Wall-based Rolling Ball Sculpture

Abstract

A rolling ball sculpture is comprised of modular track parts, connected together to form a contiguous pathway for balls. Magnetic wall mount parts are assembled to a wall in an array with even spacing in order to hold magnetic support pieces that may be moved into various locations. Track pieces may be held by support pieces that mount onto the moveable supports that are magnetically mounted to permanent magnetic pieces. Track parts include straight parts, turns, and mechanisms such as chimes, switches for diverting balls along differing paths, funnels, and conveyor parts that lift balls to the top of the sculpture. Parts may be constructed of 2-dimensional parts that may be cut or stamped from flat materials, such as laser-cut plywood.

Claims

1. A kinetic sculpture of the rolling ball type comprising: a plurality of individual parts including: a modular wall-mounted support structure composed of an evenly-spaced array of magnetic mounts, semi-permanently adhered to the wall; support struts with magnets at either end which latch magnetically to said magnetic mount parts; various track support parts which mount to said support struts via mechanical interlocking features and which support said track parts; a plurality of modular interlocking track parts which mount to said support struts and which align to one another to form a contiguous track to accommodate rolling balls;

2. The kinetic sculpture in claim 1, wherein said modular interlocking track parts are held together with u-shaped press-fit clips that hold parts together.

3. The kinetic sculpture in claim 1, wherein all parts are comprised primarily of flat pieces that can be manufactured from laser-cut sheet materials such as wood, plastic, metal, etc.

4. The kinetic sculpture in claim 1, wherein the modular parts are aligned to one another with interlocking features to ensure smooth transitions of the ball between parts.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0017] FIG. 1 is a side view of one configuration of the wall-mounted rolling ball sculpture

[0018] FIG. 2 is a side view of an array of magnetic wall mount parts

[0019] FIG. 3 shows an isometric view of the wall-mounted rolling ball sculpture

[0020] FIG. 4 shows a magnetic support before it latches to magnetic wall mounts

[0021] FIG. 5A shows modular track parts and assembly clips prior to assembly

[0022] FIG. 5B shows modular track parts and assembly clips after assembly

[0023] FIG. 6 shows interlocking alignment features between modular parts

[0024] FIG. 7 shows assembly clip holding modular track parts together

[0025] FIG. 8 shows track support part holding modular track part

[0026] FIG. 9 shows spiral track segment comprised of 80-degree turn parts

[0027] FIG. 10 shows motorized conveyor for lifting balls to top of sculpture

[0028] FIG. 11A shows modular track pieces prior to assembly

[0029] FIG. 11B shows assembled modular track part

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] FIG. 1

[0031] The rolling ball sculpture 100 shown in FIG. 1 is comprised of modular track components 110 mounted on track support members 106 which are mounted to magnetic support parts 102, which magnetically latch to magnetic wall mount parts 101.

[0032] FIG. 2

[0033] An array of evenly spaced magnetic wall mount parts 101 is shown in FIG. 2. Each part is comprised of a disc containing a high-strength magnet 104 located in the center of the disc. Wall mount discs 101 are mounted to the wall with adhesive, preferably a non-destructive removable double-sided adhesive tape. A wall containing this array of discs is prepared to receive magnetic support structures which provide a foundation for mounting track support parts.

[0034] FIG. 3 FIG. 3 shows an isometric view of the rolling ball sculpture 100.

[0035] FIG. 4

[0036] FIG. 4 shows a magnetic support structure 102, with high-strength magnet 104, in a position just before latching magnetically with the wall mounted magnetic discs 101, which also contain high-strength magnets 104.

[0037] FIG. 5A

[0038] FIG. 5A shows modular track parts 110 prior to assembly with assembly clips 105

[0039] FIG. 5B

[0040] FIG. 5B shows assembled modular track components 110 held together with assembly clips 105. Assembly clips slide around end pieces of modular track parts, coupling them together to form a continuous track.

[0041] FIG. 6 shows interlocking alignment features 103 that act to position modular parts 110 relative to one another in such a manner as to ensure smooth transition of a ball rolling from one part to another.

[0042] FIG. 7 Modular track parts 110 are held together via assembly clips 105.

[0043] FIG. 8

[0044] Modular track part 110 is supported by track support part 106 which is hooked onto magnetic support part 102.

[0045] FIG. 9

[0046] FIG. 9 illustrates the versatility of the modular track design. In assembling a group of 80-degree modular track parts 110, introducing a slight rotation with assembly of each successive part can achieve a spiral segment of track 120.

[0047] FIG. 10

[0048] FIG. 10 shows a motorized conveyor belt 108 that returns balls 109 from the bottom of the sculpture back to the top.

[0049] FIG. 11A

[0050] FIG. 11A shows pieces 111, 112 that can be assembled to form a modular track part 110. These pieces can be made entirely from 2-D materials. Said materials may be flat packaged prior to parts being punched out, in order to achieve efficient packaging design.

[0051] FIG. 11B

[0052] FIG. 11B shows an assembled modular track part 110.