U.S. patent application number 16/504169 was filed with the patent office on 2020-01-09 for sensory stimulating apparatus and method(s) of using the same.
The applicant listed for this patent is Charles Newton, Mary S. Newton. Invention is credited to Charles Newton, Mary S. Newton.
Application Number | 20200009468 16/504169 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 69101358 |
Filed Date | 2020-01-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200009468 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Newton; Charles ; et
al. |
January 9, 2020 |
Sensory Stimulating Apparatus and Method(s) of Using the Same
Abstract
A sensory stimulating apparatus and methods of use, comprising
an elongated connector having opposing first and second ends, said
first and second opposing ends being respectively operably coupled
to a first ratchet having a first hollow cavity and to one of a
second ratchet having a second hollow cavity, and a solid disk. The
first ratchet has teeth, a click that engages with the teeth, such
that the click easily slides over the teeth in an unrestricted
direction of rotation and will catch or lock on the first tooth it
encounters in a restricted direction of rotation. A first soft ball
rotatably coupled within the hollow cavity of the first ratchet,
such that rotation of the elongated connector in the restricted
direction causes the ratchet to rotate. The first soft ball moves
the first ratchet when rotated in the unrestricted direction,
producing a vibration.
Inventors: |
Newton; Charles; (Selkirk,
NY) ; Newton; Mary S.; (Selkirk, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Newton; Charles
Newton; Mary S. |
Selkirk
Selkirk |
NY
NY |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
69101358 |
Appl. No.: |
16/504169 |
Filed: |
July 5, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62694964 |
Jul 6, 2018 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 31/08 20130101;
A63H 33/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63H 31/08 20060101
A63H031/08; A63H 33/00 20060101 A63H033/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus that provides sensory stimulation, comprising an
elongated connector having opposing first and second ends, wherein
the first opposing end is operably coupled to a first ratchet
having a first hollow cavity, and wherein the second opposing end
is operably coupled to one of a second ratchet having a second
hollow cavity, or a solid shape, wherein the first ratchet has
teeth, a click that engages with the teeth, an unrestricted
direction of rotation such that the click easily slides over the
teeth and a restricted direction of rotation such that the click
will catch on the first tooth it encounters locking against the
tooth and preventing any further rotation in that direction,
wherein a first soft ball having a diameter that is slightly larger
than a diameter of the hollow cavity of the first ratchet is
inserted into the first hollow cavity of the first ratchet, such
that rotation of the elongated connector in the restricted
direction around the first ball causes the ratchet to rotate due to
frictional forces that rotatably couple the first ball and the
first ratchet, and wherein the first soft ball moves the first
ratchet when rotated in the unrestricted direction, producing a
vibration.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated connector is
treated with an electrophoretic lacquer.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first ball is releasably
operably coupled with the first ratchet.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second opposing end of the
elongated connector has a solid shape in the form of a solid disk,
and wherein the superior and inferior surfaces of the solid disk
have concave indentations.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second opposing end of the
elongated connector has a solid shape in the form of a solid disk
shape, wherein the superior and inferior surfaces have convex
surfaces.
6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the solid disk is operably
coupled along a central axis by a rod, allowing it to swivel
freely.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the disk is operably coupled
along a central axis by a rod, allowing it to swivel freely.
8. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the solid disk is operably
coupled along a central axis by a rod, allowing it to rotate
freely.
9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the disk is operably coupled
along a central axis by a rod, allowing it to rotate freely.
10. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the diameter of the concave
indentations is approximately the diameter of a human thumb.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first ball has a 9 mm
diameter, and the first ratchet is an 8 mm ratchet.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first ratchet does not
have a square drive.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a second ratchet is operably
coupled to the second opposing end of the elongated connector, and
a second soft ball is operably coupled within a second hollow
cavity of the second ratchet.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the second ratchet does not
have a square drive.
15. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a switch, causing the
click of the first ratchet to tighten or loosen in and out of
contact range of a gear of the ratchet.
16. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising first and second switches,
wherein the first switch causes the click of the first ratchet to
tighten or loosen in and out of contact range of a gear of the
first ratchet, and a second switch, wherein the second switch
causes a click of the second ratchet to tighten or loosen in and
out of contact range of a gear of the second ratchet.
17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the soft ball is made of
material from the group consisting of a plastic bead or a silicon
ball.
18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first ratchet drives the
click instead of a square drive when moving the elongated connector
in the unrestricted direction of rotation (23) while holding the
soft ball (27, 37) motionless.
19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the second ratchet drives
the click instead of a square drive when moving the elongated
connector in the unrestricted direction of rotation (23) while
holding the soft ball (27, 37) motionless.
20. A method of using a sensory stimulator, comprising: providing
the sensory stimulator of claim 1; rotating the soft ball with one
or more fingers; moving the ratchet and producing a vibration; and
repeating the movement or reversing the movement, as desired.
21. A method of using a sensory stimulator, comprising: providing
the sensory stimulator of claim 1, and holding the soft ball
motionless with one or more fingers; moving the elongated connector
of the sensory stimulator; moving the ratchet and producing a
vibration; and repeating the movement or reversing the movement, as
desired.
22. A method of using a sensory stimulator, comprising: providing
the sensory stimulator of claim 1; and rolling the soft ball
between thumb and finger without moving the ratchet.
Description
I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to devices used to
provide sensory stimulation, and methods of using the same.
II. BACKGROUND
[0002] Stress management is an important part of ensuring a
productive and functional environment in the office and in the
school. In particular, office toys and other management tools for
providing manual manipulation of an object and better focus in a
learning or office environment are well known in the art.
Therefore, there exists a need for an apparatus for providing
sensory stimulation, and methods of using the same.
III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A first aspect of the present invention provides an
apparatus for providing sensory stimulation. The apparatus has an
elongated connector having opposing first and second ends. The
first opposing end is operably coupled to a first ratchet having a
first hollow cavity. The second opposing end is operably coupled to
one of a second ratchet having a second hollow cavity, and a solid
shape. The first ratchet has teeth, a click that engages with the
teeth, an unrestricted direction of rotation such that the click
easily slides over the teeth and a restricted direction of rotation
such that the click will catch on the first tooth it encounters
locking against the tooth and preventing any further rotation in
that direction. There is a first soft ball having a diameter that
is slightly larger than a diameter of the hollow cavity of the
first ratchet is inserted into the first hollow cavity of the first
ratchet, such that rotation of the elongated connector causes the
ratchet to rotate due to frictional forces that rotatably couple
the first ball and the first ratchet. The first soft ball moves the
first ratchet when rotated in the unrestricted direction, producing
a vibration.
[0004] A second aspect of the present invention provides a method
of using a sensory stimulator, comprising: providing a sensory
stimulator; rotating the soft ball with one or more fingers; moving
the ratchet and producing a vibration, and repeating the movement
or reversing the movement, as desired.
[0005] A third aspect of the present invention provides a method of
using a sensory stimulator, comprising: providing a sensory
stimulator, and holding the soft ball motionless with one or more
fingers; moving the elongated connector of the sensory stimulator;
moving the ratchet and producing a vibration; and repeating the
movement or reversing the movement, as desired.
[0006] A fourth aspect to the present invention provides a method
of using a sensory stimulator, comprising: providing a sensory
stimulator; and rolling the soft ball between thumb and finger
without moving the ratchet
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The features of the invention are set forth in the appended
claims. The invention itself, however, will be best understood by
reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative
embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1A. depicts a front view of an apparatus 1 for
providing sensory stimulation, in accordance with embodiments of
the present invention; and
[0009] FIG. 1B depicts a front view of the apparatus 1 for
providing sensory stimulation, in accordance with embodiments of
the present invention; and
[0010] FIG. 1C depicts a cross sectional view of a first ratchet of
the apparatus 1 for providing sensory stimulation, taken along the
lines 1C-1C, in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention; and
[0011] FIG. 1D depicts a front view of the apparatus 1 for
providing sensory stimulation with the soft ball removed, in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the apparatus 1 for providing
sensory stimulation, in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 depicts a front view of the apparatus 1 for providing
sensory stimulation, in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 depicts a front view of the apparatus 1 for providing
sensory stimulation, in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention; and
[0015] FIG. 5 depicts a flow chart of a method of using the
apparatus 1 depicted in FIGS. 1A-D, and 2-4, in accordance with
embodiments of the present invention; and
[0016] FIG. 6 depicts a flow chart of a method of using the
apparatus 1 depicted in FIGS. 1A-D, and 2-4, in accordance with
embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
Definitions
[0017] Hereinafter, unless otherwise defined, the term "providing
sensory stimulation" for a mammal, e.g., a person, means providing
any act that relieves stress in a mammal, e.g., a person, said act
generating between 4 and 24 clicks per second when a first ratchet
9 is rotated by the mammal or a human hand of the person in the
unrestricted direction 23.
[0018] As used herein, unless otherwise defined, the singular forms
"a", "an", and "the" include plural references unless the context
clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a
tooth" includes a plurality of such teeth, and so forth.
[0019] As used herein, unless otherwise defined, the term "operably
coupled" is defined as operably connected in any desired form, for
example, mechanically, electronically, digitally, directly, by
software, by hardware and the like. Throughout this application,
the term "operably coupled" is defined as a connection of one or
more components in a manner that allows them to function together.
For example, networked computers are operably coupled through their
network adapters. A display is operably coupled to a processor when
the processor is able to cause the display to display an image.
When components communicate through a wireless connection, they are
considered to be operably coupled.
[0020] As used herein, unless otherwise defined, the term
"releasable operable coupling" or "releasably operably coupled" or
"releasably operably joined" is defined as forming or braking or
cleaving or severing of a mechanical coupling between ball 27 and
the first ratchet 9, as shown in FIG. 1D and discussed in
associated text, herein, in addition. The ball 27 and the first
ratchet 9 are capable of forming, braking, cleaving, or severing a
connection in a manner that allows them to function together.
[0021] As used herein, unless otherwise defined, the term
"rotatably coupled" means operably coupling the disk shape 17 to
the opposing end of the elongated connector 3 by means of a rod 33
along the longitudinal axis of the elongated connector 3, allowing
the disk shape 17 to rotate 360 degrees about its central axis, as
shown in FIG. 4.
[0022] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B depict a front view of the apparatus 1
for providing sensory stimulation, in accordance with embodiments
of the present invention. The apparatus 1 has an elongated
connector 3 having opposing first and second ends 5, 7. The first
opposing end 5 is operably coupled to a first ratchet 9 having a
first hollow cavity 11. The second opposing end 7 is operably
coupled to either a second ratchet 35 having a second hollow cavity
39, or a solid shape 17.
[0023] FIG. 1C shows a cross sectional view of the first ratchet 9
taken along the lines 1C-1C. The first ratchet 9 has teeth 19, a
click 21 that engages with the teeth 19, an unrestricted direction
of rotation 23 such that the click easily slides over the teeth
with a spring forcing the click 21 into moving over the teeth 21
and between the teeth, producing an audible or feelable `click` as
the click 21 engages with the teeth 19, and a restricted direction
of rotation 25 such that the click will catch on the first tooth it
encounters locking against the tooth and preventing any further
rotation in that direction. There is a first soft ball 27 having a
diameter that is slightly larger than a diameter of the hollow
cavity 11 of the first ratchet 9 that is inserted (as shown in FIG.
1D) into the first hollow cavity 9 of the first ratchet 11, such
that rotation of the elongated connector 3 in the restricted
direction 25 around the first soft ball 27 causes the apparatus to
rotate due to frictional forces that rotatably couple the first
ball 27 and the first ratchet 9. The first soft ball 27 moves the
first ratchet 9 when rotated in the unrestricted direction,
producing a vibration.
[0024] In an embodiment, the elongated connector 3 is treated with
an electrophoretic lacquer.
[0025] In an embodiment, the first ball 27 is releasably operably
coupled with the first ratchet 9.
[0026] FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the apparatus 1 for providing
sensory stimulation, in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention. In an embodiment, the second opposing end 7 of the
elongated connector 3 has a solid disk shape 17 and the superior
and inferior surfaces 29, 31 of the disk shape 17 have concave
indentations.
[0027] In an embodiment, the first opposing end 5 of the elongated
connector 3 has a solid disk shape 17 and the superior and inferior
29, 31 surfaces are convex surfaces.
[0028] In an embodiment, the disk shape 17 is may be rotatably
coupled to the opposing end of the elongated connector 3 by means
of a rod 33 along the longitudinal axis of the elongated connector
3, allowing the disk shape 17 to rotate 360 degrees about its
central axis, as shown in FIG. 4. In an embodiment, the disk shape
17 is able to swivel freely about its central axis.
[0029] In an embodiment, the diameter of the concave indentations
of the solid shape 17 is approximately the diameter of a human
thumb.
[0030] In an embodiment, the first ball 27 has a 9 mm diameter, and
the first ratchet 9 is an 8 mm ratchet.
[0031] In an embodiment, the number of teeth 19 on the first
ratchet 9 are sufficient in number to result in between 4 and 24
clicks per second when the first ratchet 9 is rotated in the
unrestricted direction 23 by a human hand.
[0032] FIG. 3 depicts a front view of the apparatus 1 for providing
a sensory stimulation, in accordance with embodiments of the
present invention. In an embodiment, a second ratchet 35 is
operably coupled to the second opposing end 7 of the elongated
connector 37, and a second soft ball 27 is operably coupled within
a second hollow cavity 39 of the second ratchet 35.
[0033] In an embodiment, the first ratchet 9 does not have a square
drive. In an embodiment, the second ratchet 35 does not have a
square drive.
[0034] In an embodiment, the soft ball 27 is made from material
selected from the group consisting of a plastic bead or a silicone
ball.
[0035] In an embodiment, the first ratchet 9 drives the click 21
instead of a square drive of a conventional ratchet driver when
moving the elongated connector in the unrestricted direction of
rotation 23 while holding the soft ball 27, 37 motionless.
[0036] In an embodiment, the second ratchet 35 drives the click 21
instead of the square drive of a conventional ratchet driver when
moving the elongated connector in the unrestricted direction of
rotation 23 while holding the soft ball 27, 37 motionless.
[0037] In an embodiment, a switch 41 causes the click 21 of the
first ratchet to tighten or loosen in and out of contact range of
the teeth 19 of the ratchet.
[0038] In an embodiment, there are first and second switches 43,
45, wherein the first switch 43 causes the click 21 of the first
ratchet 9 to tighten or loosen in and out of contact range of a
gear 30 of the first ratchet 9, and a second switch 45, wherein the
second switch 45 causes a click 21 of the second ratchet 35 to
tighten or loosen in and out of contact range of a gear 30 of the
second ratchet.
[0039] FIG. 4 depicts a front view of the apparatus 1 for providing
sensory stimulation, in accordance with disk shapes 17 on the first
and second opposing ends 5, 7.
[0040] FIG. 5 depicts a flow chart 46 of a method 46 of using the
apparatus 1 for providing sensory stimulation, in accordance with
embodiments of the present invention. In a step 48 of the method
46, apparatus 1, for providing sensory stimulation is provided. A
second step 47 of the method 46 comprises rotating the soft ball
27, 37 with one or more fingers, moving the ratchet 9, 35 and
producing a vibration. A third step 49 of the method 46 comprises
repeating the movement or reversing the movement, as desired.
[0041] FIG. 6 depicts a flow chart of a method 50 of using the
apparatus 1 for providing sensory stimulation, in accordance with
embodiments of the present invention. In a first step 60 of the
method 50, apparatus 1, for providing sensory stimulation is
provided. A second step 51 of the method 50 comprises holding the
soft ball 27, 37 motionless with one or more fingers. A third step
53 of the method 50 comprises moving the elongated connector 3 of
the sensory stimulator, moving the ratchet and producing a
vibration 9, 35. A fourth step 55 of the method 50 comprises
repeating the movement or reversing the movement, as desired.
[0042] In executing step 51 and 52 of method 50, moving the
elongated connector in the unrestricted direction of rotation 23
while holding the soft ball 27, 37 motionless drives the click over
the teeth in contrast to a typical ratchet wrench that drives a
square driver instead of the click.
[0043] In an embodiment, the soft ball 27 can be rolled between the
thumb and a finger of a person independently of the ratchet.
[0044] While exemplary embodiments have been specifically
disclosed, it should be understood that the practice of this
invention is not limited to those embodiments. Modifications and
variations falling within the spirit of the invention will occur to
those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not intended that the
scope of the invention be determined by the disclosed exemplary
embodiments, but rather should be determined by the breadth of the
appended claims.
* * * * *