My Hoberman sphere got locked in the open position. Is it broken or is there a way to close it? I can't find the instructions - hardcopy or online!

Had the same problem; went through and checked that all the pieces were fully clipped and noticed some yellow ‘tabs’ that don’t clip-they sort of act as stops to keep it from opening too far. Some of the tabs were stuck when the sphere had been forced open too far. Fixed the tabs and it closed right down!

How do you contract it once it's locked open? Lost directions.

Hold the sphere at top and bottom and let it collapse. IF hanging it will stay open only. This thing does not lock to the best of my knowledge

Is there a Hoberman sphere that expands larger than 3 feet?

The Mega Sphere expands to 4.5 feet. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005N5FV?ref=myi_title_dp

Original Hoberman Sphere

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Description

🌟 Expand your mind and your sphere — the iconic kinetic rainbow everyone’s talking about!

VIBRANT RAINBOW AESTHETIC - Bright, multicolor design that doubles as a sensory delight and eye-catching decor piece.
VERSATILE FUN FOR EVERYONE - Perfect for classrooms, offices, therapy, or family game nights—expand your creativity anytime.
STEM DRIVEN CURIOSITY BOOSTER - Hands-on exploration of geometry, motion, and spatial relationships for all ages.
GLOBALLY ACCLAIMED ENGINEERING - Designed by Chuck Hoberman, this award-winning toy blends art and science flawlessly.
TRANSFORMATIVE PLAY EXPERIENCE - Watch it grow from a compact 9.5" sphere to a mesmerizing 30" kinetic marvel.

The Hoberman Original Sphere Rainbow is a lightweight, durable, and award-winning expanding geometric ball that grows from 9.5 inches to 30 inches in diameter. Designed by inventor Chuck Hoberman, it’s a hands-on STEM toy that encourages learning about geometry, engineering, and spatial relationships through mesmerizing kinetic motion. Its vibrant rainbow colors and included pulley system make it perfect for play, display, and educational environments, engaging users aged 4 to 104 in creative, interactive fun.

Specifications

ASIN	B00000JN49
Age Range Description	Kid
Best Sellers Rank	#27,020 in Toys & Games ( See Top 100 in Toys & Games ) #218 in Educational Science Kits
Brand Name	John N. Hansen
Color	Multicolor
Customer Reviews	4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars (860)
Educational Objective	stem
Global Trade Identification Number	00021105131147, 00780358101047
Included Components	mobile
Indoor Outdoor Usage	Indoor
Is Assembly Required	No
Item Dimensions	9.5 x 9.5 x 9.5 inches
Item Type Name	Hoberman Original Sphere--Rainbow (Discontinued by manufacturer)
Item Weight	1 Pounds
Manufacturer	John N. Hansen Co. Inc.
Manufacturer Maximum Age (MONTHS)	1200.0
Manufacturer Minimum Age (MONTHS)	48.0
Manufacturer Part Number	TED-HS104
Material Type	Plastic
Model Number	HS104
Number of Players	1
Operation Mode	Manual
Power Source	manual
Set Name	Single Hoberman Sphere Toy
Size	Small
Sub Brand	(-)
Subject Character	(-)
Supported Battery Types	No batteries required
Theme	Geometry
UPC	885788960513 885863156466 890418009890 885220147328 885226967777 692000177990 021105131147 885143493595 885863118983 025766201041 780358101047 765635859804 885153049195 885183659128
Unit Count	1.0 Count

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