Yo-yo bearing member

Abstract

The invention relates to yo-yos and in particular high-performance ball- or roller-bearing yo-yos capable of extremely wide string-gap settings suitable for “new school” yo-yo tricks. The present invention addresses the need to center the yo-yo string on the bearing or bearing sleeve along the axial extension of the outer surface of the yo-yo bearing or bearing sleeve or in relation to the effective “string gap” between the opposed inner faces of the two yo-yo halves. The present invention also provides an effective and economical string-bearing surface able to span the wider string gap required by “new school” styles and modes of play. The present invention enables the variable stacking of successive lays of string either side of the securing loop during complicated yo-yo string trick routines.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuing application of PCT Application No. PCT / AU2004 / 001176 filed Aug. 31, 2004.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to yo-yos and in particular high-performance ball- or roller-bearing yo-yos capable of extremely wide string-gap settings suitable for “new school” yo-yo tricks. The rapid emergence of new skills amongst practitioners has prompted the invention of new types of yo-yos; the present invention resolves many of the difficulties involved in producing such yo-yos. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The introduction of ball-bearing yo-yos in the 'nineties saw a quantum leap in the possibilities for new yo-yo tricks and techniques due to the enormously extended spin times afforded by ball- and roller-bearing yo-yos. These techniques, referred to as “new school”, involve the elaboration of many lays of string between the spinning yo-yo halves—as many as five or six lays as the string is doubl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] The bearing member in one application is employed in conjunction with a set of yo-yo halves with thermoplastic elastomer discs presenting string snaring surfaces of superior effect by utilizing surface or cling adhesion to snare the yo-yo string. The response surface, in relation to the effective inner plane of the yo-yo halves, may be flush, recessed with or without starburst, or with a partially raised portion and a bearing sleeve with the concave surface to accommodate advanced string trick play.

[0034] The present invention provides a bearing or bearing sleeve which may fulfill the function of increasing the outside diameter of the string bearing means to promote optimum string response or recall. This superior recall is believed to be a function of the increased frictional contact between the yo-yo string due to the greater girth of a larger circumference bearing.

Problems solved by technology

One of the limitations to this type of yo-yo play was the premature return of the yo-yo to the player's hand due to snagging of the string on the “starburst” pattern of raised ridges on the medial faces of the yo-yo halves.

Conversely, another limitation to this type of play was the difficulty of setting a wide enough string gap to accommodate a plurality of lays of string, and yet having the response capability to snare and rewind the string so as to return the yo-yo to the player's hand on demand.

A further limitation was that, at extremely wide string gap settings, the axial extension of the cylindrical outer surface of the roller bearing was insufficient to maintain the string in a central position with respect to the medial faces of the yo-yo halves, to prevent bearing slap and to prevent the string becoming snagged between the bearing and the said medial faces.

This is the result of having to provide support structure, and the only engineering way, due to limitations imposed by the known effective string snaring capacity of an integral starburst response system, is to provide structure by increasing the bearing outside diameter that is at right angles to the axle.

An outside diameter of 30% plus effectively makes the task of producing a high performance yo-yo impossible.

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