DUAL PURPOSE YO-YO SYSTEM

Abstract

The customizable yo-yo system of the present invention makes available a transformable Yo-yo character to transform a Yo-yo to a character toy.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Use

These teachings relate generally to a Yo-Yo system and in particular to a transformable dual purpose yo-yo-system.

2. Description of Prior Art (Background)

Yo-yo toys have proven to be a long standing and well known toy product. The basic components of a Yo yo generally comprise a body usually formed of a pair of generally disk-like body halves joined by a center shaft. The body halves are spaced apart slightly to form a center space. A string has one end secured about the center shaft and the remaining end configured to be looped around the user's fingers with a slip knot or the like. The attachment of the string end to the center shaft of the Yo-yo is carried forward in either a fixed attachment or a loop formed to encircle the center shaft.

In a typical Yo-yo play pattern, the outer end of the string is secured to the user's finger and the string is wound upon the center shaft until the Yo-yo body is received within the user's hand. Thereafter, the user throws the Yo-yo body downwardly which unwinds the string as the Yo-yo body falls simultaneously spinning the body. At the full extension of the string, the spinning momentum of the Yo-yo body rewinds the string and raises the Yo-yo upwardly upon the string to be caught in the user's hand. For those Yo-yo's of the type having a fixed attachment of the string end upon the center shaft this simple up and down pattern is repeated and constitutes the extent of play with variation of use.

A substantially greater flexibility of use and amusement is provided by Yo-yo's in which the string end at the center shaft of the Yo-yo is simply looped about the center shaft. This allows the spinning Yo-yo body to spin within the string loop at the bottom extension of the string and greatly increase the flexibility of toy play pattern. Thus, as the user throws the Yo-yo body downwardly unwinding the string and spinning the Yo-yo it continues to spin at the bottom end of the string allowing various tricks to be performed. The user raises the spinning Yo-yo body by imparting a sharp tug to the string which wraps and binds the lower end of the spring upon the shaft and raises the Yo-yo.

The width of the gap between the yo-yo halves is critical to proper control of the yo-yo. If the gap is too small, the yo-yo may not sleep, tending, instead, to frictionally grip the string notwithstanding the presence of tension in the string. If the gap is too wide, the inwardly facing surfaces of the yo-yo halves may not. be able to engage the string with sufficient friction.

In addition, the extended popularity of Yo-yo toys have prompted practitioner's in the art to provide a great variety of such toys. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,676,432 issued to Field sets forth a whirling toy having a Yo-yo defining a pair of body halves and a string secured to the center shaft. Each body half defines a clear outer surface and a cavity within which a toy figure is rotatably supported.

However, there is no known prior art that integrates the body of the Yo-yo as part of the toy. Thus, there remains a need in the art for evermore varied and interesting Yo-Yo type products.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The foregoing and other problems are overcome, and other advantages are realized, in accordance with the presently preferred embodiments of these teachings.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a transformable yo-yo system includes a includes a matching weighted shells, matching pads, matching spacers, a hearing, and an axle with a blind threaded hole for engaging a hex screw when the yo-yo is in an assembled condition. The matching weighted shells, when assembled form a gap for snugly receiving and holding a toy shape having a connector or stabilizing wedge suitably shaped to fit snugly with the gap.

The invention is also directed towards a transformable yo-yo system which includes matching weighted metal shells, matching pads, matching spacers, a bearing, and an axle with a blind threaded hole for engaging a hex screw when the yo-yo is in an assembled condition. The matching weighted shells are ferrous material, and when assembled receive and magnetically hold a toy shape having a magnetic connector.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention a transformable yo-yo system, which includes matching shells, matching pads, matching spacers, a bearing, and an axle with a blind threaded hole for engaging a hex screw when the yo-yo is in an assembled condition. The matching shells include a ring of ferrous material, and when assembled receive and magnetically hold a toy shape having a magnetic connector.

The invention is also directed towards a to shape cradle having toy arms/hands and toy legs/feet/shoes. The toy shape cradle is suitably sized to couple to the Yo-yo by pressure and/or a stabilizing wedge. The stabilizing wedge is suitable shaped to fit snugly within the gap formed by the assembled Yo-yo shells.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view one embodiment of a transformable Yo-yo system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of a transformable Yo-yo system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a pictorial illustration of the assembled embodiment of the transformable Yo-yosystem in accordance with the present invention shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional illustration taken through the diameter of the yo-yo shown in FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of a transformed Yo-yo in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a pictorial view of an accessorized transformed Yo-yo in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a pictorial view of an alternate accessorized transformed Yo-yo in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is an illustration of one of the internal face of the yo-yo of FIGS. 1; and

FIG. 9 is n enlarged diametric section through the region of the spool and axial of the yo-yo.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first to FIGS. 4, 8, and 9, the yo-yo includes a pair of yo-yo halves 10, 12 which preferably are formed from injection molded plastic, although they may be formed from other materials such as wood, metal or a combination thereof. The yo-yo halves may be about 2 and ¼″ diameter. The inwardly facing surfaces 14, 16 of the yo-yo halves 10, 12 are provided with cylindrical sockets 18, 20 which, in turn, are formed with internal bores 22, 24. The sockets 18, 20 and internal bores 22, 24 are aligned along the axis of rotation of the yo-yo. The yo-yo halves are essentially identical. Commercially available threaded inserts 26, 28, are embedded in the internal bores 22, 24, respectively. An axle 30, which may be formed from steel rod, having threaded ends 32, 34 is screwed into the threaded inserts 26, 28 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 9. The juncture of the unthreaded portion of the axle 30 with the threaded ends 32, 34 defines shoulders 36, 38 (see FIG. 9) which abut facing shoulders 40, 42 formed on the threaded inserts 26, 28.

The inwardly facing surfaces 14, 16 of the yo-yo halves may be provided with an arrangement of radially extending raised ribs 45 surrounding the sockets 18, 20 in somewhat of a starburst pattern. The ribs may be of the order of 0.125″ long and may extend above the associated surfaces 14, 16 about 0.010″. The ribs enhance the ability of the yo-yo to engage the string when retrieving the yo-yo. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the space 44 between the yo-yo halves 10, 12 adjacent the spool is among the critical features of the invention and, therefore, it is important to assure that the threaded inserts 26, 28 are precisely located in the yo-yo halves 10, 12. Where the yo-yo halves 1012 are formed from injection molded plastic, it is possible to locate the inserts 26, 28 with such precision using conventional insert molding techniques.

The yo-yo includes a generally cylindrical spool 46 rotatably mounted on the axle 30, the ends of the spool 46 being received, symmetrically, within the sockets 18, 20 of the yo-yo halves 10, 12. By way of example, the axle may be of the order of 0.156″ diameter the inner diameter of the spool 46 being about 0.005″ to 0.008″ in diameter larger than the axle. The spool 46 preferably is provided with to circumferential groove 48 about which the yo-yo string (not shown) may be fastened. The yo-yo is intended to be used with standard yo-yo strings commercially available. Preferably the string is fastened in a double loop so that the spool 46 will not rotate with respect to the string. The spool 46 is formed from a polymeric material having good lubricity properties. For example, DELRIN available from DU PONT has been found to be a suitable plastic. The polymeric material also should be machined to precise tolerances. Other plastics having good lubricity and machinability properties may be employed. The outer diameter of the spool 46 is slightly less than the diameter of the sockets 18, 20 so that when the yo-yo is suspended from its string, the yo-yo halves 10, 12 may spin freely without interference with the circumference of the spool. The axle 30 may be coated with a light film of lubricant further to enhance the low frictional characteristics of the device.

in order that the yo-yo may display superior long duration spinning, it is critical that the axial play of the spool 46 on the shaft (the difference between spool length and distance between ends of sockets 18, 20) be no greater than about 0.018″ and preferably about 0.015″. The clearance may be as low as about 0.001″. As long as the axial play is maintained within those limits, the device will display superior spinning for long times Also critical to the performance of the yo-yo is the facility with which the yo-yo may be returned to the user from a sleeping configuration with a simple flick of the wrist. By maintaining the space 43 between the facing ribs 45 of the yo-yo halves 10, 12 adjacent the spool between about 0.075″ to 0.090″, (space 44 being about 0.095″ to 0.105″) the yo-yo will return easily and controllably even though the string is attached to the freely rotatable spool 46. If the radial ribs 45 are omitted, the yo-yo halves may be placed closer together, bringing space 44 to about 0.075″ to 0.090″. Thus, the present invention achieves the desired characteristics of long spins and easily controlled return without requiring the use of complex clutches.

Referring also to FIG. 1 there is shown an exploded view one embodiment of a transformable Yo-yo system in accordance with the present invention. Shown in FIG. 1 is yo-yo base 100. As described earlier yo-yo base 100 may be any suitable material such as plastic, resin, or metal. Yo-yo base 100 may be decorated with any desired artwork. For example, yo-yo base 100 may be decorated to resemble a character or the face of a character or cartoon.

Still referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a toy appendage resembling an arm 122. The toy appendage 122 includes blade, or stabilizing wedge, 122A suitably sized and shaped to fit snugly within space 44 (Shown in FIG. 4). Similarly appendage 124 includes blade 124A suitably sized and shaped to within space 44 (shown in FIG. 4). Toy appendages 122 and 124 may be any suitable material such as plastic. Furthermore, blades 122A and 124A may include magnetic material for magnetically coupling to the yo-yo 100.

Still referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a toy appendage resembling a leg 126. The toy appendage 126 includes blade 126A suitably sized and shaped to fit snugly within space 44 (Shown in FIG. 4). Similarly appendage 128 includes blade 128A suitably sized and shaped to within space 44 (shown in FIG. 4). Toy appendages 126 and 128 may be any suitable material such as plastic. Furthermore, blades 126A and 128A may include magnetic material for magnetically coupling to the yo-yo 100. Toy appendages 122, 124, 126, and 128 may include articulated joints and coupling blades.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the toy appendages 122, 124, 126, and 128 may include coupling means for coupling the appendages to ancillary toy equipment, such as toy skateboards 129. The coupling means may include any suitable coupling means, such as for example, a hole 126B or 128B for receiving a peg 129A, magnetic coupling means, Velcro® coupling means, or latching coupling means.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the toy appendages 122, 124, 126, 128 may be any suitable material such as a pliable plastic or resin.

Referring also to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 there is shown an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of a transformable Yo-yo system in accordance with the present invention. Shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 is yo-yo 100 with space 44 (described earlier) and cradle assembly 350.

Cradle assembly 350 shown in FIG. 3 includes cradle 330, toy arm/hand appendage 332, toy arm/hand appendage 338, toy leg/shoe appendage 336, toy leg/shoe appendage 334, and cradle coupler and stabilizer 331.

Still referring also to FIG. 3, cradle 330 is suitably sized and shaped to fit snugly around approximately half the yo-yo 100 diameter. Cradle coupler and stabilizer 331 is suitably sized and shaped to fit snugly within space 44. The cradle coupler and stabilizer 331 may be any suitable material such as plastic or resin and may contain magnetic coupling means for coupling to yo-yo 100.

The toy arm/hand appendage 332, toy arm/hand appendage 338, toy leg/shoe appendage 336, and toy leg/shoe appendage 334 may be any suitable material such as a pliable or flexible plastic, resin, or rubber. The toy arm/hand appendage 332, toy arm/hand appendage 338, toy leg/shoe appendage 336, and toy leg/shoe appendage 334 may be permanently or semi-permanently affixed to cradle 330.

Referring also to FIG. 5, there is shown a pictorial view of a transformed Yo-yo in accordance with the present invention. Yo-yo 100 is seated snugly within cradle assembly 350 and is stabilized by aforementioned cradle coupler and stabilizer (FIG. 3, item 331).

Referring also to FIG. 6 there is shown a pictorial view of an accessorized transformed Yo-yo in accordance with the present invention. Again Yo-yo 100 is seated snugly within cradle assembly 350 and is stabilized by aforementioned cradle coupler and stabilizer (FIG. 3, item 331). In addition the appendages shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 3 may be accessorized with any suitable toy clothing, such as, for example, Santa Claus suit 643A and Santa Claus hat 643. It will be understood that certain accessories, such as hat 643 or Easter Bunny Ears, may be affixed to Yo-Yo 100 via a cradle coupler and stabilizer similar to the cradle coupler and stabilizer shown in FIG. 3, item 331.

Referring also to FIG. 7 there is shown a pictorial view of an alternate accessorized transformed Yo-yo in accordance with the present invention. Yo-yo 100 is fitted snugly with cradle assembly 350 and is stabilized by aforementioned cradle coupler and stabilizer (FIG. 3, item 331). In addition, Yo-yo 100 is fitted with appendages such as Bunny Ears 144 coupled to Yo-yo 100 via a cradle coupler and stabilizer similar to the cradle coupler and stabilizer shown in FIG. 3, item 331.

It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Thus, various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention.

Claims

1. A transformable yo-yo system comprising; a yo-yo, wherein the yo-yo comprises: a pair of yo-yo halves, wherein the pair of yo-yo halves form a defined gap when assembled;an axle defined by a cylindrical shaft adaptable to connecting to each of the halves at the axis of rotation of the yo-yo;a spool rotatably mounted in contact with the axle between the yo-yo halves,the spool being freely rotatable on the axle and haying a limited amount of axial play;the halves being spaced with respect to each other, adjacent the spool, between about 0.075″ to about 0.090″; andat east one toy appendage, wherein the at least one toy appendage comprises: a coupling wedge adaptable for coupling the at least one toy appendage to the yo-yo, wherein the coupling wedge is adaptable for snugly fitting within the defined gap.

2. The transformable yo-yo system as in claim 1 further comprising: each of the yo-yo halves having a cylindrical socket formed at its inner face to receive the ends of the spool.

3. The transformable yo-yo system as in claim 1 in which the spool has a circumferential groove formed about its periphery about the midsection of the spool.

4. The transformable yo-yo system as in claim 3 wherein the spool is formed from a low friction plastic material.

5. The transformable yo-yo system as in claim 1 further comprising: the yo-yo halves baying facing surfaces that are provided with an array each of a plurality of raised radially extending ribs about the axis of rotation of the yo-yo;said spacing between the halves, adjacent the spool, being measured between the facing arrays of ribs.

6. The transformable yo-yo system as in claim 1 wherein the at least one toy appendage comprises at least one hole for receiving a peg, wherein the peg is attached to an ancillary toy equipment.

7. The transformable yo-yo system as in claim 1 wherein the at least one toy appendage comprises magnetic holding for magnetically coupling the at least one toy appendage to ancillary toy equipment.

8. The transformable yo-yo system as in claim 1 wherein the at least one toy appendage comprises magnetic holding for magnetically coupling the at least one toy appendage to the yo-yo.

9. The transformable yoyo system as in claim 1 wherein the at least one toy appendage comprises at least one articulated joint.

10. The transformable yo-yo system as in claim 1 wherein the at least one toy appendage comprises a cradle, wherein the cradle is suitably sized to snugly hold at least one of yo-yo halves.

11. The transformable yo-yo system as in claim 10 wherein the cradle further comprises a stabilizing wedge for snugly fining within the defined gap.

12. The transformable yo-yo system as in claim 10 wherein the cradle further comprises at least one toy appendage.

13. The transformable yo-yo system as in claim 12 wherein the at least one toy appendage comprises at least one pliable toy appendage.

14. The transformable yo-yo system as in claim 1 further comprising a second cradle wherein the second cradle comprises a second stabilizing wedge for snugly fitting within the defined gap.

15. A transformable toy comprising: a yo-yo, wherein the yo-yo comprises: a pair of yo-yo halves, wherein the pair of yo-yo halves form a defined gap when assembled:at least one toy appendage, wherein the at least one toy appendage comprises: a coupling wedge adaptable for coupling the at least one toy appendage to the yo-yo, wherein the coupling wedge is adaptable for snugly fitting within the defined gap.

16. The transformable toy as in claim 15 wherein the at least one toy appendage comprises magnetic holding for magnetically coupling the at least one toy appendage to ancillary toy equipment.

17. The transformable toy as in claim 15 wherein the at least one toy appendage comprises at least one articulated joint.

18. A transformable yo-yo comprising a yo-yo, wherein the yo-yo comprises: a pair of yo-yo halves, wherein the pair of yo-yo halves form a defined gap when assembled; andat least one toy appendage cradle, wherein the cradle further comprises a stabilizing wedge for snugly fitting within the defined gap.

19. The transformable yo-yo as in claim 18 wherein the cradle is suitably sized to snugly hold at least one of yo-yo halves.

20. The transformable yo-yo system as in claim 18 wherein the cradle further comprises at least one toy appendage.