US3883985A - Diablo with sliding pin clutch and radial bearing surfaces - Google Patents

Abstract

A diablo type spinning toy including a pair of truncated conical end bells non-rotatively mounted on a shaft in spaced apart, nose-to-nose relationship with an over-running clutch rotatively mounted on the shaft therebetween. The clutch comprises a hollow clutch race having on its interior surface a plurality of camming surfaces and driving surfaces cooperating with an escapement pin mounted in and slidable transversely through a transverse perforation at the longitudinal center of the shaft. A pair of generally conical race cups journal the clutch race about the shaft. The end bells may be collapsible to reduce the axial dimension of the spinning toy and means may be provided, engageable with the large ends of the end bells, to provide for increased mass at the periphery of the end bells.

Description

United States Patent 11 1 Dawson, Jr.

[ DIABLO WITH SLIDING PIN CLUTCH AND RADIAL BEARING SURFACES [76] Inventor: Edwin A. Dawson, Jr., 5319 Kugler Mill Rd, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236 [22] Filed: Mar. 8, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 339,869

[52] US. Cl. 46/60 [51] Int. Cl A63h l/00 [58] Field of Search 46/60, 47; 192/46 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 212,581 2/1879 Wright 192/46 2,905,294 9/1959 Kellogg 192/46 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 382,943 12/1907 France 46/60 23,149 6/1908 United Kingdom 46/60 23,228 6/1908 United Kingdom 46/60 1 51 May 20, 1975 Primary Examiner-F. Barry Shay Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Melville, Strasser, Foster & Hoffman [57] ABSTRACT A diablo type spinning toy including a pair of truncated conical end bells non-rotatively mounted on a shaft in spaced apart, nose-to-nose relationship with an over-running clutch rotatively mounted on the shaft therebetween. The clutch comprises a hollow clutch race having on its interior surface a plurality of camming surfaces and driving surfaces cooperating with an escapement pin mounted in and slidable transversely through a transverse perforation at the longitudinal center of the shaft. A pair of generally conical race cups journal the clutch race about the shaft. The end bells may be collapsible to reduce the axial dimension of the spinning toy and means may be provided, engageable with the large ends of the end bells, to provide for increased mass at the periphery of the end bells.

10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEB 3, 883.985

sum 2 {If 2 DIABLO WITH SLIDING PIN CLUTCH AND RADIAL BEARING SURFACES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improved construction and design of a diablo type spinning toy or top. The diablo type top is extremely old. Generally considered, this type of top contemplates a pair of truncated cones joined nose-to-nose. It is balanced and spun by means of a string or cord which will typically be attached to two sticks.

The word diablo is Spanish for devil. The toy is so named because of the difficulty encountered by the ordinary child in learning to use the toy. The operation of the top by someone else makes it look remarkably easy. However, one cannot do it himself without knowing the trick.

In reality, the trick is very simple. The top is spun in one direction by pulling the string in that direction with the string in contact with the center of the top. If the direction of motion of the string is reversed, it will of course exert a retarding effect on the rotation of the top, usually resulting in the complete loss of balance. The trick therefore is to eliminate this retarding effect by moving the string in the opposite direction without contacting the top.

In other words, the string is pulled in one direction and at the end of the stroke, the top is tossed slightly in the air while the string is pulled in the other direc tion. At the end of this reverse stroke, the top is once again caught on the string which is now moving back in the original direction to increase or at least continue the same rotational direction of the top.

Various workers in the art have proposed the use of an over-running clutch at the center of such a top to eliminate the manual dexterity required to operate the conventional top. Representative patents teaching this general concept would include U.S. Pat. No. 903,419 in the name of Skeer, and British Pat. Nos. 23228/1907 and 23421/1907.

As just indicated, each of these patents is specifically directed to the general concept of utilizing essentially an over-running clutch at the center of a diablo type spinning top.

In general, prior art clutch mechanisms are sufficiently complex in nature and expensive to manufacture.

Keeping the foregoing comments in mind, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a specific clutch assembly for use in a diablo type spinning top.

It is a more specific object of this invention to provide a unique clutch assembly which is extremely smooth in operation by virtue of the arrangement of bearing surfaces.

It is of course an object of this invention to produce a specific clutch for use in a spinning top which may be inexpensively manufactured with modern materials and equipment.

A further object of this invention is to increase the over-all play value of the spinning toy by providing design modifications for use by children of differing ages and levels of skill.

Closely related to the foregoing, it is an object of this invention to provide a spinning toy construction which will accept accessories to increase the performance characteristics of the toy.

Finally, one marked disadvantage of conventional spinning tops of this type is the physical size. That is, the top is so large that it cannot be readily or conveniently carried by a child in his pocket.

It is therefore a very important object of this invention to provide a top of the type under discussion which may be collapsed to a size which may be readily carried.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a collapsible spinning toy which may be utilized (manipulated) in both the collapsed and the extended positlOnS.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Broadly considered, this invention relates to a diablo type spinning top with an over-running clutch at its center. The specific clutch assembly taught in this application includes a pair of conical race cups joined in nose-to-nose relationship and which journal the clutch race. A central shaft having an escapement pin cooperates with the interior surface of the clutch race to provide a remarkably efficient over-running clutch mechanism for this top.

The ends of the central shaft extend through the conical race cups and are secured to the end bells of the top. The construction and design of the race cups and the central shaft are such that these members cooperate to provide the sole bearing surfaces during rotation of the race cups relative to the shaft and end bells.

The end bells of this invention are designed so as to collapse in a predetermined configuration and always return to the original shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the spinning toy of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the spinning toy of this invention showing the end bells in the collapsed condi' tlon.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal cross sectional view through the clutch assembly of this invention.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross sectional view through the clutch assembly of this invention showing a modification of the design particular adapted for use by beginners.

FIG. 5 is a transverse cross sectional view along the line 55 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view through an end bell of a toy according to this invention showing in an exploded position an accessory.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view showing the end bell of FIG. 6 in the collapsed condition and with the accessory in place.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view showing a modification of the accessory shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. 1, the spinning toy of this invention includes a pair of identical end bells 10. Each of these end bells, in the condition shown, are hollow, truncated cones. Intermediate the end bells is the overrunning clutch assembly indicated generally at 12. This clutch assembly is shown in more detail in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5.

FIG. 2 illustrates the spinning toy of FIG. 1 with the end bells in the collapsed condition. As previously indicated, this is an important aspect of the invention in that it permits a child to readily collapse the spinning toy so that it may be conveniently carried in a pocket. As will be apparent from the discussion hereinafter, the spinning toy may be manipulated in either the extended position of FIG. 1 or the collapsed condition of FIG. 2.

Turning now to FIG. 3, the clutch assembly previously indicated generally at 12 will be described in greater detail. The clutch includes a pair of identical race cups 14 and 16. The race cups may be of different color to quickly indicate driving direction. Each of these race cups is again in the form of a truncated cone. These race cups journal the clutch race indicated at 18. It will be observed that the outside surface of the clutch race 18 is cylindrical, and includes the enlarged, knurled annular ring 20. The knurling on the annular ring is provided to increase the friction between the clutch assembly and the string or cord by means of which the top is spun.

The interior surface of the clutch race 18 is shown in cross section in FIG. 5. As shown in that Figure, the interior surface of the clutch race 18 is provided with a triple cam or ratchet surface. That is, it is provided with the driving surfaces 22a, 22b, and 220, each of which lie on a radius of the cylinder. The camming surfaces 24a, 24b, and 24 each extend from the outer end of one driving surface to the inner end of the next driving surface.

The over-running clutch action involves the cooperation of this interior surface of the clutch race (during its rotation relative to the central shaft indicated generally at 26) and the slidable escapement pin 28. With reference to this Figure, assume that the clutch race is being driven by frictional engagement with a string or cord in a clockwise direction relative to the shaft 26. The end of the pin will be moved to the right by its contact with the cam surface 24a. It will reach its maximum rightward movement when it passes over the driving surface 220. At that point, it will be moved back to the left by contact with the cam surface 24c, and so on.

Assume now that the clutch race 18 is moved in a counterclockwise direction with respect to the central shaft 26. The right-hand end of the pin 28 will be engaged by the driving surface 22b, so as to drive the shaft 26 in rotation with the clutch race.

Returning now to FIG. 3, it will be observed that the shaft 26 is provided with the cylindrical central portion 26a. At the center of the cylindrical portion, an aperture is provided which will slidably receive the escapement pin 28.

At the ends of the central portion 26a are the annularly enlarged thrust bearing flanges 26b. Immediately outside the thrust bearing flanges 26b are the radial bearing hubs 26(- which terminate at their outer ends, respectively, in the bottoming or stop shoulders 26d. The end portions 26e of the central shaft are provided with barbs or suitable projections for securing the shaft ends to the end bells of the top.

Still referring to FIG. 3, it will be observed that the clutch race 18 is provided with completely open ends. By comparison, the race cups l4 and 16 are provided with the inwardly extending flanges 14a and 16a, respectively.

The clutch assembly just described will normally be assembled in the following manner. The clutch race 18 will be pressed into or otherwise secured within the race cup 14 for example. The central shaft 26 having the escapement pin 28 in place will then be set in position, and the race cup 16 may be secured into position over the other portion of the clutch race 18. At this point, the clutch assembly is a finished unit.

Several characteristics of the assembly just described are of great importance and should be noted at this time. First of all, it will be noted that the clutch race 18 performs no bearing function whatever. The radial bearing surfaces include the aperture in the center of the inturned flanges 14a and 16a of the race cups and the radial bearing hubs 26c of the central shaft. When the top is tilted toward or away from the player during spinning, the thrust bearing surfaces would comprise the inner surface of the inturned flange 14a or 16a and the outer surface of the thrust bearing flanges 26b. By virtue of the thrust bearing design just described, the spinning performance of the top when tilted is substantially the same as when it is balanced. To improve the bearing characteristics of the assembly, the shaft and race cups will be manufactured from suitable materials. For example, the central shaft may be of a metal, while the race cups may be molded of nylon or the like.

Because of the contact between the escapement pin 28 and the clutch race, it is to be preferred that the clutch race be formed of a relatively wear-resistant material. By way of example, glass filled nylon is satisfactory.

The area of frictional engagement between the string or cord manipulating the toy and the clutch assembly may also be subject to wear. For this reason, it has been found desirable to form the knurled annular band 20 on the exterior of the clutch race 18 (and hence of a relatively wear-resistant material) rather than as a portion of the race cups 14 and 16.

FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal cross sectional view through a clutch assembly which is identical to that of FIG. 3 with one exception. It will be observed that the diameters of the flat ends of the race cups 14 and 16 are greater than the diameter of the enlarged knurled portion 20. As will be clearly seen in this Figure, this provides a substantially square notch in which the string or cord may be engaged. This particular design results in a top which may be easily spun by a child with relatively little skill or manual dexterity. That is, when the top is spinning at low speeds, the passage of the driving string through the notch makes it easier to maintain proper balance.

The preferred design for the end bells of the toy of this invention is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. As already observed, these end bells are generally in the form of hollow truncated cones. The smaller end of the cone will be provided with the aperture 30 which receives a barbed end 26b of the central shaft as described earlier. In addition, the small surface of the end bell may be provided with a circular recess 32 which will receive the large end of the race cup 14 or 16. In this case, the large ends of the race cups will be provided with the annular flats 14b and 1612 respectively to maintain a smooth, continuous surface between the end bells and the race cups so the string cannot become caught. It should be emphasized that during assembly, the end bell may be inserted onto the shaft 26 until the surface 32 comes into contact with the stop shoulder 26d. This will prevent contact (and hence friction) between the adjacent end surfaces of the race cup and end bell.

The performance characteristics of the top will depend in large part upon the weight of the top, and more importantly on weight which is disposed as far as possible from the center of rotation. To this end, it will be seen in cross section that the end bells are preferably provided with a relatively thin wall portion 34 and with a substantially heavier wall portion 36 at the large end. This design of course places the greater mass as far as possible from the center of rotation and will increase the performance characteristics of the top.

The collapsible feature of these end bells has been mentioned previously in this specification. The collapsible feature depends upon two major considerations. One of these considerations is of course the material utilized. Preferably the material should be a flexible material having good resilience properties and excellent memory characteristics. A thermoplastic material known as EEA produced by Union Carbide Corporation has been found satisfactory. With respect to design, it will be observed that the interior surface of the end bells is provided with a band of grooves located at 38 and a second band of grooves located at 40. In the area of these grooves, the wall thickness is of course reduced, thereby making that section of the wall more flexible.

ln collapsing the top, the child simply grabs the end bells between his hands and forces them together. The more flexible portions of the wall just described will then bend into the configuration shown in FIGS. 2 and 7.

It has already been indicated that increased mass will add to the performance characteristics of the top. To this end, this invention contemplates the addition of the weighted end rings indicated generally at 41 in FIGS. 6 and 7. These end rings include a circular, flat member 42 which may be provided with a central aperture 44 (or a plurality of equally spaced apertures) to assist in removal. On one face, the circular. member 44 is provided with the ring 46 which is sized to closely fit within the enlarged portion 36 at the open end of the end bell. It will of course be possible to provide ridges, grooves, undercuts or the like so that the ring will be more firmly held in position. It will also be observed that the collapsible feature described earlier is so arranged that the top may be collapsed with the weight ring 40 in place.

A further modification of the weight rings is shown in FIG. 8. It includes the circular member 50 having a central aperture 52. On one surface, it is provided with the depending ring 54 having an inturned flange 56. This ring and flange in effect provides a recess on the underside of the member 50 into which a suitable spring member 58 of relatively high mass may be snapped. For example, the circular member 50, ring 54 and flange 56 may be molded or otherwise formed of a relatively light, flexible plastic material. Additional weight can be added by simply providing metal rings of varying sizes and shapes which will snap into place within the recess just described.

It is believed that the foregoing constitutes a full and complete disclosure of this invention and no limitations are intended except insofar as set forth in the claims which follow.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In a diablo type spinning toy for use with a driving string including a pair of truncated conical end bells arranged in spaced apart, nose-to-nose relationship, the improved clutch assembly in combination therewith comprising:

a. a shaft, the ends of said shaft being non-rotatively engaged in said end bells;

b. an escapement pin mounted in and slidable transversely through a transverse perforation through said shaft at the longitudinal center of said shaft;

c. a hollow clutch race having on its interior surface a plurality of camming surfaces and driving surfaces cooperating with said pin to drive said shaft at its longitudinal center in one direction and to over-run in the opposite direction; and

d. means rotatably journaling said clutch race about said shaft, said means comprising a pair of truncated conical race cups in nose-to-nose relationship, the large ends of said truncated conical race cups being provided with inturned flanges, said means further comprising surfaces on said shaft, said flanges cooperating with said shaft surfaces to provide radial bearing surfaces.

2. The spinning toy claimed in claim 1 wherein said end bells are hollow and collapsible.

3. The spinning toy claimed in claim 1 including means at the junction of said race cups for increasing friction with a driving string.

4. The spinning toy claimed in claim 1 including means preventing contact between said end bells and said race cups.

5. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said shaft is provided with annular flanges presenting said shaft surfaces in a manner to cooperate with said inturned flanges on said race cups to provide thrust bearing surfaces.

6. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said clutch race is provided with a friction increasing annular band.

7. The structure claimed in claim 6 wherein said annular band is knurled.

8. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein the ends of said shaft are adapted to be removably secured to said end bells, and wherein shoulders are provided on said shaft to engage the small ends of said end bells and prevent contact between said end bells and said means rotatably journaling said cluch race.

9. The structure claimed in claim 1 including a pair of rings, each engageable within the large end of each of said end bells whereby to provide for increased mass at the periphery of each of said end bells.

10. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said race cups each have a first axial bore to receive an end of said clutch race and a second axial bore to receive said shaft.

Claims (10)

1. In a ''''diablo'''' type spinning toy for use with a driving string including a pair of truncated conical end bells arranged in spaced apart, nose-to-nose relationship, the improved clutch assembly in combination therewith comprising: a. a shaft, the ends of said shaft being non-rotatively engaged in said end bells; b. an escapement pin mounted in and slidable transversely through a transverse perforation through said shaft at the longitudinal center of said shaft; c. a hollow clutch race having on its interior surface a plurality of camming surfaces and driving surfaces cooperating with said pin to drive said shaft at its longitudinal center in one direction and to over-run in the opposite direction; and d. means rotatably journaling said clutch race about said shaft, said means comprising a pair of truncated conical race cups in nose-to-nose relationship, the large ends of said truncated conical race cups being provided with inturned flanges, said means further comprising surfaces on said shaft, said flanges cooperating with said shaft surfaces to provide radial bearing surfaces.

2. The spinning toy claimed in claim 1 wherein said end bells are hollow and collapsible.

3. The spinning toy claimed in claim 1 including means at the junction of said race cups for increasing friction with a driving string.

4. The spinning toy claimed in claim 1 including means preventing contact between said end bells and said race cups.

5. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said shaft is provided with annular flanges presenting said shaft surfaces in a manner to cooperate with said inturned flanges on said race cups to provide thrust bearing surfaces.

6. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said clutch race is provided with a friction increasing annular band.

7. The structure claimed in claim 6 wherein said annular band is knurled.

8. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein the ends of said shaft are aDapted to be removably secured to said end bells, and wherein shoulders are provided on said shaft to engage the small ends of said end bells and prevent contact between said end bells and said means rotatably journaling said cluch race.

9. The structure claimed in claim 1 including a pair of rings, each engageable within the large end of each of said end bells whereby to provide for increased mass at the periphery of each of said end bells.

10. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said race cups each have a first axial bore to receive an end of said clutch race and a second axial bore to receive said shaft.

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