Abstract:
A method, system and apparatus for a solution that safely enables a person to safely operate a body-engaging gyroscopic toy. A gyroscopic toy includes a gyroscopic disk body; an elongated central axle rod extending from both sides of the disk body, the axle rod defining a pair of body-engagement handles; and a safety, selectably releasably engaging the axle rod to a rotational axis of the disk body, inducing a rotation of the axle rod about a lateral axis of the axle rod in response to a rotation of the disk body wherein the safety disengages the induced rotation of the axle body upon an application of an anti-rotation force to the axle whenever the anti-rotation force exceeds a predetermined threshold wherein the disk body continues to rotate freely and the axle rod rotates slower than the disk body while the anti-rotation force is applied.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/207,526 filed on Feb. 14, 2009. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to gyroscopic toys or educational gyroscopic devices, specifically to a gyroscopic device that is manipulated by the user&#39;s hands and body, utilizing gyroscopic principles, to keep it in play. 
     Gyroscopic toys or devices primary purposes include: demonstration of the gyroscopic principle for education or entertainment, as in toy tops; stabilization, as in a steady-cam device; or orientation, as in navigation systems. The problem with these applications is they are mostly a hands-off experience or hidden altogether. Besides the initial spin of a top, there is no direct physical interaction, the user just watches passively. The user does not feel the forces that are present with the gyroscopic effect. Nor does the user learn how to negotiate the seemingly magical forces at play. 
     A greater that a rotational inertia of a gyroscope has, the more pronounced the gyroscopic force is and it is easier to implement and enjoy the effects. For young adults, there is a concern for safety when manipulating a gyroscopic toy, particularly as the rotational inertia becomes larger and the toy is more adapted to roll and interact with the user&#39;s body. 
     It would be desirable to provide a gyroscopic toy that safely involves the user and requires the use of his/her hands and or body to directly manipulate, negotiate, follow and feel the gyroscopic effect 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Disclosed is a method, system and apparatus for a solution that enables a person to safely operate a body-engaging gyroscopic toy. A gyroscopic toy includes a gyroscopic disk body; an elongated central axle rod extending from both sides of the disk body, the axle rod defining a pair of body-engagement handles; and a safety, selectably releasably engaging the axle rod to a rotational axis of the disk body, inducing a rotation of the axle rod about a lateral axis of the axle rod in response to a rotation of the disk body wherein the safety disengages the induced rotation of the axle body upon an application of an anti-rotation force to the axle whenever the anti-rotation force exceeds a predetermined threshold wherein the disk body continues to rotate freely and the axle rod rotates slower than the disk body while the anti-rotation force is applied. 
     A method of operating a toy gyroscope includes the steps of: (a) rotating gyroscopically a disk body; (b) inducing a rotating of an elongated central axle rod extending from both sides of the disk body in response to the rotating of the disk body; (c) reducing the inducing of the rotating of the elongated central axle rod upon application of an anti-rotation force to the axle rod that exceeds a pre-determined threshold wherein the disk body continues to rotate freely and the axle rod rotates slower than the disk body while the anti-rotation force is applied 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention include a hand and body manipulated gyroscopic toy or device having a central disk with a weighted outer edge and an elongated center axle rod placed in perpendicular relationship to the disk. The center axle rod has a one-way ratchet interface with the disk that provides a slight resistance in the free wheel direction so that the gyroscopic toy can climb body surfaces and perform tricks properly. To initiate play the user rolls the center axle rod between their hands or fingers until the disk is spinning fast enough to create the gyroscopic effect. Once the gyroscopic principle is in effect, the user can utilize the gyroscopic toy to perform tricks with his/her hands and body that seem to defy gravity. 
     Accordingly, several objects and advantage of the present invention are: (a) to provide a gyroscopic toy or device that allows the user to experience the forces of the gyroscopic effect physically; (b) to provide a gyroscopic toy or device that teaches and inspires interest in the physics of the gyroscopic effect; (c) to provide a gyroscopic toy or device that displays the gravity-defying effects of the gyroscopic effect; (d) to provide a gyroscopic toy or device that forces the user to fully interact with his/her hands and body by following, negotiating and manipulating the gyroscopic effect in order to keep it in play; (e) to provide a gyroscopic toy or device that is challenging and continually provides new levels of play and magic; (f) to provide a gyroscopic toy or device that is safe and will release when tangled, such as in clothing or hair; (g) to provide a gyroscopic toy or device that can be thrown or caught with unexpected magical effect; (h) to provide a gyroscopic toy or device with interchangeable surface colors and patterns so that when spun, the colors visually mix and transform into different colors and patterns; (i) to provide a gyroscopic toy or device that allows whistles to be applied to the surface so when spun at different speeds it makes different sounds; (j) to provide a gyroscopic toy or device that allows small LED lights to be applied so that when spun creates tracer patterns; (k) to provide a gyroscopic toy or device that has a protective soft outer edge so that it safe for the user and can be played indoors; (l) to provide a gyroscopic toy or device that is strong and ridged enough to handle the inherent gyroscopic forces between the axle rod or handle and the spinning disk; (m) to provide a gyroscopic toy or device wherein the relation between the disk and axle rod or handle is strong and ridged enough so as not to impede or suck the momentum or energy from the toy or device allowing longer play between windings; (n) to provide a gyroscopic toy or device that can be disassembled and stored or shipped relatively flat; (o) to provide a gyroscopic toy or device that has a disk with a weighted outer ring so that it provides more stability, momentum and longer play between wind-ups; (p) to provide a gyroscopic toy or device with an elongated center axis or axle so that it is easy to handle and negotiate with ones&#39; hands or body; (q) to provide a gyroscopic toy or device with a one-way ratchet interface between the axle and disk so that it will release if caught or tangled in hair, yet with enough resistance in the free wheel direction so that it can climb body surfaces and perform tricks properly; (r) to provide a gyroscopic toy or device with an elongated axle for easy handling with safety caps placed on the ends; (s) to provide a gyroscopic toy or device with an elongated axle for easy handling with a one-way ratchet interface with a disk so that it can be easily wound-up without having to let go of the axle handles. 
     An advantage of this invention is to provide a full-immersion and interactive means to experience the physical phenomenon of the gyroscopic principle. These and other advantages of the present invention will be evident upon a review of the application including the specification, drawing, and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of the gyroscopic toy; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective angle view of the gyroscopic toy; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the gyroscopic toy; 
         FIG. 4  is a front cross section view of the disk body beside the axle hub assembly; 
         FIG. 5  is a front cross section view of the disk body and the axle hub assembly in the process of being assembled; 
         FIG. 6  is a front cross section view of the disk body and the axle hub assembly in the assembled position; 
         FIG. 7  is a front cross section view of the axle hub assembly with a ratchet and pawl option (A) and bearing assembly; 
         FIG. 8  is a side cross-section view of the axle hub assembly showing ratchet/pawl option (A); 
         FIG. 9  is a front cross section view of axle hub assembly with ratchet/pawl option (B); 
         FIG. 10  is a front cross section exploded view of the axle hub assembly showing the parts of ratchet/pawl option (B); 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of ratchet option (B); 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of pawl option (B); 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of ratchet/pawl option (B) assembled; 
         FIG. 14  is a front cross-section view of axle end caps assembled; 
         FIG. 15  is a front view of a user starting to spin the gyroscopic toy with hands on either side of disk; 
         FIG. 16  is an angled view of a user starting to spin the gyroscopic toy with two hands on one side of disk; 
         FIG. 17  is an angled view of a user doing an overhead move with the gyroscopic toy with one hand contacting only the very end of the center axle rod with phantom lines showing how the entire assembly rotates around the contact point while not falling down; 
         FIG. 18  is an angled view of a user doing an under arm move with the gyroscopic toy with one hand while contacting only the very end of the center axle rod, with phantom lines showing how the entire assembly rotates around the contact point while not falling down; 
         FIG. 19  is an angled view of a user doing a wide circumference side move with the gyroscopic toy with one hand while contacting only the very end of the center axle rod with the phantom lines showing how the entire assembly rotates around the contact point while not falling down. 
         FIG. 20  is a front view of the gyroscopic toy showing it climbing up the user&#39;s arm with phantom lines showing its projected path. 
         FIG. 21  is a side view of the gyroscopic toy showing it running down the user&#39;s arm with phantom lines showing its previous position. 
         FIG. 22  is an angled view of the gyroscopic toy being thrown. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a method, system and apparatus for enabling a person, particularly a young adult, to safely operate a body-engaging gyroscopic toy. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment and the generic principles and features described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein. 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of the gyroscopic toy  24  constructed in accordance with the invention. The parts consist of a disk body  28  surrounded by a foam or other soft material outer ring  26 . In the center of the disk body  28  is the center hub  38  of the disk body that has on its surface a series of raised knobs  34 . Rod end cap  32  covers the tip of the center axle rod, shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the gyroscopic toy  24  with disk body  28  surrounded by the foam outer ring  26  and center hub of disk body  38  with raised knobs  34 . At the base of center axle rod  30  is the axle hub body  37 . On the ends of the center axle rod  30  are rod end caps  32 . 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the gyroscopic toy  24  with the foam outer ring  26  in the center. Placed on the ends of the center axle rod  30  are the rod end caps  32 . On the center hub of disk body  28 , as shown in  FIG. 1  are raised knobs  34 . On the axle hub body  37 , shown in  FIG. 5  are raised knobs  40 . 
       FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6  show how the disk body  28  and the axle hub assembly  36  can be disassembled from each other and stored and shipped flat.  FIG. 4  is a front cross-section view of the disk body  28  disassembled beside the axle hub assembly  36 .  FIG. 5  shows how to assemble the disk body  28  and the axle hub assembly  36 . The disk body  28  consists of the foam outer ring  26  which is placed around the weighted outer ring  54 . In the center of the disk body  28  is the center hub of the disk body  38  with raised knobs  34 . Within the center hub of the disk body  28  is reference surface  52  for added strength and stability when the axle hub assembly  36  is inserted to engage reference surface  44  of the axle hub assembly  36 . Screw threads of disk body  48  are designed to securely engage the screw thread  44  on the axle hub body  37 . Reference surface  50  of the disk body  28  engages with reference surface  46  of axle hub body  37 . Raised knobs  40  are on the surface of the axle hub body  37 . The axle hub body  37  is placed in the center of the center axle rod  30 . The rod end caps  32  cover the ends of the center axle rod  30 .  FIG. 6  shows all of the previously mentioned elements fully assembled. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  show one potential ratchet system within the axle hub assembly  36 . In  FIG. 7  the ratchet system consists of a ratchet  60  with teeth placed on the outer circumference that is attached in a fixed position to the center axle rod  30 . Pawls  62  are attached to the axle hub body  37  in a fixed position and engage with the teeth of the ratchet  60 . On either side of the ratchet system are bearing assemblies  56  and  58 .  FIG. 8  is a side cross-section view of axle hub body  37  and ratchet assembly as described in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIGS. 9 ,  10 ,  11 ,  12  and  13  show another potential ratchet system within the axle hub assembly  36 . In  FIG. 9  the ratchet system consists of a ratchet  64  with teeth on the face surface designed to engage with pawls  66  on the pawl disk  67 . The ratchet  64  is attached in a fixed position to the hub body assembly  37 . The pawl disk  67  is attached in a fixed position to the center axle rod  30 . A stop washer is also attached to the center axle rod  30  to keep the axle hub body  37  from sliding.  FIG. 10  is a close-up front cross-section exploded view of the axle hub assembly and racket system showing all of the elements from  FIG. 9  in more detail.  FIG. 11  is a side view of the ratchet  64 .  FIG. 12  is a side view of the pawl disk  67 .  FIG. 13  is a side view of ratchet  64  and the pawl disk  67  assembled within the axle hub body  37  with the center axle rod  30  shown in cross-section. 
       FIG. 14  is a front cross-section view showing the center axle rod  30  with assembled end-caps  32  shown in cross-section. 
       FIGS. 15-22  show various options for interacting with the gyroscopic toy  24 .  FIG. 15  shows a front view of a user starting to spin the gyroscopic toy  24  with hands on the central axle rod  30  on either side of disk body  28 .  FIG. 16  shows an angled view of a user starting to spin the gyroscopic toy  24  with two hands on the central axle rod  30  on one side of disk body  28 .  FIG. 17  shows an angled view of a user doing an overhead move with the gyroscopic toy  24  with one hand contacting only the vary end of the center axle rod  30 . The phantom lines show how the entire assembly rotates around the contact point while not falling down.  FIG. 18  shows an angled view of a user doing an under arm move with the gyroscopic toy  24  with one hand while contacting only the very end of the center axle rod  30 . The phantom lines show how the entire assembly rotates around the contact point while not falling down.  FIG. 19  shows an angled view of a user doing a wide circumference side move with the gyroscopic toy  24  with one hand while contacting only the very end of the center axle rod  30 . The phantom lines show how the entire assembly  36 ,  28  rotates around the contact point while not falling down.  FIG. 20  shows a front view of the gyroscopic toy  24  showing it climbing up the user&#39;s arm with phantom lines showing its projected path.  FIG. 21  shows a side view of the gyroscopic toy  24  showing it running down the user&#39;s arm with phantom lines showing its previous position.  FIG. 22  shows an angled view of the gyroscopic toy  24  being thrown by the central axle rod  30 . 
     Operation 
     In operation of the gyroscopic toy  24 , the user rolls or spins the center axle rod  30  which is placed perpendicularly to the disk body  28 . For ergonomic reasons the center axle rod  30  is elongated to make it easier to hold and manipulate. The disk body  28  has a weighted outer ring  54  covered with a soft foam-like material for safety when playing with others or indoors. In the middle of center axle rod  30  where it joins with the disk body  28  is the axle hub body  37 . Inside the axle hub body is a one-way ratchet and pawl system  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  67  which provides the disk body  28  with slight resistance in the free-wheel direction as it spins so that it can climb body surfaces and perform tricks properly. This resistance is designed to release in case the user&#39;s hair or clothing gets tangled. The axle hub assembly  36  can be removed entirely from the disk body  28  so the gyroscopic toy  24  can be stored or shipped relatively flat. 
     To initiate play one rolls the center axle rod  30  between ones hands or fingers until the gyroscopic toy  24  is spinning fast enough to create the gyroscopic effect. The faster the disk  28  spins the more stable and oriented it becomes. At this point the user can let go of one side of the center axle rod  30  and the gyroscopic toy  24  will seemingly defy gravity and remain in roughly the same orientation even though it is being held considerably off-center. However, the user must follow the gyroscopic toy&#39;s  24  lead and negotiate with it in order to control it. Because of the gyroscopic principles, the gyroscopic toy  24  naturally wants to rotate perpendicularly in relation to the spinning disk body  28  if held off-center. By manipulating this rotation the user can prolong the gyroscopic toy  24  from succumbing to gravity and falling. If the user speeds up or pushes the natural perpendicular rotation in relation to the spinning disk body  28 , the entire assembly  28 ,  36  will start to stand-up in a top-like orientation where the disk body  28  goes from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation. The speed of perpendicular rotation in relationship to the spinning disk body  28  is also dependant on the point of contact between the user and the center axle rod  30 . The closer the user contacts the center axle rod  30  in relationship to the spinning disk body  28  the slower the perpendicular rotation needs to be to keep the gyroscopic toy  24  from falling. The further out the user contacts the center axle rod  30  in relation to the spinning disk body  28  the faster the perpendicular rotation needs to be to keep the gyroscopic toy  24  from falling. This perpendicular rotation in relation to the spinning disk  28  can be done in many ways, by rotating one&#39;s hand around the gyroscopic toy  24 , by letting the gyroscopic toy  24  rotate around one&#39;s hand or by rotating one&#39;s entire body. Changing direction of this rotation is as easy as contacting the opposite side of the center axle rod  30 . 
     Part of the magic is due to the difference in diameters between the spinning disk body  28  and the center axle rod  30 . The smaller the diameter of the center axle rod  30  in relation to the larger diameter of the spinning disk body  28 , the slower the user&#39;s response has to be. Because of this difference in diameter, the spinning disk body&#39;s  28  outer edge is moving at a higher rate of speed while the center axle rod  30  is slowly rolling along ones hands and body thus seemingly warping reaction time. The leverage is also so great that it allows the center axle rod  30  to climb up body surfaces seemingly defying gravity in yet another way. 
     The advantage of this invention is to provide a safe, full-immersion and interactive means to experience the physical phenomenon of the gyroscopic principle. 
     In the description herein, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of components and/or methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an embodiment of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies, methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments of the present invention. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “a specific embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention and not necessarily in all embodiments. Thus, respective appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in a specific embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics of any specific embodiment of the present invention may be combined in any suitable manner with one or more other embodiments. It is to be understood that other variations and modifications of the embodiments of the present invention described and illustrated herein are possible in light of the teachings herein and are to be considered as part of the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted in the drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more separated or integrated manner, or even removed or rendered as inoperable in certain cases, as is useful in accordance with a particular application. It is also within the spirit and scope of the present invention to implement a program or code that can be stored in a machine-readable medium to permit a computer to perform any of the methods described above. 
     Additionally, any signal arrows in the drawings/Figures should be considered only as exemplary, and not limiting, unless otherwise specifically noted. Furthermore, the term “or” as used herein is generally intended to mean “and/or” unless otherwise indicated. Combinations of components or steps will also be considered as being noted, where terminology is foreseen as rendering the ability to separate or combine is unclear. 
     As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed herein. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate. As indicated, these modifications may be made to the present invention in light of the foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention and are to be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Thus, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some instances some features of embodiments of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth. Therefore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the essential scope and spirit of the present invention. It is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular terms used in following claims and/or to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the scope of the invention is to be determined solely by the appended claims.