Patent Application
20250032949
The invention relates generally to an amusement device.
Van Horn describes a toy that includes a hoop with a small ring that travels around the hoop. As shown in
In addition to entertainment, there can be a variety of therapeutic benefits to using an amusement device such as a hoop with a ring. For example, use of an amusement device can help calm nerves, increase focus, and relieve stress. Additionally, some toys can increase dexterity and coordination.
What is needed is a device which provides for one or more motion elements which moveably around a hoop during use which is configurable to change the number of motion elements. Also what is needed is a social passing game with a group objective of maintaining motion while the device is passed from person-to-person.
Disclosed is a device which provides for one or more motion elements which moveably around a hoop during use. The hoop can be opened to allow the user to change the number of motion elements available to travel around the hoop during use, thereby increasing the challenge of using the hoop and maintaining motion of the motion elements. Also disclosed is a device for use as part of a social passing game with a group objective of maintaining motion while the device is passed from person-to-person.
Playing with the device can increase creativity as new maneuvers are attempted to keep the motion devices, such as rings or beads, in motion while the hoop is moved by the user. Using the device can also increase physical literacy, promote athleticism, coordination, and balance. Additionally, using the device can also increase hand-to-eye coordination, improve memory and attention, build self-confidence and discipline, and reduces stress.
Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosed embodiments, as claimed.
All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
U.S. Pat. No. 825,873 A issued Jul. 10, 1906 to Van Horn;
U.S. Pat. No. 2,817,184 A issued Dec. 24, 1957 to Inouye;
U.S. Pat. No. 3,190,032 A issued Jun. 22, 1965 to Porter et al.;
U.S. Pat. No. 3,523,387 A issued Aug. 11, 1970 to Smith;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,818 A issued Jun. 6, 1989 to Piolata; and
US 2004/0077270 A1 published Apr. 22, 2004 to Kuk.
The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:
The circular hoop 110 can be a thin walled steel tube which provides a solid surface. The thin walled steel tube can further include a fill material, such as an acetal rod, a vinyl tube, a vinyl rod, a steel cable, a steel cable wrapped in vinyl, aluminum rod. The selection of fill changes the overall weight of the device and can impact sound and the overall feel of the device when played. The primary circular hoop 110 has a closure mechanism 120 that links the two ends of the tube 112 forming the primary hoop 110. Suitable closures include a roll pin closure configuration used to secure the closure piece within the primary circular hoop, a friction fit closure, and a spring button closure. The closure mechanism 120 allows the user to change the number of motion devices 150 present at any particular time.
A secondary circular hoop or outer layer is provided which envelops the primary circular hoop. Additional color can be added to the secondary circular hoop by spraying or brushing. Additionally stickers can be added. An outer layer is then added to the toy which can be a shrink tube which becomes adhered to the secondary circular hoop when heat is applied.
The secondary circular hoop allows the toy to be quieter during play and eliminates the metal on metal friction and dust creation that would occur.
The secondary tube is provided over the primary circular hoop. Shrink tubing is provided around the primary circular hoop. The use of a secondary tube further reduces friction and dust. Stickers can also be provided and positioned directly on the primary tube below the secondary tube.
One or more motion devices 150, such as rings or beads, are provided with an aperture larger than the diameter of the combination of the primary circular hoop and the secondary hoop. Additionally, the weight and shape of the motion devices 150 changes the movement of the motion devices 150 during use. When additional motion devices 150 are added, the feel of the primary hoop changes for the user. For example, the added weight which results from additional motion devices 150 might improve the play experience or make the device less comfortable. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the impact of the change in weight can be different for different players depending on the skill level of the player.
Tricks are easiest with two motion devices. Increasing the number of motion devices changes how a trick is played because a player is required to apply more force during play to cause the entire device to make the same motion that would be made with fewer motion devices. Motions include rolling, twisting and tossing or flipping in the air.
In use, the player grasps and moves the hoop 110. When the user rotates the hoop 110, the rotation devices 150 begin to rotate about the hoop 110 and roll in a downward direction. For purposes of illustration, motion is described relative to an x-y-z axis oriented toward a player, where the x-axis corresponds to the horizontal, axial or transverse plane, the y axis corresponds to the coronal or frontal plane and the z-axis corresponds to the median plane. For a user in a standing position, the hoop will, for example, be grasped and held so that it lies within a median plane to the user's torso. Rotating of the hoop, for example, occurs about the x axis (or horizontal plane). The rotation devices rotate about the y-axis or coronal plane. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, as the relative position of the hoop rotates away from, for example, a horizontal plane, operation in the remaining planes will be adjusted based on the absolute position of the hoop relative to the horizon.
Activating the motion devices 150 on the hoop 110 is the first step to starting a game or use. A variety of methods can be used to begin movement of the motion devices 150 including the jitter start, the palm start, the gyro start, and the side start. Each start movement can be a trick itself. The secondary hoop, or shrink tubing sheath, adds enough grip to help the motion devices 150 move by simply turning the hoop 110.
Once the motion devices 150 are in motion, the user attempts to maintain a spinning motion of the motion devices 150 around the hoop 110 as the hoop 110 is rotated. The flow and momentum of the motion devices 150 is maintained while the hoops 110 is moved in different ways in space. The device can be thrown to achieve rotations in pitch, roll, and/or yaw directions, causing the hoop and motion devices to flip various ways. The device can be manipulated in space with continuous contact tricks. The tricks include, for example movements that cause the hoop 110 to whirl around an operator's hand or corkscrews up the operator's arm (i.e., with the arm passing through the aperture of the hoop 110) and back down the user's arm again while uninterrupted spinning of the motion devices 150 occurs. The hoop 110 can be held in various ways in the operator's hands. The hoop 110 with one or more motion objects 150 spinning can be oriented to various axis in a plurality of possible directions.
In addition to different holding positions, orienting the hoop 110 along various axis, and turning the entire apparatus in different orientations. The hoop 110 can also be thrown into the air. Depending on the throwing technique, the hoop 110 can be flipped, twisted, and/or rolled while airborne. The throwing motions can be combined with trajectories-including around the operator. For example, over the operator's shoulder, under the operator's leg, up through the operator's leg or behind the operator's back. The operator can also throw the hoop and spin around 360 degrees to catch the hoop. Lastly the hoop 110 can also be caused to rotate very slowly causing the motion devices 150 to slow down dramatically as well.
Hoops can be manufactured using a hot rolling process with steel and stainless steel tubing. Each section of the final rolled tube is manufactured to be circular when analyzed from a cross-sectional point of view. Failure to achieve a circular cross-section will change the operation of the motion devices around the hoop during use.
Since the walls of the tubular member can be thin, stronger steels like 17-4 stainless may be utilized. Another technique for manufacturing the hoop can be pressure hardening the rolled hoops in a proper vacuum oven. By locking in the crystalline form of the steel through the vacuum oven we will make the final hoop more rigid thus creating a more dependable product.
Motion devices can be manufacturing using a CNC Lathe. In the future we may produce plastic motion devices made through plastic injection molding. After the shape is formed the motion device can be tumbled and then anodized. A bluing technique can also be used if the motion device is made from steel, or a coat if ceramic paint can be applied (e.g., Cerakote®) to create other color finishes. With aluminum anodizing, a bright dip technique can be used to create bright colors and a glossy appearance of the final part.
A rolled metal rod stock can be used for the hoop closure. The hoop closure can be, for example, aluminum, titanium or steel. Aluminum is the lightest of the available material options which can create an even and balanced weight across the final hoop. The hoop closure can be given a rolled curve by passing it through a ring roller. Once rolled, the closure piece is cut and chamfered to facilitate easy fitting and safe ends for the final user. When a lighter, less heat resistant closure material is desired, a LDPE (Low density polyethylene) tubing can be used. An LDPE closure is lightweight, flexible, low cost and strong enough for general use. With both of these closure pieces cut, the hoop closure is used to connect the hoop ends. A standard fitting process can be used is to swage the closure piece in place on both sides and then drill apertures straight through the hoop closure and the hoop wall. With apertures passing through both the hoop wall and the hoop closure piece, pins are partially passed through the apertures to maintain both ends of the hoop tightly together so that it is very difficult to pull apart. If needed, the pins can be removed and the hoop can be reopened at a later date allowing maintenance to be performed or motion devices to be added or removed. Other closure techniques can be deployed without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, a spring pin assembly can be drilled and tapped into place on one of the ends of the closure piece. The use of a spring pin allows the producer or the final user to reopen the hoop with greater ease than that of removing the roll pins. The spring pin design allows the user to quickly switch out motion devices for different playing styles or aesthetics.
A color layer can be added to the hoop. The color layer can be added before adding a grip layer. Coloring can be achieved by use of a spray gun application of paint or by dip coating paint using a circular wiper gasket at the exiting end of the dip tank. Either method can yield a uniform coat of paint on the hoop. Before the paint stage or after, a sticker with the device name and/or company logo may be added at this time as well. Following that artwork step of painting and/or stickering, proper curing time is given to the part before a clear shrink tube is added around the hoop and sealed down with heat. On smaller batches this process can be achieved with the use of heat guns. Larger batches can use a heated oven featuring a conveyor mechanism.
While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended that any claims presented define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/515,137, filed Jul. 24, 2023, entitled SPINNER TOYS AND METHODS which application is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63515137 | Jul 2023 | US |
