US20180345155A1

US20180345155A1 - Fidget toy

Info

Publication number: US20180345155A1
Application number: US15/996,009
Authority: US
Inventors: Lance E. Philgreen; Clark A. Levsen
Original assignee: Hantover Inc
Current assignee: Hantover Inc
Priority date: 2017-06-01
Filing date: 2018-06-01
Publication date: 2018-12-06

Abstract

A fidget spinner designed to spin in a user's hand includes a body having a central body portion and a plurality of arms. Each of the arms projects outwardly from the central body portion to present a distal end. A bearing assembly is coupled to the central body portion of the fidget spinner. In addition, a plurality of spherical components are included. Each of the spherical components is rotatably supported adjacent the distal end of a respective one of the arms.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/513,897 filed Jun. 1, 2017, and entitled “FIDGET TOY,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The field of the disclosure relates generally to toys, and more particularly, to fidget toys configured to spin in a user's hand.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Many people may find it difficult to passively occupy themselves, for example, by relaxing, meditating, observing the environment around them, engaging in thought, etc. For many people, it is natural to want to move or fidget when otherwise unoccupied. This want may be intensified by our modern lifestyle that provides ample opportunity to keep oneself busy and/or occupied most of the time. For example, many people may fill their ‘free time’ by using cellular phones to browse the Internet, play games, or otherwise keep themselves occupied. In addition, some people may keep their hands busy by playing with coins, pens, paperclips, or the like. However, such restlessness or fidgeting may become distracting or bothersome to others.
Some people may have a capacity to passively occupy themselves, however, they may occasionally experience periods of stress and/or anxiousness that may make it difficult to focus or relax. In such situations, even those that otherwise may passively occupy themselves can become restless or fidgety thereby distracting or bothering others. As such, it is desirable to provide a means for calming oneself, occupying one's time, and reducing one's restlessness and/or fidgeting that reduces distraction to others.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described in the detailed description below. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.
In one aspect, a fidget spinner is provided. The fidget spinner includes a body having a central body portion and a plurality of arms. Each of the arms projects outwardly from the central body portion to present a distal end. The fidget spinner also includes a bearing assembly coupled to the central body portion. Moreover, the fidget spinner includes a plurality of spherical components. Each respective one of the spherical components is rotatably supported adjacent the distal end of a respective one of the arms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary spinner toy or fidget spinner, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the fidget spinner shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the fidget spinner shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the fidget spinner shown in FIG. 1, taken along line 4-4 shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the fidget spinner shown in FIG. 1, taken along line 4-4 shown in FIG. 3 and illustrating the threaded grasping caps;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative spinner toy or fidget spinner, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the fidget spinner shown in FIG. 6, substantially similar to FIGS. 4 and 5.

Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings provided herein are meant to illustrate features of embodiments of this disclosure. These features are believed to be applicable in a wide variety of systems comprising one or more embodiments of this disclosure. As such, the drawings are not meant to include all conventional features known by those of ordinary skill in the art to be required for the practice of the embodiments disclosed herein. While the drawings do not necessarily provide exact dimensions or tolerances for the illustrated components or structures, the drawings are to scale with respect to the relationships between the components of the structures illustrated in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The following detailed description of embodiments of the invention references the accompanying figures. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those with ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention. The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation. Other embodiments may be utilized, and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the claims. The following description is, therefore, not limiting. It is contemplated that the invention has general application to identifying and verifying entities requesting access to confidential information and/or financial services. The scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
In this description, references to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “embodiments” mean that the feature or features referred to are included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Separate references to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “embodiments” in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and are not mutually exclusive unless so stated. Specifically, a feature, component, action, step, etc. described in one embodiment may also be included in other embodiments but is not necessarily included. Thus, particular implementations of the present disclosure can include a variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein.
In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to several terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. “Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where the event occurs and instances where it does not.
Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and the claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged, such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise.
As used herein, directions perpendicular to the center rotational axis 20 (shown in FIG. 1) will be referred to by the phrases and terms “radial direction,” “radial,” or “radially.” Directions parallel to the center rotation axis will be referred to by the phrases and terms “axial direction,” “axial,” or “axially.” Moreover, directional references, such as, “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “side,” and similar terms are used herein solely for convenience and should be understood only in relation to each other. For example, a component might in practice be oriented such that faces referred to herein as “top” and “bottom” are in practice sideways, angled, inverted, etc. relative to the chosen frame of reference.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary spinner toy or fidget spinner 10, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the fidget spinner 10, FIG. 3 is a top view of the fidget spinner 10, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the fidget spinner 10 taken along line 4-4 show in FIG. 3.
In the exemplary embodiment, the fidget spinner 10 includes a body 12 having an annular central body portion 14 with a centrally mounted bearing assembly 16 positioned within a central aperture 18. The fidget spinner 10 also includes a plurality of spherical components 24 coupled to the body 12. The central aperture 18 is substantially centered on the body 12 of the fidget spinner 10 and is defined therethrough and defines a center rotational axis 20 of the body 12. The bearing assembly 16 also includes a pair of grasping caps 22. Specifically, the grasping caps 22 are positioned on the top (or the opposite axial sides), respectively, of the body 12. The grasping caps 22 are rotatable relative to the body 12. For example, the body 12 of the fidget spinner 10 may rotate about the center rotational axis 20 when a user grasps the two grasping caps 22 with his or her hand. Specifically, the body 12 may rotate relative to the grasping caps 22 when the grasping caps 22 are held or squeezed between a user's thumb and finger.
In the exemplary embodiment, the body 12 is generally planar, having a substantially constant thickness T₁, as best illustrated in FIG. 4. With reference to FIG. 3, the central body portion 14 is substantially circular in shape. Extending outwardly from the central body portion 14 are a plurality of arms 26. In the illustrated example, there are three arms 26 equidistantly spaced angularly apart, although the body 12 may have fewer or more arms 26 and/or uneven arm spacing in other embodiments. In embodiments with fewer or more arms 26, it is noted that the arms 26 are most preferably equidistantly spaced angularly apart to facilitate smooth spinning of the fidget spinner 10.
As shown in FIG. 3, each of the arms 26 is coupled to the central body portion 14, thereby extending radially outward from the central body portion 14. In the exemplary embodiment, the arms 26 are integrally formed with the central body portion 14. The arms 26 are substantially the same size and shape and each arm 26 includes a substantially circular portion defining a distal end 28 thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the arms 26 are substantially equal in length such that the distal ends 28 are spaced approximately the same distance from the center rotational axis 20. Furthermore, each of the arms 26 include a component-receiving opening 30 positioned adjacent the distal end 28 for rotatably receiving a respectively one of the spherical components 24.
In this illustrated embodiment, each arm 26 includes the circular portion of the body that intersects with the central body portion 14. Each of the circular portions defining a respective arm 26 is situated such that the center point thereof lies along a radius of the central body portion 14 and the circular portion is symmetric relative to such radius. However, the principles of the present invention are equally applicable to “offset” arms (i.e., arms that are symmetric relative to the intersecting radius). Similarly, for alternatively shaped arms (e.g., elongated arms having a single main extension intersecting the central body portion 14), it is within the ambit of certain aspects of the present invention for the arm(s) to extend at an angle or be otherwise offset to the radiuses.
As best shown in FIG. 4, each component-receiving opening 30 includes an annular inner wall 32. The inner wall 32 preferably has a shape that complements the shape of the spherical component 24. In this illustrated embodiment, the inner wall 32 is generally frusto-spherically shaped for receiving and retaining the spherical component 24 therein. A gap 34 is defined between the inner wall 32 and the spherical component 24 to facilitate spherical rotation of the spherical component 24.
In the exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a central plane 36 is defined extending through the generally planar body 12 at half the thickness T₁. That is, the central plane 36 is substantially centered axially within the body 12. Each of the spherical components 24 has a radius of R₁, which is about twice T₁, although R₁may be any value that enables the fidget spinner 10 to function as described herein. Furthermore, each of the spherical components 24 define a center point 38, a diametrical axis 40 extending through the center point 38, and a diametrical plane 42 intersecting the center point 38 and extending perpendicular to the diametrical axis 40. As shown in FIG. 4, when the spherical component 24 is coupled to the body 12 such that the diametrical plane 42 is coincident to the central plane 36, the inner wall 32 extends about the spherical component 24 and projects at an angle A₁in each axial direction relative to the spherical component 24. In one suitable embodiment, the angle A₁is in a range between about twenty-three degrees (23°) and about thirty-seven degrees (37°). In the example embodiment, the angle is preferably about thirty (30°). In such embodiments, each of the spherical components 24 extend outwardly beyond the opposite side of the arms 26 of the body 12.
In the exemplary embodiment, the body 12 includes a plurality of circumferentially-extending connector elements 43 extending between adjacent arms 26. The connector elements 43 are spaced radially outward from the central body portion 14, defining an empty space therebetween. As best shown in FIG. 3, the connector elements 43 are substantially centered on an arc extending through a center of each component-receiving opening 30. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the connector elements 43 have a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape. It is also noted that the illustrated connector elements 43 cooperatively form a concentric ring (relative to the central body portion 14) that intersects the arms 26.
In the exemplary embodiment, the bearing assembly 16 relatively rotatable races 44 and 46. The bearing assembly 16 is most preferably a ball bearing assembly with a plurality of balls 48 rotatably positioned between the races 44 and 46. In the illustrated embodiment, the race 44 is spaced radially inward of the race 46. The race 46 of the bearing assembly 16 is coupled to the body 12 via the central aperture 18. As described above, the grasping caps 22 are disposed along the top and bottom of the bearing assembly 16 in an axially opposite manner.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, each grasping cap 22 includes an axially-extending short annular wall 50 and an axially-extending tall annular wall 52 positioned concentric with and radially within the short annular wall 50. As best shown in FIG. 4, the short annular wall 50 functions to limit the distance the grasping cap 22 may extend into the inner race 44. The tall annular wall extends into an aperture of the inner race 44 for securing the grasping cap in place. Each grasping cap 22 may be secured to the inner race 44 of the bearing assembly 16 via an interference fit to facilitate securing the grasping cap 22 to the inner race 44. In other embodiments, the fit may be a slip fit or any other fit that enables the fidget spinner 10 to function as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the grasping caps 22 may be coupled to the inner race 44 through use of a glue or adhesive. For example, an adhesive is preferably applied to each tall annular wall 52 and/or to the inner surface of the inner race 44. The adhesive may be applied in a random dispersion, over the entire surfaces, in the form of a bead, or in a predetermined pattern (e.g., a grid or a plurality of evenly spaced apart dots).
Alternatively, in an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, a pair of alternate grasping caps 54 and 56 are coupled to each other by a threaded grasping cap post or shaft, such as a threaded grasping cap post 58, wherein the threaded grasping cap post 58 extends through the inner race 44 and is screwed into a complimentary threaded socket 60 such that the grasping cap 54 is removably coupled to the grasping cap 56. The grasping cap post 58 and the threaded socket 60 are sized and shaped to extend into the aperture of the inner race 44 to facilitate positioning the grasping caps 54 and 56. Each grasping cap 54 and 56 may be concentrically disposed relative to the inner race 44 of the bearing assembly 16 via a slip fit to facilitate positioning the grasping caps. In other embodiments, the fit may be an interference fit or any other fit that enables the fidget spinner 10 to function as described herein.
In the exemplary embodiment, the body 12 and the grasping caps 22, 54, and 56 are preferably formed by an injection molding process from a suitable resin material, such as a synthetic resin. Alternatively, the body 12 and the grasping caps 22, 54, and 56 may be formed from any process that enables the fidget spinner to function as described herein, for example, via an additive manufacturing or 3D printing process. In alternative embodiments, one or more of the body 12 and the grasping caps 22, 54, and 56 may be fabricated from a metal, such as an aluminum or steel.
The bearing assembly 16 is preferably a standard ball bearing as is known in the art, including, for example, a stainless steel, hybrid ceramic, or full ceramic ball bearing. In addition, the central aperture 18 may be sized to receive a standard bearing size, such as, and without limitation, a standard 606 bearing, 608 bearing, R188 bearing, and the like.
The spherical components 24 are preferably formed from a metal material, including for example, and without limitation, chrome plated steel, stainless steel, brass, bronze, carbon fiber, gold, silver, platinum, titanium, and the like. In addition, to facilitate smooth rotation of the spherical components 24, each component preferably has a B2 medium polish or better.
The spherical components 24 operate to increase the mass of the fidget spinner 10, which also increases the moment of inertia of the fidget spinner. By placing the spherical components 24 proximate the distal ends 28 of the arms 26, the moment of inertia is further increased. An increased moment of inertia facilitates as increased spinning time for the fidget spinner 10.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative spinner toy or fidget spinner 100, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the fidget spinner 100, substantially similar to FIGS. 4 and 5. In the exemplary embodiment, the fidget spinner 100 is fabricated substantially similar to the fidget spinner 10 shown in FIGS. 1-5 and includes a body having an annular central body portion 102 with the centrally mounted bearing assembly 16 positioned within a central aperture. The fidget spinner 100 also includes a plurality of the spherical components 24 coupled to arms 106. Extending between the arms 106 are a plurality of circumferentially-extending connector elements 104. Unlike the body 12 and connector elements 43 of the fidget spinner 10 shown in FIGS. 1-5, the central body portion 102, connector elements 104, and arms 106 have smoothed radiused edges 108.
During fabrication of the fidget spinner 10 and 100, each of the spherical components 24 are positioned within a mold cavity of the injection mold for the fidget spinner. A suitable resin is injected into the mold, filling the mold cavity and surrounding at least a portion of the spherical components 24. As the resin material cools, it shrinks slightly, thereby defining the gap 34 that enables the spherical components 24 to rotate relative to the body of the fidget spinner 10 and 100. As described herein, the arms 26, 106 of the body surround respective spherical components 24 to retain the spherical component within the semi-spherical component-receiving opening 30. This facilitates the fidget spinner 10 and 100 to be used as a pendulum by grasping one of the spherical components 24 between the user's fingers, allowing the remaining parts of the fidget spinner to freely swing.
Described herein are embodiments of fidget spinners having spherical components coupled to the distal ends of a plurality of arms extending outward from a central bearing assembly. The spherical components described herein facilitate increasing the moment of inertia of the fidget spinner as well as providing spherical rotation of the fidget spinner about the spherical components. This is advantageous because it facilitates increasing the spinning time of the fidget spinner and provides a pendulum-like swinging of the body of the fidget spinner. Injection molding the body of the fidget spinner with the spherical components in place in the mold facilitates providing the necessary gap to provide rotation of the components while retaining them within the arms and reducing the cost and time to manufacture the fidget spinners described herein, for example, by eliminating expensive tooling to define semi-spherical pockets for the spherical components and inserting the components after molding of the body.
Although specific features of various embodiments of the disclosure may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. In accordance with the principles of the disclosure, any feature of a drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing.
This written description uses examples to disclose the embodiments, including the best mode, and to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A fidget spinner comprising:

a body including a central body portion and a plurality of arms, each arm of said plurality of arms projecting outwardly from said central body portion to present a distal end;

a bearing assembly coupled to said central body portion; and

a plurality of spherical components, each spherical component of said plurality of spherical components being rotatably supported adjacent said distal end of a respective arm of said plurality of arms.

2. The fidget spinner in accordance with claim 1,

said plurality of arms extending radially from the central portion of the body.

3. The fidget spinner in accordance with claim 2,

said plurality of arms being equidistantly spaced angularly apart.

4. The fidget spinner in accordance with claim 3,

said central body portion presenting a center rotational axis,

said plurality of arms being at least substantially equal in length such that said distal ends are spaced about the same distance from the center rotational axis.

5. The fidget spinner in accordance with claim 3,

said plurality of arms comprising three arms.

6. The fidget spinner in accordance with claim 1,

said central body portion presenting a center rotational axis,

said central body portion comprising opposite axial sides.

7. The fidget spinner in accordance with claim 6,

said bearing assembly comprising axially opposite grasping caps rotatable relative to said central body portion.

8. The fidget spinner in accordance with claim 7,

said bearing assembly comprising opposed, relatively rotatable races,

said grasping caps being fixed to a first race of said races, with a second race of said races being fixed to said central body portion, such that said grasping caps are rotatable together relative to said body.

9. The fidget spinner in accordance with claim 8,

said first race being radially interior of said second race.

10. The fidget spinner in accordance with claim 9,

said bearing assembly comprising a plurality of ball bearings rotatably positioned between said races.

11. The fidget spinner in accordance with claim 8,

said central body portion presenting a central aperture centered relative to the rotational axis,

said bearing assembly being received within said central aperture.

12. The fidget spinner in accordance with claim 8,

a first grasping cap of said grasping caps comprising a threaded shaft, and a second grasping cap of said grasping caps comprising a threaded socket threadably receiving the threaded shaft.

13. The fidget spinner in accordance with claim 6,

each of said axial sides of said central body portion being substantially planer,

said axial sides being substantially parallel.

14. The fidget spinner in accordance with claim 1,

said central body portion presenting a center rotational axis,

said each arm comprising opposite axial sides,

said each spherical component being sized to extend outwardly beyond said axial sides of said respective arm.

15. The fidget spinner in accordance with claim 1,

said each arm presenting a component-receiving opening adjacent said distal end thereof,

said component-receiving opening rotatably receiving a corresponding spherical component of said plurality of spherical components therein.

16. The fidget spinner in accordance with claim 15,

said component-receiving opening being defined by an interior, frusto-spherically shaped annular wall.

17. The fidget spinner in accordance with claim 16,

said corresponding spherical component including a center, a diametrical axis extending through the center, and a diametrical plane intersecting the center and being perpendicular to the diametrical axis,

said annular wall extending about the diametrical plane of said corresponding spherical component and projecting at least about thirty degrees in each axial direction relative thereto.

18. The fidget spinner in accordance with claim 17,

said central body portion presenting a center rotational axis,

said each arm presenting opposite axial sides,

said corresponding spherical component being sized to extend outwardly beyond said axial sides of said each arm.

19. The fidget spinner in accordance with claim 1,

said body comprising an integrally formed solid structure.

20. The fidget spinner in accordance with claim 19,

said body being molded of synthetic resin,

said each spherical component being metal.