Yo-yo having a string- formed response system

Abstract

The invention is an improved yo-yo that has two side units and a string-formed response system incorporated into each side unit. In its most basic form, the response system employs a string that is threaded through spaced-apart apertures in a side unit to form at least one tether engagement pad. The pad may be contacted by the yo-yo's tether in order to cause a return of the yo-yo to a user's hand.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional front view of a first embodiment of a yo-yo in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 1B shows a magnified portion of FIG. 1A, with portions shown in phantom.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the tether-facing surface of one of the side units of the yo-yo shown in FIG. 1A, taken at the plane labeled 2-2 in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the outwardly-facing surface of the side unit shown in FIG. 2, taken at the plane labeled 3-3 in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 4 is a side view similar to FIG. 2, but shows the tether-facing surface of the side unit when an alternate threading pattern is employed.

FIG. 5 is a side view similar to FIG. 2, but shows the tether-facing surface of a side unit when another alternate threading pattern is employed.

FIG. 6 is a side view similar to FIG. 3, but shows the outwardly-facing surface of the side unit shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional front view of an alternate embodiment of a yo-yo in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 7B shows a magnified portion of FIG. 7A, with portions shown in phantom.

FIG. 8 shows the outwardly-facing surface of one of the side units shown in FIG. 7A, taken at the plane labeled 8-8 in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 9 shows the tether-facing surface of one of the side units shown in FIG. 7A, taken at the plane labeled 9-9 in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 10 is a front view, with the right-hand portion shown in cross-section, of an alternate embodiment of a yo-yo in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 11 shows the tether-facing surface of one of the side unit's of the yo-yo shown in FIG. 10, taken at the plane labeled 11-11 in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is an isometric, partly-exploded view of another alternate embodiment of a yo-yo in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 13 shows the tether-facing surface of one of the side units of the yo-yo shown in FIG. 12, taken at the plane labeled 13-13 in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 provides a cross-sectional view of one of the side units shown in FIG. 12 and shows the button members in a depressed condition.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the same side unit shown in FIG. 14, but the button member is shown in an extended position.

Claims

1. A yo-yo comprising: first and second side units secured together in a spaced-apart relation by an axle structure;a tether secured to a portion of said axle structure;wherein said first side unit has a tether-facing surface and a plurality of spaced-apart apertures; anda string threaded through a plurality of said apertures in a manner whereby said string forms a plurality of tether engagement pads located on said tether-facing surface and wherein when said yo-yo is sleeping, said pads are capable of facilitating a return of said yo-yo to a user's hand.

2. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein said tether and said string are both made of substantially identical cord-like structures.

3. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein the string and the tether are both made of the same material.

4. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein said string and said tether are both made of a fibrous material.

5. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein said string comprises a plurality of strands that are twisted together.

6. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein said string is made of a resilient material.

7. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein said plurality of tether engagement pads includes a first tether engagement pad and a second tether engagement pad, and wherein a portion of said first tether engagement pad is contiguous to a portion of said second tether engagement pad.

8. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said tether engagement pads are located in a spaced-apart relation.

9. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein said first side unit includes a shuttle member that includes said apertures and is adapted to be adjustably positioned in said first side unit.

10. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein said string has two end portions that are secured together.

11. The yo-yo of claim 10 wherein said string end portions are secured together via a knot.

12. The yo-yo of claim 10 wherein said string end portions are secured in place though the use of a fastener.

13. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein said string has two end portions and wherein said first side unit includes a shaped member adapted to positionally secure said end portions.

14. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein the first side unit's tether-facing surface includes at least one groove into which the string is at least partially received.

15. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein the first side unit's tether-facing surface includes a plurality of grooves into which the string can be at least partially received, wherein said string is at least partially received within a first one of said grooves, and wherein a second one of said grooves has a depth that is different than a depth of said first one of said grooves.

16. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein said first side unit includes a disk-shaped body member, and wherein said apertures are in the form of thru-bores that extend from a tether facing surface of said body member to an outwardly-facing surface of said body member.

17. A yo-yo comprising: first and second side units secured together in a spaced-apart relation by an axle structure;a tether secured to a portion of said axle structure;a first member that forms a portion of said first side unit and includes a tether-facing surface;a second member that forms a portion of the first side unit, and wherein said second member is movable relative to said first member;a plurality of string securement members operatively connected to said second member; anda plurality of apertures in said first member through which the string securement members extend, wherein said string securement members function to secure a string to said tether-facing surface of said first member, wherein portions of said string form tether engagement pads that are capable of facilitating a return on command of the yo-yo when said yo-yo is sleeping.

18. The yo-yo of claim 17 wherein an end portion of at least one of said string securement members is hook-shaped.

19. The yo-yo of claim 17 wherein said second member is spring biased in a direction away from said tether and can be moved by a user toward said tether.

20. The yo-yo of claim 17 wherein said tether-facing surface of the first member includes a groove into which the string is at least partially received.

21. The yo-yo of claim 17 wherein said pads have an arcuately-shaped tether-facing surface.

22. A yo-yo comprising: first and second side units;an axle structure that secures together said first and second side units in a spaced-apart relation, and wherein a tether can be secured to a portion of said axle structure;wherein said first side unit has a surface that faces said second side unit, and wherein said first unit also has a portion that includes a plurality of spaced-apart apertures; andan elongated flexible member threaded through a plurality of said apertures in a manner whereby said flexible member forms at least one pad member located on said surface, and wherein when a tether is secured to said axle structure and said yo-yo is sleeping, said tether is capable of engaging said at least one pad member in a manner that will result in said tether winding about said axle structure.

23. The yo-yo of claim 22 wherein said surface is a first surface, wherein said flexible member has end portions that are located adjacent to a second surface of said first side unit, and wherein said second surface faces away from said second side unit.

24. The yo-yo of claim 22 wherein the flexible member is in the form of a string.

25. The yo-yo of claim 22 wherein said portion of said first side unit that includes a plurality of spaced-apart apertures is in the form of a movable unit that has a plurality of hook members that form said apertures whereby said hook members function to secure said flexible member to said first side unit.

26. The yo-yo of claim 22 wherein said portion of said first side unit that includes a plurality of spaced-apart apertures is in the form of a disk-shaped body and wherein said apertures are thru-bores that extend through said body.

27. The yo-yo of claim 22 wherein said pad member has first, second, third and fourth surface portions, wherein said first surface portion has a flat shape, wherein said second surface portion is arcuately-shaped and faces away from the yo-yo's axle structure, wherein said third surface portion is arcuately-shaped and faces toward said axle structure, and wherein said fourth surface portion is arcuately-shaped and faces toward said second side unit.

28. A yo-yo comprising: first and second side units;an axle structure that secures together said first and second side units in a spaced-apart relation, and wherein a tether can be secured to a portion of said axle structure;wherein said first side unit has a first surface that faces said second side unit and a second surface that faces away from said second side unit, and wherein said first side unit also has a member that includes a plurality of apertures; anda plurality of tether engagement pads located on said first surface and secured to said member, wherein each of said pads is formed by an elongated flexible string that extends through said member and has end portions located adjacent said second surface, and wherein when a tether is secured to said axle structure and said yo-yo is sleeping, said tether is capable of engaging at least one of said tether engagement pads in a manner that will result in said tether winding about said axle structure.