METHOD AND DEVICE WEARABLE ON THE HUMAN BODY FOR CONTROLLING AN OBJECT

Abstract

A method for controlling an object cast from a human body involves attaching to a portion of the body a device that includes a body-engaging member, an attached axle, a reel rotatable on the axle, a cord attached to the reel and the object, and a spring that biases the reel to rotate in a direction to wind the cord on the reel and thereby retract the object towards the device. The body-engaging member includes a body-engaging surface that is contoured to substantially conform to a portion of the body. A case including the body-engaging member contains the axle and the reel, and defines an aperture for through passage of the cord. A garment wearable on the body secures the body-engaging member in a substantially fixed relationship to the body. A cord-to-object connector has relatively rotatable parts to allow the object to rotate without twisting of the cord.

Claims

1. A device wearable on a portion of a human body for controlling an object cast from the human body, the device comprising: (a) a body-engaging member comprising a body-engaging surface; (b) an axle fixedly attached to the body-engaging member; (c) a reel rotatable on the axle; (d) a cord extending from a cord proximal end attached to the reel to a cord distal end attachable or attached to the object; and (e) a spring for biasing the reel to rotate on the axle in a direction that winds the cord on the reel.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the portion of the human body comprises the forearm.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the body-engaging surface is contoured to substantially conform to the portion of the body.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein the body-engaging surface is convexly contoured.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the body-engaging surface is contoured to comprise a portion of a substantially frustoconical surface.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the axle is oriented substantially orthogonally to a portion of the body-engaging surface.

7. The device of claim 1 further comprising a case containing the axle, the reel and the spring, and defining a case cord aperture through which the cord passes between the cord proximal end and the cord distal end, wherein the cord distal end is disposed outside of the case.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the case comprises a case internal surface with a substantially frustoconical surface terminating at the portion of the case defining the case cord aperture.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the body-engaging member defines a body-engaging member garment aperture for receiving therethrough a garment wearable on the body for securing the body-engaging member in a substantially fixed relationship to the body.

10. The device of claim 9 further comprising a garment wearable on the body, wherein the garment either attaches to or engages the body-engaging member to secure the body-engaging member in a substantially fixed relationship to the body.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the garment comprises a strap or a band that encircles at least a portion of the body.

12. The device of claim 1 further comprising a cord-to-object connector attached to the cord distal end for releasably connecting the cord distal end to the object.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein the cord-to-object connector comprises a carabiner.

14. The device of claim 12 wherein the cord-to-object connector comprises a connector comprising a first connector part attachable or attached to the cord distal end, and a second connector part attachable or attached to the object, wherein the second connector part is rotatable relative to the first connector part.

15. A method for controlling an object cast from a human body, the method comprising the steps of: (a) attaching to a portion of the body a device comprising: (i) a body-engaging member comprising a body-engaging surface; (ii) an axle fixedly attached to the body-engaging member; (iii) a reel rotatable on the axle; (iv) a cord extending from a cord proximal end attached to the reel to a cord distal end; and (v) a spring for biasing the reel to rotate on the axle in a direction that winds the cord on the reel; (b) attaching the object to the cord distal end; and (c) after attaching the object to the cord distal end, allowing the spring to bias the reel to rotate on the axle in the direction that winds the cord on the reel, thereby retracting the object towards the device.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the portion of the human body comprises the forearm.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the body-engaging surface is contoured to substantially conform to the portion of the body.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the device further comprises a case containing the axle, the reel and the spring, and defining a case cord aperture through which the cord passes between the cord proximal end and the cord distal end, wherein the cord distal end is disposed outside of the case.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein the device further comprises a garment wearable on the body, wherein the garment either attaches to or engages the body-engaging member to secure the body-engaging member in a substantially fixed relationship to the body.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein the device further comprises a cord-to-object connector attached to the cord distal end for releasably connecting the cord distal end to the object, wherein the cord-to-object connector comprises a connector comprising a first connector part attachable or attached to the cord distal end, and a second connector part attachable or attached to the object, wherein the second connector part is rotatable relative to the first connector part.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following drawings. In the drawings, like elements are assigned like reference numerals. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, with the emphasis instead placed upon the principles of the present invention. Additionally, each of the embodiments depicted is but one of a number of possible arrangements utilizing the fundamental concepts of the present invention. The drawings are briefly described as follows:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a palmar perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a device of the present invention worn on the forearm;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a palmar, wireframe, perspective view of an embodiment of the case, the axle, and the reel of the exemplary embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a dorsal, wireframe, perspective view of the palmar portion of the embodiment of the case shown in FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a palmar, wireframe, perspective view of the dorsal portion of the embodiment of the case shown in FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 5 is a proximal and dorsal, wireframe, perspective view of the dorsal portion of the embodiment of the case shown in FIG. 1;

[0017] FIG. 6 is a dorsal, wireframe, perspective view of the reel and cord of the embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 1;

[0018] FIG. 7 is a palmar view of another exemplary embodiment of the device of the present invention, with an attached swivel connector;

[0019] FIG. 8 is a dorsal view of the device shown in FIG. 7;

[0020] FIG. 9 is a lateral view of the device shown in FIG. 7;

[0021] FIG. 10 is a proximal view of the device shown in FIG. 7;

[0022] FIG. 11 is a distal view of device shown in FIG. 7;

[0023] FIG. 12 is a palmar view of the dorsal portion of the case, the reel, the axle, and the spring of the device shown in FIG. 7;

[0024] FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, and 13F are palmar, first side, first end, dorsal, second end and second side views, respectively, of a palmar portion of another exemplary embodiment of the case of the device of the present invention;

[0025] FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, and 14F are palmar, first side, first end, dorsal, second end and second side views, respectively, of a dorsal portion of another exemplary embodiment of the case of the device of the present invention; and

[0026] FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C, and 15D are dorsal, first side, palmar, and second side views, respectively, of a first portion of an exemplary embodiment of a reel of the device of the present invention; and FIG. 15E is a palmar view of an exemplary embodiment of a reel of the device of the present invention, when separated from the first portion of the reel shown in FIGS. 15A-15D.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] In one aspect, the present invention is a device wearable on a portion of the human body for controlling an object that is cast from the human body. Referring to the Figures, exemplary embodiments of a device (10) of the present invention wearable on the forearm are shown. In other embodiments (not shown), the portion of the human body may comprise (without limitation), a different portion of the arm more proximal to the shoulder, a portion of the leg, the chest or the waist. It will be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment of the device (10) as described below may be adapted to be wearable on such different portions of the human body, and that references to the forearm in the following discussion may be modified with references either more generally to the body or more specifically to such other portions of the human body.

[0028] When describing the present invention, all terms not defined herein have their common art-recognized meanings. In this document: forearm refers to that part of a human arm between the elbow and the wrist; longitudinal refers to a direction substantially aligned with the direction of the forearm extending between the elbow and the wrist; lateral refers to a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the forearm extending between the elbow and the wrist; proximal and distal refer to positions of elements that are nearer to and further from, respectively, the portion of the forearm nearest to the elbow; palmar refers to that side of the forearm on the same side as the palm of the hand; and dorsal refers to that side of the forearm that is opposite to the palm of the hand. In exemplary uses of the device, the controlled object may be a prop for a weapon or simulated weapon, including without limitation, an elongate weapon such as a staff, a sword, a LED saber, or laser saber or a thrown weapon such as a disk, a ring, or a shuriken. It will be understood that, unless expressly indicated in the claims, the device of the present invention is not limited by the nature of the controlled object.

[0029] Referring to the Figures, an exemplary embodiment of a device (10) of the present invention wearable on the forearm generally comprises: a forearm-engaging member (20) comprising a forearm-engaging surface (22); an axle (40) fixedly attached to the forearm-engaging member (20); a reel (60) rotatable on the axle (40); a cord (80) extending from a cord proximal end (82) attached to the reel (60) to a cord distal end (84) attachable or attached to the object; and a spring (100) for biasing the reel (60) to rotate on the axle (40) in a direction that winds the cord (80) on the reel (60). Exemplary embodiments of the device (10) may further comprise a case (120), a garment (140), and a cord-to-object connector (160).

[0030] The forearm-engaging member (20) provides a forearm-engaging surface (22) that abuts a portion of the forearm (F), as shown in FIG. 1.

[0031] In embodiments, the forearm-engaging surface (22) is contoured to substantially conform to a portion of the forearm, which may include the palmar side of the forearm (F), the dorsal side of the forearm (F) or a combination of both. Such contouring may provide for better resistance to movement of the device (10) relative to the forearm (F) when the object is in motion, and provide for better comfort of the user.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, the forearm-engaging surface (22) substantially conforms to the palmar side of the forearm (F) in the vicinity of the wrist. In the exemplary embodiment, the forearm-engaging surface (22) has an overall lateral dimension of approximately 3 inches (7.6 cm) and an overall longitudinal dimension of approximately 3.75 inches (9.5 cm), so as to be suitable for use with the forearm (F) of a typical adult male human. Such dimensions are not limiting of the embodiment, and other dimensions may be selected depending on the portion of the forearm (F) and the size of the forearm (F).

[0033] In the exemplary embodiment as shown in FIGS. 5, 10 and 11, the forearm-engaging surface (22) is convexly contoured in a plane that laterally intersects the forearm-engaging surface (22), so that the forearm-engaging surface wraps laterally around a portion of the forearm. In this exemplary embodiment as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the lateral width of the forearm-engaging surface (22) decreases from the proximal end (24) to the distal end (26), so as to accommodate the typical narrowing of the forearm from the elbow towards the wrist. In this manner, the forearm-engaging surface (22) is contoured to comprise a portion of a substantially frustoconical surface.

[0034] In the exemplary embodiment, the device (10) comprises a case (120) that contains the axle (40), the reel (60), the portion of the cord (80) that is wound on the reel (60), and the spring (100). The case (120) also defines a case cord aperture (122) that allows the cord (80) to pass through. The case (120) may be made of any suitably rigid and durable material such as plastic. In an exemplary embodiment, the case (120) is injection molded from plastic.

[0035] In the exemplary embodiment, the case (120) is formed in two parts: a case palmar portion (124) as shown in FIG. 3; and a case dorsal portion (126) as shown in FIG. 4. The case palmar portion (124) and the case dorsal portion (126) are secured together by screws (128) that pass through holes (130) defined by and extending through the case dorsal portion (126) and aligned with receiving holes (132) defined by the case palmar portion (124). In other embodiments, the case palmar portion (124) and the case dorsal portion (126) may be secured together by one or a combination of other types of suitable fasteners or fastening mechanisms known in the art such as a friction-fit mechanism.

[0036] In the exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, the case palmar portion (124) further defines a substantially cylindrical recess (134) that receives the reel (60) for rotation therein. In the exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, the case palmar portion (124) also defines the case cord aperture (122) at the distal end of the case (120) so as to facilitate control over the cord (80) by the user's hand. In the exemplary embodiment, the case cord aperture (122) is disposed laterally apart from the center of the reel (60) so that the cord (80) extends from the point of tangency to the reel (60) to the case cord aperture (122) in a substantially longitudinal direction. It will be appreciated that as the cord (80) is unwound from the reel (60), this point of tangency will move closer to the center of the reel (60). Accordingly, the case palmar portion (124) comprises a frustoconical case internal surface (136) terminating at the portion of the case (120) defining the case cord aperture (122), so as to avoid or minimize contact friction between the cord (80) and the case internal surface (136) as the point of tangency changes. To reduce contact friction between the portion of case (120) and the cord (80), so as to facilitate the winding and unwinding of the cord (80) and to reduce wear of the case (120) and the cord (80), the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 11 has a ferrule (138) inserted within the portion of the case (120) defining the case cord aperture (122). The ferrule (138) may be made of a material, such as metal, that has a low coefficient of friction with the cord (80) to facilitate extension and retraction of the cord (80), and suitable wear-resistance to protect the case (120) from damage by the cord (80).

[0037] In the exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, the case dorsal portion (126) comprises the forearm-engaging member (20), which in turn comprises the forearm-engaging surface (22).

[0038] The axle (40) provides a member on which the reel (60) rotates. The axle (40) is fixedly attached, either directly or indirectly, to the forearm-engaging member (20) by any suitable means known in the art. In the exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, the axle (40) is a substantially cylindrical member formed monolithically with the case palmar portion (124), such as during the molding of the case palmar portion (124). The axle (40) is fixedly attached to the forearm-engaging member in an indirect manner when the case proximal palmar portion (124) is secured to the case dorsal portion (126). When so attached, the axle (40) is oriented substantially orthogonally to a portion of the forearm-engaging surface (22). The axle (40) defines an axle slot (42) for attachment of the spring (100), as discussed below. In other embodiments, the axle (40) may be a separate member, may be formed of suitable materials known in the art such as plastic or metal, may be attached to the forearm-engaging member by other means, and may have other orientations relative to the forearm-engaging surface (22).

[0039] The reel (60) rotates on the axle (40) to wind the cord (80) on the reel (60), or to unwind the cord (80) from the reel (60). The reel (60) may be made of any suitably rigid and durable material such as plastic. In an exemplary embodiment, the reel (60) is injection molded from plastic.

[0040] In the exemplary embodiments as shown in FIGS. 6 and 12, the reel (60) is in the form of a spool having a central substantially cylindrical reel body (62) on which the cord (80) is wound, and a pair of reel flanges (64) attached to opposite sides of the cylindrical reel body (62). The cylindrical reel body (62) defines an axial reel hole (66) for receiving the axle (40). The cylindrical reel body (62) defines a pair of reel slots (68) for attachment of the spring (100), as discussed below. The reel (60) further comprises a reel hook (70) for attachment of the cord proximal end (82).

[0041] FIGS. 13A-13F, FIGS. 14A-14F, and FIG. 15A-15E show another exemplary embodiment of the case palmar portion (124), case dorsal portion (126) and reel (60), respectively, for use with each other. These embodiments are substantially similar to the exemplary embodiments described above, but differ at least in the following respects. Each of the case palmar portion (124) and the case dorsal portion (126) define only parts of, rather than the whole, of the frustroconical case internal surface (136a, 136b) that guide the cord (80) such that they collectively define frustroconical case internal surface (136) when they are secured together. The reel (60) is formed from a first reel part (61) and a second reel part (63) that snap-fits into a cylindrical recess (65) of the first reel part (61). The first reel part (61) comprises the reel body (62) on which the cord (80) is wound, while the spring (100) is attached to the second reel part (63). Each of the internal surfaces of the case palmar portion (124) and the case dorsal portion (126) define a plurality of ridges (125, 127), respectively, in the form of concentric rings that engage, in a male-to-female fashion, complementary ridges (67, 69) in the form of concentric rings formed on the reel (60), to limit or prevent radial movement of the reel (60) within the case (120). The dorsal side of the case dorsal portion (126) defines cut-outs (129) around the receiving holes (130) that facilitate ejection of the case palmar portion (126) from a mold during an injection molding process. The reel (60) defines a reel channel (71) for attachment of the cord proximal end (82). For example, the cord proximal end (82) may be threaded through the reel channel (71), and knotted to prevent passage of the knotted cord proximal end (82) through the reel channel (71).

[0042] As used herein, cord may refer to any elongate, flexible threadlike member irrespective of the particular construction of the member, and includes such members as may be commonly referred to as a string, a wire, or a cable.

[0043] The cord (80) attaches to the controlled object, so that as the cord (80) unwinds from the reel (60), the object can extend from the forearm (F), and as the cord (80) winds onto the reel (60), the object retracts towards the forearm. The cord proximal end (82) is attached to the reel (60) in any suitable manner. In an exemplary embodiment, the cord proximal end (82) may be tied to the reel hook (70). The cord distal end (84) is attachable or attached to the controlled object.

[0044] In the exemplary embodiment, the cord (80) is made of braided fibers of polyethylene terephthalate (such as marketed under the tradename Dacron) and has a tensile strength of approximately 100 lbs (450 Newtons) or more. In the exemplary embodiment, the cord (80) has a total length of approximately 12 feet (4 m). In other embodiments, the cord (80) may be made of different materials and have different length. In the exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 7, the cord (80) has an attached cord stop (86) to limit winding of the cord (80) onto the reel (60).

[0045] The spring (100) biases the reel (60) to rotate on the axle (40) in a direction that winds the cord (80) on the reel (60). It will be within the skill of the person skilled in the art to select the spring (100) with an appropriate spring constant to achieve a desired degree of retraction resistance of the cord (80), having regard to the object attached thereto. The spring (100) may be any type of spring known in the art and made of other materials, which can be suitably configured to bias the reel (60) to rotate on the axle (40) in a direction that winds the cord (80) on the reel (60).

[0046] In the exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 12, the spring (100) is a flat spiral torsion spring made of metal. A first end of the spring engages the axle slot (42), while a second end of the spring (100) engages one or more of the reel slots (68). The spring (100) is oriented to resist rotation of the reel (60), relative to the forearm-engaging member (20) fixedly attached to the axle (40), in a direction that unwinds the cord (80) from the reel (60).

[0047] The garment (140) is wearable on the forearm to secure the forearm-engaging member in a substantially fixed relationship to the forearm. In the exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the garment (140) comprises a plurality of straps or bands that encircle all or a portion of the forearm (F). The forearm-engaging member (20) defines slots or apertures (28) through which the straps or bands pass so as to engage or attach the forearm-engaging member (20). The straps or bands may have ends that are secured together by hook-and-loop fasteners, or other suitable types of fasteners such as a buckle or a clasp. In other exemplary embodiments (not shown), the garment (140) may comprise a glove or a portion thereof that is worn on the user's hand and extends towards the forearm.

[0048] The cord-to-object connector (160) allows for releasable attachment of the cord distal end (84) to the object. In an exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 7, the cord-to-object connector (160) comprises a swivel connector that comprises a first connector part (162) attachable or attached to the cord distal end, and a second connector part (164) attachable or attached to the object, wherein the second connector part is rotatable relative to the first connector part. The second connector part may be rotatable 360 degrees relative to the first connector part so as to allow the attached object to spin without twisting of the cord. The second connector part (164) may be attached to a connector strap (166) that encircles the controlled object and is secured with a hook-and-loop connector. In other embodiments (not shown), the cord-to-object connector may comprise a D-shape or an S-shape carabiner, ball-bearing type swivel connectors, or other suitable connection mechanisms known in the art.

[0049] In an exemplary use, the device may be used by a performer to create the illusion of a telekinesis throw of an objection such as a disk, stick, staff, saber, or other sword-like device. As known in science fiction popular culture, this involves the performer appearing to cast (i.e., throw) the weapon from the performer's hand and then control the object to move in a spectacular manner while out of the performer's grasp, and ultimately return to the performer's hand.

[0050] In this application, the cord (80) may be selected to have a thin diameter and a dark color to reduce its visibility to an observer. The cord distal end (84) may be connected with a low-friction swivel-type cord-to-object connector (160) near the object's center of mass to facilitate spinning of the object. The forearm-engaging member (20) is secured to the performer's forearm (22) with the garment (140). The performer may throw the object while imparting rotation to the object. The object moves away from the performer's hand, while the swivel-type cord-to-object connector (160) allows the object to spin freely without twisting of the cord (80). As the object moves away from the forearm (F), the cord (80) is unwound from the reel (60). The performer may use his or her hand to keep the object at a fixed radius and to guide the thrown object in a desired path. As the reel (60) rotates relative to the axle (40), the spring (100) is deformed thus increasing the restoring force exerted by the spring (100) on the reel (60), and causing the reel (60) to rotate in the direction that winds the cord (80) on to the reel (60). This facilitates the return of the object towards the device and the performer's forearm (F). It will be appreciated that the retraction of the cord (80) may be exclusively attributable to the restoring force exerted by the spring (100), or (particularly in the case of thrown objects with relatively large mass) may also be attributable to any manual frictional forces or retracting forces that may be exerted by the performer's hand on the cord (80).

[0051] The present invention has been described above and shown in the drawings by way of exemplary embodiments and uses, having regard to the accompanying drawings. The exemplary embodiments and uses are intended to be illustrative of the present invention. It is not necessary for a particular feature of a particular embodiment to be used exclusively with that particular exemplary embodiment. Instead, any of the features described above and/or depicted in the drawings can be combined with any of the exemplary embodiments, in addition to or in substitution for any of the other features of those exemplary embodiments. One exemplary embodiment's features are not mutually exclusive to another exemplary embodiment's features. Instead, the scope of this disclosure encompasses any combination of any of the features. Further, it is not necessary for all features of an exemplary embodiment to be used. Instead, any of the features described above can be used, without any other particular feature or features also being used. Accordingly, various changes and modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments and uses without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims that follow.