Finger manipulated device

A finger manipulated device that gives the user a unique tactile and audible sensations comprising of two, disc-shaped shells, a first and second set of magnets located on the inside surfaces of each shell, and flat thrust bearing disposed between the shells. The magnets in the first set and second set are aligned in circular arrays. The magnets in each array are aligned in the same direction and evenly space apart. The thrust bearing includes a thin frame with a plurality of rollers radially aligned that fit into two raceways formed on the inside surfaces of the two shells. The thrust bearing supports the two shells and holds them apart. When assembled, the two shells are held together on opposite sides of the thrust bearing by magnetic forces created by the two sets of magnets and produce unique tactile and sound sensations when the shells are rotated back and forth in alternating directions with the user's fingers.

Notice is hereby given that the following patent document contains original material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile or digital download reproduction of all or part of the patent document, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention pertains to handheld finger manipulation devices, also known as finger fidgeting devices, that are held in the hand and manipulated by repeatedly moving the tips of the fingers back and forth back between the two fingers.

Finger manipulation devices, known as ‘fidget spinners’, are popular toys that operate like mini-gyroscopes. They comprise two or three lobes that extend radially from a ball-bearing center hub. During use, the user positions the index or middle finger under the hub and holds the hub stationary and then applies a force or torque to one lob causing the device to spin. The way the device spins with minimal friction, the speed of rotation, how long the device spins, and its resistance to movement while spinning caused by the Law of Conservation of Angular Momentum, makes the device very interesting.

Other types of finger manipulating devices are needed that exploit the common movements of an individual fingers, such as the back and forth rubbing movement of the index finger and the thumb. Such devices that also provide unique tactile and audible sensations to the user would also be desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A compact, dual finger manipulated device comprising a disc body that includes a first shell, a second shell, a first circular magnetic element in the first shell, a second circular magnetic element in the second shell, and a circular, flat thrust bearing between the two shells. The first and second shells are stacked and held between two fingers on one hand. Disposed between the two shells is a low friction thrust bearing that includes a plurality of radially aligned rollers. The thrust bearing is retained in circular recessed raceways formed on the inside surfaces of the two shells. The rollers have sufficient diameters, so a small gap is formed between the two shells which allows them to rotate independently in opposite directions.

In a first embodiment, the first circular magnetic element includes a plurality of disc magnets in the first set of magnets are aligned in a circular array on the inside surface of the first shell. The disc magnets in the first set of magnets are held in a fixed position and evenly spaced apart. In the embodiment shown herein, the disc magnets are inserted into magnet bores formed on a coaxially aligned, raised platform. Disposed around the raised platform is a recessed circular raceway that receives the thrust bearing. The disc magnets are aligned so their longitudinal axes are parallel to the first shell's longitudinal axis. The magnets are also aligned so their N-poles face the same direction.

On the inside surface of the second shell is a second circular magnetic element comprising a plurality of disc magnets also arranged in a circular array, in the embodiment shown herein, the circular array is also formed on a coaxially aligned, raised platform. Disposed around the raise platform is a recessed, circular raceway that receives the thrust bearing. When the two shells are stacked together, the raceways are aligned and retain the thrust bearing.

The raised platform and the circular raceway on the second shell are identical to the platform and circular raceway used on the first shell. The quantity and placement of the magnets on the second set of magnets are identical to the quantity, and placement of the magnets on the first set of magnets. Like the magnets in the first set of magnets, the magnets in the second set of magnets are spaced apart at the same distances with their longitudinal axes parallel to the device's longitudinal axis. The disc magnets are also oriented with their N-poles facing the same direction. When the two shells are stacked to form the disc body, the S-poles of the disc magnets used on the first set of magnets are near the N-poles on the disc magnets used on the second set of magnets so magnetic attractive forces are produced between them.

Formed on the center axis of the first and second shells are axially aligned finger bores. During use, the finger bores denote the location of the longitudinal axis of the shells and the locations where the tips of the fingers may be placed when manipulating the device. Also, formed on the outside surface of the first and second shells are finger gripping elements that enable the user to more easily rotated or impart torque to one or both shells using the tips of the fingers.

When assembled, the two shells, the two finger bores and the circular raceways are stacked and coaxially aligned. The rollers on the thrust bearings are retained in the circular raceways. The disc magnets on the first and second set of magnets are aligned with the disc body's longitudinal axis. When assembled, the shells automatically rotate so the disc magnets on the first and second shells align. The disc magnets on the two sets of magnets are placed so they do not physically contact but are sufficiently close to produce magnetically attractive forces that hold the two shells together.

During use, the shells are held between two fingers on one hand. The one finger is placed on the outer surface of one shell while the other finger is placed over the outer surface of the other shell. The user may keep one finger stationary and move the other finger to impart rotation of one shell while holding the other shell stationary. Alternatively, the user may impart rotation on both shells in opposite directions. The user may move the shells in the same direction or may move one or both fingers in a back and forth in alternating directions.

When the device is operated in the hand, a unique tactile sensation is produced. When one shell rotates over the other or as both shells rotate over each other in the opposite directions, the disc magnets on the first and second sets are repeatedly aligned and misaligned. When the disc magnets in the first and second sets approach alignment, the attractive forces between the disc magnets gradually increases causing the two shells to rapidly rotate until they are axially aligned. Because the magnets are axially aligned, further rotation of the first and second shells is impeded. Greater force must be applied by the fingers to overcome the attractive forces and rotate one shell over the other shell or to rotate both shells in opposite directions. As rotation continues, the magnetic forces between previously aligned magnets weaken, and less force is required to move rotate the shells. Eventually, a slight repulsion force is created between the sets of magnets causing them to separate and increase the gap between their adjacent edges. As the shells are further rotated, the disc magnets approach alignment with a new magnet and the attractive forces increase. When the magnets on the two sets are realigned, the two shells are forced together and ‘clap’ against the thrust bearing creating an audible and tactile ‘click’.

In a second embodiment, the first and second arrays each with a plurality of disc magnets are replaced two cylindrical washer magnets with their poles oriented in opposite directions. The washer magnets are aligned in the shells, so their N-S poles are aligned in the same direction. During use, the shells are moved back and forth in opposite directions, only the tactile sensation is produced.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

A handheld finger manipulated device10comprising a disc body15made of two disc-shaped shells20,40, a thrust bearing50, and a first and second sets of magnets60,70. Each set of magnets60,70includes a plurality of disc magnets80,85mounted on the inside surface21,41of the first and second shells20,40, respectively. In the embodiment shown, the disc magnets80,85in each set60,70, respectively, are inserted into cylindrical magnet holes28,48arranged in a circular array or pattern on the outside surface of a raised platform27,47formed on the inside surface21,41on the shells20,40, respectively. The disc magnets80,85are oriented with their N poles all facing the same direction.

The second shell40contains an inner surface41in which a second set of disc magnets70are also arranged in a circular array or pattern of magnet bores48formed on the raised platform47. The diameters of the two circular arrays on the raised platforms27,47are identical. The second set of disc magnets85has the same number of magnets and the same size disc magnets used in the first set of disc magnets60. The disc magnets85in the second set of disc magnets70are spaced apart in the same distances with their longitudinal axes parallel to the device's longitudinal axis90, and arranged so their N poles face the same direction. The N poles of the disc magnets85in the second set of disc magnets70face the S poles of the disc magnets80used on the first set of magnets60when the two shells20,40are coaxially aligned and joined, (seeFIG. 3).

A thrust bearing50is placed between the two shells20,40. The thrust bearing50includes a flat, ring-like frame52and a plurality of radially aligned rollers56. Formed in the center of the frame52with a center opening54. During assembly, the frame52fits into the raceways24,44formed around the raised platforms27,47, respectively. The raised platforms27,47partially extend into the center opening54. Each shell20,40includes an outer raised perimeter lip22,42that surrounds the circular raceways24,44. The diameters of the rollers56are sufficient to press against the inside surfaces of the raceways24,44and hold the shells20,40apart. A gap92is formed between the perimeter lips22,42.

The frame52and rollers56on the thrust bearing50are sufficiently narrow and short, respectively, so that the entire thrust bearing50may rotated inside the raceways24,44.

Formed on the center axis23,43of the first and second shells20,40, respectively, are axially aligned finger bores.29,49, (seeFIGS. 4 and 5). The bores29,49may extend fully or partially through the shells20,40. Also, former the outside surface of the first and second shells20,40are finger gripping elements29that enable the user to more easily rotated or impart torque to one or both shells using the tips of the fingers.

When assembled, the two shells20,40, the two finger bores29,49, and the circular raceways24,44are coaxially aligned. The rollers56on the thrust bearing50are positioned in the two circular raceways24,44. A small gap92is formed between the two shells20,40. When the two shells20,40are stacked and coaxially aligned, the ends of disc magnets80,85on the two sets of magnets60,70, respectively, are slightly spaced apart so they do not physically contact. The adjacent ends of the disc magnets80,85on the first and second sets of magnets60,80, respectively, are sufficiently close so the disc magnets80on the first set of magnets60on the first shell20are magnetically attracted to the disc magnets85on the second set of magnets70on the second shell40to hold the two shells20,40together.

During use, the user uses two digits (e.g. the thumb and index tinge to rotate the two shells20,40in opposite directions or to hold one shell stationary and rotate the opposite shell around a central axis90. When at rest, the two shells20,40are held together and resist rotation when the disc magnets80,85in the two sets of magnets60,70, respectively, are axially aligned. When sufficient opposing external forces are applied to the shells20,40, they rotate around the center axis90. During the rotation, the N and S poles of the disc magnets80,85become off-set and the magnetic forces holding the two shells20,40together are reduced. The gap92between the two shells20,40may widen. When the disc magnets80,85approach re-alignment, the attractive forces between the disc magnets80,85gradually increases causing the two shells20,40to rapidly rotate until the disc magnets80,85are aligned. When aligned, further rotation of the first and second shells20,40is resisted. Greater force must be applied by the fingers to overcome the attractive forces to rotate one shell over the other shell or to rotate both shells in opposite directions. As rotation continues, the magnetic forces repeatedly increase and weaken causing unusual acceleration and deacceleration of the two shells.

FIGS. 7-10, discloses a second embodiment of the device indicated by reference number110in which the first and second set of disc magnets60,70are replaced two, flat washer magnets160,170, respectively. The device100includes two shells120,140separated by the thrust bearing50. The washer magnets160,170have N-S poles oriented on opposite sides. The washer magnets160,170are cylindrical and fit into two recessed, circular raceways124,144formed on the inner surfaces121,141, respectively, of the first shell120and second shell140.

Located inside the circular raceways124,144are hollow necks127,147. Disposed around the circular raceways124,144is a circular raised platform126,146. The magnets160,170are oriented in the raceways124,144so their N poles and the S poles face the same direction as shown inFIGS. 7 and 8. Located inside the circular raceways124,144are cylindrical raised platform126,146. Formed around the circular raceways124,144is a raised perimeter lip122,142.

When assembled, the two shells120,140, the two finger bores129,149and the circular raceways124,144are coaxially aligned. The rollers56on the thrust bearing50are positioned between the circular raceways124,144. The thrush bearing50includes a thin ring52with a plurality of radially aligned rollers56. The rollers156hold the two shells120,140apart and form a small gap192that enables the two shells120,140to rotated independently. When the two shells120,140are stacked and coaxially aligned, the ends of washer magnets160,170are sufficiently spaced apart so they do not physically contact. The S pole on the first washer magnet120is close to N pole on the second washer magnet140to hold the two shells120,140together.

During use, the user uses two digits (e.g. the thumb and index finger) to rotate the two shells120,140in opposite directions or to hold one shell stationary and rotate the opposite shell around a central axis190. The magnetic attractive forces between the two washer magnets160,170hold the two shells120,140together. Unlike the first embodiment, two shells120,140rotate smoothly over each other without the acceleration, deacceleration and resistant experienced with the first embodiment.

In the embodiments shown in the Figs, each disc body15,115when assembled measures approximately 41 mm in diameter and approximately 9 mm thick. Each shell20,40,120,140is made of metal and approximately 4 mm thick and the finger bores29,49are approximately 11 mm in diameter. The circular frame52used on the thrust bearing50is approximately 40 mm in diameter and approximately 2 mm thick. The diameter of the inner opening formed on the circular frame52is approximately 26 mm in diameter. Each roller56is approximately 2 mm in diameter and approximately 5 mm in length.

Each set of magnets60,70includes five-disc magnets80,85, respectively, aligned approximately 72 degrees apart. Each disc magnet80,85is approximately 4.4 mm in diameter and 2 mm in length. When two disc magnets80,85are axially aligned, they generated a pull force between 1.20 and 1.26 lbs. In the embodiment, shown herein the pull force is approximately 1.23 lbs. The magnet bores28,48are approximately 3 mm in length so the exposed end of the magnet when placed inside the bore is recessed approximately 1 mm. Each raised platform26,46is approximately 25 mm in diameter and extends approximately 1 mm above the top surface of the surrounding raceway24,44.

The washer magnets160,170have an outside diameter of approximately 25 mm and an inside diameter of approximately 10 mm. The washer magnets160,170are approximately 2 mm in length, (i.e. Y-axis). When the washer magnets160,170are axially aligned, they produce a pull force of approximately 7.27 lbs.

In the embodiment shown in the Figs, the frame52is made of magnetically attracted metal.

When the two shells20,40and120,140are stacked, the gap92,192formed between the two shells20,40and120,140, respectively, is approximately 0.5 mm.