Whirling amusement device with a vibrating drive and its 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 vibration mechanism. A support spring is used to interconnect a display object to the vibration mechanism 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 vibration mechanism in the base element. 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 vibrates, 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;    a vibrating mechanism disposed within said base;    at least one flexible support, each flexible support having a first end and a second end, said first end being coupled to said vibrating mechanism within said base element, wherein said at least one flexible support extends freely from said base element and caused to vibrate at a predetermined frequency by said vibrating assembly;    a display object coupled to said second end of each said flexible support.    
     
     
         2 . The device according to    claim 1   , wherein said vibrating assembly is electric powered.  
     
     
         3 . The device according to    claim 2   , further including an on/off switch accessible on said base element for selectively activating and deactivating said vibrating assembly.  
     
     
         4 . The device according to    claim 1   , wherein each said flexible support is a coil spring.  
     
     
         5 . The device according to    claim 1   , wherein a single vibrating mechanism is contained in said base and multiple flexible elements are coupled to said vibration mechanism.  
     
     
         6 . The device according to    claim 1   , wherein said first end of each said flexible support is selectively detachable from said vibrating assembly within said base element.  
     
     
         7 . The device according to    claim 1   , wherein said second end of said each said flexible support 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 sufficient to partially elongate said flexible support.  
     
     
         11 . The device according to    claim 1   , wherein said base element is a hand-held device.  
     
     
         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 support spring having a first end and a second end;    attaching said object to said first end of said support spring;    attaching said second end of said support spring to a vibrating assembly;    vibrating said support spring and said object at a frequency sufficient to cause oscillations in said support spring.    
     
     
         14 . The method according to    claim 13   , wherein said support spring is a coil spring.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to    claim 13   , wherein said vibrating assembly is powered by an electric motor.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to    claim 13   , wherein said display object has a mass sufficient to partially elongate said support spring.  
     
     
         18 . The method according to    claim 17   , wherein said vibrating assembly is contained within a hand-held object.  
     
     
         19 . An amusement device, comprising: 
 a battery powered vibration mechanism;    a coil spring having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said coil spring is attached to said vibration mechanism;    a display object coupled to said second end of said coil spring, wherein said vibration mechanism causes said coil spring and said display object to oscillate with enough force to cause said display object to move along an erratic path.    
     
     
         20 . The device according to    claim 19   , wherein said vibration mechanism is encased in a hand-held object.