Claims
- 1. A gyroscopic toy comprising:a housing with a rotational axis, wherein the housing includes: a spinning member rotatably mounted in the housing, a spur gear connected to the spinning member so as to cause the spinning member to rotate about the rotational axis relative to the housing for producing a gyroscopic effect, and a mounting mechanism located on an exterior section of the housing, defining a mounting axis substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis; a gimbals member movably mounted on the mounting mechanism for moving about the mounting axis relative to the housing; and an end post connected to the housing for supporting the housing when the spinning member is rotating about the rotation axis for producing the gyroscopic effect.
- 2. The gyroscopic toy of claim 1 further comprisingat least one figurine attached to the gimbals member for producing an enhanced visual effect of the toy.
- 3. The gyroscopic toy of the claim 1, wherein the gimbals member includes a ring having a circumference, and a pair of mounting members located on the circumference, said gyroscopic toy further comprisingat least one further gimbals member having two ends for movably mounting on the mounting mechanism, and a figurine attached to said at least one further gimbals member.
- 4. The gyroscopic toy of claim 1, wherein the gimbals member includes a ring having a circumference, and a pair of mounting members located on the circumference, said gyroscopic toy further comprisingtwo open-loop members each having two ends for movably mounting on the mounting member, and at least one figurine attached to one of the open-loop members.
- 5. The gyroscopic toy of claim 1, wherein the spinning member comprisesa rotor hub on which the spur gear is located, and a flywheel mechanically engaged to the rotor hub.
- 6. The gyroscopic toy of claim 5, wherein the housing comprises at least one ball bearing for mounting the rotor hub to the housing for rotation.
- 7. The gyroscopic toy of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a first half shell and a second half shell mechanically engaged with the first half shell.
- 8. The gyroscopic toy of claim 1, wherein the end post has a first round end and an opposing second end connected to the housing.
- 9. The gyroscopic toy of claim 7 further comprising a support having a first end for resting on a surface and an opposing second end, wherein the second end has a concave surface for seating the first end of the end post.
- 10. The gyroscopic toy of claim 7 further comprising a figurine having two lower limbs, at least one of the lower limbs has a concave surface for seating the first end of the end post.
Parent Case Info
This application is based on and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/346,569, filed Jan. 7, 2002.
US Referenced Citations (3)
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60/346569 |
Jan 2002 |
US |