Tactile Feedback Device

Abstract

A device designed to assist persons who fidget. “Fidgeting” consists of actions that are conducted by certain persons as a means to release internal tension so as to allow the person to better concentrate, focus and complete tasks that would be problematic without the ability to fidget. The device includes structures which provide outlets for various forms of fidgeting which some persons express.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/930,059, filed Jan. 22, 2014, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to a device designed to assist persons who fidget. “Fidgeting” consists of actions that are conducted by certain persons as a means to release internal tension so as to allow the person to better concentrate, focus and complete tasks that would be problematic without the ability to fidget. Many fidgeting actions result in motions and noise that may be self-destructive (pinching nails into skin) and/or disruptive to others. Accordingly, fidgeting, while beneficial to the user, is often discouraged in schools and other settings where other people are present.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the disclosure includes a device which includes a small structure that is sized and shaped to be carried by one hand and separate attachments that are carried by and located outside of the structure. Each attachment is constructed and arranged to replicate a human fidgeting action such as one or more of rolling a pencil, clicking a pen, twisting hair, and rotating a cylinder.

Embodiments may include one of the following features, or any combination thereof. In one aspect, the device may include a cylinder that defines a number of flat faces and that can be spun relative to the structure. It may also include one or more elongated member that can be spun relative to the structure, an elongated member that can be twisted relative to the structure, a button that can be twisted relative to the structure, and a protruding structure that can be pushed down and springs back.

In another aspect, the device includes a rubbing pad on one surface of the structure, where the rubbing pad comprises a series of aligned ridges and depressions. The structure may be shaped as a rectangular prism with six rectangular faces, where most or all of its faces carry or define an attachment and one or more of the faces carries a rubbing pad.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an embodiment of the device oriented with six faces.

FIG. 2 depicts six different structures that may be used on the device of FIG. 1: pencil roll, hair pull, clicker, take apart, feedback and rubbing pad.

FIG. 3 is a close-up of an embodiment of the device with the structures identified in FIG. 2, revealing faces A, C and E.

FIG. 4 is a close-up of an embodiment of the device with the structures identified in FIG. 2, revealing faces B, D and F.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section of surfaces A and B through the axis of the pencil roll structure and the take apart structure, parallel to the C and D surfaces.

FIG. 6 is an embodiment of a “pen clicker” structure.

FIG. 7 is an embodiment of a “pencil roller” structure.

FIG. 8 is an embodiment of a “feedback” structure replicating a button twist motion.

FIG. 9 is an embodiment of a “spinner” which includes a cylinder which rotates around a wire.

FIG. 10 is an embodiment of a “spinner” in the form of a ball. The ball in this example includes nubs on the surface for additional tactile feedback.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Featured in this disclosure is a small hand-held device that carries a plurality of separate structures or attachments, each of which is constructed and arranged to be manipulated by a person in a manner that replicates a fidgeting action of the type that is commonly conducted by certain persons as a means to release internal tension so as to allow the user to better concentrate, focus and complete tasks that would be problematic without the ability to fidget. The device, with its various structures or attachments, can also help to promote fine motor skills via repeated manual actions.

The device can have a desired shape or form. In one non-limiting example, the device is shaped like a cube or a rectangular prism. In this case, there are six faces available to carry a structure or attachment that can be manipulated to replicate a fidgeting action. Preferably, each such structure/attachment is essentially an identical replication of a specific fidgeting action. Another aspect of the device is that it provides some or all of the benefits of a fidgeting action while avoiding liabilities such as annoying or disruptive sounds (or potential personal injury such as breaking the skin causing a wound/infection, or loss of hair from twirling).

Examples include a device comprising a small structure that is sized and shaped to be carried by one hand and a plurality of separate attachments that are carried by and located outside of the structure, wherein each attachment is constructed and arranged to replicate a human fidgeting action such as one or more of rolling a pencil, clicking a pen, twisting hair, and rotating a cylinder, for example.

The attachments may comprise at least one of the following: a cylinder that defines a number of flat faces and that can be spun relative to the structure; an elongated member that can be spun relative to the structure; an elongated member that can be twisted relative to the structure; a button that can be twisted relative to the structure; and a protruding structure that can be pushed down and springs back. The device may further include a rubbing pad on one surface of the structure, where the rubbing pad comprises a series of aligned ridges and depressions. The structure may be shaped as a rectangular prism with six rectangular faces, and most or all of its faces may carry or define an attachment. The device may comprise five attachments and a rubbing pad (or indentations allowing pressing of fingernails into depressions or ridges and experience pressure from depressions or posts between the ridges, or from the ridges themselves).

A specific example, and some alternatives, which illustrates the invention without limiting it to any particular size, shape, material or number or type of fidget structures or attachments, is shown in the drawings and will be described herein.

Device 10 is shown in the enclosed FIGS. 1-10. The fidget structures or attachments depicted illustrate, but do not limit, the types or quantity of such structures that can be employed.

Device 10 has six faces, labeled A-E in the drawings. In one non-limiting example it is 1″ by ⅝″ in size. It may have more than or less than six faces, or could be spherical and thus not have any “faces” per se. Non-limiting examples of attachments are described below, along with non-limiting dimensions.

Pencil roll 14, coupled to face A, is a ⅛″ diameter by 7/16″ long cylinder that is knurled or includes a number of flat faces to replicate a wooden pencil of the type that has six flat faces. Some fidgeters will roll a pencil on a desk or flat surface, for the tactile and/or auditory feedback. The tactile feedback can be replicated by mounting the cylinder on a 22 gauge wire that is coupled to the cube, and where the cylinder can rotate on the wire; this is shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. An alternative arrangement is shown in FIG. 7 where pencil roll 40 includes cylinder 44 with six flat sides. Cylinder 44 is rotatably carried by standoffs 46 and 48 that project from cube body 32. The auditory feedback can either be not present or the standoffs can be arranged such that the cylinder contacts the wall 32 of the cube and thus makes a clicking sound as it is rotated.

Face B can carry a “take apart” structure 18, shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. The take apart has two rotatable portions that are coupled together via a screw-type coupling (such as in the clasp of some bracelets). The portions can both rotate about a wire that carries them. They can be repeatedly decoupled and re-coupled by a twisting motion. An alternative is a spinner structure, such as a cylinder that is carried by and rotates about its longitudinal axis on a wire that is held in the cube, such that the cylinder can be spun around by the user. An example is spinner 60, FIG. 9, which includes cylinder 62 that is rotatable about wire 64 that is coupled to cube wall 32. Another alternative is ball spinner 70, FIG. 10. This includes sphere 72, which may but need not carry small nubs 73 on its surface for additional tactile feedback. Sphere 72 is rotatably carried by wire 74 that is coupled to cube wall 32.

Face C can carry a “hair pull” structure 16. This is a structure such as a ¼″ diameter cylinder that can be twisted about its longitudinal axis, to replicate twirling ones hair. See cylinder 16, FIG. 3, which is carried by a wire or string that passes longitudinally through it and is held in the cube. There may or may not be a spherical bead at the end of the cylinder. The length of the cylinder and round bead together is about ¾″. This attachment can also be anchored into the cube by having a notch or indentation close to the base of the cylinder that fits into a hole in the cube face while being anchored at the base with a wider diameter to the cylinder so that it doesn't pull out of the hole. This construction allows it to be twirled freely in a similar fashion.

Face D can carry a “feedback” structure which replicates a button twist motion shown in FIG. 8, where button 52 is coupled to wall 32 via a thread or rubber band 54 that is coupled to cube wall 32. This allows the button to be twisted around. If a rubber band is used the button will spin back to its starting position.

Face E can carry a “pen clicker” structure such as those shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 (labeled 12), and 6. This includes a button or other structure that projects about ½″ from the cube face and can be repeatedly pushed down and which springs back, like the “clicker” (i.e., top) of a ball-point pen. Clicker 22, FIG. 6, includes cylinder 24 that is in part outside of cube wall 32 and is pushed down. It rides on a shaft projecting from base 26, which is held in the cube via support 34, while it can move in and out relative to support 34. Spring 28 provides the restorative force.

Face F can carry or define a rubbing pad 82. See FIGS. 2 and 4. The rubbing pad can be a series of aligned ridges and depressions. This can be rubbed by the user, and also provides a surface that the user can press the fingers or fingernails into. The ridges can be parallel to a side or not. Or the ridges may be annular. There may be additional small protruding bumps (not shown) that are on part of face F. The bumps in one example can be located on the face, inside of annular ridges. The bumps would provide more tactile rubbing feedback than the ridges. Face F can also or alternatively contain an attached Velcro type material to which pieces of abrasive material can be adhered to allow user to potentially improve fine sense of touch.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that additional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts described herein, and, accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a small structure that is sized and shaped to be carried by one hand; and

a plurality of separate attachments that are carried by and located outside of the structure, wherein each attachment is constructed and arranged to replicate a human fidgeting action such as one or more of rolling a pencil, clicking a pen, twisting hair, and rotating a cylinder.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the attachments comprise at least one of:

a cylinder that defines a number of flat faces and that can be spun relative to the structure;

an elongated member that can be spun relative to the structure;

an elongated member that can be twisted relative to the structure;

a button that can be twisted relative to the structure; and

a protruding structure that can be pushed down and springs back.

3. The device of claim 2 further comprising a rubbing pad on one surface of the structure, where the rubbing pad comprise a series of aligned ridges and depressions.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the structure is shaped as a rectangular prism with six rectangular faces, and where most or all of its faces carries or defines an attachment.

5. The device of claim 4 comprising five protruding attachments and a rubbing pad or structure.