Abstract:
A toy with a plurality of lights that a user can suspend from his hands and spin, twirl, whirl, and otherwise manipulate to create amusing patterns of light. The toy consists of a hub ( 30 ), power supply ( 56 ), a plurality of light emitting elements ( 72 ) which are mounted on the hub using connectors ( 70 ), and an additional plurality of light emitting elements ( 92 ) which are mounted remotely on wires ( 170 ) using connectors ( 90 ) and attached to the hub ( 30 ) using connectors ( 52, 172 ) or ( 162 ). A tether ( 40 ) to suspend the toy from the users hands ( 48 L,  48 R), such as string which is passed though holes ( 42 ) in the hub ( 39 ). The user can then rotate, twist, wind up, spin, swing and otherwise manipulate the toy causing the light emitting elements ( 72, 92 ) to move in various circular and random patterns causing amusing displays of light.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE AND RELATED SUBJECT MATTER  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation in part of Provisional Patent Application serial No. 60/363,611 filed in the United States Patent Office on Mar. 11, 2002 and is entitled to the benefit of said filing date. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    1. Field of Invention  
           [0003]    This invention is related to toys, and specifically to light up toys that spin under user control.  
           [0004]    2. Description of Prior Art  
           [0005]    Playing with light toys, such as glow sticks and high brightness flashlights can be fun in dark environments, such as dance clubs, camping at night, and at night time parties such as you would have for the Fourth of July. Additional amusement can be had if said light toys are bright and moved rapidly to cause streaks or lines of light to be observed by the viewers.  
           [0006]    Some rave dancers and light show performers may on occasion put one or more high intensity mini flashlights or glow sticks on a string and holding them with one hand and whirling them around the hand. The glow sticks or flashlights, by their nature, are not evenly balanced and thus difficult to spin for any duration. Also, the patterns of light that can be made with this method are limited to small two dimensional displays that lack the depth of multiple axis rotating orbits.  
           [0007]    The common Yo-Yo toy is sometimes fitted with an internal illuminator such as a small internally mounted light bulb, but the method of spinning a yo-yo does not allow it to be spun axially while suspended with both hands parallel to it&#39;s axis because it is suspended by a single string that is tangential to its circumference, as opposed to parallel to it&#39;s axis. One result of this is that it is difficult if not impossible to manipulate a yo-yo to provide certain orbiting or spiral light patterns. Further, a yo-yo cannot have external lights mounted on strings or wires at distances away from the yo-yo, as this would interfere with the operation of the yo-yo. As such the yo-yo cannot display multiple axis rotating orbits.  
           [0008]    U.S. patent application Ser. No. US2002/0,068,505 A1 By Williams (2002) teaches a spinning light up rattle toy. The head of this toy is supported by a solid shaft extending from one side of the head, and is spun by pulling a string wound about the shaft. Its solid shaft prevents the toy from being suspended from both hands at a distance that would allow the toy to be whirled around in orbital patterns. While this toy is self-illuminating, it requires virtually no skill to operate and as a result has minimal play value.  
           [0009]    The prior art also includes various rotating wheels through which a pair of strings extend at spaced points proximate to the axis of the wheel. The strings are twisted typically by a looping motion of the wheel. Thereafter, the axial extremities of the strings extending through the wheel are pulled outwardly away from the wheel causing the wheel to rotate rapidly. Some examples include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,990,091 (1991), 4,990,091 4,189,862 (1980), 3,721,037 (1973) and 3,501,860 (1970). None of these toys are self-illuminating, and none of these provide for amusement in dark environments as all require external illumination for their particular features to be viewable.  
           [0010]    For the process of attaching a light emitting element to the end of a flexible multi conductor cord one could use conventional soldering techniques, but the structural integrity of the cord and its conductors is impaired by stripping and soldering. This is particularly a problem with highly flexible tinsel wire type cords which are easily damaged by the heat of soldering. Further, the soldering techniques required are not well suited to automation or mass production making the time and labor costs prohibitive for the production of a toy.  
           [0011]    A related connector for terminating the end of a flexible multi conductor cord is U.S. Pat. No. 3,954,320 Hardesty (1976). This teaches the means to terminate the end of a cord using a connector comprising a dielectric housing with means to anchor to the jacket of the cord and terminals which pierce the insulation of the cord and make contact with the conductors therein. However, this connector does not teach the method for securing a light emitting element to the connector, nor making electrical connection with said light emitting element to the conductors of said cord.  
           [0012]    The process of attaching flexible multi conductor cord to a circuit or printed circuit board could be performed using conventional soldering techniques, but as above the structural integrity of the cord and its conductors can be impaired. Using conventional connector systems requires that one connector be joined to the circuit, and its mate joined to the cord, such that the two may be coupled together. But when a non-removable permanent coupling is desired this approach results in unneeded complexity and cost.  
           [0013]    For removably connecting a light emitting element with wire leads to a circuit, one could use a conventional female header type connector, where the connector is joined to the circuit, and the light emitting element&#39;s wire leads are inserted into the connector&#39;s holes making electrical coupling with the connector&#39;s internal contacts. While simple, the disadvantage is that if the light emitting element requires a polarity dependant connection, there is no means to ensure that the correct polarity is observed. Using conventional polarity specific connector systems requires that one connector be affixed to the circuit, and its mate affixed to the light emitting element, such that the two may be coupled together observing the correct polarity. The disadvantage with multi piece connector systems is added complexity and cost.  
           [0014]    Objects and Advantages:  
           [0015]    Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:  
           [0016]    To provide an amusing light display device, of which can be controlled and maneuvered by the operator to display many different forms of amusing, pretty light displays, each of which is unique, unexpected, and never exactly duplicable. Accordingly, operating the toy skillfully allows for the display of patterns such as multi axis rotating orbits, complex helixes, spiral flowers, and UFOs.  
           [0017]    Another object is to provide the operator a play experience that encourages the development of skill operating the toy, and as such creates significant play value over long periods of time. Accordingly, it takes practice to be able to perform all of the various light displays possible with said toy.  
           [0018]    Another object is to allow the colors of the light emitting elements and other aspects of the toy to be easily modified or adjusted so that the operator may customize said toy to his or her desires. Accordingly, the individual light emitting elements may be changed easily, and certain accessories may be added to the toy. Further, the speed or rate of change of strobing, flashing and multi color elements may be adjusted by the operator.  
           [0019]    Another object is to provide protection from damage to other objects or individuals while being operated. Accordingly thy toy has a protective resilient covering on the hub and the various light emitting elements. Further the string like support has resilient pads to protect the operators hands and fingers while operating.  
           [0020]    Another object is to electrically and mechanically connect a light emitting element to the end of a flexible piece of cord, having two or more flexible conductors, securely such that the connection with said light emitting element and said cord can withstand rapid whirling and twirling, and such that said light emitting element can receive electrical power via said cord.  
           [0021]    Another object is to electrically and mechanically connect the end of a flexible piece of cord, having one or more flexible conductors, securely and permanently to an electrical circuit such that the integrity of the flexible conductors is not impaired.  
           [0022]    Another object is to provide a connector on a power source to removably connect a light emitting element to the power source maintaining the required polarity without the need for a mating connector on the light emitting element itself.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0023]    The invention, an orbital spinning dancing light toy, has a central hub or flywheel with a plurality of light emitting elements both mounted directly on the hub, and attached via wires away from but connected to the hub. The hub contains a power supply for the light emitting elements, and circuitry for strobing, flashing or blinking some or all of the light emitting elements. The hub is intersected by one or more tethers that are tied to form a loop on either side of the hub. The light emitting elements mounted on the hub are removably mounted into connectors that maintain the correct polarity for the light emitting elements. The light emitting elements connected to but at a distance from the hub are attached to a flexible multi conductor cord by means of a satellite connector that secures the light emitting element securely to the cord while simultaneously making electrical connection between the light emitting element and the cord&#39;s associated conductors. These light emitting element cord assemblies are then removably affixed to the hub of the toy using conventional locking connectors, or permanently affixed to the hub using the connector as described in the present invention.  
           [0024]    The user controls the device by placing each hand through each tether loop. The user then “winds up” the device by rotating his hands in a circular motion around the axis of the hub. The wind up motion produces an interesting light display in itself. The user can then pull the tethers tight, and the hub and wire connected lights will spin tightly, forming circles of light of various diameter. The user can further manipulate the device by applying different levels of pressure on the tether, and moving his hands in different directions. Further, the user can “dance” with the device and make the various light emitting elements move to music. Appropriate hand motions will cause the device to form many new and unique spiral, bouncing, orbiting, and random displays of light. 
       
    
    
     DRAWINGS  
       [0025]    In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number, but different alphabetic suffixes.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIGS. 1A and 1B show an overview of the toy suspended from the operator&#39;s hands. FIG. 1A shows the toy&#39;s suspending cord straight, and FIG. 1B shows the cord twisted, as after spinning.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2 shows an overview of the main components of the preferred embodiment of the hub, where means to power is a storage cell such as a battery  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 3 shows an overview of the main components of a second embodiment of the hub, where means to power is a flywheel driven generator.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 4 shows a side view of the hub, and details the arrangement of the cord-like means to suspend and related components.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 5 is an overview of the relationship between the hub and satellites.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 6 is and exploded view of the hub.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 7 is a front overview of the lower body of the satellite connector.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 8 is a rear overview of the lower body of the satellite connector.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 9 is a rear overview of the upper body of the satellite connector.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIGS. 10A thru  10 D detail the contact for the preferred embodiment satellite connector.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 11 details the contact for the alternate embodiment of the satellite connector.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 12 is a sectional side view for the alternate embodiment of the satellite connector.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIGS. 13A thru  13 D is a set of views detailing the assembly of the satellite connector.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIGS. 14A and 14B is a sectional side view for the main embodiment of the satellite connector  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 15 is an overview of the internal illuminator connector.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIGS. 16A and 16B are top sectional views of the internal illuminator connector  
         [0042]    [0042]FIGS. 17A and 17B are side perspective views of the internal illuminator connector  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 18 is an overview of the illuminator wobbler assembly.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 19 is an overview of the noise maker assembly.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 20 is a simplified electronic schematic for the preferred embodiment of the hub.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 21 is a simplified electronic schematic for the second embodiment of the hub.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 22 is a simplified cross section of the second embodiment of the hub.  
         [0048]    FIGS.  23 A- 23 C are line tracings from photographs that show example displays presented by the invention. 
     
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN FIGURES  
       [0049]    [0049] 30  Body or hub assembly  
         [0050]    [0050] 30 A Circumference of said hub  
         [0051]    [0051] 31  Rotational axis of hub  
         [0052]    [0052] 32  Upper half of body or hub  
         [0053]    [0053] 32 A—First side of said hub  
         [0054]    [0054] 34  Lower half of body or hub  
         [0055]    [0055] 34 A—Second side of said hub  
         [0056]    [0056] 35  Battery opening  
         [0057]    [0057] 36  Battery cover  
         [0058]    [0058] 37  Holes for fasteners  
         [0059]    [0059] 38  Fasteners  
         [0060]    [0060] 39  Resilient covering  
         [0061]    [0061] 40  Tether such as String, twine, or cord  
         [0062]    [0062] 40 A Tether such as String, twine, or cord twisted or wound up  
         [0063]    [0063] 41  Tether loop  
         [0064]    [0064] 42  Hole for Tether  
         [0065]    [0065] 43  Knot or stop on Tether  
         [0066]    [0066] 44  Resilient handle  
         [0067]    [0067] 45  Hole in resilient handle for Tether  
         [0068]    [0068] 46 L,  46 R—Operators hands  
         [0069]    [0069] 47  Hole for locking satellite connector jack  
         [0070]    [0070] 48  Clip  
         [0071]    [0071] 50  Electronics assembly  
         [0072]    [0072] 51  Circuit board  
         [0073]    [0073] 52  Locking satellite connector jack  
         [0074]    [0074] 54  Power storage cell contact  
         [0075]    [0075] 56  Power storage cell  
         [0076]    [0076] 58  Switch  
         [0077]    [0077] 59 A,  59 B—Operator adjustment control  
         [0078]    [0078] 60  Voltage regulator/booster assembly  
         [0079]    [0079] 61  Voltage rectifier  
         [0080]    [0080] 62  Electrical storage means  
         [0081]    [0081] 63  Strobe circuit  
         [0082]    [0082] 64  Color cycle circuit  
         [0083]    [0083] 65  Spin and motion rate sensor  
         [0084]    [0084] 66  Current limiting resistor  
         [0085]    [0085] 67  Generator  
         [0086]    [0086] 68  Generator shaft  
         [0087]    [0087] 69  Flywheel  
         [0088]    [0088] 70  Internal light emitting element connector  
         [0089]    [0089] 72  Internal light emitting element  
         [0090]    [0090] 74  Internal light emitting element long lead  
         [0091]    [0091] 76  Internal light emitting element short lead  
         [0092]    [0092] 80  Internal light emitting element connector body  
         [0093]    [0093] 80 B Internal light emitting element connector body bottom  
         [0094]    [0094] 81  Internal light emitting element connector body back face  
         [0095]    [0095] 82  Internal light emitting element connector step  
         [0096]    [0096] 82  Internal light emitting element connector face forward of step  
         [0097]    [0097] 84  Internal light emitting element connector long hole  
         [0098]    [0098] 86  Internal light emitting element connector short hole  
         [0099]    [0099] 87  Internal light emitting element connector lead insertion stop  
         [0100]    [0100] 88  Internal light emitting element connector electrical terminal  
         [0101]    [0101] 90  Satellite light emitting element connector  
         [0102]    [0102] 92  Satellite light emitting element  
         [0103]    [0103] 92 RGB—Multi-color light emitting element  
         [0104]    [0104] 94  Satellite light emitting element flange  
         [0105]    [0105] 96  Satellite light emitting element leads  
         [0106]    [0106] 97  Satellite light emitting element leads distorted under tension  
         [0107]    [0107] 99  Resilient covering  
         [0108]    [0108] 100  Satellite light emitting element connector body—lower  
         [0109]    [0109] 102  Aperture for wire  
         [0110]    [0110] 104  Latch  
         [0111]    [0111] 106  Latch opening  
         [0112]    [0112] 108  Latch catch  
         [0113]    [0113] 110  Latch hinge  
         [0114]    [0114] 114  Indentation under tinecatch  
         [0115]    [0115] 116  Tine  
         [0116]    [0116] 118  Tine catch  
         [0117]    [0117] 120  Insulating divider  
         [0118]    [0118] 122  Light emitting element body recess  
         [0119]    [0119] 124  Light emitting element flange recess  
         [0120]    [0120] 125  Ridge under Satellite light emitting element lead  
         [0121]    [0121] 126  Terminal seat  
         [0122]    [0122] 128  Terminal hole  
         [0123]    [0123] 130  Lees connector body—upper  
         [0124]    [0124] 132  Hood  
         [0125]    [0125] 134  Wedge  
         [0126]    [0126] 136  Opening for accepting lower body tine  
         [0127]    [0127] 138  Lip that snaps over tine catch  
         [0128]    [0128] 142  Light emitting element body recess  
         [0129]    [0129] 144  Light emitting element flange recess  
         [0130]    [0130] 150  Terminal  
         [0131]    [0131] 152  Tangs  
         [0132]    [0132] 154  Barbs  
         [0133]    [0133] 156  Folded over tab  
         [0134]    [0134] 158  Indentations in tab  
         [0135]    [0135] 160  Long neck terminal  
         [0136]    [0136] 162  Satellite permanent attachment connector  
         [0137]    [0137] 163  Connector stubs  
         [0138]    [0138] 164  Barbs  
         [0139]    [0139] 166  Long neck  
         [0140]    [0140] 170  Flexible multi conductor satellite line cord  
         [0141]    [0141] 171  Satellite light emitting element cord assembly with locking connector  
         [0142]    [0142] 172  Locking connector  
         [0143]    [0143] 173  Satellite light emitting element cord assembly for permanent attachment  
         [0144]    [0144] 180  Whistle  
         [0145]    [0145] 182  Whistle clip  
         [0146]    [0146] 190  Wobbler  
         [0147]    [0147] 192  Wobbler eccentric elements  
         [0148]    [0148] 194  Wobbler illuminator holder  
         [0149]    [0149] 200  Operator circular hand motion  
         [0150]    [0150] 201  Operator outward hand motion  
         [0151]    [0151] 202  Operator opposite direction hand motion  
         [0152]    [0152] 210  Light display of dots  
         [0153]    [0153] 211  Light display of concentric circles  
         [0154]    [0154] 212  Light display of multi axis orbits  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0155]    [0155]FIG. 1A illustrates a circular or cylindrical hub  30  in the shape of a disk having a first side  32 A, a second side  34 A, a circumference  30 A, and a rotational axis  31 . The hub has holes  42  extending between the first and second sides through which a tether  40 , namely a string, twine, or cord is passed to form loops  41  on each of the first and second sides of the hub  30  through which the operator can place his/her hands  46 L, 46 R to support and spin the hub  30  in a manner which will be described herein below. Mounted in or on the hub  30  is electrical assembly  50  which includes an electrical circuit, or printed circuit board  51 . A power storage cell such as a battery  56  is connected to the electrical assembly  50  by battery contacts  54  which are affixed to the circuit board  51 . A power control device such as a switch  58  is affixed to circuit board  51 . A plurality of light emitting elements  72  are mounted in the hub  30  or on the circuit board  51  so that they are visible from outside the hub. In this regard the hub is generally at least partially made of a translucent or transparent material. Satellite light emitting element cord assemblies  171  are provided each having an additional light emitting element  92  attached at the end of a flexible multi conductor satellite line cord  170  by means of a light emitting satellite connector assembly  90 . The opposite end of the satellite line cord  170  is then terminated into a locking plug connector  172 . The satellite light emitting element cord assembly  171  with locking connector  172 , is removably attached to the hub  30  by inserting the plug connector  172  into receiving jack  52  which is affixed to circuit board  51 . Permanently attached to the hub wherein there are additional light emitting elements  92  are attached at the ends of other satellite line cord  170  by means of a light emitting satellite connector assembly  90 , but The opposite end of the satellite line cord  170  is then terminated into satellite permanent attachment connector  162  forming Satellite light emitting element cord assembly for permanent attachment  173 , wherein connector  162  is affixed to circuit board  51 .  
         [0156]    [0156]FIG. 2 and FIG. 6 illustrates in more detail the components mounted in or on the hub  30 . The electrical assembly  50  which includes circuit board  51  which provides electrical connection between the components (see FIG. 20). The battery  56  is connected to the electrical assembly  50  by battery contacts  54  and  54  which are affixed to the circuit board  51 . The switch  58  is affixed to circuit board  51 . The plurality of light emitting elements  72  is mounted in or on the circuit board  51  by means of a plurality of internal light emitting element connectors  70 . Jack  52  is affixed to circuit board  51  with it&#39;s aperture facing outward from the center of the hub  30  to permit removable locking connection with external accessories such as satellite light emitting element cord assembly with locking connector  171 . Light emitting element  92  is attached at the end of satellite line cord  170  by means of connector assembly  90 . The opposite end of the satellite line cord  170  is then terminated into satellite permanent attachment connector  162  which is affixed to circuit board  51 .  
         [0157]    [0157]FIG. 4 illustrates a side cross sectional view of the toy. The outer perimeter of the hub  30  is covered by a transparent or translucent resilient sheathing such as urethane  39 . The Tether  40  passes through the hub  30  via holes  42  and a movement restrictor namely a stop, knot, or knob  43 - 43  are affixed to the Tether  40  proximate to the hub  30  to prevent excess sliding through the hub holes  42 . The outer ends of the Tether loops  41  and  41  are covered with a resilient material to form handles  44  by threading the tether  40  through holes  45  in the handles.  
         [0158]    [0158]FIG. 5 illustrates a view showing satellite light emitting element cord assembly with locking connector  171  detached from the hub  30  showing orientation of locking plug  172  to accepting jack  52 . Also illustrated are clips  48  and  48  which are used to hold and adjust the useable length of the satellite cord assemblies  171  and  173 . Removable battery cover  36 , which covers battery access hole  35  to facilitate replacement of the battery is provided.  
         [0159]    [0159]FIG. 18 illustrates how a light emitting element  92  is attached to a wobbler assembly  190  by wobbler light element holder  194  which accepts satellite line cord  170 . Wind vanes  192  are attached to holder  194 . When the wobbler assembly is caused to pass through the air, the wind vanes cause the wobbler to fluctuate in an eccentric manner, causing the light emitting element to display wobbly lines of light.  
         [0160]    [0160]FIG. 19 illustrates a wind operated sound making device  180  clipped onto satellite line cord assembly  171  by means of clip  182 . When the wind operated sound making device  180  is passed through the air by spinning the toy, sound is produced.  
         [0161]    [0161]FIG. 20 illustrates a simplified schematic of the electrical connections of electrical assembly  50 . Battery  56  is connected to switch  58  and then to voltage booster means  60  which is then connected to light emitting elements  72 ,  92 . Conventional stobe means  63  is connected to light emitting element  92 . Operator strobe control  59 A is connected to stobe means  63 . Conventional color cycling means  64  is connected to light emitting element  92 RGB. Operator color cycling control  59 B is connected to color cycling means  64 . Motion sensor  65  is connected to control inputs of the stobe means  63  and color cycling means  64 .  
         [0162]    To facilitate interconnectivity of various elements of the invention, several connectors and connector assemblies are employed and discussed herein below.  
         [0163]    In particular, FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the lower body  100  of the light emitting satellite connector assembly  90 . The body  100  is composed of a dielectric material and has an aperture  102  suitable for accepting satellite line cord  170  (not shown here), above which is latch  104  in latch access opening  106 . Recess  122  to accept light emitting element  92  (see FIG. 14A) and larger recess  124  to accept the flange of light emitting element  94  (see FIG. 14A). The sides of the body have vertical tabs or tines  116  with a lower lip or tine catch  118  which juts out from the body over indentation  114 . Insulating divider  120  sits between instantiations of contact holes  128  which are surrounded by an area  126  lower in the body than ridge  125 .  
         [0164]    [0164]FIG. 9 illustrates the upper body cap  130  of light emitting satellite connector assembly  90 . It is made from a dielectric material and comprises a covering hood  132 , terminal pressure wedges  134 , openings  136  and  136  for accept the tine  116  of the upper body, lip  138  to snap over tine catch  118 . Recess  142  to accept light emitting element  92  (see FIG. 14A) and larger recess  144  to accept the flange of light emitting element  94  (see FIG. 14A).  
         [0165]    With reference to FIGS. 10A thru  10 D and FIG. 14A illustrate the terminal  150  used in connector assembly  90 . The terminal is made from electrically conducting material that is not prone to significant corrosion. Spikes  152  are suitable for piercing insulation of the satellite line cord  170  and making electrical connection with the satellite line cord&#39;s associated conductors. Barbs  154  lock the terminal in place when it is inserted into the connector&#39;s lower body  100 . And the top of the terminal is folded over tab  156  with the folded tab having indentations  158  to allow for the light emitting element&#39;s leads  96  to be distorted  97  into the terminal&#39;s folded over tab  156 .  
         [0166]    [0166]FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrates the terminal  160  used in connector  162 . The terminal is made from electrically conducting material that is not prone to significant corrosion. Spikes  152  are suitable for piercing insulation of the satellite line cord  170  and making electrical connection with the satellite line cord&#39;s associated conductors. Barbs  154  lock the terminal in place when it is inserted into the connector&#39;s body  162 . The terminal has a long neck  166  which protrudes beyond the body of connector  162 . The body  162  is composed of a dielectric material and has an aperture  102  suitable for accepts satellite line cord  170  and latch  104  is bent at latch hinge  110  to snap against latch catch  108  and press against cord  170  locking cord  170  into place and preventing external forces common to the normal use of the toy from affecting the integrity of the electrical connection to the cord  170 . The connector body  162  has protuberances, tabs or studs  163  with barbs  164  suitable for securing the connector  162  to another object such as circuit board  51 .  
         [0167]    [0167]FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate a cross sectional view of connector  90 . Light element  92  sits in lower body recess  122  and upper body recess  142 . The Light element flange  94  is accepted by lower body recess  124  and upper body recess  144 . Terminal  150  is pressed through terminal opening  128  and into the associated conductors of cord  170 . The terminal&#39;s fold over tab  156  is pressed over light emitting element leads  96  pulling the leads down to the terminal seat  126  this distorts the leads  97  into the terminals tab indentations  158  against connector ridge  125 . Satellite line cord  170  enters aperture  102  and latch  104  is bent at latch hinge  110  to snap against latch catch  108  and press against cord  170  locking cord into place and preventing external forces common to the normal use of the toy from affecting the integrity of the electrical connection to the cord  170 . Connector upper body  130  is pressed over the lower body such that the lower body tines  116  and  116  engage the upper body tine receiving lips  138  and  138  securing the upper body in place. The wedges  134  provide positive pressure against terminal  150  to ensure that electrical contact is maintained. After assembly, the connector  90  is sheathed in a transparent or translucent resilient covering such as urethane  99 .  
         [0168]    FIGS.  13 A-D illustrates the steps in assembling connector  90 . First, satellite line cord  170  in inserted into aperture  102  then latch  104  is pressed into place. Light Emitting Element  92  is set into receiving recess  122 , and the flange of light emitting element  94  is accepted by recess  124 . Terminals  150  and  150  are pressed through terminal openings  128  and  128  and into the associated conductors of cord  170 . The terminal&#39;s fold over tab  156  is pressed over light emitting element leads  96  and  96 . The upper body cap  130  is then snapped into place over the lower body  100 .  
         [0169]    [0169]FIGS. 15, 16A,  16 B,  17 A and  17 B illustrate the internal light emitting element connector  70  comprising a dielectric body  80  having an offset step  82  on its front surface. The offset step  82  possessing an aperture  84  that extends through the back surface  81  of the connector body  80 . The surface forward of the offset  82 A has an aperture  86  of predetermined length that ends with a stop  87 . The body  80  contains electrical contacts  88  and  88 . Each contact  88  extends below the bottom  80 B of connector body  80  to facilitate connection with an external electrical circuit. The contacts  88  and  88  extend into the body and into each aperture  84 , 86  to provide for electrical contact with leads inserted into the apertures. The connector provides a removable electrical coupling directly to the leads of a light emitting element  72  element having a pair of parallel leads where one of the leads is a long lead  74  which is a predetermined length longer than the other short lead  76 . The shorter aperture  86  being intended for receiving only the short lead  76 , the other aperture  84  intended for receiving only the long lead  74 . The step  82  offsets the front surface  82 A by a predetermined amount such that if the long lead  74  is inserted into the aperture  86 , the short lead  76  cannot reach and there for cannot enter the aperture  84  and thus cannot electrically couple with said electrical circuit.  
         [0170]    With reference to FIGS. 3, 21 and  22  we illustrate an alternate embodiment where the means to power is an electrical generator  67  mounted in or on the hub  30  such that the rotational axis of the input shaft  68  of the generator  67  shares a rotational axis of the hub  31 . An inertial mass such as a flywheel  69  is affixed to the shaft  68  and the flywheel can rotate independently and freely from the hub  30 . The electrical output of the generator  67  is connected to a rectifier  61  such that direct current is provided of a specific polarity regardless of the rotational direction of the generator&#39;s input shaft  68 . The output of the rectifier is connected to a current storage device such as a capacitor  62 , which is then connected to voltage regulation means  60 , the remainder of the circuit being like that of the preferred embodiment.  
         [0171]    Operation  
         [0172]    Typically, the invention is used in an environment with reduced ambient light conditions, where the lower the ambient light, the more pronounced the effect of the light displays present by the invention.  
         [0173]    [0173]FIGS. 1A and 1B show how an operator might hold and use the preferred embodiment of the toy. Typically, the operator will place each hand through one of the loops  41 , formed by the tether  40  on either side of the hub  30 , and energize the power for the toy  58 . Then the operator will suspend the hub horizontally between the hands and wind the toy up by rotating his hands in circles parallel  200  to the hub  30  and each other to twist the tether  40 A. Once the tether  40  is tightly wound  40 A (twisted) as shown in FIG. 1B, the operator can exert slight outward pressure  201  away from the hub  30 , allowing the hub to begin spinning substantially axially. Over-winding  200  the tether  40 A causes slight eccentric motion and the formation of a spiral flower during rotation. Additionally referencing FIGS.  23 A- 23 C illustrates stronger outward pressure  201  without over winding can cause a tighter spinning pattern of concentric circles  211 . Outward pressure  201  coupled with rapid hand movements  202  in opposite directions can cause the display of multi axis orbital patterns  212 .  
         [0174]    The hub  30  operates much like a flywheel or gyroscope in its action. The light emitting elements on flexible multi conductor cord  171 ,  173  are pulled along with the hub&#39;s  30  rotation and will tend to appear to orbit the hub  30 . The lights on cords  171 ,  173  also tend to tangle with the tether  40 , 40 A, which causes the lights on cords  171 ,  173  to spin off axis of the hub  30 , creating a display of circles encircling separate axis.  
         [0175]    The cord  170  is of a much lower mass than the light emitting element  92  and connector assembly  90 , so that the inertia of the light emitting element assembly  90 ,  92  allows them to continue on their own orbital path with little effect from the connecting cord  170  (other than preventing the lights from flying away).  
         [0176]    Internal light emitting element connector  70 , and satellite light emitting element assembly locking connectors  52 ,  172  allow the user to remove and replace the various light emitting elements  72 ,  92  such that different colors of light emitting elements can be chosen. Accordingly, the user can determine what collection of colors he or she wishes to display.  
         [0177]    Referencing FIGS. 20, 23A, and  23 B, By strobing  63  one or more light emitting elements  72 ,  92 , at an appropriate rate while spinning the hub, the light emitting elements can display a series of dots or dashes in the air  210 , as opposed to continuous circles  211 . The operator can have control over the rate of strobe for both on and off cycles  59 A,  59 B.  
         [0178]    The strobing circuit  63  can be further controlled by using motion sensors  65 . These sensors detect the mode of spin and alter the rate or enable/disable the strobe circuit  63 .  
         [0179]    Individual light emitting elements  72 ,  92  can be of the multi color type  92 RGB, and possess means to change their color  64  at various rates of change according to settings made by the operator  59 A,  59 B. Further, motion sensor  65  can alter the rate of color change based on the spin rate.  
         [0180]    Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope  
         [0181]    Accordingly, the reader will see that the present invention presents a toy with a new play experience that is capable of displaying unique and amusing light figures.  
         [0182]    The present invention recites novel connector systems to simplify the assembly of and thus reduce the cost of manufacturing they toy. The satellite connector system in particular provides a robust method of attaching light emitting elements such that satellite elements resist the forces that could damage them during play.  
         [0183]    In furtherance of the goals of the invention, said invention has been illustrated by example in the accompanying drawing figures and throughout the written description. It should be appreciated though that numerous variations are possible while adhering to the inventive concept. For example, it should be clear to someone familiar with the art that the hub could be formed in many shapes, and is not limited to a disk shape to function. Such variations are contemplated as being part of the present invention.