Whirling amusement device and associated method of operation

Abstract

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 rotating assembly. A support spring is used to interconnect a display object to the rotating 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 rotating assembly within the base element, wherein the support spring is rotated by the rotating 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 rotates, it causes the support spring to oscillate, thereby causing the display object to move erratically from point to point.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An amusement device, comprising: 
 a base element having a rotating assembly therein;    a coil spring having a first end, a second end and at least ten spring revolutions between said first end and said second end, said first end of said support spring being coupled to said rotating assembly within said base element, wherein and said support spring extends freely from said base element and is rotated by said rotating assembly;    a display object coupled to said second end of said support spring.    
     
     
         2 . The device according to    claim 1   , wherein said rotating assembly includes an electric motor.  
     
     
         3 . The device according to    claim 1   , wherein said rotating assembly is selected from a group consisting of spring wound assemblies, flywheel assemblies and hand cranked assemblies.  
     
     
         4 . The device according to    claim 2   , further including an on/off switch accessible on said base element for selectively activating and deactivating said electric motor.  
     
     
         5 . The device according to    claim 1   , said display object has a weight sufficient to bend said coil spring by at least 90 degrees when said coil spring is supported in a vertical orientation.  
     
     
         6 . The device according to    claim 1   , wherein said first end of said support spring is selectively detachable from said rotating assembly within said base element.  
     
     
         7 . The device according to    claim 1   , wherein said second end of said support spring is selectively detachable from said display object.  
     
     
         8 . The device according to    claim 1   , wherein said display object is photoluminescent.  
     
     
         9 . The device according to    claim 1   , wherein said display object is a confection.  
     
     
         10 . The device according to    claim 1   , wherein said display object has a mass sufficent to fully compress said coil spring when said coil spring os placed in a vertical orientation and said coil spring is placed atop said coil spring.  
     
     
         11 . The device according to    claim 1   , wherein said base element is a hand-held object.  
     
     
         12 . The device according to    claim 1   , wherein said base element has a flat bottom surface and is free standing on said flat bottom surface.  
     
     
         13 . A method of imparting erratic movement to an object, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a coil spring having a first end and a second end;    attaching said object to said first end of said coil spring, wherein said object has a weight sufficient to fully compress said coil spring;    attaching said second end of said coil spring to a rotating assembly;    rotating said coil spring and said object at a speed sufficient to cause oscillations in said coil spring.    
     
     
         14 . The method according to    claim 13   , wherein said coil spring has at least ten spring revolutions between said first end and said second end.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to    claim 13   , wherein said object has a mass sufficient to completely compress said coil spring.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to    claim 13   , wherein said rotating assembly is selected from a group consisting of electric motors, spring wound assemblies, flywheel assemblies and hand cranked assemblies.  
     
     
         17 . The method according to    claim 13   , wherein said display object has a mass sufficient to bend said spring at least 90 degrees from a vertical orientation.  
     
     
         18 . The method according to    claim 17   , wherein said rotating assembly is contained within a hand-held object.  
     
     
         19 . An amusement device, comprising: 
 a battery powered motor:    a coil spring having a first end an a second end, wherein said first end of said coil spring is attached to said battery powered motor;    a display object coupled to said second end of said coil spring, said display objects having a mass sufficient enough to bend said coil spring at least  90  degrees from a vertical orientation, wherein said battery powered motor causes said coil spring and said display object to turn with enough speed to cause oscillations in said coil spring.    
     
     
         20 . The device according to    claim 19   , wherein said battery operated motor is encased in a hand-held object.