GYROSCOPE
A gyroscope includes a frame that surrounds a wheel and a weight that is connected to the wheel. A pair of wheel axles extend from the wheel and connect the wheel to the frame so that the wheel may rotate with respect to the frame. The frame also includes end pivot frames that provide a mounting point for end pivots to be removably attached to the frame. A zip cord may interact with a starting gear on one of the wheel axles to cause rotation of the wheel with respect to the frame.
Latest Tedco Inc. Patents:
The present disclosure deals with toy gyroscopes.
BACKGROUNDGyroscopes are devices formed from a spinning wheel or disc attached to a mounting. The spinning disc has an axis of rotation that is unaffected by tilting or rotation of the components of the mounting. This makes gyroscopes useful for measuring or maintaining a desired orientation for navigation. In addition to their usefulness in navigation systems, gyroscopes may also be used for entertainment as a toy, similar to a spinning top. However, repeated use of the gyroscope may damage the spinning wheel or the mounting.
Thus, there is a need for improvement in this field.
SUMMARYCertain embodiments include a gyroscope. The gyroscope may include a frame that includes a first frame section and a second frame section that are attached to each other. A first end pivot frame may be positioned at an end of the first frame section, and a second end pivot frame may be positioned at an end of the second frame section.
In some instances, the first end pivot may be removably attached to the first end pivot frame, and the second end pivot may be removably attached the second end pivot frame, so that a different end pivots may be attached as desired. As an example, the first end pivot frame may include a first end pivot post and the first end pivot may be removably attachable to the first end pivot frame at the first end pivot post. The first end pivot may be rotatable about the first end pivot post to secure the first end pivot to the first end pivot frame. The first end pivot frame may include an end pivot shoulder and the end pivot shoulder may fit within a first end pivot slot defined at an edge of the first end pivot and may be rotatable into a first end pivot recess to secure the first end pivot to the first end pivot frame. The second end pivot may be removably attached to the second end pivot frame in a similar fashion.
The frame may surround a wheel that is rotatable within the frame. A wheel axle may include a first wheel axle portion that extends from a first side of the wheel and a second wheel axle portion extends from a second side of the wheel. A weight may be attached to and surround the wheel. A bearing pin and a ball bearing connect each of the portions of the wheel axle to the frame and allow the wheel axle portions and wheel to rotate with respect to the frame. In some examples, the first ball bearing and an inner end of the first bearing pin may be positioned within a first bore hole defined through the first wheel axle portion. An outer end of the first bearing pin may be surrounded by the first end pivot frame. Likewise, the second ball bearing and an inner end of the second bearing pin may be positioned within a second bore hole defined through the second wheel axle portion. An outer end of the second bearing pin may be surrounded by the second end pivot frame.
Each of the wheel axle portions may include a starting gear adjacent the ends of the wheel axle. The starting gears are configured for interaction with a zip cord with teeth, e.g. a rack gear, cord that may be fed through the frame. After feeding the zip cord through the frame adjacent to the starting gear, the zip cord is quickly removed from the frame, causing the wheel to rotate as the teeth of the starting gear interact with teeth on the zip cord. The wheel and the weight rotate about a rotation axis defined by the wheel axles, while the frame remains stationary.
In some instances, the first frame section may include first connection flanges that fit into second connection slots defined in the second frame section when the first frame section is connected to the second frame section. The second frame section may include second connection flanges that fit into first connection slots defined in the first frame section when the first frame section is connected to the second frame section. In some examples, the first frame section may be sonic welded to the second frame section.
In some instances, wheel connection flanges may extend from the wheel. The wheel connection flanges may fit within weight slots defined through a weight ledge of the weight when the weight is attached to the wheel.
In some examples, the first end pivot may include a first end pivot head, and a V-shaped slot may be defined through the first end pivot head. The second end pivot may include a second end pivot head, and a circular recess may be defined in the second end pivot head.
Further forms, objects, features, aspects, benefits, advantages, and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from a detailed description and drawings provided herewith.
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. One embodiment of the invention is shown in great detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features that are not relevant to the present invention may not be shown for the sake of clarity.
Directional terms, such as forward, rearward, top, bottom, etc., are used in this description with reference to the specific embodiment shown and used for purposes of clarity. It should be recognized that these terms are not meant to be limiting.
An exploded view of the frame 110 is illustrated in
In the embodiment shown in
The position of the connection flanges 118 corresponds to the position of the connection slots 129 so that connection flanges 118 on the top frame body 114 may fit within the connection slots 129 defined in the bottom frame body 124 when the top frame section 112 is attached to the bottom frame section 122. Likewise, the position of the connection flanges 128 corresponds to the position of the connection slots 119 so that connection flanges 128 on the bottom frame body 124 may fit within the connection slots 119 defined in the top frame body 114 when the top frame section 112 is attached to the bottom frame section 122. In some embodiments, when the connection flanges 118, 128 and the connection slots 119, 129 are aligned the top frame section 112 may be sonic welded to the bottom frame section 122 to connect the top frame section 112 to the bottom frame section 122. In other embodiments, other suitable attachment methods for securing the top frame section 112 to the bottom frame section 122 may be used, for instance a snap-together arrangement or adhesive.
The frame 110 of the gyroscope provides a bigger diameter than if the gyroscope 100 just included the wheel 130 and the weight 150 without including the frame 110 that surrounds the wheel 130 and the weight 150. This larger diameter makes the gyroscope easier to grip and hold onto, while starting the gyroscope 100 and while the gyroscope 100 is spinning. Further, the frame 110 acts to protect the wheel 130 and the weight 150 while the wheel 130 is spinning. The frame 110 limits possible damage to the wheel 130 and/or the weight 150 and helps to prevent debris from interfering with the wheel 130 as the wheel 130 spins.
As shown in
A top perspective view of the frame 110 is illustrated in
A perspective view of the wheel 130 is shown in
Wheel connection flanges 136 extend from a surface of the wheel body 132 and help to couple the wheel 130 to the weight 150. In the embodiment shown, the wheel connection flanges 136 are evenly spaced around the wheel body 132 so that there are a total of five wheel connection flanges 136. In other embodiments, the number of wheel connection flanges 136 may be increased or decreased as desired.
The wheel 130 also includes a wheel axle that includes wheel axle portions 142, 144 extending from opposite sides of the wheel body 132. Each wheel axle portion 142, 144 includes a starting gear 143, 145 at the end of the wheel axle portion 142, 144. The teeth on the starting gears 143, 145 correspond to teeth 185 on the zip cord 180 so that the zip cord 180 may interact with either of the starting gears 143, 145 and cause rotation of the wheel 130 when the zip cord 180 is pulled across either starting gear 143, 145. A wheel axle bore hole 147 is defined through each of the wheel axle portions 142, 144 at the starting gears 143, 145. The wheel axle bore hole 147 is configure to receive a ball bearing 146 and a bearing pin 148 (see
In some embodiments, the wheel 130 including the wheel axle portions 142, 144 and the starting gears 143, 145 may be cast or molded as a unitary structure. The unitary casting of the wheel 130 may decrease friction between components of the wheel 130 while the wheel 130 is spinning and may assist to decrease issues with components of the wheel 130 breaking due to use. Casting wheel 130 as one piece also minimizes the chance of debris getting caught between components of the wheel 130 and disrupting the rotation of the wheel 130.
The weight 150 for gyroscope 100 is shown in
Example end pivots 160, 170 are shown in
The end pivot 160 is removable from the end pivot frame 116. To remove the end pivot from the end pivot frame 116, the end pivot 160 is rotated so that the slot 164 is once again aligned with the end pivot shoulder 194 so that the end pivot 160 may be pulled away from the end pivot frame 116.
As shown in
The end pivot 170 is removable from the end pivot frame 126. To remove the end pivot from the end pivot frame 116, the end pivot 160 is rotated so that the slot 164 is once again aligned with the end pivot shoulder 194 so that the end pivot 160 may be pulled away from the end pivot frame 116. Although not visible in
Although the end pivot 160 including the V-shaped slot 163 is shown as connecting to the end pivot frame 116 that is attached to the top frame section 112, it should be recognized that in other embodiments, the end pivot 160 may be connected to the end pivot frame 126 attached to the bottom frame section 122. Likewise, in some embodiments, the end pivot 170 including the circular recess 173 may be connected to the end pivot frame 116 attached to the top frame section 112. In some embodiments, both end pivots 160, 170 may include a V-shaped slot 163 or both end pivots 160, 170 may include a circular recess 173. In still other embodiments, different shapes or features other than a V-shaped slot 163 or a circular recess 173 may be found on the head 162, 172 of the end pivots 160, 170. For example, the head of the end pivot 160 or 170 may be flat or may include a square or rectangular recess.
In some embodiments, the end pivots 160, 170 may be made from rubber or any other suitable elastomeric material to prevent scratching or damaging the surface on which the gyroscope 100 is supported while in operation. In an illustrative embodiment, the end pivots have Shore A 80 durometer hardness rating. In other embodiments, the end pivots 160, 170 may be made from any other suitable material that is able to support the gyroscope 100 as the gyroscope 100 as in use. Because the end pivots 160, 170 are removable from the end pivot frames 116, 126, the end pivots 160, 170 may be replaced when necessary due to wear or may be replaced to include different desired features on the end pivots 160, 170.
A cross-sectional view of the gyroscope 100 is shown in
The wheel 130 and the weight 150 are surrounded by the frame 110. The wheel axle portions 142, 144 extend vertically from the wheel 130. The wheel axle portion 142 is at least partially surrounded by the top frame section 112 and the wheel axle portion 144 is at least partially surrounded by the bottom frame section 122.
A pair of opposing bearing pins 148 are arranged in the frame and axially aligned with the opposing ends of wheel axle portions 142, 144. Each bearing pin 148 has an outer end received in top frame section 112 or bottom frame section 122 and an inner end extending into the axially aligned wheel axle bore hole 147 in wheel axle portion 142 or 144. The diameter of the bore holes 147 is slightly larger than the diameter of the bearing pins. The bore hole 147 may overlap with the respective starting gears 143, 145. The bore hole 147 preferably has a hemispherically shaped inner end. The inward end of each bearing pin defines a slightly hemispherically shaped indent. Within each bore hole 147, a ball bearing 146 is arranged between the inward end of each bearing pin 148 and the inner end of the bore hole 147. The wheel axle portions 142, 144 and wheel 130 are able to spin on the ball bearings 146 while the bearing pins 148 remain stationary. Therefore, while in operation, the wheel 130 and the weight 150 spin, while the frame 110 and the end pivots 160, 170 are stationary or move independently of the wheel 130.
In operation, a user inserts the zip cord 180 through a slot defined by the frame 110 and either one of the starting gears 143, 145. The teeth 185 of the zip cord 180 interact with teeth of the starting gear 143, 145 to feed the length of the zip cord 180 through the frame, spinning the wheel 130 and the weight 150 spin in a first direction. The slot between the frame 110 and the starting gear 143 or 145 assists to hold the zip cord 180 against the starting gear 143, 145 as the zip cord 180 is pulled. As the wheel 130 starts to spin in the first direction, the zip cord 180 may be automatically fed through the frame by the rotation of the starting gear 143 or 145 as the teeth of the starting gear 143 or 145 interact with the teeth 185 of the zip cord 180.
Once the zip cord 180 is fed along the starting gear 143 or 145 the desired distance, the zip cord 180 may be quickly pulled in the opposite direction and removed from the frame 110 while the frame is held in position. As the zip cord 180 is pulled, the teeth 185 on the zip cord 180 interact with the starting gear 143 or 145 to spin the wheel 130 and the weight 150 in a second direction, opposite of the first direction. Typically, the zip cord 180 is pulled with greater force as it is removed from the frame 110 compared to the force used to insert the zip cord 180 between the frame 110 and the starting gear 143 or 145.
As the wheel 130 and the weight 150 are spinning, the gyroscope may be supported on a surface by either the end pivot 160 or the end pivot 170. Different surfaces may be used to support the gyroscope 100 including a string, a table, a floor, or even the finger of a user. In some embodiments, the V-shaped slot 163 on the end pivot 160 or the circular recess 173 on the end pivot 170 may interact with the support surface. For example, a string may act as the support surface by inserting the string into the V-shaped slot 163. Alternately, the circular recess 173 may support the gyroscope on a pointed object or on a circular shaped surface. In some embodiments, the ball shaped end pivot 160 or 170 may be supported in a cup-shaped recess. The spin axis of the wheel 130 and the weight 150 through the wheel axle portions 142, 144 is maintained even as the frame 110 of the gyroscope 100 is rotated.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes, equivalents, and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions defined by following claims are desired to be protected.
Claims
1. A toy gyroscope comprising:
- a frame including a first frame section and a second frame section attachable to said first frame section, wherein a first end pivot frame is positioned at an end of said first frame section, and wherein a second end pivot frame is positioned at an end of said second frame section;
- a wheel positioned within said frame, wherein said wheel is rotatable within said frame;
- a wheel axle including a first wheel axle portion extending from a first side of said wheel and a second wheel axle portion extending from a second side of said wheel;
- a weight mounted to said wheel;
- a first end pivot removably attached to said frame at said first end pivot frame; and
- a second end pivot removably attached to said frame at said second end pivot frame.
2. The toy gyroscope of claim 1, further comprising:
- a zip cord including spaced teeth along a length of said zip cord;
- wherein said first wheel axle portion includes a first starting gear having a plurality of teeth; and
- wherein the teeth of said zip cord correspond to the teeth of said first starting gear, and wherein pulling said zip cord along said first starting gear causes rotation of said wheel within said frame.
3. The toy gyroscope of claim 2,
- wherein said second wheel axle portion includes a second starting gear having a plurality of teeth; and
- wherein the teeth of said zip cord correspond to the teeth of said second starting gear, and wherein pulling said zip cord along said second starting gear causes rotation of said wheel within said frame.
4. The toy gyroscope of claim 1,
- wherein said first frame section includes first connection flanges that fit into second connection slots defined in said second frame section when said first frame section is connected to said second frame section; and
- wherein said second frame section includes second connection flanges that fit into first connection slots defined in said first frame section when said first frame section is connected to said second frame section.
5. The toy gyroscope of claim 1, wherein said first frame section is sonic welded to said second frame section.
6. The toy gyroscope of claim 1,
- wherein a plurality of frame openings are defined through said first frame section; and
- wherein a plurality of frame openings are defined through said second frame section.
7. The toy gyroscope of claim 1, further comprising:
- wheel connection flanges extending from said wheel; and
- wherein said wheel connection flanges fit within weight slots defined through a weight ledge of said weight when said weight is attached to said wheel.
8. The toy gyroscope of claim 1,
- wherein said first end pivot frame includes a first end pivot post;
- wherein said first end pivot is removably attachable to said first end pivot frame at said first end pivot post; and
- wherein said first end pivot is rotatable about said first end pivot post to secure said first end pivot to said first end pivot frame.
9. The toy gyroscope of claim 8,
- wherein said first end pivot frame includes an end pivot shoulder; and
- wherein said end pivot shoulder fits within a first end pivot slot defined at an edge of said first end pivot and is rotatable into a first end pivot recess to secure said first end pivot to said first end pivot frame.
10. The toy gyroscope of claim 8,
- wherein said second end pivot frame includes a second end pivot post;
- wherein said second end pivot is removably attachable to said second end pivot frame at said second end pivot post; and
- wherein said second end pivot is rotatable about said second end pivot post to secure said second end pivot to said second end pivot frame.
11. The toy gyroscope of claim 1,
- wherein said first end pivot includes a first end pivot head, and wherein a V-shaped slot is defined through said first end pivot head; and
- wherein said second end pivot includes a second end pivot head, and wherein a circular recess is defined in said second end pivot head.
12. A toy gyroscope comprising:
- a frame including a first end pivot frame and a second end pivot frame;
- a wheel positioned within said frame, wherein said wheel includes: a wheel axle including a first wheel axle portion extending from a first side of said wheel, wherein said first wheel axle portion defines a first bore hole extending within said first wheel axle portion, and a second wheel axle portion extending from a second side of said wheel, wherein said second wheel axle portion defines a second bore hole extending within said second wheel axle portion;
- a first ball bearing positioned within said first bore hole;
- a first bearing pin, wherein an inner end of said first bearing pin is positioned within said first bore hole and an outer end of said first bearing pin is surrounded by said first end pivot frame;
- a second ball bearing positioned within said second bore hole; and
- a second bearing pin, wherein an inner end of said second bearing pin is positioned within said second bore hole and an outer end of said second bearing pin is surrounded by said second end pivot frame.
13. The toy gyroscope of claim 12,
- wherein said first wheel axle portion includes a first starting gear, and wherein said first bore hole extends through said first starting gear; and
- wherein said second wheel axle portion includes a second starting gear, and wherein said second bore hole extends through said second starting gear.
14. The toy gyroscope of claim 13, further comprising:
- a zip cord including spaced teeth along a length of said zip cord;
- wherein the teeth of said zip cord correspond to teeth of said first starting gear, and wherein pulling said zip cord along said first starting gear causes rotation of said wheel within said frame.
15. The toy gyroscope of claim 12,
- wherein said first bore hole has a hemispherically shaped inner end; and
- wherein said second bore hole has a hemispherically shaped inner end.
16. The toy gyroscope of claim 12, further comprising:
- a first end pivot removably attached to said frame at said first end pivot frame.
17. The toy gyroscope of claim 16,
- wherein said first end pivot frame includes a first end pivot post;
- wherein said first end pivot is removably attachable to said first end pivot frame at said first end pivot post; and
- wherein said first end pivot is rotatable about said first end pivot post to secure said first end pivot to said first end pivot frame.
18. The toy gyroscope of claim 16, further comprising:
- a second end pivot removably attached to said frame at said second end pivot frame.
19. The toy gyroscope of claim 18,
- wherein said second end pivot frame includes a second end pivot post;
- wherein said second end pivot is removably attachable to said second end pivot frame at said second end pivot post; and
- wherein said second end pivot is rotatable about said second end pivot post to secure said second end pivot to said second end pivot frame.
20. The toy gyroscope of claim 12, further comprising:
- a weight mounted to said wheel, wherein said weight is positioned around a perimeter of said wheel.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 11, 2023
Publication Date: Jan 11, 2024
Applicant: Tedco Inc. (Hagerstown, IN)
Inventors: Jonathan Patrick Meyer (Indianapolis, IN), Ralph Meyer (Indianapolis, IN)
Application Number: 18/350,051