U.S. patent number 3,660,929 [Application Number 05/119,286] was granted by the patent office on 1972-05-09 for whirling hoop toy.
Invention is credited to A. W. Atkinson.
United States Patent |
3,660,929 |
Atkinson |
May 9, 1972 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
WHIRLING HOOP TOY
Abstract
A whirling hoop toy for entertainment and competition and as an
object of skill. The toy includes a plurality of hoops of
decreasingly smaller diameters which are rollably mounted within
each other. A rod having a handle at one end and a hoop guard means
on the other end is extended through the hoops so as to have the
hoops disposed on the rod in operative relation to the hoop guard
means, whereby when the rod is whirled, each of the hoops is rolled
along the inner periphery of the next larger diameter hoop.
Inventors: |
Atkinson; A. W. (Wake Village,
TX) |
Family
ID: |
22383568 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/119,286 |
Filed: |
February 26, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/240 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H
33/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63H
33/02 (20060101); A63H 33/00 (20060101); A63h
001/10 () |
Field of
Search: |
;46/47,51,52,114,220
;213/106 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Mancene; Louis G.
Assistant Examiner: Cutting; Robert F.
Claims
What I claim is:
1. A whirling hoop toy comprising in combination, a plurality of
hoops of decreasingly smaller diameters rollably mounted within
each other, said hoops being disposed on a rod extended through the
innermost one of said hoops, and said rod being provided with a
handle on one end thereof and hoop guard means on the other end
thereof operatively engaged with said hoops, whereby, when the rod
is whirled, each of the hoops is rolled along the inner periphery
of the next larger diameter hoop.
2. A whirling hoop toy as defined in claim 1, wherein:
a. each of said hoops is provided with decorative designs.
3. A whirling hoop toy as defined in claim 1, wherein:
a. each of said hoops is smooth faced on the inner and outer
peripheries thereof; and
b. said hoop guard means comprises a pair of spaced apart guard
flanges.
4. A whirling hoop toy as defined in claim 3, wherein:
a. the pair of guard flanges includes an outer circular flange of a
size large enough to extend alongside the hoops when they are being
rolled and twirled, and an inner circular flange of a diameter
smaller than the diameter of said outer flange.
5. A whirling hoop toy as defined in claim 1, wherein:
a. said hoop guard means comprises a pair of spaced apart guard
flanges;
b. said rod is provided with gear teeth therearound on the portion
thereof between said guard flanges;
c. the largest diameter hoop of said plurality of hoops comprises
the outer hoop and the other hoops comprise the inner hoops;
d. all of said inner hoops are provided with gear teeth on the
inner and outer peripheries thereof; and,
e. said outer hoops is provided with gear teeth on the inner
periphery, whereby when said hoops are whirled by said rod the gear
teeth on the inner periphery of the innermost hoop will mesh with
the gear teeth on said rod and the gear teeth on the adjacent
peripheries of the other hoops will mesh with each other.
6. A whirling hoop toy as defined in claim 1, wherein:
a. said hoop guard means comprises a pair of spaced apart circular
guard flanges of equal size diameters and the space therebetween
forms a groove; and,
b. the largest diameter hoop of said plurality of hoops comprises
the outer hoop and the other hoops comprise the inner hoops.
7. A whirling hoop toy as defined in claim 6, wherein:
a. the innermost one of said inner hoops is rollably disposed
between said circular guard flanges; and,
b. each of the other inner hoops and the outer hoops is provided
with an inwardly extended recess around the inner periphery
thereof, whereby when said hoops are whirled by said rod the outer
periphery of each of the inner hoops is rollably engaged in the
recess in the inner periphery of the next larger diameter hoop.
8. A whirling hoop toy as defined in claim 6, wherein:
a. each of said hoops is provided with a radially inward extended
tongue on its inner periphery, and with the tongue on the innermost
one of said inner hoops rollably disposed in the groove between
said circular guard flanges; and,
b. each of said inner hoops is provided with a groove around its
outer periphery, whereby when said hoops are whirled by said rod
the tongue on each of the hoops is rollably engaged in an adjacent
groove.
9. A whirling hoop toy as defined in claim 1, wherein:
a. said hoop guard means comprises an annular groove formed in the
outer periphery of said rod;
b. the largest diameter hoop of said plurality of hoops comprises
the outer hoop and the other hoops comprise the inner hoops;
c. each of said hoops is provided with a radially inward extended
tongue on its inner periphery, and with the tongue on the innermost
one of said hoops rollably disposed in said annular groove formed
in the outer periphery of said rod; and,
d. each of said inner hoops is provided with a groove around its
outer periphery, whereby when said hoops are whirled by said rod
the tongue on each of the hoops is rollably engaged in an adjacent
groove.
10. A whirling hoop toy as defined in claim 1, wherein:
a. said hoop guard means comprises a single circular guard flange
forming a tongue around said rod;
b. each of said hoops is provided with an inwardly extended groove
around the inner periphery thereof with the tongue on said rod
being rollably disposed in the groove on said innermost one of said
inner hoops; and,
c. each of said inner hoops is provided with a radially outward
extended tongue on its outer periphery, whereby when said hoops are
whirled by said rod the tongues on each of the hoops is rollably
engaged in an adjacent groove.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various types of rolling hoop toys are well known. For example,
U.S. Pat. No. 3,494,069 discloses a rolling hoop toy which employs
a plurality of hoops that are mounted within each other, and which
hoops are propelled along the ground by a pusher member.
Heretofore, whirling hoop toys have also been well known, either of
the single whirling hoop variety or of the variety wherein a
plurality of hoops are simultaneously whirled.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the hoop toy art and more
particularly to a novel and improved whirling hoop toy.
As pointed out hereinbefore, various types of prior art rolling and
whirling hoop toys have been provided. However, the prior art hoop
toys do not disclose the employment of a plurality of hoops of
decreasingly smaller diameters which are rollably mounted within
each other and which are adapted to be whirled in various
directions by a rod.
The whirling hoop toy of the present invention provides a toy for
entertainment and competition, as well as being an object of skill.
The adeptness or skill of the person holding the whirling rod would
determine the number of hoops to be placed on the rod and the
number of positions in which he could operate the invention. The
invention can be enjoyed by young and old persons and can be used
indoors or outdoors, and in any type of climate. The hoops may be
provided with various colors and color schemes as desired, to
create various illusions or effects as they are whirled.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel and
improved whirling hoop toy which is simple and compact in
construction, entertaining to operate and economical to
manufacture.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel
and improved whirling hoop toy which comprises a plurality of hoops
of decreasingly smaller diameters which are rollably mounted within
each other, and wherein the hoops are disposed on a rod extended
through the innermost one of said hoops. The rod is provided with a
handle on one end thereof and hoop guard means on the other end
thereof for operative engagement with the hoops, whereby when the
rod is whirled, each of the hoops is rolled along the inner
periphery of the next larger diameter hoop .
Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will be
apparent from the following detailed description, appended claims,
and the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a whirling hoop toy made in
accordance with the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, elevational section view of the
whirling hoop structure illustrated in FIG. 1, taken along the line
2--2 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the whirling hoop structure
illustrated in FIG. 1, partially in section, taken along the line
3--3 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, horizontal section view of a modified
whirling hoop toy made in accordance with the principles of the
present invention.
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, plan view of a whirling hoop toy made in
accordance with the principles of the present invention, and
showing designs on the sides of the hoops.
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, elevational section view of another
embodiment of a whirling hoop toy made in accordance with the
principles of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, broken elevational section view, similar
to FIG. 6, and showing a further embodiment of a whirling hoop toy
made in accordance with the principles of the present
invention.
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, elevational section view of still another
embodiment of a whirling hoop toy made in accordance with the
principles of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, elevational section view of still a
further embodiment of a whirling hoop toy made in accordance with
the principles of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, the
numeral 10 designates a whirling rod 10 which is provided with a
handle 11 on one end thereof and a guard means on the other end
thereof comprising a pair of inner and outer guard members 12 and
13.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the guard members 12 and 13 are formed
as circular flanges. The flange 13 is provided with an axial hole
14, into which is threadedly mounted a threaded end of the rod 10.
The guard 12 is of a smaller diameter than the guard 13 and is
spaced upwardly from the guard 13 and it is secured to the rod 10
by any suitable means. The rod 10 and flanges 12 and 13 may be made
from any suitable material, as for example, metal, wood or
plastic.
A plurality of hoops 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 are adapted to be
carried on the rod 10 between the guards 12 and 13. The hoops 15
through 19 are of decreasingly smaller diameters commencing with
the outermost hoop 19 inwardly to the innermost hoop 15. The hoops
illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3 are provided with smooth inner and
outer peripheries. The hoops 15 through 19 may be made from any
suitable material, as for example, metal, wood or plastic. It will
be understood that the hoops 15 through 19 may be of any desired
width and thickness.
In use, the handle 11 of the rod 10 is grasped by the hand of the
user and held in a horizontal position with the hoops, as shown in
FIG. 3, disposed between the guards 12 and 13. The rod 10 is then
rotated and moved upwardly and downwardly in a circular motion
whereby the hoops 15 through 19 start spinning, and as the hoops
pick up speed and momentum, the rod 10 may be moved into other
diagonal, oblique or vertical positions. The rod 10 may also be
moved in a complete circle as the hoops are rotated with increased
speed and momentum. Five hoops are shown as being used, but it will
be understood that any number of the hoops may be used. The
adeptness or skill of the person operating the rod 10 would
determine the number of hoops placed on the rod and the number of
positions into which the hoops can be made to operate. The
invention is for entertainment and competition. It can be enjoyed
by young or older children, men or women, and indoors or
outdoors.
FIG. 4 illustrates a fragmentary, horizontal view of a modified
whirling hoop toy made in accordance with the present invention.
Parts of the embodiment of FIG. 4 which are the same as the
embodiment of FIG. 1 have been designated with the same reference
numerals, followed by the small letter "a." as shown in FIG. 4, the
rod 10 is provided with cogs or gear teeth 20 around the periphery
thereof, between the guard means or flanges 12 and 13. The gear
teeth 20 are adapted to mesh with mating gear teeth 21 on the inner
periphery of the inner hoop 15a. The hoops 15a, 16a, 17a and 18a
are provided with the gear teeth 21 on both the inner and outer
peripheries. The outer hoop 19 is provided with gear teeth as 21
only on the inner periphery thereof and the outer periphery is
smooth. The embodiment of FIG. 4 functions in the same manner as
the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 3.
FIG. 5 illustrates a fragmentary, plan view of a whirling hoop toy
made in accordance with the principles of the present invention,
and wherein the outer sides of the hoops have been provided with
various colored designs indicated by the numeral 22. The hoops
which are the same as the hoops of the embodiment of FIGS. 1
through 3 have been marked with the same reference numerals
followed by the small letter "b." It will be understood that
various designs, colors and color schemes may be used in making the
hoops employed in the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an elevational, sectional view of another embodiment of a
whirling hoop toy made in accordance with the principles of the
present invention. The parts of the embodiment of FIG. 6 which are
the same as parts of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 3 have been
marked with the same reference numerals followed by the small
letter "c."
As shown in FIG. 6, the innermost hoop 15c is provided with smooth
inner and outer peripheries, and it is adapted to be seated between
the guard means or flanges 12c and 13c which are fixed on the rod
10c in spaced apart positions. The guard flanges 12c and 13c are of
equal diameter. The hoops 16c, 17c, 18c and 19c are provided with
internal peripheral recesses as indicated by the numeral 23. It
will be seen that the hoops of FIG. 6 are of increasing width as
they increase in diameter. The hoop toy of FIG. 6 would be operated
in the same manner as the embodiment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, broken, elevational section view of a
further embodiment of a whirling hoop toy made in accordance with
the principles of the present invention. In the embodiment of FIG.
7, the parts of the hoop structure which are similar to parts in
the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 3 have been marked with the same
reference numerals, followed by the small letter "d." The rod 10d
is provided with a guard means comprising a pair of equal size
guard flanges 12d and 13d which are spaced apart and adapted to
receive therebetween a tongue 24 formed on the inner periphery of
the innermost hoop 15d. The space 25 between the guard flanges 12d
and 13d forms a groove for the reception of the tongue 24. Similar
grooves 25 are formed on the outer periphery of the hoops 15d, 16d,
17d and 18d for the reception of tongues 24 formed on the inner
periphery of the next larger diameter hoop. The outer hoop 19d is
formed with a smooth surface on its outer periphery. The hoop
structure of FIG. 7 functions in the same manner as the embodiment
of FIGS. 1 through 3.
FIG. 8 illustrates a fragmentary, elevational section view of
another embodiment of a whirling hoop toy made in accordance with
the principles of the present invention. The parts of the
embodiment of FIG. 8 which are the same as the parts of the
embodiment of FIG. 7 are marked with the same reference numerals
followed by the small letter "e." In the embodiment of FIG. 8, a
guard means is provided in the form of a groove 25e which is formed
directly in the one end of the whirling rod 10e. The inner hoops
15e, 16e, 17e and 18e are each provided with a groove 25e on the
outer periphery thereof. The grooves 25e in these hoops are smaller
in width than the grooves 25 in the embodiment of FIG. 7, and they
are axially aligned with the groove 25e in the rod 10e. The grooves
25e rollably receive the mating tongue 24e formed on the next
largest diameter hoop. The outermost hoop 19e is smooth on its
outer surface.
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, elevational section view of still another
embodiment of a whirling hoop toy made in accordance with the
principles of the present invention. The hoop structure of FIG. 9
is formed with a tongue and groove arrangement similar to that of
FIG. 8, but in a reversed position. The parts of the embodiment of
FIG. 9 which are the same as parts in the embodiment of FIG. 8 have
been marked with the same reference numerals followed by the small
letter "f." As shown in FIG. 9, the rod 10f is provided with a
guard means comprising a single guard flange 24f which functions as
a tongue on the rod 10f. The hoops 15f, 16f, 17f and 18f are each
provided with peripheral tongues 24f on their outer peripheries
which mate with grooves 25f formed in the inner periphery of the
next larger diameter hoop. The outermost hoop 19f is provided with
a smooth outer peripheral surface. The embodiment of FIG. 9
functions in the same manner as the previously described
embodiments.
While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of the
invention herein disclosed are well calculated to fulfill the
objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is
susceptible to modification, variation and change.
* * * * *