Yo-yo having a push-button locking mechanism

Abstract

The invention is a yo-yo that includes a user-actuable locking mechanism. The locking mechanism makes use of a laterally translatable assembly having a push button at each end and a center rotatable spool to which the yo-yo's tether is attached. Using the locking mechanism, a user can set the yo-yo so that the spool is either free to rotate, or must rotate with the yo-yo's sides. The yo-yo is also adapted for use with a spring-powered winder.

1 . A yo-yo comprising:
 first and second side portions secured together in a spaced-apart relation via an axle structure;   a spool secured to said axle structure in a manner whereby said spool is capable of rotating relative to said side portions and also of moving laterally on said axle structure;   a tether secured to said spool; and   a user-actuable locking mechanism, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a first movable button in said first side portion and a second movable button in said second side portion, wherein said buttons are operatively connected to said spool in a manner whereby when one of said buttons is pressed and moves to a predetermined location, said spool is moved laterally on said axle structure whereby said spool becomes operatively engaged to structure connected to said first side portion that causes said spool to become locked to, and rotatable with, said first side portion, and wherein when the other of said buttons is pressed by a user and moves to a predetermined location, said spool is moved laterally on said axle structure whereby said spool disengages from said structure of said first side portion and becomes capable of freely rotating relative to said first side portion.   
     
     
         2 . The yo-yo of  claim 1  wherein each of said buttons is operatively connected to said spool in a manner whereby when said first movable button is moved a predetermined distance in a first direction, the spool and the second movable button will also move in said first direction, and wherein when the second movable button is moved a predetermined distance in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, the spool and the first movable button will move in said second direction. 
     
     
         3 . The yo-yo of  claim 1  further comprising first and second shuttles, wherein said first shuttle is at least partially located in said first side portion and can contact said first button and a first end of said spool, wherein said second shuttle is at least partially located in said second side portion and can contact said second button and a second end of said spool, and wherein when either of said buttons is moved in a predetermined manner, said buttons, shuttles and said spool can move as a single unit. 
     
     
         4 . The yo-yo of  claim 3  wherein there can be a space between said spool and said shuttles whereby when said spool is rotating relative to said first side portion, said shuttles do not contact said spool. 
     
     
         5 . The yo-yo of  claim 1  wherein said first side portion includes a body member having a thru-bore, wherein said body member has a tab that extends into said thru-bore, wherein said spool has first and second ends, wherein said spool has a slot located proximate its first end, and wherein when said spool is locked to, and rotatable with, said first side portion, said spool will be located whereby said tab in said body member is received within said slot in said spool. 
     
     
         6 . The yo-yo of  claim 5  wherein said second side portion is substantially identical to said first side portion whereby said second side portion has a body member having a tab that extends into a thru-bore, wherein said spool has a reduced outer diameter portion proximate the spool's second end, and wherein when said spool is freely rotatable relative to said first side portion, said spool will be located whereby said spool's second end is positioned so that the tab of the second side portion's body member is located proximate said reduced outer diameter portion of said spool without said tab contacting said spool. 
     
     
         7 . The yo-yo of  claim 1  wherein when one of said buttons has been pressed whereby said spool is locked to, and rotatable with said first side portion, a detent structure located in one of said side portions can engage one of said buttons to thereby releasably lock one of said buttons in a substantially fixed position until a user causes said buttons to move in a manner that causes a lateral movement of said spool. 
     
     
         8 . The yo-yo of  claim 1  wherein when a particular one of said buttons is pressed and moves to a predetermined location, said spool is moved laterally on said axle structure whereby said spool operatively engages structure connected to said first side portion and thereby becomes locked to, and rotatable with, said first side portion. 
     
     
         9 . The yo-yo of  claim 1  wherein said first side portion is adapted for engagement to a rotatable member of a winder, wherein said winder includes apparatus that can generate a torque on said rotatable member whereby when said rotatable member is connected to said yo-yo, said rotatable member can transmit said torque to said yo-yo to thereby cause said side portions of said yo-yo to rotate. 
     
     
         10 . The yo-yo of  claim 9  wherein said winder includes a coil spring operatively connected to said rotatable member, and wherein said spring functions to cause torque to be applied to said rotatable member. 
     
     
         11 . A yo-yo comprising:
 first and second side portions secured together in a spaced-apart relation via an axle structure;   a spool secured to said axle structure in a manner whereby said spool is capable of rotating relative to said axle structure and also is capable of being moved laterally on said axle structure;   a tether secured to said spool; and   a user-actuable locking mechanism, wherein said mechanism comprises a user-accessible member movably secured to one of said side portions, wherein said member is operatively connected to said spool in a manner whereby movement of said member can cause said spool to move laterally on said axle structure in a direction toward said first side portion whereby said spool can become connected to structure in said first side portion that causes said spool to be locked to, and rotatable with, said first side portion, and wherein said user-accessible member is also moved when said spool is caused to move laterally on said axle structure in a direction away from said first side portion whereby said spool is no longer connected to said structure in said first side portion that locked said spool to said first side portion and said spool is thereby freely rotatable relative to said first side portion.   
     
     
         12 . The yo-yo of  claim 11  wherein said spool and said first side portion include interlocking structures whereby movement of said spool toward said first side portion causes a mating of said interlocking structures that causes said spool to be locked to, and rotatable with, said first side portion. 
     
     
         13 . The yo-yo of  claim 12  wherein said interlocking structures comprise a slot in said spool and a tab of said first side portion, and wherein said tab is sized and shaped to at least partially fit into said slot. 
     
     
         14 . The yo-yo of  claim 11  wherein said first side portion includes a body member having a thru-bore, wherein said body member has at least one tab that extends into said thru-bore, wherein said spool has first and second ends, wherein said spool has a slot located proximate its first end, and wherein when said spool is locked to, and rotatable with, said first side portion, said spool will be located whereby said tab in said body member is received within said slot in said spool. 
     
     
         15 . The yo-yo of  claim 14  wherein said second side portion is substantially identical to said first side portion whereby said second side portion has a body member having a tab that extends into a thru-bore, wherein said spool has a reduced outer diameter portion proximate the spool's second end, and wherein when said spool is freely rotatable relative to said first side portion, said spool will be located whereby said spool's second end is positioned so that the tab of the second side portion's body member is located proximate said reduced outer diameter portion of said spool without said tab contacting said spool. 
     
     
         16 . The yo-yo of  claim 11  wherein said first side portion is adapted for engagement to a rotatable member of a winder, wherein said winder includes apparatus that can generate a torque on said rotatable member whereby when said rotatable member is connected to said yo-yo, said rotatable member can transmit said torque to said yo-yo to thereby cause said side portions of said yo-yo to rotate. 
     
     
         17 . A yo-yo consisting essentially of:
 first and second side portions secured together in a spaced-apart relation via an axle structure;   a spool secured to said axle structure in a manner whereby said spool is capable of rotating relative to said side portions;   a tether secured to said spool;   a user-actuable locking mechanism for said spool, wherein said mechanism comprises a user-accessible member movably secured to one of said side portions, wherein said member is operatively connected to said spool in a manner whereby a user can move said member in a manner that causes said spool to be connected to locking structure in said first side portion whereby said spool becomes locked to, and rotatable with, said first side portion, and wherein said member is also moved when said spool is caused to no longer be connected to said locking structure in said first side portion whereby said spool becomes freely rotatable relative to said first side portion; and   wherein said locking mechanism only has two modes of operation, wherein when said locking mechanism is in a first mode of operation, said spool is locked to, and rotatable with, said side portions, and wherein when said locking mechanism is in a second mode of operation, said spool is continuously freely rotatable relative to said side portions.   
     
     
         18 . The yo-yo of  claim 17  wherein said spool and said first side portion include structures that are interlocked when said spool is locked to, and rotatable with, said first side portion. 
     
     
         19 . A yo-yo and winder kit, said kit comprising:
 a yo-yo having first and second side portions secured together in a spaced-apart relation via an axle structure, wherein a spool is secured to said axle structure in a manner whereby at least a portion of said spool is capable of rotating relative to said side portions, wherein a tether is secured to said spool, and wherein said yo-yo includes a user-actuable locking mechanism that in a first mode of operation, can cause at least a portion of said spool to be locked to, and rotatable with, said side portions, and wherein when said locking mechanism is in a second mode of operation, at least a portion of said spool is freely rotatable relative to said side portions;   a winder that comprises an apparatus for storing energy and then creating a torque on a rotatable member; and   wherein said first side portion of said yo-yo is adapted for engagement to said rotatable member of said winder whereby when said rotatable member is connected to said yo-yo, said rotatable member can transmit said torque to said yo-yo to thereby cause said side portions of said yo-yo to rotate.   
     
     
         20 . The yo-yo of  claim 19  wherein said apparatus for storing energy comprises a coil spring that can be operatively connected to said rotatable member to cause a torque to be applied to said rotatable member. 
     
     
         21 . A method for using a yo-yo with a winder, wherein said yo-yo is of the type that has a tether and a user-actuable locking mechanism that in a first mode of operation, can cause a spool to which the yo-yo's tether is attached to be locked to, and rotatable with, side portions of said yo-yo, wherein when said locking mechanism is in a second mode of operation, said spool is freely rotatable relative to said side portions, and wherein said winder is of a type that comprises an apparatus for storing energy and then creating a torque on a rotatable member, said method comprising:
 when the yo-yo's locking mechanism is in its second mode of operation, attaching the rotatable member of the winder to the yo-yo in a manner whereby rotation of said rotatable member can cause rotation of the yo-yo's side portions;   suspending the yo-yo via the yo-yo's tether; and   enabling the winder's rotatable member to rotate at a time when said winder has stored energy that can cause torque to be applied to said rotatable member, whereby said stored energy will be transformed into rotation of the winder's rotatable member and also rotation of the yo-yo's side portions.