← Back to Patent Explorer
US4867727A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Toy including centrifugal switch

Assignee: FLAMBEAU Corp A WI CORP
•
Filing: 1988-11-10
•
Granted: 1989-09-19
•
Expires: 2008-11-10
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract The invention provides a rotatable device including a body adapted to be supported for rotation about an axis of rotation. A resilient electrically conductive member is supported by the body for rotation with the body, and has first and second blades, the second blade being generally parallel and spaced radially inwardly of the first blade with respect to the axis of rotation of body. The first and second blades of the resilient electrically conductive member define a battery receiving area therebetween adapted to house a button type battery. A electrically operable device is mounted on the second blade of the resilient electrically conductive member and is centrifugally activated when the body is rotated about the axis.

Inventors

  • 👤 Charles A. Lanius

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 20:00
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H1/00; A63H1/24; A63H1/30; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S362/00; Y10S362/802

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim 320 words
A rotatable device comprising: a body adapted to be supported for rotation about an axis of rotation; a resilient electrically conductive member supported by the body, for rotation with the body, said resilient electrically conductive member having first and second blades, the second blade being generally parallel and spaced radially inwardly of the first blade with respect to the axis of rotation of said body, the first and second blades of said resilient electrically conductive member defining a battery receiving area therebetween, the battery receiving area being adapted to house a button type battery having a first terminal and a second terminal such that the first terminal of the button type battery is in electrical contact with the first blade of said resilient electrically conductive member, and such that the second blade of said resilient conductive member is spaced apart from the second terminal of the button type battery and resiliently movable toward the second terminal of the button type battery; an electrically operable device having first and second electrical contacts, said electrically operable device being operable when electrically connected to the button type battery by the first and second electrical contacts, said electrically operable device being mounted to the second blade of said resilient electrically conductive member, the first electrical contact of the electrically operable device being electrically connected to the second blade of said resilient electrically conductive member, and the second electrical contact of the electrically operable device being normally positioned in spaced apart relation from the second terminal of the button type battery and movable with said second blade to engage the second terminal of the button type battery when the body is rotated about the axis thereby causing centrifugal force to move said second blade and said electrically operable device so that the second electrical contact moves into engagement with the second terminal of the button type battery when the button type battery is in place.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 320 words
A rotatable device comprising: a body adapted to be supported for rotation about an axis of rotation; a resilient electrically conductive member supported by the body, for rotation with the body, said resilient electrically conductive member having first and second blades, the second blade being generally parallel and spaced radially inwardly of the first blade with respect to the axis of rotation of said body, the first and second blades of said resilient electrically conductive member defining a battery receiving area therebetween, the battery receiving area being adapted to house a button type battery having a first terminal and a second terminal such that the first terminal of the button type battery is in electrical contact with the first blade of said resilient electrically conductive member, and such that the second blade of said resilient conductive member is spaced apart from the second terminal of the button type battery and resiliently movable toward the second terminal of the button type battery; an electrically operable device having first and second electrical contacts, said electrically operable device being operable when electrically connected to the button type battery by the first and second electrical contacts, said electrically operable device being mounted to the second blade of said resilient electrically conductive member, the first electrical contact of the electrically operable device being electrically connected to the second blade of said resilient electrically conductive member, and the second electrical contact of the electrically operable device being normally positioned in spaced apart relation from the second terminal of the button type battery and movable with said second blade to engage the second terminal of the button type battery when the body is rotated about the axis thereby causing centrifugal force to move said second blade and said electrically operable device so that the second electrical contact moves into engagement with the second terminal of the button type battery when the button type battery is in place.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 26 words
A rotatable device in accordance with claim 1 and further including a pair of button type batteries placed in electrical series in the battery receiving area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 17 words
A rotatable device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said resilient electrically conductive member is generally U-shaped.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 19 words
A rotatable device in accordance with claim 3 wherein said resilient electrically conductive member is manufactured of conductive plastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 23 words
A rotatable device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said electrically operable device is of the type having malleable wire contacts projecting therefrom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 54 words
A rotatable device in accordance with claim 5 further including a non-conductive cap on the end of the second blade of said resilient electrically conductive member to hold the first electrical contact of the electrically operable device in intimate relation and in electrical contact with the second blade of said resilient electrically conductive member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 57 words
A rotatable device in accordance with claim 6 wherein the other contact of the electrically operable device is bent over the non-conductive cap to be positioned in normally spaced apart relation from the second terminal of the battery, said electrically operable device thereby being mounted on said resilient electrically conductive member by the two malleable wire contacts.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 17 words
A rotatable device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said electrically operable device is an illuminating device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 18 words
A rotatable device in accordance with claim 8 wherein said electrically operable device is a miniature light bulb.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 351 words
A yo-yo comprising: a body; a resilient electrically conductive member supported by said body, said resilient electrically conductive member having first and second blades joined by a bite portion to generally form a U-shape, the second blade being generally parallel and spaced radially inwardly of the first blade with respect to the axis of rotation of said body, the first and second blades of said resilient electrically conductive member and said body defining a battery receiving area between the first and second blade, the battery receiving area being adapted to house a series pair of button type batteries, the series pair of button type batteries having a first terminal and a second terminal such that the first terminal of the battery is in electrical contact with the first blade of the resilient electrically conductive member and such that the second blade of said resilient electrically conductive member is spaced apart from the second terminal of the series pair of button type batteries and resiliently movable toward the second terminal of the series pair of button type batteries, when the series pair of button type batteries is in place; a miniature bulb of the type having malleable wire contacts projecting therefrom, one of the malleable wire contacts of the bulb being clamped to the second blade of the resilient electrically conductive member by a non-conductive piece of heat shrink tubing, the other of the malleable wire contacts of the bulb being bent around the non-conductive piece of heat shrink tubing and being positioned in normally spaced apart relation from the second terminal of the battery, and being movable with said second blade to engage the second terminal of the series pair of button type batteries when the body is rotated thereby causing centrifugal force to move said second blade and said miniature bulb so that the contact bent around the non-conductive piece of heat shrink tubing moves into engagement with the second terminal of the series pair of button type batteries, said miniature bulb being attached to the second blade of the resilient electrically conductive member only by the malleable wire contacts.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 351 words
A yo-yo comprising: a body; a resilient electrically conductive member supported by said body, said resilient electrically conductive member having first and second blades joined by a bite portion to generally form a U-shape, the second blade being generally parallel and spaced radially inwardly of the first blade with respect to the axis of rotation of said body, the first and second blades of said resilient electrically conductive member and said body defining a battery receiving area between the first and second blade, the battery receiving area being adapted to house a series pair of button type batteries, the series pair of button type batteries having a first terminal and a second terminal such that the first terminal of the battery is in electrical contact with the first blade of the resilient electrically conductive member and such that the second blade of said resilient electrically conductive member is spaced apart from the second terminal of the series pair of button type batteries and resiliently movable toward the second terminal of the series pair of button type batteries, when the series pair of button type batteries is in place; a miniature bulb of the type having malleable wire contacts projecting therefrom, one of the malleable wire contacts of the bulb being clamped to the second blade of the resilient electrically conductive member by a non-conductive piece of heat shrink tubing, the other of the malleable wire contacts of the bulb being bent around the non-conductive piece of heat shrink tubing and being positioned in normally spaced apart relation from the second terminal of the battery, and being movable with said second blade to engage the second terminal of the series pair of button type batteries when the body is rotated thereby causing centrifugal force to move said second blade and said miniature bulb so that the contact bent around the non-conductive piece of heat shrink tubing moves into engagement with the second terminal of the series pair of button type batteries, said miniature bulb being attached to the second blade of the resilient electrically conductive member only by the malleable wire contacts.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 310 words
A rotatable device comprising: a body adapted to be supported for rotation about an axis of rotation; a button type battery having a first terminal and a second terminal; a resilient electrically conductive member supported by the body, for rotation with the body, said resilient electrically conductive member having first and second blades, the second blade being generally parallel and spaced radially inwardly of the first blade with respect to the axis of rotation of said body, said button type battery being housed between the first and second blades of said resilient electrically conductive member such that the first terminal of the button type battery is in electrical contact with the first blade of said resilient electrically conductive member, and such that the second blade of said resilient conductive member is spaced apart from the second terminal of the button type battery and is resiliently moveable toward the second terminal of the button type battery; an electrically operable device having first and second electrical contacts, said electrically operable device being operable when electrically connected to the button type battery by the first and second electrical contacts, said electrically operable device being mounted on the second blade of the resilient electrically conductive member, the first electrical contact of the electrically operable device being electrically connected to the second blade of the resilient electrically conductive member, and the second electrical contact of the electrically operable device being normally positioned in spaced apart relation from the second terminal of the button type battery and movable with said second blade to engage the second terminal of the button type battery when the body is rotated about the axis thereby causing centrifugal force to move said second blade and said electrically operable device so that the second contact of the electrically operable device moves into engagement with the second terminal of the button type battery.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 310 words
A rotatable device comprising: a body adapted to be supported for rotation about an axis of rotation; a button type battery having a first terminal and a second terminal; a resilient electrically conductive member supported by the body, for rotation with the body, said resilient electrically conductive member having first and second blades, the second blade being generally parallel and spaced radially inwardly of the first blade with respect to the axis of rotation of said body, said button type battery being housed between the first and second blades of said resilient electrically conductive member such that the first terminal of the button type battery is in electrical contact with the first blade of said resilient electrically conductive member, and such that the second blade of said resilient conductive member is spaced apart from the second terminal of the button type battery and is resiliently moveable toward the second terminal of the button type battery; an electrically operable device having first and second electrical contacts, said electrically operable device being operable when electrically connected to the button type battery by the first and second electrical contacts, said electrically operable device being mounted on the second blade of the resilient electrically conductive member, the first electrical contact of the electrically operable device being electrically connected to the second blade of the resilient electrically conductive member, and the second electrical contact of the electrically operable device being normally positioned in spaced apart relation from the second terminal of the button type battery and movable with said second blade to engage the second terminal of the button type battery when the body is rotated about the axis thereby causing centrifugal force to move said second blade and said electrically operable device so that the second contact of the electrically operable device moves into engagement with the second terminal of the button type battery.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 358 words
A rotatable device comprising: a body adapted to be supported for rotation about an axis of rotation; a resilient electrically conductive member supported by the body, for rotation with the body, said resilient electrically conductive member having first and second blades, the second blade being generally parallel and spaced radially inwardly of the first blade with respect to the axis of rotation of said body, the first and second blades of said resilient electrically conductive member defining a battery receiving area therebetween, the battery receiving area being adapted to house a button type battery having a first and second terminal, the second blade of the resilient electrically conductive member being resiliently movable relative to the first blade when the battery is in place; an electrically operable device having first and second electrical contacts, said electrically operable device being operable when electrically connected to the battery by the first and second electrical contacts, said electrically operable device being mounted on the second blade of said resilient electrically conductive member, the first electrical contact of the electrically operable device being electrically connected to the second blade of said resilient electrically conductive member; and a continuous electrical path provided between one of the electrical contacts of the electrically operable device and one terminal of the button type battery, when the battery is in place in the battery receiving area, and a selectively engageable electrical path provided between the other of the electrical contacts of the electrically operable device and the other terminal of the button type battery, the selectively engageable electrical path being selected when the body is rotated about the axis thereby causing centrifugal force to move the second blade of the resilient electrically conductive member and the electrically operable device relative to the first blade of the resilient electrically conductive member to cause contact between the first terminal of the button type battery and the first blade of the electrically conductive member to complete a circuit including the first terminal of the battery, said first blade, said first contact of said electrically operable device, said second contact of said electrically operable device, and said second terminal of said battery.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 358 words
A rotatable device comprising: a body adapted to be supported for rotation about an axis of rotation; a resilient electrically conductive member supported by the body, for rotation with the body, said resilient electrically conductive member having first and second blades, the second blade being generally parallel and spaced radially inwardly of the first blade with respect to the axis of rotation of said body, the first and second blades of said resilient electrically conductive member defining a battery receiving area therebetween, the battery receiving area being adapted to house a button type battery having a first and second terminal, the second blade of the resilient electrically conductive member being resiliently movable relative to the first blade when the battery is in place; an electrically operable device having first and second electrical contacts, said electrically operable device being operable when electrically connected to the battery by the first and second electrical contacts, said electrically operable device being mounted on the second blade of said resilient electrically conductive member, the first electrical contact of the electrically operable device being electrically connected to the second blade of said resilient electrically conductive member; and a continuous electrical path provided between one of the electrical contacts of the electrically operable device and one terminal of the button type battery, when the battery is in place in the battery receiving area, and a selectively engageable electrical path provided between the other of the electrical contacts of the electrically operable device and the other terminal of the button type battery, the selectively engageable electrical path being selected when the body is rotated about the axis thereby causing centrifugal force to move the second blade of the resilient electrically conductive member and the electrically operable device relative to the first blade of the resilient electrically conductive member to cause contact between the first terminal of the button type battery and the first blade of the electrically conductive member to complete a circuit including the first terminal of the battery, said first blade, said first contact of said electrically operable device, said second contact of said electrically operable device, and said second terminal of said battery.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2201588A Cited
US2611995A Cited
GB703781A Cited
US2739419A Cited
US2795898A Cited
US3191344A Cited
US3162979A Cited
US3531892A Cited
US3924114A Cited
US4044499A Cited
US4327518A Cited
US4568303A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1992-09-18 1993-03-20 1993-09-19 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-09-18 1997-03-20 1997-09-19 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-09-18 2001-03-20 2001-09-19 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag