WO2018231648A1

WO2018231648A1 - Gas-propelled spinning toy

Info

Publication number: WO2018231648A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/036676
Authority: WO
Inventors: James C. Robinson
Original assignee: Robinson James C
Priority date: 2017-06-12
Filing date: 2018-06-08
Publication date: 2018-12-20

Abstract

A spinning toy with protrusions that rotate around a central member is provided. The protrusions can include cavities at a trailing edge that can receive a flow of gas propellant, air, or the like to optimize the propulsion of the body and increase the rotational motion around the central member. Optionally, fins can be included to further increase rotational motion.

Description

GAS-PROPELLED SPINNING TOY

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0001] The disclosures of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/518,431, filed June 12, 2017, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/532,827, filed July 14, 2017, are hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes as if presented in their entirety.

SUMMARY

[0002] Presented herein is a type of toy, and more particularly a toy with spinning component(s) that maintains momentum once started in motion. These have become commonly known as "Fidget Spinners".

[0003] The disclosed spinning toy, in one aspect, includes extensions or protrusions protruding out from a body of the toy. This body rotates around a separate central member that allows the outer elements to spin around a central point, using features, such as bearings, to result in free spin around the central member. On one edge of each protrusion, a concavity can be provided that is sized to receive a flow of air or gas propellant to optimize the propulsion of the body in a rotating motion around the central member. Optionally, the protrusion may be configured in a tapered manner in order to reduce friction/drag as the body rotates through the air. While the body rotates and spins freely on the central member, there may optionally be spinning elements included on the protrusions.

[0004] A related method is provided in which compressed air or gas is used to propel a spinning toy in which the protrusions that contain pocketed cavities into which the compressed air/gas is directed in order to cause the body to rotate around the central point.

[0005] In one aspect, provided herein is a toy that includes a body having a central cavity, a central member disposed in the central cavity, wherein the body includes at least one protrusion extending from the central member, wherein the at least one protrusion includes a leading edge and a trailing edge, with the protrusion being able to spin in a direction around the central member with the leading edge passing a point before the trailing edge, and, wherein the at least one protrusion includes a cavity adjacent the trailing edge. The cavity can be configured to increase the rotational force on the body. The cavity can receive a flow gas applied in the direction of rotation. The flow of gas can be chosen from pressurized air, wind, blown air, pressurized gas, and/or

combinations of these.

[0006] Optionally, the at least one protrusion can include at least one additional feature therein, and the additional feature can be an additional spinning feature.

Additionally, at least one fin can be included on or adjacent the at least one protrusion with the fin increasing the rotational force on the body. The at least one fin can extend above or below the body but does not interfere with spinning motion. The cavity can have a length from the trailing edge end into the at least one protrusion, with the length being less than about 10% of the distance from the trailing edge to the leading edge. The cavity can have a width less than about 10% of a width of the protrusion.

[0007] In another aspect, provided herein is a method of rotating a toy including providing the toy with a body having a central cavity, a central member disposed in the central cavity, at least one protrusion extending from the central member, wherein the at least one protrusion includes a leading edge and a trailing edge, with the protrusion being able to spin in a direction around the central member with the leading edge passing a point before the trailing edge, wherein the at least one protrusion includes a cavity adjacent the trailing edge; spinning the at least one protrusion of the toy around the central member; and increasing rotational force on the body by applying a flow of gas into the cavity. The cavity can receive a flow gas applied in the direction of rotation. The flow of gas can be chosen from pressurized air, wind, blown air, pressurized gas, and combinations of these.

[0008] Optionally, the at least one protrusion can include at least one additional feature therein, and the additional feature can be an additional spinning feature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate certain aspects of the instant invention and together with the description, serve to explain, without limitation, the principles of the invention. Like reference characters used therein indicate like parts throughout the several drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is an overhead plan view of a gas propelled toy, according to one aspect; [0011] FIG. 2 is a side view of the toy of FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a partial cutaway view of the toy of FIG. 1, showing the leading and trailing edges of a protrusion;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the protrusion of FIG. 3;

[0014] FIG. 5 is an overhead plan view of a gas propelled toy, according to one aspect; and

[0015] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a portion of the toy of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The present invention can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, and claims, and their previous and following description. Before the present system, devices, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific systems, devices, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, as such can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0017] The following description of the invention is provided as an enabling teaching of the invention in its best, currently known aspect. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that many changes can be made to the aspects described, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present invention without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present invention are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present invention. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not in limitation thereof.

[0018] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a "body" includes aspects having two or more bodies unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0019] Ranges can be expressed herein as from "about" one particular value, and/or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value.

Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

[0020] As used herein, the terms "optional" or "optionally" mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

[0021] Described herein is a spinning toy, designated generally at 10. In one aspect, the spinning toy 10 comprises a body 20 that is designed to spin freely about a central member 30. The body 20 can be of any shape capable of functioning as detailed herein. In one example, as shown in the figures, the body 20 is shown substantially planar with a central cavity 40 defined therewithin. The central member 30 is configured to fit within the central cavity 40 and engage the body 20, while the body 20 spins in relation to the central member 30. As one in the art can appreciate, the body 20 and/or the central member 30 can comprise a means to facilitate the spinning. For example, the spinning means could be a bearing or bracket, such as those discussed in U.S. Patent No 3,081,578 to Mosher or U.S. Patent No. 3, 175,326 to Isaacson, both of which are incorporated herein by reference as if repeated herein in their entirety.

[0022] In another aspect, the body 20 can comprise a plurality of nodes or protrusions 50 extending away from the central cavity 40 of the body 20. The protrusions 50 can be defined with a leading edge 60 and a trailing edge 70, generally correlating to the direction of span with the leading edge 60 preceding the trailing edge 70 during spinning. As shown in FIG. 1, the direction of rotation is shown at arrow 80. As also shown in FIG. 1, the body 20 can include other features, including additional movable, spinning features placed within the body 20. As shown in FIG. 1, these other features are generally indicated at 90 and can be disposed in apertures configured to receive such features 90.

[0023] The protrusions 50 can include additional designs and features. In one exemplary aspect, the protrusions 50 can each define a concave feature or concavity 100. These concavities 100, as shown in FIG. 3, can be configured to increase the rotational force on the body 20 in order to propel or assist in the rotational movement of the body 20 in the direction of arrow 80 around the central member 30. For example, the concavities 100 can increase the surface area available to "catch" air that impinges on the concavities 100 to increase the rotational force on the body 20. In one exemplary arrangement, a flow of gas, shown at F in FIG. 4, can be applied to interact with the concavities 100 within the trailing edge 70 of the protrusions 50. The gas flow F can be, for example, pressurized air, wind, blown air, pressurized gas, and the like. In an exemplary embodiment, the air or gas can be provided to the concavities 100 in any functional method, for example, the air or gas can be blown by the user's mouth, provided by a compressor, an air cannister, etc. In one aspect, the air is directed by the user to the concavity 100 to start the body spinning and can be subsequently provided at a later time to keep the body spinning or to increase the spin of the body during rotation to keep the body spinning.

[0024] As shown in profile in FIG. 2, the central member 30 can generally be sized to protrude above and/or below the body 20 to facilitate a user holding or otherwise disposing the toy 10 in a position to allow spinning without interference of the spinning motion by, for example, the body 20.

[0025] Another embodiment of a toy 210 is shown in FIGs. 5 and 6, where features similar to toy 10 are represented with similar numbering. Toy 210 includes a body 220 designed to spin freely about central member 230. The body 220 can be of any shape capable of functioning as detailed herein. In one example, as shown in the figures, the body 220 is shown substantially planar with a central cavity 240 defined therewithin. The central member 230 is configured to fit within the central cavity 240 and engage the body 220, while the body 220 spins in relation to the central member 230. As shown in FIG. 1, the direction of rotation is shown at arrow 280. As one in the art can appreciate, the body 220 and/or the central member 230 can comprise a means to facilitate the spinning. Similar to toy 10, the body 220 of toy 210 includes a plurality of nodes or protrusions 250 extending away from the central cavity 240 of the body 220. [0026] The protrusions 250 can include additional designs and features. In one exemplary aspect, the protrusions 250 can each define a concave feature or concavity 300. These concavities 300, as shown in FIG. 5, can be configured to increase the rotational force on the body 220 in order to propel or assist in the rotational movement of the body 220 in the direction of arrow 280 around the central member 230. In one exemplary arrangement, a flow of gas, shown at F in FIG. 6, can be applied to interact with the concavities 300 within the trailing edge 270 of the protrusions 250. The gas flow F can be, for example, pressurized air, wind, blown air, pressurized gas, and the like.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 5, the concavities 300 can extend from the trailing edge

270 toward the leading edge 260. For example, the concavities 300 can have a length of less than about 10% of the distance from the trailing edge 270 to the leading edge 260 of the protrusion 250. Optionally, the concavities 300 can have a length of about 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or more than 90% of the distance from the trailing edge to the leading edge of the protrusion. Similarly, the concavities 300 can have a width of less than about 10% of the width of the protrusion 250. Optionally, the concavities 300 can have a width of about 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or more than 90% of the width of the protrusion 250.

[0028] There can be other elements configured to increase the rotational force on the body 220 and propel the rotational movement around the central member 230. For example, at least one fin 310 can be positioned and/or formed on at least one protrusion 250. In one aspect, at least one fin can be positioned and/or formed on an upper surface 252 and/or a lower surface 254 of at least one protrusion 250 as shown in FIG. 6. The fins 310 can help make the protrusion 250 more aerodynamic. [0029] A portion of a profile view of a protrusion 250 is shown in FIG. 6. The fin

310 as shown in FIG. 6, and/or other portions of the protrusion 250 can extend above and/or below the body 220.

[0030] Although several aspects of the invention have been disclosed in the foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in the art that many

modifications and other aspects of the invention will come to mind to which the invention pertains, having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. It is thus understood that the invention is not limited to the specific aspects disclosed hereinabove, and that many modifications and other aspects are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims that follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the described invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A toy comprising:

a body having a central cavity;

a central member disposed in the central cavity;

wherein the body includes at least one protrusion extending from the central member;

wherein the at least one protrusion includes a leading edge and a trailing edge, with the protrusion being able to spin in a direction around the central member with the leading edge passing a point before the trailing edge; and,

wherein the at least one protrusion includes a concavity adjacent the trailing edge.

2. The toy of claim 1 wherein the concavity is configured to increase the rotational force on the body.

3. The toy of claim 1 wherein the concavity receives a flow gas applied in the direction of rotation.

4. The toy of claim 3 wherein the gas is chosen from pressurized air, wind, blown air, pressurized gas, and combinations of these.

5. The toy of claim 4 wherein the at least one protrusion includes an additional feature therein.

6. The toy of claim 5 wherein the additional feature is an additional spinning feature.

7. The toy of claim 1 wherein at least one fin is included on the at least one protrusion and wherein the fin increases the rotational force on the body.

8. The toy of claim 7 wherein the at least one fin extends above or below the body but does not interfere with spinning motion.

9. The toy of claim 1 wherein the concavity has a length from the trailing edge end into the at least one protrusion, and wherein the length is less than about 10% of the distance from the trailing edge to the leading edge.

10. The toy of claim 1 wherein the concavity has a width less than about 10% of a width of the protrusion.

1 1. A method of rotating a toy comprising:

providing the toy with a body having a central cavity, a central member disposed in the central cavity, at least one protrusion extending from the central member, wherein the at least one protrusion includes a leading edge and a trailing edge, with the protrusion being able to spin in a direction around the central member with the leading edge passing a point before the trailing edge, wherein the at least one protrusion includes a concavity adjacent the trailing edge;

spinning the at least one protrusion of the toy around the central member; and, increasing rotational force on the body by applying a flow of gas into the concavity.

12. The method of claim 1 1 wherein the gas is applied in the direction of rotation.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the gas is chosen from pressurized air, wind, blown error, pressurized gas, and combinations of these.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the at least one protrusion includes an additional feature therein.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the additional feature is an additional spinning feature.

16. The method of claim 1 1 wherein at least one fin is included on the at least one protrusion and wherein the fin increases the rotational force on the body.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the at least one fin extends above or below the body but does not interfere with spinning motion.

18. The method of claim 1 1 wherein the concavity has a length from the trailing edge end into the at least one protrusion, and wherein the length is less than about 10% of the distance from the trailing edge to the leading edge.

19. The method of claim 1 1 wherein the concavity has a width less than about 10% of a width of the protrusion.