Patent Application
20100203801
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
This invention relates generally to the field of children's spin toys and more specifically to a spin message toy.
A classic children's spin toy in which a disk is spun by pulling on an opposing set of strings is well known. The user winds up the toy by twisting the strings so that when the user pulls on the strings in opposing directions, they unwind, causing the attached disk to spin. The weight and momentum of the disk causes the string to wind up in the opposite direction so that the continuing pulling and releasing of the strings causes the disk to spin for as long as the user would like.
The classic spin toy has a pair of apertures located near the center of the disk. The string is strung through the apertures forming a loop. When the user pulls on the loop in opposing directions, the disk spins in a vertical orientation while the strings are in a horizontal orientation.
Although this configuration is ideal for a spinning disk, it is not ideal for spinning a rectangular block shape in a horizontal orientation.
The primary object of the invention is to provide a spin message toy that uses a spinning, horizontally oriented rectangular block shape whose front and rear surfaces each have partial printed messages on them which create the illusion of a complete message when the toy is spun by the user.
Another object of the invention is to provide a spin message toy that uses a horizontally oriented rectangular block shape whose front and rear surfaces have partial visual images printed on them that create the illusion of a complete visual image when the toy is spun by the user.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a spin message toy comprising: a rigid rectangular block member, a right side string loop, a left side string loop, said block member having a broad front surface and broad rear surface, said block member having a top thin surface, a bottom thin surface and left and right side thin surfaces, said block member having first and second apertures that each extend from said front surface to said rear surface, said first aperture located near the left edge of said broad surface and positioned half way between the said top surface and said bottom surface, said second aperture located near the right edge of said broad surface and positioned half way between the said top surface and said bottom surface, said right side string loop attached through said right side aperture, said left side string loop attached through said left side aperture, said block capable of spinning on a horizontal plane when a user pulls in opposing directions on said left and right string loops that have been twisted by said user just before operation, said front surface having a first partial message printed upon it, said rear surface having a second partial message printed upon it, and said first and second partial messages forming a complete message when said rectangular block member is spun by said user.
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.
Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.
Referring now to
The front surface 20 of the block 18 has letters printed on it that create a first partial message 22. The rear surface 32 of the block 18 contains a second partial message 34. When the user spins the block 18, the rapid motion of the spinning block 18 causes the viewers eyes to see both images at once and to blend the two partial messages together forming a complete message 22, 34 as shown in
The novel blending of messages can be used for play value, but can also be used for advertising purposes. One version of the invention is envisioned where the surfaces of the block 18 a covered with a coating that allows the user to write his or her own message on the block, and then to wipe it off when finished so that one can write a new message. The block 18 may be solid or hollow, but is generally rigid.
Still another embodiment of the invention includes using a sleeve that can be slid over the rectangular block 218 where writing or images are printed on the sleeve. Since the sleeve is replaceable and removable, a variety of messages or images can be attached to the rectangular block.
Another effect that can be obtained by the present invention 200 is that two images can be superimposed on top of each other by printing an image on the front surface 220 and then by printing a second image in the same location on the rear surface 232. For example, the image of a heart can be printed on the front surface, and the word love could be printed on the rear surface in the same location, so that when the block is spun, the word love is superimposed onto the heart.
While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
