SEMI-AUTOMATED FIDGET SPINNER

Abstract

A semi-automated fidget spinner, comprising: an outer multi-wing spinning section with a central opening and a plurality of spinnable wings; a core in the opening with bearing separating the core from the spinning section; a woundable spring coupled to the core and to the spinning section; and a winding mechanism coupled to the spring to store energy in the spring and to thereafter release the energy to spin the spinning section.

Description

SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of Invention

The present and principal object of the invention is to provide an entertaining toy with a built-in semi-automated mechanism that is simple to use and serves as an attention diversion to the user. This is a toy that requires very minimal operation skill, and which is spun on the finger for the amusement and pleasant diversion to the user.

Prior Art

The invention by C. Hettinger under Patent Number 5,591,062 of a toy device which includes a center dome structure and a skirt is used as a spinning toy. It is designed to be spun on the finger to provide enjoyment and entertainment for adults and children. However the C. Hettinger invention has no semi-automated mechanism to spin the toy on its own.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2A illustrates a third embodiment of the invention

FIG. 3 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Fidget Spinner with Wind-up Spring Mechanism. Hold fidget spinner at its center circular pad and then rotate the blades clockwise to tighten the centrally installed internal windup spring.

Upon release of the blades, the energy stored in the internal wind up spring is used as a motion producer, causing the blades to rotate automatically until all of the stored energy motion in the spring is used. When the spinning stops, users will again need to rotate the blades to tighten the centrally installed internal windup spring. See FIG. 1, in which the spinner 100 is shown with wings 100a, 100b, 100c and 100d. The spinner core 200 has upper and lower plates 220, 240 and in between a spring 30.

Fidget Spinner with Push-down Spring Mechanism. According to a second embodiment, pushing down the center circular pad of the fidget spinner tightens the centrally installed internal windup spring.

Upon release of the center pad, the energy stored in the internal wind up spring will be used as energy motion causing the blades to rotate automatically by itself until all of the stored energy motion is used. When the spinning stops, users will again need to push down on the center circular pad to tighten the centrally installed internal windup spring. See FIG. 2, which is similar to FIG. 1 except to indicate that the spring 30 is wound up by pushing along the arrow 32, rather than by turning the wings 100a, 100b, etc. to store energy in the spring.

Fidget Spinner with Built-in Battery Operated Spinning Motor and ON/OFF Switch. The third embodiment comprises a completely automated fidget spinner equipped with simple electronics and battery to operate the spinning motion. User will only have to use the built-in switch to turn ON or OFF the spinner. See FIG. 2A.

More specifically, in FIG. 2A, note the spinner core 200a with its spring 300 and lower and upper plates 220, 240. To the upper plate, a rotational motion is imparted from the motor 320 via the gear copper 310, the motor being powered by a battery 330 and capable of being turned on and off by a switch 340.

With reference to FIG. 3, there is shown therein a fourth embodiment. The spinner with a familiar construction but in the form of the modified spinner 100 has a central body 12 typically held between the fingers of a person and separated by spherical bearings 16 from a rotatable ring 14 to which the rotating blades 28 are attached. In the typical, prior art fidget spinner, the ring 14 with the attached blades 28 rotate freely around the center core or base 12.

In the modified embodiment of the invention, the core comprises an internal core spring 24 which is anchored on one side at 24a and which on the other side of the spring penetrates out and is mechanically attached to the winder 20 which has a protrusion 22 which fits in a groove of the ring 14. The winder 20 and the core 12 are pressed tightly between the fingers 30. The winder has a central piece 26 that will rotate with the winder 20 only when the fingers are tightly pressed. Simultaneously, the protrusion 22 engages the ring 14, so that when it is wound against the spring 24 and then released, the ring 14 will rapidly rotate to unwind the spring at great speed accelerating the blades 28. This occurs only when the pressure from the fingers is slightly relieved.

Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A semi-automated fidget spinner, comprising: an outer multi-wing spinning section with a central opening and a plurality of spinnable wings;a core in the opening with bearing separating the core from the spinning section;a woundable spring coupled to the core and to the spinning section; anda winding mechanism coupled to the spring to store energy in the spring and to thereafter release the energy to spin the spinning section.

2. The fidget spinner of claim 1, wherein the spring is wound up by manually turning the spinning section.

3. The fidget spinner of claim 1, wherein the spring is wound up by a push down mechanism that has a spiral construction and causes the spring to wind up when the spiral button which rides in a spiral groove is pushed down, like a screwdriver that can be turned left or right by a pushing action.

4. The fidget spinner of claim 1, wherein the spring is would up by imparting it motion from a motor that can be turned on and off.