GB2471122A

GB2471122A - Sound generating and illuminated whirligig

Info

Publication number: GB2471122A
Application number: GB0910506A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hamidulla Pangeshiri
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-06-17
Filing date: 2009-06-17
Publication date: 2010-12-22
Also published as: GB0910506D0

Abstract

A whirligig, comprises a body member 2 rotatable about an axis, a flexible support means 1 for rotating the body member 2 in a forward or reverse direction, said flexible support means 1 being the sole support for the body member 2 during rotation of the body member, a light source L, a power supply B, and a switch S arranged in a circuit between said light source and said power supply, wherein the flexible support means is operable to turn the switch on and off. The switch S may include a spring 5 and a movable contact member 6. When the spring 5 is not stretched the contact member 6 is biases away from a contact 3 and the switch is in an open state (see figure 7). The flexible support means 1 may pass through a hole 6A in the contact member 6 such that when the two ends 9 of the flexible support means 1 are pulled outwards the contact member 6 is forced against contact 3 closing the switch, as shown in figure 8. A second switch 6' may be provided to control a second light L'. Also disclosed is a whirligig having a switch S to control an electrical circuit device which can generate sounds or music.

Description

A WHIRLIGIG

The present invention relates to a whirligig, and more particularly to a whirligig which can emit light or sounds or music.

As shown in Figures I and 2, a known whirligig, comprises a disk-like body member 2 and a string I having two portions IA and lB. Openings 8A and 8B are formed through the body member and each spaced away slightly in relation to its centre to receive respective string portions. By means of the string 1, the whirligig can be rotated first in one direction and then in the other. When the whirligig is in use, the thumbs of a user are passed through the end portions of the string 1. The body member 2 is then rotated by a sufficient amount by hand in a first direction to twist the string portions IA and lB. A pulling action is then exerted upon the string so that the body member 2 is caused to reverse in a second direction. Releasing the tension of the string momentarily causes the body member 2 by its momentum to continue to rotate and twist the string portions IA and I B in said second direction, whereby renewal of the axial tension again rotates the body member in said first direction. This is repeated and the body member rotates first in one direction, then in the other, and so on.

However, a problem of such a whirligig is that a user, especially a child, loses interest in playing with it after using it for several minutes since it only involves repeated actions.

The object of the present invention is to provide a whirligig which can be easily controlled to emit light or sound or music to entertain a user or audience. Preferably the light or sounds or music can be turned on and off automatically when a user is playing with the whirligig.

En one aspect, the present invention provides a whirligig comprising: a body member rotatable about an axis; a flexible support means for rotating the body member in a forward or reverse direction, said flexible support means being the sole support for the body member during rotation of the body member; a light source; a power supply; and a switch arranged in a circuit between said light source and said power supply, wherein the flexible support means is operable to turn the switch on and off.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a whirligig comprising: a body member rotatable about an axis; a flexible support means for rotating the body member in a forward or reverse direction, said flexible support means being the sole support for the body member during k-l L ULaLI.Jfl 1J� IJJ'..4J II I%tI an electric circuit device which can generate sounds or music; a power supply; and a switch arranged in a circuit between said electric circuit device and said power supply, wherein the flexible support means is operable to turn the music or sounds on and off.

Preferred features are defined in the dependent claims.

Preferred embodiments are described below by way of example only with reference to Figs. 1-9 of the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure I shows a front view ola conventional whirligig; Figure 2 show a side view of the conventional whirligig of Figure 2; Figure 3 shows a front view of the whirligig according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 shows a side view of the whirligig of Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a front view of the whirligig when the switch is in its closed state according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a simplified circuit diagram according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 shows a front view of a whirligig according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 shows a front view of a whirligig when each of the switches is in the closed state according to the second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 is a simplified circuit diagram according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figures 3 to 5, a whirligig 10 comprises a hollow cylinder-shaped body member 2 with an axis of rotation and a string 1. (The string I is not shown in Figure 4).

Openings 8A and 88 are provided on each of the two opposite surfaces of the body member 2, and each spaced away slightly in relation to its centre. The string forms a closed loop and has two portions IA and lB extending through respective openings 8A and 8B. Each end of the string 1 further has a ring 9/9A as a finger holder for receiving a user's finger or thumb. The whirligig 10 further comprises a circuit having a battery B, a switch S (shown in Figure 6), both disposed within the body member 2, and LEDs disposed on the outer surface of the body member 2. The circuit is best shown in Figure 6. The battery B, the switch S and the LEDs L are electrically connected to each other in series by electrical wires 1 1. The battery B is fixed to an inner surface of the body member 2, as indicated by dash lines in Figure 3.

The switch S comprises a spring 5 and a movable contact member 6. One end of the spring 5 is fixed to an inner surface of the body member, and the other end of the spring is electrically coupled to the movable contact member 6. Electric wire 11 connects the LEDs L to the spring 5 at point P. As shown in Figure 3, when the spring is not stretched the movable contact member 6 is biased away from contact with the positive pole of the battery B. Thereby the switch is positioned in its open state. The movable contact member 6 has a through hole 6A through which the string portion I B extends. The through hole 6A, the openings 8B and the battery B are relatively positioned such that when the two ends of the string portion lB are pulled outwards to opposite directions (as indicated by F in Figure 5), the string portion I B can force the movable contact member 6 to overcome the biasing force and move towards the positive pole of the battery B and finally force the switch to close. To facilitate electrical contact between the positive pole of the battery B and the movable contact member 6, the whirligig 10 further comprises a U-shaped ring 3 electrically connected to the positive pole of the battery directly or indirectly through a spring 4 or a wire. By pulling the two ends of the string portion 1 B in opposite directions as indicated by F in Figure 5, the string portion I B forces the movable contact member 6 to move towards the U-shaped ring 3 to close the circuit. In Figure 5, the switch is in its closed state. The spring 5 is stretched and the movable contact member 6 contacts with the U-shaped ring 3. The LEDs are turned on.

In use, firstly the body member 2 needs to be rotated by a sufficient amount by rotation of the string I on each side of the body member 2. The string portions IA and lB are twisted in one direction. A pulling action is then exerted upon the string so that the body member is caused to rotate in the opposite direction. At the same time, the pulling action forces the movable contact member 6 to contact the U-shaped ring 3 to close the switch.

Therefore the LEDs are triggered to emit different coloured lights. When the tension of the string I is released the spring 5 returns to its normal position, thereby the movable contact member 6 is biased away from the closed state of the switch and the LEDs are turned off. The body member 2 is caused by its momentum, to twist the string portions IA and lB in said opposite direction. By repeatedly pulling the string and releasing the tension to cause the body member to rotate first in one direction and then in the other, the LEDs are repeatedly turned on and off. Therefore the light source is easily turned on and off when playing with the whirligig in a traditional way without requiring any additional action from the user.

Referring to Figures 7 to 9, which show a second embodiment of the present invention, a whirligig 10 is basically same as the whirligig described in the first embodiment above and the same reference numerals are used for the same components. As best seen in Figure 9, the whirligig 10 further comprises a second light source L' and a second switch S' arranged in a second circuit between the second light source L' and the battery B. The second switch S' has the same configuration as the first switch S. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the whirligig 10 comprises a second spring 5' and a second movable contact member 6' with a through hole 6A' thereof for receiving the string portion IA. One end of the second spring S'is fixed to an inner surface of the body member, and the other end of the second spring 5' is electrically coupled to the second movable contact member 6'.

The electric wire 11 connects the light source L to the second spring 5' at point P'. As shown in Figure 7, the second spring 5' biases the second switch away from its closed state when the second spring 5' is not stretched. The through hole 6A' of the second movable contact member 6', the through hole 6A of the first movable contact member 6, the openings 8B and 8A and the battery B are positioned such that by pulling the string 1 in opposite directions (as indicated as F in Figure 8), the movable contact members 6 and 6' can be forced to contact with the U-shaped ring 3 to close the circuit, as shown in Figure 8. In Figure 8, each of the switches is in the closed state. The springs 5 and 5' are stretched and the movable contact members 6 and 6' contact with the U-shaped ring 3.

The LEDs are turned on. By pulling the string portion IA or string portion IB, the first or the second switch can be independently controlled to close respective circuits.

In a further embodiment, the light source in the first embodiment is replaced by an electric circuit device which can generate sounds or music. Other components in this embodiment are the same as the first embodiment. The electric Circuit device can be an integrated circuit with a speaker generating sounds/music. By repeatedly pulling the string and releasing the tension to cause the body member to rotate first in one direction and then in the other, the switch alternates between its open and closed states. The electric circuit device is turned on and off repeatedly.

In a yet further embodiment, the light sources in the second embodiment are replaced by two said electric circuit devices which can generate sounds or music. Other components in this embodiment are the same as the second embodiment. By pulling the string portion IA or string portion LB, the first or the second switch can be independently controlled to close respective circuits.

As can be seen from the above description, the whirligig of the present invention can emit light or sounds or music to increase the interests of the user or audience by operating the string to force the switch/switches to close. In addition, when a user plays the whirligig in a traditional way, i.e. to repeatedly pull the string and then release the tension to cause the body member to rotate first in one direction and then in the other, the light sources or sound/music generators are turned on and off automatically without requiring any additional action from the user.

Although in the preferred embodiments, the switch is biased away from the closed state by a spring, other biasing means can also be used. For example the switch can be biased away from its closed state by a resilient flake, or by magnetism such as by magnets.

The spring 5 is not necessarily part of the circuit. The circuit may consist of a moveable contact member such as a switch, a light source and a power supply only.

The power supply, the switch/switches and the light source/sources can be disposed either in/on the body member or separate from the body member, as long as they are electrically connected to each other.

In the present embodiments, the body member 2 is made of a transparent or translucent plastic material. Other materials can also be used, such as iron or steel or rubber.

The whirligig of the present invention can be used as a toy or a small exercise device or for any other suitable purpose. When it is used as a small exercise device, the body member 2 can be made of steel. The weight of the body member is adjustable according to the user's requirement.

Although the string is used for supporting/rotating the body member during its rotation in the preferred embodiments, other flexible support means can be used, such as an elastomeric flexible support means that is capable of supporting/rotating the body member during its rotation.

Although the movable contact member 6 or 6' shown in the preferred embodiments is a piston, it can be in any shape.

The body member 2 can be in any shape, such as a cone, a disk shape or a triangular shape.

Openings 8A and 8B do not have to be positioned on each of the two opposite surfaces of the body member 2 and slightly spaced away in relation to the centre of the body member 2, as described in the preferred embodiments. They can be provided on any suitable surfaces of the body member 2.

Preferably openings are symmetrically disposed with respect to the rotatable axis of the body member.

Furthermore, the openings 8A and 8B can be omitted and the string portions IA and lB do not have to be extended through the body member. For example, they can be provided on respective rings which are fixed on the outer surfaces of the body member.

Claims

CLAIMS: I. A whirligig, comprising: a body member rotatable about an axis; a flexible support means for rotating the body member in a forward or reverse direction, said flexible support means being the sole support for the body member during rotation olthe body member; a light source; a power supply; and a switch arranged in a circuit between said light source and said power supply, wherein the flexible support means is operable to turn the switch on and off.
2. A whirligig, comprising: a body member rotatable about an axis a flexible support means for rotating the body member in a forward or reverse IS direction, said flexible support means being the sole support for the body member during rotation of the body member; an electric circuit device which can generate sounds or music; a power supply; and a switch arranged in a circuit between said electric circuit device and said power supply, wherein the flexible support means is operable to turn the music or sounds on and off. l0
3. A whirligig according to any one olthe preceding claims, wherein said flexible support means extends through the body member in said axial direction.
4. A whirligig according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a biasing means biasing the switch away from the closed state, wherein the flexible support means is operable to force the switch to close.
5. A whirligig according to claim 4, wherein the switch comprises a movable contact member biased away from the closed state of the switch by said biasing means, and the flexible support means is operable to force the movable contact member to close the switch.
6. A whirligig according to claim 5, wherein the biasing means is a resilient means connected to the movable contact member.
7. A whirligig according to claim 6, wherein said resilient means is a spring.
8. A whirligig according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the switch is biased away from the closed state by magnetism.
9. A whirligig according to claim 4 or claim 5 or claim 8, wherein the biasing means comprises a magnet.II
10. A whirligig according to any one of the preceding claims 4 to 9, wherein the support means comprises a string having two portions, at least one portion of said string being connected to the movable contact member, wherein the contact member is movable towards the closed state of the switch by pulling said string.
11. A whirligig according to claim 10, wherein the movable contact member can be forced to close the circuit by pulling two ends of said string to the opposite directions.
12. A whirligig according to any one of claim 1 and claims 3 to 9, further comprising a second light source and a second switch arranged in a second circuit between said second light source and said power supply, wherein the flexible support means is operable to turn the second switch on and off.
13. A whirligig according to any one of claims 2 to 9, further comprising a second electric circuit device for generating sounds or music and a second switch arranged in a second circuit between said second electric circuit device and said power supply, wherein the flexible support means is operable to turn the second switch on and off.
14. A whirligig according to claim 12 or claim 13, further comprising a second biasing means biasing the second switch away from its closed state, wherein the flexible support means is operable to force the second switch to close.
15. A whirligig according to claim 14, wherein the second switch comprises a second movable contact member biased away from the closed state of the second switch by said second biasing means, and the flexible support means is operable to force the second movable contact member to close the second switch.
16. A whirligig according to claim 15, wherein the second biasing means is a second resilient means connected to the second movable contact member.
17. A whirligig according to claim 16, wherein said second resilient means is a spring.
18. A whirligig according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the second switch is biased away from its closed state by magnetism.
19. A whirligig according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the second biasing means comprises a magnet.
20. A whirligig according to any one of claims I to 9, wherein the support means comprises a string having two portions, the two portions of the string being connected to respective contact members, the movable contact members being movable towards the closed state of respective switches by pulling respective portions of said string.
21. A whirligig according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the power supply is one or more batteries held by a U-shaped ring within the body member, the U-shaped ring being coupled to one pole of the battery, wherein the contact member of claims I to II or the contact members of claims 12 to 21 are movable towards the U-shaped ring to close respective circuits.
22. A whirligig according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the power supply and the switch of claims I to II or switches of claims 12 to 21 are disposed within the body member.
23. A whirligig according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body member is translucent or transparent.
24. A whirligig according to any one of the claim I and claims 3 to 23, wherein the light source is fixed on the outer surface of the body member or disposed within the body member.
25. A whirligig according to any one of claim I and claims 3 to 12 and claims 14 to 24, wherein the light source comprises one or more LEDs.
26. A whirligig according to any one of the preceding claims which is a toy or an exercise device.
27. A whirligig substantially as described hereinabove with reference to Figures 3 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.