SIT AND TWIST FOCUS AID

Abstract

A sit and twist device includes a rotatable member and a cushion. The rotatable member has an upper member, a lower member, and a spinner positioned between the upper member and the lower member. The upper member is rotatable relative to the lower member. The cushion is coupled to an upper surface of the upper member. The upper member includes a plurality of downwardly extending stops and the lower member includes a plurality of upwardly extending stops. The stops abut one another when the spinning member is at the end of the range of rotation, which is less than 360 degrees.

Claims

1. A sit and twist device comprising: a rotatable member having an upper member, a lower member, and a spinner positioned between the upper member and the lower member, the upper member being rotatable relative to the lower member; and a cushion coupled to an upper surface of the upper member, wherein the upper member includes a plurality of downwardly extending stops and the lower member includes a plurality of upwardly extending stops, with the stops being fixed on the respective members and upon rotation of the upper member relative to the lower member, the stops provide a range of rotation that is less than 360 degrees, and the stops abut one another when the spinning member is at the end of the range of rotation.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein three spaced stops are provided on each of the upper member and the lower member, and the range is about 120 degrees.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the cushion includes an outer cover and an inner cushioning member.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the inner cushioning member is foam.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the spinner is round and includes a plurality of rotatable roller ball members positioned therein.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the spinner is round and two spinners are provided, including an inner spinner and an outer spinner, with the inner spinner having a diameter that is less than a diameter of the outer spinner and the inner spinner being positioned wholly inside of the outer spinner.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the upper member includes a lower surface having a recess or track for receiving the spinner, and the lower member includes an upper surface having a recess or track for receiving the spinner, and the spinner is trapped between the upper member and the lower member in the recess or track when the upper and lower members are coupled together.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the spinner includes a plurality of trapped rotatable roller ball members that permit the upper member to rotate relative to the lower member when the upper member is coupled to the lower member.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the rotatable roller ball members are equally spaced around the diameter of the respective spinner.

10. The device of claim 9, the spinner includes at least four roller ball members.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the cushion is coupled to the rotatable member by a fastener.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the fastener is a screw that is positioned in a receptacle and the cushion is rotatable relative to the rotating member about the fastener.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the upper member has an upper surface that is substantially flat, and the cushion has a bottom surface that is substantially flat.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the lower member has a centrally disposed aperture, the upper member has a centrally disposed aperture, and the cushion has a centrally disposed receptacle positioned in a bottom surface thereof, with each of said apertures being axially aligned, and a fastener extends from a bottom surface of the lower member through the aperture in the lower member, upwardly through the aperture in the upper member, and into the receptacle of the cushion where the fastener is retained.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the cushion has a cover that entirely surrounds the inner cushioning member.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the cushion is substantially waterproof.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the cushion is round and the rotatable member is round.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the cushion has a first diameter and the rotatable member has a second diameter, and the first diameter is substantially the same as the second diameter.

19. The device of claim 8, wherein the spinner recess or track has a contoured profile.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the recess or track has a rounded profile that has a rounded shape that substantially matches a diameter of the roller ball members or is larger in diameter than the diameter of the roller ball members.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a person seated on a sit and twist device according to the invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a sit and twist device shown in FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 3 depicts an expanded perspective view of the sit and twist device shown in FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 4 depicts a view of the potential motion of the sit and twist device shown in FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 5 depicts a cross-sectional view of the sit and twist device taking along line 5-5 in

[0017] FIG. 4;

[0018] FIG. 6 depicts an exploded view of one of the roller mechanisms utilized with the sit and twist device, taken at the encircled section in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The present invention is directed toward a sit and twist focus tool 10 designed for use by children and others. The sit and twist device 10 is a turntable for users 12, such a kids, that they place on their chair 14 and that permits them to twist back and forth. Children typically need to move and need an outlet for their high energy. It is known that permitting children to move can improve their overall focus. For example, children use stretchy bands positioned on chair legs to move their feet, which has been shown to help to improve their focus and ability to stay on task. The sit and twist device 10 enables children and others to have an outlet for excess energy while working. This helps to alleviate stress, hyperactivity and boredom and increases concentration and performance. The present invention is designed to allow children to quietly move while working, enabling them to stay on task and be more productive.

[0020] The sit and twist device 10 includes a lower member 16, a ring spinner 18, an upper member 20, and a cushion 22. The cushion 22 is positioned on top of the upper member 20. A user 12 puts the lower member 16 on an underlying surface, such as a chair 14 or a bed surface, and then the user sits on top of the cushion 22.

[0021] The sit and twist device 10 of the present invention permits a user 12 to rotate on the cushion 22, but not to spin around in a 360 range. The user's 12 twisting range of the cushion 22 is less than 360. In the example shown in the figures, the cushion 22 has a twisting range of 120. The spinning range can be greater than this, such as 90, 100, 110, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, and 200. Other ranges may also be utilized, but the range is less than 360.

[0022] Referring to the Figures, FIG. 1 depicts the sit and twist device 10 positioned on the seat of a chair 14 with a person 12 seated on top of the device 10. Arrows are used to show the movement of the cushion 22.

[0023] FIG. 2 depicts a view of the sit and twist device 10, which is shown as being circular. Other shapes may alternatively be used. The sit and twist device 10 has a cushion 22 positioned on top of a rotatable member that includes an upper member 20 and a lower member 16.

[0024] FIG. 3 depicts an expanded view of the sit and twist device 10 showing that the device 10 is made up of four separate parts, which include a lower member 16, an upper member 20, a cushion 22, and a spinner 18 positioned between the lower member 16 and upper member 20. Two spinners 18 are shown in the example shown in FIG. 3. The lower member 16 has a substantially flat bottom surface with two circular tracks, including an inner track 24 and an outer track 26. The bottom surface of the lower member 16 could alternatively be contoured or curved. The inner track 24 has a first diameter and the outer track 26 has a second diameter, with the inner track 24 having a smaller diameter than the outer track 26. The tracks 24, 26 are depressions or continuous recesses in an upper surface of the lower member 16. The lower member 16 also includes three stops 28, which are positioned equidistant from one another at 120 angles. The stops 28 are protrusions that extend upwardly from the upper surface of the lower member 16. The stops 28 are positioned near or adjacent the edge of the outer track 26. The stops 28 could be positioned inside the outer track 26, if desired, or at other locations.

[0025] Two spinners 18 are shown in FIG. 3. The spinners 18 are shaped to fit within the recesses/tracks 24, 26 and include roller balls 30 that are spaced around each of the circular spinners 18. The roller balls 30 are trapped in the spinner 18 but permitted to rotate. The roller balls 30 may be evenly spaced, as shown, or may be spaced in a different manner.

[0026] Three stops 28 are shown positioned on each of the upper member 20 and the lower member 16. Each stop 28 is spaced by 120 degrees. The stops 28 could be spaced at other positions to permit the cushion 22 to rotate at different angles other than 120 degrees, if desired. An aperture 32 is centrally disposed through the upper member 20 and an aperture 34 is centrally disposed through the lower member 16 for receiving a fastener 36 and the cushion 22 has a receptacle 38, such as a nut, for receiving the fastener 36. A head of the fastener 36 abuts the bottom surface of the lower member 16 and the end of the fastener 36 may screw into the receptacle 38 in the bottom surface of the cushion 22. The upper and lower members 20, 16 are permitted to rotate relative to one another when the fastener 36 is positioned through the centrally disposed apertures 32, 34 and held in the receptacle 38 in the bottom surface of the cushion 22 to permit a user to rotate on the device 10. The receptacle 38 of the cushion 22 may include a protruding portion that seats in the aperture 32 on the upper surface of the upper member 20 so that the cushion 22 does not rotate relative to the upper member 20.

[0027] FIG. 4 shows how the stops 28 abut each other when they are at the end of their range. As shown, the stops 28 are evenly spaced on both the upper and lower members 20, 16 so that the range shown is 120 degrees.

[0028] FIGS. 5 and 6 depict the spinner 18 positioned between the upper and lower members 20, 16 and shows the shape of the track 24, 26. FIG. 5 also shows how the fastener 36 in the form of a screw couples the lower member 16, upper member 20, and cushion 22 together. In particular, with respect to the fastener 36, the receptacle of the cushion 22 is shown extending downwardly into the aperture of the upper member 20 to deter rotation of the cushion 22 relative to the upper member 20. Alternatively, the cushion 22 may be fastened in any known way to the upper surface of the upper member 20. For example, the cushion 22 could be adhered to the upper surface of the upper member 20 with an adhesive. A head of the fastener 28 abuts the bottom surface of the lower member 16 to maintain the lower member 16 adjacent the upper member 20 with the spinners 18 positioned in their respective tracks. FIG. 6 shows that the recess/track 24, 26 of the upper and lower members 20, 16 is curved and has a radius that is greater than a radius of the roller ball 30.

[0029] The sit and twist device 10 is lightweight, portable, and comfortable to use. It permits 120 of rotation and is ideal for alternative seating needs. In addition, the sit and twist device 10 is durable and easily cleaned. The cushion 22 may be made from a heavy-duty vinyl or from a cotton material. The cushion 22 may include an outer layer of fabric or vinyl and an inner foam or other soft, pliable material. The outer layer surrounds the inner foam or soft, pliable material. The outer layer may completely enclose the inner material, or the outer layer could cover the top and sides of the inner material and inner material may be attached to the top surface of the upper member 20 using any means known, such as adhesive, fasteners, or other means known by those of skill in the art. The spinner 18 or spinners 18 are sandwiched between the upper member 20 and the lower member 16. While two spinners 18 are shown, one spinner 18 may be used or more than two spinners 18 may be used, if desired. The spinners 18 may be made of plastic or other rigid materials.

[0030] The cover of the cushion 22 may be waterproof. It may be easily wiped clean. It may be any type of material desired that is suitable for a cushion 22 cover.

[0031] The sit and twist device 10 permits 120 rotation so that a user can pivot the device 10 smoothly by spinning for active movement. This enables children to silently twist and turn. The lower member 16 may also have a non-skid bottom surface that helps to keep the device 10 secure on the underlying surface. The device 10 provides an outlet for excess energy and enables the user to stay on task and be more productive while using the sit and twist device 10. The device 10 helps to relax the user, which increases their ability to focus while working in the classroom and at home. The device 10 provides ever-changing positions for the user to provide sensory input to calm the user who can't sit still. It is known that movement awakens the imagination, strengthens muscles, and promotes the development of balance. The device 10 enables children or other to move, which releases pent up energy creating a calming and soothing environment. The device 10 is durable and portable. It is versatile, lightweight, and comfortable.

[0032] The device 10 measures 12 inches in diameter and supports up to 300 lbs. The device 10 may be easy to wipe clean. The device 10 is great for school and at home.

[0033] The term substantially, if used herein, is a term of estimation.

[0034] While various features are presented above, it should be understood that the features may be used singly or in any combination thereof. Further, it should be understood that variations and modifications may occur to those skilled in the art to which the claimed examples pertain. The examples described herein are exemplary. The disclosure may enable those skilled in the art to make and use alternative designs having alternative elements that likewise correspond to the elements recited in the claims. The intended scope may thus include other examples that do not differ or that insubstantially differ from the literal language of the claims. The scope of the disclosure is accordingly defined as set forth in the appended claims.

[0035] What has been described above includes examples of one or more embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable modification and alteration of the above devices or methodologies for purposes of describing the aforementioned aspects, but one of ordinary skill in the art can recognize that many further modifications and permutations of various aspects are possible. Accordingly, the described aspects are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term includes is used in either the details description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprising as comprising is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. The term consisting essentially, if used herein, means the specified materials or steps and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the material or method. The articles a, an, and the, should be interpreted to mean one or more unless the context indicates the contrary.