US3191341A

US3191341A - Method of powering a precession toy

Info

Publication number: US3191341A
Application number: US61745A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lynn W Martin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1960-10-10
Filing date: 1960-10-10
Publication date: 1965-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 1982-06-29

Description

June 29, 1965 w. MARTIN 3,191,341

METHOD OF POWERING A PRECESSION TOY Filed Oct. 10. 1960 FIG. I FIG. 2

FIG. 3

INVENTOR. LYNN w. MARTIN FIG. 5

QAKMM ATTORNEY v United States Patent METHOD OF POWERING A PRECESSION TOY Lynn W. Martin, 2633 Grail, Wichita, Kans. Filed Oct. 10, 1960, Ser.No. 61,745 2 Claims. (Cl. 46--65) This invention relates to toys, and in a more particular aspect to a top. Still more specifically, this invention relates to a construction of tops and to powering means therefor. Even more specifically, this invention relates to a new relation between a top construction and a supporting surface therefor so that the top can be powered by manipulation of the supporting surface.

Various types of toys and/or tops are known to the prior art. The prior art tops include various means for propelling or spinning the top, such including stems or the like on the top body, or spring powered means for initially spinning or rotating the top. In most instances the prior art tops and means for spinning same are capable of only initially imparting a spin to the top, and this spin is soon slowed or reduced in speed to a point where it turns over and stops. The length of time the spin can be maintained is primarily dependent upon the frictional forces between the spinning body and the stationary supporting surface, and for this reason most prior art top constructions are directed to' a top having frustro-conical sides terminating in a relatively sharp tip to contact the supporting surface.

In accordance with the present invention new and improved top means are provided and new power means are provided therefor to maintain the top spinning for an almost indefinite period of time. The top means of the invention preferably includes a fairly large rounded end portion to contact the supporting surface, such being diametrically opposed to most of the prior art devices which have pointed tips. The top and powering surface of the invention are so constructed relative to each other so that the surface can be manipulated by rocking or wobbling the powering surface with the top spinning thereon so as to maintain the spin of the top for an extended period of time. The manipulation of the supporting surface continually changes the relation between the spinning axis of the top and the axis of the supporting surface and the spinning will be maintained until the powering surface is placed at rest.

In a preferred specific embodiment of the top of the invention, a top is provided which includes a body portion intermediate the ends thereof and terminates in one end portion in a round end to contact the supporting and powering surface. The other end portion preferably has a stem formed thereon to permit the top to be initially spun. In other preferred specific embodiments of the invention, the stem portion is eliminated and the body portion of the top can be hollowed, thus changing the mass and the spinning characteristics of the top. The powering and supporting surfaces of the invention can be of various configurations, a dish-shaped or fiat surface being preferred. The supporting surface is of such size as to permit an annular path to be traversed by the spinning top as the surface is manipulated to power and continue the movement of the top. thereon.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide new top means. c

Another object of the invention is to provide a new top and supporting and powering surface therefor to maintain the spinningtop in rotation for extended periods of time.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a new top construction and a supporting surface therefor which can be manipulated to continue the spin of the top thereon.

1 ing techniques.

"ice

A still further object of the invention is to provide a new relation between a top and the surface on which it spins.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new method for maintaining a top in a spinning relation.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross section view through a dish-shaped powering surface showing the top of FIG. 2 in operation thereon.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross section view of a preferred construction of the top of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross section view through a flat powering surface showing the top of FIG. 4 in operation theron.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross section view of another preferred specific embodiment of the top of the invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross section view through a still further embodiment of the top of the invention.

The following is a discussion and description of pre ferred specific embodiments of the new top and powering means of the invention, such being made with reference to the drawings whereon the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/or structure. It is.to be understood that such discussion and description is not to unduly limit the scope of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the top constructions of the invention are constructed so that they can be placed and spun on a supporting surface and the supporting surface can be manipulated so that the top can be maintained thereon in a spinning relation. One construction of such a top is shown generally at 9 in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings and preferably includes an intermediate cylindrical portion 10 intermediatethe ends. One end portion of the top tapers inwardly as shown at 12, preferably in a gradual arcuate manner, and terminates in a large spherical tip 14 which is centered in relation to the cylindrical portion 10 of the top. The tip 14 is preferably relatively hard. The other end portion of the top is reduced in diameter to form a stem 16 which is coaxial with the intermediate portion 10.

The entire top is preferably made of a suitable plastic material and can be integrally formed by common mold- In other instances, it will be desirable to cut or shape the top from a single block of plastic rod or the like. Other materials, such as wood, metals, glass and the like can be used, if desired. Also in some instances it will be desirable to form the top of separate parts rather than being integrally formed as shown in the drawings. For example, the cylindrical body portion 10 and stem 16 can be formed of a plastic or wood material and the spherical tip portion 14 can be formed of a hard plastic material, glass or the like and secured thereto.

Another preferred embodiment of the top of the invention is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. The top, shown generally at 20, includes a cylindrical upper portion 22 and a spherical end or tip portion 24. The portion of the top 20 joining the cylindrical portion 22 and the tip portion 24 can be tapered as shown at 26. The tapered portion 26 can be either arcuate as shown in FIG. 2 or frusto-conical as shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment of the top, the top is' preferably hollowed as shown at 28, the hollow 28 being coaxial with the cylindrical portion 22. ,The hollow 28 not only reduces the drical portion 22 and tapered portion 26 can be formed of Wood, plastic, metal or the like and the tip port-ion 24 can be separately formed from suitable materials and secured thereto by the use of adhesives or the like. The spherical tip end portion 24 is preferably relatively hard for contact with the supporting and powering surface.

A still further preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. of the drawings whereon the top is shown generally at 30. The top 30 includes a cylindrical portion 32 which is relatively short and is hollowed as shown at 34. The hollow portion 34 is concentric or coaxial with the outer portion 32. A spherical tip portion 36 is provided to contact the supporting surface and is centered in relation to the cylindrical portion 32. The top 30 is also preferably formed of plastic materials, though here as in the previous embodiments described, other materials can be used, if desired, and the tip portion 36 can be separately formed and secured thereto in any suitable manner.

. The supporting and powering surfaces desirable for use with the invention can be of various types. FIG. 1 of the drawings shows a dish-shaped supportingsurface 40 which can be of plastic, glass,.or other material, and preferably has a relatively hard finish on the contacting surface. FIG. 3 of the drawings show a relatively flat supporting surface 42 which also has a relatively hard supporting or contacting surface. Both of the

surfaces

40 and 42 are of such size and weight that they can be easily moved or manipulated by the user.

In use, a top of the type described hereinabove is placed in rotation about its own axis by twisting the stem or cylindrical portion therof with the spherical, end portion in contact with the supporting

surface

40 or 42. The supporting

surface

40 or 42 is then manipulated so that the top thereon is caused to move in a circuit or path in the same direction as the direction of spin of the top as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings. This can be done by lowering first one edge or side of the supporting surface and then the other to rock or wobble the supporting surface so that the top is continually moving in a down hill direction in relation to the surface. The axis of the spinning top will thus be in skew relation and continually changing in skew relation to the axis of the supporting surface and the movement of the top in its annular path on the supporting surface will maintain the top spinning for an almost indefinite period of time, depending upon the skill of the operator. The maximum sizeof the supporting surface is determined by the ability of an individual to manipulate same in relation to the specific top being used thereon so as to maintain the top in a continually moving manner. The minimum size of the supporting surface is that which will enable the top to be spun thereon in the circuit or path and is variable within the skill of the art depending upon the size and construction of the top.

The exact shape or size of the top which can be powered in this manner is variable and the exact mathematical relation and dimensions have not been theoretically ascertained. Tops of the construction shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 have been experimentally constructed and found to be desirable for this use. A number of variable properties of these tops are believed to enter into the motion of the top and cause some shapes or constructions to be desirable while others are unsatisfactory. For example, the moment of inertia about the spin axis of the top has some influence in maintaining the top spinning.

At the same time, there must be sufficient friction between these surfaces so that the top will not slide thereon during movement of the supporting surface. The radius of the spherical end portion also effects the desirability of any top in this action, the spherical end portion being of such radius as to avoid a sharp point like tip. A diameter of A to of an inch has been found desirable in this regard. The precession rate is also a factor in the performance of the top, and this rate depends on the before-mentioned factors as well as the revolutions per minute and the degree of lean of the top as it spins on the supporting surface. As the top moves about the powering surface, it will lean toward the center of the powering surface. While. the maximum size of the supporting and powering surface is determined primarily upon the ability of one to move the surface, the minimum size thereof is primarily limited by the size and construction of the individual top, such minimum size being determined by experimentation with any particular top. The movement of the top on the supporting surface is also effected to a minor extent by windage losses.

In the examples shown in the drawings, the tops of FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 have been constructed having diameters at the cylindrical portions of from approximately one-half to one and one-half inches and approximately one-half to one and one-half inches in height. The size of the supporting surface indicated as dish-shaped member 40 can be that of the common plate, that is from approximately 8 to 10 inches in diameter. The same size has been found satisfactory in the case ofthe fiat supporting surface 42. Generally. speaking, the tops shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 are approximately as high as they are wide with the major portion of the mass and the center of gravity being in the lower half of each top. While the shape and sizes of the various members shown in the drawings have been experimentally tried and found suitable and desirable, it is to be understood that these dimensions and/ or shapes are intended to illustrate and describe the means for providing a surface powered precession top and the method of using same and are not intended to limit the scope-of the invention.

The method of the invention consists of maintaining a top spinning by placing same on a dish-shaped or generally flat surface and initially manually spinning same. The supporting and powering surface is then manipulated by alternately lowering and raising first one side or edge and then the other to rock or wobble the powering surface so that the top thereon is generally moving in a down hill direction around the supporting and powering surface, preferably in anannular path thereon.

The use of the top and the supporting surface therefor permits a new use of top structures and provides an interesting and novel means of propelling same. The constructions and methods of the invention provide a new form of amusement which is not easily tired of, as well as developing coordination in the use of the hands and arms, particularly when used by children. As one be comes skilled in using the supporting surface to propel the Also, the location of the center of gravity of the top I top thereon, the various shaped surfaces, such as the dish-shaped one shown in FIG. 1 can be used to vary the movement of the top thereon, even to the extent of throwing the top into the air and catchingsame on the lip of the dish-shaped surface or another surface.

As will be evident to those skilled in the art, various modifications of this invention can be made, or followed, in the light of this description and discussion, without departing from the spirit of the disclosure or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. The method of powering a spinning top comprising the steps of, spinning a top having a spherically shaped tip on a movable surface that is large in comparison to the major diameter of the top, manipulating the movable surface by rocking same to obtain and maintain a con tinually changing skew relation between the spin axis of said top and the axis of said' surface to thereby cause said spinning top to move in substantially an annular path on said movable rocking surface in the same direction as the direction of rotation of said top, continuously positioning the movable surface so that said top continually moves in a downhill direction on said surface under the influence of gravity wherein a torque is applied to the spherical shaped tip suificient to overcome normal friction and windage losses.

2. A method of powering a spinning top comprising, spinning a top having a spherical shaped lower tip on a tiltable surface, subsequently imparting a wobbling motion to the tiltable surface to thereby maintain a continually changing skew relationship between the spin axis of the top and the axis of the tiltable surface, thereby maintaining a rolling point contact along a locus of points lying in an annulus on the spherical shaped tip and moving the top in a generally annular path, correlating the annular movement of the top and the wobbling motion of the tiltable surface to maintain the spinning top on a downwardly angled surface portion to cause same to roll downwardly under the influence of gravity to thereby apply a torque to the spinning top suflicient to overcome normal friction and windage losses.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,112,182 3/38 Tintore 4664 2,318,793 5/43 Pait 273109 2,46 8,567 4/49 McBride 273-109 2,700,246 1/55 Ostberg 4664 2,906,057 9/59 Sullivan 4664 3,025,632 3/ 62 Brooks et al. 4665 FOREIGN PATENTS 53 8,120 3/57 Canada.

DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner.

ELLIS E. FULLER, EVON C. BLUNK, Examiners.

Claims

1. THE METHOD OF POWERING A SPINNING TOP COMPRISING THE STEPS OF, SPINNING A TOP HAVING A SPHERICALLY SHAPED TIP ON A MOVABLE SURFACE THAT IS LARGE IN COMPARISON TO THE MAJOR DIAMETER OF THE TOP, MANIPULATING THE MOVABLE SURFACE BY ROCKING SAME TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A CONTINUALLY CHANGING SKEW RELATION BETWEEN THE SPIN AXIS OF SAID TOP AND THE AXIS OF SAID SURFACE TO THEREBY CAUSE SAID SPINNING TOP TO MOVE IN SUBSTANTIALLY AN ANNULAR PATH ON SAID MOVABLE ROCKING SURFACE IN THE SAME DIRECTION AS THE DIRECTION OF ROTATION OF SAID TOP, CONTINUOUSLY POSITIONING THE MOVABLE SURFACE SO THAT SAID TOP CONTINUALLY MOVES IN A DOWNHILL DIRECTION ON SAID SURFACE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF GRAVITY WHEREIN A TORQUE IS APPLIED TO THE SPHERICAL SHAPED TIP SUFFICIENT TO OVERCOME NORMAL FRICTION AND WINDAGE LOSSES.