Magnetic top running toy

Disclosed is a magnetic top running toy wherein a spinning top is run along a running path. The magnetic top running toy includes a top having a magnetic shaft and a running path having a magnetic attraction wall adapted to contact with the magnetic shaft of the top when the top runs along the running path. The running path is constructed as a reciprocative running path permitting the top to turn at both ends thereof. A starting station and a jumping station are attached to the running path. The starting station has a guide surface for guiding the top onto the running path. The jumping station is adapted to allow the top guided from the running path to fly therefrom while keeping the top to spin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a magnetic top running toy which is 
adapted to spin a top having a magnetic rotating shaft along parallel 
reciprocative running paths having a magnetic attraction wall interposed 
therebetween. More particularly, the invention relates to a magnetic top 
running toy adapted to allow the rotating shaft to be magnetically 
attracted to the magnetic attraction wall so that the top runs along the 
reciprocative running paths by obtaining a propulsive force through the 
rotation thereof. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides a magnetic top running toy wherein a 
spinning top is run along a running path. The magnetic top running toy 
includes a top having a magnetic shaft and a running path having in the 
longitudinal direction thereof a magnetic attraction wall adapted to 
contact with the magnetic shaft of the top when the top runs along the 
running path. The running path is constructed as a reciprocative running 
path permitting the top to turn at both ends thereof. A starting station 
is attached to the running path and has a guide surface for guiding the 
top onto the running path. In addition, a jumping station is attached to 
the running path and is adapted to allow the top guided from the 
reciprocative running path to fly therefrom.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the 
toy field to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes 
contemplated by the inventor for carrying out his invention. Various 
modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in 
the toy field, since the generic principles of the present invention have 
been defined herein specifically to provide a relatively economical and 
easily manufactured magnetic top running toy. The primary object of the 
invention is to provide a new and unique magnetic top running toy that 
permits the top to smoothly start from a starting station along the 
running path as well as to fly from a jumping station. The endless mode of 
running and the jumping action of the top enhances the play value and 
interest of the child in the magnetic top running toy. 
First of all, in the drawings, a symbol A denotes a magnetic top running 
toy, in which an endless magnetic top running path 1 is provided. The 
running path 1 is constituted by two linear reciprocative running paths 1 
each having on one end thereof a point section 2 where a magnetic top 4 
can turn, the reciprocative running paths 1 being interconnected in a 
substantially V shape through a course changing path 3, thereby allowing 
the magnetic top 4 to run recirculatively. A starting plate 5 has a space 
large enough for driving the magnetic top 4 to spin and is adapted to 
guide the spinning magnetic top 4 to the running path 1. Moreover, a jump 
plate 6 is provided to allow the magnetic top 4 which is guided from the 
running path 1 and is held in a stationarily spinning state, to be 
propelled upwardly. 
The above-mentioned constituent members will be described hereinunder in 
detail. 
First, the reciprocative running path 1 is constituted by an outward 
running path 1a and a return running path 1b which are formed linearly and 
in parallel to each other with a magnetic attraction wall 7 interposed 
therebetween. Such a running path 1 can be formed by coupling unit rail 
bodies 11 together, as shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b). Each unit rail body 
11 is constituted by a rail body 12 of substantially H-shaped cross 
section made of a synthetic resin or a non-magnetic metal such as aluminum 
and the like and having a pair of longitudinal elongated protrusions 13 
formed along the upper surface of a web portion thereof as well as claw 
receiving openings 14 formed in the upper surface of the web portion, and 
an iron plate of U-shaped cross section. A strip-like magnetic member 15 
constituting the magnetic attraction wall 7 is provided with claws 16 
projecting from the lower part thereof with proper spacings. The magnetic 
strip member 15 is placed on the elongated protrusion 13 of the rail body 
12, and the claws 16 are projected from the respectrive claw receiving 
openings 14 toward the lower surface of the web portion and bent to fix 
the magnetic strip member 15, thereby to obtain a unit rail body 11. The 
unit rail body 11 having the above-described construction has coupling 
members 17 of L-shaped cross section projected from both the outer side 
surfaces of each end thereof. The adjacent unit rail bodies 11 can be 
coupled together in such a way that the end surfaces of the adjacent unit 
rail bodies 11 are aligned with each other, and, as shown in FIG. 2(b), 
the corresponding coupling members 17 of both of them are butted against 
each other in a T shape, and then the T-shaped butt coupling members 17, 
17 are unitarily fitted into a fitting groove 19 in a coupler 18. In this 
case, if projections 20 for regulating the running surface are formed 
projecting from both end surfaces of each rail body 12, then the running 
surfaces at the coupling portions of both the rail bodies 12, 12 can be 
prevented from differing in level from each other, thereby making it 
possible to obtain a flat running surface. It is to be noted that such an 
arrangement is possible that the coupler 18 is previously secured to 
either one of the adjacent rail bodies and is employed for coupling the 
other rail body thereto. It is to be noted also that the above-described 
assembly and construction of the reciprocative running path 1 are not 
especially limitative thereto. In addition, the magnetic attraction wall 7 
is only required to be provided according to the running conditions and is 
not always necessary to provide over the entire length of the running path 
1. 
Referring to FIG. 3, the point section 2 is connected to one end of the 
linear running path 1 and is adapted to turn the magnetic top 4 thereby to 
change over the course of the top from the outward running path 1a to the 
return running path 1b. The point section 2 has an entering path 21 and a 
leaving path 22 crossing each other as well as a turning path 23 which are 
formed in a substantially .alpha. shape. The outward running path 1a is 
connected to the turning path 23 through the entering path 21, while the 
turning path 23 is connected to the return running path 1b through the 
leaving path 22. The entering path 21 and the leaving path 22 
three-dimensionally cross each other, with a difference in level 
therebetween. A guide wall 8 is formed rising outside the entering path 
21, and the leaving path 22 continued from the turning path 23 is formed 
on the upper surface of the guide wall 8. The turning path 23 is formed in 
a substantially C shape and has a proper magnetic attraction wall 24 
formed on the outside inner peripheral wall thereof. It is to be noted 
that the end portion of the magnetic attraction wall 24 on the running 
path 1 is preferably a non-magnetic wall having no magnetic attraction 
force in order to allow the magnetic top 4 to smoothly enter and leave the 
point section 2. 
Another point section 2 having the same construction as that of the 
above-mentioned point section 2 is provided at the end portion of the 
other reciprocative running path 1. 
The reciprocative running paths 1 having the above-described construction 
are interconnected in a V shape through the course changing path 3. More 
specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the course changing path 3 has a 
substantially .alpha.-shaped course changing path 28 outside thereof as 
well as a substantially U-shaped course changing path 29 inside thereof. 
On the outside, the outward running path 1a is connected to the return 
running path 1b through the substantially .alpha.-shaped course changing 
path 28, while on the inside, the return running path 1b is connected to 
the outward running path 1a through the substantially U-shaped course 
changing path 29. The substantially .alpha.-shaped course changing path 28 
is adapted to change the course of the magnetic top 4 by running the same 
so as to turn through crossing. The substantially .alpha.-shaped course 
changing path 28 is constituted by a crossing portion 28a and a 
substantially C-shaped changing path 28b and arranged so that the magnetic 
top 4 can run while crossing the outward running path 1a and the return 
running path 1b. The path surface is flat at the crossing portion 28a, and 
entrance/exit openings p1, p2 of the running path 1 and entrance/exit 
openings q1, q2 of the substantially C-shaped changing path 28b face each 
other to form guide walls, respectively. It is to be noted that a proper 
magnetic attraction wall 30 is formed on the outside inner peripheral wall 
of the substantially C-shaped changing path 28b. 
Referring to FIG. 5, the magnetic top 4 has a main body 31 made of a 
synthetic resin or the like and a magnetic rotating shaft 32. The main 
body 31 has an annular groove 33 formed coaxially with the rotating shaft 
32. A reference numeral 34 designates an energizer having a motor (not 
shown) incorporated therein and a cylindrical rotating shaft 35 
interlocking with the motor. When the switch of the motor is turned ON to 
rotate the cylindrical rotating shaft 35, and when the shaft is inserted 
into the annular groove 33 in the main body 31 of the magnetic top 4, the 
magnetic top 4 is given a rotational force through the contact friction. 
Moreover, the starting plate 5 has a proximal side portion 37 coming in 
contact with an outer side surface of the running path 1 and a guide slant 
surface 39 gradually increasing in height from the upper end of the 
proximal side portion 37 toward one side as well as having a peripheral 
wall 38. The proximal side portion 37 has an engaging member 40 projecting 
from the lower end portion thereof. The starting plate 5 is connected to a 
side of the running path 1 by engaging the engaging member 40 with a lower 
leg member 41 of the rail body 11. In this case, the end surface of the 
guide slant surface 39 is set so as to be continuous with the outward 
running path 1a of the running toy. It is to be noted that it is not 
always necessary to limit the number of the starting plate 5 to one and 
any desired number of starting plates 5 may be provided. 
To run the magnetic top 4 along the running path 1 having the 
above-described construction, first, the magnetic top 4 is spun clockwise 
by the energizer 34 on the starting plate 5. Since the starting plate 5 
has a sufficiently wide area, the magnetic top 4 can easily spin. Then, 
the magnetic top 4 lowers along the slant surface 39 of the starting plate 
5 to fall onto the outward running path 1a. At this time, the shaft 32 of 
the magnetic top 4 is magnetically attracted to the magnetic attraction 
wall 7 of the running path 1. Since the magnetic top 4 is spinning, the 
spinning motion is converted into a linear motion. Obtaining a propulsive 
force thereby, the magnetic top 4 starts to run along the outward running 
path 1a. Being guided by the guide wall 8 of the entering path 21 of the 
point section 2, the magnetic top 4 enters the turning path 23 through the 
end of the outward running path 1a and leaves after running along the 
turning path 23 while making a turn, and then enters the return running 
path 1b through the leaving path 22 crossing the entering path 21 on the 
guide wall 8. While running along the turning path 23, the magnetic top 4 
is accelerated by the running inertia and the centrifugal force. Moreover, 
if the magnetic attraction wall 24 is provided on the outside inner 
peripheral wall of the turning path 23, the rotating shaft 32 is 
magnetically attracted to the magnetic attraction wall 24. Therefore, the 
propulsive force generated by the spin of the magnetic top 4 itself is 
also added, so that the running performance is hardly attenuated and is 
maintained for a long time. It is to be noted that since the magnetic top 
4 has a strong self-supporting property through the spin, there is no 
possibility that the magnetic top 4 falls down even if the same turns 
suddenly. The magnetic top 4 running from the point section 2 and passing 
through the return running path 1b enters the substantially U-shaped 
course changing path 29 through one end of the running path to change the 
course thereof and enters the outward running path 1a of the other running 
path 1 to continue running, and then turns at the point section 2 
similarly to the above to enter the return running path 1b and reaches the 
crossing portion 28a of the course changing path 3 from the end of the 
return running path 1b. In this case, since the exit opening p1 of the 
return running path 1b and the entrance opening q1 of the substantially 
C-shaped changing path 28b face each other to constitute guide walls, the 
magnetic top 4 advances along these guide walls and runs along the 
substantially C-shaped changing path 28b while making a turn thereby to 
change its course and leaves being accelerated similarly to the case of 
the point section 2. Also in this case, since the exit opening q2 faces 
the entrance opening p2 of the other outward running path 1a, the magnetic 
top 4 enters the outward running path 1a while being guided by the path 
walls of these openings and further runs to return to the starting 
position, and then the magnetic top 4 recirculates while repeating the 
same movement. 
Referring to FIGS. 6(a), 6(b), a reference numeral 42 denotes a jump board 
which is constituted by a changeover guide path 43 for guiding the 
magnetic top 4 passing through the running path 1 to a jump plate 6, the 
jump plate 6 for flying the magnetic top 4, and a springing plate 44 for 
springing up the jump plate 6, and is connected to a side of the running 
path 1. The changeover guide path 43 has a running changeover member 45 
provided on one end thereof, and the base portion 45' of the changeover 
member 45 is pivotally attached to the jump board 42 as well as secured 
unitarily with a pivoting member 45a at the reverse side of the jump board 
42 and is pulled inwardly by a spring 46. The end of the pivoting member 
45a is coupled to an end of an operating lever 48 through a connecting rod 
47. Accordingly, when the lever 48 is pushed in the direction of the arrow 
P, the connecting rod 47 is moved in the direction opposite to the arrow 
direction to pivot the pivoting member 45a against the spring force of the 
spring 46, so that the changeover member 45 is pushed toward the running 
path 1 to come in close contact with the inner wall thereof. Thereby, the 
running path 1 and the guide path 43 are made continuous with each other, 
so that the running path for the magnetic top 4 is changed over and 
consequently, the magnetic top 4 is guided to the jump plate 6. A 
stationary spin hole 49 is formed in the terminating end portion of the 
guide path 43. The jump plate 6 is supported at the front end thereof, and 
the rear end thereof is free and is adapted to be able to be sprung up by 
the springing plate 44. The springing plate 44 is swingably supported at a 
substantially central portion thereof. The front end 44a of the springing 
plate 44 is disposed below the rear end of the jump plate 6, while the 
rear end 44b thereof is exposed on the jump board 42 so as to be able to 
be pushed down. Accordingly, when the rear end 44b of the springing plate 
44 is strongly pushed down, the front end 44a is raised by the lever 
action, causing the jump plate 6 to be sprung upwardly. 
A reference numeral 50 in FIG. 1 designates a receiving board for receiving 
the flying magnetic top 4. The receiving board 50 is provided above a 
lower frame body 51. A receiving surface 53 of the receiving board 50 
surrounded with a peripheral wall 52 is dished so as to be slant toward a 
stationary spin groove 54 formed in the center thereof and has a spiral 
guide elongated protrusion 55 formed thereon. 
It is to be noted that the top-receiving board 50 is only required to have 
the top-receiving surface 53 which is planar and is not always necessary 
to have the slant surface, spiral elongated protrusion or stationary spin 
groove. 
To fly the top by employing the jump plate 6 having the above-described 
construction, the changeover member 45 for changing the running path 1 is 
projected out on the running path 1 through the operation of the lever 48 
of the jump board 42 so that the running path 1 and the guide path 43 are 
made continuous with each other. Thereby, the magnetic top 4 coming while 
running along the running path 1 is guided to the jump plate 6 so as to 
spin on the stationary spin hole 49 on the jump plate 6. Then, when the 
springing plate 44 is strongly pushed down, the jump plate 6 is largely 
sprung up, thereby allowing the magnetic top 4 to fly. The flying magnetic 
top 4 falls onto the receiving board 5 and is prevented from falling off 
outwardly by the peripheral wall 52 on the upper surface of the receiving 
board 50. The magnetic top 4 is guided along the slant receiving surface 
53 on the upper surface of the receiving board 50 and the guide elongated 
protrusion 55 to the central stationary spin groove 54 to spin 
stationarily. 
It is to be noted that it is preferable not to provide any magnetic 
attraction wall at this portion, in order to allow the running path to be 
smoothly changed over by means of the running path changeover member 45. 
Thus, by providing the jump plate 6, the magnetic top 4 can not only run 
along a plane but also fly upwardly; hence, it is possible to utilize an 
idle space three-dimensionally. 
It is to be noted that in FIG. 1 a reference numeral 60 designates a crane 
body, which is operated on a support 61 on the lower frame 51 for moving 
the stationarily spinning magnetic top 4 in the groove 54 to a proper 
position while keeping the magnetic top 4 to spin. More specifically, as 
shown in FIGS. 7(a), the crane body 60 is provided with an operating main 
body having a push button 62 as well as a grip 63, a fulcrum rod body 64 
projecting from the lower part of the main body, and a crane arm 66 
projecting from a side of the operating main body as well as having a 
magnetic plate 65 provided on the lower surface thereof and able to 
revolve in response to the pushing operation of the push button 62. A 
rotating plate 67 is mounted inside the operating main body so as to be 
coaxial with the crane arm 66 and is coupled to the push button 62 through 
a rod 68. In addition, the rotating plate 67 is normally biased toward one 
side by a spring 69. When the push button 62 is depressed, the rod 68 is 
lowered to revolve the rotating plate 67 against the bias force of the 
spring 69. Simultaneously, also the magnetic plate 65 on the lower surface 
of the crane arm 66 is revolved. The revolving angle is only required to 
be about 90 degrees. If the push button 62 is released, the crane arm 66 
is also returned. 
To move the magnetic top 4 by employing the crane body 60, the crane body 
60 is mounted on the support 61, and the lower surface of the crane arm 66 
is brought into contact with the upper end of the rotating shaft 32 of the 
spinning magnetic top 4 so that the rotating shaft 32 of the magnetic top 
4 is magnetically attracted to the magnetic plate 65. Under this state, 
the crane arm 66, together with the magnetic top 4, is lifted up, and 
while the top 4 is moved to a proper position in the longitudinal 
direction of the arm 66, the direction of the arm 66 is changed to drop 
the magnetic top 4 on a desired position of the toy. At this time, the 
fulcrum rod body 64 can be moved in all directions; hence, it is easy to 
change the direction of the arm 66. When the magnetic top 4 is moved along 
the lower surface of the crane arm 66, it is only necessary to slant the 
arm 66. If the arm end is lowered, the magnetic top 4 advances toward the 
end while spinning, while if the end is raised, the magnetic top 4 moves 
toward the side opposite to the end. It is to be noted that a stopper 70 
provided on the arm end prevents the magnetic top 4 from advancing beyond 
the stopper 70 so that the same will not fall off. On the other hand, when 
the magnetic top 4 is dropped, the push button 62 is depressed. 
Consequently, the crane arm is revolved about 90 degrees; therefore, the 
rotating shaft 32 of the magnetic top 4 loses the attraction surface 
offered by the magnetic plate 65 and falls. 
Accordingly, for example, if the magnetic top 4 stationarily spinning on 
the jump plate 6 or the receiving board 50, as described above, is moved 
onto the starting plate 5 in the above-described manner, the magnetic top 
4 is guided to the running path 1 again and can continue running. Thus, 
the crane body 60 permits the magnetic top 4 to be moved to any desired 
position while permitting the same to spin. Therefore, unless the spinning 
force of the magnetic top 4 is lost, the movement thereof can be continued 
without any suspension. 
It is to be noted that the running path 1 for the magnetic top 4 is not 
always limitative to the running path formed in a V shape such as the 
illustrated example. The running path 1 may be of simple I shape, or the 
running path 1 may be continuously formed in a W or other shapes. 
In addition, the starting plate 5 must be disposed so as to correspond to 
the spinning direction of the magnetic top 4 and the advancing direction 
depends thereon. 
As has been described in detail, the running path of the magnetic top 
running toy in accordance with the invention has along the center thereof 
the magnetic attraction wall contacted by the rotating shaft of the 
magnetic top and is a reciprocative running path permitting the magnetic 
top to turn at both ends thereof. Therefore, it is possible to run the 
magnetic top recirculatively. Moreover, since the starting plate having 
the guide surface for guiding the magnetic top into the reciprocative 
running path is provided at a proper position along a side of the running 
path, it is possible to smoothly start the magnetic top. Further, since 
the jump plate is provided which is adapted to allow the magnetic top 
guided from the reciprocative running path to fly while keeping the 
magnetic top spinning, it is possible to make the magnetic top run 
planarly as well as fly three-dimensionally. Thereby, the play with the 
magnetic top can be varied. In addition, since the top itself has the 
shape of what can be called a U.F.O., if the running toy is assembled so 
as to look like a space station as a whole, for example, as the 
illustrated example, then it is also possible to further improve the 
visual effect of the flying of the magnetic top. 
These and other modifications of the present invention could be easily 
accomplished by a person of ordinary skill once given the generic 
principles of the present invention. Accordingly the scope and spirit of 
the present invention should be determined only from the following claims: