Noncontact clacker toy

Abstract

A toy and a method of operating the toy are provided. The toy includes a shaft and a first arm rotationally coupled to the shaft, the first arm having a first body spaced apart from the shaft. A second arm is rotationally coupled to the shaft, the second arm having a second body spaced apart from the shaft. A first magnetic member is coupled to the first body. A second magnetic member is coupled to the second body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A toy comprising:
 a shaft;   a first arm rotationally coupled to the shaft, the first arm having a first body spaced apart from the shaft;   a second arm rotationally coupled to the shaft, the second arm having a second body spaced apart from the shaft;   a first magnetic member coupled to the first body; and   a second magnetic member coupled to the second body.   
     
     
         2 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first magnetic member has a first positive pole and a first negative pole;   the second magnetic member has a second positive pole and a second negative pole; and   the first positive pole is oriented to face the second positive pole when the first body rotates towards the second body.   
     
     
         3 . The toy of  claim 2 , wherein the first magnetic member and second magnetic member apply opposing forces on each other when the first body rotates towards the second body. 
     
     
         4 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member have a cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         5 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the first magnetic member is encased in the first body and the second magnetic member is encased in the second body. 
     
     
         6 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the first magnetic member and second magnetic member are configured to cause the second body to move and the first body to stop when the first body is rotated to within a distance of the second body. 
     
     
         7 . The toy of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle coupled to one end of the shaft. 
     
     
         8 . The toy of  claim 7 , wherein the handle is co-axial with the shaft. 
     
     
         9 . The toy of  claim 1 , further comprising an attachment member coupled to the shaft on an end opposite the shaft. 
     
     
         10 . The toy of  claim 9 , wherein the attachment member is a suction cup. 
     
     
         11 . The toy of  claim 1 , further comprising a first end cap coupled to one end of the shaft and a second end cap coupled to a second end of the shaft. 
     
     
         12 . The toy of  claim 11 , wherein the first end cap and second end cap are spaced apart a distance that allows a user to place the toy between a thumb and a finger. 
     
     
         13 . A method of operating a toy comprising:
 rotating a first arm about an axis, the first arm having a first magnetic member;   maintaining a second arm substantially motionless with respect to the axis as the first arm is rotated, the second arm having a second magnetic member;   applying a first force on second magnetic member with the first magnetic member when the first magnetic member is rotated within a distance of the second magnetic member;   applying a second force on the first magnetic member with the second magnetic member when the first magnetic member is rotated within the distance of the second magnetic member;   stopping the rotational motion of the first magnetic member in response to the second force; and   rotating the second magnetic member about the axis in response to the first force.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 applying a third force on second magnetic member with the first magnetic member when the second magnetic member is rotated within the distance of the first magnetic member;   applying a fourth force on the first magnetic member with the second magnetic member when the second magnetic member is rotated within the distance of the first magnetic member;   stopping the rotational motion of the second magnetic member in response to the third force; and   rotating the first magnetic member about the axis in response to the fourth force.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising repeating the stopping and rotating of the first magnetic member and second magnetic member in response to a user shaking the toy. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 providing the first magnetic member encased in a first body; and   providing the second magnetic member encased in a second body.