Patent Publication Number: US-9895620-B1

Title: Hand spinner novelty with integrated lights

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     In general, the present invention relates to hand spinners, which are devices that are held in a user&#39;s hand and spun. More particularly, the present invention relates to hand spinners that spin about a central stationary hub and contain illuminated features. 
     2. Prior Art Description 
     There are many toy novelties that are held in the hand and “spin”. Two of the most common toy novelties of this type are toy tops and yo-yos. Although tops and yo-yos spin and are hand powered, they typically do not spin in the user&#39;s hand. Rather, they are set spinning by a user&#39;s hand and are then released to spin on a flat surface or a string. 
     Recently, another class of spinning toys has gained popularity. That new class of toys is commonly known as hand spinners. Hand spinners have a roller bearing that is symmetrically set in the middle of a balanced body. The roller bearing is held in a user&#39;s fingers as the body of the toy is spun. The result is a toy that appears to be a spinning top that can be held in the hand without affecting the ability of the toy to freely spin. 
     The present invention improves upon the design of hand spinners by integrating specialized electronics into the spinning elements. In the prior art, electronics have been added to many spinning toys. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,585 to Nelson, lights have been incorporated into pinwheels. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,265,984, to Molinaroli, lights have been added to a wide variety of spinning objects such as tops and fans. However, in the prior art, the device that spins always has a solid center. As such, the batteries and electronics needed to run the various lights could be mounted at the center of the spinning device without producing an imbalance in the spinning device. With modern hand spinners, an annular roller bearing is set in the center of the spinning toy. As a result, the center of the spinning toy is an open void. Consequently, there exists no structure at the center of the spinning toy to which an electronic module can be mounted. 
     A need therefore exists for a technology that enables electronics to be added to a spinning toy at points eccentric to its center in a manner that does not detract from the ability of the toy to spin. This need is met by the present invention as described and claimed below. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a spinner assembly that is spun by a user&#39;s hand. The spinner assembly has a central roller bearing. The roller bearing has an inner race and an outer race that are capable of rotating relative each other about a common center of rotation. 
     An annular hub is coupled to the outer race of the roller bearing. The annular hub rotates with the outer race about the center of rotation. A first spin arm extends from the annular hub and rotates with the annular hub about the center of rotation. The spinner assembly needs only one spin arm to operate. However, subsequent spin arms can be added to the spinner assembly in alternate embodiments. The subsequent spin arm would also extend from the annular hub and rotate with the annular hub about the center of rotation. 
     A first light module is mounted to the first spin arm. The first light module includes at least one light that activates as the first spin arm rotates about the center of rotation. This creates an aesthetically pleasing effect as the spinner assembly spins. The light can also be activated in a manner synchronized to the speed of rotation to create readable messages or images with the perceived light. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of exemplary embodiments thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a hand spinner assembly configured with multiple spin arms; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the hand spinner assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the exemplary embodiment showing the adjustability of the spin arms on the hand spinner assembly; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a hand spinner assembly configured with a single spin arm; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic showing the components within an electronic light module; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the hand spinner assembly shown creating light paths while spinning; 
         FIG. 7  shows a top view of an alternate embodiment of a hand spinner assembly that contains arrays of lights in each electronic light module; 
         FIG. 8  is a fragmented cross-sectional view of a hand spinner assembly that shows an alternate central support; and 
         FIG. 9  is a fragmented cross-sectional view of a hand spinner assembly that shows a second alternate central support. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Although the present invention toy spinner can be embodied in many ways, only a few of exemplary embodiments are illustrated and described. The embodiments selected set forth some of the best modes contemplated for the invention. The illustrated embodiments, however, are merely exemplary and should not be considered limitations when interpreting the scope of the appended claims. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a hand spinner assembly  10  is shown. The hand spinner assembly  10  has a central roller bearing  12 . The roller bearing  12  is annular in shape having an inner race  14  of an inner diameter D 1  and an outer race  16  of an outer diameter D 2 . In the center of the inner race is an imaginary center of rotation  20  about which all spinning elements spin. The inner race  14  does not spin about the center of rotation  20 . The inner race  14  is held in a stationary position and serves as an axle. Within the roller bearing  12  are ball bearings, or equivalent elements, that enable the outer race  16  to rotate about the inner race  14  in the manner of a traditional roller bearing. 
     A center support  18  is concentrically set into the inner race  14  of the roller bearing  12 . The center support  18  is the structure that is manually held and/or engaged while the hand spinner assembly  10  spins. As will be later explained, the center support  18  can have a variety of different configurations. Regardless of its configuration, it is preferred that the center support  18  engages the inner race  14  of a the roller bearing  12  with a friction fit or some other connection scheme that enables the center support to be selectively removed and replaced by a user when desired. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the center support  18  is an elastomeric cylinder  22 . The elastomeric cylinder  22  defines a central opening  24  that can receive the end of a pencil or pen with a friction fit. The center support  18  has a top surface  19  and a bottom surface  21  that protrude from the hand spinner assembly  10 . In this manner, the hand spinner assembly  10  can be held by pinching opposite ends of the center support  18  between two fingers. This holds the center support  18  and the inner race  14  in a fixed position while the remainder of the hand spinner assembly  10  remains free to spin. 
     An annular hub  26  is provided that concentrically mounts around the outer race  16 . The annular hub  26  can engage the outer race  16  with a friction fit. Adhesive can also be used to ensure the connection between the annular hub  26  and the outer race  16  is secure. The annular hub  26  has a top flange  28 , a bottom flange  29 , and a cylindrical section  30  between the top flange  28  and the bottom flange  29 . 
     A plurality of spin arms  32  are provided. In the shown embodiment, three spin arms  32  are illustrated. However, it will be understood that one, two, four, or any plurality of spin arms  32  can be present. Each of the spin arms has a looped end  34 . The looped end  34  of each spin arm  32  defines a loop opening  36  arm that passes around the cylindrical section  30  of the annular hub  26  and engages the cylindrical section  30  with an interference fit and/or friction fit. This enables each of the spin arms  32  to rotate with the annular hub  26  about the center of rotation  20 . The radial position of each spin arm  32  can be selectively changed by a user by moving the spin arm  32  against the bias of the interference and/or frictional fit. On the cylindrical section  30  of the annular hub  26 , the looped ends  34  of the spin arms  32  stack atop each other. The spin arms  32  are prevented from moving off the ends of the cylindrical section  30  by the presence of the top flange  28  at one end and the bottom flange  29  at the opposite end. 
     Each of the spin arms  32  radially extend from the annular hub  26 . If more than one spin arm  32  is used, the spin arms  32  are preferably identical or mirror images of one another. In this manner, the spin arms  32  can remain balanced about the center of rotation  20  if symmetrically positioned about the center of rotation  20 . However, referring to  FIG. 3  in conjunction with  FIG. 2 , it can be seen that the position of each spin arm  32  can be selectively adjusted on the annular hub  26  to an asymmetric position. When in asymmetric positions, the spin arms  32  are still free to spin with the annular hub  26  about the center of rotation  20 . However, the spin arms  32  are unbalanced and will rotate in an erratic manner. By positioning the spin arms  32  to asymmetrical positions, the hand spinner assembly  10  becomes unbalanced, yet easier to spin using rhythmic hand movements. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , an alternate embodiment of a spinner assembly  31  is shown. In this embodiment, the spinner assembly  31  has only one spin arm  32 . As such, the spinner assembly  31  is unbalanced. However, the unbalance causes the spinner assembly  31  to have rotational harmonics that enable the spinner assembly  31  to be easily spun using rhythmic hand movements. Like the spinner assembly  10  of  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 3 , the spinner assembly  10  contains an electronic light module  40  that lights as the spin arm  32  spins. 
     In all previous embodiments, an electronic light module  40  is provided for at least one spin arm  32 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , it can be seen that an electronic light module  40  is mounted to at least one of the spin arms so that the electronic light module  40  spins with the spin arm. Each electronic light module  40  is a self-contained unit. Each electronic light module  40  contains at least one LED  42 , batteries  44  to power the LED  42 , and control circuitry  46  for activating the LED  42 . The control circuitry  46  is triggered by a sensor  48 . In the first exemplary embodiment of the hand spinner assembly  10 , the sensor  48  is a motion detector, such as an accelerometer or a tilt switch. As such, the sensor  48  can detect when the spin arms  32  are in motion and can activate and/or deactivate the LED  42  as a function of motion over time. 
     The electronic module  40  has a user interface  43 , in the form of a selection button or a micro switch, which can be used to change the flashing mode of the LEDs  42 . As such, the LEDs  42  can be altered to create different light patterns, images, and/or words as the electronic light module spins. 
     The electronic light modules  40  is preferably mounted to a spin arm, near the distal end of the spin arm, in order to increase the angular momentum of the spin arm as it rotates about the center of rotation. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , in conjunction with  FIG. 5 , it will be understood that the electronic light modules  40  light as the spin arms  32  are in motion. As such, the LEDs  42  travel in circular paths  52  about the center of rotation  20 . The LEDs  42  from the electronic light modules  40  can rotate in the same path or in slightly different paths. As the LEDs  42  spin, the control circuitry  46  in the various electronic light modules  40  can make the LEDs  42  flash or blink in patterns that are perceived as aesthetically interesting by an observer. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , in conjunction with  FIG. 5 , it can be seen that the electronic light modules  40  can be configured with a linear matrix  61  of LEDs  42 . The lighting of the LEDs  42  in the matrix  61  can be controlled so that the LEDs  42  create a readable message  65  or image as the spin arm  32  spins. The pattern, image, or wording created by the matrix  61  can be selectively altered through the user interface  43 . 
     In the embodiment presented in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 7 , an additional optional control feature is shown. In this embodiment, the spinner assembly  31  uses a magnetic switch, such as a reed switch, as the sensor  48 . In this embodiment, at least one magnet  66  is mounted to the inside race  14  of the roller bearing  12 . As the spin arm  32  spins, the sensor  48  passes the magnet  66 . This activates the sensor  48  and the electronic light module  60 . By using a magnet and magnetic switch, the control circuitry  46  in the electronic light module  60  can accurately determine its rotational speed about the center of rotation  20 . In this manner, the control circuitry  46  can activate and deactivate the various LEDs  42  to create words and images  65  regardless of the rotational speed of the spin arms  32 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , it will be understood that the center support  18  of the hand spinner assembly  10  is grasped when the hand spinner assembly  10  spins. The center support  18  and the inner race  14  of the roller bearing  12  remain stationary as the remainder of the hand spinner assembly  10  spins. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the center support  18  is tubular in shape. As such, the center support  18  defines a central opening  24 . This enables a pencil, pen, or stick to be inserted into the central opening  24  so that the hand spinner assembly  10  can be spun as a pinwheel. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , an alternate embodiment of the center support  70  is provided that is solid and has salient points  72  that are aligned with the center of rotation  20 . This enables the hand spinner assembly  74  to be placed on a flat surface and spun as a top, wherein the hand spinner assembly  74  balances on one of the salient points  72 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , an alternate embodiment of the center support  80  is provided that is solid and has a wide base  82 . The wide base  82  is magnetized. This enables the hand spinner assembly  84  to be attached to a ferrous metal surface, such as the frame of a car or a bicycle. 
     It will be understood that the embodiments of the present invention that are illustrated and described are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art can make many variations to those embodiments. For instance, the spin arms can be shaped into a variety of designs and lengths. All such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.