WO2006087527A2

WO2006087527A2 - Spinning top with magnets

Info

Publication number: WO2006087527A2
Application number: PCT/GB2006/000501
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Francis Dufort; Paul Hamilton
Original assignee: Croco Worldwide Sourcing Ltd
Priority date: 2005-02-16
Filing date: 2006-02-15
Publication date: 2006-08-24
Also published as: WO2006087527A3; WO2006087527A8; GB0503189D0

Abstract

A spinning top is described, comprising: a body (2) having a base (3) and being adapted to spin on the base about a rotational axis (RA); and at least one magnet (4) attached to the body. In preferred embodiments there are a plurality of magnets evenly distributed around the rotational axis. Each magnet may be arranged so as to provide a magnetic field radially outside the perimeter of the body when the top is spinning. The magnets may, for example, be cylindrical bar magnets. The body may be provided with interconnection means (6) such that the top may be removably attached to a second top having a substantially identical body to form a composite spinning top adapted to spin about the rotational axis.

Description

Spinning Top

The present invention relates to a spinning top.

A spinning top (or "top") is a well-known children's toy. The action of a top relies on the gyroscopic effect for its operation. When spun about its axis of rotation on a surface a spinning top will typically wobble until the shape of the tip and its interaction with the surface force the spinning top upright. Once spinning, the spinning top will remain upright as the gyroscopic effect means that it tends to resist changes to its orientation. When spinning, the spinning top will rotate about its axis but the axis will generally remain at a fixed location. As the spinning of the top slows, the gyroscopic effect lessens, and the spinning top eventually wobbles and falls over.

It is an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a new and interesting spinning top toy. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a spinning top comprising: a body having a base and being adapted to spin on the base about a rotational axis; and at least one magnet attached to the body.

Thus, one ore more magnets are secured to the body and are carried by the body as it rotates. The magnet(s) may be attached (i.e. fixed, secured) to the body in a variety of ways. For example, in certain embodiments the magnet(s) may be secured to an exterior surface of the body by suitable means, whilst in other embodiments the magnet(s) may be located or held inside suitably arranged cavities of the body. A cavity may extend inwardly from an external surface of the body, such that part of the magnet is exposed, or the cavity may be wholly inside the body such that the magnet is completely encapsulated, hi other embodiments, the magnet(s) may be an integral part of the body. Thus, in its broadest sense, this first aspect of the invention is not limited to any particular attachment means.

By providing one or more magnets carried on the body of the spinning top, preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a spinning top which is able to interact with a magnetic field in the proximity of the top.

For example, the magnet(s) associated with the body of the spinning top may be used to manoeuvre a spinning top while it is spinning. With a conventional spinning top, if a user attempts to manoeuvre the top once spinning, it is necessary to directly apply a force to a part of the top. However, this action tends to slow, or even stop, the angular rotation of the spinning top. With one or more magnets provided on the body, a force may be applied to the rotating top using a magnetic field, without requiring direct contact. This may be less disruptive to the rotational motion of the top, enabling the rotating top to be translated sideways relative to the rotational axis

While the magnet could be positioned in any suitable manner on the spinning top to allow interaction with a field brought into its proximity, in preferred embodiments the at least one magnet is arranged so as to provide a magnetic field radially outside the perimeter of the body when the top is spinning. Such an arrangement is particularly preferred such that when two tops, at least one of which is spinning, are brought into proximity they will interact.

This effect could be achieved in a variety of ways, for example a magnet extending across the spinning top body with its nominal poles located close to the radially outer perimeter of the top. In a preferred embodiment, however, this effect may be achieved by locating the at least one magnet substantially at the periphery of the spinning top body. It will also be appreciated that locating the one or more magnet close to the periphery of the spinning top body is also advantageous in distributing the mass of the spinning top towards the periphery providing a more stable spinning top as for any given speed the top will have a greater angular momentum.

Although a single magnet could be used in the present invention, as in the example above, in the preferred embodiments a plurality of magnets are attached to the body.

Preferably a plurality of magnets are evenly distributed about the periphery of the body. This is advantageous for both mass distribution and in providing a suitable magnetic field around the perimeter of the spinning top.

Depending on the strength of each individual magnet and the magnetic field one wishes to provide radially outside of the perimeter of the body when the top is spinning the number of magnets provided may be varied. For example, in some embodiments up to 8 magnets may be provided. In other embodiments up to 4 magnets may be provided. In one preferred embodiment the spinning top is provided with two magnets. Preferably a plurality of magnets are positioned in pairs, each pair located at diametrically opposed positions with respect to the rotational axis. In one preferred embodiment two magnets are attached at diametrically opposed locations with respect to the rotational axis.

A variety of magnets may be used in embodiments of the invention. Certain preferred embodiments utilise dipole magnets. Each magnet may be a bar magnet, and/or may be generally cylindrical. In certain embodiments the axes of the dipole magnets are radially aligned, whilst in others the axes are aligned parallel to the rotational axis.

In some embodiments the, or each, magnet is arranged so as to repel the S pole of a magnet in the proximity of the radially outer perimeter of the body. In some alternative embodiments the, or each magnet is arranged so as to repel the N pole of a magnet in the proximity of the radially outer perimeter of the body. In further alternate embodiments a plurality of magnets are arranged with alternating poles aligned towards the periphery of the body. Thus, a number of different interactions between spinning tops can occur.

Preferably the body of the spinning top of the present invention is provided with interconnection means such that it may be removably attached to a second top, substantially identical top.

Another aspect the present invention provides a spinning top comprising a plurality of detachable spinning tops, each top comprising: a body, provided with interconnection means and rotatable about an axis of rotation; a tip associated with the lower surface of the body on which the top balances when spun about the axis of rotation; and at least one magnet attached to the body.

Interconnecting a plurality of spinning top bodies, each having at least one magnet, allows a user to selectively build a larger spinning top. By matching the polarities of the magnets of each top in an assembly (composite top) the user can arrange the composite top so as to provide a stronger magnetic field radially outside its perimeter when spinning.

In certain preferred embodiments the interconnection means is arranged such that a plurality of tops may be stacked with their axes of rotation coinciding. Preferably the interconnection means also allows stacking of each top at a variety of angular orientations. Such an arrangement may, for example, be used to allow the user to distribute or align the magnets around the perimeter of the connected assembly.

In certain preferred embodiments the interconnection means comprises at least one tab and corresponding slot. The slot may be arranged to receive the tab in an interference fit.

In certain preferred embodiments the slot comprises a circumferentially extending cut-out in the body and the tab comprises a circumferentially extending tab protruding in the axial direction from a surface of the body. The tab may, therefore be received in the slot of an identical spinning top. The spinning tops may then be removably connected, and held together by an interference fit of the tab in the corresponding slot.

In certain preferred embodiments the tab is integrally formed with a mounting means for a magnet. The mounting means may be a moulded socket into which the magnet is fixably attached. In order to allow for the integrally formed mounting means, the at least one slot further may comprise a radially extending cut-out portion, through which the magnet mounting means protrudes to the outer perimeter of the top when a plurality of spinning tops are stacked.

Certain embodiments comprise a plurality of circumferentially distributed slots to allow connection in a variety of positions. Thus, distributing the slots around the circumference allows the at least one tab to be aligned with a selected slot to choose the relative angular position of one spinning top to another when connecting.

The top may comprise a pair of tabs located at diametrically opposed locations with respect to the rotational axis, and the plurality of circumferentially distributed slots may comprise three pairs of slots, each pair being located at diametrically opposed locations with respect to the rotational axis.

While the tab could protrude from only one of the upper and lower surfaces of the body, in certain embodiments the tab extends from both an upper and a lower surface of the body. This arrangement provides the advantage that a single spinning top may be stacked with tops both axially above and below it. A further advantage of such an arrangement is that it allows a pair of spinning tops to be stacked with either their respective top and bottom surfaces together or with both upper surfaces together. In some embodiments the spinning top further comprises a spindle located substantially at the axis of rotation. The spindle assists the user in starting the top spinning about its axis.

Certain embodiments comprise one or more dipole magnets (e.g. bar magnets) arranged such that their longitudinal axes are aligned substantially parallel to the rotational axis. For example, a top may comprise a pair of such magnets, the pair being arranged at diametrically opposed positions across the rotational axis, with the axially uppermost poles of the pair of magnets magnetically alike. In other examples, the uppermost poles may be magnetically opposite. The pair of magnets may be mounted to the body such that their axially uppermost poles are exposed, forming outer surfaces of the top. In certain embodiments, the spinning body comprises a radially inner portion and a radially outer portion, the radially outer portion being generally annular and comprising a plurality of radially extending teeth, and the or each magnet is attached to a respective one of the teeth. Another embodiment is a composite spinning top, comprising a detachable stack of individual spinning tops, held together by means of magnetic interaction between their magnets.

Whilst tops embodying the invention could be made from a wide variety of materials using various construction methods (for example the top could be cast in metal with selected parts magnetised), in certain preferred embodiments the top comprises a moulded plastic body.

Another aspect of the invention comprises an apparatus for playing a game, the apparatus comprising a plurality of spinning tops embodying the invention and a playing area marked in a particular manner (e.g. on a board) substantially as shown in the accompanying drawings, the spinning tops being moved in accordance with directions described below as to the manner in which the game is to be played.

Other preferred features of the invention will become apparent from the description below.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a spinning top embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view from above of the top of fig. 1; Figure 3 is a cross section of the top of fig.1 along the line A-A shown in fig. 2; Figure 4 is a side view of the top of fig. 1, looking directly along the longitudinal axis of one of the magnets;

Figure 5 is a cross section of another spinning top embodying the invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a composite spinning top formed from a stack of individual spinning tops embodying the invention;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of another composite top embodying the invention and formed from two individual spinning tops;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a spinning top embodying the invention in combination with a magnet capping device; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the magnet capping device from fig. 8 shown detached from the top;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the linking bar of the capping means of fig. 9 being used to set a top embodying the invention in motion;

Figure 11 is a schematic representation of a game embodying the invention; Figure 12 is a schematic representation of another game embodying the invention;

Figure 13 is a perspective view, from above, of another spinning top embodying the invention;

Figure 14 is a plan view of the underside of the spinning top of fig. 13; Figure 15 is a perspective view of a stack of spinning tops, each of which embodies the invention;

Figure 16 is a schematic cross section of a spinning top of the general type shown in figs. 13 and 14; and

Figure 17 is a schematic representation of the interaction between another two spinning tops embodying the invention.

Referring now to figs. 1 - 4, a spinning top embodying the invention includes a body 2 having a base 3 and is adapted to spin on the base 3 about a rotational axis RA. Two magnets 4 are attached to the body 2 such that they are carried by the body as the top spins. In this first embodiment, the body 2 overall is substantially disc - shaped. It comprises a generally annular outer portion 22 surrounding an inner portion 21. The inner portion 21 includes a substantially flat central circular portion that is recessed downwards with respect to the surrounding annular portion. Thus, the inner portion 21 can be regarded as being generally dish-shaped. The two magnets 4 are held by respective mounting means in the form of generally cylindrical cups. These mounting cups 5 are integral parts of the radially outer portion 22 of the body. Each magnet 4 is a generally cylindrical dipole magnet having a longitudinal axis 43, a nominal north pole 41 at one end of the cylinder and a nominal south pole 42 at the opposite end. The two magnets are arranged at diametrically opposed positions across the rotational axis, such that their longitudinal axes 43 are substantially collinear. hi this example, the outer most pole of each magnet is its north pole, and is exposed, and lies on the perimeter of the top as it spins about the rotational axis RA. With this arrangement, each magnet generates a substantial magnetic field B radially outside the top as it spins about its central axis RA. This magnetic field B is represented schematically in fig. 3. It will be appreciated that this arrangement enables the top to interact strongly with a neighbouring top having the same or similar construction, hi this example, the base 3 comprises a tip having a point 31, the tip extending downwardly from the centre of the underside of the inner portion 21 of the body 2. The top also comprises a spindle 8 extending upwardly, along the central axis RA, from the centre of an upper surface of the inner portion 21. The spindle 8 facilitates the manual spinning of the top.

The top shown in figs. 1-4 is provided with interconnection means that enable it to be stacked on top of another top having the same body and magnet configuration, but having no spindle 8, to form a composite spinning top. In this example, the interconnection means comprises a pair of circumferentially extending tabs 6 arranged at diametrically opposed positions with respect to the rotational axis RA. An upper portion of each tab 6 extends upwardly from the generally annular outer portion 22 of the body, and a lower portion of each tab extends downwardly from the annular outer portion 22. The tabs 6 are integrally formed with the magnet mounting cups 5, and indeed the radially inner base of each cup 5 abuts the outer face 61 of the corresponding tab. The interconnection means also comprises three pairs of diametrically opposed slots or cut-outs 7. The slots 7and magnet 4 in this example are evenly spaced around the rotational axis, the interval between them being 45°. Each cut-out 7 includes a radially inner portion 71 which defines a circumferentially extending slot adapted to receive a curved tab 6 of another top on which the top is stacked. Each cut-out 7 also includes a radially outer portion 72 extending in a generally radial direction with respect to the rotational axis. This portion 72 is adapted to accommodate the magnet 4 and magnet mounting means 5 associated with a tab 6 of a top stacked from below.

Another top embodying the invention is identical to that shown in figs 1-4, expect for the fact that it does not have a spindle 8. The cross section of such a top is shown in fig. 5. It again comprises a pair of cylindrical bar magnets 4, but in this example one of the magnets has its north pole outermost, and the other has its south pole outermost. It will be appreciated that such a top may be attached beneath the top of fig. 1 in one of three orientations, depending on which pair of slots 7 is used to accommodate the magnet mounting cups 5 and tabs 6. When the top is stacked beneath the top of fig. 1, the upper portions of the tabs 6 on the lower top extend upwardly through the corresponding slots 71 in the upper top body, whilst the lower portions of the tabs 6 on the upper tops body extend downwardly and are engaged in the corresponding slots 71 of the lower top body.

Referring now to fig. 6, this shows a composite spinning top 100 embodying the invention. This composite top 100 is a vertical stack of individual tops, each of which also embodies the invention. The upper most top IA in the stack is of the type described with reference to figs. 1-4. Underneath this are another four spinning tops IB, 1C, ID, IE of the type described with reference to fig. 5 (i.e. each of them is the same as top shown in figs 1-4, except for the fact that it does not have a spindle 8). In such a composite arrangement, the composite top is able to spin about the central axis (i.e. rotational axis RA) of the uppermost spinning top, but when doing so spins on the base of the individual spinning top at the bottom of the stack (i.e. in this case the base of spinning top IE). As can be seen from the figure, this composite spinning top is formed from five separate, generally disc-shaped individual spinning tops. The tabs 6B of the second spinning top IB extend upwardly through the corresponding circumferential slots 71 in the first spinning top IA and protrude upwardly from the upper surface of its body. Similarly, the tabs 6C of the third spinning top 1C extend upwardly and through the slots 71 in the second spinning top IB and are partially engaged by the corresponding slots 71 in the first spinning top IA. It will be appreciated that the tops lock together in the same manner in the downward direction. Thus, the five individual spinning tops are removably attached together so that that they can spin as a single, combined entity, but can be separated for use individually if desired. With the arrangement shown in fig. 6, the middle (i.e. third) spinning top 1C is engaged by all four of the remaining tops in the stack. The arrangement is also such that the top and bottom individual spinning tops in the stack may have their pairs of magnets at the same annular positions with respect to the rotational axis. Fig. 7, shows an alternative composite spinning top embodying the invention.

This composite top is formed from two individual spinning tops IA, IB of the "no- spindle type" described above. However, rather than these two spinning tops being stacked with their bases 3 both pointing in the downward direction, only the second spinning top IB is in that orientation (i.e. with its pointed base 3B pointing downwards in the figure). The first spinning top IA has been inverted, so that it is attached to the second top IB with its pointed base 3A pointing upwards. Thus, this composite spinning top 100 is reversible in the sense that has pointed bases 3 A, 3B on either side, and on which it can spin in either orientation.

Referring now to fig. 8, this shows a spinning top 1 embodying the invention attached to (i.e. in combination with) a capping assembly (which can also be referred to as capping means). This capping assembly comprises two caps 9 attached to a linking member 10, which in this example is in the form of a bar. Each cap 9 is adapted to fit over a magnet 4 and mounting cup 5 of the spinning top 1 (which has the structure shown in figs 1—4). By arranging the caps 9 at opposite ends of the linking bar 10, the two caps 9 are able to cover the diametrically arranged pair of magnets on the spinning top 1. To fit on the magnet and mounting cup arrangement, each cap 9 defines a generally cylindrical cavity inside a generally cylindrical sidewall, the sidewall also being provided with a slot 91 for receiving the generally flat portions of the spinning top body 2 on either side of the mounting cup 5. Referring also to figs 9 and 10, the linking bar 10 is provided on one side with a recess 13 to receive and engage the end of the spindle 8 of the spinning top 1, and on an opposite side is provided with a pair of ribs 11. The ribs 11 are separated by a distance generally corresponding to the thickness of the flat portion of the radially outer portion 22 of the spinning top and assist in the use of the linking bar 10 to spin the top 1 when the capping assembly has been removed before use. Each cap 9 is initially supplied attached to the linking bar 10 by means of frangible hinge means 12. To use the bar 10 for spinning the top 1, the caps 9 are folded back about these hinge means 12, the hinge means are then broken, and the bar can then be used in the manner illustrated in fig. 10 to launch the spinning top 1.

It will be appreciated that when a spinning top of the type described above with reference to figs. 1-4 or fig. 5 is placed on a smooth surface, it may be set in rotation by means of direct contact, or alternatively may be spun by appropriately sweeping a magnet or another spinning top past it such that the magnetic interaction causes rotational motion.

Referring now to fig. 11, this illustrates a game embodying the invention. The game comprises designating a play area 200. This may comprise providing a board marked with a play area 200 generally as shown in the figure, or alternatively the marking of a suitable surface with a play area 200 substantially as shown in the figure.

Then, a plurality of spinning tops 1 embodying the invention are placed within the designated area 200. This may comprise selected placement, or random scattering, for example. Next, a composite top 100 embodying the invention is rolled into the designated area 200, and preferably from an agreed distance. Any spinning tops 1 that the composite top 100 picks up are won by the roller of the composite top 100. Any other spinning tops 1 that snap together are removed from the designated area 200 and are returned to their owner.

Referring now to fig. 12, this illustrates another game embodying the invention in which a play area 300 is defined on a surface or provided on a play-board. The game involves two players, and each player is provided with two spinning tops 1 embodying the invention. The spinning tops of each player are arranged so as to repel each other.

Each player spins one of his or her spinning tops and then pushes that spinning top into the designated play area 300 using repulsion from the other of the player's spinning tops. The spinning tops of the opposing players then interact with each other inside the designated area 300 until one or both are knocked out of the area 300. If both are knocked out then a rematch is called. If only one spinning top remains in the area 300 then its owner is designated the winning player.

Referring now to figs. 13 and 14, another embodiment of the invention is a spinning top again having a generally disc-shaped form. The upper and edge portions of the spinning top can be seen in fig. 13. The spinning top comprises a central circular portion 21 which on the upper side of the top is recessed in the downward direction from the surrounding outer portion 22. The outer portion 22 is generally annular, and comprises a plurality of teeth 23, evenly spaced around the spin axis RA of the top. In this example, there are eight teeth, adjacent teeth being spaced apart by 45°. However, it will be appreciated that alternative embodiments may comprise a different number of teeth, which may be spaced apart by a different angle or angles. Also, it will be appreciated that although the spinning top depicted in fig. 13 has generally rounded teeth, in alternative embodiments the shape of the teeth may also be different.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 13, each tooth extends outwardly in the radially direction with respect to the spin axis of the top. Attached to the body of the spinning top are a pair of dipole magnets 4. These are arranged at diametrically opposed positions on the top with respect to the spin axis and each magnet 4 is mounted in a respective one of the teeth 23. Each dipole magnet 4 has a generally cylindrical shape, and is accommodated inside a suitably shaped recess extending down into the outer portion 22 of the spinning top. The magnets may be secured inside their teeth in various ways. In certain embodiments, the magnets are secured in place using a suitable adhesive. In alternative embodiments, the tooth 22 may be shaped so as to partially encapsulate its magnet. For example, rather than the pole of the magnet protruding upwardly from the upper surface of the tooth 23, the tooth material may extend over the edge of the uppermost pole of the magnet so as to hold it in its receiving cup, and hence prevent movement of the magnet relative to the body in the upwards direction relative to the spin axis. The embodiment of fig. 13 comprises only a single pair of magnets 4. However, a further pair of diametrically opposed teeth 23 include a corresponding pair of generally cylindrical recesses 50 into which additional magnets can be inserted if desired. Another four of the teeth 23 are provided with circular recesses 51 in their upper surfaces.

In the embodiment of fig. 13, each dipole magnet 4 has a longitudinal axis which is arranged so as to be generally parallel to the spin axis (i.e. rotational axis) of the spinning top. The uppermost poles 41 in this example are both nominal north poles, the south poles being seated at the bottom of the mounting cups. Thus, it will be appreciated that the spinning top can be stacked on another top having the same shaped body and magnet configuration, with the magnets of the two tops aligned and the magnetic attraction between them holding the tops together in the stack arrangement. Furthermore, a large stack of such spinning tops can be built up in this manner as shown in fig. 15. This composite stacked top, which embodies the invention, comprises 10 individual spinning top discs Ia — Ij, and is held together by the magnetic interaction between the individual discs. Fig. 14, shows the underside of the spinning top of fig. 13. On this underside there is provided a pointed, generally conical base 3 on which the top spins. A circular shoulder or flange 210 extends in the downward direction from the spinning top body and is centreted on the rotational axis, which passes through the point 31 of the tip 3. The underside of the teeth 23 can also be seen. All of the teeth have the same general appearance from the underside, but it will be appreciated from the above discussion that just four of these teeth in this example comprise magnet mounting means 5 in the form of cups, hi this example, one pair of opposed cups actually carries magnets inside, with the other two cups being unused.

Fig. 16 shows a schematic cross section of a spinning top of the general type described above with reference to figs. 13 and 14. However, in this example, rather then the upper poles of the magnets being the north poles, they are the nominal south poles 42. As can be seen on the figure, the south poles of the generally cylindrical bar magnets 4 protrude slightly upwards from the upper surface 220 of the outer annular portion 22 of the spinning top body. Each magnet 4 is seated in a corresponding mount 5, which can be regarded as a cup. On the upper surface of the spinning top, a central portion 21 is displaced downwards by a distance Dl from the upper surface of the surrounding annular portion 22. On the underside the pointed tip 3 extends a distance D2 lower than the underside 55 of the surrounding annular portion (which in turn is at the same height as the lower extremity of the circular flange 210). The longitudinal axes 43 of the magnets 4 are also showing the figure, and in this example are generally vertical.

Moving on to fig. 17, this is a schematic representation of the magnetic interaction between two spinning tops embodying the invention. Each spinning top has a body 2 adapted to spin about a rotational axis RA on a base 3. In this example, each base 3 is rounded. Each spinning top comprises a plurality of magnets 4 attached to the body 2. In this example, the magnets 4 are contained within the bodies, with their longitudinal axes arranged generally parallel to the rotational axes RA. AU of the magnets in the two spinning tops are arranged with their nominal north poles uppermost. The magnets are arranged at balanced positions on either side of the rotational axes, and each magnet is positioned close to the periphery of its spinning top. The magnetic fields Bl, B2 generated by two of the magnets are shown schematically on the figure. It will be appreciated that the magnetic interaction between the spinning tops is such that the tops are repelled apart. Thus, the tops may continue spinning on the surface S but the rotational axis of one or both of the tops may be translated across the surface.

Claims

1. A spinning top comprising: a body having a base and being adapted to spin on said base about a rotational axis; and at least one magnet attached to the body.

2. A spinning top as claimed in claim 1, wherein the or each magnet is arranged so as to provide a magnetic field radially outside the perimeter of the body when the top is spinning.

3. A spinning top as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the body comprises a radially inner portion and a radially outer portion, and the or each magnet is attached to the radially outer portion.

4. A spinning top in accordance with claim 3, wherein the radially outer portion is generally annular.

5. A spinning top in accordance with claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the radially inner portion is generally disc-shaped.

6. A spinning top in accordance with any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the base comprises a tip extending downwards from a centre of the radially inner portion.

7. A spinning top in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein said body is generally disc-shaped.

8. A spinning top as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of said magnets.

9. A spinning top as claimed in claim 8, wherein said plurality of magnets are evenly distributed around said rotational axis.

10. A spinning top as claimed in claim any preceding claim, comprising two said magnets, the two magnets being arranged at diametrically opposed positions with respect to the rotational axis.

11. A spinning top as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each magnet is cylindrical.

12. A spinning top in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the or each magnet is a dipole magnet having a longitudinal axis and two poles separated by a distance along said longitudinal axis.

13. A spinning top as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each magnet is a bar magnet having a longitudinal axis, a first pole at one end and a second pole at an opposite end.

14. A spinning top in accordance with any one of claims 12 or 13, comprising mounting means attaching the or each magnet to the body such that a pole of the or each magnet is exposed.

15. A spinning top in accordance with any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the or each magnet is arranged such that its longitudinal axis is aligned substantially radially with respect to said rotational axis.

16. A spinning top in accordance with claim 15, comprising a pair of said magnets, the pair being arranged at diametrically opposed positions across the rotational axis such that their longitudinal axes are substantially collinear.

17. A spinning top in accordance with claim 16, wherein the radially outermost poles of the pair of magnets are magnetically alike.

18. A spinning top in accordance with claim 16, wherein the radially outermost poles of the pair of magnets are magnetically opposite.

19. A spinning top in accordance with any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the radially outermost pole of the or each magnet is arranged proximate the perimeter of the body when the top is spinning.

20. A spinning top in accordance with any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the radially outermost pole of the or each magnet defines the perimeter of the body when the top is spinning.

21. A spinning top in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the body is provided with interconnection means such that the top may be removably attached to a second top having a substantially identical body to form a composite spinning top adapted to spin about said rotational axis.

22. A spinning top in accordance with claim 21, wherein the interconnection means comprises at least one attachment member extending upwardly from the body and at least one attachment member receiving means arranged to receive from below and engage an attachment member of a second top having a substantially identical body.

23. A spinning top in accordance with claim 22, comprising a plurality of attachment member receiving means arranged at different angular positions around the rotational axis, such that the second top may be attached in a selected one of a plurality of orientations.

24. A spinning top in accordance with claim 22 or claim 23, wherein the or each attachment member comprises a tab and the or each attachment member receiving means comprises a slot for receiving a tab.

25. A spinning top as claimed in claim 24, wherein the or each slot and the or each tab extends circumferentially around the rotational axis.

26. A spinning top as claimed in claim 24 or 25 wherein the or each tab is integrally formed with a magnet mounting means.

27. A spinning top as claimed in claim 26, wherein the or each slot further comprises a radially extending portion adapted to receive the magnet mounting means of a second second top having a substantially identical body when the top is stacked on the second top.

28. A spinning top as claimed in any of claims 24 to 27, comprising a plurality of said slots circumferentially distributed to allow connection of a second top in a variety of positions.

29. A spinning top as claimed in claim 28, comprising a pair of tabs arranged at diametrically opposed positions with respect to the rotational axis, and wherein the plurality of circumferentially distributed slots comprises 3 pairs of slots, the slots of each pair being arranged at diametrically opposed positions with respect to the rotational axis.

30. A spinning top as claimed in any of claims 22 to 29, wherein the interconnection means further comprises at least one attachment member extending downwardly from the body and at least one attachment member receiving means arranged to receive from above and engage a downwardly extending attachment member of a second top having a substantially identical body.

31. A spinning top as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a spindle extending upwardly from said body along said rotational axis.

32. A spinning top in accordance with any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the or each magnet is arranged such that its longitudinal axis is aligned substantially parallel to said rotational axis.

33. A spinning top in accordance with claim 32, comprising a pair of said magnets, the pair being arranged at diametrically opposed positions across the rotational axis.

34. A spinning top in accordance with claim 33, wherein the axially uppermost poles of the pair of magnets are magnetically alike.

35. A spinning top in accordance with claim 33, wherein the axially uppermost poles of the pair of magnets are magnetically opposite.

36. A spinning top in accordance with any one of claims 34 or 35, wherein the pair of magnets are mounted to the body such that their axially uppermost poles are exposed, forming outer surfaces of the top.

37. A spinning top in accordance with any one of claims 32 to 36, wherein the body comprises a radially inner portion and a radially outer portion, the radially outer portion being generally annular and comprising a plurality of radially extending teeth, and wherein the or each magnet is attached to a respective one of said teeth.

38. A composite spinning top, comprising a detachable stack of individual spinning tops, each individual spinning top being a spinning top in accordance with one of claims 21 to 30.

39. A composite spinning top, comprising a detachable stack of individual spinning tops, each individual spinning top being a spinning top in accordance with one of claims 32 to 37.

40. A spinning top as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each body is a moulded plastic body.

41. A spinning top in accordance with claim 20, or in accordance with any one of claims 21 to 40 as depending from claim 20, in combination with removable capping means arranged to provide a removable cover for the or each outermost pole.

42. A combination in accordance with claim 41, wherein the capping means comprises magnetisable material arranged to reduce stray magnetic field outside the combination.

43. A combination in accordance with claim 41 or claim 42, wherein the capping means comprises first and second caps hingedly attached by frangible attachment means to a linking member, the caps being arranged to cover the respective outermost poles of a diametrically opposed pair of magnets.

44. Apparatus for playing a game, comprising a plurality of spinning tops, each spinning top being in accordance with one of claims 1 to 41, and a playing area marked in a particular manner substantially as shown in drawings accompanying the specification, the spinning tops being moved in accordance with directions furnished in the specification as to the manner in which the game is to be played.

45. A spinning top substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.