YO-YO HAVING A PUSH-BUTTON LOCKING MECHANISM

Abstract

The invention is a yo-yo that includes a user-actuable locking mechanism. The locking mechanism makes use of a laterally translatable assembly having a push button at each end and a center rotatable spool to which the yo-yo's tether is attached. Using the locking mechanism, a user can set the yo-yo so that the spool is either free to rotate, or must rotate with the yo-yo's sides. The yo-yo is also adapted for use with a spring-powered winder.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a yo-yo that includes a user-actuable locking mechanism. The locking mechanism employs a push-button located on each side of the yo-yo and enables a user to adjust the yo-yo in a manner wherein a spool engaged to the yo-yo's tether is either free to rotate, or is locked to, and must rotate with, the yo-yo's side portions. The locking mechanism also facilitates use of the yo-yo with a winder of the type normally used with spin tops.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most yo-yos typically comprise two disk-shaped side portions that are rigidly connected to each other by some form of axle structure. The side portions are usually of unitary construction and may be made out of plastic, metal or wood. The axle structure is secured to the center of both side portions and can be an assembly of multiple parts, a threaded rod, a dowel or a riveted pin. In many modern yo-yos, a spool, bearing or other member is secured to, and has at least a portion rotatable on, a center portion of the axle structure.

The axle structure also forms an anchor for an end-located loop portion of a string-type tether. The free end of the tether is usually tied to create a second loop portion that can be placed about one of a user's fingers to thereby temporarily secure the yo-yo to the user's hand.

When one end of the tether is secured to a user's finger and the remainder of the tether is wound about the axle structure, the yo-yo is ready for use. When the yo-yo is released, or thrown, from the user's hand, the yo-yo will begin to rapidly rotate as it moves away from the user's hand. Once the tether is fully unwound, the yo-yo may “sleep” at the end of the tether, whereby the yo-yo's side portions continue to rotate without the tether rewinding about the axle structure. Once the yo-yo is sleeping, there are a number of tricks, such as “walk the dog,” that a person can perform with the sleeping yo-yo. A sleeping yo-yo is also often used to perform tricks that involve temporarily placing the spinning yo-yo onto a portion of the tether intermediate of the tether's two ends.

When a typical yo-yo is sleeping at the end of the tether and the user wishes to make the yo-yo return, the user will make a quick tug/jerk on the tether. This will result in a brief tightening of the tether, which is then automatically followed by a temporary slackening of the tether. Once the tether goes slack, the tether's twist will cause one or more portions of the tether located proximate the axle structure to move, and thereby contact, a rotating portion of the yo-yo. Once contact has occurred, the tether portion can start moving with the rotating portion of the yo-yo. The rotation of the yo-yo then causes the tether to wind about the axle structure, resulting in the yo-yo's return to the user's hand.

Every yo-yo has three crucial performance characteristics that determine the yo-yo's ability to perform tricks. They are the yo-yo's potential sleep time, its ability to return on command, and whether the yo-yo is smooth on the tether.

Concerning a yo-yo's sleep time, the longer the yo-yo can be made to sleep, the more time a user will have to complete any particular yo-yo trick. While some tricks can be performed quickly, others require a yo-yo that is capable of sleeping for a relatively long period of time.

Concerning a yo-yo's ability to return on command, this describes the yo-yo's ability to return to the user's hand when the user commands said return via an appropriate movement of the yo-yo's tether. For a yo-yo to return on command when it is sleeping, the structure and design of the yo-yo must be such that when the tether briefly goes slack, a portion of the tether can become locked to a rotating portion of the yo-yo. In most yo-yos, the ease with which the tether can become locked to a spinning portion of the yo-yo, the yo-yo's “responsiveness,” is enhanced through the use of engagement adaptations, such as raised tether engagement members, located on the tether-facing surface of both of the yo-yo's side portions.

Concerning a yo-yo's ability to be smooth on the tether, this refers to a yo-yo's ability, when it is sleeping at the end of the tether, to be temporarily placed on a medial portion of the tether without the tether becoming locked to a spinning portion of the yo-yo. An example of a trick that requires a yo-yo to be smooth on the tether is “man on the trapeze.”

A beginning yo-yo player will normally be able to quickly master having the yo-yo return on command when using a yo-yo that has its tether secured directly to the yo-yo's axle structure, or to a member that is fixedly secured to said structure and therefore rotates with the side portions. The added friction of the tether rubbing on said axle structure/member greatly enhances the yo-yo's ability to return on command since said friction predisposes the tether to wrap about the axle structure. However, it will usually be extremely difficult for the beginning yo-yo player to get this type of yo-yo to sleep. Should said player get the yo-yo to sleep, the friction between the tether and the axle structure/member will tend to severely limit the yo-yo's ability to sleep for any significant time. As noted previously, the ability to sleep for an extended period of time is necessary for the performance of many yo-yo tricks.

In a yo-yo in which the tether is secured to a member that is rotatably secured to the axle structure and therefore can rotate relative to the yo-yo's side portions, friction between the tether and the axle structure is greatly reduced, thereby making the yo-yo much easier for a beginning player to make sleep. However, the lack of friction between the tether and the axle structure creates two problems for the beginning yo-yo player. Firstly, the lack of friction makes this type of yo-yo much harder to get to return on command. Secondly, should the player need to manually rewind the tether about the axle structure, the lack of friction may create a situation where the player moves the tether in a circular motion about the yo-yo's axle structure and the rotatable member just rotates with the tether instead of the tether winding about the axle structure.

There are auto-return yo-yos in which the tether is secured to a spool that is rotatably secured to the yo-yo's axle structure but is only allowed to rotate relative to said structure when the yo-yo is rotating at a high rate of speed. In this type of yo-yo, the yo-yo will readily sleep for a limited time and then, once the yo-yo's rotational speed has decreased a predetermined amount, a centrifugally-actuated locking mechanism causes the spool to become locked to one of the yo-yo's side portions. Once the spool becomes locked, the yo-yo will usually immediately return to the user's hand due to the significant increase in friction between the tether and the spool. The locked spool also facilitates a player being able to manually rewind the tether about the axle structure. However, while the beginning yo-yo player is benefited by this functionality, the mechanism becomes problematic once the yo-yo player's skills even slightly improve. At that point, the user will not want to cede control of the yo-yo to the auto-return mechanism. Furthermore, for the more advanced player, the added weight of the auto-return mechanism may make the yo-yo less responsive.

It is also known in the art to have a user-adjustable auto-return mechanism. In such a system, the user can set the yo-yo so that the auto-return mechanism will cause the yo-yo to return to the user's hand after a certain number of revolutions, or once the yo-yo's rotation has slowed by an amount set by the user.

Multi-mode yo-yos have also recently become known in the art. This type of yo-yo includes a rotatable spool to which the tether is attached, a centrifugally-actuated auto-return mechanism, and a three-position switch. In a first position of the switch, the spool is locked to a side portion. In a second switch position, the centrifugally-actuated auto-return mechanism causes the yo-yo to automatically return to the user's hand once the yo-yo's rotational speed has decreased to a predetermined level. In a third position of the switch, the spool is continuously free to rotate relative to the yo-yo's side portions. However, this type of yo-yo is fairly complex and requires the relatively heavy centrifugally-actuated auto-return mechanism for its functionality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a yo-yo that includes a user-actuable locking mechanism. The locking mechanism makes use of a laterally translatable assembly having a push button at each end and a center-located rotatable spool to which the yo-yo's tether is attached.

By pressing one of the push-buttons, a user places the locking mechanism into a “locked” mode in which the spool is pushed into one of the yo-yo's side portions and is thereby rotatably locked to said side portion. When in the locked mode, while the yo-yo cannot easily sleep at the end of the tether, it will readily return to the user's hand. Furthermore, with the spool rotatably locked to the yo-yo's side portions, it is easy to manually wind the tether about the axle structure.

By pressing the locking mechanism's other push-button, a user places the yo-yo into its “unlocked” mode whereby the spool is pushed toward the yo-yo's other side portion but does not lockably engage said side portion. As a result, the spool is free to rotate relative to the yo-yo's side portions whereby the yo-yo will readily sleep at the end of the tether.

The spool is configured to enable the above-described selective locking engagement. The spool features a plurality of longitudinally-oriented slots proximate one end and a reduced diameter section proximate its other end. When the spool is pushed toward one of the side portions, a tab located in a body member of that side portion engages one of the spool's slots and thereby locks the spool to the body member. When the spool is shifted toward the other side portion, the reduced diameter section of the spool clears a similar tab in the adjacent side portion's body member whereby the spool will not be locked to said side portion and will therefore by free to rotate relative to the yo-yo's side portions.

A beginning yo-yo player would preferably initially set the locking mechanism to its locked mode whereby the yo-yo's spool is engaged to one of the yo-yo's body members. The user can then learn the feel of the yo-yo and have no trouble manually winding the tether about the axle structure and getting the yo-yo to return whenever it reaches the end of its tether.

As the user becomes more proficient with the yo-yo, he or she can set the locking mechanism to its unlocked mode whereby the spool is free to rotate relative to the yo-yo's body members. The user can then use the yo-yo to perform yo-yo tricks that require the yo-yo to sleep for an extended period of time.

For the beginning yo-yo player, a kit can be provided that includes a winder and a yo-yo. The yo-yo includes a locking mechanism in accordance with the invention and is adapted for use with said winder. Said winder can then be used to provide a shortcut for placing the yo-yo into a sleeping condition, and also for winding the tether about the yo-yo's axle structure.

The invention, in its most basic form, is a yo-yo that is uniquely, and easily, adaptable for use by yo-yo players of all skill levels. The yo-yo can initially be purchased to meet the needs of a beginning yo-yo player. Once the player's skills improve, the player can set the yo-yo's locking mechanism to allow free rotation of the yo-yo's spool, whereby the yo-yo will readily sleep and the yo-yo can be used for performing advanced yo-yo tricks. Unlike prior art yo-yos that employ an auto-return mechanism, the locking mechanism taught herein is simple in construction, relatively lightweight and provides the user with full control of the yo-yo. When said yo-yo is used with a winder, manual rewinding of the yo-yo is no longer required, and the winder provides a shortcut to having the yo-yo sleep at the end of the tether in a controlled fashion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a yo-yo in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the yo-yo shown in FIG. 1, taken at the plane labeled 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partially-exploded cross-sectional plan view of the yo-yo shown in FIG. 1, taken at the plane labeled 3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partially-exploded front view of the yo-yo shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a partially-exploded perspective view of the yo-yo shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is another partially-exploded perspective view of the yo-yo shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the yo-yo shown in FIG. 1, taken at the plane labeled 7-7 in FIG. 2 and wherein portions of the yo-yo are shown in phantom.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7, but shows the yo-yo in a different configuration and with portions of the yo-yo shown in phantom.

FIG. 9 shows a front view of the yo-yo shown in FIG. 1 wherein said yo-yo is being used with a winder (shown in cross-section) in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Looking now to the drawings in greater detail, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several figures, there is indicated by the numeral 1 a yo-yo in accordance with the invention.

The yo-yo 1 includes a first side portion 2 and a second side portion 4. The two side portions are connected together via an axle structure 6. The axle structure comprises an axle pin 8 that has exterior threads 9 at each end. Inwardly of the threaded portions of the pin are shoulders 10 that sandwich between them a center portion 11 of said pin. The shoulders are designed to contact the yo-yo's side portions and maintain said side portions in a spaced-apart configuration. The axle pin has a longitudinal axis that is preferably co-linear with the yo-yo's axis of rotation.

Rotatably located on said center portion 11 of the axle pin is a spool 12. The spool is preferably substantially cylindrical in shape and has first and second ends, 22 and 24 respectively. The center of the spool includes a thru-bore 26 through which the axle pin 8 extends. The diameter of bore 26 is slightly greater than that of center portion 11 of the axle pin to thereby enable the free rotation of the spool on the axle pin. In the preferred embodiment, the spool is made of a plastic or metal material. The surface 28 that defines bore 26 may be coated with a lubricating and/or low-friction material, such as TEFLON, grease or graphite.

Formed in the exterior of the spool proximate the spool's end 22 are a plurality of slots 30 that extend in a direction parallel to the spool's longitudinal axis. Located between each pair of slots is an arrow-shaped portion 32 of the spool.

Located adjacent end 24 of the spool is a reduced diameter section 34 of the spool that has a diameter that is approximately equal to the diameter of the spool's center portion 11 less twice the depth of one of the spool's slots 30. The length of section 34 is approximately equal to the length of one of the slots 30.

A string-type tether 33 includes an end-located loop portion 35 that encircles a center part of the spool. The tether's distal end (not shown) will normally be tied to create a loop to enable a temporary securement of said end to one of a user's fingers.

The yo-yo's side portions, 2 and 4, are substantially identical to each other and each is an assemblage of parts. Each side portion comprises a shuttle 36, a disk-shaped body member 38, a hex nut 40, a push button 42 and a lens disk 44.

The shuttle 36 is preferably made of a plastic material and has a washer-shaped body 50, a front planar surface 52 designed to contact an end of the shuttle, a center-located thru-bore 54 through which the axle pin will extend, and two legs 56 that extend in a direction away from surface 52. Located on a distal part of each leg is an outwardly-extending tab 58.

The body member 38 is preferably made of a rigid material and has a rim portion 60, a center-located thru-bore 62, at least one tab 64 (two are shown in the drawings) that extends into said thru-bore, an inwardly-facing surface 66, an outwardly-facing surface 68 that forms the bottom of a cavity 69, and an outwardly-extending nipple portion 70 centered in said cavity 69 and through which the thru-bore 62 extends. The nipple portion includes two side-located apertures 72 through which the distal portions of the shuttle's legs 56 extend when the yo-yo is in an assembled condition.

It should be noted that a large diameter portion of thru-bore 62 forms a circular cavity 74 in the body member's surface 66. The body member's tabs 64 extend into said cavity and wherein when the yo-yo is in an assembled condition, the shuttle's body, as well as a portion of the spool, will be located in said cavity. It should also be noted that the thru-bore 62 takes the form of a hexagonally-shaped cavity 76 at a location proximate the distal end of the body member's nipple portion.

Located on surface 66 outwardly of cavity 74 are a plurality of optional tether-engagement members 78 that are oriented in a radially-directed manner and form a starburst-shaped array. Each tether engagement member protrudes from surface 66 in a direction toward said tether. The tether engagement members function to facilitate an engagement between the yo-yo's tether and the body member when a user manipulates the tether in a manner to cause the yo-yo to return on command. Other known types of surface adaptations that facilitate tether engagement in yo-yos, such as indentations, spaced pads/protrusions, and the use of a material that has a high coefficient of friction, may also be simultaneously, or alternatively, employed on, or in, surface 66.

When the yo-yo is in an assembled condition, a hex nut 40 is non-rotatably secured in cavity 76 of the body member's nipple portion. The hex nut features a threaded thru-bore 56 in which the threads are complementary to the threads 9 located at each end of the axle pin. Attachment of the hex nut to a threaded portion of the axle pin provides the means for securing the associated side portion to the axle pin. While not shown, the hex nut may include a deformable member in contact with the axle pin whereby said hex nut acts as a lock nut.

Extending over the distal end of the body member's nipple portion and locked to the legs 56 of the shuttle 36 is the push button 42. The push button has an interior area 80, a distal end 82 that has an optional rectangular aperture 83, and an open end 84. Located on each of two opposite sides of the button's exterior, proximate end 84 is an outwardly-extending tab 86. Located on each of two opposite sides of the interior surface of the button is a narrow groove 88. When the yo-yo is in an assembled condition, the tabs 58 located on the shuttle's legs will be securely received within the button's grooves 88. This acts to connect the push button to the shuttle in a manner whereby the push button and shuttle move together as a single unit.

Covering the body member's cavity 69, and centered therein, is the lens disk 44. The lens disk is secured to the cavity's sidewall via an interference-type fit between a peripheral lip 90 of the disk and the cavity's sidewall 92. Other well-known releasable, or permanent, securement methods for the cap may alternatively be employed. Located at the center of the lens disk is an aperture 94 that has a shape complementary to the side surface of the button 42.

Located at the center of the lens disk and extending inwardly toward the body member is a tubular projection 96 of the lens disk. Said projection is sized to inwardly receive at least a portion of the button 42. Each of two opposite sides of the projection preferably includes a pair of longitudinally-oriented slits 98 that extend to the button's end 84 and create between them an elongated finger portion 100 of said projection. The length and narrow width of each finger portion 100 allows it to flex to at least a small degree. When the yo-yo is in an assembled condition, tabs 86 of the push button will ride along and push outwardly on the interior surface 102 of the finger portions 100. When a push button is fully depressed, its tabs 86 will just clear the distal end 104 of the portions 100, whereby said portions will spring inwardly since they are no longer being pushed outwardly by the tabs 86. Once the portions 100 have moved inwardly, they act as detents whereby to move a button 42 back out once it has been fully depressed requires the button's tabs 86 to force the portions 100 to move in an outward direction away from their “at rest” position. To facilitate the button's ability to push the finger portions 100 outwardly, end 104 of each finger portion 100 preferably has an optional protuberance 106 that provides a ramp surface as an initial contact area for the button's tab 86. In this manner, the tabs 86 interact with structure of the lens disk to maintain the position of the button, i.e. in a pushed-in or pushed-out condition.

To change the locking mechanism's mode of operation, a user merely presses in whichever one of the yo-yo's push buttons 42 is extending outwardly. For example, FIG. 7 shows the yo-yo 1 in a configuration in which the locking mechanism is in its unlocked mode whereby the spool 12 is free to rotate. If a user desires to change the locking mechanism to its locked mode whereby the spool is locked to, and rotatable with, the yo-yo's side portions, the user presses in button 42 of side portion 2. As said button moves to the right, the button's tabs 86 slide on the inwardly-facing surface 102 of finger portions 100 of the adjacent lens disk 44. Since the tabs 58 of the shuttle 36 of side portion 2 are secured within the slots 88 of said button, rightward movement of the button causes an identical similar rightward movement of said shuttle. As said shuttle moves to the right, it immediately, or after a small movement, presses on end 24 of the spool to thereby cause the spool to move to the right. It should be noted that as the spool moves to the right, end 22 of the spool immediately, or after a small movement, presses on, and moves to the right, the shuttle 36 of side portion 4. As shuttle 36 of side portion 4 moves to the right, its connection to button 42 of side portion 4 causes said button to move to the right. As the button of side portion 4 moves to the right, its exterior tabs 86 push outwardly on the adjacent finger portions 100 of the adjacent lens disk whereby said tabs slid along the inwardly-facing surface of the portions 100.

As shown in phantom in FIGS. 7 and 8, as the spool traveled further into cavity 74 of the body member 38 of side portion 4, tabs 64 of said body member entered slots 30 in the spool's surface. This locks the spool to said body member whereby the spool can no longer freely rotate relative to said body member. Once button 42 of side portion 2 is pressed fully inwardly to substantially the maximum extent allowable, said button's tabs 86 go past the adjacent lens disk's finger portions 100 whereby the ends of said portions 100 spring inwardly and are then positioned whereby they act as a detent to hold said button in place. In this manner, once one of the yo-yo's buttons 42 has been pressed inwardly to substantially its maximum predetermined extent, the spool and both buttons will stay in their shifted position until a user presses inwardly on the other of the yo-yo's buttons. FIG. 8 shows yo-yo 1 configured in its locked mode after the button 42 of side portion 2 has been pressed in to its maximum extent.

When a user wishes to then place the locking mechanism back into its unlocked mode whereby the spool is free to rotate relative to the side portions, the user merely presses in the button 42 of side portion 4. The previously described process then proceeds in reverse. As the spool is caused to move to the left, the tabs 64 of the body member of side portion 4 withdraw from the spool's slots 30. As the left end 24 of the spool moves further into cavity 74 of the body member of side portion 2, the tabs 64 of that body member do not make contact with the spool since the diameter of the reduced diameter portion 34 of the spool is such that said body member's tab 64 cannot contact the spool. It should be noted that both of the yo-yo's body members 38 have tabs 64 in order to allow easy assembly of the yo-yo without the need to have specific left and right body members. Should that not be a concern, the body member of side portion 2 would not have any tabs 64 and the spool would not be required to have a reduced diameter portion 34.

It should be noted that when the locking mechanism is in its unlocked mode, there will normally be either a loose contact between the shuttles and the spool or there will be a small space/gap between the shuttles and the spool. This enables the spool to rotate relative to the shuttles without any considerable friction between the shuttles and the spool. A condition where there is a loose contact is one where the shuttles just touch the spool without putting any significant pressure on said spool. As a result, when a user presses button 42 of side portion 2, movement of said button will cause the shuttle connected to said button to contact, or more firmly contact, the spool before the spool is caused to move laterally. In this manner, said button may move a minimal distance before the spool moves, and possibly another minimal distance before the button of side portion 4 is caused to move in the same direction.

FIG. 9 shows the yo-yo 1 being used with a winder 202. These two components can be provided together in kit form to provide new and unique functionality. This combination is enabled by each of the yo-yo's push buttons having an optional aperture 83 and each lens disk having at least one projection 200. The winder 202 is shown in cross-section in FIG. 9 and comprises a rotatable axle 204, a coil spring 206, an outer casing 208 and a locking pin 210.

The axle 204 is preferably a cylindrical member made of a rigid material, preferably metal or plastic, and has first and second end portions, 212 and 214 respectively. End portion 212 of the axle is narrowed, with its extreme tip 216 having a rectangular configuration that is sized and shaped to be a complementary fit within aperture 83 of either of the yo-yo's buttons 42. In this manner, tip 216 can be inserted into an aperture 83 and rotation of the tip can cause rotation of the yo-yo's side portions. While tip 216 of the axle's end portion 212 has a rectangular cross-section, the remainder of portion 212 has a round cross-section and extends through a complementary round aperture 220 in the casing's front wall 222. End portion 214 of the axle preferably also has a round cross-section and extends through a complementary round aperture 224 in the rear wall 226 of the casing. In this manner, the axle is rotatably supported by the casing.

The coil spring 206 is preferably made of a metal material and has first and second ends, 228 and 230, respectively. End 228 is fastened to the casing's front wall 222, while end 230 is fastened to the axle 204. Fastening of the spring to the casing and axle may be accomplished by welds, fasteners or any type of securement commonly used for securing a member.

The casing 208 is made of a rigid material, preferably plastic, and is preferably in the form of a cylinder. The casing's front wall 222 and/or rear wall may be permanently, or removably, secured to the rest of the casing.

The locking pin 210 is preferably a plastic or metal rod to which is fastened one end of a coil spring 232. The other end of the spring is fastened to the casing's front wall 22 whereby the spring biases said rod in a direction toward the casing's front wall 222. As with spring 206, fastening of spring 232 can employ any conventional fastening method.

The locking pin features a tip 234 and a lever arm 236. Said tip is sized and shaped to fit against the flat face 240 of one of the projections 200 of the yo-yo's lens disk. The lever arm extends through an aperture 242 in the casing and is designed to be graspable by a user whereby said user can move said arm to thereby cause the locking pin to move in a direction toward, or away from, the yo-yo 1.

It should be noted that while a movable locking pin is shown, the casing may instead have at least one pin that extends outwardly from the casing's front wall and is pivotally or fixedly secured to said wall. The pin would have a shape similar to tip 234 and would be positioned at the same location as tip 234. When the tip is abutting one of the yo-yo's projections 200, a user would be able to disengage the tip from the yo-yo by pressing on the flat end surface 244 of the axle 204 while holding onto the casing. This would cause the axle to move outwardly from the front wall of the casing, thereby moving the yo-yo away from the casing until the pin disengages from the projection 200. The yo-yo's aperture 83 would preferably include a pair of ramped surfaces (not shown) of the type normally found in winder-actuated spin tops whereby said ramped surfaces would cause the winder's axle to disengage from the aperture 83 once the yo-yo's rotational speed exceeds that of the axle.

While a simple spring-powered type of winder is shown herein, other winders may alternatively be employed. For example, most of the types of winders that are used in conjunction with spin tops may be usable with the yo-yo 1, with only minor modification of said winders and/or yo-yo 1 possibly being required.

There are two primary uses for the winder. Firstly, for a user who has trouble getting the yo-yo to sleep at the end of the tether, the winder provides a shortcut to having the yo-yo sleep at the end of the tether. Secondly, for a user who wants to rapidly wind the tether about the spool, the winder automates the winding process.

To use the winder to achieve a sleeping yo-yo 1, a user initially sets the yo-yo's locking mechanism to its unlocked mode (the configuration shown in FIG. 7) whereby the yo-yo's spool 12 is free to rotate. The user then engages the winder to the yo-yo by inserting tip 216 of the winder's axle into aperture 83 of one of the yo-yo's button's 42. In FIG. 9, the winder is shown connected to the button of the yo-yo's side portion 4. The winder's locking pin 210 is moved rearwardly and the yo-yo is then rotated relative to the winder's casing. This rotates the winder's axle 204, thereby tightening the coils of the spring 206 and adding energy to said spring. Once spring 206 is tightly wound about the axle 204, the user releases the locking pin and allows the pin's tip 234 to engage the flat surface 240 of one of the projections 200 located on the exterior surface of the adjacent lens disk 44 of the yo-yo.

Next, one end of the tether is secured to one of the user's fingers and the yo-yo is allowed to hang downwardly from the user's hand, supported by the tether. The user holds the winder with his or her other hand and pulls on arm 236 of the locking pin to disengage the tip of the locking pin from the yo-yo. Since the locking pin is no longer engaged to the yo-yo, the torque applied to the axle 204 by the spring 206 causes the rotation of the axle and also button 42 of the yo-yo's side portion 4. This results in the rotation of both of the yo-yo's side portions. The winder's axle is then disengaged from the yo-yo, leaving the yo-yo sleeping at the end of the tether. Preferably, the yo-yo will now be rotating at a sufficiently high speed to facilitate the performance/practice of tricks that require a sleeping yo-yo.

In the second method of use for the winder, to quickly wind the tether about the spool, the user initially sets the yo-yo's locking mechanism to its locked mode (the configuration shown in FIG. 8) whereby the yo-yo's spool is locked to rotate with the yo-yo's side portions. Then, with the tether at least partially unwound from the yo-yo, the winder is engaged to the yo-yo in the previously described manner and the yo-yo is rotated relative to the winder's casing to thereby add energy to the winder's spring. Once the spring has been sufficiently wound, the locking pin 210 may be engaged to the yo-yo in the previously described manner. Then, while holding the winder, the user disengages the locking pin from the yo-yo and allows the winder to rapidly spin the yo-yo. This results in the tether winding about the yo-yo's spool. The winder can then be disengaged from the yo-yo 1 whereupon the tether is fully wound on the spool and the yo-yo is ready for use.

It should be noted that the term “spool,” as used herein, is hereby defined as the portion of the yo-yo to which the tether is attached and that can be made rotatable relative to the yo-yo's side portions. In the drawings, the spool is shown as a unitary member 12 rotatable on the axle pin. However, instead of a unitary member, a structure having multiple parts can be located on the axle pin and take the place of the spool 12. In that case, the spool would be the portion of said multi-part structure that is attached to the tether and can be made to be rotatable relative to the yo-yo's side portions. For example, if the spool 12 is replaced by a ball bearing unit, the outer race of the ball bearing unit would be considered the spool.

The preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed herein have been discussed for the purpose of familiarizing the reader with the novel aspects of the invention. Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and/or described, many changes, modifications and substitutions may be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the following claims.

Claims

1. A yo-yo comprising: first and second side portions secured together in a spaced-apart relation via an axle structure;a spool secured to said axle structure in a manner whereby said spool is capable of rotating relative to said side portions and also of moving laterally on said axle structure;a tether secured to said spool; anda user-actuable locking mechanism, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a first movable button in said first side portion and a second movable button in said second side portion, wherein said buttons are operatively connected to said spool in a manner whereby when one of said buttons is pressed and moves to a predetermined location, said spool is moved laterally on said axle structure whereby said spool becomes operatively engaged to structure connected to said first side portion that causes said spool to become locked to, and rotatable with, said first side portion, and wherein when the other of said buttons is pressed by a user and moves to a predetermined location, said spool is moved laterally on said axle structure whereby said spool disengages from said structure of said first side portion and becomes capable of freely rotating relative to said first side portion.

2. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein each of said buttons is operatively connected to said spool in a manner whereby when said first movable button is moved a predetermined distance in a first direction, the spool and the second movable button will also move in said first direction, and wherein when the second movable button is moved a predetermined distance in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, the spool and the first movable button will move in said second direction.

3. The yo-yo of claim 1 further comprising first and second shuttles, wherein said first shuttle is at least partially located in said first side portion and can contact said first button and a first end of said spool, wherein said second shuttle is at least partially located in said second side portion and can contact said second button and a second end of said spool, and wherein when either of said buttons is moved in a predetermined manner, said buttons, shuttles and said spool can move as a single unit.

4. The yo-yo of claim 3 wherein there can be a space between said spool and said shuttles whereby when said spool is rotating relative to said first side portion, said shuttles do not contact said spool.

5. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein said first side portion includes a body member having a thru-bore, wherein said body member has a tab that extends into said thru-bore, wherein said spool has first and second ends, wherein said spool has a slot located proximate its first end, and wherein when said spool is locked to, and rotatable with, said first side portion, said spool will be located whereby said tab in said body member is received within said slot in said spool.

6. The yo-yo of claim 5 wherein said second side portion is substantially identical to said first side portion whereby said second side portion has a body member having a tab that extends into a thru-bore, wherein said spool has a reduced outer diameter portion proximate the spool's second end, and wherein when said spool is freely rotatable relative to said first side portion, said spool will be located whereby said spool's second end is positioned so that the tab of the second side portion's body member is located proximate said reduced outer diameter portion of said spool without said tab contacting said spool.

7. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein when one of said buttons has been pressed whereby said spool is locked to, and rotatable with said first side portion, a detent structure located in one of said side portions can engage one of said buttons to thereby releasably lock one of said buttons in a substantially fixed position until a user causes said buttons to move in a manner that causes a lateral movement of said spool.

8. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein when a particular one of said buttons is pressed and moves to a predetermined location, said spool is moved laterally on said axle structure whereby said spool operatively engages structure connected to said first side portion and thereby becomes locked to, and rotatable with, said first side portion.

9. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein said first side portion is adapted for engagement to a rotatable member of a winder, wherein said winder includes apparatus that can generate a torque on said rotatable member whereby when said rotatable member is connected to said yo-yo, said rotatable member can transmit said torque to said yo-yo to thereby cause said side portions of said yo-yo to rotate.

10. The yo-yo of claim 9 wherein said winder includes a coil spring operatively connected to said rotatable member, and wherein said spring functions to cause torque to be applied to said rotatable member.

11. A yo-yo comprising: first and second side portions secured together in a spaced-apart relation via an axle structure;a spool secured to said axle structure in a manner whereby said spool is capable of rotating relative to said axle structure and also is capable of being moved laterally on said axle structure;a tether secured to said spool; anda user-actuable locking mechanism, wherein said mechanism comprises a user-accessible member movably secured to one of said side portions, wherein said member is operatively connected to said spool in a manner whereby movement of said member can cause said spool to move laterally on said axle structure in a direction toward said first side portion whereby said spool can become connected to structure in said first side portion that causes said spool to be locked to, and rotatable with, said first side portion, and wherein said user-accessible member is also moved when said spool is caused to move laterally on said axle structure in a direction away from said first side portion whereby said spool is no longer connected to said structure in said first side portion that locked said spool to said first side portion and said spool is thereby freely rotatable relative to said first side portion.

12. The yo-yo of claim 11 wherein said spool and said first side portion include interlocking structures whereby movement of said spool toward said first side portion causes a mating of said interlocking structures that causes said spool to be locked to, and rotatable with, said first side portion.

13. The yo-yo of claim 12 wherein said interlocking structures comprise a slot in said spool and a tab of said first side portion, and wherein said tab is sized and shaped to at least partially fit into said slot.

14. The yo-yo of claim 11 wherein said first side portion includes a body member having a thru-bore, wherein said body member has at least one tab that extends into said thru-bore, wherein said spool has first and second ends, wherein said spool has a slot located proximate its first end, and wherein when said spool is locked to, and rotatable with, said first side portion, said spool will be located whereby said tab in said body member is received within said slot in said spool.

15. The yo-yo of claim 14 wherein said second side portion is substantially identical to said first side portion whereby said second side portion has a body member having a tab that extends into a thru-bore, wherein said spool has a reduced outer diameter portion proximate the spool's second end, and wherein when said spool is freely rotatable relative to said first side portion, said spool will be located whereby said spool's second end is positioned so that the tab of the second side portion's body member is located proximate said reduced outer diameter portion of said spool without said tab contacting said spool.

16. The yo-yo of claim 11 wherein said first side portion is adapted for engagement to a rotatable member of a winder, wherein said winder includes apparatus that can generate a torque on said rotatable member whereby when said rotatable member is connected to said yo-yo, said rotatable member can transmit said torque to said yo-yo to thereby cause said side portions of said yo-yo to rotate.

17. A yo-yo consisting essentially of: first and second side portions secured together in a spaced-apart relation via an axle structure;a spool secured to said axle structure in a manner whereby said spool is capable of rotating relative to said side portions;a tether secured to said spool;a user-actuable locking mechanism for said spool, wherein said mechanism comprises a user-accessible member movably secured to one of said side portions, wherein said member is operatively connected to said spool in a manner whereby a user can move said member in a manner that causes said spool to be connected to locking structure in said first side portion whereby said spool becomes locked to, and rotatable with, said first side portion, and wherein said member is also moved when said spool is caused to no longer be connected to said locking structure in said first side portion whereby said spool becomes freely rotatable relative to said first side portion; andwherein said locking mechanism only has two modes of operation, wherein when said locking mechanism is in a first mode of operation, said spool is locked to, and rotatable with, said side portions, and wherein when said locking mechanism is in a second mode of operation, said spool is continuously freely rotatable relative to said side portions.

18. The yo-yo of claim 17 wherein said spool and said first side portion include structures that are interlocked when said spool is locked to, and rotatable with, said first side portion.

19. A yo-yo and winder kit, said kit comprising: a yo-yo having first and second side portions secured together in a spaced-apart relation via an axle structure, wherein a spool is secured to said axle structure in a manner whereby at least a portion of said spool is capable of rotating relative to said side portions, wherein a tether is secured to said spool, and wherein said yo-yo includes a user-actuable locking mechanism that in a first mode of operation, can cause at least a portion of said spool to be locked to, and rotatable with, said side portions, and wherein when said locking mechanism is in a second mode of operation, at least a portion of said spool is freely rotatable relative to said side portions;a winder that comprises an apparatus for storing energy and then creating a torque on a rotatable member; andwherein said first side portion of said yo-yo is adapted for engagement to said rotatable member of said winder whereby when said rotatable member is connected to said yo-yo, said rotatable member can transmit said torque to said yo-yo to thereby cause said side portions of said yo-yo to rotate.

20. The yo-yo of claim 19 wherein said apparatus for storing energy comprises a coil spring that can be operatively connected to said rotatable member to cause a torque to be applied to said rotatable member.

21. A method for using a yo-yo with a winder, wherein said yo-yo is of the type that has a tether and a user-actuable locking mechanism that in a first mode of operation, can cause a spool to which the yo-yo's tether is attached to be locked to, and rotatable with, side portions of said yo-yo, wherein when said locking mechanism is in a second mode of operation, said spool is freely rotatable relative to said side portions, and wherein said winder is of a type that comprises an apparatus for storing energy and then creating a torque on a rotatable member, said method comprising: when the yo-yo's locking mechanism is in its second mode of operation, attaching the rotatable member of the winder to the yo-yo in a manner whereby rotation of said rotatable member can cause rotation of the yo-yo's side portions;suspending the yo-yo via the yo-yo's tether; andenabling the winder's rotatable member to rotate at a time when said winder has stored energy that can cause torque to be applied to said rotatable member, whereby said stored energy will be transformed into rotation of the winder's rotatable member and also rotation of the yo-yo's side portions.