A spinning accessory for a portable device

Abstract

There is disclosed a spinning device, comprising a first housing component, which includes an attachment means coupled to an external surface for attaching to an accessory; a second housing component, which includes a ring of magnets sized and aligned to be compatible with a MagSafe standard for coupling to rotatable object; and a bearing assembly coupled to the first housing and second housing such that the first housing can rotate relative to the second housing.

Description

A SPINNING ACCESSORY FOR A PORTABLE DEVICECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional patent application serial number 63 / 653,169, filed on May 29, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The invention relates in general to accessories for handheld devices, such as mobile phones, and in particular to a spinning accessory for a handheld device.BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0003] The widespread adoption of wireless charging technology, including Apple’s MagSafe system, has enabled convenient and secure attachment of accessories to electronic devices such as smartphones. MagSafe utilizes a series of strategically positioned magnets to ensure proper alignment and secure attachment, and they could for example be embedded within the device and compatible accessories and or attached to the outside surface of the device and compatible accessories. This magnetic coupling enhances user experience by simplifying the attachment process, ensuring optimal charging efficiency, and providing a stable connection for various peripherals.

[0004] Despite the versatility of the MagSafe ecosystem, there remains a need for enhancing accessory functionalities beyond existing offerings. In particular, there is a growing interest in accessories that provide additional interaction, entertainment, or utility features to complement smartphone use. Rotatable or spinning accessories, for example, can offer new modes of engagement, stress relief, or aesthetic customization. Most of the current MagSafe-compatible accessories primarily focus on charging, wallet, or stand or grip functions.

[0005] What is needed, therefore, is a device that can offer a platform or system of producing a dynamic or a movable experience for the user while attaching securely to a phone, phone case, or another accessory. What is needed is a way to, for example, spin on a surface (like table) in addition to spinning in the hand (not just one or the other), and should also provide the best user experience (for example could be comfortable and orergonomic and or also perhaps surprising and or delightful, all this coming from a place of deep consideration and understanding of the user’s perspective, having experienced the need for a better solution for example when spinning a relatively weighty object like a mobile phone that could otherwise create uncomfortable force and or stress on a for example a user’s hands and or fingers and or wrists.

[0006] The features and advantages of the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. While numerous changes may be made by those skilled in the art, such changes are within the spirit of the invention.SUMMARY

[0007] In response to these and other problems, in one embodiment, there is disclosed a spinning device, comprising a first housing component, which includes an attachment means coupled to an external surface for attaching to an accessory; a second housing component, which includes a ring of magnets sized and aligned to be compatible with a MagSafe standard for coupling to portable and rotatable object; and a bearing assembly coupled to the first housing and second housing such that the first housing can rotate relative to the second housing. These and other features, and advantages, will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is important to note the drawings are not intended to represent the only aspect of the invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Fig 1 A. is an isometric view of a spinning system that employs one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 B is an exploded isometric view of the system of Fig. 1 A.

[0009] Fig 2A is an exploded isometric illustration as viewed from a proximal perspective of one embodiment of a spinner used in the embodiment of Fig. 1 A. Fig. 2B is an exploded isometric illustration as viewed from the distal perspective of one embodiment of the spinner used in the system of Fig. 1 A.

[0010] Fig. 3A is a section view of the spinner illustrated in Figs. 2A and 2B. Fig. 3B is a detailed section view of the spinner illustrated in Fig. 3A. Fig. 3C is a section view of the spinner illustrated in Fig. 3B with a portion of the spinner removed for clarity.

[0011] Fig 4A is an exploded isometric view of an alternative spinning system that employs one embodiment of the present invention in a first configuration. Fig. 4B is an exploded isometric view of the system of Fig. 4A in a second configuration.

[0012] Figs. 5A through 5F illustrate different embodiments of an attachment ring which may be employed with various embodiments of the present invention.

[0013] Fig 6 is an isometric view of an alternative spinning system that employs one embodiment of the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present inventions, reference will now be made to the embodiments, or examples, illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the inventions as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

[0015] When directions, such as upper, lower, top, bottom, clockwise, counter-clockwise, are discussed in this disclosure, such directions are meant to only supply reference directions for the illustrated figures and for orientation of components in respect to each other or to illustrate the figures. The directions should not be read to imply actual directions used in any resulting invention or actual use. Under no circumstances, should such directions be read to limit or impart any meaning into the claims.

[0016] Turning now to Fig. 1 A, there is presented an isometric view of one embodiment of a system 1000, which allows for the rotation and / or spinning of a portable and rotatable object 200. Fig. 1 B is an exploded isometric view of the system 1000. In the illustrated embodiment, a spinner 100 allows the portable and rotatable object 200 to be rotated or spun by a control device 300, which in this example is illustrated as a handle or grip. In the illustrative example, the portable and rotatable object 200 is a phone case that may enclose or partially a mobile phone (not shown). Note the control device 300 is not necessary to use the spinner 100 with the portable and rotatable object 200, as spinner 100 and object 200 may be attached to each other and for example placed with the spinner 100 facing down on a surface so object 200 can be spun relative to the surface. Also note the spinner 100 could for example be used by itself (i.e. spun by itself if a userfinds it desirable), without for example rotatable object 200 and without a control device 300. Also note that in some embodiments the spinner 100 could be used with one or more objects 200 that are not necessarily portable but that a user still finds desirable to use with the spinner 100.

[0017] For purposes of illustration, the mobile phone may be an Apple mobile phone equipped with MagSafe™ technology. MagSafe technology in an iPhone involves a set of magnets arranged in a circle under the back casing of the phone. These magnets are designed to align perfectly with compatible accessories, like wireless chargers, cases, and wallets. This alignment ensures that accessories (i.e., an Apple MagSafe Wallet) snap into place easily and stay securely attached. A sophisticated attachment mechanism like MagSafe can be secure and dimensionally-stable but also quickly and easily reposition-able; these traits are some of the primary enablers of “multi axis” spinning (as will be explained later in this document), and these traits may not be found in other less sophisticated attachment mechanisms like adhesive or a simpler magnetic mechanism. For purposes of this specification, the term “MagSafe Compliant” is defined to be either a ferrous and or steel or partial steel and or ferrous ring or ring of magnets designed to magnetically couple with a partial or full ring of magnets having alternating polarities and an inner diameter of around 46mm and an outer diameter of around 54mm.

[0018] For purposes of this specification, mobile phone and or phone and or mobile phone case and or phone case and or case could additionally refer to a mobile electronic device and or mobile electronic device case. For purposes of this specification, “MagSafe” may mean “MagSafe compliant”.

[0019] In the example illustrated in Figs. 1A and 1 B, the phone case 200 may be a MagSafe compatible phone case that has its own set of magnets 202 arranged in a circle embedded into or placed upon the back of the case.

[0020] In certain embodiments, the control device 300 may be a handle or grip, such as a PopSocket™. A PopSocket is a popular accessory for mobile devices, typically used with smartphones or tablets. It consists of a circular or other shaped plastic piece that adheres to the back of the mobile device or its case. However, in the illustrative example of Figs. 1A and 1 B, the PopSocket adheres to the spinner 100 which is magnetically coupled to the phone case 200. In other embodiments, the control device 200 may be car mount or tripod or other grip. In other embodiments, the control device could be acone or “top-shaped” piece to make spinning on a flat surface more challenging to balance without falling over - thus providing a skill challenge to the system.

[0021] The control device 300 may attach to the spinner via several attachment mechanisms, including adhesives, a metal ring, or another layer of MagSafe compatible magnets. Such attachment mechanisms may be removable or permanent depending on the specific application. The first version of spinner 100 to be mass manufactured may be without anything like metal rings and or magnets attached to and or embedded into housing side 104 because it adds unnecessary cost and complication to what could be the minimum viable product. Additionally, the best user experience may initially be achieved when users use an adhesive PopSocket as the control device 300, and for example not necessarily a MagSafe PopSocket because the bulges around the magnets on it may not provide the best grip possible compared to for example the adhesive PopSocket.

[0022] In certain situations, a user can hold the central part of the grip and / or the grip button in one or both hands, for example between the thumb and another finger, and / or between two or more fingers (palm up or palm down), and / or in the palm, and / or in the fist; and then use a flick with any other finger to set the rotatable device 200 spinning, which in turn, will cause the spinner 100 to spin or rotate about its rotational axis 102. In some situations, the grip 300 may be placed on a surface (not shown) and the rotatable device may be spun in a similar manner.

[0023] Once set in motion, the spinner 100 uses angular momentum to maintain its speed and balance as it spins around the rotational axis 102. For purposes of this document, a “distal direction” is defined as the direction facing away from the control device 300 or grip as indicated by an arrow 1002 in Fig. 1 B. Similarly, a “proximal direction” is defined as the direction facing towards the control device 300 as indicated by the arrow 1004. By way of example, the spinner 100 has a proximal surface or side 101 shown in Fig. 1 B. However, the distal face of the spinner 100 is not visible in Figs. 1 A and 1 B because that distal surface or side faces away from the viewer.

[0024] Fig 2A is an exploded isometric illustration of one embodiment of the spinner 200 as viewed from the grip or proximal side. In contrast, Fig. 2B is an exploded isometric illustration of one embodiment of the spinner 100 as viewed from the case or distal side. As illustrated in Figs. 2A and 2B, the spinner 100 comprises a first or “grip side” housing component 104. As will be explained in detail below, the first housing component 104rotatably couples to a bearing assembly 106. A second housing component 108 also rotatably couples to the bearing assembly 106, which allows the second housing to rotate relatively to the first housing 104. This second housing component 108 includes a peripheral ring-shaped groove 1 10 defined on its distal or exterior side for housing a support ring 1 12 and a plurality of magnets 1 14. A thin layer 1 16 couples to the distal side of the second housing component 108 and is designed to couple or be placed adjacent to the rotatable object 200.

[0025] In certain embodiments, the first or “grip side” housing component 104 provides structure and rigidity to the spinner 100. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 2B, in certain embodiments, the housing component 104 comprises a rigid circular disc 120 having a peripheral ring 122 projecting from its distal or interior surface. In the illustrative embodiment of Fig. 2B, a concentric interior ring 124 also projects from the distal surface of the rigid circular disc 120, and a plurality of radial spokes 126 connect the concentric interior ring 124 to the peripheral ring 122 as illustrated in Fig. 2B. In certain embodiments, there may be a center hub 128 projecting from the distal surface of the rigid disc 120 for coupling to the bearing assembly 106 as explained below. In certain embodiments, housing side 104 could be any shape and or any material(s) and or could have some different material like metal incorporated for additional reasons like structure and or support. In certain embodiments, housing side 104 could have aesthetic designs like for example cutouts and or spokes and or blades and or fins to make the side 108 look more interesting and or appealing and or unique like for example a jet engine propeller and or an automotive wheel rim.

[0026] In certain embodiments, an interior circular ring 130 defined a circular indentation 132 on the proximal side of the rigid circular disc 120 as best illustrated in Fig. 2A. In certain embodiments, the circular indentation 132 marks where an adhesive grip’s foot may be placed. Additionally, the indentation 132 may keep any sharp edge of grip’s foot (not shown in Figs. 2A and 2B) from digging into the user’s skin. Although the indentation 132 is illustrated as circular in this embodiment, the indentation 132 could be any shape or depth, for example to better match a grip attachment (not shown), including being a protrusion, and including being fully and or partially contiguous and or broken up into one or more sections and or parts and or pieces.

[0027] In certain embodiments, a ring-shaped indentation 134 may be defined on rigid circular disc 120. The ring-shaped indentation 134 creates more space for the fingersunder the grip (between grip button and housing). Additionally, if a user desires to add an adhesive metal ring (not shown) on this proximal side of the housing component 104, the indentation 134 may aid in positioning and aligning the ring. Although the indentation 134 is illustrated as ring-shaped in this embodiment, the indentation 134 could be any shape or depth to better match a grip attachment (not shown), including being a protrusion, and including being fully and or partially contiguous and or broken up into one or more sections and or parts and pieces.

[0028] In other embodiments, the proximal side of the housing component 104 may be shaped to couple with, and or employ, a variety of attachment mechanisms (not shown), such as a hook and loop mechanism, and or a layer of adhesive. Additionally a MagSafe compatible ferrous (ex: metal) ring, and or a MagSafe compatible ring of magnets may be embodied in the housing component 104 to allow for the attachment of other MagSafe compatible attachments and accessories, and this and other embodiments would create an extensible platform to for example allow third parties to use their own accessories to attach to the spinner. Here extensible platform could mean a system designed to be adaptable and allow for the addition of new features, integrations, or functionalities depending of the needs of the user.

[0029] The second or distal housing component 108 also provides structure and rigidity to the spinner 100. For example, in certain embodiments, the housing component 108 comprises an interior rigid circular ring or disc 140 (Fig. 2B). In the embodiment in Fig. 2A, a concentric center spindle 150 projects from the proximal face of the disc 140. One or more concentric support rings 152 may also project from the proximal face of the disc 140, and a plurality of radial spokes 154 couple the support rings together for structural and rigidity reasons. In certain embodiments, housing side 108 could be any shape and or any material(s) and or could have some different material like metal incorporated for additional reasons like structure and or support. In certain embodiments, housing side 108 could have aesthetic designs like for example cutouts and or spokes and or blades and or fins to make the side 108 look more interesting or appealing like for example a jet engine propeller and or an automotive wheel rim.

[0030] In certain embodiments, there may be a peripheral lip 156 projecting radially from the circumferential edge of the housing component 108. The peripheral lip 156 is designed to aid in detaching the spinner 100 from rotatable object 200. The peripheral lip 156 allows a user to remove or pry spinner 100 from rotatable object 200, by forexample getting one or more fingers under the lip to remove or pry spinner 100 from the rotatable object 200. In alternative embodiments, a peripheral lip 156 could alternatively or additionally be placed on the circumferential edge of the housing component 104. One or more of these lips 156 could alternatively or additionally run all the way around the circumference of housing 104 and or housing 108 and be any size and or shape and or length.

[0031] In certain embodiments, the housing components 108 and 104 may be formed of a plastic material. In other embodiments, the housing components could be made from metal, wood, or any material having the requisite strength.

[0032] In certain embodiments, the peripheral edge of the disc 140 forms part of the ringshaped groove 1 10 for housing the magnetic support ring 112 and the MagSafe compatible magnets 114 as illustrated in Fig. 2B. The plurality of MagSafe compatible magnets 1 14 are designed to magnetically couple to the MagSafe compatible magnets 202 in the rotatable object 200, such as a phone or a phone case. Thus, the magnetic poles of the magnets are positioned and orientated to couple with the MagSafe compatible magnets of the rotatable object, and in certain embodiments, the magnets 1 14 may be made of neodymium or other magnetic materials. Thus, the plurality of magnets 114 are designed to be aligned with the MagSafe magnets in the rotatable object, and the magnets 114 may be glued or otherwise affixed in the groove 110 to ensure they stay in alignment once positioned in the groove.

[0033] In certain embodiments, a ring of steel 112 or another ferrous material may be positioned adjacent to the plurality of magnets 1 14. The ring 1 12 provides a mounting surface for the magnets and may make manufacturing easier. In certain embodiments, the ring 112 may act as back iron, thereby increasing the strength of the magnetic field on the distal side while potentially dampening or blocking the magnetic field on the proximal side so that the magnets do not interact with any metal in the rest of the spinner or another accessory. In certain embodiments, the ring may be a completely contiguous ring, as illustrated, or it may be provided in non-contiguous components (e.g., four separate quarter components). The ring may be of variable thickness, depending on the specific application.

[0034] The thin layer 116 is positioned on the distal side of the distal housing component 108 and can cover all or some (contiguous or noncontiguous and in any shape or pattern) of the side, for example enclosing the support ring 1 12 and the plurality of magnets 1 14.In certain embodiments, the thin layer 1 16 may be made from a flexible and or squishy material, such as silicone, polyurethane, or rubber. In certain embodiments, the thin layer 1 16 provides a non-scratching surface to prevent scratching the surface of the rotatable object and or the spinner 100. The thin layer 1 16 also has a relatively high coefficient of friction to prevent sliding of the spinner 100 on the surface of the rotatable object. In certain embodiments, the thin layer 116 may help to absorb things like the noise and or vibration and or wobble that can be generated when things (including fidget spinners) spin. In certain embodiments, the thin layer 1 16 may assist in attaching the rotatable object in the event of an uneven surface. In certain embodiments, a thin layer 1 16 additionally and or alternatively could be applied to some or all of the outside face of the housing 104. In certain embodiments, the thin layer(s) 116 could be applied to other interior surfaces of the sides of the housings 104 and / or 108 for various reasons including the absorption of for example noise and or vibration and or wobble. In certain embodiments, the thin layer 116 could be made of any material and any shape and any thickness, and it could be a single piece and or more than one piece and or many pieces.

[0035] The bearing assembly 106 primarily enables one of the housing components 104 or 108 to spin relative to the other. In certain embodiments, the bearing assembly 106 may be a ball bearing type 608 or R188. In certain embodiments, the bearing assembly may use ceramic balls and or a nylon cage and or metal races. In certain embodiments, the inner and outer bearing races, instead of being distinct removable parts, could for example be formed from the housing sides 104 and 108.

[0036] Turning now to Fig. 3A, there is illustrated a section view of one embodiment of the spinner 200 showing how the various components discussed above work together when assembled. Fig. 3B is a detailed section view through the center spindle 150 of the distal housing component 108, the bearing assembly 106, and the center hub 128 of the proximal housing component 104. Fig. 3C is a detailed section view similar to Fig. 3B, but at a slightly different perspective and with the proximal housing component 104 removed for clarity.

[0037] In the illustrative example of Fig. 3B, the center hub 128 of the proximal housing component 104 comprises at least one semi-circular projection or projections 160 with a lip or clip 162 on the exterior side. In certain embodiments, the semi-circular projections 160 surround a center support fin 161. The support fin 161 provides structural support for the center of the housing component 104. The semi-circular projections 160 formingthe center hub 128 are sized to fit within the inner diameter of the bearing assembly 106. Thus, in certain embodiments, the bearing assembly 106 may be pressed onto the center hub 128 - which will cause the projections 160 to flex slightly inward to allow the bearing assembly 106 to move past the clips 162. Once in the final position, the projections 160 will snap back in place and the clips 162 will retain the bearing assembly 106 as illustrated in Fig. 3B.

[0038] Fig. 3C shows a similar concept for coupling the center spindle 150 of the housing component 108 to the bearing assembly 106. In the illustrative example of Figs. 3B and 3C, the center spindle 150 of the distal housing component 108 comprises a plurality of semi-circular projection or projections 166 with a lip or clip 168 on the interior side of the projections. The semi-circular projections 166 forming the center spindle 150 are sized to fit around the outer diameter of the bearing assembly 106. Thus, in certain embodiments, the bearing assembly 106 may be pressed into the space created by the center spindle 150 - which will cause the projections 166 to flex slightly outward to allow the bearing assembly 106 to move past the clips 168. Once in the final position, the projections 166 will snap back in place, and the clips 168 will retain the bearing assembly 106 as illustrated in Figs. 3B and 3C.

[0039] Thus, in the illustrative embodiment, the center hub 128 of the proximal housing component 104 couples to the interior of the bearing assembly, and the center spindle 150 of the housing component 108 couples to the exterior of the bearing assembly. In other embodiments (not shown), the size of the center spindle and hub could be reversed so that a center hub of the proximal housing component 104 couples to the exterior of the bearing assembly 106 and the spindle of the distal housing component 108 couples to the interior of the bearing assembly.

[0040] In alternative embodiments, the center hub 128 may be a ring or cylinder projected from the distal or interior face of the proximal housing component 104. In such an embodiment, the projections 160 would then be a single cylindrical wall without any lips or tabs. Similarly, the center spindle 150 may be a ring or cylinder projected from the proximal interior face of the distal housing component 108. In such an embodiment, the projections 166 would be a single cylindrical wall without any lips or tabs.

[0041] In such an alternative embodiment, the center spindle 150 would be pressed or friction fit around the bearing assembly 106 and or the center hub 128 would be pressed or friction fit inside of the bearing assembly 106. In yet another alternative embodiment,the center spindle and or center hub could be glued to the exterior and interior sides of the bearing assembly 106. In certain embodiments, alternative attachment mechanisms securing the center spindle 150 and or the center hub 128 to bearing assembly 106 could include (but is not limited to) shrink fit, press fit with crush ribs, threaded collars, retaining collars, snaps, screws (set screws, hub screw, threaded hub, screwed-in covers and or collars), bolts (in hub, or in place of screws), adapter sleeves, pins, eccentric lock, concentric lock, clamps, locknuts, shoulders on the housing, end caps that capture outer race, snap rings & circlips, flanged bearings with retaining rings, counterbored housing with a plate or ring bolted on top, and or snap fit mechanism that uses, for example, protrusions (like a hook or stud) on one part that engages with a matching depression (like a groove) on another, and or guided slide fit mechanism that uses, for example, male protrusions like dovetails that slide inside female recesses like a track and may also lock into place.

[0042] Turning back to Fig. 3A, in certain embodiments, the overall diameter 190 of the spinner 100 may be around 58mm to 60mm. In certain embodiments, the diameter of both housing components 104 and 108 sides are the same or similar and sized to be slightly wider than the diameter in the MagSafe ring magnet specifications. In certain embodiments the housing components 104 and or 108 may be sized and or shaped (and not necessarily as a circle) such that when for example spinner 100 is attached to a phone it does not interfere with existing elements on the phone like for example the "camera bump” protrusion(s) present on most phones and phone cases.

[0043] Some might think that it is desirable to make the spinner 100 as thin as possible, as is the trend with most phone accessories like grips and wallets, so for example it can fit more easily in a pocket while still attached to a phone. However , the better choice may be to make it thicker than necessary, as this provides a better user experience by, for example, being more ergonomic. For example, in certain embodiments the overall thickness 192 of the spinner 100 may be greater than 10 millimeters, and in certain embodiments the thickness 192 ranges from 1 1 mm to 12mm.

[0044] The thickness 192 is designed to provide a great user experience but still be relatively compact so that for example it can fit in a pocket or purse easily (when for example not attached to a phone and when for example the grip is collapsed if this is a feature of the grip).

[0045] Figs. 4A and 4B are exploded isometric drawings of a system 1006 illustrating a rotatable object 200, such as an iPhone case 200, a support or Venn ring 180, the spinner 100, and the stabilizing device, such as a handle 300. In Fig. 4A, the spinner 100 and handle 300 are aligned with a first or “upper” or “center mode” ring 182 of the Venn ring 180. In contrast, in Fig. 4B, the spinner 100 and the handle 300 are aligned with a second or “lower” or “side-mode” ring 184 of the Venn ring 180.

[0046] In various embodiments, the Venn ring 180 may be made of steel or another ferrous material. The inner and outer diameters of each ring 182 and 184 are sized to be MagSafe compatible. In certain embodiments, the distal side of the ring 180 may have an adhesive backing - which would allow the ring to couple with a rotatable object 200, such as MagSafe compatible and or non-magsafe compatible mobile electronic devices including Android phone or Android phone case. In other embodiments, the Venn ring 180 might be embedded into the rotatable object 200.

[0047] Once the Venn Ring 180 is coupled to the rotatable object 200, the user then has two options for spinning. The user can couple the spinner to the upper Venn ring 182, as would be the case in Fig. 4A, or the user can couple the spinner to the lower Venn ring 184, as would be the case in Fig. 4B. Thus, the Venn ring 180 allows the rotatable device 200 to spin around two axes of rotation - making the entire system a “multi axis” spinning system. For example, side-mode spinning could only require one hand for users of a certain skill level to start spin and or maintain spin using oscillating motions of the single hand and or wrist and or arm (instead of using one hand to hold the spinner and the other hand to spin the object 200), and thus could for example allow sustained spinning at a relatively high speed without the need for a motor. This is useful for example when used with a separate noisemaking and or whistling attachment at live sporting events. This one-handed spinning could also be accomplished for example using tabs or levers (not pictured) that could be accessed by for example the thumb of a hand while holding the grip 300 between the fingers of the same hand.

[0048] A multi axis spinning system is desirable because it could be perceived of as fun by users (as is readily apparent when watching someone spin at each axis, t); it may be aesthetically appealing when used en mass by attendees at concerts with the phone flash turned on; certain embodiments may also be functional, especially a side-spin mode, for example when used with a separate noisemaking and or whistling attachment at live sporting events; certain embodiments could also be used with phone apps and or games(for example: for exercise, or for hand strength building, or for fishing, or that create unique visual effects like flinging the app icons in a phone to the edges of the screen as if by centrifugal force, or others yet to be imagined).

[0049] In various embodiments, the distance between the centers of the Venn ring 182 and Venn ring 184 may vary to provide the best user experience depending on various factors, including but not limited to the desire to accommodate different phone sizes and or phone case sizes, and different user preferences in how they like to spin such as weight distribution and balance and “feel”, especially when spinning in side-mode. Figs. 5A through 5F illustrate different configurations. The configurations range from two entirely separate rings 510 as illustrated in Fig. 5A, to a single ring 520 as illustrated in Fig. 5F which may be placed in center-mode and or side-mode. Figs 5B through 5E illustrate Venn rings 512, 514, 516, and 518 with different distances between the centers of the individual rings. Fig. 5E illustrates how some areas 502 and 504 of the ring 518 could be made of plastic or another non-electrically conductive material to potentially prevent undesirable overheating in these areas when MagSafe charging a phone, and these non- electrically conductive material parts and metal parts and or layers could be sandwiched and or laminated to each other and or adhered to each other by any other means.

[0050] In certain embodiments, on housing 108, the peripheral circular groove 110 (that houses the ring of magnets 114 and or support ring 1 12) could also be located on the proximal side of housing 108, allowing magnets 114 and or support ring 1 12 to alternatively be attached to the proximal side of Housing 108. Magnets 1 14 and or support ring 1 12 could also be embedded inside housing 108.

[0051] In certain embodiments, on housing 104, the ring-shaped groove 134 that could house a ring of magnets (not pictured) and or support ring (not pictured) could also be located on the interior or distal side of housing 104, allowing the magnet ring and or support ring to alternatively be attached to the interior or distal side of housing 104. The magnet ring and or support ring could also be embedded in the interior or distal side housing 104.

[0052] In certain embodiments, on housing 104, the center hub 128 could have a support fin 161 , dissecting the middle of the hub and thus adding support and rigidity. The center hub 128 could also be solid material instead of fully or partially hollow.

[0053] In certain embodiments, the proximal side of the housing component 104 may be shaped to couple with and or employ a variety of attachment mechanisms (not shown), such as hook and loop closure, and or a rotational latching mechanism that utilizes blades and or pins that fit into slots and or grooves and could lock into place, and or snap fit mechanism that uses for example protrusions (like a hook or stud) on one part that engages with a matching depression (like a groove) on another, and or guided slide fit mechanism that uses for example male protrusions like dovetails that slide inside female recesses like a track and may also lock into place, and or press fit (aka interference fit), and or shrink fit, and or press fit with crush ribs, and or threaded ends, and or screws, and or bolts, and or pins, and or clamps, and or locknuts, and or end caps, among others.

[0054] In certain embodiments, possibly because some users prefer it (and not necessarily relating to phones and or phone cases) the thickness 192 of spinner 100 may be less than 10 millimeters, and or as thin as possible, and or “ultra-thin” like for example 5 millimeters or less. In certain embodiments, possibly because some users prefer having" the best of all worlds” (and not necessarily relating to phones and or phone cases) the thickness 192 of spinner 100 could be adjustable and or be thick or thin as needed and or expandable and or collapsible, using for example additional mechanisms (not pictured) between housing side 104 and housing side 108 (and that may or may not include or attach to bearing assembly 106), using for example pistons and or twisting mechanism(s) and or telescoping mechanism(s) and or accordion mechanism(s) and or hinged linkage mechanism(s) and or screwing mechanism(s) and or screw(s) and or threaded mechanism(s) and or thread(s) and or a buckling structure(s) and or cam-and- slot mechanism(s), and or separate expander ring(s) / piece(s), and or among other things, and or any number of the aforementioned methods could be locked into place. In certain embodiments, the distance between the user’s hand and rotatable object 200 could be increased and or decreased and or changed by using (for example by adding and or removing) expander rings and or expander pieces that may or may not be magnetic themselves and could be made of any material and any shape and any thickness and fully and or partially contiguous and could be made of any number of parts themselves.

[0055] In certain embodiments, Venn ring 180 and all the embodiments in Fig. 5A through Fig. 5F could alternatively be fully or partially contiguous discs instead of rings. In certain embodiments, Venn ring 180 could be composed of more than 2 rings, like for example 3 or 4 or 5 or more rings. In certain embodiments, one or more the Venn rings 180 and or all embodiments in Fig. 5A through Fig. 5F could be whole and or partial andor contiguous and or noncontiguous and or broken up into smaller sections and or any number of pieces. In certain embodiments, one or more the Venn rings 180 and or all embodiments in Fig. 5A through Fig. 5F could be made of any ferrous and or magnetic material including magnets. In certain embodiments, the embodiments in Fig. 5A through Fig. 5F are not meant to be limiting, and the rings could be placed in any arrangement in a range of positions between and or around these embodiments.

[0056] In certain embodiments, a single ring from Fig. 5F could be placed only in sidemode, and or only in center-mode, and additionally a spinner 100 could be used from one of these placements. In certain embodiments, a two single rings from Fig. 5F could be place at opposite ends of for example a phone or phone case or other rotatable object 200 (instead of at center-mode and side-mode, both rings would thus technically be in side-mode). In certain embodiments, two or more rings from Fig. 5F could be placed and or embedded anywhere on or in a rotatable object 200 if it provides a spinning experience that is desirable to a user.

[0057] In certain embodiments, two or more rings from Fig. 5F could be placed on one or more different and or opposite sides of rotatable object 200 (for as many sides as there are on rotatable object 200) and in any location on those sides. In certain embodiments, two or more spinners 100 could be used with and or attached to one or more rotatable objects 200 if it provides a spinning experience that is desirable to a user, like for example if the object 200 was a toy shaped like an airplane and the spinners were acting like detachable propellers on the airplane; another example is if the objects 200 are acting like a building system like Lego or K’nex and acting like linkages and or gears and or axles between multiple spinners in a perhaps complex kinetic sculpture or machine or architecture or wall art.

[0058] Certain embodiments may apply to the Qi standard and to any other magnetic attachment standard (not just MagSafe) that accomplishes the same thing for mobile electronic devices (for example, provides the same or mostly the same benefits as MagSafe for mobile electronic devices) but just looks different than MagSafe. In certain embodiments, if the MagSafe standard changes, like for example having a square shape instead of a circle and or ring shape, this specification and claims and document and patents are still valid and applicable.

[0059] In certain embodiments, efforts could be made to counteract wobble and or vibration that could be generated for example when spinning a rotatable object 200 like aphone in center-mode, and that object 200 could be innately unbalanced in weight because of for example the presence of a camera bump to one side of the phone, and when a less-wobbly and or smoother experience is preferred by the user. This could be accomplished for example by placing the center spin axis closer to the heavier side of the object 200, and or creating a way for a user to adjust or fine tune the weight distribution or axis of spin to their own preferences, but where the user may still consider the axis of spin as “center-mode”.

[0060] In certain embodiments, for housing side 104, the grip 300 could not be a removable part but could instead be embedded into housing side 104 and or permanently fixed to the housing side 104 and or manufactured such that grip 300 and housing side 104 are permanently connected.

[0061] In certain embodiments, the spinner 100 could be embedded and or permanently fixed to the rotatable object 200 (for example, embedded into a phone and or phone case). In certain embodiments, spinner 100 could be on something like one or more tracks and or slots that allow moving the position of the spinner 100 on the rotatable object 200, whether or not the spinner 100 is embedded and or permanently fixed to the rotatable object 200.

[0062] In certain embodiments, the systems in this specification, including those present in Fig. 5A through 5F, could be embedded into any rotatable object 200.

[0063] As previously discussed, the rotatable object 200 can be any number of items and is not limited to phones and phone cases. For instance, Fig 6 illustrates a system 1010 where the spinner 100 and grip 300 are magnetically coupled to a sound machine 600. A whistle 602 may be located at one end of the sound machine 600, so when the sound machine 600 is spun, air goes through the whistle, and a sound is produced. Increasing the speed of rotation, therefore, will increase the pitch and volume of the sound produced.

[0064] Certain embodiments disclose a versatile apparatus designed for spinning a wide range of accessories that attach magnetically to the apparatus. This device combines a bearing with magnets on both sides, compatible with the MagSafe ring magnets, a standard already adopted by a multitude of accessory products in the market.

[0065] The invention detaches the concept of fidget-spinning from the typical "fidgetspinner" and instead introduces a spinning "platform" with common standards, enabling a wave of innovation in the spinning market. This apparatus allows popular MagSafecompatible handles, such as the Magnetic PopSocket, to be used as handles for the apparatus. It also accommodates existing MagSafe compatible tripods, mounts, and selfie-sticks.

[0066] Certain embodiments may broaden the scope of fidget-spinning by enabling a user to spin a wide variety of items, including mobile phones, art objects, tools for unique visual effects, premium collectibles, LED light systems, and plastic accessories. It also opens up possibilities for educational aids and branded noisemakers for sports events.

[0067] Certain embodiments pave the way for a robust ecosystem of products, including a magnetic building system akin to Lego™, allowing users to construct vehicles or other objects, with the spinners serving various roles such as wheels or propellers. This ecosystem encourages users to create new configurations and allows new companies to invent and market their unique attachments.

[0068] Thus, the benefits of this disclosure are manifold. It enables new types of experiences when used en masse, such as for example wall-mounted spinners and accessories for interior design and or motorized spinners with sensors (which may or may not be synchronized and or networked and or wirelessly connected and or Al enhanced) for enhanced experiences for concertgoers and or sports fans at live venues.

[0069] The abstract of the disclosure is provided for the sole reason of complying with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure of any patent issued from this disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

[0070] The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many combinations, modifications, and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. For instance, in certain embodiments, each of the above-described components and features may be individually or sequentially combined with other components or features and still be within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the use of “or” in this specification does not exclude the use of “and” and should be interpreted as “and / or” when the context allows. Undescribed embodiments which have interchanged components are still withinthe scope of the present invention. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims.

[0071] For instance, in certain embodiments, there may be a mobile device system, comprising: a rotatable object; a support ring coupled to the rotatable object; a spinning device magnetically coupled to the support ring, the spinning device, comprising: a center axis; a first circular housing component having an outside diameter between 55mm and 62mm, the first circular housing component including an external surface; a center hub positioned concentrically around the center axis; a second circular housing component having an outside diameter between 55mm and 62mm, the second circular housing component including a ring-shaped channel defined within the housing concentrically positioned about the center axis; a ring of magnets positioned within the ring-shaped channel, the ring of magnets sized and aligned to be compatible with a MagSafe standard for coupling to the rotatable object; a center spindle positioned concentrically around the center axis; a bearing assembly coupled to the hub of the first housing and to the spindle of the second housing such that the first housing can rotate relative to the second housing; and wherein the overall thickness of the spinning device is between 10mm and 13mm, and an accessory coupled to the spinner.

[0072] Other embodiments may include the above system wherein the support ring is embedded into the rotatable object.

[0073] Other embodiments may include the above system wherein the support ring comprises two circular-shaped rings formed into a Venn-shaped configuration.

[0074] Other embodiments may include the above system wherein the support ring comprises two circular-shaped rings.

[0075] Other embodiments may include the above system wherein the support ring includes non-electrically conductive portions.

[0076] Other embodiments may include the above system wherein the first circular housing component further comprises a second ring of magnets for coupling to the accessory.

[0077] Other embodiments may include the above system wherein the first circular housing component further comprises a ferrous ring for magnetically coupling to the accessory.

[0078] Other embodiments may include the above system wherein the rotatable object is a mobile electronic device case.

[0079] Other embodiments may include the above system wherein the rotatable object is a mobile phone.

[0080] Other embodiments may include the above system wherein the accessory is a grip.

[0081] The above embodiments may also comprise a perimeter lip projecting from a portion of a side of either the first circular housing or the second circular housing.

[0082] In yet other embodiments, there may be a spinning device, comprising: a center axis; a first circular housing component, including an external surface for coupling to an accessory; a center hub positioned concentrically around the center axis; a second circular housing component, including a ring-shaped channel defined within the housing concentrically positioned about the center axis; a ring of magnets positioned within the ring-shaped channel, the ring of magnets sized and aligned to be compatible with a MagSafe standard for coupling to a rotatable object; a center spindle positioned concentrically around the center axis; a bearing assembly coupled to the hub of the first housing and to the spindle of the second housing such that the first housing can rotate relative to the second housing; and wherein the overall thickness of the spinning device is between 10mm and 13mm.

[0083] The above embodiments may also comprise a support ring for magnetically coupling to the ring of magnets.

[0084] Other embodiments may include the above system wherein the support ring comprises two circular-shaped rings positioned in a Venn-shaped configuration.

[0085] The above embodiments may also comprise an additional support ring.

[0086] Other embodiments may include the above system where the support rings have an adhesive backing for attaching to a rotatable object.

[0087] Other embodiments may include the above system where the support rings are embedded into a rotatable object.

[0088] The above embodiments may also comprise a perimeter lip projection from a portion of a side of either the first circular housing or the second circular housing.

[0089] Other embodiments may include the above system wherein the first circular housing component further comprises a second ring of magnets for coupling to the accessory.

[0090] Other embodiments may include the above system wherein the first circular housing component further comprises a ferrous ring for magnetically coupling to the accessory.

[0091] Other embodiments may include the above system wherein the second circular housing has an external side coupled to a thin disc of flexible material.

[0092] In other embodiments, there may be a spinning device, comprising: a first housing component, including an external surface configured for attaching to an accessory; a second housing component, including a ring of magnets sized and aligned to be MagSafe compatible for coupling to a rotatable object; a bearing assembly coupled to the first housing and second housing such that the first housing can rotate relative to the second housing.

[0093] Other embodiments may include the above system wherein the spinning device is circular in shape and has an outside diameter between 55mm and 62mm.

[0094] Other embodiments may include the above system wherein the spinning device has an overall thickness between 10mm and 13mm.

[0095] Other embodiments may include the above system wherein the second housing component defines a ring-shaped channel for containing the ring of magnets.

[0096] Other embodiments may include the above system wherein the first housing includes a central hub for coupling with the bearing assembly.

[0097] Other embodiments may include the above system wherein the second housing includes a central spindle for coupling with the bearing assembly.

[0098] The above embodiments may also comprise a perimeter lip projection from a portion of a side of either the first circular housing component or the second circular housing component.

[0099] Other embodiments may include the above system wherein the first circular housing component further comprises a second ring of magnets for coupling to the accessory.

[0100] Other embodiments may include the above system wherein the first circular housing component further comprises a ferrous ring for magnetically coupling to the accessory.

[0101] Other embodiments may include the above system wherein the second circular housing has an external side coupled to a thin disc of flexible material.

[0102] Other embodiments may include the above system wherein the rotatable object is a mobile electronic device case.

[0103] Other embodiments may include the above system wherein the rotatable object is a mobile phone.

[0104] Other embodiments may include the above system wherein the accessory is a handle.

[0105] Other embodiments may include the above system wherein the rotatable object is an aerodynamically induced noise-making object.

Claims

CLAIMS:1 . A mobile device system, comprising: a rotatable object; a support ring coupled to the rotatable object; a spinning device magnetically coupled to the support ring, the spinning device, comprising: a center axis; a first circular housing component having an outside diameter between 55mm and 62mm, the first circular housing component including an external surface; a center hub positioned concentrically around the center axis; a second circular housing component having an outside diameter between 55mm and 62mm, the second circular housing component including a ring-shaped channel defined within the housing concentrically positioned about the center axis; a ring of magnets positioned within the ring-shaped channel, the ring of magnets sized and aligned to be compatible with a MagSafe standard for coupling to the rotatable object; a center spindle positioned concentrically around the center axis; a bearing assembly coupled to the hub of the first housing and to the spindle of the second housing such that the first housing can rotate relative to the second housing; wherein an overall thickness of the spinning device is between 10mm and 13mm, and an accessory coupled to the spinning device.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the support ring is embedded into the rotatable object.

3. The system of claims 1 or 2, wherein the support ring comprises two circularshaped rings formed into a Venn-shaped configuration.

4. The system of claims 1 or 2, wherein the support ring comprises two circularshaped rings.

5. The system of claims 1 or 2, wherein the support ring includes non-electrically conductive portions.

6. The system of claims 1 or 2, wherein the first circular housing component further comprises a second ring of magnets for coupling to the accessory.

7. The system of claims 1 or 2, wherein the first circular housing component further comprises a ferrous ring for magnetically coupling to the accessory.

8. The system of claims 1 through 7, wherein the rotatable object is a mobile electronic device case.

9. The system of claims 1 through 7 wherein the rotatable object is a mobile electronic device.

10. The system of claims 1 through 7, wherein the accessory is a grip.

11. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a perimeter lip projecting from a portion of a side of either the first circular housing or the second circular housing.

12. A spinning device, comprising: a center axis; a first circular housing component, including an external surface for coupling to an accessory; a center hub positioned concentrically around the center axis; a second circular housing component, including a ring-shaped channel defined within the housing concentrically positioned about the center axis; a ring of magnets positioned within the ring-shaped channel, the ring of magnets sized and aligned to be compatible with a MagSafe standard for coupling to a rotatable object; a center spindle positioned concentrically around the center axis; a bearing assembly coupled to the hub of the first housing and to the spindle of the second housing such that the first housing can rotate relative to the second housing; and wherein an overall thickness of the spinning device is between 10mm and 13mm.

13. A system including the spinning device of claim 12, further comprising a support ring for magnetically coupling to the ring of magnets.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the support ring comprises two circular-shaped rings positioned in a Venn-shaped configuration.

15. The system of claim 13, further comprising an additional support ring.

16. The system of claims 13 through 15, wherein the support rings have an adhesive backing for attaching to a rotatable object.

17. The system of claims 13 through 15, wherein the support rings are embedded into a rotatable object.

18. The device of claim 12, further comprising a perimeter lip projection from a portion of a side of either the first circular housing or the second circular housing.

19. The device of claim 12, wherein the first circular housing component further comprises a second ring of magnets for coupling to the accessory.

20. The device of claim 12, wherein the first circular housing component further comprises a ferrous ring for magnetically coupling to the accessory.

21. The device of claim 12, wherein the second circular housing has an external side coupled to a thin disc of flexible material.

22. A spinning device, comprising: a first housing component, including an external surface configured for attaching to an accessory; a second housing component, including a ring of magnets sized and aligned to be MagSafe compatible for coupling to a rotatable object; a bearing assembly coupled to the first housing and second housing such that the first housing can rotate relative to the second housing.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the spinning device is circular in shape and has an outside diameter between 55mm and 62mm.

24. The device of claim 22, wherein the spinning device has an overall thickness between 10mm and 13mm.

25. The device of claim 22, wherein the second housing component defines a ringshaped channel for containing the ring of magnets.

26. The device of claim 22, wherein the first housing includes a central hub for coupling with the bearing assembly.

27. The device of claim 22, wherein the second housing includes a central spindle for coupling with the bearing assembly.

28. The device of claim 22, further comprising a perimeter lip projection from a portion of a side of either the first housing component or the second housing component.

29. The device of claim 22, wherein the first housing component further comprises a second ring of magnets for coupling to the accessory.

30. The device of claim 22, wherein the first housing component further comprises a ferrous ring for magnetically coupling to the accessory.

31. The device of claim 22, wherein the second housing has an external side coupled to a thin disc of flexible material.

32. The device of claims 22 through 31 , wherein the rotatable object is a mobile electronic device case.

33. The device of claims 22 through 31 , wherein the rotatable object is a mobile electronic device.

34. The device of claims 22 through 31 , wherein the accessory is a grip.

35. The device of claims 22 through 31 , wherein the rotatable object is an aerodynamically induced noise-making object.

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