Abstract:
A wheel-shaped top with magnetic spindles projecting from the body. A circular disk with a beaded rim is mounted on each end of a shaft; the rims of the disks forming a two-rail track encircling the shaft. A handle has two legs attached to opposite ends of the shaft. The spindles are magnetically attached to the two-rail track. The top orbits around the track in response to hand manipulation of the handle; the top is launched from the track when the orbital speed is sufficient to centrifugally separate the spindles from the track to spin on a surface, and the top can be magnetically retrieved, while spinning, by engagement of the spindles with the shaft or with one or both of the disks. In an alternate embodiment, the top includes a simulating feature, such as a continuous or blinking light, a sound, or the like configured to activate when the top is rotated.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority from and the benefit of co-pending application Ser. No. 29/206,018, filed May 24, 2004, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein, and co-pending application Ser. No. 11/086,499, filed Mar. 22, 2005, entitled MAGNETIC TOP TOY, as a continuation-in-part thereof, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates generally to toys of the type that include the combination of a top having a wheel-shaped body with magnetic spindles projecting in opposite directions along the axis of rotation of the body, and an apparatus that can be manipulated to cause the top to spin with the help of gravity, to travel in a particular path dictated by rails, or the like. In some cases, the spinning top may be made to separate from the apparatus to spin on a floor or other flat surface.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0005]     The prior art discloses top toys that includes combinations of tops having wheel-shaped bodies with wire rails, a spiral track, and the like. Included among the known prior art patents are tops having a wheel-shaped body with a pair of magnetic spindles projecting from opposite sides of the body at its axis of rotation for securing the top to a pair of rails by magnetic attraction. See, for example, Chen (U.S. Pat. No. 4,031,660, issued Jun. 28, 1977) and Chesler (U.S. Pat. D436,383, issued Jan. 16, 2001), which also disclose a top with a wheel-shaped body.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The toy of the present invention includes a top having a wheel-shaped body, an axle mounted in the center of the body with a magnetic spindle at each end projecting from opposite sides of the body, a track component with a pair of spaced disks mounted on a shaft so that the rims of the disks function as an endless, circular, two-rail track enclosing the shaft, and a handle having a pair of legs that straddle the disks and are attached to a respective end of the shaft. The top is attached to the two-rail track by magnetic attraction of the spindles with the rims of the disks. The top orbits the shaft in response to manipulation of the handle. If the speed of the top is sufficient to develop a centrifugal force on the top sufficient to overcome the magnetic attraction of the top to the disks, it separates from the track to spin on a floor or other flat surface. The operator can then retrieve the spinning top by magnetic attraction of a spindle with an end of the shaft, one of the disks, or the two-rail track. In an alternate embodiment, the top includes a simulating feature, such as a continuous or blinking light, a sound, or the like configured to activate when the top is rotating. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     Certain embodiments are shown in the drawings. However, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings, wherein:  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the magnetic top toy of this invention, including a track component, a handle component, and a top with a wheel-shaped body attached to the track component by magnetic attraction according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is an exploded, perspective view of the handle and track components as shown in  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a is a perspective view of the magnetic top toy as shown in  FIG. 1  within the magnetic top toy according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the magnetic top toy of  FIG. 3  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the magnetic top toy shown in  FIG. 1  as held by the hand of a user orbiting the shaft on the spaced track members according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the magnetic top toy shown in  FIG. 1  being centrifugally launched from the track according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  illustrates the retrieval of the spinning top of the magnetic top toy by magnetic attraction when attached to one end of the shaft of the track component according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  
         [0015]      FIG. 8  illustrates the retrieval of the spinning top of the magnetic top toy by magnetic attraction when attached to one of the disks of the track component according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  
         [0016]      FIG. 9  is a partly tilted elevation view of the top of the magnetic top toy according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.  
         [0017]      FIG. 10  is a view a control board within the magnetic top toy shown in  FIG. 9  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  
         [0018]      FIG. 11  is a view along line  11 - 11  as shown in  FIG. 9  of the magnetic top toy according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  
         [0019]      FIG. 12  is a view along line  12 - 12  as shown in  FIG. 9  of the magnetic top toy according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  
         [0020]      FIG. 13  is a electrical schematic diagram of the electrical circuit and the open loop electrical circuit of the magnetic top toy shown in  FIG. 1  equipped with a top of  FIG. 9  according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0021]     The present invention is not limited to the particular details of the device depicted and other modifications and applications may be contemplated. Further changes may be made in the above-described device without departing from the true spirit of the scope of the disclosure herein involved. It is intended, therefore, that the subject matter of the above depictions should be interpreted as illustrative, not in a limiting sense.  
         [0022]      FIGS. 1-3  show the assembled toy  10 , which includes a top  16 , a track component  14 , and a handle  12 .  FIGS. 1 and 3  show the top  16  with a wheel-shaped body  19  and a pair of magnetic spindles  17  projecting from opposite sides of the body  19  at a rotary axis common to the body  19  and the spindles  17  as shown in  FIGS. 1, 3 , and  4 .  
         [0023]     The track component  14  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  includes a shaft  32  with reduced-diameter ends  34  and two disks  26  each mounted on each of the reduced ends  34  where each disk  26  includes a concave body with an opening  30  at its center for receiving one of the reduced ends  34  of shaft  32 . A beaded rim  28  is formed at the periphery of each of the disks  26 . The disks  26  are mounted on the opposite ends of shaft  32  in mirror-image relationship such that the opposed pair of rims  28  form a two-rail track enclosing shaft  32 . In the illustrated embodiment, the rims  28  are circular and concentric with the axis of shaft  32 ; hence, when the spindles  17  are magnetically connected to the disks  26 , the top  16  travels in an endless, circular orbit around the axis of shaft  32  as it travels around the two-rail track defined by the spaced rims  28 .  
         [0024]     The handle  12  is comprised of a wire member bent at the center to form a curved, U-shaped bight  22  defining the free end of the handle  12 . A pair of legs  18  project from the bight  22  and terminate at spaced free ends  13  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The end caps  36  include a first hole (not shown) at the internal end of each end cap  36  to interlock with the reduced-diameter end portion  34  of shaft  32  inserted through the opening  30  and a second hole (not shown) that extends diametrically through the cylindrical wall of each end cap  36  to receive one of the two free ends  13  of the handle  13 .  
         [0025]     A circular clamp  20  is mounted on both legs  18  of the wire handle  12  at a location near the bight  22 . The clamp  20  is formed by a pair of circular, rimmed disks  21  and  23  having cylindrical rims  25  and  27  that project from the peripheries of disks  23  and  21 , respectively. The rims  25  and  27  have matched sets of notches aligned to receive legs  18 . Rims  25  and  27  are sized to allow one to fit into the other with a force fit. Each notch of rim  25  is matched with a notch of rim  27  so as to receive a respective one of the pair of legs  18  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The clamp  20  is used as a gripping member for hand manipulation of the toy as illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0026]     In one preferred embodiment of the top  16  shown as  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the top  16  has a wheel-shaped body  19  and a pair of magnetic spindles  17  projecting from opposite ends of the axle formed by the axle halves  42  as shown in the exploded view of  FIG. 4 . The spindles  17  are magnetized by contact with a permanent magnet  40  shown in a cylindrical shape, located between the flat ends of spindles  17 . While the use of a single magnet  40  placed between spindles  17  to impart upon the spindles  17  magnetic attraction, what is also contemplated is the use of magnetized spindles without the need of a permanent magnet  40 . When the parts of the top  16  shown as  FIG. 4  are assembled, the flat ends of the spindles  17  are seated against a respective flat end of magnet  40 . When assembled, the pointed ends of spindles  17  project from a respective axle half  42 .  
         [0027]      FIGS. 5-8  shown how the assembled top toy  10  can be operated with the hand of a user. The top  16  of the magnetic top toy  10  is secured as shown in  FIG. 5  to the upper external radius of the rims  25 ,  27 . By angling the handle  12 , the center of gravity of the top  16  is then moved away from the shaft  32 , creating a momentum force on the top  16  attached to the rim  25 ,  27 . The top  16  then rotates as it moves along the rim  25 ,  27  around the track component  14  shown in the shape of disks  26 . What is shown is the use of hand motions, coupled with handle movements, to increase or decrease the rotation speed of the top  16  along the track component  14 . As the top  16  rotates around the track component  14 , it is held in position by the magnetic forces created by the magnet  40  on the spindle  17  when in contact with disks  26  made capable of magnetization.  
         [0028]      FIG. 6  shows how the top  16  can be made to separate from the track component  14  by either a movement of the handle  12 , a centrifugal force induced by the rotating top  16  along the disks  26 , or any combination thereof.  FIG. 7  illustrates the case where the end caps  36  are also made of material capable of magnetization. In the contemplated embodiment, the top  16  can be held at the position on the end caps  36  while it maintains its rotation.  FIG. 8  shows how the top  16  can be made to rotate on a single disk  26 . While  FIGS. 5-8  illustrate how the top  16  can be used on the magnetic top toy  10  by users, what is disclosed and contemplated is the capacity of users to operate the magnetic top toy  10  in other fashions not described or in conjunction with magnetized, metallic, or other surfaces or elements to enhance the entertainment value of the magnetic top toy  10 . By way of nonlimiting example, users with great dexterity can place two tops  16  on a single toy  10  and create new operating modes contemplated but not shown.  
         [0029]      FIG. 9  is a partly tilted elevation view of the top  16  of the magnetic top toy  10  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In this alternate embodiment, the top toy  10  includes a wheel-shaped top  16  having a body with a pair of magnetic spindles  17  and a track component  12  made of a material capable of magnetic engagement for supporting the magnetic spindles  17  of the wheel-shaped top  16 . The track component  12  includes a shaft  32  with a first and a second end  34 , and a pair of disks  36  mounted on opposite ends  34  of the shaft  32 . The body as shown in the alternate embodiment includes a peripheral edge  51  for holding an upper body  44  and a lower body  46 . In one preferred embodiment, the upper and lower bodies  44 ,  46  are made of transparent or semitransparent material, such as glass, plastic, or the like.  
         [0030]     As shown in  FIGS. 11-12 , the body also includes at least an electrically activated first stimulating feature, which is shown in  FIG. 12  as a colored LED. The LED is connected to an electrical circuit placed on a circuit board  52  as shown in  FIG. 10 . The board  52  also holds a centrifugally activated contact  55  as shown in  FIG. 12 . As the top  16  rotates, a small metallic contact  59  made of a biasing element  58  such as a spring  58  or a bent and flexible piece of conductive metal moves to the external radius of the top  16  under the action of the centrifugal force. When enabled by rotation of the top  16 , the contact  55  connects the first stimulating feature, such as the LED  54  or any other colored light.  FIG. 11  shows how small, flat batteries can be used as an energy source connected to the electrical circuit. In an alternate embodiment, the first stimulating feature is a sound created by a small speaker or noise-producing device. While noise- and light-based systems are described, what is contemplated is the use of any stimulating feature that may be used for entertainment purposes and associated with a toy. By way of nonlimiting example, it may be useful to add sprays and small volumes of water inside the top  16  in an effort to randomly wet users of the toy  10 .  
         [0031]     In another embodiment, the body further includes a control board  52  with a microprocessor (not shown) for controlling a degree of simulation of the first simulating feature, such as creating music or variable noises associated with the top  16 . Lights can be made to flash, blink, either randomly, semirandomly, or when used in tandem with a game where each top  16  is given specific tasks.  FIG. 13  shows how one or a plurality of batteries  60  can be used with the LED  54  or other simulating feature shown by a rectangle either directly with the centrifugally activated contact  55  in a closed loop shown in the right of the figure. Once centrifugal force is placed upon the contact  55  by a spinning top  16 , the contact  55  closes and electricity flows on the right circuit enabling the simulating feature  54 .  
         [0032]     What is also contemplated is the use of a body further including an open-loop electrical circuit shown in the left circuit of  FIG. 13  formed by the magnetic spindles  17  illustrated by black rectangle connectors. In the open loop, the different elements of the toy  10  can be used in conjunction with calibrated resistances R 1  to R 4  to reduce current and enable either a second stimulating feature located within the open loop or the first simulating feature at a different degree of stimuli. The top  16  includes two spindles  17  each shown with a resistance R 1  and alternatively a magnet  40  with a resistance R 2 . The current can be made to pass within these elements and return to the negative charge of the battery  60  if the top  16  is placed on the handle  12  consisting of a first conductive element such as the handle  12  with a resistance R 3  and disks  26  with a resistance R 4 .  
         [0033]     In one embodiment, the light used for the first and second simulating features is a single light having two different intensities. In another embodiment, the second stimulating feature is a sound.  
         [0034]     While specific embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification, the invention is not limited to the exact construction shown and described. Variations in the construction and arrangement of parts and components are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.