Abstract:
A transparent yo-yo includes two rotatable yo-yo halves ( 10 ) two half-spherical, rotatable yo-yo halves ( 10 ) each having a valve ( 12 ); two caps ( 13 ) each fastened in the valve ( 12 ); two sealing plates ( 40 ) sealingly engaged with the yo-yo halves ( 10 ) respectively; two spaced anchoring members ( 50 ); and an axle ( 20 ) comprising a threaded shank ( 21 ) and a nut ( 22 ); wherein the threaded shank ( 21 ) is adapted to dispose in both the anchoring members ( 50 ) and threadedly secure to the nut ( 22 ) in the other anchoring member ( 50 ) to fasten the axle ( 20 ) and the anchoring members ( 50 ) together; and wherein the anchoring members ( 50 ) are complimentarily secured to the sealing plates ( 40 ) respectively.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to yo-yos and more particularly to a transparent yo-yo. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Yo-yo is a toy consisting of a length of string knotted at one end to a flat spool. It is played by holding the free end of the string, usually by inserting one finger in a slip knot, and pulling at it so as to cause the spool to turn while suspended in mid-air, either taking up or releasing the string. Yo-yoing is very much enjoyed by both children and adults. 
         [0005]    In the simplest play, the string is wound on the spool by hand. Next, the yo-yo is thrown downwards so that it first descends unwinding the string, then climbs back winding it up, and finally the yo-yo is grabbed, ready to be thrown again. 
         [0006]    There are a great number of different yo-yos disclosed in patents throughout the world. Some of them are commercially available. 
         [0007]    Notwithstanding prior literature, the invention is neither taught nor rendered obvious thereby. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a transparent yo-yo comprising two half-spherical, rotatable yo-yo halves each having a two half-spherical, rotatable yo-yo halves each having a valve; two caps each fastened in the valve; two sealing plates sealingly engaged with the yo-yo halves respectively; two spaced anchoring members; and an axle comprising a threaded shank and a nut; wherein the threaded shank is adapted to dispose in both the anchoring members and threadedly secure to the nut in the other anchoring member to fasten the axle and the anchoring members together; and wherein the anchoring members are complimentarily secured to the sealing plates respectively. 
         [0009]    The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a transparent yo-yo according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the yo-yo of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the yo-yo of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an elevational view of the yo-yo of  FIG. 3  with string disposed therein; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are perspective views of the yo-yo with two different flashing media filled therein respectively; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a transparent yo-yo according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of the yo-yo of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the yo-yo of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is an elevational view of the yo-yo of  FIG. 9  with string disposed therein; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a transparent yo-yo according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of the yo-yo of  FIG. 11 ; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the yo-yo of  FIG. 11 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 6 , a transparent yo-yo in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention comprises the following components as discussed in detail below. 
         [0023]    Two half-spherical, rotatable yo-yo halves  10 , a threaded axle  20  for connecting the yo-yo halves  10  together, and a ball bearing  30  put on a threaded shank  21  of the axle  20 . The axle  20  has a disk shaped enlarged head and further comprises a hexagonal nut  22  secured to an end. The head of the axle  20  and the nut  22  are retained by two spaced anchoring members  50  respectively. As a result, the yo-yo halves  10  secured together in a spaced fashion. An annular gap  100 , having a blind bottom (i.e., the ball bearing  30 ) and an open edge, is thus formed between the yo-yo halves  10 . 
         [0024]    One knotted end of a string  60  is secured to the ball bearing  30  and the string  60  is wound thereon prior to extending through the gap  100  with, for example, a slip knot formed at the other end. A player may insert one finger in the slip knot. The player may pull at the string  60  so as to cause the yo-yo to turn while suspended in mid-air, either taking up or releasing the string  60 . 
         [0025]    The yo-yo halves  10  are formed of transparent TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane). A circular sealing plate  40  is disposed at an annular edge of each yo-yo half  10  to seal an internal space  11  of the yo-yo half  10 . The sealing plates  40  are also formed of TPU. A valve  12  is formed on the yo-yo half  10 . Fluid (e.g., air or liquid (as implemented by the invention)) may be injected through the valve  12  into the yo-yo half  10  by means of a pumping device (not shown). For example, a flashing medium (e.g., gold anthracene powder or pearl powder) may be disposed in the yo-yo half  10  before assembling. Alternatively, tiny suspendable articles or flashing LEDs (light emitting diodes) may be disposed in the yo-yo halves  10 . Thus, the flashing members inside the yo-yo halves  10  may be more interesting and/or attractive to players when playing. 
         [0026]    The sealing plate  40  comprises a central convex member  46  on one surface, and an annular projection and recess assembly  45  on the edge adapted to lockingly engage with an annular corresponding recess and projection assembly  15  on the edge so as to sealingly engage the sealing plate  40  with the yo-yo half  10 . Thickness of the flat portion of the sealing plate  40  between the projection and recess assembly  45  and convex member  46  is about 13 mm. The sealing plate  40  further comprises a disk shaped cavity  41  on the other surface of the convex member  46 , and a hexagonal well  42  in a central portion of the cavity  41 . 
         [0027]    The anchoring member  50  is hollow and fitted in both the cavity  41  and the well  42 . The anchoring member  50  comprises a bossed hole  51  on one surface, the bossed hole  51  having both inner and outer surfaces shaped as a hexagon. The bossed hole  51  is fitted into the well  42 . The anchoring member  50  further comprises a central through hole  52  on the other surface communicating with the bossed hole  51 , an annular groove  53  spaced around the through hole  52 , and a plurality of ridges  54  on the edge of the other surface. 
         [0028]    An assembly of the invention will be described in detail below. First, put, for example, a flashing medium (e.g., gold anthracene powder or pearl powder) into both the yo-yo halves  10 . Next, lockingly engage the other sealing plate  40  with the other yo-yo half  10  by fastening the projection and recess assembly  45  and the corresponding recess and projection assembly  15  together. Next, dispose the nut  22  in the bossed hole  51  of the other anchoring member  50 . Next, fit the other anchoring member  50  into the cavity  41  of the other sealing plate  40 . Next, insert the shank  21  of the axle  20  through both the bossed hole  51  and the through hole  52  of one anchoring member  50 , the ball bearing  30 , and the through hole  52  of the other anchoring member  50  into the bossed hole  51  of the other anchoring member  50  until the head of the axle  20  is stopped by the shoulder between the bossed hole  51  and the through hole  52  of one anchoring member  50 . Also, the nut  22  in the bossed hole  51  of the other anchoring member  50  is secured to the shank  21 . A distance between two anchoring members  50  is slightly greater than a width of the ball bearing  30  so that the ball bearing  30  may be free to rotate between the anchoring members  50 . Next, fit one anchoring member  50  into the cavity  41  of one sealing plate  40 . Next, lockingly engage one sealing plate  40  with one yo-yo half  10  by fastening the projection and recess assembly  45  and the corresponding recess and projection assembly  15  together. Next, inject a desired fluid into the spaces  11  of the yo-yo halves  10  through the valves  12  by means of a pumping device (not shown). Next, insert a substantially conic cap  13  into the conic opening of the valve  12  to close the valve  12 . Finally, secure one knotted end of the string  60  to the ball bearing  30  and the string  60  is wound thereon prior to extending through the gap  100  with, for example, a slip knot formed at the other end. A player may insert one finger in the slip knot. The player may pull at the string  60  so as to cause the yo-yo to turn while suspended in mid-air, either taking up or releasing the string. The provision of the ridges  54  can clamp the string  60  slightly so that the playing can be smoother. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 to 10 , a transparent yo-yo in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The characteristics of the second preferred embodiment are substantially the same as that of the first preferred embodiment except the following: 
         [0030]    A substantially crescent wall  14 A is provided to divide either yo-yo half  10 A into two yo-yo quarters  10 C,  10 D each having a cap  13  fastened thereon. A passage  141 A is formed on a portion of an open edge  11 A of the wall  14 A. A diametrical slit  41 A is formed through outer surface of a stepped-diameter protrusion  44 A. A hexagonal well  43 A is formed on a central portion of an inner surface of an annular cavity  42 A on an inner surface of the protrusion  44 A. The open edge  11 A of the wall  14 A may be inserted into the slit  41 A to tightly engage the yo-yo half  10 A with a sealing plate  40 A. As such, four yo-yo quarters  10 C,  10 D,  10 E and  10 F are such formed. Space of each yo-yo quarter  10 C,  10 D,  10 E or  10 F may be filled with a different flashing medium which can be retained therein by means of the cap  13 . 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 11 to 13 , a transparent yo-yo in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The characteristics of the third preferred embodiment are substantially the same as that of the second preferred embodiment except the following: 
         [0032]    There are three equally spaced wall sections  14 B formed as a unitary member and are used to divide either yo-yo half  10 B into three yo-yo sections  10 U,  10 V, and  10 W each having a cap  13  fastened thereon. A passage  141 B is formed on a joining portion of the three wall sections  14 B. Three equally spaced slits  41 B are formed through outer surface of a stepped-diameter protrusion  44 B. A hexagonal well  43 B is formed on a central portion of an inner surface of an annular cavity  42 B on an inner surface of the protrusion  44 B. The open edges of the wall sections  14 B may be inserted into the slits  41 B to tightly engage the yo-yo half  10 B with a sealing plate  40 B. As such, six yo-yo space  10 U,  10 V,  10 W,  10 X,  10 Y, or  10 Z of any yo-yo section  14 B, may be filled with a different flashing medium flashing medium which can be retained therein by means of the cap  13 . 
         [0033]    While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.