US3531892A - Illuminated spinning toy - Google Patents

Illuminated spinning toy Download PDF

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Publication number
US3531892A
US3531892A US800601A US3531892DA US3531892A US 3531892 A US3531892 A US 3531892A US 800601 A US800601 A US 800601A US 3531892D A US3531892D A US 3531892DA US 3531892 A US3531892 A US 3531892A
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United States
Prior art keywords
web
domes
disc
parts
toy
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US800601A
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English (en)
Inventor
Woodrow Wilson Pearce
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication of US3531892A publication Critical patent/US3531892A/en
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Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H1/00—Tops
    • A63H1/24—Tops with illuminating arrangements
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H1/00—Tops
    • A63H1/32—Whirling or spinning discs driven by twisted cords

Definitions

  • the disc is formed of upper and lower molded plastic domes and a peripheral rim part, the parts being constructed to snap together so that the rim part holds the domes together in a disc configuraion.
  • Within the domes are integral webs and projections which serve to position and hold the batteries, a light bulb and the spring contacts that provide circuit connections to the light bulb.
  • One of the spring contacts has a mass attached to it so it functions as a universl centrifugal switch to cause the light to be illuminated when the disc is rotated.
  • the invention is a toy and more particularly an illuminated spinner toy. It is of the type which takes the form of a disc which in a preferred form of the invention has a configuration which is ordinarily thought of as being that of a flying saucer.
  • the toy is of a type wherein strings or cords pass axially through openings in the disc by whirling the disc in its plane about an axis, the disc then rotating first in one direction and then the other about its axis as the cords twist and untwist in response to axial pull.
  • the housing is made of plastic parts including a clear plastic rim which is able to transmit light and when the illuminating circuit is closed the entire rim appears illuminated.
  • the housing is formed of upper and lower plastic domes and the plastic rim is provided with snap means so that all three parts snap together and are held in assembled relationship without other parts. This construction is one of the further novel features of the invention.
  • the upper and lower domes are provided with integral internal webs and/or projections which serve to position and hold the batteries and the light bulb within the housing as well as spring contact members which provide the electrical circuit to the light bulb.
  • One of the spring contact members is provided with a mass attached to it which is spaced from the center so that whenever the device spins at a given speed this contact member will be actuated by centrifugal force to close the contacts and energize the light bulb and illuminate the clear plastic peripheral rim.
  • the upper and lower domes preferably are made of plastic that is not transparent like the clear plastic rim part, although these parts may be made of translucent material or reflective material to enhance the display effect provided by the light being transmitted by the clear plastic IIII].
  • the primary object of the invention is toprovide improvements in a toy of the type described whereby to make the toy more entertaining and entertaining and accordingly, more useful.
  • Another object is to improve the lighting or illuminat- 3,531,892 Patented Oct. 6, 1970 cal, means and methods of manufacturing a toy of the type described while at the same time improving its strength, durability and effectiveness.
  • Another object is to provide an improved and simplified centrifugal switch in a toy of the type described for energizing a light bulb when the toy is rotating whereby to provide illumination entirely around the clear plastic rim of the toy.
  • Another object is to achieve economy in a toy of the type described by minimizing the number and complexity of parts and making it possible to hold all parts assembled simply by snap joints.
  • FIG. 1 is a View of a preferred form of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a plan view partly broken away of the form of the invention shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the upper and lower domes and intermediate ring
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective sectional view showing the snap joints between the domes and ring.
  • FIG. 1 shows a preferred form of the invention wherein the toy is in the form of a disc shaped housing 10 having an upper dome 12, a lower dome 14 and continuous peripheral rim 16.
  • the parts when assembled together form a disc shaped housing as shown and in the preferred form of the housing the configuration and contour is such to make it resemble the shape or configuration generally ascribed to flying saucers.
  • the upper dome 12 has an intermediate circular rib 18 which has spaced transverse ribs or embossments 20 to enhance the resemblance of the device to a flying saucer.
  • the disc shaped housing has holes 21 and 22 on opposite sides as will be described adjacent to its axis through which strings or cords may pass as shown in FIG. 1 the cords being designated at 26.
  • the ends of these cords can be held in either hand and then the housing 10 can be whirled in its own plane about a central axis to twist the cords on either side. Then by exerting axial pulls on the cords on opposite sides the disc can be made to spin in one direction and then the other twisting and untwisting the cords.
  • Batteries, contacts, a light bulb, and a centrifugal switch are provided in the housing to provide illumination when the disc rotates in various attitudes, the peripheral rim being transparent or translucent in order to transmit light.
  • the light bulb, batteries and spring contacts are held in position within the disc as will be described, the three parts of the disc, that is, the upper and lower domes and peripheral rim being snapped together with these parts holding the bulb, batteries and spring contacts in position.
  • FIGS. 2 through 5 illustrate the configurations of the domes and the manner in which the domes and the peripheral rim snap together holding the parts within the disc so formed.
  • the domes are internally configurated to receive and hold the bulb, batteries and snap contacts without separate fastening means and the two domes and peripheral rim snap together and are held without separate fastening devices, the assembly being accomplished without tools.
  • FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show the parts assembled whereas FIG. 6 shows the upper and lower domes and peripheral rims separated from each other and in perspective.
  • the parts that is, the upper and lower domes and peripheral rim are fabricated by an injection molding process from materials such as plastic although other processes could be used.
  • the lower dome 14 has integral inwardly extending projections and webs as does the upper dome 12, these projections and webs providing means for holding the internal parts in position without separate fasteners.
  • the lower dome 114 it has a central transverse web or rib having a transverse end part 32. Extending transversely to the rib or web 30 are three additional webs or ribs 34, 36 and 38 which are normal to the web 30, and each of these webs has in it arcuate recesses to receive and hold the two batteries 44 and 46 which may be flashlight batteries.
  • the arcuate recesses in Web 34 are designated at 50 and 52; in the web 36 they are designated at and 62.
  • the web 30 has two axial bores in it as designated at 66 and 68 which align with the holes 21 and 22 in the dome 12. As may be observed the webs 34, 36 and 38 form a cradle for the two batteries 44 and 46.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates how the webs hold the batteries in position.
  • a transverse web which is spaced from the end of the web 30, this web having beads 102 and 104 at its ends.
  • a spring contact member 106 is held between the web 100 and the contacts at the ends of the two batteries 44 and 46 as may be seen in FIG. 2 the ends of the contact member 106 being bent or deformed as shown at 108 and 110 for this purpose.
  • Adjacent to the web 34 is an integral rectangular post or projection 112 for a purpose which will be described presently.
  • Adjacent the other end of the Web 30 is an extending integral post which assists in holding an angular spring contact member 112 as may be seen in :FIG. 2. Adjacent the end of the transverse web part 32 is another integral cylindrical post 124 which also assists in holding the spring contact 122 as will be described presently.
  • the dome 14 has an integral extending formation 126 forming a cradle for the miniature light bulb 130 as may be seen in FIGS. 2 and 4.
  • an arcuate recess 131 through which the bulb extends as shown in FIG. 2 with the threaded part being received in the cradle.
  • a slot 132 adapted to receive a spring contact and in the other side of the cradle there is a slot like opening 134 between one end of the side of the cradle and an upstanding cylindrical integral projection 136 extending from the dome 14.
  • At one side of the cradle "126 is an extending integral web 142 having a short transverse and extension part 144 having a cutout in it forming a square shoulder 146. This shoulder is adjacent the end of the transverse web- 38.
  • Adjacent the cylindrical projection 136 is an integral web and adjacent to it is a cylindrical post or projection 152 leaving a space or a slot between these parts. Adjacent to the end of the transverse web 34 is a rec tangular vertical post or projection 154.
  • the spring contact 122 is angular as shown having an angular part the end of which is bent inwardly to engage a contact at the end of the battery 46, being positioned between this end and post 120 the post 121 being positioned on the other side of the part 160 of this contact. As may be seen the part 160 of the contact is between the transverse web 32 and the post 124. Contact member 122 has another angular part 162 the end part of which is bent into a loop as shown at 164 and this end part extends through the slot 132 so as to come into contacting engagement with the threaded end contact part of the bulb 130.
  • Numeral 166 designates another contact member having an angular end part 168 which is positioned between the transverse web 132 and the contact at one end of the battery 44.
  • the contact member 166 has an angular part 170 which fits in between the web 144 and the end of web 38, in the shoulder 1146 and it bears against the ends of the webs 34 and 36.
  • Its end part as designated at 172 is bent at a right angle and in the angle there is secured a mass of solidified solder or the like so as to provide sufficient weight to be effected by centrifugal action when the spinner is rotating.
  • Numeral 178 designates a further contact which fits in the slot 134 having a bent end part 180 which bears against the contact at the inner end of the bulb 130.
  • the end part of this contact is bent over as shown at 182 and it is held between the post 150 and the cylindrical post 152 as shown. The effect of centrifugal force is to move the end of member 170 outwardly into electrical contact with contact 178 to complete the circuit to energize the bulb 130.
  • transverse webs 75 and 75 that align with the web 30 in the bottom dome 14.
  • web 186 having a recess 188 in it, this web being parallel to the web 30 and positioned to come down over the light bulb 130 and hold it in position in its socket or recess as may be seen in FIG. 4.
  • the rim 16 has a rounded exterior as shown and it has an intermediate internal annular flange or rib 200.
  • the rim 16 on one side has three inwardly extending angularly spaced, lugs two of which may be seen at 202 and 204 in FIG. 6, these lugs being spaced from the rib 200.
  • FIGS. 5 and 7 illustrate how the edges of the upper and lower domes 12 and 14 and the rib 16 are brought into inter-engagement and snap together so that these parts and all the internal parts are held together merely by assembling them as described without the use of rivets, screws or other types of fasteners.
  • the edges of the domes are held to the rib 16 by the lugs such as the lug 202 shown in cross section in FIG. 7.
  • the edge of a dome is slipped under lugs on one side of the rim 16 and then the opposite edge of the rim is forced under a lug on the rim 16 at the other side.
  • the parts comprising the batteries, the bulb and the spring contacts can be assembled in the positions as shown in FIG. 2.
  • the upper dome 12 is then simply brought down over the lower dome, the webs on the upper dome coming down into position over the webs of the lower dome in the manner described to hold all of the parts in position.
  • the upper dome is assembled to the lower by the rim 16 as described so that the article becomes a unitary disc shaped simulated flying saucer with all parts securely held together without screws or other types of fasteners. It may be observed that the fabrication of the device is very simple comprising only the three main plastic parts and the internal parts which are the batteries, spring contacts and bulb.
  • the cords are, of course, assembled through the bores 66 and 68 and the holes 21 and 22 and corresponding holes in the other disc.
  • the operation or use is as described in the foregoing.
  • the disc can be rotated in various attitudes the centrifugal switch being universal and serving to energize the bulb and illuminate the device at various speeds and in various attitudes.
  • a spining toy comprising a housing of disc shape having holes adapted to receive cords for rotating the housing, means comprising a battery and a light within the housing whereby visible illumination may be provided, switch means responsive to centrifugal force, said switch comprising contacts including a contact in the form of a flexible blade having a mass attached to it whereby the said contact is able to move in response to centrifugal force to close a circuit to provide the illumination, said housing comprising parts including an upper dome and a lower dome snap fitted into a peripheral rim part, said upper and lower domes and peripheral rim part having mutually engageable lugs whereby the rim part holds the upper and lower dornes together in the configuration of a disc, said upper and lower domes being of integral molded construction each dome having integral inwardly extending webs aligned with webs on the other dome to form cradles for positioning and holding batteries and a light bulb within the toy, spring contact members for providing circuit connections between the battery means and a light bulb, said integral extending webs having opening
  • peripheral rim part is made of material capable of transmitting light so that when the bulb is energized the periphery only of the device is illuminated.

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US800601A 1969-02-19 1969-02-19 Illuminated spinning toy Expired - Lifetime US3531892A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US80060169A 1969-02-19 1969-02-19

Publications (1)

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US3531892A true US3531892A (en) 1970-10-06

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US800601A Expired - Lifetime US3531892A (en) 1969-02-19 1969-02-19 Illuminated spinning toy

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US (1) US3531892A (cg-RX-API-DMAC10.html)
JP (1) JPS4917223B1 (cg-RX-API-DMAC10.html)
GB (1) GB1225878A (cg-RX-API-DMAC10.html)

Cited By (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3610916A (en) * 1970-05-05 1971-10-05 Frank P Meehan Illuminable ball with a time delay device
US3786246A (en) * 1972-03-24 1974-01-15 S Johnson Illuminated flying saucer
US3798834A (en) * 1973-03-21 1974-03-26 Samuel Alfred Flying disc having impact protected electric signaling device therein
US3803757A (en) * 1973-02-20 1974-04-16 R Sanchez Illuminated spinning top having removable sub-assembly for mounting battery and bulb
US3812614A (en) * 1972-08-21 1974-05-28 R Harrington Rotatable strobascopic toy
US3948523A (en) * 1974-08-05 1976-04-06 Michael Henry G Lighted rotating flying body
US3971158A (en) * 1974-09-04 1976-07-27 Hanson Cameron G Illuminated twirling toy
US4080753A (en) * 1977-03-28 1978-03-28 Hiner William D Signal generating flying saucer with thin central vibratile portion
US4134229A (en) * 1976-12-30 1979-01-16 Warner-Lehman Corporation Illuminated flying saucer toy
US4178714A (en) * 1978-06-28 1979-12-18 Tsen Fa B Lighted and sounding toy
US4552542A (en) * 1984-11-07 1985-11-12 Marjan Reysman Spinning disc toy
US4678450A (en) * 1982-12-27 1987-07-07 Life Light Systems Toy light sword
USD302191S (en) 1987-04-13 1989-07-11 Tedco, Inc. Spinning toy
US4867727A (en) * 1988-11-10 1989-09-19 Flambeau Corporation Toy including centrifugal switch
US5779574A (en) * 1996-01-24 1998-07-14 Emjay Enterprise Corporation Electronic game footbag
US5839814A (en) * 1993-07-15 1998-11-24 Roberts; Thomas J. Miniature centrifugal lighting assembly
US6860783B1 (en) * 2004-01-26 2005-03-01 Edward T. Kucha Disc toy
US8920209B2 (en) 2011-04-24 2014-12-30 Hasbro, Inc. Spinning toy apparatus
US10702767B2 (en) 2017-12-14 2020-07-07 Hasbro, Inc. Integrated multi environment interactive battle game
US11154769B2 (en) 2018-11-01 2021-10-26 Tomy Company, Ltd. Interactive tops collision enhancing battling environment
US11311796B2 (en) 2019-08-29 2022-04-26 Tomy Company, Ltd. Playing surface for spinning top toy apparatus and methods
US11883754B2 (en) 2020-01-17 2024-01-30 Tomy Company, Ltd. Battling environment with multiple play level surfaces

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3052060A (en) * 1960-06-24 1962-09-04 Robert C Wohlstrom Sparking toy
US3162979A (en) * 1962-08-13 1964-12-29 Mike M Garoogian Illuminated aerial top
US3191344A (en) * 1962-02-19 1965-06-29 Ralph A Yagjian Illuminated aerial top

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3052060A (en) * 1960-06-24 1962-09-04 Robert C Wohlstrom Sparking toy
US3191344A (en) * 1962-02-19 1965-06-29 Ralph A Yagjian Illuminated aerial top
US3162979A (en) * 1962-08-13 1964-12-29 Mike M Garoogian Illuminated aerial top

Cited By (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3610916A (en) * 1970-05-05 1971-10-05 Frank P Meehan Illuminable ball with a time delay device
US3786246A (en) * 1972-03-24 1974-01-15 S Johnson Illuminated flying saucer
US3812614A (en) * 1972-08-21 1974-05-28 R Harrington Rotatable strobascopic toy
US3803757A (en) * 1973-02-20 1974-04-16 R Sanchez Illuminated spinning top having removable sub-assembly for mounting battery and bulb
US3798834A (en) * 1973-03-21 1974-03-26 Samuel Alfred Flying disc having impact protected electric signaling device therein
US3948523A (en) * 1974-08-05 1976-04-06 Michael Henry G Lighted rotating flying body
US3971158A (en) * 1974-09-04 1976-07-27 Hanson Cameron G Illuminated twirling toy
US4134229A (en) * 1976-12-30 1979-01-16 Warner-Lehman Corporation Illuminated flying saucer toy
US4080753A (en) * 1977-03-28 1978-03-28 Hiner William D Signal generating flying saucer with thin central vibratile portion
US4178714A (en) * 1978-06-28 1979-12-18 Tsen Fa B Lighted and sounding toy
US4678450A (en) * 1982-12-27 1987-07-07 Life Light Systems Toy light sword
US4552542A (en) * 1984-11-07 1985-11-12 Marjan Reysman Spinning disc toy
USD302191S (en) 1987-04-13 1989-07-11 Tedco, Inc. Spinning toy
US4867727A (en) * 1988-11-10 1989-09-19 Flambeau Corporation Toy including centrifugal switch
US5839814A (en) * 1993-07-15 1998-11-24 Roberts; Thomas J. Miniature centrifugal lighting assembly
US5779574A (en) * 1996-01-24 1998-07-14 Emjay Enterprise Corporation Electronic game footbag
US6860783B1 (en) * 2004-01-26 2005-03-01 Edward T. Kucha Disc toy
US8920209B2 (en) 2011-04-24 2014-12-30 Hasbro, Inc. Spinning toy apparatus
US10702767B2 (en) 2017-12-14 2020-07-07 Hasbro, Inc. Integrated multi environment interactive battle game
US11154769B2 (en) 2018-11-01 2021-10-26 Tomy Company, Ltd. Interactive tops collision enhancing battling environment
US11311796B2 (en) 2019-08-29 2022-04-26 Tomy Company, Ltd. Playing surface for spinning top toy apparatus and methods
US11883754B2 (en) 2020-01-17 2024-01-30 Tomy Company, Ltd. Battling environment with multiple play level surfaces

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1225878A (cg-RX-API-DMAC10.html) 1971-03-24
DE1963518B2 (de) 1976-06-24
DE1963518A1 (de) 1970-09-17
JPS4917223B1 (cg-RX-API-DMAC10.html) 1974-04-27

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