Thumb twiddling toy

• US 4,227,342 A
• Filed: 07/06/1979
• Issued: 10/14/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Douglas A. Knowles
• Original Assignee: Horace A. Knowles
• Inventors: Knowles, Horace A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Foycik, Jr., Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US06/055,746
• Time in Patent Office: 466 Days
• Field of Search: 46/47, 46/1 R, 46/49, 46/177, 46/190, 46/191, 46/228, 46/193, 46/175 R, 46/45, 273/1 R, 273/DIG. 24, 273/DIG. 26, 272/1 R, 272/27 R, 272/93, 272/116, 272/117, 272/67
• US Class Current: 446/242
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2011/0058 using electronic means A63F2011/0053 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2250/0457 for actuating a switch by gravity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2250/483 adapted for thumb
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/06 Patience; Other games for self-amusement
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/26 Magnetic or electric toys electric drives A63H29/22 ; indoor games played with small balls using magnetic power A63F7/0088, A63F7/068
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 273/24 Luminescent, phosphorescent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 273/26 Point counters and score indicators

Abstract

A novelty toy used to facilitate thumb twiddling comprises a pair of closely spaced, parallel, tubular holes each adapted to receive the first digit of a thumb, the walls of the holes being smooth and slippery, and of diameter slightly larger than the thumbs. The thumbs are inserted into the holes and are rotated orbitally about an imaginary axis between the two holes.

Claims

1. A device for use in twiddling the thumbs comprising:

first means to rotate about the first digit of a first thumb comprising a first cylindrical wall member defining a first hole of diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the thumb, said first wall member being smooth and of a length approximately equal to the length of the first digit of the thumb. second means to rotate about the first digit of a second thumb comprising a second cylindrical wall member defining a second hold of diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the thumb, said second wall member being smooth and of length approximately equal to the length of the first digit of the thumb;

said first circular wall member being spaced from said second circular wall member by an intermediate portion of width no greater than about 1/3 the thickness of the thumb.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1 of elongated unitary structure having two opposite faces, the first and second holes extending through the structure between said faces.

3. A device in accordance with claim 1 further comprising means to conform to the shape of the curvature of the top of the first digit of the thumb, said means comprising curves in said first and second walls so that the diameters of said first and second holes are smaller at the center thereof compared with the diameter adjacent at least one end thereof.

4. A device in accordance with claim 1 formed of light-weight plastic.

5. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least the interior surfaces of said first and second cylindrical walls are formed of a slippery material.

6. A device in accordance with claim 1 further comprising an outer wall surrounding said first and second walls, said first, second and outer walls being connected by a pair of spaced face walls, said device having open space between said walls.

7. A device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said face walls and said outer wall are formed of transparent plastic, and a visual effect material is provided in the open space.

8. A device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said face walls are circular and said outer wall is cylindrical.

9. A device in accordance with claim 1 further comprising means to designate each revolution of said device.

10. A device in accordance with claim 9 wherein said means to designate each revolution comprises means for creating an audible signal for each revolution.

11. A device in accordance with claim 9 wherein said means to designate each revolution comprises means for creating a visual signal for each revolution.

12. A device in accordance with claim 11 wherein said means for creating a visual signal is a counter means.

13. A device in accordance with claim 11 wherein said means for creating a visual signal is a light source.

14. A device in accordance with claim 1 having first and second opposite faces, the first hole extending through said device from the first face thereof and terminating at the second face without extending therethrough, and the second hole extending through said device from the second face thereof and terminating at the first face without extending therethrough, so as to define a pair of thumb cups facing in opposite directions.