Spinning amusement device with tethered object

Abstract

An amusement device is provided that can be used as an electric yo-yo and as a mechanism for producing aesthetically pleasing string oscillations. The amusement device includes a battery operated spinning mechanism that can be selectively turned on and off by a person using the device. A flexible tether is provided having a first end and a second end. The first end of the tether is coupled to the spinning mechanism and is spun by the spinning mechanism. A display object is coupled to the second end of the flexible tether, wherein the flexible tether is the only physical interconnection between the spinning mechanism and the display object. The spinning mechanism can be used either to rotate the tether to create oscillations in the tether, or wind the tether, thereby creating a yo-yo with the display object.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/659,009, entitled Spinning Amusement Device With Tethered Object, filed Sep. 11, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to amusement devices that contain a tethered object that spins or whirls. More particularly, the present invention relates to amusement devices that contain a tethered object that spins under power from an electric motor.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] The prior art of toys and amusement devices is replete with many examples of tethered objects that are spun using the tether. Many such prior art devices are spun using manual power. Such prior are devices are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 2,307,905 to Ament, entitled Animal Exerciser, wherein a ball is connected to a stick with a tether.

[0006] In the prior art, there also exist many devices where a tethered object is connected to a battery powered motor. As such, objects can be caused to spin without the need of manual exertion. Such prior art devices are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,844 to Markowitz, entitled Interactive Vibrating Toy and U.S. Pat. No. 5,146,702 to Belokin, entitled Display Having An Electric Motor For Simulating A Flying Object.

[0007] In prior art devices that use electric motors, the tether that connects the motor to the spinning object is typically rigid or at least semi-rigid. The use of a semi-rigid tether holds the tethered object away from the spinning motor. In this manner, the tether does not become entangled around the spinning motor as the tether rotates around the spinning motor.

[0008] A problem associated with using a rigid or semi-rigid tether is that the tether itself tends to have a fixed configuration as it spins. As a result, the tether itself tends to be uninteresting as it spins. In certain spinning amusement device, flexible tethers are purposely used so that the tether itself adds to the optical aesthetics of the device. Such a prior art device is exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 3,545,126 to Brown, entitled Vibratory Multi-Wave Toy. In the Brown patent, a flexible tether is wrapped around a rigid shaft. As the tether is spun, the tether oscillates at different frequencies and forms interesting patters to observe. The tether is prevented from tangling and wrapping around the motor by the presence of the rigid shaft.

[0009] Although the rigid shaft in the Brown device prevents the tether from tangling, it also severely limits the degrees of freedom in movement that can be experienced by the oscillating tether. Consequently, the shapes into which the spinning tether can be conformed are very limited.

[0010] A need therefore exists in the art for an amusement device with a spinning tether that does not have limitations in its rotational movement, yet has features that prevent the tether from tangling when spun. This need is met by the present invention as it is described and claimed below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention is an amusement device that can be used as an electric yo-yo and as a mechanism for producing aesthetically pleasing string oscillations. The amusement device includes a battery operated spinning mechanism that can be selectively turned on and off by a person using the device. A flexible tether is provided having a first end and a second end. The first end of the tether is coupled to the spinning mechanism and is spun by the spinning mechanism. A display object is coupled to the second end of the flexible tether, wherein the flexible tether is the only physical interconnection between the spinning mechanism and the display object. The spinning mechanism can be used either to rotate the tether to create oscillations in the tether, or wind the tether, thereby creating a yo-yo with the display object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of exemplary embodiments thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of an amusement device in accordance with the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, shown in the up stroke of a yo-yo application;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 shown in the down stroke of a yo-yo application;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 shown in a tether oscillation application;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of an amusement device in a tether oscillation application;

[0018] FIG. 6 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 shown in a free spinning application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention amusement device 10 is shown. The amusement device 10 is comprised of three primary parts, which are a spinning mechanism 12, a display object 14 and a flexible tether 16 that interconnects the display object 14 to the spinning mechanism 12.

[0020] In the shown embodiment, the spinning mechanism 12 includes both a housing 18 and a spool 20. The housing acts as a handle and provides a structure that can easily be grasped in a user's hand. In the housing 18 are a motor and batteries to power the motor. The motor is connected to the spool 20. As a result, as the motor spins, the spool 20 spins. An on/off switch 22 is also located on the housing 18. The on/off switch 22 controls the operation of the motor. Consequently, by selectively engaging the on/off switch 22, the spinning of the spool 20 can be controlled.

[0021] One end of the flexible tether 16 is coupled to the spool 20. As a result, when the spool 20 spins, the spool 20 either causes the tether 16 to wind on the spool 20 or spin with the spool 20, depending upon the orientation of the spool 20 with respect to the unwound tether 16. The opposite end of the flexible tether 16 is coupled to the display object 14. In the shown embodiment, the display object 14 is a rubber ball. However, it will be understood that the display object 14 can be any object, such as an airplane, an insect, a cartoon character or the like. The display object 14 can also be a confection such as a hard candy. In the display object 14 is a located an attachment loop 17 that is attached to a ball bearing within the display object 14. In this manner flexible tether 16 is free to spin without tangling even if the display object 14 is held stationary.

[0022] The flexible tether 16 is a length of flexible string having no relevant rigidity. The string also may embody elastic properties for a purpose that will later be explained.

[0023] The amusement device 10 has the ability to perform as an electric yo-yo. The spool 20 has a rear end 21 that faces the housing 18 and a forward end 23 that faces away from the housing 18. Between the rear end 21 and the forward end 23 is a middle section 25. The middle section 25 has a diameter that is smaller than that of either the rear end 21 or the forward end 23. In the shown embodiment, the diameter of the middle section 25 increases as it approaches either the rear end 21 or the forward end 23. However, such a shape is merely exemplary, and it should be understood that many shapes can act as a spool. For example, if two balls were spaced on a shaft, the shaft between the two balls can act as a spool. It should therefore be understood that the present invention spool can be any structure where the middle of the structure is more narrow than the ends of the structure so as to confine the area in which a string can wind.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the display object 14 is left free hanging at an angle generally perpendicular to the axis of the spool 20. As the spool 20 is rotates, the tether 14 will wind around the spool 20 and the display object 14 will be raised toward the spool 20.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that when the spool 20 is stopped from spinning and the spool 20 is tilted away from the horizontal, the weight of the display object 14 will cause the tether to unwind from the spool 20. As a result, the display object 14 falls away from the spool 20. By selectively causing the spool 20 to spin and stop spinning, via the on/off button 22, and by changing the angle of the spool 20 relative the tether 16, a person can cause the display object 14 to rise and fall like a yo-yo.

[0026] Furthermore, the spool 20 can be caused to be free spinning when the on/off switch 22 is moved to the “off” position, Accordingly, a person can wind the tether around the spool 20 by moving the on/off switch 22 to the “on” position. As soon as the tether 16 is wound, the tether can be released by moving the on/off switch 22 to the “off” position. Once the on/off switch 22 is in the “off” position, the weight of the display object 14 will cause the tether 16 to unwind from the spool 20. Thus, by moving the on/off switch 22 between on” and “off”, a yo-yo effect can be created.

[0027] The amusement device can also be used as a mechanism for producing oscillations in the tether. Referring to FIG. 4, it can be seen that when a person holds the spinning mechanism 12 and the display object 14, the tether 16 spins between these two held fixed points. As the tether 16 spins, the tether 16 will oscillate. The amplitude and frequency of the oscillations are dependent upon the length of the tether 16, the mass of the tether 16, the rotational speed of the spinning tether 16 and the distance between the spinning mechanism 12 and the display object 14. Given these variables, it will be understood that the amplitude and frequency of the tether's oscillations can be selectively varied by changing the distance between the spinning mechanism 12 and display object 14 as they are being held. As the display object 14 and the spinning mechanism 12 are moved together, the amplitude of the oscillations in the tether 16 will increase, while the frequency of the oscillations will decrease. Conversely, as the display object 14 and the spinning mechanism 12 are pulled farther apart, the amplitude of the oscillations will decrease and the frequency of the oscillations will increase. It is preferred that the tether 16 be made of a brightly colored string. As such, the oscillations caused by the spinning tether 16 will be more easily observed.

[0028] If the amusement device 10 is being used to create tether oscillations, the spool 20 serves no functional purpose. Accordingly, it should be understood that the spool 20 can be removed or the amusement device 10 manufactured without the spool 20. Referring to FIG. 5, an embodiment of the present invention amusement device 50 is shown where the spinning mechanism 52 does not have a spool. Rather, the spinning mechanism 52 contains a motor and a power source to spin a shaft 54. The shaft 54 is coupled to one end of the tether 56. As the shaft 54 spins, the tether 56 is caused to spin and oscillations can be created in the tether 56.

[0029] The amusement device embodies a third method of play that can be performed with a spinning mechanism either having a spool, as in FIG. 4, or not having a spool as in FIG. 5. Referring now to FIG. 6, an embodiment is shown where the spinning mechanism does not include a spool, however, the same method of operation would be present if a spool were used. In this method of operation, the display object 58 is allowed to hang down from the spinning mechanism 52. The spinning mechanism 52 is then used to spin the tether 56. Since the display object 58 is free hanging, the display object 58 spins with the tether 56. However, the spinning tether 56 also has oscillations that are effected by the weight of the display object 58. The shape of the oscillations can also be changed by moving the spinning mechanism 52 up and down as the tether 56 spins. The result is a rotating tether 56 that takes on complicated and aesthetically pleasing shapes. If the tether 56 has elastic properties, the shape of the spinning tether 56 will change as the display object 58 bounces up and down as it spins. This provides an oscillation shape that appears to periodically pulsate with the vertical movement of the display object 58.

[0030] The display object 58 shown is a ball having a pattern of different colors on its exterior surface. As the ball spins, the colors swirl together and generate the appearance of a new color that is not present on the ball. For example, if the display object 58 has florescent blue stripes and florescent yellow stripes, the ball will appear to be fluorescent green as the ball spins and the appearance of the colors mix. In alternate embodiments, the ball may have spiral patterns that create aesthetically pleasing designs when spun.

[0031] It will be understood that the various figures described above illustrate only preferred embodiments of the present invention. Features from the different embodiments can be mixed to produce yet further embodiments. A person skilled in the art can therefore make numerous alterations and modifications to the shown embodiments utilizing functionally equivalent components to those shown and described. For example, the spinning mechanism can be embodied in many different forms. The spinning mechanism can be located at the end of an elongated stick, or contained in any other object, such as another ball. All such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An amusement device, comprising:

a spool having a forward end, a rear end and a middle section disposed between said forward end and said rear end, said middle section having a diameter smaller than that of said forward end and said rear end, wherein the diameter of said middle section increases as it approaches said forward end;

a housing containing a battery operated spinning mechanism, wherein said battery operated spinning mechanism is coupled to said spool for selectively spinning said spool;

a flexible tether having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is coupled to said spinning mechanism and is [spun by said spinning mechanism] connected to said spool;

a display object coupled to said second end of said flexible tether, wherein said flexible tether is the only physical interconnection between said spinning mechanism and said display object;

wherein said flexible tether winds around said spool when said housing is held in a first orientation and said flexible tether is spun by said spool without winding on said spool when said housing is held in a second orientation.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said spinning mechanism includes an on/off switch for selectively activating and deactivating said spinning mechanism.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said display object is selected from a group consisting of balls, molded cartoon characters, airplanes and confections.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said display object is a ball and said ball has a design pattern of colors thereon that create a new color when said ball is spun.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said tether is elastic.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein said housing is configured as a handle for holding said housing in one hand.

7. A device for creating oscillations in a length of string, comprising:

a length of string having a first end and a second end, wherein said length of string has a linear central axis when pulled straight;

a first graspable element coupled to said first end of said length of string, wherein said first graspable element contains a motor capable of spinning said length of string around said central axis;

a second graspable element coupled to said second end of said length of string, wherein said length of string is the sole physical interconnection between said first graspable element and said second graspable element.

8. The device according to claim 7, further including an on/off switch for selectively activating and deactivating said motor.

9. The device according to claim 7, wherein said second graspable element is a ball.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein said ball has a design pattern of colors thereon that create a new color when said ball is spun.

11. The device according to claim 7, wherein said length of string is elastic.

12. The device according to claim 7, wherein said length of string is brightly colored.

13. A method of creating oscillations in a length of string, comprising the steps of:

providing a length of string having a first end and a second end, wherein said length pf string has a linear central axis when said length of string is pulled taut between said first end and said second end;

coupling said first end to a motor;

coupling said second end to a graspable object, wherein said length of string is the sole physical interconnection between said motor and said graspable object;

spinning said length of string about its central axis with said motor; and

selectively changing the distance between said motor and said graspable object, thereby altering the tautness associated with said length of string as said length of string spins.

14. The method according to claim 13, further including the step of releasing said graspable element, thereby enabling said graspable element to hang free and be rotated by said length of string.