Oct. 13, 1970
M. s. KANBAR
3,533,185
wnnmme rnunumm
Filed Jan. 29. 1969
_@
(0
INVENTOR.
MAURICE
6 M/YBéE
4770/9/35)’
nited States Patent 9 m1C6
1
2
depressions to accommodate ?ngers. The diameter of the
discs is preferably equal to that of the ball.
Thus when the bearing 12, as shown in FIG. 1, is
pressed between the thumb 16 and the index ?nger 17,
3,533,185
WHIRLING PENDULUM
Maurice S. Kanbar, 4 E. 77th St.,
New York, N.Y. 10021
Filed Jan. 29, 1969, Ser. No. 794,896
Int. Cl. A63h ]/32
U8. Cl. 46--51
6 Claims
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A whirling pendulum constituted by a ball mounted on
3,533,185
Patented Oct. 13, 1970
one may readily rotate the pendulum so that it whirls in
a circular path passing through the crotch region 18
between the prehensile ?ngers. The length of the pendu
lum must, of course, be appropriate to the dimensions
of the crotch region.
Some skill is involved in setting the whirling pendulum
10
one end of an arm whose other end is pivoted in a bear
into motion for it requires a somewhat complex move
ment of the ?ngers to create the forces necessary to pro
duce the desired action. The ball is made heavy relative
ing shaped as a ?nger piece which may be held pre
to the arm to facilitate the whirling motion.
hensilely between the thumb and index ?nger and caused
In practice, the entire structure is highly polished and
to rotate in a circular path passing through the crotch 15
free of all sharp angles, the curves of the arm being ex
therebetween.
tended without discontinuity into the related curvatures of
the ball and bearing, as seen in FIG. 2. This is desirable,
This invention relates generally to toys, and more par
for when carried in the pocket, the toy serves as a feeling
ticularly to a whirling pendulum which may be prehen
piece or worry bead which may be pleasantly ?ngered.
silely held between the thumb and index ?nger and caused
One need not grasp the pendulum between the thumb
to rotate in a circular path passing through the crotch
and index ?nger, but one may use: another ?nger for this
therebetween.
purpose. Instead of making the device entirely of metal,
It has long been recognized that human tensions or
only the weighted element need be of metal, the pendu
boredom may be relieved by aimlessly whirling an object
lum arm and bearing being formed of lightweight plastic.
———-m——
in the hand. Thus one often sees a person whilrling a set
of keys on a chain, not for lack of anything better to do,
but to satisfy some inner need. Policemen are frequently
seen whirling a night stick on its thong. While there are
various psychological theories as to why such motor ac 30
tivity is gratifying or bene?cial, the fact remains that it
is encountered universally and appears to arise out of the
same impulses which produce foot tapping or other re
petitive actions.
Accordingly, it is the main object of this invention to
provide a toy which may be carried in the pocket and is
expressly adapted to facilitate whirling activity to release
tension or simply as a form of amusement.
This concentration of weight at the end of the arm pro
vides a highly e?ective whirling action.
What I claim is:
1. A whirling pendulum comprising:
(A) a pendulum arm,
(B) a weighted element secured to an end of the arm,
and
(C) a bearing pivotally attached to the other end of
the arm, said bearing having a pair of concavely in
dented discs to accommodate a ?nger and thumb of
the user, whereby the pendulum may be whirled in
the crotch region therebetween.
2. A pendulum, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
More speci?cally it is an object of the invention to
element is a ball bearing, and said arm and said hearing
provide a toy in the form of a pendulum which is pivoted 40 are made of highly polished metal.
on a bearing serving at a ?nger piece which may be
3. A pendulum, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
gripped between the thumb and index ?nger and caused
arm is formed by a metal strip whose long sides are bowed
to rotate in the crotch therebetween.
inwardly to form a symmetrical structure.
For a better understanding of the invention as well as
4. A pendulum, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
other objects thereof, reference is made to the following 45 arm is formed by avmetal rod of circular cross-section
detailed description to be read in conjunction with the
and of hourglass form.
accompanying drawing, wherein:
5. A pendulum, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said
FIG. 1 shows, in perspective, a whirling pendulum in
accordance with the invention,
discs have the same diameter as said ball.
6. A pendulum, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the pendulum, and
50 element is a metal ball and said arm and bearing are
FIG. 3 is a side view of the pendulum, the bearing
formed of plastic.
thereof being shown in section.
Referring now to the drawing, the whirling pendulum
References Cited
in accordance with the invention is constituted by a small
UNITED
STATES PATENTS
weighted ball 10 such as a commercial metal ball bearing, 55
825,955
7/1906 Bohache __________ __
which is attached by welding to the lower end of a pendu
1,333,005
3/1920 Warner ____________ __
lum arm 11 in the form of a metal strip whose opposing
1,658,108
2/1928 Vaughn ___________ __
long sides are bowed inwardly to impart a symmetrical
hourglass contour to the arm. Alternatively, the arm may
be made with a circular cross section in hourglass form. 60 LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner
The other end of arm 11 is pivoted in a bearing, gen
D. L. WEINHOLD, Assistant Examiner
erally designated by numeral 12, the bearing being formed
by a pair of spaced discs 13 and 14 joined together by
a bearing pin 15 extending through an opening in arm 11.
The exposed surfaces of the discs are formed with concave
U.S. Cl. X.R.
272--67
272-84
272—84
272-84