Spinning amusement device with tethered object

Abstract

An amusement device is provided that can be used as an electric yo-yo and as a mechanism for producing aesthetically pleasing string oscillations. The amusement device includes a battery operated spinning mechanism that can be selectively turned on and off by a person using the device. A flexible tether is provided having a first end and a second end. The first end of the tether is coupled to the spinning mechanism and is spun by the spinning mechanism. A display object is coupled to the second end of the flexible tether, wherein the flexible tether is the only physical interconnection between the spinning mechanism and the display object. The spinning mechanism can be used either to rotate the tether to create oscillations in the tether, or wind the tether, thereby creating a yo-yo with the display object.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An amusement device, comprising: 
 a spool having a forward end, a rear end and a middle section disposed between said forward end and said rear end, said middle section having a diameter smaller than that of said forward end and said rear end, wherein the diameter of said middle section increases as it approaches said forward end;    a housing containing a battery operated spinning mechanism, wherein said battery operated spinning mechanism is coupled to said spool for selectively spinning said spool;    a flexible tether having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is coupled to said spinning mechanism and is [spun by said spinning mechanism] connected to said spool;    a display object coupled to said second end of said flexible tether, wherein said flexible tether is the only physical interconnection between said spinning mechanism and said display object;    wherein said flexible tether winds around said spool when said housing is held in a first orientation and said flexible tether is spun by said spool without winding on said spool when said housing is held in a second orientation.    
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said spinning mechanism includes an on/off switch for selectively activating and deactivating said spinning mechanism.  
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said display object is selected from a group consisting of balls, molded cartoon characters, airplanes and confections.  
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said display object is a ball and said ball has a design pattern of colors thereon that create a new color when said ball is spun.  
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said tether is elastic.  
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said housing is configured as a handle for holding said housing in one hand.  
     
     
         7 . A device for creating oscillations in a length of string, comprising: 
 a length of string having a first end and a second end, wherein said length of string has a linear central axis when pulled straight;    a first graspable element coupled to said first end of said length of string, wherein said first graspable element contains a motor capable of spinning said length of string around said central axis;    a second graspable element coupled to said second end of said length of string, wherein said length of string is the sole physical interconnection between said first graspable element and said second graspable element.    
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 7 , further including an on/off switch for selectively activating and deactivating said motor.  
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein said second graspable element is a ball.  
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein said ball has a design pattern of colors thereon that create a new color when said ball is spun.  
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein said length of string is elastic.  
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein said length of string is brightly colored.  
     
     
         13 . A method of creating oscillations in a length of string, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a length of string having a first end and a second end, wherein said length pf string has a linear central axis when said length of string is pulled taut between said first end and said second end;    coupling said first end to a motor;    coupling said second end to a graspable object, wherein said length of string is the sole physical interconnection between said motor and said graspable object;    spinning said length of string about its central axis with said motor; and    selectively changing the distance between said motor and said graspable object, thereby altering the tautness associated with said length of string as said length of string spins.    
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , further including the step of releasing said graspable element, thereby enabling said graspable element to hang free and be rotated by said length of string.