GB2447653A - Hand-held fire juggling rotor - Google Patents

Abstract

A hand-held juggling rotor comprises a central body <B>1</B> having at its centre a circular motion bearing <B>2</B> and attachment means for accommodating two or more extensions <B>4</B> with balanced masses <B>5</B>, such that the extensions <B>2</B> can rotate freely when the body is balanced on the centre of the bearing <B>2</B>. The body may comprise two halves that having clamping means <B>3, 3A</B> to attach the two halves together. The extension means <B>4</B> are clamped between the two halves. The balanced masses <B>5</B> of the extensions <B>4</B> may be made from fire resistant material.

Description

Hand held fire juggling rotor This invention relates to a device for

fire juggling.

When jugglers use staffs or batons, whether on fire or not, they often try to create a continuous circular visual effect. However, the continuity of a fire-ring effect and the speed in which the staff or baton are spun is limited by a number of factors. A conventional fire staff or baton has only two points of balanced masses that may be put on fire, one at each end of the staff/baton. Held at the middle, jugglers can only spin it within the limits of their human capabilities, mainly using the rotation of the wrist, and can only make the effect continuous by compensating and contrasting movement with the rest of their arm and body. When trying to spin or manipulate in one hand a device that has more than two balanced masses, usually by holding two staffs/batons crossed, the wrist movement and speed of spinning become even more limited.

To overcome these limitations this invention proposes a hand held object that can accommodate two or more extensions that have balanced masses on them, and also accommodate a circular motion bearing that fits at will on the juggler's middle or index finger, or on a separate stick held by hand. This means that the juggler has a comfortable grip on an object with more than two balanced masses or fire points, and can create a continuous high-Speed rotation by fitting the device on to his finger and pushing one of the extensions with the other fingers or the other hand.

The device is preferably made of two halves that can separate, and once the bearing and the extensions have been placed, be tightened together in order to clamp those components safly in it. This allows the device to be taken apart into its components, making it easier to change parts and to travel with. The two halves are tightened by bolts that go from the top of one half into nuts that are situated at the bottom of the other half. When put together this is the centre body of the device and it can be made of any plastic or polymer or composite substance.

The extensions are accommodated into the centre body in fitted grooves on the inside of its two halves. These grooves and the extensions have male and female grooves to ensure that once locked, they cannot be pulled out or slip out during rotation, although the extensions can be accommodated and secured into the device by other means such as threading, if the center body is made of any metallic substances. The bearing and the bolts also have fitted grooves to house them in the center body.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an example of the device assembled. In this example it has three extensions accommodated in it.

Figure 2 shows the center body only, separated into its two halves and viewing the exterior face of them.

Figure 3 shows the same as in figure 2 but viewing the interior face and showing the housing grooves for the bearing and rods.

Figure 4 shows the extensions and the safety grooves on it and how the balanced mass that carries the fire is fitted on it.

Figure 5 shows a possible alternative design.

Figure 6 shows an alternative design for the extensions.

In figure 1 the assembled device is shown, featuring the centre body I and showing where it accommodates circular motion bearing 2. In this example the centre body I is round but it can be of any shape and size as long as it still embodies the ideas of this invention.. The two halves of centre body 1 are tightened together by bolt 3 and nut 3A, clamping inside them three examples of extension 4. There must be at least two bolts and nuts, and at least two extensions in each device, but the options of more than two of each of these components is not limited, so there can be any number higher that two of the bolts and nuts as long as they do not compromise the structural integrity of the centre body, and there can be any number higher than two of the extensions, so long as they are distributed in balance to each other. Balanced mass 5 is preferably Keviar but can be any fire-resistant material and is secured to the extension 4 by using self-tapping screws 6, or any other screws so long as they go through the extension and thread into the Kevlar on both sides of it.

In figure 2 centre body 1 is shown separated into its two halves and viewing the exterior face of them, showing where bolt 3 and nut 3A are placed.

In figure 3 centre body 1 is separated into its two halves and viewing the interior face of it, showing md-housing groove 7, and bearing housing groove 8. Inside groove there are two male grooves 9.

Figure 4 shows extension 4 and features the end of it that goes into groove 7, and featuring female groove 9A. Together with the male groove 9 they comprise an extra safety feature to secure the extension 4 into centre body 1. Also showing screws 6 that go through balanced mass 5. In this figure the extension 4 is round and balanced mass 5 is at one end of it. However, the extension 4 can be of any shape, including flat or square and can have Keviar or other fire resistant materials laced to its entire length. In case of a flat rod, there will not be safety feature grooves 9 and 9A and instead bolt 3 will go through the rod rather than to the side of it. Balanced mass 5 can be laced to the rod by other means, such as sewing.

Figure 5 gives an example of the possibility of any number of extensions 4, in this case five, and how they can extend from the central body 1 in different angles. in this example extensions 4 are flat, and are secured to centre body I with an additional bolt 3 and nut 3A. Bolt 3 goes through the rod at drilling 11. This example further shows that extension 4 is fitted with a Keviar sleeve 10, covering a greater length of the extension and by that giving a wider line of fire.

Figure 6 is an example for the alternative design for extension 4 as explained above.

Claims (3)

1. Claims I. A hand held juggling rotor comprising a centre body that

   accommodates in its centre a circular motion bearing and attachment and security means to accommodate two or more extensions with balanced masses, such that the extensions can rotate freely when the centre body is balanced on the centre of the bearing.
2. 2. A hand held juggling rotor according to claim I, in which the centre body is comprised of two halves that have the means to be clamped together and come apart, such that the extensions can be attached and secured and detached accordingly.
3. 3. A hand held juggling rotor according to any of the preceding claims, in which the balanced masses on the extensions are made of fire resistant material that can be set on fire.