US20220347536A1 - A hand implement for improving hand-eye coordination - Google Patents
A hand implement for improving hand-eye coordination Download PDFInfo
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- US20220347536A1 US20220347536A1 US17/262,565 US201917262565A US2022347536A1 US 20220347536 A1 US20220347536 A1 US 20220347536A1 US 201917262565 A US201917262565 A US 201917262565A US 2022347536 A1 US2022347536 A1 US 2022347536A1
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- Prior art keywords
- landing
- hand
- implement
- hand implement
- handgrip
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B63/00—Targets or goals for ball games
- A63B63/007—Target zones without opening defined on a substantially horizontal surface
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B1/00—Horizontal bars
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B65/00—Implements for throwing ; Mechanical projectors, e.g. using spring force
- A63B65/12—Ball-throwing apparatus with or without catchers ; Mechanical projectors, e.g. using spring force
- A63B65/122—Hand-held mechanical projectors, e.g. for balls
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B67/00—Sporting games or accessories therefor, not provided for in groups A63B1/00 - A63B65/00
- A63B67/002—Games using balls, not otherwise provided for
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
- A63B71/06—Indicating or scoring devices for games or players, or for other sports activities
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
- A63B71/06—Indicating or scoring devices for games or players, or for other sports activities
- A63B2071/0694—Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2209/00—Characteristics of used materials
- A63B2209/08—Characteristics of used materials magnetic
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2209/00—Characteristics of used materials
- A63B2209/10—Characteristics of used materials with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
- A63B71/06—Indicating or scoring devices for games or players, or for other sports activities
- A63B71/0619—Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills
- A63B71/0669—Score-keepers or score display devices
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a toy-like therapeutic device which enables hand eye coordination to the improved.
- the genesis of the present invention is a desire to provide exercises which increase or restore manual dexterity in such a way that the carrying out of the exercises is essentially fun and involves playing a game.
- the inventor of present invention found as a young student, possibly suffering from some sort of dyslexia, that learning to juggle three balls improved both his grades, in particular, his mathematical results, and his concentration in class. In addition, his confidence in class grew.
- the toy-like hand implement of the present invention is intended to provide a pleasant and fun way of improving hand eye coordination and is thought to be of value to persons generally but, in particular, to those persons suffering from degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease.
- the benefits of the toy-like hand implement of the present invention may well extend in other areas.
- the player has what is known as “soft hands”. That is, the player has a certain manual suppleness which gradually slows the ball during catching. It is thought that this ability can be increased by increasing hand-eye coordination, for example, by use of the toy-like hand implement described herein.
- a hand implement for improving hand-eye coordination, said implement comprising a handgrip, a volume surrounding said handgrip and sized to receive a human hand, and a plurality of landing surfaces bounding said volume, each of said landing surfaces having a fixed relationship with the other landing surface(s) and said handle; whereby a launchable object can be positioned on one of said landing surfaces, said implement manually accelerated upwardly to launch said object along an upwardly extending trajectory, and said implement re-positioned to catch said object on another one of said landing surfaces as it descends under the influence of gravity.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a hand implement
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a hand implement
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a hand implement
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fourth pyramidal embodiment of hand implement
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fifth hexagonal embodiment of a hand implement
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a multifaceted sixth embodiment of a hand implement
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a seventh cubic embodiment of a hand implement having VELCRO catching surfaces
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cubic embodiment but having magnetic catching surfaces
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cubic embodiment intended to be used with a small beanbag.
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cubic embodiment showing the launching of a magnetic die
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cubic embodiment showing two additional caps with raised peripheral rims allowing a spinning top to be used as a launchable object
- FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the cubic embodiment showing releasably detachable covers on the landing surfaces
- FIG. 13 is a plan view of a cardboard blank from which the cubic embodiment can be fabricated
- FIG. 14 is a plan view of the blanks from which a handgrip sub-assembly can be fabricated.
- a first embodiment of a hand implement 1 is illustrated having a handgrip 2 which extends between two spacers 3 which support two parallel and opposed landing surfaces 4 .
- the hand implement 11 is as illustrated in FIG. 1 , save that a third landing surface 5 is provided.
- FIG. 3 illustrates a third embodiment of a hand implement 21 having a pair of landing surfaces 6 which are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handgrip 2 .
- FIG. 4 a fourth embodiment 31 having a pyramidal shape is illustrated which has four triangular landing surfaces 7 .
- a fifth hexagonal embodiment 41 is illustrated in FIG. 5 in which there are six landing surfaces 8 .
- a multifaceted sixth embodiment 51 is illustrated in FIG. 6 and has a multiplicity of landing surfaces 9 .
- FIGS. 7-10 a cubic embodiment of the hand implement 61 is illustrated having five square landing surfaces 13 and a square opening 14 which enables hand access (as illustrated in FIG. 10 ) to the handgrip 2 .
- FIG. 7 it will be seen that one of the landing surfaces 13 A which is intended to be used for launching is not covered in VELCRO (Registered Trade Mark) whereas the remaining landing surfaces 13 are so covered.
- the hand implement 61 of FIG. 7 is intended to be used with a launchable object in the form of a miniature tennis ball 16 , or similar object having a fibrous exterior which is inter-engageable with the hook and eye elements of VELCRO.
- the hand implement 61 of FIG. 8 is intended to be used with a magnetic launchable object 26 having a North Pole N as illustrated and a South Pole on its opposite, obscured, face.
- the hand implement 61 of FIG. 8 has an array of magnetically permeable markers in the form of steel washers 18 which are located within the surface 13 B.
- On the exterior of the surface 13 B are located an equivalent array of numerical markers each of which contains an individual indicium or number which indicates the score if the magnetic object 26 lands on the corresponding marker.
- the hand implement 61 is provided with landing surfaces 13 C which are divided into marked concentric zones 19 each of which is provided with an indicium or number which again indicates the score if a miniature beanbag 36 lands on the corresponding zone.
- the hand implement 61 is provided with a launching surface 13 A which is free of magnetically permeable objects whereas the remaining surfaces 13 B are provided with steel washers 18 in the manner indicated in FIG. 8 .
- the hand implement 61 of FIG. 10 is intended to be used with a die 46 which is printed on a three-dimensional printer, is hollow, contains a magnet in the shape of a sphere, and has holes in each face corresponding to the conventional dots of a conventional timber die, for example.
- the hand implement 61 of FIGS. 7-10 is used in the following way. As illustrated in FIG. 10 , the die 46 is located on the launching surface 13 A which is held in a horizontal position by the user which grasps the handgrip 2 with one hand. The hand implement 61 is then jerked vertically upwards in the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 10 so as to accelerate the launchable object, which in this case is the magnetic die 46 . The die 46 then travels along a trajectory indicated by arrows C which is initially upwards and then falls downwardly under the influence of gravity. Whilst the die 41 is airborne, the user moves his arm in the direction indicated by arrow B so as to bring the surface 13 B under the trajectory. This enables the die 46 to be magnetically attracted to one of the steel washers 18 located within the landing surface 13 B. The number of holes in the uppermost surface of the die 46 indicates the score achieved by the successful landing of the die 46 on the landing surface 13 B.
- the launchable object is the miniature tennis ball 16 and it is able to be projected upwardly in the same manner as the die 46 and is then able to be captured on one of the VELCRO covered landing surfaces. There is no particular score in this embodiment.
- FIG. 8 it is the magnetic object 26 which is launched and then captured by one of the steel washers 18 , a score being indicated by the number of the corresponding landing marker.
- FIG. 9 it is the miniature beanbag 36 which is launched and it lands on the landing surface 13 C so as to occupy one of the marked zones 19 , a score being indicated by the number of the occupied zone.
- the cubic hand implement 61 is as before, however, it is provided with two rectangular caps 33 each of which has a peripheral sidewall 34 .
- the sidewalls 34 are dimensioned to permit the caps 33 to be positioned over a pair of opposed landing services 13 F and 13 G.
- the surfaces 13 F and 13 GR essentially provided with an upstanding rim which is able to retain a spinning top 56 .
- the top 56 is caused to spin on one of the caps 33 , the spinning top is launched upwardly, and the hand implement 61 is inverted so as to permit the top to land on the other one of the caps 33 .
- this procedure is able to be repeated several times before the top ceases to spin.
- FIG. 12 A further embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 12 in which a lid 35 is provided to close the opening 14 .
- This enables game paraphernalia to be stored within the hollow interior of the hand implement 61 .
- FIG. 12 also illustrated in FIG. 12 is the provision of four VELCRO dots 38 on each of the landing surfaces 13 .
- a planar square 40 sized to correspond to the landing surface 13 is also provided with four VELCRO dots 39 .
- the dots 38 , 39 are arranged to cooperate with each other so that the square 40 is releasably engageable from the landing surface 13 .
- the squares 40 can be provided with various indicia such as playing cards, for example, to enable different games to be played using the apparatus of FIG. 12 .
- a preferred feature of the hand implement 61 is that it constitutes an “off-line” physical games platform which enables a large number of different games to be played on the one apparatus or device.
- the cardboard blank 43 has 13 panels 101 - 113 .
- the panels 101 and 112 each have a tab 45 .
- the panels 106 and 107 each have two punched openings 48 .
- the panels 111 and 113 each have a pair of fingers 49 .
- the panels 103 , 105 , 108 and 110 are each provided with an array of nine steel washers 18 which are glued in position.
- the panel 105 is placed on a firm horizontal surface as this will become the landing surface opposite opening 14 ( FIG. 8 ).
- panels 106 and 107 are folded upwardly into a substantially vertical position.
- the next step is to fold the panels 108 and 110 upwardly into a substantially vertical position so that the panels 106 and 107 approach each other and lie above the washers 18 on the panel 105 .
- the panel 103 is folded upwardly into a vertical position. This moves panel 102 to cover the washers 18 on panel 108 . Similarly, this movement moves panel 104 so as to cover the washers 18 on panel 110 .
- the panels 101 , 111 , 112 and 113 are substantially vertical and positioned above the panels 103 , 102 , 109 and 104 respectively.
- the panels 101 and 112 are folded downwardly into the box like container. In this way panel 101 covers the washers 18 positioned on the panel 103 .
- the handgrip 2 sub-assembly as illustrated in FIG. 14 is prepared. This is achieved by the panel 201 being glued to the panel 205 so that the panels 201 & 205 together with the 3 panels 202 - 204 each form one side of a handgrip having a square transverse cross-section.
- the end flaps 206 - 209 are passed through the central opening of panel 214 and then glued to panel 214 .
- the end flaps 210 - 213 are passed through the central opening of panel 216 then glued to panel 216 .
- the panel 215 is glued to the panel 214 and the panel 217 is glued to the panel 216 , in both instances the splayed end flaps 206 - 209 and 210 -to 13 are located within the rectangular central opening of the panels 215 and 217 respectively. This completes the assembly of the handgrip 2 .
- the assembled handgrip 2 is positioned between the panels 102 and 104 . Finally, the panels 111 and 113 are folded into the interior of the box. Each of these panels has a cutout which enables them to pass the handgrip 2 . The fingers 49 of the panels 111 and 113 then have their distal ends inserted into the openings 48 of panels 106 and 107 respectively. This locks all the folded panels in position.
- the cubic hand implement 61 enables the launchable object to be received on any one of five surfaces corresponding to the back of the hand, the palm of the hand, the left side of fist, the right side of the fist, and the front surface of the knuckles.
- the arm and wrist must be correspondingly manipulated.
- these manipulations must be time so as to correspond with the time available whilst the launch will object is in flight.
- there is considerable hand-eye cooperation In addition, what can be achieved with the right-hand of a right-handed person, can normally not necessarily be achieved by the left-hand. So changing hands also presents a further challenge which enables improved coordination to be achieved through practice.
- the magnetic launchable object 26 and the magnetic die 46 can be magnetically permeable rather than magnetic, and each of the steel washers 18 can be replaced by a small magnet, preferably in the form of a disc.
- each landing surface can be replaced by a permanent magnet having a specified shape, for example that of a particular animal. Different landing surfaces would have magnets of different shapes.
- the launchable object consists of small ferromagnetic particles such as small steel ball bearings which then adhere to the upright landing surface and coalesce into the shape of the corresponding animal.
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- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Toys (AREA)
Abstract
A multifaceted hand implement is disclosed having plural landing surfaces. From one of the landing surfaces. an object can be launched and whilst airborne, the hand implement is turned to present another landing surface onto which the object can land. Preferably a catching inter-engagement is provided between the object and the landing surfaces by means of VELCRO, or magnetic attraction. Various games or contests can be implemented and the playing of such games is thought to improve hand-eye coordination thereby improving manual dexterity and/or delaying the onset of various degenerative diseases.
Description
- The present invention relates to a toy-like therapeutic device which enables hand eye coordination to the improved.
- It is well understood in the medical arts that it is desirable to exercise various muscles in order to maintain or increase the particular muscular function. There are many exercise devices of various kinds which have been designed in order to permit such exercises to be carried out. A particular problem with such exercises is that they often are boring and repetitive and so patients are less likely to comply with their intended exercise regime because of this boring aspect of the exercise.
- The genesis of the present invention is a desire to provide exercises which increase or restore manual dexterity in such a way that the carrying out of the exercises is essentially fun and involves playing a game.
- In particular, it is known that fine motor skills in schoolchildren are linked with an increased ability in mathematics or arithmetic. Similarly, some degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease can be ameliorated to some extent by the provision of hand-eye coordination exercises.
- The inventor of present invention found as a young student, possibly suffering from some sort of dyslexia, that learning to juggle three balls improved both his grades, in particular, his mathematical results, and his concentration in class. In addition, his confidence in class grew.
- However, learning to juggle is difficult to do and so didn't represent a particularly practical way of increasing hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. So the inventor looked for another way to enable others achieve the beneficial results he had experienced.
- The toy-like hand implement of the present invention is intended to provide a pleasant and fun way of improving hand eye coordination and is thought to be of value to persons generally but, in particular, to those persons suffering from degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease.
- However, the benefits of the toy-like hand implement of the present invention may well extend in other areas. For example, in many ball games it is advantageous for catching the ball if the player has what is known as “soft hands”. That is, the player has a certain manual suppleness which gradually slows the ball during catching. It is thought that this ability can be increased by increasing hand-eye coordination, for example, by use of the toy-like hand implement described herein.
- In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a hand implement for improving hand-eye coordination, said implement comprising a handgrip, a volume surrounding said handgrip and sized to receive a human hand, and a plurality of landing surfaces bounding said volume, each of said landing surfaces having a fixed relationship with the other landing surface(s) and said handle; whereby a launchable object can be positioned on one of said landing surfaces, said implement manually accelerated upwardly to launch said object along an upwardly extending trajectory, and said implement re-positioned to catch said object on another one of said landing surfaces as it descends under the influence of gravity.
- A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a hand implement, -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a hand implement, -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a hand implement, -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fourth pyramidal embodiment of hand implement, -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fifth hexagonal embodiment of a hand implement, -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a multifaceted sixth embodiment of a hand implement -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a seventh cubic embodiment of a hand implement having VELCRO catching surfaces, -
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cubic embodiment but having magnetic catching surfaces, -
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cubic embodiment intended to be used with a small beanbag, -
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cubic embodiment showing the launching of a magnetic die, -
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cubic embodiment showing two additional caps with raised peripheral rims allowing a spinning top to be used as a launchable object, -
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the cubic embodiment showing releasably detachable covers on the landing surfaces, -
FIG. 13 is a plan view of a cardboard blank from which the cubic embodiment can be fabricated, andFIG. 14 is a plan view of the blanks from which a handgrip sub-assembly can be fabricated. - As seen in
FIG. 1 , a first embodiment of a hand implement 1 is illustrated having ahandgrip 2 which extends between twospacers 3 which support two parallel and opposedlanding surfaces 4. - In a second embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 2 , thehand implement 11 is as illustrated inFIG. 1 , save that athird landing surface 5 is provided. -
FIG. 3 illustrates a third embodiment of a hand implement 21 having a pair oflanding surfaces 6 which are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of thehandgrip 2. - Turning now to
FIG. 4 , afourth embodiment 31 having a pyramidal shape is illustrated which has fourtriangular landing surfaces 7. - A fifth
hexagonal embodiment 41 is illustrated inFIG. 5 in which there are sixlanding surfaces 8. - A multifaceted
sixth embodiment 51 is illustrated inFIG. 6 and has a multiplicity of landing surfaces 9. - Turning now to
FIGS. 7-10 , a cubic embodiment of thehand implement 61 is illustrated having fivesquare landing surfaces 13 and asquare opening 14 which enables hand access (as illustrated inFIG. 10 ) to thehandgrip 2. InFIG. 7 it will be seen that one of the landing surfaces 13 A which is intended to be used for launching is not covered in VELCRO (Registered Trade Mark) whereas theremaining landing surfaces 13 are so covered. The hand implement 61 ofFIG. 7 is intended to be used with a launchable object in the form of aminiature tennis ball 16, or similar object having a fibrous exterior which is inter-engageable with the hook and eye elements of VELCRO. - The hand implement 61 of
FIG. 8 is intended to be used with a magneticlaunchable object 26 having a North Pole N as illustrated and a South Pole on its opposite, obscured, face. The hand implement 61 ofFIG. 8 has an array of magnetically permeable markers in the form ofsteel washers 18 which are located within thesurface 13B. On the exterior of thesurface 13B are located an equivalent array of numerical markers each of which contains an individual indicium or number which indicates the score if themagnetic object 26 lands on the corresponding marker. - In
FIG. 9 , thehand implement 61 is provided withlanding surfaces 13C which are divided into markedconcentric zones 19 each of which is provided with an indicium or number which again indicates the score if aminiature beanbag 36 lands on the corresponding zone. - As seen in
FIG. 10 , thehand implement 61 is provided with a launching surface 13A which is free of magnetically permeable objects whereas theremaining surfaces 13B are provided withsteel washers 18 in the manner indicated inFIG. 8 . The hand implement 61 ofFIG. 10 is intended to be used with adie 46 which is printed on a three-dimensional printer, is hollow, contains a magnet in the shape of a sphere, and has holes in each face corresponding to the conventional dots of a conventional timber die, for example. - The hand implement 61 of
FIGS. 7-10 is used in the following way. As illustrated inFIG. 10 , thedie 46 is located on the launching surface 13A which is held in a horizontal position by the user which grasps thehandgrip 2 with one hand. Thehand implement 61 is then jerked vertically upwards in the direction indicated by arrow A inFIG. 10 so as to accelerate the launchable object, which in this case is themagnetic die 46. The die 46 then travels along a trajectory indicated by arrows C which is initially upwards and then falls downwardly under the influence of gravity. Whilst thedie 41 is airborne, the user moves his arm in the direction indicated by arrow B so as to bring thesurface 13B under the trajectory. This enables the die 46 to be magnetically attracted to one of thesteel washers 18 located within thelanding surface 13B. The number of holes in the uppermost surface of the die 46 indicates the score achieved by the successful landing of thedie 46 on thelanding surface 13B. - In
FIG. 7 the launchable object is theminiature tennis ball 16 and it is able to be projected upwardly in the same manner as thedie 46 and is then able to be captured on one of the VELCRO covered landing surfaces. There is no particular score in this embodiment. - In
FIG. 8 , it is themagnetic object 26 which is launched and then captured by one of thesteel washers 18, a score being indicated by the number of the corresponding landing marker. InFIG. 9 it is theminiature beanbag 36 which is launched and it lands on thelanding surface 13C so as to occupy one of themarked zones 19, a score being indicated by the number of the occupied zone. - Turning now to
FIG. 11 , thecubic hand implement 61 is as before, however, it is provided with tworectangular caps 33 each of which has aperipheral sidewall 34. - The
sidewalls 34 are dimensioned to permit thecaps 33 to be positioned over a pair ofopposed landing services 13F and 13G. In this way, thesurfaces 13 F and 13 GR essentially provided with an upstanding rim which is able to retain aspinning top 56. - In this game or exercise, the top 56 is caused to spin on one of the
caps 33, the spinning top is launched upwardly, and the hand implement 61 is inverted so as to permit the top to land on the other one of thecaps 33. Ideally, this procedure is able to be repeated several times before the top ceases to spin. - A further embodiment is illustrated in
FIG. 12 in which alid 35 is provided to close theopening 14. This enables game paraphernalia to be stored within the hollow interior of the hand implement 61. In addition, also illustrated inFIG. 12 is the provision of fourVELCRO dots 38 on each of the landing surfaces 13. A planar square 40 sized to correspond to thelanding surface 13 is also provided with fourVELCRO dots 39. Thedots landing surface 13. In this way, thesquares 40 can be provided with various indicia such as playing cards, for example, to enable different games to be played using the apparatus ofFIG. 12 . A preferred feature of the hand implement 61 is that it constitutes an “off-line” physical games platform which enables a large number of different games to be played on the one apparatus or device. - Finally, turning now to
FIG. 13 , a cardboard blank 43 from which the hand implement 61 can be fabricated is illustrated. Thecardboard blank 43 has 13 panels 101-113. Thepanels tab 45. Thepanels openings 48. Thepanels fingers 49. Thepanels steel washers 18 which are glued in position. - In order to assemble the hand implement 61, first the
panel 105 is placed on a firm horizontal surface as this will become the landing surface opposite opening 14 (FIG. 8 ).Next panels - The next step is to fold the
panels panels washers 18 on thepanel 105. - Then
panels - Next the
panel 103 is folded upwardly into a vertical position. This movespanel 102 to cover thewashers 18 onpanel 108. Similarly, this movement movespanel 104 so as to cover thewashers 18 onpanel 110. - At the completion of this stage, the
panels panels panels way panel 101 covers thewashers 18 positioned on thepanel 103. - At this stage, the
handgrip 2 sub-assembly as illustrated inFIG. 14 is prepared. This is achieved by thepanel 201 being glued to thepanel 205 so that thepanels 201 & 205 together with the 3 panels 202-204 each form one side of a handgrip having a square transverse cross-section. The end flaps 206-209 are passed through the central opening ofpanel 214 and then glued topanel 214. Next, the end flaps 210-213 are passed through the central opening ofpanel 216 then glued topanel 216. Finally, thepanel 215 is glued to thepanel 214 and thepanel 217 is glued to thepanel 216, in both instances the splayed end flaps 206-209 and 210-to 13 are located within the rectangular central opening of thepanels handgrip 2. - The assembled
handgrip 2 is positioned between thepanels panels handgrip 2. Thefingers 49 of thepanels openings 48 ofpanels - It will be appreciated that the cubic hand implement 61 enables the launchable object to be received on any one of five surfaces corresponding to the back of the hand, the palm of the hand, the left side of fist, the right side of the fist, and the front surface of the knuckles. As a consequence, in order for each of these surfaces to be presented horizontally to enable a catch to take place, so the arm and wrist must be correspondingly manipulated. Furthermore, these manipulations must be time so as to correspond with the time available whilst the launch will object is in flight. As a consequence, there is considerable hand-eye cooperation. In addition, what can be achieved with the right-hand of a right-handed person, can normally not necessarily be achieved by the left-hand. So changing hands also presents a further challenge which enables improved coordination to be achieved through practice.
- The foregoing describes only one embodiment of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the toy making arts, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the magnetic
launchable object 26 and themagnetic die 46 can be magnetically permeable rather than magnetic, and each of thesteel washers 18 can be replaced by a small magnet, preferably in the form of a disc. - Similarly, different games and contests can be devised utilising the basic toy as described above. For example, the
steel washers 18 of each landing surface can be replaced by a permanent magnet having a specified shape, for example that of a particular animal. Different landing surfaces would have magnets of different shapes. - Under this arrangement the launchable object consists of small ferromagnetic particles such as small steel ball bearings which then adhere to the upright landing surface and coalesce into the shape of the corresponding animal.
- The term “comprising” (and its grammatical variations) as used herein is used in the inclusive sense of “including” or “having” and not in the exclusive sense of “consisting only of”.
Claims (15)
1. A hand implement for improving hand-eye coordination, said implement comprising: a handgrip; a volume said handgrip and sized to receive a human hand; and a plurality of landing surfaces bounding said volume, each of said landing surfaces having a fixed relationship with the other landing surface(s) and said handle; a launchable object is positionable on one of said landing surfaces, said implement manually accelerated upwardly to launch said object along an upwardly extending trajectory, and said implement re-positioned to catch said object on another one of said landing surfaces as it descends under the influence of gravity.
2. The hand implement as claimed in claim 1 ,, wherein at least one of said other landing surfaces includes at least one landing target with which a magnetic, or magnetically permeable, marker is associated, and said launchable object includes a magnetically permeable or magnetic component, whereby said launchable object descending towards said other landing surface is magnetically attracted to land on said target.
3. The hand implement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one of said other landing surfaces includes at least one landing target with which a hook or eye fastener marker is associated, and said launchable object includes a hook or eye fastener compatible component, whereby said launchable object descending towards said other landing surface is releasably secured to said target by interengagement of said hook or eye marker and said hook or eye fastener compatible component.
4. The hand implement as claimed in claim 2 , wherein at least one of said landing targets includes an indicium or indicia indicating a numerical score to be earned by said launchable object landing on the corresponding target.
5. The hand implement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the number of said landing surfaces is two with said landing services being parallel, and each landing surface being located at a corresponding opposite end of said handgrip.
6. The hand implement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the number of said landing surfaces is two with said landing surfaces being parallel, and each landing surface extending alongside said handgrip.
7. The hand implement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the number of said landing surfaces is three.
8. The hand implement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the number of landing surfaces is four with said surfaces being arranged in a pyramidal shape.
9. The hand implement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the number of said lauding surfaces is six with said surfaces being located in a hexagonal configuration.
10. The hand implement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein die number of said landing surfaces is five with said surfaces being located in a boxlike configuration.
11. The hand implement as claimed in claim 10 , wherein each of said five surfaces is a square of similar dimensions, wherein said boxlike configuration is a cube having one face open, and said handgrip extending between one pair of opposite surfaces and being graspable via said open face.
12. The hand implement as claimed in claim 11 , and having at least one square lid having a base and four side walls and being dimensioned to close said open face.
13. The hand implement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a pair of said landing surfaces is each provided with a peripheral upstanding rim.
14. The hand implement as claimed in claim 13 , wherein said launchable object comprises a spinning top.
15. The hand implement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one of said landing surfaces is provided with a releasably detachable cover.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2018902771A AU2018902771A0 (en) | 2018-07-31 | A throwing and catching handheld device. | |
AU2018902771 | 2018-07-31 | ||
PCT/AU2019/050396 WO2020023996A1 (en) | 2018-07-31 | 2019-05-01 | A hand implement for improving hand-eye coordination |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20220347536A1 true US20220347536A1 (en) | 2022-11-03 |
Family
ID=69230478
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US17/262,565 Abandoned US20220347536A1 (en) | 2018-07-31 | 2019-05-01 | A hand implement for improving hand-eye coordination |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20220347536A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN112469482A (en) |
AU (1) | AU2019314570A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2020023996A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
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US20220226696A1 (en) * | 2021-01-18 | 2022-07-21 | Talla Thiam | Free Weight Training Device with Labyrinth-Type Game and Method of Exercise and Entertainment |
USD980935S1 (en) * | 2020-01-22 | 2023-03-14 | Evnroll Putters, Llc | Golf grip |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2019314570A1 (en) | 2021-01-21 |
WO2020023996A1 (en) | 2020-02-06 |
CN112469482A (en) | 2021-03-09 |
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