Yo-yo with an accessory attachment system and a movable string bead

This invention is a yo-yo with a non-spinning and externally accessible, independently rotating axle that functions as an accessory attachment system to which stunt attachments can be attached. Also described are a variety of possible trick and stunt accessories. Further disclosed is a bead, which surrounds the yo-yo string, such that recoil of the yo-yo is controlled through engagement with the internal wall of the rotating disks.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention generally relates to yo-yos. Moreover, it pertains specifically to a yo-yo with a non-spinning and externally accessible, independently rotating axle that provides at least two accessory attachment points to which stunt attachments may be attached. Additionally the yo-yo preferably has a movable bead that is slideably attached to the yo-yo string such that the strings engagement with the internal walls of the yo-yo can be controlled, altered or changed.

BACKGROUND

Since at least as early as 500 B.C., children and professionals have played with yo-yos. Some scholars argue that the most basic yo-yo was invented in ancient Greece. Others contend the yo-yo was first invented in ancient China. Regardless of its origin, advances in technology have improved many of the features of this ageless invention. Yo-yos have varied in popularity throughout the last couple of decades, but remain a staple and popular toy for children and adults alike.

The basic yo-yo features two disk shaped substantially identical halves separated slightly in space by an axle connector known in the art as center bushing. Yo-yos have historically been made of wood, but modernly yo-yos are made of metal, plastic, or wood. Further, the very simple structure of the yo-yo has been slowly improved upon to yield the modern yo-yo.

The modern yo-yo era is widely attributed to Donald Duncan who popularized the yo-yo in America in the mid 1900s. Mr. Duncan originally had a trademark in the name “Yo-yo.” Because of the words' popularity, the Court of Appeals for the 7thCircuit ruled that the name was so ubiquitous, it was part of language and the word lost its trademark status. The Duncan Toys Company remains a major player in the art and manufacture of yo-yos.

The basic yo-yo string has a loop that surrounds the rigid axle and a loop on the opposite end that is tied to the user's finger. The string is wound around the axle and the user throws the yo-yo toward the ground and following a quick jerking motion, and on a child's happiest day, the yo-yo recoils. The string of the yo-yo itself has been subject to very few recent improvements.

Regarding references that disclose a non-spinning and externally accessible axle of a yo-yo, U.S. Pat. No. 3,287,846, issued to Frangos (“Frangos); U.S. Pat. No. 3,081,578, issued to Mosher (“Mosher”); and U.S. Pat. No. 7,874,890, issued to Van Dan Elzen (“Elzen I”); and U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2006/0094329, filed by Van Dan Elzen (“Elzen II”) each disclose such a limitation. Frangos discloses a gyroscopic top that employs a pair of rotor sectors mounted on opposite sides of a spacer all centered on an axle. Frangos' motion is initiated by a string wrapped around the center separator being pulled quickly to instantiate rotation. Mosher, Elzen I, and Elzen II each disclose a yo-yo with an externally accessible axle attached to a non-spinning portion of the yo-yo that may be engaged by the user without stopping the spinning. In the art, an externally accessible “side cap” that permits a user to engage the side cap without disrupting the rotation of the yo-yo is known, most commonly, as a “Hubstack.” Each of these references disclose a yo-yo, or a yo-yo like device, that uses an independent axle to allow for a user to engage the yo-yo without halting its spinning. Importantly, however, each of these references fails to disclose a yo-yo with an accessory attachment system achieved by an independent axle, that allows for user engagement of the attached accessories, where the user engagement piece may be exchanged for any one of a select number of specific use pieces to perform a wide array of yo-yo stunts and tricks.

Regarding the removable yo-yo string and the slide-able bead, U.S. Pat. No. 6,146,233, issued to Hedeen; U.S. Pat. No. 7,059,932, issued to Tobias; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,739,415, issued to Roberton; each disclose a similar device. Each of these references is directed toward a top and string combination, not a yo-yo, wherein each has a string end feature that connects the spinning part of the toy to the string to aid in giving rotational force to the top before disengaging from the toy. While these devices serve a similar string-engagement function, these references fail to disclose a device that would function to permit a yo-yo to be either looped or not looped and that functions to make easier the recoil function of the yo-yo. Further, they fail to disclose a device that permits a yo-yo user to control with precision the recoil of her yo-yo.

Thus, there remains a long-felt need in the art for a yo-yo with an accessory attachment system and for a yo-yo string with a movable bead to improve control of recoil of the yo-yo.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention discloses a high performance yo-yo with a user-engageable axle, that does not affect the spinning of the primary yo-yo body. The engageable axle functions as a robust accessory attachment system. Additionally, the present invention discloses a yo-yo string with an adjustable bead that may be positioned in differing proximities to a yo-yo axle, providing user control of the recoil action by engaging more or less readily, the yo-yos spinning disks.

One embodiment of this invention includes a yo-yo with a non-spinning and externally accessible axle that functions as an accessory attachment system to which a user may attach a plurality of stunt pieces. The stunt pieces do not spin in a fixed rotational path relative to the main body of the yo-yo. While Hubstacks (discussed above) permit a user to engage the yo-yo, functional accessories permit unique and an abundance of as-of-yet undeveloped tricks to go far beyond merely engaging the yo-yo. This opens the range of yo-yo tricks into a new era of creativity for the user. By way of example, one embodiment of a non-spinning stunt attachment may be a hemispherical shape and largely filled with rubber, such that it looks like a “half ball.” This half ball accessory permits a user to, perhaps, bounce the yo-yo off of walls, tables, other yo-yos, or any other surface which the user chooses and tries.

Another embodiment and aspect of this invention is a modification, in the form of an attachable bead, to the traditional yo-yo string. The present invention includes a bead, which surrounds a portion of the yo-yo string. The bead is preferably a small tacky tube with a small convex bulge substantially at its center. This bulge engages the internal sides of the rotating disks and permits recoil of the yo-yo back up the string to the user end. The bead is preferably made of rubber or plastic, but may be made from any type of material. The bead preferably stays in place, but when engaged by the user is slidable along the length of the string. This allows the user to adjust the position of the bead along the string. For example, the user may move the bead closer to the center axle of the yo-yo, which makes engaging the inside of the rotating disks more likely and hastening the user's ability to recoil the yo-yo. This ability to control the proximity of the bead to the center axle permits the user to increase or decrease the yo-yo's responsiveness, which is an important concern of yo-yo enthusiasts.

Another embodiment of the invention involves both the use of an independently spinning, externally accessible axle to which a user may attach a plurality of stunt pieces as well as a string comprising a bead. The accessory attachment systems rotation is independent from the rotating disks. This embodiment permits the user to have all of the functionality gained by the stunt pieces as well as the improved user control imparted by the bead.

An object of the present invention is to provide a fun, high-end yo-yo with unique functionality that will overcome the deficiencies of the prior art.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a variety of attachments for the user-engagement axle of the yo-yo so that yo-yo enthusiasts might find new and unique ways to interact with their yo-yos.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device that aids in the recoiling of the yo-yo to the hand, as many find this step the most difficult part of interacting with a yo-yo. The adjustability of the present invention makes it so that a user may choose just how challenging she wants it to be to cause the recoiling action.

Other features and advantages are inherent in the yo-yo claimed and disclosed will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of one or more embodiments of the invention. However, one or more embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of embodiments of the invention.

In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe certain features of one or more embodiments of the invention. For instance “rotating disk” refers to the two primary disks of a yo-yo structure. “Bead” is used to refer to a small tacky tube, which surrounds a portion of the yo-yo string. The bead is preferably slideably adjustable.

FIG. 1is an illustration of an exploded sectional view of one embodiment of the yo-yo100. The following description of parts of the disclosed accessory attachment system may be exchanged for others with similar function, as would be apparent to one skilled in the art. The following description is but one embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1, the yo-yo100is preferably comprised of: end caps110, which include interior threads111; side bearings120; rotating disks105; which include side portions125; bearing housings135and137, which include, tubes140and142, exterior threads144and interior threads145, and openings147and148; axle150, which includes threaded ends153; and center bearing155.

As shown inFIG. 1, end caps110fits into side bearing120. The end caps are preferably female treaded with interior threads111. End caps110and side bearings120are preferably fitted into openings147and148in tubes140and142of bearing housings135and137. Bearing housings135and137are preferably matingly enclosed within side portions125. When the yo-yo100is assembled, the axle150is preferably attached, via interior threads111and threaded ends153, to end caps110. Surrounding axle150are center bearing155, bearing housing135, and side bearings120. Side bearings120engage with axle150, but rotational movement between these parts is essentially uninhibited. As such, when the yo-yo is in operation, the rotating disks revolve freely around axle150. This allows end caps110, which are attached to axle150to be grasped without interfering in the rotational movement of the rotating disks105. As shown inFIG. 1, the center bushing155fits around bearing housing135and is held in place by bearing housing137.

In the preferred embodiment, the end caps110, side bearings120, bearing housings135and137, axle150, and center bearing155are made from composed of high quality metal. In alternative embodiments, these parts and the rotating disks105may be made of plastic, wood, or other natural, man-made, or synthetic, without deviating from the scope of the invention. Rotating disks105are preferentially made of high quality, impact resistant plastic. When the yo-yo100is assembled, it is preferably balanced in weight. AlthoughFIG. 1shows the yo-yo100having certain parts, it should be understood that the yo-yo100may be made from any number of parts. For example, the end caps105and the axle150may be a single piece and the bearing housings may be part of the enclosing rotating disk.

FIG. 2is an illustration of a front view of one embodiment of the yo-yo.FIG. 2shows the preferred assembled view of the yo-yo100. In this embodiment, substantially circular/cylindrical rotating disks105are connected to, indirectly or directly, center bushing155. The center bushing155is preferably a cylindrical bearing that allows the outer portion to rotate independently from the inner portion that surrounds bearing housing135and rotating disks105. As shown inFIG. 2, the end caps110preferably extend beyond the rotating disks105to permit easy engagement of the end caps110and connection of various types of accessories.

FIG. 3is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the yo-yo. As shown inFIG. 3, the yo-yo100preferably includes rotating disks105, end cap110, side portions125; and tube142. As shown inFIG. 3, end cap110is preferably cylindrical in shape and has a notch to allow removal through a screw driver.

FIG. 4is an illustration of a side view of one embodiment of the yo-yo. As shown inFIG. 4, the yo-yo100preferably includes rotating disk105, end cap110, side portions125; and tube142.

FIG. 5is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the yo-yo.FIG. 5shows yo-yo100as assembled. As shown inFIG. 5, end caps110fits into side bearing120. Bearing housings135and137are preferably matingly enclosed within side portions125. The axle150is preferably attached to end caps110. Surrounding axle150are center bearing155, bearing housing135, and side bearings120. Side bearings120engage with axle150, but rotational movement between these parts is essentially uninhibited. As such, when the yo-yo is in operation, the rotating disks revolve freely around axle150. This allows end caps110, which are attached to axle150, to be grasped without interfering in the rotational movement or spinning of the rotating disks105. As shown inFIG. 5, the center bushing155fits around bearing housing135and is held in place by bearing housing137.

FIG. 6is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the yo-yo showing how the accessories fit onto the yo-yo. As shown inFIG. 6, the stunt accessories660may be lined up outside end caps110of yo-yo100, and then attached as shown inFIG. 7.

FIG. 7is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the yo-yo showing the accessories attached onto the yo-yo. As shown inFIG. 7, the stunt accessories660are preferably removably attached to outside end caps110and held in place by friction. The stunt accessories660is one of a plurality of stunt accessories. Stunt accessories660are preferably made of plastic and provide a way for the user to perform various stunts, such as grasping the yo-yo while it is spinning, bouncing the stunt accessories660off various objects, vertical and horizontal. Because the yo-yo is preferably spinning when these tricks are being performed, the gyro stability allows the yo-yo to balance on its side without tipping over.

FIG. 8is an illustration of one embodiment of a cone stunt accessory. One stunt accessory comprises two substantially conic shaped attachments663approximately one inch in length. These may be longer or shorter. One or more may be used, depending on the yo-yo user's desired engageability. In one embodiment a single substantially conic attachment is used on one side of the accessory attachment system while a top end is placed on the opposite accessory attachment system. This permits the yo-yo to function as a top when the string is not attached.

FIG. 9is an illustration of one embodiment of a lit stunt accessory. One lit stunt accessory666comprises a single piece containing two crossed-lighted bars667that automatically turn on when subjected to a jarring motion, like when a yo-yo is tossed toward the ground. As this is intended to be viewed from the side, either a single lighted piece or two lighted pieces may be used, depending on whether there will be observes on one or both sides of the yo-yo. When the lighted bars rotate with the yo-yo, the lights form a trace pattern of concentric circles.

FIG. 10is an illustration of one embodiment of a large hemisphere stunt accessory. One large hemisphere stunt accessory669comprises two hemispherical bounce ready accessories. These can be imagined as “half balls,” though there exact degree measurement need not be half of a ball. These half balls permit the yo-yo to be bounced off of a variety of surfaces, while still maintaining its main rotational momentum. These are preferentially made with rubber to maximize the bounciness of the half ball structure.

FIG. 11is an illustration of one embodiment of wheel stunt accessory. One wheel stunt accessory672comprises two oversized wheel shaped accessories. The important feature of this accessory is that the diameter of the rotating disks is smaller than the diameter of the wheel stunt accessory672. This permits the yo-yo to rest on the ground or any other flat surface on the wheels, without disrupting the rotation of the main yo-yo. The size of the oversized wheels also allows the user to engage the accessory system without upsetting the spin of the rotational disks of the main yo-yo.

FIG. 12is an illustration of one embodiment of a magnet stunt accessory. One magnet stunt accessory675comprises a magnet683encased in a hemispherical housing677as well as a corresponding card679with a magnet681in the center. When attached to the accessory attachment system, the magnet hemisphere can be used to pick up the corresponding card as part of a game or a yo-yo performance. The hemisphere is preferentially made of plastic, but can alternatively be made of rubber or any other material that would be apparent in the art. The card is preferentially made from cardboard, but can be made from any material that would be apparent in the art.

The above stunt accessories are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the sorts of accessories that might provide unique functionalities by attaching to the accessory attachment system.

FIG. 13is an illustration of one embodiment of a yo-yo with bead.FIG. 13shows that in one embodiment of the yo-yo200the string200may have a bead220. The string200preferably loops around center bearing255, as is well known in the art. As shown inFIG. 13, the bead220surrounds a portion of the string200and is slidably movable along the length of the string200. This slidability permits the user to change the bead's220proximity to the center bushing255. This, in turn, allows the user to control the recoil of the yo-yo200. Bead220preferably has bulge225, which engages with the interior sides230and240of the rotating disks105to cause the yo-yo to recoil up string200. When the bead220engages with interior sides230and240, this causes a “sleeping” yo-yo too readily and more easily recoil than without the bead220.

In one embodiment of the invention, the string200is not permanently looped around center bearing155, but is loose and removably attached to the yo-yo200through bead220. This allows the user to control completely when the yo-yo200recoils with string200, which is only when the user drags or places the bead220between the rotating disks205so that the bead220catches and the yo-yo recoils.

In one embodiment, the two rotating disks can be tightened to the right, with respect to each other, so that the axle is freely moving. When the main body disks are loosened to the left and/or tightened to the left, the axle is secured in a locked position and is no longer freely moving. This locking permits a user greater control of the functionality of the yo-yo.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the above detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the detailed description is to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, although not explicitly recited, one or more embodiments of the invention may be practiced in combination or conjunction with one another. Furthermore, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment of the invention shall not be interpreted to limit the scope the invention. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims that are appended hereto.