Fidget Toy

A toy made from a semicircular channel and configured as a substantially circular loop and having an arcuate interior wall straddling the interior circumferential ring of the loop. The loop is shaped such that a ball sized to roll unimpeded along the channel can be maintained in circulation by imparting a small parallel oscillatory motion with a hand when gripped by a user's fingers. An integral cup or ring either disposed on the loop or at the center of the toy provides a target through which the ball may be directed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention: The present invention relates most generally to toys, and more particularly to a loop-and-ball spin-and-capture fidget toy.

Background Discussion: Handheld fidget devices (fidget toys or fidget tools) are widely employed to direct nervous energy to limited and relatively inconspicuous hand movements. Many people busy themselves by fingering coins, cards, pens, small balls, cubes, nearly any small object that can be manipulated within and about the fingers. The theory behind fidgeting appears to be that individuals have an idiosyncractic optimal degree of sensory stimulation, and in environments providing less than that optimal degree of input, the individual will experience the deficit with boredom, distractedness, sleepiness, nervousness, anxiety, and the like. Often, they will naturally try to compensate with self-stimulation, such as with restless legs or fidgeting or some other spontaneous movements, or they will otherwise simply suffer the deficit. Fidget toys and tools provide a more wholesome option.

Fidget toys and fidget tools are intended to increase alertness, reduce anxiety and boredom, and for younger users, improve classroom cooperation. Indeed, fidgeting has been promoted somewhat controversially as helping with focus or with the release of otherwise distracting nervous energy, being especially beneficial to children with ADHD, anxiety, or autism, the positive impact possibly due to increases in dopamine and norepinephrine. Both of these neurotransmitters help with attention and focus.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a toy or tool for enjoyably burning off nervous energy, increasing alertness and focus, and enhance parallel processing.

The present invention is a variation on an earlier iteration by the present inventor, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/850,627, filed Apr. 16, 2020, which application is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

The fidget toy/tool of the present invention is a semi-circular channel formed into a substantially circular loop. The loop includes an inwardly oriented ball receptable having a circular opening with a center axis aligned with a radius to the geometric center of the loop. The toy is sized for gripping between a user's thumb and index finger, possibly supplemented by a middle finger. When a user imparts a small and regular parallel oscillation movement of sufficient force, a ball inserted into the toy travels in a circular path against the inner wall of the semicircular tube along the circumferential ring bisecting the tube in hemispherical halves. The moving ball can be visualized throughout its travel along the channel wall. When desired, a user can engage in a skill game by manipulating the toy so as to dislodge the rotating ball from an upper portion of the loop and directing it into the circular opening in the ball receptable—effectively making the toy a ball-and-target game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring first toFIGS. 1 through 3B, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components in the various views, there is illustrated therein a new and improved fidget toy, generally denominated10herein.

In an embodiment, the inventive toy is a semicircular channel (a hollow tube cut in half along its length) configured into a closed annular loop12. The channel is sized for the insertion of a ball16having a dimension that enables it to roll freely and unimpeded along the interior wall18of the loop. With oscillatory inputs of sufficient force, the ball is urged against the circumferential ring dividing the semicircular channel and defining the outermost circular dimension of the interior wall—i.e., the greatest interior diameter of the interior wall.

The loop includes a target20, which is an inwardly oriented projection (ball receptacle or cup), integrally formed in the loop sidewall22. In this embodiment, the target has a circular upper opening24sized to accommodate the ball and a center axis26aligned with a radius from the interior wall to the geometric center28of the loop. The target also includes side openings30that will accept the ball and provides a convenient input location for a user to set the ball in motion when beginning play.

With respect to ball dimensions, the ball fits easily into the tube at the cup/sidewall opening30, and in embodiments is optimally between 70-90% the inner diameter of the semicircular channel, most preferably approximately 80% that diameter. Further, performance improves with ball hardness. Thus, a ball having between 55 Shore A and 75 Shore D hardness is desirable, with the optimal hardness on the higher end of the useful range.

In alternative embodiments40,50,60,FIGS. 4-6, the semicircular channel may be truncated42, so as to introduce another game challenge into the user experience, or it may be reduced in dimension52, such that it comprises not a generally 180 degrees of arc in cross section, but any of a number of lesser degrees of arc. This requires more skillful handling of the oscillations to prevent the ball from exiting the loop when spinning.

In still other embodiments, the semicircular channel can be twisted or rotated so as to be biased to one side62, and thereby enable capture of the rotating ball more securely on one side and to enable rotation of the ball on a path displaced to the side of a plane bisecting the toy on the axis of the receptacle/cup opening. This requires the user to introduce some force to move the ball sideways to direct it into the target cup.

In still another embodiment, the toy may be configured or designed for use by beginner or children. In this embodiment70, the inventive fidget toy is configured as a loop in the above-described embodiment, but further includes either integral or applied transparent sidewalls72. The target or cup projecting from the channel is replaced by a ring74disposed between the side panels generally at the geometric center of the loop and having an opening76with a center aligned with a radius of the loop and through which the ball may be directed during use and play. This embodiment may include first and second side openings for the insertion of a ball into the toy. Preferably the openings are spaced in opposing 180 degrees positions around the loop. In another version of this embodiment, the entirety of the toy is fabricated from transparent plastic, such that a ball can be seen at any point in its travel along the semicircular channel.

Thus it will be clear that the basic design may be modified for varying degrees of user skill, the modifications merely suggested by the illustrated alternative embodiments.

From the foregoing, it is seen that in its most essential aspect, the fidget toy of the present invention is a loop shaped from semicircular channel such that a ball sized to roll unimpeded along the circumferential ring of the interior wall of the channel and can be maintained in circulation by imparting a small parallel oscillatory motion with a hand when gripped by a user's fingers.

In embodiments, the inventive toy includes a semicircular channel in a closed circular or loop configuration with an open center portion.

In embodiments, the loop includes an integral target, ball receptable, or cup, which further includes a circular opening having an axial center aligned with a radius from the geometric center of the loop to the interior wall.

In an embodiment, a segment of arc may be removed from the loop.

Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.