projection material against each of the reflective surfaces 12, 22, thereby forming uneven surfaces 12b, 22b (the parts colored gray in Figures 1 and 2) on the surfaces of the reflective surfaces 12, 22 in addition to the aforementioned mirror surfaces 12a, 22a.

[0044] In this way, when forming uneven surfaces 12b, 22b by projecting projection material while leaving the basic mirror surfaces 12a, 22a on the reflective surfaces 12, 22, the portions to be left as mirror surfaces 12a, 22a are masked with a durable material that can protect the base material to prevent the projection material from colliding with them.

[0045] In this embodiment, as an example, masking is performed by applying a urethane tape.

[0046] The projection material used to form the uneven surfaces 12b, 22b may be any of various known sandblasting projection materials (abrasive grains) such as aluminum oxide (Al2O3), carborundum (silicon carbide), green carborundum (silicon carbide), iron (Fe), glass, zirconia, zircon, ceramics, etc.

[0047] There are no particular limitations on the particle shape of the projection material (abrasive grains) used, and either spherical or irregularly shaped with corners can be used.

[0048] The particle size of the blasting material (abrasive grains) that can be used is #200 to #20000. When using the aforementioned sandblasting processing equipment that dry-projects the blasting material together with compressed air, the uneven surfaces 12b, 22b can be formed by processing with a spray pressure of 0.1 MPa to 0.6 MPa.

[0049] The uneven surfaces 12b, 22b formed in this manner generally have a dull, pear-like surface, but when the uneven surfaces 12b, 22b are formed by using spherical projection material with a particle size of #4000 to #20000 (D50: 3.0 μm to 0.45 μm) and spraying it together with compressed air at a spray pressure of 0.2 MPa to 0.5 MPa, the uneven surfaces 12b, 22b are formed by a collection of semicircular arc-shaped depressions (dimples) formed by compositional deformation of the base material due to the collision of the projection material, and the uneven surfaces 12b, 22b formed in this manner can be formed as glossy surfaces 12b, 22b that retain the metallic luster of the base material, unlike the dull, pear-like uneven surfaces described above.

[0050] Furthermore, when carbide particles such as green carborundum (silicon carbide) are used as the projection material, the impact of the collision causes the carbon elements of the projected particles to diffuse and penetrate into the surface of the metal base material of the uneven surfaces 12b, 22b, resulting in uneven surfaces 12b, 22b colored black.

[0051] In particular, when spherical carbide with a particle size of #4000 to #20000 is used as the projection material, the uneven surfaces 12b, 22b can be colored black while retaining the metallic luster of the base material, resulting in a unique translucent black color.

[0052] In addition, reference numeral 30 in Figures 1 to 3 denotes a stand for placing the balanced ornament 1, and is provided with a pivot 32 erected on a donut-shaped base plate 31. By placing the fulcrum 11 of the balanced ornament 1 on the upper end of this pivot 32, the balanced ornament 1 can be displayed so that it appears as if a dragonfly is resting on the tip of the pivot 32.

[0053] However, this stand 30 is not an essential component of the balanced ornament 1 of the present invention, and for example, if the balanced ornament 1 is displayed by placing it directly on the corner of furniture or an electrical appliance, the above-mentioned stand 30 is not necessary. EXAMPLES

[0054] Below is an example of a balance ornament 1 manufactured by cutting out a SUS304 steel plate (thickness 0.4 mm) with a BA finish (see Table 1 above) into the shape of a dragonfly using laser processing, and then performing the following sandblasting process to form uneven surfaces 12b, 22b.

[0055] The uneven surfaces 12b, 22b were formed by masking the portions of each reflective surface 12, 22 formed on the surface of the body 10 and the surfaces of the left and right wing portions 20, 20, respectively, that were to remain as mirror surfaces 12a, 22a with urethane tape, and by sandblasting the unmasked portions using the methods described below in (Example 1) and (Example 2).

[0056] Example 1 Angular shaped aluminum oxide (Al2O3) shot material (grid) with a grain size of #220 was dry-blasted together with compressed air at a blast pressure of 0.2 MPa to form matte, pear-skin-like uneven surfaces 12b, 22b.

[0057] Example 2 Spherical green carborundum (silicon carbide) shot material with particle size #8000 (D50: 1.22 μm) was dry-sprayed together with compressed air at a spray pressure of 0.5 MPa to form uneven surfaces 12b, 22b colored translucent black with a metallic luster.

[0058] After the uneven surfaces 12b, 22b were formed, the masking tape that had been attached to the portions to be left as mirror surfaces 12a, 22a was peeled off, and a balanced ornament (Example 1) in which mirror surfaces 12a, 22a and matte pear-skin-like uneven surfaces 12b, 22b were formed on each reflective surface 12, 22, and a balanced ornament (Example 2) in which mirror surfaces 12a, 22a and black translucent uneven surfaces 12b, 22b were formed were obtained.

[0059] The balance ornament 1 of Example 1 and the balance ornament 1 of Example 2 were placed on the mounting stand 30 in a room with the air conditioning equipment operating, displayed under 40W LED indoor lighting, and observed with the naked eye.

[0060] As a result, when the balanced ornament 1 of Examples 1 and 2 was swayed back and forth and side to side by the air conditioning, the mirror surfaces 12a, 22a that reflected light and the uneven surfaces 12b, 22b that diffusely reflected light were visually recognized as different colors, and patterns were revealed on both reflective surfaces 12, 22. In addition, the changing reflective state as the balanced ornament 1 swayed created a fascinating atmosphere in which the colors and patterns changed from moment to moment.

[0061] In particular, the uneven surfaces 12b, 22b formed on the balance figurine of Example 2 are translucent black, and the intensity of the black changes as the angle of the balance figurine 1 changes as it is swayed, thereby allowing for more complex changes in color and pattern. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1 Balance Figurine 10. Torso 10a one end 10b Other end 11 Fulcrum 12 Reflective surface 12a Mirror surface 12b Uneven surface 20 Wing 22 Reflective surface 22a Mirror surface 22b Uneven surface 30 Placement table 31 Base plate 32 Pivot P1~P3 plane

Claims

1. A balanced ornament has a fulcrum located at a position higher than the center of gravity, and when the fulcrum is supported, the ornament stands on its own in a balanced position and swings when an external force is applied. a plurality of reflecting surfaces formed on a plurality of planes having different orientations, A balanced ornament, characterized in that at least a portion of each of the reflective surfaces is a mirror surface.

2. 2. The ornamental balance figurine according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of each of said reflecting surfaces is an uneven surface.

3. 3. The ornamental balance figure according to claim 2, wherein the ornamental balance figure is made of metal, and the uneven surface is a glossy surface formed by a collection of semicircular arc-shaped recesses.

4. 3. The ornamental balance figure according to claim 2, wherein the ornamental balance figure is made of metal, and the uneven surface is a matte surface formed by a collection of randomly shaped recesses.

5. A balanced ornament as described in claim 2, characterized in that the balanced ornament is made of metal, and the uneven surface has a glossy surface formed by a collection of semicircular arc-shaped recesses and a matte surface formed by a collection of randomly shaped recesses.

6. 6. A balanced ornament according to claim 3 or 5, wherein the glossy surface of the uneven surface is a translucent black color due to diffusion and penetration of carbon elements into the surface of the metal base material of the uneven surface.

7. The device has a shape based on an insect or bird motif, and is provided with a body portion having the fulcrum at one end in the length direction and wing portions protruding symmetrically from a position near the one end of the body portion, 6. The ornamental balanced figure according to claim 1, wherein the reflecting surface is provided on a surface of the body and on each of the surfaces of the left and right wings.

8. The device has a shape based on an insect or bird motif, and is provided with a body portion having the fulcrum at one end in the length direction and wing portions protruding symmetrically from a position near the one end of the body portion, 7. The ornamental balanced figure according to claim 6, wherein the reflecting surface is provided on a surface of the body and on each of the surfaces of the left and right wings.

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