High performance yo-yo with on/off switchable auto-return

Abstract

A high performance yo-yo for performing tricks has a manual-return capability, an auto-return capability, and an on/off switch built into the yo-yo for turning auto-return capability on or off. The yo-yo further includes yo-yo halves, an axle, a spool surrounding the axle between the yo-yo halves for attachment of a string, and a spring-loaded centrifugal clutch. The clutch grips and releases the spool such that when the yo-yo is thrown and its rotational rate exceeds a pre-determined rate, the clutch releases to allow the yo-yo to spin about the spool at the end of the string, and when the yo-yo rotational rate slows to less than the pre-determined rate, the clutch grips to initiate auto-return. The clutch includes four radially arrayed clutch arms, each having a weighted free end. The clutch further includes two tension springs, each spring providing spring-load to two adjacent clutch arms. The four clutch arms are linked in pairs by expansion joints at the free ends of the arms. The switch is a rotary switch linked to operate the clutch via a cam and cam follower. The yo-yo halves each include a starburst.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to improvements in high performance yo-yos.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to high performance yo-yos, that is, yo-yos adapted to spin or "sleep" for extended times so as to permit lengthy and extended tricks to be performed before the yo-yo is returned to the user.

[0003] One prior art high performance yo-yo of this type is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,547 to Amaral. The Amaral yo-yo is capable of spinning (or "sleeping") for unusually long times yet capable of returning easily to the user when commanded by a simple flick of the user's wrist.

[0004] A prior art high performance yo-yo having auto-return is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,332,102 to Caffrey. The Caffrey yo-yo incorporates a bearing pulley about the axle of the yo-yo, and also a clutch mechanism. The use of a bearing pulley in the Caffrey yo-yo provides high performance free spinning. The clutch mechanism was added to apply a frictional grip and thereby provide auto-return because it was believed that the use of a bearing pulley would prevent the user from easily retrieving the yo-yo when desired. When throwing the Caffrey yo-yo to make the yo-yo sleep, the user must impart a relatively strong flick of the wrist. This maneuver is not easily learned, especially by beginners. It is highly desirable that a yo-yo be easy to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The yo-yo of the present invention provides a high performance yo-yo for use by a user to perform tricks, the yo-yo having a manual-return capability, an auto-return capability, and an on/off switch built into the yo-yo. In a preferred embodiment, the auto-return capability may be switched on or off manually by the user using the switch.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment the yo-yo comprises first and second spaced-apart yo-yo halves, an axle defined by a cylindrical shaft securely connecting the axle to the two halves at their centers, a spool surrounding the axle between the yo-yo halves, a string attached to the spool, a centrifugal-actuated spring-loaded clutch, and a switch for switching auto-return on and off.

[0007] The clutch includes means for gripping and releasing the spool such that when the yo-yo is thrown and its rotational rate exceeds a pre-determined rate, the clutch releases the spool to allow the yo-yo to spin about the spool at the end of the string, and such that when the yo-yo rotational rate slows to less than the pre-determined rate, the clutch grips the spool to initiate auto-return.

[0008] In the preferred embodiment, the clutch includes four radially arrayed clutch arms, each clutch arm having a pivot end pivotally mounted to one of four radially arrayed pivot posts, and a weighted free end. The clutch further includes at least two tension springs, each spring coupling two adjacent clutch arms, such that the two adjacent clutch arms are spring-loaded by the spring to which they are coupled. The two adjacent clutch arms are positioned as crossed clutch arms, such that each of the two adjacent clutch arms is spring-loaded by the tension spring to which it is coupled.

[0009] The four radially arrayed clutch arms are disposed as first and second jointed pairs of clutch arms, each pair of clutch arms jointed at the free ends of its clutch arms. Each jointed pair defines an expansion joint at the free ends of its clutch arms. Each expansion joint includes a pin of one clutch arm disposed to slide within an elongated slot of an adjacent clutch arm.

[0010] In the preferred embodiment, the switch is a rotary switch having at least one knob mounted to a disk. The disk has at least one shaped aperture defining a cam surface, through which the pin of one arm of a pair of clutch arms extends, such that the shaped aperture and the pin function as cam and cam follower.

[0011] In the preferred embodiment, the yo-yo halves have facing surfaces, each of which is provided with an array of raised radially extending ribs about the axis of rotation of the yo-yo.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a yo-yo according to the present invention, showing the components of the yo-yo prior to assembly.

[0013] FIG. 2 is an upper portion of the exploded view of FIG. 1 enlarged to show individual components of the clutch.

[0014] FIG. 3A is a composite cross-section view of the yo-yo of the preferred embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 3B defines the two angles used in the composite cross-section view in FIG. 3A.

[0016] FIG. 4 is an axial view of the outer face of the first yo-yo half of the preferred embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 5 is an axial view of the outer face of the first yo-yo half with the first cap removed to better show the rotary switch.

[0018] FIG. 6 is an axial view of the outer face of the first yo-yo half with both the first cap and the rotary switch removed to better show the layout of the operative parts of the clutch.

[0019] FIG. 7A is an axial view of the outer face of the body of the first yo-yo half showing the shape and location of pivot posts.

[0020] FIG. 7B is a cross-section view of the body and pivot posts of FIG. 7A.

[0021] FIG. 7C is an axial view of the inner face and starburst of the body of FIG. 7A.

[0022] FIG. 8A is an axial view of the outer face of the body of the second yo-yo half.

[0023] FIG. 8B is a cross-section view of the body of FIG. 8A.

[0024] FIG. 8C is an axial view of the inner face and starburst of the body of FIG. 8A.

[0025] FIGS. 9A and 9B show opposite sides of a clutch arm with pin.

[0026] FIGS. 10A and 10B show opposite sides of a clutch arm with elongated slot.

[0027] FIG. 11A is an axial view of the first cap of the preferred embodiment.

[0028] FIG. 11B is a side view of the first cap of FIG. 11A.

[0029] FIG. 11C is a cross-section view of the first cap of FIG. 11A.

[0030] FIG. 12A is an axial view of the rotary switch of the preferred embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 12B is a side view of the rotary switch of FIG. 12A.

[0032] FIG. 12C is a cross section view across A-A of the rotary switch of FIG. 12A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

General

[0033] The yo-yo of the present invention provides a high performance yo-yo having both a manual-return capability and an on/off switchable auto-return capability. The auto-return capability may be switched on or off manually using a switch built into the yo-yo.

[0034] The yo-yo of the present invention includes a high performance yo-yo structure, similar to that used in U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,547, comprising two yo-yo halves connected by an axle, with a cylindrical spool mounted for free rotation on the axle, and a string attached securely to the spool. The yo-yo of the present invention further includes a centrifugal-actuated, tension spring-loaded, clutch mechanism adapted to provide an auto-return function. In a preferred embodiment, the yo-yo includes an auto-return on/off switch operable by the user's thumb.

[0035] When the auto-return on/off switch is in an "on" position, the high performance yo-yo of the present invention is capable of spinning (or "sleeping") for unusually long times, yet capable of returning easily to the user, either when commanded by a simple flick of the user's wrist, or when the spinning yo-yo slows sufficiently that the centrifugal force produced by the spinning is no longer sufficient to hold the clutch open, whichever occurs first. When the auto-return on/off switch is in an "off" position, the auto-return function is disabled, allowing the yo-yo to spin freely at the end of the string and then be returned manually by a flick of the user's wrist.

[0036] Thus, the present invention, in a preferred embodiment, provides a high performance yo-yo that may be manually switched between an auto-return "on" mode and an auto-return "off" mode, that is easy to operate in either mode, and that is easy to switch between modes.

Yo-Yo Components

[0037] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a yo-yo according to the present invention. The main components of yo-yo 20 are first yo-yo half 21, axle 23, spool 24, friction ring 25, string 33, and second yo-yo half 31. First yo-yo half 21 includes body 22, first cap 27, rotary switch 40, and clutch 50. Second yo-yo half 31 includes body 32, hexagon nut 34, weighted cylinder 35, and second cap 37. Details of first cap 27, rotary switch 40, and clutch 50 are shown in FIG. 2.

[0038] In FIG. 2 the upper portion of FIG. 1 is shown enlarged to identify individual components of the first yo-yo half. Cap 27 defines first switch aperture 28 and second switch aperture 29. Rotary switch 40 is formed as disk 49. Disk 49 defines first knob 41 and second knob 42, and first shaped aperture 43 and second shaped aperture 46. FIG. 2 also shows the several parts of clutch 50. The several parts of clutch 50 and are identified, and their functions are discussed below, under "Operation of Auto-Return Clutch", with reference to the exploded view of FIG. 2 and the cut-away axial view FIG. 5.

[0039] FIG. 3A is a composite cross-section view of the yo-yo of the preferred embodiment. FIG. 3B defines the two angles used in the composite cross-section view in FIG. 3A.

[0040] FIG. 4 is an axial view of the outer face of the first yo-yo half of the preferred embodiment. In FIG. 3, First yo-yo half 22 is shown to include first cap 27 defining first switch aperture 28 and second switch aperture 29. Switch knobs 41 and 42, and portions of switch disk 49 of rotary switch 40 can be seen through switch apertures 28 and 29. Because first cap 27 is transparent in the preferred embodiment, the central portion of switch disk 49 can also be seen. Also, because switch disk 49 defines a shaped central cut-out, a central portion of the clutch is visible behind the central cut-out.

[0041] FIG. 5 is an axial view of the outer face of the first yo-yo half with the first cap removed to better show rotary switch 40. As already noted above in discussion of FIG. 2, rotary switch 40 is formed as disk 49. Disk 49 defines first knob 41 and second knob 42, and first shaped aperture 43 and second shaped aperture 46. Also noted above in discussion of FIG. 2, disk 49 defines first shaped aperture 43 and second shaped aperture 46. FIG. 5 shows both shaped apertures 43 and 46. Aperture 43 defines first cam 44 and aperture 46 defines second cam 47. Cam follower portions of pins 45 and 48 are shown in contact with first cam 44 and second cam 47, respectively. Spool 24 (plastic hub) is mounted for free rotation about axle 23, and friction ring 25 is mounted within a centering circumferential groove 38 in spool 24, and is surrounded by the teeth of the clutch. Spool 24 and groove 38 are shown in FIG. 3A.

[0042] FIG. 6 is an axial view of the outer face of the first yo-yo half with both the first cap and the rotary switch removed to better show the layout of the operative parts of clutch 50. Clutch 50 includes four clutch arms 51-54. Clutch arm 51 includes pin 55, whose end portion defines second cam follower 48. Clutch arm 52 defines elongated slot 56. Clutch arm 53 includes pin 57, whose end portion defines first cam follower 45. Clutch arm 54 defines elongated slot 56. Clutch arm 51 also includes weighted ball 81 contained within cavity 85. Likewise, clutch arms 52-54 include weighted balls 82-84 contained within cavities 86-88, respectively. Clutch arm 51 is pivotally mounted to first pivot post 91. Likewise, clutch arms 52-54 are pivotally mounted to second pivot post 92, third pivot post 93, and fourth pivot post 94, respectively. The shape and location of pivot posts 91-94 mounted within first body 22 is shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. Returning now to FIG. 6, tension spring 68 is attached by screw 95 to clutch arm 51 and by screw 96 to clutch arm 52 to apply tension preload between these two adjacent clutch arms. Likewise, tension spring 69 is attached by screws 97 and 98 between clutch arms 53 and 54. Clutch pad 71 defines teeth 75. Likewise, clutch pads 72, 73, and 74 define teeth 76, 77 and 78, respectively. In FIG. 6 the teeth are shown gripping on friction ring 25. FIG. 7C shows inner face and first starburst 26 of body 22 of the first yo-yo half.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 6, a first jointed pair of first and second adjacent clutch arms are coupled at points proximate to their weighted ends to form an extendable joint. Clutch arms 52 and 53 are coupled by elongated slot 56 engaging pin 57 to form a first extendible joint 58. Likewise, a second jointed pair of first and second adjacent clutch arms (54 and 51) are coupled at points proximate to their weighted ends to form a second extendible joint 59.

[0044] Also, as shown in FIG. 6, a first crossed pair of first and second adjacent clutch arms (clutch arms 51 and 52 whose arms cross) are coupled at points proximate to their weighted ends by a first tension spring (tension spring 68). Likewise, a second crossed pair of first and second adjacent clutch arms (clutch arms 53 and 54 whose arms cross) are coupled at points proximate to their weighted ends by a second tension spring (tension spring 69).

[0045] FIG. 8A shows the outer face of body 32 of the second yo-yo half. FIG. 8B is a cross-section view. FIG. 8C shows the inner face and second starburst 36 of body 32.

[0046] FIG. 9A shows clutch arm 51 defining pin 55, pivot end 61, clutch pad 71, teeth 75 and cavity 85. FIG. 9B shows the other side of clutch arm 51.

[0047] FIG. 10A shows clutch arm 52 defining elongated slot 56, pivot end 62, clutch pad 72, teeth 76 and cavity 86. FIG. 10B shows the other side of clutch arm 52

[0048] FIG. 11A shows first cap 27 with switch apertures 28 and 29. FIG. 11B is a side view of first cap 27. FIG. 11C is a cross-section view.

[0049] FIG. 12A shows rotary switch 40 as disk 49, and disk 49 defining first knob 41 and second knob 42, and first shaped aperture 43 and shaped aperture 46. FIG. 12B is a side view. FIG. 12C is a cross section view across A-A of the rotary switch of FIG. 12A.

Operation of Auto-Return Clutch

[0050] When the auto-return switch is in the "on" position, and the yo-yo is thrown such that the rotational rate of the yo-yo exceeds a pre-determined rate, centrifugal force overcomes spring force and all four expansion joints expand. This causes the clutch to disengage the spool, thereby freeing the yo-yo to spin about the spool at the end of the string.

[0051] When the auto-return switch is in the "on" position, and the spinning yo-yo slows to less than the pre-determined rate, spring force from the tension springs overcomes centrifugal force from the weighted masses. The resulting movement of the two pins along their associated elongated slots causes the expansion joints to contract and the clutch to engage the spool. This couples the spool to the yo-yo, causing the yo-yo to return.

Operation of Auto-Return On/Off Switch

[0052] Rotary switch 40 (FIG. 5) is coupled to clutch 50 (FIG. 6) for the purpose of switching auto-return on or off. Referring to FIG. 5, switch 40 is switched "auto-return off" by pushing on one or both of knobs 41 and 42 to rotate switch disk 49 clockwise. This action moves cam followers 45 and 48, along the shaped surface of cams 44 and 47, respectively, to cause the expansion joints to open, thereby forcing the clutch to disengage the spool. This action disables auto-return. With auto-return disabled, the yo-yo spins about the spool at the end of the string until it is recalled manually by a flick of the user's wrist.

[0053] Switch 40 is switched "auto-return on" by pushing on one or both of knobs 41 and 42 switch disk 49 counter-clockwise.

Manual Return

[0054] The yo-yo halves each have facing surfaces with an array of a plurality of raised radially extending ribs ("starburst") about the axis of rotation of the yo-yo. So the yo-yo can be recalled manually by a flick of the user's wrist.

Claims

1. A high performance yo-yo, comprising: first and second spaced-apart yo-yo halves; an axle defined by a cylindrical shaft having connecting means for securely connecting the axle to each of the halves at their centers; a spool situated around the axle between the yo-yo halves; a string attached to the spool; a centrifugal-actuated spring-loaded clutch mounted within one of the yo-yo halves and situated around the spool; and a switch coupled to the clutch.

2. A yo-yo according to claim 1, wherein the clutch includes means for gripping and releasing the spool such that when the yo-yo is thrown and its rotational rate exceeds a pre-determined rate, the clutch means releases the spool to allow the yo-yo to spin about the spool at the end of the string, and such that when the yo-yo rotational rate slows to less than the pre-determined rate, the clutch means grips the spool to initiate auto-return; and wherein the switch is coupled to the clutch such as to switch auto-return on and off.

3. A yo-yo according to claim 1, wherein the clutch includes four radially arrayed clutch arms, each clutch arm having a pivot end pivotally mounted to one of four radially arrayed pivot posts, and a weighted free end.

4. A yo-yo according to claim 3, wherein the clutch includes at least two tension springs, each spring coupling two adjacent clutch arms.

5. A yo-yo according to claim 4, wherein the two adjacent clutch arms are positioned as crossed clutch arms, such that they are spring-loaded by the tension spring to which they are coupled.

6. A yo-yo according to claim 3, wherein the four radially arrayed clutch arms are disposed as first and second jointed pairs of clutch arms, each pair having jointed free ends.

7. A yo-yo according to claim 6, wherein the jointed free ends define an expansion joint.

8. A yo-yo according to claim 7, wherein one clutch arm includes a pin, an adjacent clutch arm defines an elongated slot, and the expansion joint includes the pin of the one clutch arm and the elongated slot of the adjacent clutch arm, the pin disposed to slide within the elongated slot.

9. A yo-yo according to claim 1, wherein the switch is a rotary switch.

10. A yo-yo according to claim 9, wherein the rotary switch includes a disk and at least one knob, the at least one knob attached to the disk.

11. A yo-yo according to claim 10, wherein the disk defines at least one shaped aperture having a cam surface.

12. A yo-yo according to claim 11, wherein the clutch includes at least one clutch arm, and the at least one clutch arm includes a pin; and wherein the pin extends into the at least one shaped aperture; such that the shaped aperture and the pin function as cam and cam follower.

13. A yo-yo according to claim 1, wherein the yo-yo halves have facing surfaces, each of which is provided with an array of raised radially extending ribs about the axis of rotation of the yo-yo.

14. A high performance yo-yo, comprising: first and second spaced-apart yo-yo halves; an axle defined by a cylindrical shaft having connecting means for securely connecting the axle to each of the halves at their centers; a spool situated around the axle between the yo-yo halves; a string attached to the spool; and a centrifugal-actuated spring-loaded clutch mounted within one of the yo-yo halves and situated around the spool; wherein the clutch includes a plurality of pivotally-mounted, radially-arrayed clutch arms, each clutch arm spring-loaded by at least one tension spring.

15. A yo-yo according to claim 14, wherein the clutch includes means for gripping and releasing the spool such that when the yo-yo is thrown and its rotational rate exceeds a pre-determined rate, the clutch means releases the spool to allow the yo-yo to spin about the spool at the end of the string, and such that when the yo-yo rotational rate slows to less than the pre-determined rate, the clutch means grips the spool to initiate auto-return.

16. A high performance yo-yo, comprising: first and second spaced-apart yo-yo halves; an axle defined by a cylindrical shaft having connecting means for securely connecting the axle to each of the halves at their centers; a spool situated around the axle between the yo-yo halves; a string attached to the spool; and a centrifugal-actuated spring-loaded clutch mounted within one of the yo-yo halves and situated around the spool; wherein the clutch includes a plurality of pivotally-mounted, radially-arrayed clutch arms, each clutch arm coupled to an adjacent clutch arm by an expansion joint.

17. A yo-yo according to claim 16, wherein the clutch includes means for gripping and releasing the spool such that when the yo-yo is thrown and its rotational rate exceeds a pre-determined rate, the clutch means releases the spool to allow the yo-yo to spin about the spool at the end of the string, and such that when the yo-yo rotational rate slows to less than the pre-determined rate, the clutch means grips the spool to initiate auto-return.