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US 2003/0190859 A1Published application
Whirling amusement device and associated method of operation
AssigneeNone recorded
InventorsWebb T. Nelson, Patrick J. Turner
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AssigneeNone recorded
InventorsWebb T. Nelson, Patrick J. Turner
Estimating the term…
An amusement device used to move a supported display object through an erratic path. The amusement device includes a base element in which is disposed a motorized assembly. A support spring is used to interconnect a display object to the motorized assembly in the base element. The support spring has a first end and a second end. The first end of the support spring is coupled to the motorized assembly within the base element, wherein the support spring is caused to move by the vibrating assembly. The remainder of the support spring extends freely from the base element. The display object is coupled to the second end of the support spring. As the display object moves, it causes the support spring to oscillate, thereby causing the display object to move erratically from point to point
An amusement device, comprising:
A method of imparting erratic movement to an object, comprising the steps of:
An amusement device, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
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Advertising or display means not otherwise provided for: incorporating moving display members
Displaying
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to amusement devices that contain an object that spins or whirls. More particularly, the present invention relates to amusement devices that contain an object that move erratically, a motor for causing the erratic motion and a flexible shaft disposed between the object and the motor.
2. Description of the Prior Art
For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of exemplary embodiments thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a partially fragmented front view of a first embodiment of the present invention amusement device;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention amusement device shown in FIG. 1;
Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention device 10 is shown. The device is comprised of three primary parts, which are a base 12, a display object 14 and a support spring 16 that interconnects the display object 14 to the base 12.
In the shown embodiment, the base 12 is configured as a pen. However, such an embodiment is merely exemplary. The base 12 can be most any hand-held object, such as a plain handle, and need not be a pen. Alternatively, the base 12 can be a self-supporting structure that can rest on a flat surface. As such, it should be understood that the appearance of the base 12 is not important to the functioning of the overall device 10. The base 12 can be dedicated to the function of the overall device 10 or the base 12 can have a secondary purpose outside the functioning of the overall device 10, as does the pen illustrated. Alternate embodiments of the base are later described.
Regardless of the appearance of the base 12, contained within the base is motorized assembly 20. Preferably, the motorized assembly 20 includes a vibrating mechanism 22, a battery 24 for powering the vibrating mechanism 22 and an on/off switch 26 for controlling the operation of the vibrating mechanism 22, as is shown in FIG. 1. However, in alternate embodiments, the motorized assembly 20 can be a spring wound assembly, a flywheel assembly, a manual crank assemble or any other known means for providing a vibrating motion at a predetermined point in an amusement device.