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Spinning novelty toy powered by the manipulation of a handheld platform

Spinning novelty toy powered by the manipulation of a handheld platform description/claims

1. Field of the Invention

In general, the present invention relates to tops and other novelty toys that balance as they spin. More particularly, the present invention relates to the structure of such spinning novelties and the mechanisms by which rotational energy is imparted to the spinning novelty item.

2. Prior Art Description

Tops, gyroscopes and other freely rotating devices share certain common functional features. Tops, gyroscopes and other rotating devices have a central axis around which they spin. The center of gravity associated with the rotating device passes through that central axis and the mass of the rotating device is evenly distributed around the central axis. As the top, gyroscope or similar spinning device is put into motion, the device spins about its central axis, as mentioned. Since the mass of the rotating device is evenly distributed around the central axis, the device spins in a uniform manner, thereby producing a balanced angular momentum. The balanced angular momentum enables the device to be balanced at a point in line with the central axis. The device will spin in a stable manner until the rotational speed of the device falls below a certain threshold level. As the speed of the device decreases, its angular momentum decreases. Eventually, the presence of angular momentum is insufficient to overcome the forces of gravity and the rotating device tips over.

Tops, gyroscopes and other spinning novelty devices have been in existence for generations. During that period of time, there have been many variations in design of the rotating novelty devices. In their simplest form, rotating novelty devices, such as tops and gyroscopes, are either directly manually spun or manually spun using a wound pull cord. Such manual means to provide rotational energy are inexpensive, however the rotational energy provided is relatively small. Consequently, the top or gyroscope only rotates for a short period of time before it tips over.

The longer that a top, gyroscope or other spinning toy spins, the more play value it generally has. Consequently, in the prior art, attempts have been made to create tops, gyroscopes and other spinning toys that spin for extended periods of time. One popular method of creating a device that spins for a prolonged period of time is to place a motor within the structure of the device. The motor spins a weight, thereby producing the angular momentum needed to maintain a spinning motion for as long as the motor is powered.

In the prior art, such devices are typically created by placing an electric motor in the center of the spinning toy. Batteries are then symmetrically placed around the electric motor so as to be balanced around the center of rotation. The batteries typically serve as the majority of the weight that is spun. As a result, the batteries both provide power to the electric motor and add significantly to the angular momentum of the device. Such prior art devices are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 3,628,285, to Murakami, entitled Gyroscopic Top Device.

A problem associated with prior art tops and gyroscopes that contain internal motors and batteries is that great care must be taken in the manufacturing tolerances in order to maintain the proper balance. This raises the cost associated with manufacturing such devices. Furthermore, since the spinning object contains both an electric motor and batteries, the device is rather heavy. Such devices, therefore, have a tendency to become damaged if the commonplace happens and the device falls to the floor after spinning off a table edge or falls out of a child's hand.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,531 to Tiefel, entitled Electric Toy Top Device With Support And Its Associated Method Of Operation, a top is shown with an internal motor. The batteries that power the motor are contained in a separate handheld platform. Consequently, the motor is only powered when the top is spinning in the center of a handheld platform.

Although such a design prevents the need to place batteries in the structure of the spinning top, a motor must still be placed within the top. The top, therefore, must be made with high tolerances and with relatively high cost. Furthermore, the power of any motor that can fit in a small spinning top is limited. Accordingly, battery powered tops rarely can be made to spin at rotational speeds above 2000 RPM.

The faster a toy, gyroscope or other such device spins, the more angular momentum is developed. The greater the angular momentum, the longer the object spins and the more stable the object becomes whilst spinning. If the spinning object, such as a flywheel, is used to power a secondary mechanism, such as a toy car's wheels, the speed of the spinning object is proportional to the power available for use.

A need therefore exists for an improved type of spinning device that does not contain expensive internal motors, yet can be made to spin at speeds far beyond that capable by an internal motor. This need is met by the present invention as described and claimed below.

The present invention is a novelty spinning toy system and its method of providing rotational energy to a spinning toy.

A platform is provided having a bottom surface and a friction ring that encircles the bottom surface. The friction ring is preferably made of a hard synthetic rubber. A spinning toy assembly is provided that has a point upon which it spins in a balanced condition. The spinning toy assembly is initially set to spin on the platform at a low RPM rate. The platform is then manipulated to cause the spinning toy assembly to repeatedly contact the friction ring. Like spinning a marble in the base of a bucket, the spinning toy assembly gathers rotational speed as it contacts the moving friction ring. The spinning toy assembly, therefore, accelerates from its initial RPM rate to a rate much faster. Once up to full speed, the spinning toy assembly can be removed from the platform and used for even more play.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of exemplary embodiments thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the components of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention system;

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the spinning toy assembly engaging a fragmented section of a platform;

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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