Patent Abstract:
The customizable yo-yo system of the present invention makes available a transformable Yo-yo character to transform a Yo-yo to a character toy.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is related to, claims the earliest available effective filing date(s) from (e.g., claims earliest available priority dates for other than provisional patent applications; claims benefits under 35 USC §119(e) for provisional patent applications), and incorporates by reference in its entirety all subject matter of the following listed application(s) (the “Related Applications”) to the extent such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith; the present application also claims the earliest available effective filing date(s) from, and also incorporates by reference in its entirety all subject matter of any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of the Related Application(s) to the extent such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith: 
         [0002]    U.S. provisional patent application 61/732,299, entitled “A Dual Purpose Yo-Yo System”, naming Franklin Labarbara and Todd Rywolt as inventors filed 1 Dec. 2012. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    1. Field of Use 
         [0004]    These teachings relate generally to a Yo-Yo system and in particular to a transformable dual purpose yo-yo-system. 
         [0005]    2. Description of Prior Art (Background) 
         [0006]    Yo-yo toys have proven to be a long standing and well known toy product. The basic components of a Yo yo generally comprise a body usually formed of a pair of generally disk-like body halves joined by a center shaft. The body halves are spaced apart slightly to form a center space. A string has one end secured about the center shaft and the remaining end configured to be looped around the user&#39;s fingers with a slip knot or the like. The attachment of the string end to the center shaft of the Yo-yo is carried forward in either a fixed attachment or a loop formed to encircle the center shaft. 
         [0007]    In a typical Yo-yo play pattern, the outer end of the string is secured to the user&#39;s finger and the string is wound upon the center shaft until the Yo-yo body is received within the user&#39;s hand. Thereafter, the user throws the Yo-yo body downwardly which unwinds the string as the Yo-yo body falls simultaneously spinning the body. At the full extension of the string, the spinning momentum of the Yo-yo body rewinds the string and raises the Yo-yo upwardly upon the string to be caught in the user&#39;s hand. For those Yo-yo&#39;s of the type having a fixed attachment of the string end upon the center shaft this simple up and down pattern is repeated and constitutes the extent of play with variation of use. 
         [0008]    A substantially greater flexibility of use and amusement is provided by Yo-yo&#39;s in which the string end at the center shaft of the Yo-yo is simply looped about the center shaft. This allows the spinning Yo-yo body to spin within the string loop at the bottom extension of the string and greatly increase the flexibility of toy play pattern. Thus, as the user throws the Yo-yo body downwardly unwinding the string and spinning the Yo-yo it continues to spin at the bottom end of the string allowing various tricks to be performed. The user raises the spinning Yo-yo body by imparting a sharp tug to the string which wraps and binds the lower end of the spring upon the shaft and raises the Yo-yo. 
         [0009]    The width of the gap between the yo-yo halves is critical to proper control of the yo-yo. If the gap is too small, the yo-yo may not sleep, tending, instead, to frictionally grip the string notwithstanding the presence of tension in the string. If the gap is too wide, the inwardly facing surfaces of the yo-yo halves may not. be able to engage the string with sufficient friction. 
         [0010]    In addition, the extended popularity of Yo-yo toys have prompted practitioner&#39;s in the art to provide a great variety of such toys. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,676,432 issued to Field sets forth a whirling toy having a Yo-yo defining a pair of body halves and a string secured to the center shaft. Each body half defines a clear outer surface and a cavity within which a toy figure is rotatably supported. 
         [0011]    However, there is no known prior art that integrates the body of the Yo-yo as part of the toy. Thus, there remains a need in the art for evermore varied and interesting Yo-Yo type products. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0012]    The foregoing and other problems are overcome, and other advantages are realized, in accordance with the presently preferred embodiments of these teachings. 
         [0013]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a transformable yo-yo system includes a includes a matching weighted shells, matching pads, matching spacers, a hearing, and an axle with a blind threaded hole for engaging a hex screw when the yo-yo is in an assembled condition. The matching weighted shells, when assembled form a gap for snugly receiving and holding a toy shape having a connector or stabilizing wedge suitably shaped to fit snugly with the gap. 
         [0014]    The invention is also directed towards a transformable yo-yo system which includes matching weighted metal shells, matching pads, matching spacers, a bearing, and an axle with a blind threaded hole for engaging a hex screw when the yo-yo is in an assembled condition. The matching weighted shells are ferrous material, and when assembled receive and magnetically hold a toy shape having a magnetic connector. 
         [0015]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention a transformable yo-yo system, which includes matching shells, matching pads, matching spacers, a bearing, and an axle with a blind threaded hole for engaging a hex screw when the yo-yo is in an assembled condition. The matching shells include a ring of ferrous material, and when assembled receive and magnetically hold a toy shape having a magnetic connector. 
         [0016]    The invention is also directed towards a to shape cradle having toy arms/hands and toy legs/feet/shoes. The toy shape cradle is suitably sized to couple to the Yo-yo by pressure and/or a stabilizing wedge. The stabilizing wedge is suitable shaped to fit snugly within the gap formed by the assembled Yo-yo shells. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view one embodiment of a transformable Yo-yo system in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of a transformable Yo-yo system in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a pictorial illustration of the assembled embodiment of the transformable Yo-yosystem in accordance with the present invention shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a sectional illustration taken through the diameter of the yo-yo shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a pictorial view of a transformed Yo-yo in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a pictorial view of an accessorized transformed Yo-yo in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a pictorial view of an alternate accessorized transformed Yo-yo in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is an illustration of one of the internal face of the yo-yo of  FIGS. 1 ; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is n enlarged diametric section through the region of the spool and axial of the yo-yo. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    Referring first to  FIGS. 4 ,  8 , and  9 , the yo-yo includes a pair of yo-yo halves  10 ,  12  which preferably are formed from injection molded plastic, although they may be formed from other materials such as wood, metal or a combination thereof. The yo-yo halves may be about 2 and ¼″ diameter. The inwardly facing surfaces  14 ,  16  of the yo-yo halves  10 ,  12  are provided with cylindrical sockets  18 ,  20  which, in turn, are formed with internal bores  22 ,  24 . The sockets  18 ,  20  and internal bores  22 ,  24  are aligned along the axis of rotation of the yo-yo. The yo-yo halves are essentially identical. Commercially available threaded inserts  26 ,  28 , are embedded in the internal bores  22 ,  24 , respectively. An axle  30 , which may be formed from steel rod, having threaded ends  32 ,  34  is screwed into the threaded inserts  26 ,  28  as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 9 . The juncture of the unthreaded portion of the axle  30  with the threaded ends  32 ,  34  defines shoulders  36 ,  38  (see  FIG. 9 ) which abut facing shoulders  40 ,  42  formed on the threaded inserts  26 ,  28 . 
         [0028]    The inwardly facing surfaces  14 ,  16  of the yo-yo halves may be provided with an arrangement of radially extending raised ribs  45  surrounding the sockets  18 ,  20  in somewhat of a starburst pattern. The ribs may be of the order of 0.125″ long and may extend above the associated surfaces  14 ,  16  about 0.010″. The ribs enhance the ability of the yo-yo to engage the string when retrieving the yo-yo. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the space  44  between the yo-yo halves  10 ,  12  adjacent the spool is among the critical features of the invention and, therefore, it is important to assure that the threaded inserts  26 ,  28  are precisely located in the yo-yo halves  10 ,  12 . Where the yo-yo halves  10   12  are formed from injection molded plastic, it is possible to locate the inserts  26 ,  28  with such precision using conventional insert molding techniques. 
         [0029]    The yo-yo includes a generally cylindrical spool  46  rotatably mounted on the axle  30 , the ends of the spool  46  being received, symmetrically, within the sockets  18 ,  20  of the yo-yo halves  10 ,  12 . By way of example, the axle may be of the order of 0.156″ diameter the inner diameter of the spool  46  being about 0.005″ to 0.008″ in diameter larger than the axle. The spool  46  preferably is provided with to circumferential groove  48  about which the yo-yo string (not shown) may be fastened. The yo-yo is intended to be used with standard yo-yo strings commercially available. Preferably the string is fastened in a double loop so that the spool  46  will not rotate with respect to the string. The spool  46  is formed from a polymeric material having good lubricity properties. For example, DELRIN available from DU PONT has been found to be a suitable plastic. The polymeric material also should be machined to precise tolerances. Other plastics having good lubricity and machinability properties may be employed. The outer diameter of the spool  46  is slightly less than the diameter of the sockets  18 ,  20  so that when the yo-yo is suspended from its string, the yo-yo halves  10 ,  12  may spin freely without interference with the circumference of the spool. The axle  30  may be coated with a light film of lubricant further to enhance the low frictional characteristics of the device. 
         [0030]    in order that the yo-yo may display superior long duration spinning, it is critical that the axial play of the spool  46  on the shaft (the difference between spool length and distance between ends of sockets  18 ,  20 ) be no greater than about 0.018″ and preferably about 0.015″. The clearance may be as low as about 0.001″. As long as the axial play is maintained within those limits, the device will display superior spinning for long times Also critical to the performance of the yo-yo is the facility with which the yo-yo may be returned to the user from a sleeping configuration with a simple flick of the wrist. By maintaining the space  43  between the facing ribs  45  of the yo-yo halves  10 ,  12  adjacent the spool between about 0.075″ to 0.090″, (space  44  being about 0.095″ to 0.105″) the yo-yo will return easily and controllably even though the string is attached to the freely rotatable spool  46 . If the radial ribs  45  are omitted, the yo-yo halves may be placed closer together, bringing space  44  to about 0.075″ to 0.090″. Thus, the present invention achieves the desired characteristics of long spins and easily controlled return without requiring the use of complex clutches. 
         [0031]    Referring also to  FIG. 1  there is shown an exploded view one embodiment of a transformable Yo-yo system in accordance with the present invention. Shown in  FIG. 1  is yo-yo base  100 . As described earlier yo-yo base  100  may be any suitable material such as plastic, resin, or metal. Yo-yo base  100  may be decorated with any desired artwork. For example, yo-yo base  100  may be decorated to resemble a character or the face of a character or cartoon. 
         [0032]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a toy appendage resembling an arm  122 . The toy appendage  122  includes blade, or stabilizing wedge,  122 A suitably sized and shaped to fit snugly within space  44  (Shown in  FIG. 4 ). Similarly appendage  124  includes blade  124 A suitably sized and shaped to within space  44  (shown in  FIG. 4 ). Toy appendages  122  and  124  may be any suitable material such as plastic. Furthermore, blades  122 A and  124 A may include magnetic material for magnetically coupling to the yo-yo  100 . 
         [0033]    Still referring to  FIG. 1  there is shown a toy appendage resembling a leg  126 . The toy appendage  126  includes blade  126 A suitably sized and shaped to fit snugly within space  44  (Shown in  FIG. 4 ). Similarly appendage  128  includes blade  128 A suitably sized and shaped to within space  44  (shown in  FIG. 4 ). Toy appendages  126  and  128  may be any suitable material such as plastic. Furthermore, blades  126 A and  128 A may include magnetic material for magnetically coupling to the yo-yo  100 . Toy appendages  122 ,  124 ,  126 , and  128  may include articulated joints and coupling blades. 
         [0034]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the toy appendages  122 ,  124 ,  126 , and  128  may include coupling means for coupling the appendages to ancillary toy equipment, such as toy skateboards  129 . The coupling means may include any suitable coupling means, such as for example, a hole  126 B or  128 B for receiving a peg  129 A, magnetic coupling means, Velcro® coupling means, or latching coupling means. 
         [0035]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the toy appendages  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  may be any suitable material such as a pliable plastic or resin. 
         [0036]    Referring also to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  there is shown an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of a transformable Yo-yo system in accordance with the present invention. Shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  is yo-yo  100  with space  44  (described earlier) and cradle assembly  350 . 
         [0037]    Cradle assembly  350  shown in  FIG. 3  includes cradle  330 , toy arm/hand appendage  332 , toy arm/hand appendage  338 , toy leg/shoe appendage  336 , toy leg/shoe appendage  334 , and cradle coupler and stabilizer  331 . 
         [0038]    Still referring also to  FIG. 3 , cradle  330  is suitably sized and shaped to fit snugly around approximately half the yo-yo  100  diameter. Cradle coupler and stabilizer  331  is suitably sized and shaped to fit snugly within space  44 . The cradle coupler and stabilizer  331  may be any suitable material such as plastic or resin and may contain magnetic coupling means for coupling to yo-yo  100 . 
         [0039]    The toy arm/hand appendage  332 , toy arm/hand appendage  338 , toy leg/shoe appendage  336 , and toy leg/shoe appendage  334  may be any suitable material such as a pliable or flexible plastic, resin, or rubber. The toy arm/hand appendage  332 , toy arm/hand appendage  338 , toy leg/shoe appendage  336 , and toy leg/shoe appendage  334  may be permanently or semi-permanently affixed to cradle  330 . 
         [0040]    Referring also to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a pictorial view of a transformed Yo-yo in accordance with the present invention. Yo-yo  100  is seated snugly within cradle assembly  350  and is stabilized by aforementioned cradle coupler and stabilizer ( FIG. 3 , item  331 ). 
         [0041]    Referring also to  FIG. 6  there is shown a pictorial view of an accessorized transformed Yo-yo in accordance with the present invention. Again Yo-yo  100  is seated snugly within cradle assembly  350  and is stabilized by aforementioned cradle coupler and stabilizer ( FIG. 3 , item  331 ). In addition the appendages shown in  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 3  may be accessorized with any suitable toy clothing, such as, for example, Santa Claus suit  643 A and Santa Claus hat  643 . It will be understood that certain accessories, such as hat  643  or Easter Bunny Ears, may be affixed to Yo-Yo  100  via a cradle coupler and stabilizer similar to the cradle coupler and stabilizer shown in  FIG. 3 , item  331 . 
         [0042]    Referring also to  FIG. 7  there is shown a pictorial view of an alternate accessorized transformed Yo-yo in accordance with the present invention. Yo-yo  100  is fitted snugly with cradle assembly  350  and is stabilized by aforementioned cradle coupler and stabilizer ( FIG. 3 , item  331 ). In addition, Yo-yo  100  is fitted with appendages such as Bunny Ears  144  coupled to Yo-yo  100  via a cradle coupler and stabilizer similar to the cradle coupler and stabilizer shown in  FIG. 3 , item  331 . 
         [0043]    It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Thus, various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0