US20180361218A1

US20180361218A1 - Skill Toy with Weight-Adjustable Beads

Info

Publication number: US20180361218A1
Application number: US16/006,510
Authority: US
Inventors: Haihui Qi; Matthew Hiebert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-06-19
Filing date: 2018-06-12
Publication date: 2018-12-20

Abstract

A weight-adjustable skill toy consists of a string, a first bead, a second bead, at least one first weight, and at least one second weight. The first bead is positioned adjacent to a first end of the string. Likewise, the second bead is positioned adjacent a second end of the string. To change the weight applied at the first bead, the at least one first weight is positioned adjacent the first end and slidably engaged with the first bead. Similarly, to change the weight applied at the second bead, the at least one second weight is positioned adjacent the second end and slidably engaged with the second bead. The first weight, the at least first weight, the second weight, and the at least second weight are utilized to obtain weight configurability.

Description

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/521,621 filed on Jun. 19, 2017.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to skill toys. More specifically, the present invention is a swinging bob toy with a configurable weight and shell system. The present invention includes weight and bead components allowing the user to customize the weight, shape and other features of the swinging bob toy. By doing so, the present invention fulfills different user preferences.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Swinging bob toys are popular entertainment devices for people. These devices allow a user to perform skill tricks. Standard swinging bob toys include bob components which are constrained to, yet slidable along a string. The bob components of a standard swinging bob toy may be swung around an axis created by the user. There are many skill tricks a user can perform though the number, and ease of performing the tricks is limited based on the design of standard swinging bob toys. The bob components are restricted to the original weight, weight distribution, and shape thereby limiting the types of tricks that can easily be performed.
The skill toy related with the present invention is a begleri, which consists of one or more beads at either end of a string. The toy is flipped and twirled around the fingers to perform tricks. The design of the begleri toy allows the user to perform tricks with a fixed weight. Thus, the user has the same feel while performing all tricks. The fixed weight of the toy can also be inconvenient to certain users. As an example, a toy with a significant weight can lead to difficulties if a child is using the toy. Other features of the toy, including the size, shape, and weight distribution, can significantly affect the types of tricks which can be performed with a given set of begleri.
It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a swinging bob toy with a configurable weight and shell system. The invention includes weight and shell components allowing the user to customize the weight, shape and other features of the swinging boy toy that affect play to tailor the experience to the player preference. The customization of weight and position of the weight components allow the user to change and affect the centrifugal force, thereby affecting the overall momentum, and feel of the toy. The customization of the exterior allows the user to change variables such as the size, shape, angles, protrusions, and other external features to their own preference, which results in an overall assembly that can look, feel, and play very different. As an example, having angular gripping sections in a given position where a user wants more grip, and having rounded sections in other places where the user prefers smoothness can greatly enhance the user experience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded front view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first bead of the preferred embodiment, wherein the first bead is identical to the second bead.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the first bead of the preferred embodiment, wherein the first bead is identical to the second bead.

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the first bead in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the at least one weight in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the at least one weight in another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a weight from the at least one second weight in another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the present invention, wherein the at least one second weight is ring-shaped.

FIG. 10 is an exploded front view of the present invention, wherein the at least one second weight is ring-shaped.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
The present invention is related to skill toys. More specifically, the present invention is related to a begleri, which is a skill toy consisting of a string and beads at either end of the string. The present invention is designed to be weight adjustable so that a wide variety of movements can be performed with a single begleri. Moreover, the weight adjustability allows a wider variety of users to be catered since the weight preference of the begleri can vary from one user to another.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the present invention comprises a string 1, a first bead 5, a second bead 6, at least one first weight 10, and at least one second weight 11. The string 1, the first bead 5, and the second bead 6 are used to fulfill the regular functionalities of the skill toy. The shape and size of the first bead 5 and the second bead 6 can vary in different embodiments of the present invention. The at least one first weight 10 and the at least one second weight 11 are used to change the operating weight of the present invention. Changing the operating weight of the present invention allows users to have a different feel when performing movements with the present invention.
The string 1, which can be of different lengths and textures, comprises a first end 2, a string body 3, and a second end 4. The string body 3 extends from the first end 2 to the second end 4 and determines the length of the string 1. The length of the string body 3 can vary from one embodiment to another. The thickness, the material, and the texture of the string body 3 can also vary from one embodiment to another resulting in a different feel when performing different movements. The first bead 5 used in the apparatus is positioned adjacent to the first end 2. To correspond with the first bead 5, the second bead 6 is positioned adjacent to the second end 4. The positioning of the first bead 5 and the second bead 6 allows the user to utilize a considerable length of the string body 3. To adjust the weight applied at the first bead 5, the at least one first weight 10 is slidably engaged with the first bead 5 adjacent the first end 2. Similarly, to adjust the weight at the second bead 6, the at least one second weight 11 is slidably engaged with the second bead 6 adjacent the second end 4. The shape of the at least one first weight 10 and the shape of the at least one second weight 11 allows the user to conveniently move the at least one first weight 10 and the at least one second weight 11 along the string body 3. As shown in FIGS. 8-10, in other embodiments of the present invention, the shape and size of the first bead 5, the second bead 6, the at least one first weight 10, and the at least one second weight 11 can vary. Thus, the slidable engagement between the at least one first weight 10 and the first bead 5 varies accordingly. Likewise, the slidable engagement between the at least one second weight 11 and the second bead 6 can also vary in different embodiments of the present invention.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the materialistic properties of the at least one first weight 10 and the at least one second weight 11 are identical to each other. However, the materialistic properties of the at least one first weight 10 and the at least one second weight 11 can vary in other embodiments of the present invention. Regardless of the size, shape, and material, the at least one first weight 10 and the at least one second weight 11 comprises a weighted body 12 and a receiving hole 13 as illustrated in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B. The weighted body 12, which has a disk shape in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, helps apply weight at the first bead 5 and the second bead 6. However, as shown in FIG. 7B, in other embodiments of the present invention the weighted body 12 can be of a cylindrical shape or other comparable shape as long as the functionality of the present invention remains unchanged. The receiving hole 13 allows the at least one first weight 10 and the at least one second weight 11 to be positioned along the string body 3. To do so, the receiving hole 13 centrally traverses through the weighted body 12. Thus, the string body 3 can be positioned into the receiving hole 13.
The first bead 5 and the second bead 6 can vary in size and shape in different embodiments of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first bead 5 and the second bead 6 each comprise a neck portion 7, a hollow structural body 8, and an opening 9 as seen in FIGS. 4-6. The neck portion 7 is perimetrically and terminally connected to the hollow structural body 8 that is slidably engaged with the at least one first weight 10 or the at least one second weight 11. In another embodiment of the present invention, the neck portion 7 can also be concentrically connected to the hollow structural body 8. The neck portion 7 allows the user to smoothly transition between different movements performed with the present invention. To do so, the neck portion 7 is tapered away from the hollow structural body 8. The opening 9, which centrally traverses through the hollow structural body 8 and the neck portion 7, is used to position the string body 3. In doing so, the first end 2 is positioned through the opening 9 of the first bead 5. Likewise, the second end 4 is positioned through the opening 9 of the second bead 6. For the at least one first weight 10 to be slidably engaged with the first bead 5, the opening 9 of the first bead 5 is concentrically aligned with the receiving hole 13 of the at least one first weight 10. Similarly, for the at least one second weight 11 to be slidably engaged with the hollow structural body 8 of the second bead 6, the opening 9 of the second bead 6 is concentrically aligned with the receiving hole 13 of the at least one second weight 11. As illustrated in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the shape and size of the first bead 5 and the second bead 6 can vary in different embodiments of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 7A, the preferred embodiment of the present invention further comprises a holding mechanism 14. When the at least one first weight 10 or the at least one second weight 11 need to be secured within the first bead 5 or the second bead 6 the holding mechanism 14 is used. More specifically, the holding mechanism 14 is used to removably position the at least one first weight 10 within the hollow structural body 8 of the first bead 5 in the preferred embodiment. Similarly, the holding mechanism 14 is used to removably position the at least one second weight 11 within the hollow structural body 8 of the second bead 6 in the preferred embodiment. The holding mechanism 14 can vary in different embodiments of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 2, in one embodiment of the present invention, the holding mechanism 14 comprises a pair of primary magnets 15 and at least one pair of secondary magnets 16. Each of the pair of primary magnets 15 is integrated into the hollow structural body 8 of the first bead 5 and the second bead 6. On the other hand, each of the at least one pair of secondary magnets 16 is integrated into the weighted body 12 of the at least one first weight 10 and the weighted body 12 of the at least one second weight 11. The pair of primary magnets 15 and the at least one pair of secondary magnets 16 are positioned such that, each of the pair of primary magnets 15 is magnetically coupled with each of the at least one pair of secondary magnets 16. Thus, when the at least one first weight 10 is positioned within the hollow structural body 8 in the preferred embodiment, the at least one first weight 10 remains stationary within the hollow structural body 8 adding weight to the first bead 5. Likewise, the at least one second weight 11 remains stationary within the hollow structural body 8 in the preferred embodiment and adds weight to the second bead 6.
As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7A, in another embodiment of the present invention, the holding mechanism 14 comprises a first set of threads 17 and a second set of threads 18. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first set of threads 17 is internally and laterally distributed along the hollow structural body 8 of both the first bead 5 and the second bead 6. This allows the at least one first weight 10 or the at least one second weight 11 to establish a connection with the first bead 5 or the second bead 6 through a threading motion. To do so, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second set of threads 18 is externally and laterally distributed along the weighted body 12 of the at least one first weight 10 and the at least one second weight 11. When the at least one first weight 10 is within the hollow structural body 8 of the first bead 5, the first set of threads 17 is engaged with the second set of threads 18. Similarly, when the at least one second weight 11 is within the hollow structural body 8 of the second bead 6, the first set of threads 17 is engaged with the second set of threads 18.
When different movements are performed, there is a tendency for the first bead 5, the at least one first weight 10, the second bead 6, and the at least one second weight 11 to detach from the string 1. To avoid such issues, the present invention further comprises a first stopper 19 and a second stopper 20, as shown in FIGS. 1-3. The first stopper 19 is terminally connected to the string 1 at the first end 2 so that the first bead 5 and the at least one first weight 10 do not detach from the string 1 at the first end 2. Similarly, the second stopper 20 is terminally connected to the string 1 at the second end 4 so that the second bead 6 and the at least one second weight 11 do not detach from the string 1 at the second end 4. In one embodiment of the present invention, the first stopper 19 can be a first knot. Likewise, the second stopper 20 can be a second knot. Alternatively, the first stopper 19, the second stopper 20, or both can be an object such as, but not limited to, a washer, nut or other comparable object. Furthermore, the first stopper 19 and the second stopper 20 can be disengaged from the string 3 in order to make adjustments to the arrangement of first bead 5, the second bead 6, the at least one first weight 10, and the at least one second weight 11. Generally, the first stopper 19 and the second stopper 20 is larger in size than the diameter of the receiving hole 13 of the at least one first weight 10 and the at least one second weight 11, respectively.
The first bead 5 and the second bead 6 can be manufactured from a material selected from the group consisting of titanium, aluminum, stainless steel, brass, copper, bronze, polyoxymethylene plastic, wood, silicone, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic. The at least one first weight 10 and the at least one second weight 11 can also be manufactured from different materials so that the applied weight can be adjusted according to user preference. Additionally, in another embodiment, the at least one first weight 10 and the at least one second weight 11 can be manufactured from different materials. As an example, in another embodiment when the at least one first weight 10 is a primary pair of weights, a first weight from the primary pair of weights can be made of aluminum. A second weight from the primary pair of weights can be made of copper. Likewise, when the at least one second weight 11 is a secondary pair of weights, a first weight of the secondary pair of weights can be made of aluminum and a second weight from the secondary pair of weights can be made of copper. The different combinations offered through the at least one first weight 10 and the at least one second weight 11 increases the number of movements that can be performed by the user. More specifically, the weight configurability allows the user to perform a wide variety of movements. As an example, by interchanging between both the primary pair of weights and the secondary pair of weights, the angular momentum used in performing the movements can be changed. Thus, the overall feel when performing the movements change. In another embodiment of the present invention, to enhance user experience, a light emitting device or a sound emitting device can be integrated into the at least one first weight 10 and the at least one second weight 11.
When the present invention is in use, the following process flow is generally followed. Initially, the first end 2 is positioned through the opening 9 of the first bead 5 and the second end 4 is positioned through the opening 9 of the second bead 6. The at least one first weight 10 is positioned adjacent the first end 2 and slidably engaged with the first bead 5. Similarly, the at least one second weight 11 is positioned adjacent the second end 4 and slidably engaged with the second bead 6. When the first bead 5, the at least one first weight 10, the second bead 6, and the at least one second weight 11 are appropriately positioned, the first stopper 19 and the second stopper 20 are secured at the first end 2 and the second end 4 respectively. Thus, the user can proceed to perform a preferred movement with the present invention. If the weight applied at the first bead 5 and the second bead 6 needs to change, the at least one first weight 10 and the at least one second weight 11 can be moved accordingly so that the overall weight changes accordingly. In particular, in the preferred embodiment, if the weight at the first bead 5 needs to be adjusted, the at least one first weight 10 is positioned within the hollow structural body 8 of the first bead 5 with the holding mechanism 14. Similarly, if the weight at the second bead 6 needs to be adjusted in the preferred embodiment, the at least one second weight 11 is positioned within the hollow structural body 8 of the second bead 6 with the holding mechanism 14.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A skill toy with integrated weights comprises:

a string;

a first bead;

a second bead;

at least one first weight;

at least one second weight;

the string comprises a first end, a string body, and a second end;

the string body extending from the first end to the second end;

the first bead being positioned adjacent to the first end;

the second bead being positioned adjacent to the second end;

the at least one first weight being slidably engaged with the first bead and positioned adjacent the first end; and

the at least one second weight being slidably engaged with the second bead and positioned adjacent the second end.

2. The skill toy with integrated weights as claimed in claim 1 further comprises:

the at least one first weight and the at least one second weight comprises a weighted body and a receiving hole;

the receiving hole centrally traversing through the weighted body; and

the string body being positioned through the receiving hole of the at least one first weight and the at least one second weight.

3. The skill toy with integrated weights as claimed in claim 1 further comprises:

the first bead and the second bead each comprise a neck portion, a hollow structural body and an opening;

the neck portion being perimetrically and terminally connected to the hollow structural body;

the opening centrally traversing through the hollow structural body and the neck portion;

the first end being positioned through the opening of the first bead; and

the second end being positioned through the opening of the second bead.

4. The skill toy with integrated weights as claimed in claim 3, wherein the neck portion of the first bead and the second bead is tapered from the hollow structural body.

5. The skill toy with integrated weights as claimed in claim 1 further comprises:

a holding mechanism; and

the at least one first weight and the at least one second weight being removably positioned within the hollow structural body of the first bead and the second bead with the holding mechanism.

6. The skill toy with integrated weights as claimed in claim 5 further comprises:

the holding mechanism comprises a pair of primary magnets and at least one pair of secondary magnets;

each of the pair of primary magnets being integrated into a hollow structural body of the first bead and the second bead;

each of the at least one pair of secondary magnets being integrated into a corresponding weighted body of the at least one first weight and the at least one second weight; and

the primary magnet being magnetically coupled with each of the plurality of secondary magnets.

7. The skill toy with integrated weights as claimed in claim 5 further comprises:

the holding mechanism comprises a first set of threads and a second set of threads;

the first set threads being internally and laterally distributed along the hollow structural body;

the second set of threads being externally and laterally distributed along the weighted body of each of the plurality of weights; and

the first set of threads being engaged with the second set of threads.

8. The skill toy with integrated weights as claimed in claim 1 further comprises:

a first stopper;

a second stopper;

the first stopper being terminally connected to the string at the first end; and

the second stopper being terminally connected to the string at the second end.

9. The skill toy with integrated weights as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first bead and the second bead are manufactured from a material selected from the group consisting of titanium, aluminum, stainless steel, brass, copper, bronze, polyoxymethylene plastic, wood, silicone, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic.