Patent Application
20160074759
The present invention is in the field of handheld electronic devices. More particularly, the present invention is in the field of handheld illuminating and spinning toys.
There are numerous scanning toys and appliances that rely on the spinning or vibrating action of an arm that is populated with LEDs along its length. In this manner words, numbers, and images can be displayed such as those used in some clocks. There are also toys that blink LEDs on and off to produce asynchronous patterns of light. And further, there are toys that illuminate objects with LEDs.
Embodiment No. 1 of the present invention takes advantage of illuminating a three dimensional translucent figurine or shape and simultaneously rotating LEDs that are located at the end of arms which splay outward due to the centripetal force generated by spinning. This produces a unique effect, which can appeal to a market driven by the marriage of technology and fun in a cost effective manner.
For many years there have been toys that illuminate objects, from simple flashlights to projectors of static and moving images. There has been a recent deluge of scanning toys employing one or more moving LEDs that turn on and off quickly, thus creating patterns of light that can spell words and create images.
Embodiment No. 2 of the present invention employs several unique innovations wherein a scanning incoherent light source radiates from an entire coiled cylinder of thin plastic, and this creates an illumination of a central image when rotating, and this moving illumination creates a three dimensional appearance not unlike a virtual holograph, though illuminated with incoherent light. Together with multiple coiled cylinders of thin plastic, each illuminated with a different color LED, a fascinating combination of effects can be achieved.
There has also been a recent deluge of scanning toys employing one or more moving LEDs that turn on and off quickly, thus creating patterns of light that can spell words and create images.
Embodiment No. 3 of the present invention takes advantage of illuminating a spinning translucent shell upon which an image is located, and with it are simultaneously rotating LEDs that are located at the ends of flexible elements which splay outward due to the centripetal force generated by spinning. This produces a unique effect, which can appeal to a market driven by the marriage of technology and fun in a cost effective manner.
Embodiment No. 4 of the present invention employs several unique innovations wherein a scanning incoherent light source radiates from an entire coiled cylinder of thin plastic, and this creates an illumination of a central image when rotating, and this moving illumination creates a three dimensional appearance not unlike a virtual holograph, though illuminated with incoherent light. Together with multiple coiled cylinders of thin plastic, each illuminated with a different color LED, a fascinating combination of effects can be achieved.
Embodiment No. 5 of the present invention takes advantage of illuminating at least one rotating three dimensional shape from within the shape. This produces a unique effect, which can appeal to a market driven by the marriage of technology and fun.
Embodiment No. 1 of the present invention is a spinning toy that lights up. One embodiment of Embodiment No. 1 can be a hand held spinning toy with an illuminated image comprising a hand held base unit with a housing, a hand grip molded into the housing, an on/off switch, an internal power source, circuitry and wiring, LED lights, a motorized device having a central subsystem spinning about a central axis, a translucent center-molded globe capable of transmitting light, and/or at least one extension element that carries wiring extending from the central axis area to at least one LED light at the far end. The globe can be constructed from at least two molded pieces that snap together, and the globe has at least one sculpted extension to form a three dimensional shape or recognizable image. The sculpting also has a film material internally housed which, when illuminated while spinning has an interesting visual appearance. The extension elements can be flexible or rigid, and they can extend to a maximum radius from a central axis of rotation as the central axis spins. While spinning, transmitted light extends into the sculpting. A sensor can provide a signal with each rotation or part thereof of the globe relative to the housing, and this can enable synchronization of power pulses of varying time and/or intensity with the three dimensional shape and/or recognizable image and/or internal film. There may also be a means to create sounds, which can also be synchronized with spinning and the lighted elements. There may also be a communication device that can receive data and/or signals via at least one of RF, IR, acoustically, and/or other methods.
Embodiment No. 2 of the present invention produces illumination of a central image via the application of a moving source or sources of light relative to the viewer such that the image appears to be holographic or three dimensional, though the illuminating light is incoherent.
One embodiment of Embodiment No. 2 of the present invention can be a hand held spinning toy with an illuminated object and can have a handle with a motor and at least one battery, and a spinning armature head comprising at least one of a rigid backing supported over the central axis of rotation, a mechanical member perpendicular to the axis of rotation, at least one battery, at least one LED, at least one means of switching a voltage, and at least one tubular element attached to the mechanical member and transmitting light from at least one LED. This LED can be a multi-color LED. The tubular element is of unique construction and is a coiled roll of thin plastic sheet forming a cylindrical shape with an inner diameter that can fit against or over the illuminating LED or light source. This coiled roll of thin plastic sheet can have at least 1 coil forming the cylindrical shape, and embodiments can be composed of 30 or more coils of plastic to properly achieve the desired effect. The spinning head can have a centrifugal switch to activate the spinning electronics, but there can also be a mechanical switch, and there can be a circuit to automatically shut off the spinning electronics after a period of time. There can also be a circuit that contains at least one of the following: a microprocessor, an analog circuit, a digital circuit, and a means for switching at least one voltage on and off. There can be multiple tubular elements, each transmitting and radiating light from a different color LED. The circuit can cause at least one LED to turn on continuously and/or on and off in a stroboscopic fashion. The spinning armature head can be removable and/or replaceable with a different spinning armature head, and this can enable logos or images of one license or class of products to only be compatible with logos or images from the same class and incompatible with other classes. The rigid backing can be symmetrical about the vertical axis of rotation. Writing can be applied to this rigid backing, and this writing can be applied on one side of the vertical axis of rotation to produce the most desirable effect. The rigid backing can be made from clear and/or tinted and/or translucent material so as to enable radiation of light from the flat surface when being edge lit. A decal or design or logo can be affixed to the rigid backing. This decal or design or logo can be removable. The mechanical member that can be predominantly perpendicular to the axis of rotation can be rigid to keep the light radiating tubular element or elements rigidly in position, or alternatively, this mechanical member predominantly perpendicular to the axis of rotation can be flexible enough to permit bending during rotation due to centripetal forces generated during rotation, thus allowing the tubular light radiating elements to flex and change position during rotation. The motor can have an element on the shaft that is keyed such that it is only compatible with a class of spinning armature heads and not compatible with other classes of said spinning armature heads. There can also be within the handle at least one LED to illuminate at least one image or logo or two or three dimensional item, and there can also be a crystal or crystal-like object to be illuminated. The rigid backing can also be supported from the spinning armature head via a low friction shaft and/or ball bearing such that when the spinning armature head rotates, the rigid backing can rotate due to loose friction coupling and/or externally applied forces, and this enables the backing and armature head to spin at different rotation rates and with different angular accelerations. The handle can also project an image onto a surface some distance away, and this can employ at least one lens. The above mentioned circuit can generate a gradually increasing frequency of pulses up to a maximum frequency, followed by a gradually decreasing frequency of pulses to some minimum frequency, and then repeating this ramp up and ramp down in frequency to produce an interesting visual effect. There can also be a means for obtaining a signal to permit synchronization of pulses with the rotating spinning armature head and the handle, and there can be a sequence to control a plurality of strobing patterns of light.
Another embodiment of Embodiment No. 2 of the present invention can be non-motorized, and can be a hand held spinning toy with illuminated object comprising of a handle, an armature head free to rotate comprising of a rigid backing supported on the central axis of rotation, a mechanical member perpendicular to the axis of rotation, at least one battery, at least one LED, at least one means of switching a voltage, and at least one tubular element attached to mechanical member and transmitting light from at least one LED. In such embodiment, the armature head can be hand spun.
Embodiment No. 3 of the present invention is a hand held spinning device with an illuminated image that can comprise of a hand held base unit which can have at least one of the following: a housing, at least one on/off switch, an internal power source, circuitry and wiring, and a motorized device or subassembly comprising of at least one central subsystem spinning about a central axis comprising at least one of the following: a center-supported molded cavity capable of transmitting light with at least two sections and/or surfaces, such as a front surface and a rear surface, at least one LED light contained within the center-supported molded cavity, at least one extension element extending from the central axis area that carries wiring to at least one LED light at the far end, and additional circuitry and/or microprocessor or control chip and wiring. The molded cavity can be any of the following: transparent, translucent, colored, plastic, molded, and/or any combination. A single on/off switch can simultaneously control the movement of the entire device including both the spinning of the center supported molded cavity and at least one extension element, and/or the on/off switch can control the turning on and off of both at least one LED light contained within the center-supported molded cavity and at least one extension element extending from the central axis area that carries wiring to at least one LED light at the far end. There can also be a means to conduct power from the internal power source to the central subsystem spinning about a central axis. This means to conduct power can be at least one slip ring comprising at least one conductive element located at a substantially constant radius from the central axis and at least one brush and/or conductive contact making electrical contact with at least one conductive element located at a substantially constant radius from the central axis. The center-supported molded cavity with a front surface and a rear surface, if present, can be constructed of two molded pieces that snap together in place. The two molded pieces can have an insert either applied externally to front surface and/or inserted within cavity created by two molded pieces that attach together in place. The insert can be at least one of the following: a decal, design, logo, image, character, slogan, letters, numbers, icons, photographs, drawings, and/or any combination thereof in either two or three dimensions. The extension element and/or extension elements can be flexible, such as a wire or cable extending to the light. The extension element can extend to a maximum radius from central axis of rotation. The transmitting light can illuminates the insert. There can further comprise a means to create sounds. There can further comprise at least one sensor and/or sensing element, and this can take the form of a break and/or conductivity discontinuity of at least one conductive element located at a substantially constant radius from said central axis. At least one sensor and/or sensing element can be at least one of the following: a conductive element, a non-conductive element, an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, a switch and/or brush and/or electrical contact and/or means to create an electrical closure. The sensor and/or sensing element can provide a signal with each rotation or part thereof of the central subsystem spinning about a central axis relative to the housing. The sounds can be synchronized with at least one sensor and/or sensing element. At least one LED light contained within the center-supported molded cavity can be synchronized with at least one extension element extending from the central axis area that carries wiring to at least one LED light at the far end. At least one LED light contained within the center-supported molded cavity and/or with at least one extension element extending from the central axis area that carries wiring to at least one LED light at the far end can be synchronized with and/or a result of the signal provided by the sensor and/or sensing element. There can additionally comprise a means to create power pulses of varying time and/or intensity. The power pulses can be synchronized to the signal using circuitry and/or additional circuitry and/or microprocessor or control chip. There can further comprise a communication device that receives data and/or signals via at least one of RF, electromagnetic, microwave, IR, acoustically, electronic, and/or other methods. The data and/or signals can control and/or influence and/or modulate the LEDs and/or lighting of the image and/or sounds. The center-supported molded cavity capable of transmitting light can further comprise at least one lens capable of projecting light to distant points. At least one extension element extending from the central axis area that carries wiring to at least one LED light at the far end can further comprise at least one lens to enable projection of light from at least one LED. At least one lens can project light at a different angle from another lens, and this can enable many spinning lights to project at different angles, and thus project parallel lines or swatches of light at distant locations. The circuit can cause at least one LED to turn on continuously and/or on and off in a stroboscopic fashion. There can further comprise the ability of the handle to project an image onto a surface. The circuit can generate in a stroboscopic fashion a gradually increasing frequency of pulses up to a maximum frequency, followed by a gradually decreasing frequency of pulses to some minimum frequency, and then repeating this ramp up and ramp down in frequency. There can further comprise a sequence to control a plurality of stroboscopic patterns of light. There can also further comprise at least one second switch in the handle that can cause the operating function to change.
One embodiment of Embodiment No. 4 of the present invention is a spinning toy with illuminated object comprising of a handle comprising a switch, a motor, a motor shaft, and at least one battery, a spinning armature comprising a mechanical member located perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the axis of rotation, at least one light and/or LED, and at least one tubular element attached to the mechanical member and transmitting and radiating light from at least one light and/or LED. Further, there can be a battery compartment, at least one battery, and at least one means of switching a voltage. Power can be delivered to the spinning armature by means of slip rings. The tubular element can be a coiled roll of thin plastic sheet forming a cylindrical shape with an inner diameter that fits against or over a light and/or LED, and this coiled roll of thin plastic sheet can have at least 1 coil forming the cylindrical shape. This particular configuration of a rolled coil produces a desirable and unique optical effect. The tubular element can also be an extrusion forming a cylindrical shape with an inner diameter that fits against or over a light and/or LED. There can be a dome to enclose the spinning armature, and the dome can be illuminated with lights under the dome. The dome can contain a logo and/or image and/or three dimensional object. The handle can also contain a logo and/or image and/or three dimensional object. The logo and/or image and/or three dimensional object can be illuminated, and the object can be a figurine, an image on a flat surface, a image with raised and/or depressed three dimensional features, a logo, and/or a rigid backing located over a central axis of rotation. The rigid backing can have an internal compartment in which a rigid and/or flexible member containing a logo and/or image is inserted. The mechanical member can contain at least one light and/or LED and/or source of light. The illuminated object can be suspended and/or supported from the dome. The illuminated object can either be stationary or can rotate with the spinning armature. The handle can also contain lights. The illuminated object can contain two character images that will appear to be merged via synchronized pulses of light illuminating the characters in an alternate manner such that one character is illuminated by one flash of light and the other character is illuminated by another flash of light. There can be a detachable and removable base stand. There can also be sound. The spinning toy can be in the overall shape of a cone. The handle can contain a lens and a means to project an image. There can be a switch and/or sensor and/or sensing element, any of which can provide a signal with each rotation or part thereof of the spinning armature spinning about a central axis relative to the housing and/or handle. Sounds can be synchronized with the switch and/or sensor and/or sensing element. There can be a means to create power pulses of varying time and/or intensity, and these power pulses can be synchronized to the signal using circuitry. Sound can also be synchronized with the illuminated object. There can also be a communication device that receives data and/or signals via at least one of RF, IR, acoustically, and/or other methods. There can also be RFID technology and/or proximity sensing devices that can produce a proximity signal to indicate proximity to at least one object and/or location, and this can enable custom sounds and/or lighting patterns to indicate proximity to at least one object and/or location. The logo and/or image and/or illuminated object and/or handle can contain an internal logo and/or character printing on the inside. This internal logo and/or character printing can be a light porous paper-like product. This embodiment of the invention can be handheld.
Another embodiment of Embodiment No. 4 of the present invention can be a spinning toy with illuminated image comprising of the following: a base unit having a housing, a hand grip molded into the housing, a means of switching power on and off, a power source, circuitry and wiring, at least one light and/or LED light, and a motorized device having a central subsystem spinning about a central axis, and at least one extension element extending from the central axis area to a light emitting element radially located when in motion. At least one extension element can be flexible or rigid. The extension element can extend to a greater radius from said central axis, particularly when spinning. The extension element or elements can contain wires. The light emitting element can contain at least one light and/or LED light, and this light emitting element radially located can be a diffuser. The diffuser can be a commonly recognizable shape including but not limited to at least one of a star, crystal, sphere, geometric shape, character, rocket, airplane, car, animal, and/or machine. The extension element can also contain at least one fiber optic. The light emitting element can contain at least one frosted section. The fiber optic can be fed with light from and transmitted up through the hand held base unit. There can be a transparent and/or translucent molded shell capable of transmitting light. The transparent and/or translucent molded shell can be constructed of two molded pieces that snap together. The two molded pieces can have a sculpting extending beyond the molded shell above and/or outward to form a three dimensional shape and/or recognizable image. The transparent and/or translucent molded shell can further comprise a film material internally housed. The transparent and/or translucent molded shell capable of transmitting light can have a logo and/or image and/or three dimensional object inserted. There can be lights in the handle. The handle can contain a lens, and there can be projection out of the bottom and/or side of the handle. There can be a removable base. There can be a logo and/or image and/or three dimensional object in the handle, and this logo and/or image and/or three dimensional object can be illuminated. There can also be a means to create sounds. There can be a switch and/or sensor and/or sensing element, and any of these can provide a signal with each rotation or part thereof of the central subsystem spinning about a central axis relative to the housing. Sounds can be synchronized with the switch and/or sensor and/or sensing element. There can be a means to create power pulses of varying time and/or intensity, and these power pulses can be synchronized to the signal using the circuitry. The sound can be synchronized with the illuminated object. There can be a communication device that receives data and/or signals via at least one of RF, IR, acoustically, and/or other methods, and this data and/or signals can control the LEDs and/or lighting of the image and/or the sounds produced. The RFID technology and/or proximity sensing devices that can produce a proximity signal to indicate proximity to at least one object and/or location can cause the creation of custom sounds and/or lighting patterns that can indicate proximity to at least one object and/or location. The molded shell and/or hand held base unit can contain an internal logo and/or character printing on the inside, and this internal logo and/or character printing can be a light porous paper-like product. This embodiment of the invention can be handheld.
Embodiment No. 5 of the present invention is a hand held spinning toy with at least one illuminated object comprising of the following: a hand-held base unit housing, at least one switch or button, at least one power source, circuitry or wiring or circuitry and wiring, a motorized sub-system having: an assembly spinning about a central axis, at least one LED, and at least one shape capable of at least one of transmitting light, reflecting light, or being illuminated by light. The hand held spinning toy can further comprise slip rings to transfer power from the base housing to the spinning portion. At least one switch or button can be an on/off switch or button. At least one switch or button can be a mode control switch or button. The mode control switch or button can change at least one pattern of illumination. At least one pattern of illumination can be six patterns of illumination. At least one pattern of illumination can be at least seven patterns of illumination. At least one pattern of illumination can be at least one of at least one multiplicity of at least one pattern of illumination, a constant static color, at least one color that fades from at least one color to at least one other color, at least one color that abruptly changes from at least one color to at least one other color, multi-color, at least one blinking pattern, and/or at least one dimming pattern. The hand-held base unit housing can also contain at least one LED. At least one shape capable of transmitting light, reflecting light, or being illuminated by light can be at least one of molded, die-cut, die cast, assembled, glued, or consisting of several shapes adhered together. At least one shape capable of transmitting light, reflecting light, being illuminated by light can be at least one three dimensional shape. At least one shape capable of at least one of transmitting light, reflecting light, being illuminated by light can contain at least one of a diffusing material, frosted section, translucent section, different density material, or reflective material. The three dimensional shape can be at least one of a star, crystal, sphere, rod, staff, blade, disk, ball, wand, multi-sided, polyhedron, geometric shape, triangle, quadrilateral, pentagon, hexagon, septagon, octagon, polygon of any number of sides, a commonly recognizable shape including but not limited to a character, logo, symbol, rocket, airplane, car, animal, plant, rock, formation, body part, or machine. The hand held spinning toy can further comprise a sculpting extending outward to form a three dimensional shape or recognizable image. At least one shape can contain at least one logo, image, three dimensional object inserted within, applied to, or attached to. At least one LED can be at least one multi-color LED, red LED, green LED, blue LED, yellow LED, purple LED, white LED, IR LED, UV LED.
The hand held spinning toy can further comprise of at least one additional LED. At least one additional LED can be contained within at least one shape capable of at least one of transmitting light, reflecting light, or being illuminated by light. The hand held spinning toy can further comprise of wires contained within the at least one shape. At least one additional LED can illuminate at least one shape and the perimeter of at least one shape in a fashion to produce the image of a three dimensional solid of revolution when rotating. At least one shape can contain a reflective material. At least one power source can be at least one battery. At least one power source can be internal. The housing can have a hand grip molded into it. The hand held spinning toy can further comprise of a means to create at least one sound. The hand held spinning toy can further comprise at least one of an additional switch, sensor, or sensing element. At least one of an additional switch, sensor, or sensing element can provide at least one signal with each rotation or part thereof of the assembly spinning about a central axis relative to the housing. At least one sound can be synchronized with the signal. At least one pattern of illumination can be synchronized with the signal. At least one sound can be synchronized with at least one pattern of illumination. The hand held spinning toy can further comprise a communication device that receives data or signals via at least one of RF, IR, acoustically, or other methods. The data or signals can control at least one pattern of illumination or sounds or at least one pattern of illumination and sounds. The hand held spinning toy can further comprise RFID technology or proximity sensing devices that can produce a proximity signal to indicate proximity to at least one object and location or object or location. At least one custom sound and at least one pattern of illumination or at least one custom sound or at least one pattern of illumination can indicate proximity to at least one object and location or object or location. The hand held spinning toy can further comprise a removable base. The hand held spinning toy can further comprise at least one light in the housing. The housing can contain at least one lens. There can be projection out of the bottom or side or bottom and side of the housing. The hand held spinning toy can further comprise at least one of a logo, image, or three dimensional object in the housing. At least one logo, image, or three dimensional object can be illuminated. The housing can contain at least one logo or character or character and logo printing on the inside. The internal logo or character or logo and character printing can be a light porous paper-like product.
Embodiment No. 6 of the present invention relate to a spinning toy system. The system may include a number of components, including, but not limited to, a spinning platform, a lighting system, a power source, a motor and/or rotation device, at least two extensions stemming from a spinning platform, and/or a housing unit. The spinning action light-up toy can include an on/off switch. The spinning action light-up toy can include a molded topper, which can be shaped like a character, person and/or animal, and/or can light up. The extensions stemming from a spinning platform can be plastic tubing, wire and/or string. The extensions stemming from a spinning platform can have lighting, circuitry, and/or wiring running through it. The ends of the extensions stemming from a spinning platform can be shaped in certain shapes including but not limited to boxing gloves, and can contain at least one lighting system. The housing unit can serve as a hand grip. The spinning action light-up toy can be a handheld toy. The spinning action light-up toy can include a connected base and/or an attachable and removable base, stand and/or platform. The spinning action light-up toy can include a sound system. The sound system and/or lighting system can be programmed and/or sequenced, and/or be controlled by signal or signaling means, such as radio control, radio frequency, infrared, blu-ray, and/or sonar. The method for use of the spinning action light-up toy can comprise three different scenarios: (1) one User uses one (1) spinning action light-up toy; (2) one User uses at least two (2) spinning action light-up toys; and/or (3) at least two (2) Users each use at least one (1) spinning action light-up toy. If one User is using one (1) spinning action light-up toy, the method of use may include the following steps: the User may take control of one (1) spinning action light-up toy; the User may turn the spinning action light-up toy on; the User may place and/or hold the spinning action light-up toy; the User may enjoy the light show created by the spinning action light-up toy; and the User may turn the spinning action light-up toy off. If one User is using at least two (2) spinning action light-up toys, the method for use may include the following steps: the User may take control of at least two spinning action light-up toys; the User may turn each spinning action light-up toy on; the User may place and/or hold the spinning action light-up toys in close proximity of one another; the User may enjoy the light show and contact sequence created by the spinning action light-up toys; and the User may turn each spinning action light-up toy off. If at least two (2) Users each use at least one (1) spinning action light-up toy, the method of use may include the following steps: each User may take control of at least one (1) spinning action light-up toy; each User may turn his/her respective spinning action light-up toy on; the Users may place and/or hold his/her respective spinning action light-up toy in close proximity to the spinning action light-up toy of the other User(s); each User may enjoy the light show and contact sequence created by the spinning action light-up toys; and each User may turn his/her respective spinning action light-up toy off.
Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention should not be limited to the described preferred embodiments. Rather, various changes and modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
This application: 1. is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Nonprovisional Utility patent application Ser. No. 14/299,231 for the invention titled “HAND HELD SPINNING TOY WITH ILLUMINATED IMAGE” with a filing date of Jun. 9, 2014, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Utility Application No. 61/822,917 for the invention titled “Hand Held Spinning Toy With Illuminated Image”;2. claims priority to U.S. Provisional Utility Application No. 61/878,148 for the invention titled “Hand held spinning toy with illuminated object” with a filing date of Sep. 16, 2013;3. claims priority to U.S. Provisional Utility Application No. 61/951,620 for the invention titled “HAND HELD SPINNING DEVICE WITH ILLUMINATED IMAGE” with a filing date of Mar. 12, 2014;4. claims priority to U.S. Provisional Utility Application No. 61/899,312 for the invention titled “MEGA MAX PROVISIONAL” with a filing date of Nov. 4, 2013;5. claims priority to U.S. Provisional Utility Application No. 61/991,556 for the invention titled “Diamond Spinner” with a filing date of May 11, 2014; and6. claims priority to U.S. Provisional Utility Application No. 61/904,732 for the invention titled “SPINNING ACTION LIGHT-UP TOY” with a filing date of Nov. 15, 2013.
