US3328909A - Spinning top slidable off a rod - Google Patents

Description

July 4, 1967 c. E. BLANTON, JR

SPINNING TOP SLIDABLE OFF A ROD Filed April 25, 1964 INVENTOR United States Patent 3,328,909 SPINNING TOP SLIDABLE OFF A ROD Colecta E. Blanton, Jr., 6344 Eberhart Ave., Chicago, II]. 60637 Filed Apr. 23,1964, Ser. No. 362,079 2 Claims. (Cl. 4668) My invention relates to toys employing a twisted wire rod along which a top is slidable and threaded, so that the top is in rotation as it slides along the rod and spins when it leaves the same and lands on a floor or other supporting surface. While various forms of such a toy have been patented, the present invention is more particularly an improvement on the device shown in the patent to C. E. Coe, No. 1,003,985.

In a device of the type considered, the top must be bored axially for the passage of the rod, yet carry means forming a spinning point suitable for the continued rotation of the top when it meets the surface on which it is dropped. In the patent referred to an attachment is provided for the under side of the top projecting a spinning point in downward direction. Since such point is mostly alongside the rod, as seen in FIG. 2 of the patent, I have foundby constructing the Coe device-that an off-center influence is set up during the spinning of the top, which makes it vibrate as it spins and stop sooner than a top which is axially balanced.

In view of the above condition, it is one object of the present invention to construct the top with means positioned to clear the twisted rod while the top slides along the same, and form a centered spinning point for the top when it leaves the rod.

A further object is to design the aforesaid means to assume its rod-clearing position automatically and build up pressure by centrifugal force to form and maintain the spinning point in operative position as long as the top is in spinning motion.

Another object is to employ a recessed formation in the body of the top for accommodating the major portion of the spinning point mechanism, and keep the latter concealed from view and protected against tampering or impact by external objects.

An additional object is to incorporate simple means for maintaining the spinning point in a compact and centered position.

An important object is to design a spinning point mechanism which is of few parts and does not detract from the appearance of the top.

A better understanding of the invention may be gained by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation of the spinning top toy, with parts broken away;

FIG. 2 is a section on the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view of the top alone, from the left-hand side of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a cross section of the top alone in the spinning position.

Referring specifically to the drawing, denotes the twisted wire rod, which is designed to be held in a vertical or slanted position when the toy is used. The upper end of the rod is formed into a looped handle 10a for the support of the rod. The latter receives first a sleeve 12, and then the top 13, these parts being made of wood or similar material and axially bored as indicated at 12a and 13a for slidable movement along the rod. As in the patented device, the sleeve 12 is used as a pusher to advance the top along the rod and off the free end thereof. The upper surface of the present top receives a plate 15 made with an elongated center slot 15a for threading the top on the rod; and the plate has side spurs 15b driven into the stock of the top for retaining the plate to ice the same. It is now apparent that the top goes into rotation during its descent along the rod; and the pusher sleeve 12 is made with a head 12b at the bottom to guard the hand from pressing against the top and deterring its rotation; and the head is convex underneath, as indicated at 120, in order to present a minimum surface for the same reason.

For the purpose of the invention the top is made with a pair of narrow cavities 13b from opposite sides and through the bottom. These cavities accommodate a pair of flat metallic levers 20, these being freely mounted on transverse pivot p.ns 22 driven through the top and terminating flush with its outer surface, as suggested in FIG. 3. The pivot pins 22 are located in the lower parts of the levers and so spaced that the insertion of the rod through the center bore 13a aligns the levers into positions closely adjoining the rod, as seen in FIG. 1. Below the pivot pins the levers are tapered to form rounded ends 20a, the taper being with a curvature 20b on the outside and a bevel 200 on the inside.

When the top is advanced toward the lower or free end of the rod, the rotation of the top induces a spreading influence on the levers by centrifugal force. Thus, when the top slides off the rod the levers become free to spread to the position shown in FIG. 4 determined by the meeting of the bevels 20c at the bottom. The ends 20a are now joined to form a spinning point for the continued rotation of the top when it meets a floor or other'supporting surface.

Since the descending angle of the top may cause one lever to swing out too far and prejudice the centering of the spinning point, cross-pins 24 are carried by the levers near the bottom. The cross pins are spaced from the lower end surface of the top while the levers are in the closed position indicted in FIG. 1; and the crosspins serve as stop against the lower end surface of the top as shown in FIG. 4, when the levers swing out and their bevels 200 meet as shown, centering the spinning point.

While the recessed construction of the top virtually divides it into two halves, it is noted that these are connected at the top by a tapered integral spacer 13c; and

they are connected near the bottom by the pivot pins 22,.

these being driven tightly through the top while the levers are positioned to let the pivot pins pass through their perforations.

It will now be apparent that no part of the top mechanism projects into the center bore to aifect the sliding progress of the top along the twisted rod, or to assume an off-center position unbalancing the top. When the top leaves the rod, the centrifugal action of the levers 20 causes them to meet on the axis of the top in equalized relation, placing the combined spinning point in the center of the top. The latter will thus spin without vibration or any undue retarding influence on its velocity. Further, the mechanism of the levers 20 is almost entirely concealed and protected, and requires no handling or other attention. Finally, the top is made in one piece and reinforced to hold together against the strains and impacts of use.

While I have described the invention along specific lines, various minor changes or modifications may be made therein without departing from its principle, and I reserve the right to employ all such changes as fall within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with a top slidable along. a rod, and means inducing the top to rotate while on the rod and by momentum beyond one end thereof; of companion levers in opposite sides of the top and pivoted 3 4 ransversely in the leading end thereof to present outer References Cited iortions with pointed ends and relatively longer inner UNITED STATES A S )OftlOIlS, the outer portions gathered by the centrifugal 1,965,345 7/1934 Jung )utswing of the inner portions when the top leaves said :nd of the rod to form a spinning point for the top, and 5 FOREIGN PATENTS ateral projections carried by the outer portions and meet- 950,236 3/1949 France ng said leading end in such event to maintain said spin- RICHARD C. PINKHAM Primary Examiner ling point centered.

2. The structure of claim 1, said lateral projections 10 DELBERT LOWE Examine"- aeing transverse studs. R. F. CUTTING, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. THE COMBINATION WITH A TOP SLIDABLE ALONG A ROD, AND MEANS INDUCING THE TOP TO ROTATE WHILE ON THE ROD AND BY MOMENTUM BEYOND ONE END THEREOF; OF COMPANION LEVERS IN OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE TOP AND PIVOTED TRANSVERSELY IN THE LEADING END THEREOF TO PRESENT OUTER PORTIONS WITH POINTED ENDS AND RELATIVELY LONGER INNER PORTIONS, THE OUTER PORTIONS GATHERED BY THE CENTRIFUGAL OUTSWING OF THE INNER PORTIONS WHEN THE TOP LEAVES SAID END OF THE ROD TO FORM A SPINNING POINT FOR THE TOP, AND

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