Patent Publication Number: US-10307687-B2

Title: Finger manipulated device

Description:
This application is based on and claims the filing date benefit of U.S. provisional patent application (Application No. 62/567,124) filed on Oct. 2, 2017. 
    
    
     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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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 DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the finger manipulated device described herein. 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of second shell showing the inside surface. 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the first shell showing the outside surface. 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of the first shell. 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the finger manipulated device that uses two washer magnets. 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional, side elevational view of the second embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a second perspective of the first shell used on the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional, side elevational view of the first shell used on the second embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
     A handheld finger manipulated device  10  comprising a disc body  15  made of two disc-shaped shells  20 ,  40 , a thrust bearing  50 , and a first and second sets of magnets  60 ,  70 . Each set of magnets  60 ,  70  includes a plurality of disc magnets  80 ,  85  mounted on the inside surface  21 ,  41  of the first and second shells  20 ,  40 , respectively. In the embodiment shown, the disc magnets  80 ,  85  in each set  60 ,  70 , respectively, are inserted into cylindrical magnet holes  28 ,  48  arranged in a circular array or pattern on the outside surface of a raised platform  27 ,  47  formed on the inside surface  21 ,  41  on the shells  20 ,  40 , respectively. The disc magnets  80 ,  85  are oriented with their N poles all facing the same direction. 
     The second shell  40  contains an inner surface  41  in which a second set of disc magnets  70  are also arranged in a circular array or pattern of magnet bores  48  formed on the raised platform  47 . The diameters of the two circular arrays on the raised platforms  27 ,  47  are identical. The second set of disc magnets  85  has the same number of magnets and the same size disc magnets used in the first set of disc magnets  60 . The disc magnets  85  in the second set of disc magnets  70  are spaced apart in the same distances with their longitudinal axes parallel to the device&#39;s longitudinal axis  90 , and arranged so their N poles face the same direction. The N poles of the disc magnets  85  in the second set of disc magnets  70  face the S poles of the disc magnets  80  used on the first set of magnets  60  when the two shells  20 ,  40  are coaxially aligned and joined, (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     A thrust bearing  50  is placed between the two shells  20 ,  40 . The thrust bearing  50  includes a flat, ring-like frame  52  and a plurality of radially aligned rollers  56 . Formed in the center of the frame  52  with a center opening  54 . During assembly, the frame  52  fits into the raceways  24 ,  44  formed around the raised platforms  27 ,  47 , respectively. The raised platforms  27 ,  47  partially extend into the center opening  54 . Each shell  20 ,  40  includes an outer raised perimeter lip  22 ,  42  that surrounds the circular raceways  24 ,  44 . The diameters of the rollers  56  are sufficient to press against the inside surfaces of the raceways  24 ,  44  and hold the shells  20 ,  40  apart. A gap  92  is formed between the perimeter lips  22 ,  42 . 
     The frame  52  and rollers  56  on the thrust bearing  50  are sufficiently narrow and short, respectively, so that the entire thrust bearing  50  may rotated inside the raceways  24 ,  44 . 
     Formed on the center axis  23 ,  43  of the first and second shells  20 ,  40 , respectively, are axially aligned finger bores.  29 ,  49 , (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). The bores  29 ,  49  may extend fully or partially through the shells  20 ,  40 . Also, former the outside surface of the first and second shells  20 ,  40  are finger gripping elements  29  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  20 ,  40 , the two finger bores  29 ,  49 , and the circular raceways  24 ,  44  are coaxially aligned. The rollers  56  on the thrust bearing  50  are positioned in the two circular raceways  24 ,  44 . A small gap  92  is formed between the two shells  20 ,  40 . When the two shells  20 ,  40  are stacked and coaxially aligned, the ends of disc magnets  80 ,  85  on the two sets of magnets  60 ,  70 , respectively, are slightly spaced apart so they do not physically contact. The adjacent ends of the disc magnets  80 ,  85  on the first and second sets of magnets  60 ,  80 , respectively, are sufficiently close so the disc magnets  80  on the first set of magnets  60  on the first shell  20  are magnetically attracted to the disc magnets  85  on the second set of magnets  70  on the second shell  40  to hold the two shells  20 ,  40  together. 
     During use, the user uses two digits (e.g. the thumb and index tinge to rotate the two shells  20 ,  40  in opposite directions or to hold one shell stationary and rotate the opposite shell around a central axis  90 . When at rest, the two shells  20 ,  40  are held together and resist rotation when the disc magnets  80 ,  85  in the two sets of magnets  60 ,  70 , respectively, are axially aligned. When sufficient opposing external forces are applied to the shells  20 ,  40 , they rotate around the center axis  90 . During the rotation, the N and S poles of the disc magnets  80 ,  85  become off-set and the magnetic forces holding the two shells  20 ,  40  together are reduced. The gap  92  between the two shells  20 ,  40  may widen. When the disc magnets  80 ,  85  approach re-alignment, the attractive forces between the disc magnets  80 ,  85  gradually increases causing the two shells  20 ,  40  to rapidly rotate until the disc magnets  80 ,  85  are aligned. When aligned, further rotation of the first and second shells  20 ,  40  is 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 number  110  in which the first and second set of disc magnets  60 ,  70  are replaced two, flat washer magnets  160 ,  170 , respectively. The device  100  includes two shells  120 ,  140  separated by the thrust bearing  50 . The washer magnets  160 ,  170  have N-S poles oriented on opposite sides. The washer magnets  160 ,  170  are cylindrical and fit into two recessed, circular raceways  124 ,  144  formed on the inner surfaces  121 ,  141 , respectively, of the first shell  120  and second shell  140 . 
     Located inside the circular raceways  124 ,  144  are hollow necks  127 ,  147 . Disposed around the circular raceways  124 ,  144  is a circular raised platform  126 ,  146 . The magnets  160 ,  170  are oriented in the raceways  124 ,  144  so their N poles and the S poles face the same direction as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . Located inside the circular raceways  124 ,  144  are cylindrical raised platform  126 ,  146 . Formed around the circular raceways  124 ,  144  is a raised perimeter lip  122 ,  142 . 
     When assembled, the two shells  120 ,  140 , the two finger bores  129 ,  149  and the circular raceways  124 ,  144  are coaxially aligned. The rollers  56  on the thrust bearing  50  are positioned between the circular raceways  124 ,  144 . The thrush bearing  50  includes a thin ring  52  with a plurality of radially aligned rollers  56 . The rollers  156  hold the two shells  120 ,  140  apart and form a small gap  192  that enables the two shells  120 ,  140  to rotated independently. When the two shells  120 ,  140  are stacked and coaxially aligned, the ends of washer magnets  160 ,  170  are sufficiently spaced apart so they do not physically contact. The S pole on the first washer magnet  120  is close to N pole on the second washer magnet  140  to hold the two shells  120 ,  140  together. 
     During use, the user uses two digits (e.g. the thumb and index finger) to rotate the two shells  120 ,  140  in opposite directions or to hold one shell stationary and rotate the opposite shell around a central axis  190 . The magnetic attractive forces between the two washer magnets  160 ,  170  hold the two shells  120 ,  140  together. Unlike the first embodiment, two shells  120 ,  140  rotate smoothly over each other without the acceleration, deacceleration and resistant experienced with the first embodiment. 
     In the embodiments shown in the Figs, each disc body  15 ,  115  when assembled measures approximately 41 mm in diameter and approximately 9 mm thick. Each shell  20 ,  40 ,  120 ,  140  is made of metal and approximately 4 mm thick and the finger bores  29 ,  49  are approximately 11 mm in diameter. The circular frame  52  used on the thrust bearing  50  is approximately 40 mm in diameter and approximately 2 mm thick. The diameter of the inner opening formed on the circular frame  52  is approximately 26 mm in diameter. Each roller  56  is approximately 2 mm in diameter and approximately 5 mm in length. 
     Each set of magnets  60 ,  70  includes five-disc magnets  80 ,  85 , respectively, aligned approximately 72 degrees apart. Each disc magnet  80 ,  85  is approximately 4.4 mm in diameter and 2 mm in length. When two disc magnets  80 ,  85  are 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 bores  28 ,  48  are approximately 3 mm in length so the exposed end of the magnet when placed inside the bore is recessed approximately 1 mm. Each raised platform  26 ,  46  is approximately 25 mm in diameter and extends approximately 1 mm above the top surface of the surrounding raceway  24 ,  44 . 
     The washer magnets  160 ,  170  have an outside diameter of approximately 25 mm and an inside diameter of approximately 10 mm. The washer magnets  160 ,  170  are approximately 2 mm in length, (i.e. Y-axis). When the washer magnets  160 ,  170  are axially aligned, they produce a pull force of approximately 7.27 lbs. 
     In the embodiment shown in the Figs, the frame  52  is made of magnetically attracted metal. 
     When the two shells  20 ,  40  and  120 ,  140  are stacked, the gap  92 ,  192  formed between the two shells  20 ,  40  and  120 ,  140 , respectively, is approximately 0.5 mm.