Spinner with continuous 3-fold symmetry for multiple utilitarian, educational and ornamental uses

• US 6,524,073 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2001
• Issued: 02/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mamikon Mnatsakanian
• Original Assignee: Hi-Vol Products
• Inventors: Mnatsakanian, Mamikon
• Primary Examiner(s): Kwon, John
• Application Number:
  US09/945,453
• Publication Number:
  US 20020067990A1
• Time in Patent Office: 543 Days
• Field of Search: 416/204.R, 416/223.R, 416/231.A, 416/DIG.3
• US Class Current: 416/223.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 33/0809 involving motion
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 43/0722 Mixing, whipping or cutting tools
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/40 Windmills; Other toys actuated by air currents driving mechanisms for toy figures or vehicles A63H29/16
• CPC Class Codes: B44C 5/00 Processes for producing special ornamental bodies
• CPC Class Codes: B44F 1/00 Designs or pictures characterised by special or unusual light effects
• CPC Class Codes: B44F 1/08 characterised by colour effects
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 1/26 Blades
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 1/265 each blade being constituted by a surface enclosing an empty space, e.g. forming a closed loop
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 1/0608 characterised by their aerodynamic shape
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2250/33 symmetrical
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction

Abstract

The Mamikon spinner is a continuous 3 twist, single surface, having threefold symmetry and dynamic properties. It spins with a slight flow of air in the direction of the axes, and when rotated about the axis of symmetry, it acts as a blade, propeller or fan, providing for a multiplicity of utilitarian, educational, entertainment and ornamental uses.

Claims

1. An object having an axis of symmetry for use in a fluid comprising a continuous strip loop having three twists in the same directions, said object rotating about said axis of symmetry in said fluid to be moved by said fluid.

2. The object of claim 1 wherein said fluid is a gas.

3. The object of claim 1 wherein said fluid is a liquid.

4. The object of claim 1 wherein said fluid is a flowable solid.

5. The object of claim 1 when such object has twofold or more symmetry.

6. The object of claim 1 where said object has fourfold, or more symmetry.

7. The object of claim 1 for use as a driven blade assembly in combination with a shaft having an axis of rotation, wherein said object has its axis of symmetry coupled to said shaft about said axis of rotation and drives said shaft when said object is rotated by moving fluid.

8. The object of claim 1 wherein said blade assembly is used as a windmill blade assembly.

9. The object of claim 1 for use as a driven tool in combination with a rotating shaft having an axis of rotation, wherein said object has its axis of symmetry coupled to said shaft about said axis of rotation and is driven by said shaft, said strip loop having an edge and at least said edge being provided with a cutting surface.

10. The object of claim 1 for use as a driven tool in combination with a rotating shaft having an axis of rotation, wherein said object has its axis of symmetry coupled to said shaft about said axis of rotation and is driven by said shaft, said strip loop having an edge and surface, and being composed of rigid material so that said edge and surface provide a processing edge and surface for materials brought into contact therewith.

11. The object of claim 10 for use as a driven tool in combination with a rotating shaft where said processing edge and surface provides a grinding action.

12. The object of claim 10 for use as a driven tool in combination with a rotating shaft where said processing edge and surface provides a smashing action.

13. The object of claim 1 wherein a portion of said object is reflective to provide a sparkling reflecting surface.

14. The object of claim 13 wherein said object is combined with a support which allows said object to rotate while being fixed in a position, and wherein said object is used as a garden hanger.

15. The object of claim 13 wherein said object is combined with a support which allows said object to rotate while being fixed in a position, and wherein said object is used as jewelry.

16. The object of claim 13 wherein said object is combined with a support which allows said object to rotate while being fixed in a position, and wherein said object is used as a visual attractor.

17. The object of claim 1 wherein said strip loop has an edge, and an interior portion to said edge, and further comprising a center support coupled to said interior portion of said edge.

18. The object of claim 1 wherein said center support coupled to said interior portion of said edge comprises a triangular, cubic, pyramidal or conic fixture attached to said interior portion.

19. The object of claim 17 wherein said strip loop has a reflective surface and further comprising a light source mounted in said center support, said center support being arranged and configured to direct at least a portion of light from said light source toward said reflective surface to create a sparkling reflected beam of light.

20. The object of claim 19 wherein said beam of light has at least two color components and wherein said reflective surface of said strip loop is provided with a diffracting surface to decompose said beam of light into said color components.

21. The object of claim 1 further comprising a release mechanism so that when said object is rotated through said release mechanism, said object may be disconnected therefrom to permit flight.

22. The object of claim 1 wherein said strip loop is made of piecewise flat components with low radar cross sections and comprised of low radio-reflective material.

23. The object of claim 17 further comprising a triangular center support whereby a spinning architectural design is provided.

24. The object of claim 17 further comprising a sound making device coupled to said object, rotation of said object activating said sound making device.

25. The object of claim 1 wherein said object is configured to be used as a manipulative for educational geometric activity package.

26. The object of claim 1 wherein said object is twisted 2, 4 or more times such that the object is symmetrical and is capable of spinning when fluid flows through it.

27. The object of claim 1 wherein said strip is shaped to increase aerodynamic efficiency when said object is spun.