Patent Application
20200009468
The present invention relates generally to devices used to provide sensory stimulation, and methods of using the same.
Stress management is an important part of ensuring a productive and functional environment in the office and in the school. In particular, office toys and other management tools for providing manual manipulation of an object and better focus in a learning or office environment are well known in the art. Therefore, there exists a need for an apparatus for providing sensory stimulation, and methods of using the same.
A first aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for providing sensory stimulation. The apparatus has an elongated connector having opposing first and second ends. The first opposing end is operably coupled to a first ratchet having a first hollow cavity. The second opposing end is operably coupled to one of a second ratchet having a second hollow cavity, and a solid shape. The first ratchet has teeth, a click that engages with the teeth, an unrestricted direction of rotation such that the click easily slides over the teeth and a restricted direction of rotation such that the click will catch on the first tooth it encounters locking against the tooth and preventing any further rotation in that direction. There is a first soft ball having a diameter that is slightly larger than a diameter of the hollow cavity of the first ratchet is inserted into the first hollow cavity of the first ratchet, such that rotation of the elongated connector causes the ratchet to rotate due to frictional forces that rotatably couple the first ball and the first ratchet. The first soft ball moves the first ratchet when rotated in the unrestricted direction, producing a vibration.
A second aspect of the present invention provides a method of using a sensory stimulator, comprising: providing a sensory stimulator; rotating the soft ball with one or more fingers; moving the ratchet and producing a vibration, and repeating the movement or reversing the movement, as desired.
A third aspect of the present invention provides a method of using a sensory stimulator, comprising: providing a sensory stimulator, and holding the soft ball motionless with one or more fingers; moving the elongated connector of the sensory stimulator; moving the ratchet and producing a vibration; and repeating the movement or reversing the movement, as desired.
A fourth aspect to the present invention provides a method of using a sensory stimulator, comprising: providing a sensory stimulator; and rolling the soft ball between thumb and finger without moving the ratchet
The features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Hereinafter, unless otherwise defined, the term “providing sensory stimulation” for a mammal, e.g., a person, means providing any act that relieves stress in a mammal, e.g., a person, said act generating between 4 and 24 clicks per second when a first ratchet 9 is rotated by the mammal or a human hand of the person in the unrestricted direction 23.
As used herein, unless otherwise defined, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a tooth” includes a plurality of such teeth, and so forth.
As used herein, unless otherwise defined, the term “operably coupled” is defined as operably connected in any desired form, for example, mechanically, electronically, digitally, directly, by software, by hardware and the like. Throughout this application, the term “operably coupled” is defined as a connection of one or more components in a manner that allows them to function together. For example, networked computers are operably coupled through their network adapters. A display is operably coupled to a processor when the processor is able to cause the display to display an image. When components communicate through a wireless connection, they are considered to be operably coupled.
As used herein, unless otherwise defined, the term “releasable operable coupling” or “releasably operably coupled” or “releasably operably joined” is defined as forming or braking or cleaving or severing of a mechanical coupling between ball 27 and the first ratchet 9, as shown in
As used herein, unless otherwise defined, the term “rotatably coupled” means operably coupling the disk shape 17 to the opposing end of the elongated connector 3 by means of a rod 33 along the longitudinal axis of the elongated connector 3, allowing the disk shape 17 to rotate 360 degrees about its central axis, as shown in
In an embodiment, the elongated connector 3 is treated with an electrophoretic lacquer.
In an embodiment, the first ball 27 is releasably operably coupled with the first ratchet 9.
In an embodiment, the first opposing end 5 of the elongated connector 3 has a solid disk shape 17 and the superior and inferior 29, 31 surfaces are convex surfaces.
In an embodiment, the disk shape 17 is may be rotatably coupled to the opposing end of the elongated connector 3 by means of a rod 33 along the longitudinal axis of the elongated connector 3, allowing the disk shape 17 to rotate 360 degrees about its central axis, as shown in
In an embodiment, the diameter of the concave indentations of the solid shape 17 is approximately the diameter of a human thumb.
In an embodiment, the first ball 27 has a 9 mm diameter, and the first ratchet 9 is an 8 mm ratchet.
In an embodiment, the number of teeth 19 on the first ratchet 9 are sufficient in number to result in between 4 and 24 clicks per second when the first ratchet 9 is rotated in the unrestricted direction 23 by a human hand.
In an embodiment, the first ratchet 9 does not have a square drive. In an embodiment, the second ratchet 35 does not have a square drive.
In an embodiment, the soft ball 27 is made from material selected from the group consisting of a plastic bead or a silicone ball.
In an embodiment, the first ratchet 9 drives the click 21 instead of a square drive of a conventional ratchet driver when moving the elongated connector in the unrestricted direction of rotation 23 while holding the soft ball 27, 37 motionless.
In an embodiment, the second ratchet 35 drives the click 21 instead of the square drive of a conventional ratchet driver when moving the elongated connector in the unrestricted direction of rotation 23 while holding the soft ball 27, 37 motionless.
In an embodiment, a switch 41 causes the click 21 of the first ratchet to tighten or loosen in and out of contact range of the teeth 19 of the ratchet.
In an embodiment, there are first and second switches 43, 45, wherein the first switch 43 causes the click 21 of the first ratchet 9 to tighten or loosen in and out of contact range of a gear 30 of the first ratchet 9, and a second switch 45, wherein the second switch 45 causes a click 21 of the second ratchet 35 to tighten or loosen in and out of contact range of a gear 30 of the second ratchet.
In executing step 51 and 52 of method 50, moving the elongated connector in the unrestricted direction of rotation 23 while holding the soft ball 27, 37 motionless drives the click over the teeth in contrast to a typical ratchet wrench that drives a square driver instead of the click.
In an embodiment, the soft ball 27 can be rolled between the thumb and a finger of a person independently of the ratchet.
While exemplary embodiments have been specifically disclosed, it should be understood that the practice of this invention is not limited to those embodiments. Modifications and variations falling within the spirit of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not intended that the scope of the invention be determined by the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but rather should be determined by the breadth of the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62694964 | Jul 2018 | US |
