US4178714A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lighted and sounding toy
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-06-28
•
Granted: 1979-12-18
•
Expires: 1998-06-28
Abstract
Abstract A lighted and sounding yo-yo is provided with a single heavy duty battery in a first hollow shell section, and a lamp in both hollow shell sections. Flexible electrical conductors connect the lamps to the battery. A centrifugal switch is joined with the conductors in the second shell section so as to actuate the lamps only during rotation of the yo-yo. An audible electrical signal device is also located in the lighting circuit of the second shell. A second modification of the centrifugal switch is also shown. The heavy weight of the battery shell as compared with the light weight of the other shell causes the battery shell to dominate the yo-yo in the manner of a gyroscopic action to obtain rotational stability.
Inventors
- 👤 John B. Tsen
- 👤 Fan B. Tsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:15
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H1/00; A63H1/24; A63H1/28; A63H1/30; H; H01; H01H; H01H35/00; H01H35/06; H01H35/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
A lighted yo-yo comprising a pair of hollow shell sections each having a removable cover and formed of translucent material and joined together by an axle portion to define a central groove for receiving an elongated string that is attached to the axle portion, and lighting means to produce a source of light for each shell section, said lighting means comprising heavy duty battery means in one shell section and a lamp in each shell section, and electrical conductors connecting the battery means to the lamps, and centrifugal switch means in one conductor whereby when the yo-yo is rotating the switch will be biased closed to energize the lamps; the invention comprising locating the battery means in a first shell section with its central portion adjacent the central axis of the axle portion, while the second shell section is provided with a light weight audible electrical signal device that is electrically connected in the lighting means circuit to function simultaneously with the lamps, the relative heavy weight of the battery means versus the light weight of the audible signal device creating an unbalanced condition, whereby the heavy side dominates the light side and controls the rotational stability of the yo-yo.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
A lighted yo-yo comprising a pair of hollow shell sections each having a removable cover and formed of translucent material and joined together by an axle portion to define a central groove for receiving an elongated string that is attached to the axle portion, and lighting means to produce a source of light for each shell section, said lighting means comprising heavy duty battery means in one shell section and a lamp in each shell section, and electrical conductors connecting the battery means to the lamps, and centrifugal switch means in one conductor whereby when the yo-yo is rotating the switch will be biased closed to energize the lamps; the invention comprising locating the battery means in a first shell section with its central portion adjacent the central axis of the axle portion, while the second shell section is provided with a light weight audible electrical signal device that is electrically connected in the lighting means circuit to function simultaneously with the lamps, the relative heavy weight of the battery means versus the light weight of the audible signal device creating an unbalanced condition, whereby the heavy side dominates the light side and controls the rotational stability of the yo-yo.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein the said audible electrical signal device is a beeper, and the said centrifugal switch means is located within the second shell section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein the said battery means is a heavy duty battery of about 9 volts and thus the battery shell section is greatly overweight as compared with the audible signal shell section so that the heavy side dominates the light side and thus controls the rotational stability of the yo-yo in the manner of a gyroscopic action.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the said electrical conductors include flexible insulated conductors, some of which conductors extend through a hollow axle portion of the yo-yo.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein the said centrigual switch means is located within the said second shell means, and the said audible electrical signal device is a beeper, and a hollow rivet member extends through the hollow axle portion and assembles the two shell sections together.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the said electrical conductors include flexible insulated conductors, and a pair of fastener members extending through the axle portion for joining the two shell sections, the electrical circuit being carried from one shell section to the other by means of the said pair of fasteners.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein each shell section is provided with a plurality of posts which serve to confine the battery and lamps in place, the said electrical conductors comprising at least some flexible wire members are joined to the posts by metal clip members, said clip members also serving to make electrical connection with the nearest battery or lamp members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein the clip members are ring members that slip down over the post to capture the wire member thereby, the clip member also serving as a fixed electrical contact member with relation to the electrical components of the device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
101 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein the said centrifugal switch comprises a movable cantilever member and a fixed contact member, the cantilever member including a light weight helical spring with an added weight at its free end, the fixed contact member including an oversized ring member through which the helical spring extends in a spaced relation when in a normal at-rest position, whereby the helical spring is capable of flexing in all transverse directions measured from its longitudinal axis, so as to vibrate at a high frequency with respect to the ring contact to create an alternating light and sound effect.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-12-17 | 1983-06-18 | 1983-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-12-17 | 1987-06-18 | 1987-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-12-17 | 1991-06-18 | 1991-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |