Wobbling table game

Abstract

A wobble table may be provided by a platform having a first side and a second side, opposite to the first side; a flexible rod, secured to the second side of the platform in a mounting point located at a center of gravity for the platform, wherein the flexible rod is configured to allow the platform to tilt from level; a rigid tube, coaxially surrounding at least a portion of the flexible rod, configured to constrain an amount that the flexible rod permits the platform to tilt from level; and a base from which the flexible rod and the rigid tube extend in a first direction toward the platform.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A kit, comprising:
 a plurality of tokens;   a platform, including a play surface and a mounting surface, opposite to the play surface, wherein the mounting surface includes a mounting point at a center of gravity for the platform;   a base; and   a wobble member having a first end coupled to the mounting point and a second end coupled to the base, wherein the wobble member is configured to support the platform such that the play surface is approximately level until unequal forces are applied to the platform, thereby causing the platform to tilt at an angle to level.   
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the wobble member includes a flexible rod; and   the base includes a plurality of legs connected at a hub, and a tube connected at the hub concentrically around the flexible rod and extending from the hub partially to the mounting point, wherein the tube leaves a portion of the flexible rod exposed when the flexible rod is mounted to the hub.   
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a second flexible rod with at least one of a different length, diameter, or material from the flexible rod; and   wherein the flexible rod and the second flexible rod are selectively connectable to the hub and the mounting point.   
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible rod includes threads on the second end to maintain connection in the mounting point, and an insert having an anti-rotation cross section on the first end configured for insertion into a cavity defined in the hub. 
     
     
         5 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the wobble member includes a flexible rod; and   the base includes a hub including a spike for insertion into a supporting surface, and a tube connected at the hub concentrically around the flexible rod and extending from the hub partially to the mounting point, wherein the tube leaves a portion of the flexible rod exposed when the flexible rod is mounted to the hub and the flexible rod and the tube are coaxially aligned with the spike.   
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the wobble member includes a rounded head extending from the mounting surface; and   the base includes a plurality of legs connected at a hub that defines a socket adapted to capture the rounded head.   
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the wobble member includes a rounded head extending from a hub of the base that is adapted to be captured in a socket defined by the mounting point. 
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a single leg including:
 a vertical member that includes a hub, wherein a first end of the wobble member is configured to mount to the hub and a second end of the wobble member is configured to mount to the mounting point; and   a horizontal member that includes a hitch mount.   
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tokens include:
 a first token and a second token having a first weight, a first size, a first shape, and a first coefficient of friction; and   a third token and a fourth token having a second weight, a second size, a second shape, and a second coefficient of friction, wherein at least one of the second weight, the second size, the second shape, and the second coefficient of friction is different from a corresponding one of the first size, the first shape, and the first coefficient of friction.   
     
     
         10 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a platform having a first side and a second side, opposite to the first side;   a flexible rod, secured to the second side of the platform in a mounting point located at a center of gravity for the platform, wherein the flexible rod is configured to allow the platform to tilt from level;   a rigid tube, coaxially surrounding at least a portion of the flexible rod, configured to constrain an amount that the flexible rod permits the platform to tilt from level; and   a base from which the flexible rod and the rigid tube extend in a first direction toward the platform.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the base includes:
 a hub including a spike for insertion into a supporting surface, wherein a first end of the flexible rod selectively mounted to the hub and a second end of the flexible rod is selectively mounted to the mounting point; and   wherein the rigid tube leaves a portion of the flexible rod exposed when the flexible rod is mounted to the hub and the flexible rod and the rigid tube are coaxially aligned with the spike.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the base includes:
 a plurality of legs connected at a hub, wherein a first end of the flexible rod is selectively mounted to the hub and a second end of the flexible rod is selectively mounted to the mounting point; and   wherein the rigid tube is connected at the hub concentrically around the flexible rod and extending from the hub partially to the mounting point, wherein the rigid tube leaves a portion of the flexible rod exposed.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the flexible rod includes:
 threads on the first end; and   an insert having an anti-rotation cross-sectional shape at the second end adapted to a cavity defined in the hub.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the base includes a single leg including:
 a vertical member that includes a hub, wherein a first end of the flexible rod is configured to mount to the hub and a second end of the flexible rod is configured to mount to the mounting point; and   a horizontal member that includes a hitch mount.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the base extends past an edge of the platform when the platform is level, and wherein the first side has a surface area that is substantially one of: circular, square, or hexagonal. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first side includes a first section having a first coefficient of friction and a second section having a second coefficient of friction, different than the first coefficient of friction. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a platform having a first side and a second side, opposite to the first side;   a socket mount, secured to the second side of the platform at a center of gravity for the platform; and   a wobble member, secured in the socket mount by which the platform is pivotably mounted to a base from which the wobble member extends.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the base is selected from one of a group of designs consisting of:
 a plurality of legs connected at a central hub configured to selectively mount the wobble member;   a single leg including a spike and a coaxial hub configured to selectively mount the wobble member, wherein the coaxial hub is coaxially aligned with the spike; and   a vehicular leg including a vertical member that includes a upright hub configured to selectively mount the wobble member and a horizontal member that includes a hitch mount.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the socket mount defines an open cone. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the socket mount defines a spherical cavity defining an opening through which the wobble member is inserted, wherein the opening has an arc distance that constrains tilt of the platform relative to the wobble member to a threshold degree. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the wobble member is a rounded head describing a spherical arc of at least 180 degrees. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the base includes a rod to extend the wobble member a predefined distance from a surface that the base rests on. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the wobble member defines a cavity through which a spring in held in tension, wherein the spring is mounted to the socket mount and one or the base or the wobble member to provide tension to resist tilting the platform when uneven forces are applied to the platform and maintain connection between the base and the platform.