Fidget-Spinner Toy And Methods Of Using A Fidget-Spinner Toy

Abstract

A fidget-spinner toy capable of being held in one hand between the thumb and another finger comprised of a gyroscopic rotor, means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor which is further comprised of a reciprocating actuator rod, and a tip that rotates independently of the gyroscopic rotor, such that the gyroscopic rotor is rotated about its spin axis as the tip rests on the thumb by moving the thumb and the tip end of the other finger closer together and then farther apart again repeatedly in order to convert bidirectional reciprocating movement of the reciprocating actuator rod into unidirectional rotary motion of the gyroscopic rotor even if the gyroscopic rotor is already rotating rapidly. Methods are also provided that are comprised of first providing the fidget-spinner toy and then using it for fun and to reduce mental stress either while the fidget-spinner toy is being held in the hand or operating independently as a spinning top on any smooth surface.

Claims

1. A fidget-spinner toy comprised of a gyroscopic rotor, means for rotating said gyroscopic rotor which is further comprised of a reciprocating actuator rod, and a tip apparatus capable of resting on a thumb as said gyroscopic rotor is rotated by moving said thumb and the tip end of another finger closer together and then farther apart again repeatedly so bidirectional linear movement of said reciprocating actuator rod is converted to unidirectional rotary motion of said gyroscopic rotor, whereby momentum can be added to increase the speed of rotation of said gyroscopic rotor even if said gyroscopic rotor is already rotating rapidly, and so smooth reciprocating motion of said finger moving said reciprocating actuator rod linearly replaces awkward sidewise flicking motion of said finger when directly rotating said gyroscopic rotor.

2. A fidget-spinner toy, comprising: (a) a gyroscopic rotor, (b) means for rotating said gyroscopic rotor further comprised of a reciprocating actuator rod, and (c) a finger-holding apparatus for receiving said tip end of a finger attached to one end of said reciprocating actuator rod and which spins independently of said gyroscopic rotor, and (d) a tip apparatus for resting on a thumb or on any smooth surface and which spins independently of said gyroscopic rotor, whereby said fidget-spinner toy can be comfortably and conveniently held in one hand while said tip apparatus rests on said thumb of said hand and as said gyroscopic rotor is rotated by said means for rotating said gyroscopic rotor when moving said thumb and said tip end of a finger closer together and then farther apart again repeatedly so motion of said finger does not impede the motion of rotating said gyroscopic rotor, and whereby smooth reciprocating motion of said tip end of a finger moving said reciprocating actuator rod comprising said means for rotating said gyroscopic rotor replaces awkward flicking motion of said finger to rotate said gyroscopic rotor.

3. The fidget-spinner toy of claim 2 wherein said means for rotating said gyroscopic rotor is comprised of a piston and cylinder.

4. The fidget-spinner toy of claim 2 wherein said means for rotating said gyroscopic rotor is comprised of a spiraled shaft and a one-way clutch apparatus.

5. The fidget-spinner toy of claim 2 wherein said means for rotating said gyroscopic rotor is comprised of a ratcheting-arm and gear with a multitude of teeth.

6. The fidget-spinner toy of claim 2 wherein said means for rotating said gyroscopic rotor is comprised of a pull-string, elastic band, or diaphragm.

7. The fidget-spinner toy of claim 2 wherein said finger-holding apparatus is expandable to accommodate holding more than one finger or else for holding fingers of different sizes.

8. The fidget-spinner toy of claim 2 wherein said tip apparatus is comprised of means for temporarily holding said tip apparatus firmly to said thumb, whereby said tip apparatus does not slip off said thumb when said tip of said finger actuates said reciprocating actuator rod to rotate said gyroscopic rotor, or when entire said fidget-spinner toy is held upside down.

9. The fidget-spinner toy of claim 2 wherein said gyroscopic rotor is manufactured in a shape or size that reflects similarities to or signifies a toy action figure, a cartoon character, or any other well known or popular item, object, or person of interest to the public.

10. A method of using a fidget-spinner toy, comprising: (a) first providing a fidget-spinner toy capable of being held in one hand between the thumb and the tip end of another finger comprised of a gyroscopic rotor, means for rotating said gyroscopic rotor which is further comprised of a reciprocating actuator rod, and a tip apparatus, then (b) placing said tip apparatus of provided said fidget-spinner toy so it rests on a thumb and so entire provided said fidget-spinner toy rests between said thumb and the tip end of another finger, then (c) rotating said gyroscopic rotor around its spin axis in one direction only by moving said reciprocating actuator rod with bidirectional linear motion of said tip end of another finger as said thumb and said tip end of another finger move closer together and then farther apart again repeatedly, or alternatively (d) placing said tip apparatus on any smooth surface, then (e) rotating said gyroscopic rotor unidirectional by moving said reciprocating actuator rod linearly into and out of the center of said gyroscopic rotor.

Description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0018] FIG. 1 shows a side view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention which is a fidget-spinner toy having a flattened top button and which uses a spring to reset the means for rotating said the gyroscopic rotor.

[0019] FIG. 2 shows the first preferred embodiment of the present invention which is a fidget-spinner toy that's being held with and actuated with one hand only. FIG. 2 also shows one step of any method or process that comprises an additional embodiment of the present invention that further comprises first providing and then using the first preferred embodiment of the present invention for fun and enjoyment.

[0020] FIG. 3 shows the second preferred embodiment of the present invention which is a fidget-spinner toy that utilizes a finger-holding apparatus instead of a flattened top button and which requires no reset spring.

[0021] FIG. 4 shows the second preferred embodiment of the present invention which is a fidget-spinner toy that utilizes a finger-holding apparatus being held in and actuated with one hand only and as the tip apparatus rests on the thumb.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a typical fidget-spinner toy that's been configured to operate so it can be comfortably and conveniently held in and operated with a single hand. It's comprised of a gyroscopic rotor 1, top button 2, reciprocating actuator rod 3 that comprises the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor around its spin axis, and a bottom button or tip apparatus 4. Note that all components are capable of revolving independently or freely of the gyroscopic rotor 1. In this case, a reset spring comprises the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor 1 to bring the reciprocating actuator rod 3 back to its starting position each rotating or pumping cycle. In other words, a spring is used to bring or raise the reciprocating actuator rod 3 out of the center of the gyroscopic rotor 1.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows the fidget-spinner toy known as the first preferred embodiment of the present invention being held in one hand between the thumb and another finger on the same hand in the typical fashion. The bottom button or tip apparatus 4 of the fidget-spinner toy rests on the thumb while the other finger rests on the top button 2. As the thumb and finger are pressed together repeatedly, the reciprocating actuator rod 3 that comprises the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor, moves up and down or into and out of the center of the gyroscopic rotor 1 which causes the gyroscopic rotor 1 to rotate around its vertical spin axis. During each successive cycle of pumping, the reciprocating actuator rod is raised out of the gyroscopic rotor by the reset spring to restart the cycle that results in the gyroscopic rotor to either speed up or maintain a high rate of rotary motion.

[0024] FIG. 3 shows the second preferred embodiment of the present invention which is also a fidget-spinner toy that's been configured so it can be comfortably and conveniently held in and operated with a single hand. It's comprised of a gyroscopic rotor 1, a finger-holding apparatus 5which replaces a top button as found in typical hand-spinners, an actuating rod 3, and a bottom button or tip apparatus 4. A reset spring may not be required to comprise the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor in this version of the present invention, but it may be added to improve the cycle efficiency or effectiveness. It's evident in the drawing that the gyroscopic rotor 1 is made into or reflects the shape of a basketball. This is an unobvious novelty feature of the present invention in that the gyroscopic rotor 1 can be made into any shape to reflect similarities to a toy action figure, cartoon character, or any other well known or popular item, object, or person of interest to the public. Furthermore, the gyroscopic rotor may also include coloring, special markings, logos, or any other ways to signify association with a toy action figure, cartoon character, or any other well known or popular item, object, or person of interest to the public.

[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates the second preferred embodiment of the present invention as it's being held in and operated with a single hand for more comfort and convenience as compared to a typical fidget-spinner, also known as a hand-spinner. It's important to note that the finder-holding apparatus 5 is used to lift or raise the reciprocating actuator rod 3 that comprises the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor from the center of the gyroscopic rotor 1 each pumping or rotating cycle and that no reset spring is required for doing so. In words, the tip of a finger is inserted into the finger-holding apparatus 5 as shown, and the down and up movement of the finger in relation to the more stationary thumb pushes and pulls the reciprocating actuator rod 3 into and out of the center of the gyroscopic rotor 1, respectively. FIG. 4 also shows one step of any method or process that comprises an additional embodiment of the present invention that further comprises first providing and then using the second preferred embodiment of the present invention for fun and enjoyment.

Additional Embodiments

[0026] The gyroscopic rotor and all components of the fidget-spinner toy known as the present invention can be made of any known materials or physical elements. For example, the parts of the gyroscopic rotor can comprise metal components, which would understandably make them heavier and more apt to exhibit gyroscopic effects, especially if most of the added weight is located on an outside rim or edge.

[0027] The fidget-spinner toy known as the present invention may also be comprised of apparatuses that generate noises or sounds, such as a humming sound similar to common spinning tops when they're spinning very fast.

[0028] The fidget-spinner toy known as the present invention may also be comprised of apparatuses that generate electric power from its own spinning tendencies. In that case, an on-board electric generator or an on-board electrochemical battery can be used to power LED lights comprising the fidget-spinner toy and mounted in any arrangement or number to give it eye-catching lighting effects.

[0029] The reciprocating actuator rod is comprised of any elongated structure or apparatus that can be moved up and down or into and out of the center of the gyroscopic rotor repeatedly by the tip end of a finger with respect to a thumb on which the fidget-spinner toy is resting and spinning in order to actuate the means for rotating said gyroscopic rotor and spin the gyroscopic rotor around its own spin axis.

[0030] The finger-holding apparatus is comprised of a fully-closed or partially-open ring or loop, a rubber-band, a magnet, or any other structure or apparatus that can hold the tip end of a finger firmly and temporarily to one end of the reciprocating actuator rod so that the tip end of the finger does not move significantly side-to-side or slip in any way off the end of the reciprocating actuator rod during operation of the fidget-spinner toy while it's operating and held between the thumb and the tip end of a finger.

[0031] The bottom button or tip apparatus is analogous to a bottom tip of which is similar to what may comprise any spinning top. To be clear, a bottom button would comprise a structure that's generally flat and which can be found in typical fidget-spinner toys, while the tip apparatus would comprise a structure that is mostly tapered and pointed at one end, and which would enable the gyroscopic rotor comprising the fidget-spinner toy to spin independently on any smooth surface as well as when the tip apparatus is resting on a thumb. The tip apparatus may also be comprised of means for holding it temporarily to a thumb while the gyroscopic rotor is rotating and while the tip apparatus is resting on a thumb, or when the entire fidget-spinner toy is held upside down and while the gyroscopic rotor is rotating. Or the tip apparatus can be comprised of holes or slots that receive a part of a separate apparatus that can in turn hold the tip apparatus to a thumb as the gyroscopic rotor spins. Any method comprised of first providing the fidget-spinner known to be the present invention that's comprised of a gyroscopic rotor, means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor, and a reciprocating actuator rod, and then using the provided fidget-spinner toy in any manner and for any purpose will be known by one skilled in the art to be another embodiment of the present invention. Such a method may comprise first providing the fidget-spinner toy known to be the present invention and then simply holding it on a thumb while pumping the thumb and the tip end of another finger together and apart again repeatedly to rotate the gyroscopic rotor. Another possible method would be to first provide the fidget-spinner toy known to be the present invention and then operate it in the usual fashion except the tip of the other finger would be removed at some point so the entire fidget-spinner toy essentially rides on the thumb or tip of another finger as the gyroscopic rotor spins about its own vertical axis. Another method may comprise using the provided fidget-spinner toy known as the present invention independently of a human hand and while it's placed so it spins as a typical spinning top on any smooth surface as the reciprocating actuator rod is repeatedly pumped into and out of the center of the gyroscopic rotor.

[0032] Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by any appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by any examples given.