WO2000043091A1

WO2000043091A1 - Spinning top and actuating member therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2000043091A1
Application number: PCT/NL2000/000045
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hermanus Nicolaas Franciscus Kooke
Original assignee: Kooke Hermanus Nicolaas Franci
Priority date: 1999-01-20
Filing date: 2000-01-20
Publication date: 2000-07-27
Also published as: AU2466800A

Abstract

The invention relates to a toy, for instance a top, comprising a rotation-symmetrical rotatable body tapering to a point on one side, with a buffer ring of a resilient material, for instance a natural or synthetic type of rubber, arranged in the vicinity of the largest diameter of the body. The toy can further be provided with means for weighting the body, for instance in the form of a rotation-symmetrical ballast member arranged in the body. The toy can also be provided with means arranged in the body for generating sound and/or light which can be switched on automatically during use of the toy, which light and/or sound-generating means can comprise one or more LEDs, one or more loudspeakers, an electronic circuit, an automatic switch connected for in actuating manner thereto and power supply means such as a battery. The body can herein be manufactured from a transparent plastic material. The invention further relates to an assembly of such a toy and an operating member which consists of a cord for winding round the toy and a handgrip connected thereto.

Description

WO 00/43091 PCT/NLOO/000-45

SPINNING TOP AND ACTUATING MEMBER THEREFOR

The invention relates to a toy, comprising a substantially rotation-symmetrical rotatable body tapering to a point on at least one side. Such a toy has been known for time immemorial under the name " spinning top" .

A top is formed by a revolving body which tapers to a point on the one side and takes a relatively flat form on the other. This body is placed on the point, held and then set into rotation, whereafter as a result of the gyroscopic effect it will execute a stable rotation until the rotation speed falls too far, whereafter the top will begin to lurch and eventually falls over. Setting the top into rotation takes place by winding a cord around it and then unwinding the cord in a single rapid movement. The top can further be kept in rotation by means of a whip .

The invention has for its object to provide an improved top . According to a first aspect of the invention this is achieved with a toy of the above described type, which is provided with at least one buffer ring of a resilient material arranged in the vicinity of the largest diameter of the body. Such a buffer ring not only prevents damage to the body when it makes contact with a wall or the like, but also ensures that the toy as it were "bounces back" when it contacts a wall, whereby the movements of the toy are enlivened. Finally, this buffer ring, which is in any case located relatively far from the central axis of the body, provides an extra stabilization of the toy as it rotates, whereby the standing time of the top is increased.

The resilient material can be a natural or synthetic type of rubber which is preferably translucent, so that by adding colorants a lively appearance of the top can be obtained. A simple embodiment is obtained when the or each buffer ring is clamped around the body.

According to a second aspect of the invention the toy is characterized by means for weighting the body. Due to such weighting means the stability of the toy is also increased and the standing time extended, without the body having to take a solid form for this purpose. The cost price of the toy is hereby reduced, while space is furthermore created therein for other functions . The weighting means herein preferably comprise at least one ballast member which is arranged in the body and which advantageously is substantially rotation- symmetrical . The or each ballast member can for instance be formed by a plate or ring of a heavy material, such as a metal .

According to a third aspect the invention relates to a toy of the above described type which is provided with means arranged in the body for generating sound and/or light which can be switched on automatically during use of the toy, which light and/or sound- generating means comprise at least one electronic circuit and an automatic switch connected in actuating manner thereto. In this manner a toy is obtained which offers more variation and therefore appeals to children more than a classic top. The addition of sound and/or light- effects moreover results in a top with a closer affinity to other toys used by children at this moment .

A structurally simple and robust embodiment of the toy is characterized in that the switch is a spring contact arranged close to the point and operable by the weight of the toy.

The toy is preferably further provided with power supply means for the or each electronic circuit, which can advantageously be formed by a generator which can be driven by a rotating movement of the body or by at least one solar cell .

The light and/or sound-generating means can advantageously also comprise at least one light source, in particular an LED, and/or at least one sound source, in particular a loudspeaker. In the latter case the loudspeaker is preferably received in the body, which body then has at least one aperture. For an optimal perception of the light effects the body is preferably manufactured at least partly from a transparent plastic material .

In order to prevent the electronic circuit of the light and/or sound-generating means coming into contact with the ballast member should the toy fall onto the ground or bounce, whereby damage or short-circuit could occur, insulation means are preferably arranged between the or each ballast member and the or each electronic circuit, which can advantageously comprise at least one layer of shock-absorbing material.

In order to enable simple winding of a cord round the toy for the purpose of setting it into rotation, according to another aspect of the invention the toy is provided with at least one groove formed in the periphery of the body. A plurality of substantially parallel grooves are preferably even formed in the body, whereby a cord can be wound round the body a number of times without sliding off it.

The invention also relates to an assembly of a toy as described above and an operating member, which preferably comprises cord for winding round the toy and a handgrip connected thereto.

In order to also give the operating member a lively appearance, the cord can take an at least partly fluorescent form. The handgrip can advantageously also be at least partly transparent, and means can be arranged therein for generating light, which light-generating means comprise at least one LED. Finally, the invention further relates to an operating member for application in this assembly.

The invention will now be elucidated on the basis of a number of embodiments, wherein reference is made to the annexed drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is a partly cut-away perspective view of a first embodiment of the toy according to the invention, with means for generating both light and sound,

Fig. 2 is a partly cross-sectional perspective detail view of the point of the toy of fig. 1 with an alternative embodiment of the switch,

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the toy of fig. 1,

Fig. 4 and 5 are views corresponding with fig. 3 of alternative embodiments of the toy with differently formed bodies, and

Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of an operating member which can be used with the toy.

A toy 1 comprises a rotation-symmetrical body 2 , which tapers to a point 3 on the one side which is placed on a surface during use and takes a relatively flat form on the opposite side 4 (fig. 1) . Body 2 is takes a hollow form and consists of two parts 5, 6, which are releasably connected to each other. For reasons which will be elucidated hereinbelow the body 2 is manufactured in the shown embodiment from a translucent or even transparent plastic material. In order to give body 2 sufficient stability and a relatively long standing time despite its relatively low own weight, it is provided with weighting means, in this case in the form of a rotation-symmetrical, here round, plate of metal 35.

Body 2 is further provided with a buffer ring 28 running therearound of a resilient material, such as for instance a natural or synthetic type of rubber. This buffer edge 28 serves on the one hand to prevent damage to body 2 if it contacts a wall or the like, and ensures on the other that toy 1 as it were "bounces back" when it collides with a wall, whereby the movements of toy 1 are enlivened. Finally, this buffer edge 28, which in any case lies relatively far from the central axis of body 2, ensures an additional stabilization of toy 1 as it rotates. For a lively effect the buffer edge 28 can be given a coloured or translucent form. Buffer edge 28 can be mounted on body 2 in any random manner. Arranged in body 2 in the shown embodiment is a profiled groove 29 running therearound in which a correspondingly profiled part of buffer edge 28 is clamped. Toy 1 can hereby be manufactured quickly and simply.

Means 7 for generating light and/or sound are arranged in the interior of body 2. In the shown embodiment both light and sound are generated by these means 7. Light and sound-generating means 7 are herein formed by an electronic circuit 8 in the form of a printed circuit board or a chip, which is provided with power by power supply means 9 , which here take the form of a battery. Between electronic circuit 8 and power supply means 9 is arranged a switch 10 which operates automatically when the toy is used.

In the shown embodiment this switch 10 takes the form of a slide contact, with a resiliently flexible arm 11, the one end of which is fixed to a fixed shaft 12. A weighting 13 is arranged on the free end of arm 11 whereby arm 11 will be urged outward when toy 1 rotates as a result of the centrifugal force acting on arm 11 and weighting 13. Arm 11 herein bends so far outward that it comes to rest against a fixed contact 14, whereby a circuit is closed and circuit 8 is energized. When the rotation speed of the toy has decreased sufficiently, arm 11 returns once again as a result of its resilience to the rest position at a distance from contact 14, whereby the power supply to the circuit is interrupted. In an alternative embodiment of the invention

(fig. 2) switch 10 takes the form of a spring contact which is operated by the point 3 of the toy. Point 3 is herein arranged on a pin 15 which is mounted slidably in an opening 16 in a weighted end part 17 of body 2. Pin 15 is biased by a compression spring 18 to a protruding position which is bounded by a collar 19 arranged around pin 15. When point 3 is loaded by toy 1 being placed on a surface and the weight thereof is thus supported by point 3, point 3 will be moved upward with pin 15 counter to the pressure of spring 18, wherein the end of pin 15 comes into contact with a resiliently flexible arm 20. This arm 20 is provided on its free end with a contact point 21 which then comes into contact with a second arm 22 placed at a distance thereabove, whereby once again a circuit is closed and the electronic circuit is energized.

In order to prevent the electronic circuit 8 coming into contact with the metal ballast member 35 when toy 1 falls or bounces with force onto the ground, insulation means 36 are arranged therebetween in the embodiment shown. These insulation means 36 here take the form of a layer of electrically insulating material, such as for instance cardboard, thereby preventing the occurrence of short-circuit. When the material of the insulation means is also shock-absorbing, for instance a foam material, electronic circuit 8 is also protected against damage by impacts against ballast member 35. Light and sound-generating means 7 further comprise a number of light sources 23, in this case in the form of coloured LEDs, which are arranged distributed in the upper side of body 2, in addition to a sound source 24 in the form of a small loudspeaker. In order to make the light visible outside the body 2, the body can take an at least partly transparent form. Body 2 is preferably even manufactured integrally from a transparent plastic material, such as acryl, whereby other visual effects can also be achieved by arranging differently coloured elements in body 2. The sound can be made audible outside body 2 by forming a large number of apertures 25 in the wall of the lower part 5 thereof.

Electronic circuit 8 can be adapted to generate different light and/or sound effects. The light sources can for instance be switched on and off in different sequence and with different frequency, while the pitch and the volume of the sound can also be varied in accordance with a determined program. Different melodies can thus be played, although particular sounds could also be imitated. The light and/or sound effects can further be generated in accordance with a fixed program, but it is also conceivable for the electronic circuit to comprise a random generator, whereby the different effects are generated in random sequence.

In the shown embodiment another separate electronic circuit 34 is also arranged with which light effects can also be generated in the vicinity of point 3 of body 2. This additional circuit 34 can be activated by the same switch 10 which is also used for the above described circuit 8.

Since battery 9 can run down during use and will have to be replaced, the two parts 5, 6 of body 2 are as stated releasably connected to each other. In the shown embodiment both parts 5, 6 are provided with co- acting screw thread 26, 27, although other forms of connection, such as a snap coupling and the like, can of course also be envisaged. Instead of a battery 9 as power source, use can also be made of a solar collector 37 (fig. 4) , the lifespan of which is in principle unlimited. In that case the body 2 does not therefore have to be capable of disassembly, but could also be closed by glueing or welding after placing of light and/or sound-generating means 7.

Another option would be to derive the power supply for the light and/or sound-generating means 7 from the rotating movement of the toy 1 itself. For this purpose a generator could be arranged in body 2, of which one part remains stationary and another part is set into motion when toy 1 is rotated. The stationary part could for instance be connected to the point 3 of toy 1, while the movable part could be connected to body 2. Body 2 would therefore then have to be rotatable relative to point 3.

The form of point 3 can be varied, whereby the behaviour of toy 1 is also modified. When point 3 is relatively sharp, the toy will remain "standing" more or less in the same position, while a somewhat flatter form of point 3 has the result that toy 1 will displace or begin " travelling" . The form of body 2 can also be varied. Instead of a substantially conical body 2 (fig. 1-3) a more " toadstool" -shaped configuration could thus also be chosen. The engaging part 33 to be discussed hereinbelow for setting toy 1 into rotation could herein be formed as desired on the "head" of body 2 (fig. 4) or on the "foot" thereof (fig. 5) .

Toy 1 can be set into rotation by means of an operating member 30, which here takes the form of a whip (fig. 6) . This operating member 30 thus comprises a handgrip or handle 31 and a cord 32 connected thereto which can be wound around toy 1. For this purpose the body 2 of toy 1 is provided as stated with an engaging part 33 with increased roughness. This engaging part 33 is preferably formed by a number of substantially parallel grooves 38 into which the cord 32 can be partly wound.

Operating member 30 can itself also be provided with one or more LEDs in or on handgrip 31, thereby providing a lively appearance. In addition, cord 32 could for instance take a fluorescent form.

The assembly of toy 1 and operating member 30 can now be used as follows. After cord 32 has been wound around toy 1, this latter can be placed or thrown onto its point 3, wherein cord 32 is unwound from body 2 in one pull and toy 1 is thus set into a rapid rotation. Toy 1 is gyroscopically stabilized by this rapid rotation, whereby it will thus remain standing on point 3. Switch 10 will herein automatically be closed, either by the centrifugal force or under the influence of the weight of toy 1, whereby light and/or sound-generating means 7 are thus activated and toy 1 will be illuminated in lively manner and produce di ferent sounds . The toy according to the invention will hereby hold the interest of children considerably longer than conventional toys of this type.

Although the invention is elucidated above with reference to a number of embodiments, it will be apparent that it is not limited thereto. The toy could thus for instance be adapted to produce only light or only sound instead of light and sound. The apertures in the body, respectively the transparent form thereof could then of course be dispensed with here. The toy could also be embodied wholly without light or sound, wherein a lively effect can then still be achieved with a special colour of the buffer edge. The placing of the buffer edge, the weighting means and the light and/or sound sources could also be chosen differently than in the shown embodiments. All the described and shown new aspects of the toy could also be applied separately while retaining the advantages associated therewith. The scope of the invention is therefore defined solely by the appended claims .

Claims

1. Toy, comprising a substantially rotation- symmetrical rotatable body tapering to a point on at least one side, characterized by at least one buffer ring of a resilient material arranged in the vicinity of the largest diameter of the body.

2. Toy as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the resilient material is a natural or synthetic type of rubber.

3. Toy as claimed in claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the resilient material is translucent .

4. Toy as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the or each buffer ring is clamped around the body.

5. Toy, in particular as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized by means for weighting the body.

6. Toy as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the weighting means comprise at least one ballast member arranged in the body.

7. Toy as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the or each ballast member is substantially rotation-symmetrical .

8. Toy, in particular as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized by means arranged in the body for generating sound and/or light which can be switched on automatically during use of the toy, which light and/or sound-generating means comprise at least one electronic circuit and an automatic switch connected in actuating manner thereto.

9. Toy as claimed in claim 8 , characterized in that the switch is a spring contact arranged close to the point and operable by the weight of the toy.

10. Toy as claimed in claim 8 or 9, characterized by power supply means for the or each electronic circuit.

11. Toy as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the power supply means comprise a generator which can be driven by a rotating movement of the body.

12. Toy as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the power supply means comprise at least one solar cell.

13. Toy .as claimed in any of the claims 8-12, characterized in that the light and/or sound-generating means comprise at least one light source, in particular an LED.

14. Toy as claimed in any of the claims 8-13, characterized in that the light and/or sound-generating means comprise at least one sound source, in particular a loudspeaker.

15. Toy as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the loudspeaker is received in the body and the body has at least one aperture.

16. Toy as claimed in any of the claims 8-15, characterized in that the body is at least partly transparent .

17. Toy as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the body is manufactured from a transparent plastic material.

18. Toy as claimed in claims 6 or 7 and 8, characterized by insulation means arranged between the or each ballast member and the or each electronic circuit .

19. Toy as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that the insulation means comprise at least one layer of shock-absorbing material.

20. Toy, in particular as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized by at least one groove formed in the periphery of the body.

21. Toy as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that a plurality of substantially parallel grooves are formed in the body.

22. Assembly of a toy as claimed in any of the foregoing claims and an operating member.

23. Assembly as claimed in claim 22, characterized in that the operating member comprises a cord for winding round the toy and a handgrip connected thereto.

24. Assembly as claimed in claim 23, characterized in that the cord takes an at least partly fluorescent form.

25. Assembly as claimed in claim 23 or 24, characterized in that the handgrip is at least partly transparent .

26. Assembly as claimed in any of the claims 23-25, characterized by means arranged in the handgrip for generating light, which light-generating means comprise at least one LED.

27. Operating member evidently intended for application in an assembly as claimed in any of the claims 22-26.