High performance yo-yo

Details High performance yo-yo High performance yo-yo

1999-07-22

2001-05-22

Ackun, Jacob K. (Department: 3712)

Amusement devices: toys

Rotating or having visible rotating portion

Having attached cord for imparting rotation

C446S247000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06234861

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the structure of a yo-yo.
2. Description of the Related Art
Yo-yos that are very familiar to everyone as toys are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,547 or Japanese Patent Publication (examined) No. 57-12633.
The yo-yo disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,547 includes two yo-yo halves or rotary elements spaced a predetermined distance from each other, an axle for connecting the two yo-yo halves, and a spool mounted for free rotation on the axle. Threaded ends of the axle are screwed into threaded inserts embedded in the two yo-yo halves, respectively.
In this yo-yo, however, there is a possibility that the threaded ends of the axle may be loosened or removed from the inserts when a rapid reverse spin of the yo-yo halves occurs during operation.
The yo-yo disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 57-12633 includes two yo-yo halves spaced from each other and each having a center hole defined therein. This yo-yo has a sleeve structure in which opposite ends of an axle are securely received in sleeves fitted inside the center holes of the two yo-yo halves, respectively.
Although the sleeve structure achieves complete fixing of the two yo-yo halves, maintenance work such as, for example, replacement of parts are not possible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been developed to overcome the above-described disadvantages.
It is accordingly an objective of the present invention to provide an improved yo-yo that eliminates the danger of rotary elements being removed from an axle during operation and facilitates maintenance work by allowing dismantling of the yo-yo as occasion demands.
In accomplishing the above and other objectives, a yo-yo according to the present invention includes a pair of rotary elements spaced from each other and each having a cavity defined therein, a bearing portion formed on each of the pair of rotary elements at a center thereof, and an axle detachably received in the bearing portion so as to be rotatable together with the pair of rotary elements. The axle has an engaging portion formed at each of opposite ends thereof. A generally cylindrical spool is interposed between the pair of rotary elements, with the axle being loosely inserted into the generally cylindrical spool. At least one locking means is mounted in the cavity and has a holding portion for pressing the engaging portion inwardly at all times during rotation of the rotary elements about the rotation axis, thereby holding the pair of rotary elements on the opposite ends of the axle.
With this arrangement, the coupling between the rotary elements and the axle is positively maintained by the locking means even during operation. Also, the yo-yo can be easily disassembled by releasing the pressing of the engaging portion by the holding portion, facilitating maintenance work such as, for example, replacement of parts.
Advantageously, the locking means has an elastic member for biasing the holding portion against the engaging portion. The elastic member acts to enhance the reliability in the coupling between the rotary elements and the axle.
Preferably, the locking means includes a support member, a first and a second lever extending from the support member so as to be positioned on respective sides of the axle. The holding portion is formed with the first lever and pressed against the engaging portion by making use of a centrifugal force created on the second lever during rotation of the pair of rotary elements. Accordingly, removal of the rotary elements from the axle does not occur during operation.
In this case, the elastic member extends from a free end of the first lever. Although the structure is very simple, the rotary elements are positively held on the opposite ends of the axle.
Conveniently, the holding portion is arcuated and a circumferential groove formed at each of the opposite ends of the axle is employed as the engaging portion. By so doing, the coupling between the rotary elements and the axle is ensured, preventing removal of the rotary elements from the axle during operation.
Alternatively, the engaging portion is a radially extending hole formed in the axle, and the holding portion is a radially inwardly extending projection formed on the locking means. This structure also ensures the coupling between the rotary elements and the axle.
Advantageously, the locking means has a locking portion, and each of the pair of rotary elements has a locking member. In this case, the locking member is brought into contact with the locking portion to prevent engagement of the holding portion with the engaging portion from being released, thereby preventing removal of the rotary elements from the axle.
Each of the pair of rotary elements may include a base and a cap disposed outwardly of the base. In this case, the locking means having the locking portion is mounted on one of the base and the cap, while the locking member is mounted on the other of the base and the cap. The locking member is brought into contact with the locking portion by rotating one of the base and the cap relative to the other.
With this arrangement, the coupling between the rotary elements and the axle is positively maintained even during operation. Also, the yo-yo can be easily disassembled when maintenance is needed.
It is preferred that the cap has an engagement releasing member mounted thereon for releasing engagement of the engaging portion with the holding portion. Disassembly of the yo-yo can be easily carried out with a simple operation sing the engagement releasing member.
The engagement releasing member includes an inclined portion having an inclined surface. When the engagement releasing member is pressed inwardly, the inclined surface of the inclined portion is brought into contact with the holding portion and then causes the holding portion to slide radially outwardly, thereby releasing the engagement of the engaging portion with the holding portion.
The engagement releasing member may have a guide portion formed thereon and is rotatably mounted on the cap. When the engagement releasing member is rotated, the guide portion causes the holding portion to slide radially outwardly, thereby releasing the engagement of the engaging portion with the holding portion.
The engagement releasing member of the above-described structure facilitates assembly or disassembly of the yo-yo at the time of maintenance.
Conveniently, a portion of the cap has a first side wall, a second side wall lower than the first side wall, and an inclined portion connecting the first and second side walls, while a portion of the base is of a configuration substantially complementary to that of the portion of the cap. When one of the base and the cap is rotated relative to the other to cause one of the portion of the base and the portion of the cap to slide along the other, the locking means is moved outwardly.
With this arrangement, tensile forces act on the opposite ends of the axle, making it possible to absorb looseness of the axle with respect to the rotary elements.
Advantageously, one of the base and the cap has a stopper formed thereon, while the other of the base and the cap has a recess formed therein. In this case, rotation of one of the base and the cap relative to the other moves the cap away from the base and is prevented when the stopper is received in the recess, thereby ensuring the coupling between the rotary elements and the axle and preventing the rotary elements from being removed from the axle.
Alternatively, the yo-yo further includes a biasing member mounted in the cavity for biasing the locking means outwardly, thereby exerting a tensile force on the axle. The tensile force acts to eliminate looseness of the axle with respect to the rotary elements.
In another form of the present invention, a locking device having a pair of locking means is mounted in the cavity, and the pair of locking means have respective holding portions for detachably holding the engaging portion therebetween.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2579022 (

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