1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to spinning top toys, and more particularly, to magnetically launched and controlled spinning top toys.
2. Background of the Invention
Spinning tops are well known in the field of toys and games. Although simple versions of tops can entertain children and adults, toy makers have recently introduced more complex tops that are launched by rack-and-pinion-type rip cords and that battle each other within an arena. Following this trend, there is a constant need for new and interesting spinning top toys and play patterns that appeal to consumers.
Embodiments present a novel set of apparatus and play schemes involving the use of magnets to energize, launch, and control the movement of spinning tops. In one embodiment, a magnetic top system may comprise a top and top launcher, and a top controlling device operable to magnetically guide the top while it is spinning, without contacting the magnetic top. The top and top launcher may also be configured to magnetically couple to each other. In one implementation, a magnetic top system may comprise a magnetic top containing one or more magnets disposed in an upper portion of the top and a top launcher having a rotating member configured to magnetically engage the upper portion of the magnetic top. The rotating member may be, for example, a rotating metal disk, a rotating plastic disk with metal inserts, or a rotating disk having embedded magnets.
In an aspect, a top launcher may be configured as a portable joystick that may be grasped by a user's hand. The joystick may include a battery pack, a motor, a disk mechanically coupled to the motor, and a trigger configured to electrically couple the battery pack to the motor, such that engaging the trigger serves to start and stop a spinning motion in the disk. The disk may be a plastic disk with ferromagnetic inserts (e.g., metal inserts) or a disk made entirely out of ferromagnetic material (e.g., metal).
In another aspect, a top launcher may be configured to be worn on a user's hand and may include a spinner that contains a rotating member and may be configured to secure against the palm of the user's hand. The rotating member may be configured to magnetically couple to a top and may be, for example, a disk having metal and/or magnetic inserts. In an embodiment, a top launcher may include a power source and a switch configured to electrically couple the power source to a motor in the top launcher. The motor may be mechanically coupled to the rotating member in the top launcher, such that the motor drives the rotating member. The rotating member may comprise a disk having a magnet disposed in a central portion and a plurality of outer ferromagnetic or magnetic portions located around the centrally disposed magnet.
In another aspect, the upper facing surface of a magnetic top may be generally flat or slightly convex, such that a central magnet of a magnetic top may attach to a centrally disposed magnet in the rotating member of the top launcher. The magnetic top may also contain a plurality of outer magnets arranged around the central magnet and configured to magnetically couple to outer ferromagnetic or magnetic portions in the rotating member of the top launcher.
In another aspect, a top controlling device may be configured to be worn on a user's finger and may include a magnet portion configured to couple to the central magnet of the magnetic top. When brought into magnetic proximity of the magnetic top while the magnetic top is spinning, the magnet portion of the controlling device may guide the movement of the magnetic top over a surface without touching the magnetic top. In this manner, a user may control the movement of a magnetic top and may play with the top on any surface that enables the top to spin. Moreover, top controlling devices may allow multiple users to control their spinning tops on any flat surface to either contact or avoid each other.
Although embodiments may be suitable for any surface that enables the tops to spin, a further embodiment provides a defined play surface on which the magnetic top may be placed or onto which the magnetic top may be dropped. The play surface may be, for example, an arena that has containing walls and may include paths and stationary and moving obstacles that guide or restrict the motion of the magnetic top.
In another aspect, a magnetic launcher may be configured to pick up, spin, and launch the magnetic top. The magnetic launcher may have a rotating member that magnetically couples to a top having a magnet centrally disposed in its upper portion. The rotating member (e.g., rotating disk) may have a centrally disposed magnet. When the central magnet of the magnetic top is attached to a centrally disposed magnet of the rotating member, the magnetic top launcher may be configured to spin the magnetic top when the motor is powered. Preferably, the rotating member has outer magnetic portions that attach to respective outer magnetic portions of the magnetic top to provide torque action that is generated by rotation of the rotating member and is imparted to the magnetic top when the rotating member is spinning. The launcher may be configured such that a user can release the magnetic top from the spinning rotating member by a motion, such as a flick of the wrist or a tap or bump on the launcher. The rotating member may be further configured to pick up the magnetic top while the top is spinning when the centrally disposed magnet of the rotating member is placed near to the central magnet of the magnetic top. In addition, the rotating member of the magnetic top launcher may be brought into magnetic proximity of a spinning top to magnetically couple to, but not physically couple to, the spinning top. In this manner, the magnetic top launcher may re-energize the spinning top without physically picking up the top, to keep the top spinning for a longer duration.
In another aspect, a play surface may comprise a fluorescent or phosphorescent material and a top may include a light-emitting portion. The light-emitting portion may be disposed on a lower region of the top and may emit light of sufficient energy to cause nearby portions of the fluorescent or phosphorescent play surface to emit light. Accordingly, as the spinning top travels over the play surface, a fluorescent pattern may be produced in the play surface that corresponds to the path of the top. Accordingly, with a magnetic top, a user may magnetically guide the magnetic top using a magnetic controlling device to engage in a series of movements that are recorded as temporary glowing patterns in the play surface.
Another aspect provides a magnetic top toy kit comprising a magnetic top, a top launcher, and a magnetic controller. The magnetic top may comprise a top body and at least one magnet disposed in the top body. The top body may have a tip portion and a head portion opposite to the tip portion. The top may have a rotational axis extending from the head portion to the tip portion. The top launcher may include a top launcher body, a top launcher spinning member connected to the top launcher body, a spinning member drive for imparting rotation to the top launcher spinning member, and a releasable coupling for coupling the magnetic top to the top launcher spinning member. The top launcher spinning member may be rotatable relative to the top launcher body around a spinning axis. The spinning member drive may selectively impart rotation to the top launcher spinning member so as to cause the top launcher spinning member to spin relative to the top launcher body around the spinning axis. The releasable coupling may couple the magnetic top to the top launcher spinning member so that rotation of the top launcher spinning member may be imparted to the magnetic top so that the magnetic top spins about the magnetic top rotational axis, and may allow disengagement of the spinning magnetic top from the top launcher spinning member. The magnetic controller may include a magnet and a magnet holder that is attachable to a user's hand.
Another aspect provides a magnetic top system comprising a top and a top launcher. The top may comprise a top body and at least one magnet. The top body may have a tip portion and a head portion opposite to the tip portion. The top may have a rotational axis extending from the head portion to the tip portion. The at least one magnet may be disposed in the head portion of the top body. The top launcher may be magnetically coupled to the top, and may comprise a top launcher body and a top launcher spinning member connected to the top launcher body. The top launcher spinning member may spin relative to the top launcher body around a spinning axis. The top launcher spinning member may contain at least one magnetic portion that is magnetically coupled to the at least one magnet of the top. The rotational axis of the top and the spinning axis of the top launcher spinning member may be aligned. The top launcher spinning member may spin and thereby rotate the top by virtue of the magnetic coupling between the at least one magnet of the top and the at least one magnetic portion of the top launcher spinning member.
Another aspect provides a magnetic top assembled from a plurality of parts. The top may comprise a magnetic core part, a tip part, and a tip holder. The tip part may be held between the magnetic core part and the tip holder. The tip part may extend through an opening in the tip holder. The tip holder may engage the magnetic core part to hold the parts together in an assembly. The assembled top may have a tip portion and a head portion opposite to the tip portion, and may spin around a rotational axis extending from the head portion to the tip portion. The core magnetic part may provide at least one magnet disposed in the head portion of the assembled top.
Another aspect provides an alternative magnetic top assembled from a plurality of parts. In this aspect, the top may comprise a locking magnetic part, a core tip part, and a bumper part. The locking magnetic part may engage the core tip part to hold the bumper part between the locking magnetic part and the core tip part. The locking magnetic part may have a first face facing the bumper part and a second face opposite to the first face. The locking magnetic part may have at least one magnet disposed at the second face, and may have a switch disposed at the second face. The magnetic top may spin around a rotational axis. The switch may be centered at the rotational axis of the magnetic top. The switch may activate a feature of the core tip part.
Another aspect provides a method for launching and controlling a magnetic top. The method may include assembling a plurality of parts into a magnetic top having a head portion and a tip portion, such that at least one magnet is disposed at the head portion; magnetically attaching the magnetic top to a magnetic spinning member of a top launcher having at least one magnetic portion, by aligning the at least one magnet with the at least one magnetic portion; spinning the magnetic spinning member of the top launcher, thereby rotating the magnetically coupled magnetic top; and applying a force to the top launcher to release the rotating magnetic top from the magnetic spinning member onto a play surface.
The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.
FIGS. 7.3-7.5 are schematic diagrams of embodiments of spin members for the play surface of
FIGS. 12.2-12.4 are schematic diagrams illustrating an embodiment of a magnetic top and top controller providing movement of striking members during spinning of the top;
FIGS. 12.5-12.6 are schematic diagrams illustrating an embodiment of a magnetic top and top controller providing movement of shield members during spinning of the top;
FIGS. 12.7-12.8 are schematic diagrams illustrating an embodiment of a magnetic top and top controller providing a changeable tip during spinning of the top; and
FIGS. 12.9-12.10 are schematic diagrams illustrating an embodiment of a magnetic top and top controller providing movement of a rotating shield member during spinning of the top.
As shown in the embodiment of
Thus, magnetic disk 5 may pick up and attach to magnetic top 1 and cause magnetic top 1 to spin while attached to magnetic disk 5. While spinning and attached to top launcher 2, magnetic top 1 may be launched onto play surface 4 by a motion, such as a flick of the wrist of the user wearing top launcher 2. Alternatively, a user may tap, bump, or slap the top of the hand holding the top launcher 2 with the user's opposite hand, to release the magnetic top 1 from the top launcher 2. Magnetic top 1 may subsequently move in a manner characteristic of tops across play surface 4. For example, when magnetic top 1 is launched onto a surface, it may spin on its axis, undergo a precession of its axis as well as move along the surface, that is, undergo a translational motion across the play surface.
In an embodiment as shown in
As discussed in more detail below, play surface 4 may be arranged with a variety of features designed to enhance the play experience when magnetic top 1 is spinning on the play surface.
In an embodiment, top launcher 2 may also be configured to pick up magnetic top 1, while magnetic top 1 is spinning. Accordingly, a user may pick up magnetic top 1 to re-energize the top and increase its spinning speed after the speed of magnetic top 1 starts to slow down, or to simply rapidly move magnetic top 1 from one place to another. In addition, a top launcher, with its magnetic disk rotating, may be brought into magnetic proximity of a top while the top is spinning, to re-energize the top without physically coupling to the spinning top. For example, a rotating member of a top launcher may magnetically couple to a spinning top to increase the rotational speed of the top, without physically touching the top.
In one example of a play pattern, a plurality of players may each operate a top launcher, magnetic top, and top controlling device on a common field of play, such as play surface 4. Accordingly, each user may guide the user's top around or through obstacles, around or into an opponent's top, and may pick up the top as desired. Alternatively, instead of play surface 4, the common field of play may be any surface that enables the tops to spin (e.g., a table or the floor). Indeed, because of the unique control aspects provided by the top controlling device and top launcher, it may be unnecessary to provide specialized play surfaces such as confined play arenas (e.g., a bowl-shaped arena that urges spinning tops by gravity to the central lowermost point of the arena to promote contact between uncontrolled tops). The unique control aspects may enable users to control spinning tops on any surface, including flat surfaces or even convex surfaces, to avoid or contact each other as desired.
In some embodiments, magnetic tops may be provided with generally flat upper surfaces that allow the tops to conveniently attach to the lower surface of a top launcher, which may be provided with one or more magnetic portions, such as magnets or metal inserts. The generally flat upper surface of the magnetic top may also facilitate providing more than one magnetic portion in the magnetic top, each of which may attach to a corresponding magnetic portion in the magnetic disk of the top launcher.
In some embodiments, both the top launcher and magnetic top may include centrally disposed magnetic portions located along their respective spinning axes. The centrally disposed magnetic portion of the magnetic top is preferably a magnet that has at least one surface located on the upper surface of the magnetic top. The centrally disposed magnetic portion of the rotating member of the top launcher likewise preferably has a surface located on the outer surface of the rotating member that may contact and attach to the centrally disposed magnetic portion of the magnetic top. The top launcher may have, for example, a ferromagnetic rotating member (e.g., a metal disk or a plastic disk with metal inserts) that magnetically couples to the magnetic top.
To facilitate understanding, in the discussion to follow, the centrally disposed magnetic portion of the magnetic top is also referred to as the “central magnet,” although in embodiments, the centrally disposed magnetic portion of the magnetic top can be a ferromagnetic material that is not a permanent magnet.
In addition to the central magnet, in accordance with embodiments, the magnetic top may be provided with a plurality of outer magnetic portions that each may have surfaces located on the upper surface of the magnetic top. The outer magnetic portions may be arranged to surround the central magnet and may be equally spaced around the central magnet, for example, in a pattern of three magnetic portions, or alternatively, in a pattern of four magnetic portions, or any convenient number of magnetic portions.
In a top launcher, in addition to the centrally disposed magnetic portion (also termed “central magnetic portion” herein) of the rotating member (e.g., magnetic disk), a plurality of outer magnetic portions may also be provided, which surround the central magnetic portion. Each of these magnetic portions may be configured to engage a corresponding magnetic portion in the magnetic top. For example, the pattern of the central magnet and surrounding magnetic portions of the magnetic top may be arranged to match a corresponding pattern in the magnetic disk of the top launcher. Thus, the number of outer magnetic portions in the magnetic disk of the top launcher may match that of the magnetic top, and the relative spacing of the outer portions of the magnetic disk, both with respect to each other and with respect to the central magnetic portion, may match the corresponding spacing of the outer portions of the magnetic top.
Accordingly, in these embodiments, the magnetic top and magnetic disk may be configured to attach to each other at a plurality of points along their respective surfaces. When the top launcher magnetic disk is energized to spin, the attached magnetic top may be held not only in its center, but at a plurality of outer regions, thus providing a greater torque for spinning the magnetic top. It will be readily appreciated that the torque acting on the magnetic top increases in proportion to the radial distance of the magnetic portions of the magnetic disk and magnetic top from their respective central magnetic portions.
In an embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2.1-2.5, a magnetic top 200 may include a series of parts 202-212 that may be assembled as shown more particularly in
The outer portions 214, 216 may be configured to extend farthest from the center of magnetic top 200 and may thus be configured to engage another object, such as another magnetic top. In some embodiments, magnetic top 200 may be configured in a plurality of structures by substituting other parts for one or more of parts 202, 204, 206, and 208, for example. The substitute parts may be designed to assemble together with any other existing parts. For example, a substitute upper bumper may be provided that replaces bumper 206 and may be configured to assemble together with lower bumper 204 and magnet holder 208. The upper bumper may differ in color and shape of outer portions 216, for example. Similarly, substitutes may be provided for lower bumper 204, tip 202, and magnet holder 208. Thus, for each corresponding part 202-212 of magnetic top 200, a user may collect and trade a plurality of different pieces, enabling the user to custom-build a large variety of different magnetic tops by mixing and matching and interchanging the various parts.
In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2.1-2.5, tip 202 may comprise a metal sphere enclosed in a housing, such as a socket. However, in other embodiments, the tip may have a different shape, such as cylindrical, conical, pyramidal, and oblong. An example of a differently shaped tip is shown in
In other embodiments, two or more of the upper parts 208-212 of magnetic top 200 may be replaced with a single unitary piece that contains a central magnet and outer magnetic portions. An example of this configuration is shown in
In one embodiment, the central magnetic portions and outer magnetic portions of the magnetic disk of the top launcher may each be magnets arranged with their respective outwardly facing magnetic poles configured to be opposite to that of the outwardly facing magnetic poles of their respective counterparts in the magnetic top. Thus, in the magnetic top, all the north poles may be facing up extending outwardly from the upper surface, while all the magnets in the top launcher magnetic disk may have their south poles facing outwardly. In another embodiment, all the magnetic portions of the magnetic top may be magnets, while all the magnetic portions of the magnetic disk of the top launcher may be ferromagnetic materials that are not permanent magnets, such as metal inserts.
Although
FIGS. 2.9-2.10 illustrate a magnetic top 290 according to another embodiment, which may use fewer parts and an alternative locking arrangement, and which may also enable the activation of a feature (e.g., moving parts) while the top is spinning. As shown in FIGS. 2.9-2.10, magnetic top 290 may include a locking magnet part 291, a bumper 292, and a core tip 293. Locking magnet part 291 may include one or more magnets in its upper surface for magnetically coupling to a magnetic disk of a top launcher. Locking magnet part 291 may also include a switch 294 configured to activate a feature in the core tip 293. Bumper 292 may be disposed between the locking magnet part 291 and the core tip 293, and may extend laterally outward beyond the other parts to provide outer surfaces to contact other objects, such as walls of a play arena or other spinning tops. Locking magnet part 291 may include a threaded portion 295 configured to engage a correspondingly threaded recess 296 in core tip 293, as shown in the cross-sectional view of
The locking magnet part 291 and the core tip 293 may include cooperating switches that activate a feature in the core tip 293. For example, as shown in the embodiment of
FIGS. 3.1-3.4 depict various views of another exemplary top launcher 300. According to this embodiment, top launcher 300 may include a magnetic disk 302, case 304, motor 306, handrest 308, switch 310, strap 312, battery case 314, and batteries 316. Top launcher 300 may be configured such that a user may insert a hand 349 between handrest 308 and strap 312, as depicted in
FIGS. 5.1-5.3 depict another exemplary top launcher and controller system 500. In this embodiment, system 500 may include battery pack 506 configured to be worn on a user's wrist or arm, and magnetic disk 502 configured to be worn under the user's palm and to be attached to the user's hand using strap 504. System 500 may also include an activation switch 507 that turns the magnetic disk 502 on and off. As depicted in
FIGS. 9.1-9.3 depict various views of another exemplary top launcher 900. In this embodiment, top launcher 900 (also referred to as a joystick) may include head 902 that contains batteries 910 and grip portion 904 that includes a motor 908 inside. Motor 908 may also include an integrated or separately attached gear box. A magnetic disk 906, which may be similar to any magnetic disks described hereinabove, for example, may be disposed in the base portion 905 of joystick 900 and connected to motor 908 through shaft 907. A switch 912 may be provided at an upper region of grip portion 904 allowing a user to conveniently grasp joystick 900 while being able to turn motor 908 on and off by coupling/decoupling the motor to batteries 910. Thus, the user may conveniently pick up joystick 900, pick up a magnetic top 200 using joystick 900, and conveniently tilt joystick 900 so that magnetic top 200 may be launched at any desired angle, when the user flicks the wrist of her hand holding the launcher, for example. A user may also launch the top 200 by bumping the launcher 900 with the user's free hand or by tapping on the top of the launcher 900 with the user's free hand.
As shown in
In another embodiment,
As shown in the cross-sectional view of
In an embodiment, a magnetic disk, such as the magnetic disks 906, 986 of launchers 900, 980, respectively, may be compatible with magnetic tops having different numbers and arrangements of magnets in their upper surfaces. For example, a magnetic disk may have a central magnetic portion surrounded by a plurality of magnetic portions spaced equally around the central magnetic portion and located at a radial distance from the central magnetic portion. In this manner, the magnetic disk may couple with magnetic tops having magnets at positions corresponding to any one or more of the magnetic portions of the disk.
As one embodiment,
In addition to magnetic couplings, magnetic disk 920 may also include provisions to mechanically couple to a magnetic top. For example, as shown in
Referring again to FIGS. 5.1-5.3, system 500 may also include a top controlling device 508 that may be configured as a ring to be worn on the user's finger. Top controlling device 508 may contain a magnet that may guide a spinning magnetic top when brought into magnetic proximity of the magnetic top, for example, about one to several centimeters away from a magnet in the spinning top, as depicted generally in
FIGS. 4.1-4.3 depict another embodiment of a top controlling device (or, “top controller”). In this embodiment, top controller 400 may be configured to be worn on two adjacent fingers. Top controller 400 may include a base 401, a fingertip cover 403, a dividing wall 402 connected substantially perpendicular to base 401, and a strap 404 extending around the base 401 and dividing wall 402. A magnet 406 may be disposed in or on the base 401 or fingertip cover 403. A user's two adjacent fingers may rest on opposite sides of dividing wall 402 after insertion under strap 404. Magnet 406 may be configured so that it faces at an angle with respect to the long axis of fingers inserted into top controller 400. Accordingly, the strong lines of a magnetic field extending from magnet 406 may form an angle with respect to horizontal when the user's hand is horizontally extended over a surface. This configuration may aid in guiding a magnetic top by providing a magnetic field that engages a magnet in a magnetic top at an angle.
FIGS. 4.4-4.5 illustrate another embodiment of a top controller 410, which may be adjusted to accommodate differently sized fingers and to accommodate either a left or right hand. As shown, top controller 410 may include a handle 414, a stem 416 connected to the handle 414, a fingertip cover 418 attached to an end of the stem 416, and a magnetic portion 420 disposed at a distal end of the cover 418. Handle 414 may have a base portion 413 that defines a slot 412 that receives stem 416, and a grip portion 415 offset from the base portion 413 by a lateral portion 417. The interior of slot 412 may include a resilient projection (not shown) that is configured to deflect and pass over the solid portions of stem 416 along an array of openings 426, and then to resume its original position to engage one of openings 426. A user may therefore pull or push stem 416 to cause the resilient projection to deform and click into place within an opening that positions the fingertip cover 418 a desired distance away from handle 414.
A user may wear the top controller 410 by placing the tip of the user's forefinger inside fingertip cover 418 and grasping the handle 414 with one or more of the user's remaining fingers. Stem 416 may be extended as necessary to position the fingertip cover 418 over the end of the user's forefinger. Stem 416 may also be completely removable from handle 414 and insertable in either end of slot 412, so that the top controller 410 may be configured for either a left hand or a right hand.
Magnetic portion 420 may encase a magnet 428 as shown in
Top controller 410 may also include an integrated or separately attached actuator (not shown in
Play surface 710 may also include storage compartments 718 for storing individual magnetic tops while they are not in use.
In embodiments, spinning member 712 may be interchanged with other spinning members, as shown in FIGS. 7.3-7.5. The shape and contours of each spinning member may affect the spinning magnetic tops in different ways. For example, irregular or rough edges or surfaces of a spinning member, such as the spinning member 734 of
In an embodiment, a magnetic top may be configured with a light source, such as a light emitting lower region. The light emitting lower region may be near the lower tip of the magnetic top or may be within a tip, such that the tip emits light. Thus, a user may follow the top movements by watching the movement of the tip in conditions of moderate, low, or no ambient lighting.
In an embodiment depicted in
As noted above, the energy of the light in light emitting magnetic top 800 may be tailored. For example, a UV light emitting diode (LED) may be used that produces energy mainly in the ultraviolet range with a small amount of energy in the blue range of the visible spectrum. Ultraviolet light has sufficient energy to cause fluorescence or phosphorescence in the visible light range, such that phosphors emitting over a range of visible wavelengths may be used in conjunction with a UV LED. Thus, a user may view a UV LED tip in top 800 that emits a color that appears blue or white to the user, and creates a yellow, green, or red glowing path on play surface 802 in its wake.
In embodiments, the play pattern of magnetic tops may be varied according to the type of top. After tops are launched into a battle area (e.g., any flat surface or a confined arena), the tops may be controlled by individual users using a controlling device as described above. Players may try to hit their tops together in a battle area, hoping to stop the spinning of their opponent's top. The length/type of play pattern may be impacted by the type of parts chosen by the player to add to that player's top. Different tops may have more offensive characteristics, while others may be more defensive and stable. Thus, the outcome of a battle between tops may be determined by the players' skills at controlling their tops and also by the geometry and construction of the tops themselves.
In another embodiment,
In another embodiment, a magnetic top may include provisions for activating moving parts of the top while the top is spinning. The moving parts may affect the way that the top spins or the way that the top interacts with other spinning tops. For example, the moving parts may be a changeable tip, an extendable and retractable striking member, an extendable and retractable shield member, and a rotating shield. The moving parts may be activated by pressing a centrally located button on the top surface of the magnetic top, which may electronically or mechanically actuate the moving parts. In a further embodiment, a top controller may include an actuator configured to press the button while the top is spinning. In addition to moving parts, the actuator and button may also activate electronic features, such as sounds or lights. In another embodiment, an actuator may remotely activate a feature of a top without physically contacting the top, for example, using a magnet, a light source, a radio signal source, or any other device capable of triggering a complementary receiving device in the top.
As one embodiment, FIGS. 12.2-12.4 illustrate the activation of a spinning magnetic top 1210 having extendable and retractable striking members 1211.
As another embodiment,
As another embodiment,
As another embodiment,
As shown in
In an alternative embodiment, magnetic top 1240 may have a mechanism that mechanically rotates the shield member 1241 when the activation switch is depressed. For example, the activation switch may be coupled to a clutch and freewheel gear mechanism, such that when the switch is depressed, the clutch further energizes the gear mechanism and increases the speed of rotation of the shield member 1241.
In another alternative embodiment, magnetic top 1240 may have a shield member 1241 rotated by a battery powered motor that is controlled by the activation switch. In this manner, the shield member 1241 may be turned on (rotating) and off (not rotating) by pressing the activation switch. In addition, the activation switch and motor may be configured to control and change the direction of rotation of the shield member 1241.
Further embodiments of the present invention may provide magnetic launchers configured to pick, spin, and launch toys from positions other than a generally downward pointing, vertical orientation typically used to launch tops on a horizontal play surface. For example, in one embodiment, a magnetic launcher may be oriented with the spinning axis of its rotating member parallel to a horizontal play surface, such that a top or other toy is spun and launched so that it spins and travels along the play surface. In one implementation, the spinning toy may be formed as a wheel that is magnetically coupled to the magnetic launcher, spun by the rotating member, and then released with a flick of the wrist or tap on the launcher, causing the wheel to roll across a horizontal play surface. In a further implementation, the wheel may be a component of a vehicle, such that spinning and launching the wheel causes the entire vehicle to travel across the horizontal play surface.
In another embodiment, a magnetic launcher may be oriented with its rotating member pointing generally upward away from a horizontal play surface, and with the spinning axis of its rotating member perpendicular to the horizontal play surface, such that a toy is spun and launched upward into the air away from the play surface. The toy may be, for example, any toy that produces lift when spun, e.g., flying toys such as propellers, planes, and helicopters.
Although embodiments discussed above use battery operated launchers, one of skill in the art would appreciate that a launcher may be powered by other means. For example, in one embodiment, a launcher may be manually powered, e.g., having a spring loaded gear box actuated by a trigger that the user repeatedly squeezes until a desired rotation speed is obtained. Spring loaded gear boxes such as those used in friction cars or sparking toy guns may be used.
The foregoing disclosure of the preferred embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments described herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. For example, although the magnetic top launching devices have been depicted herein as having disk-shaped spinning portions, the present invention covers embodiments where the spinning portions of the magnetic launcher are barrel-shaped or have other shapes. Additionally, any number and configuration of magnetic portions may be included in the magnetic top launcher and magnetic top to achieve the desired magnetic coupling. Moreover, although the top controlling devices have been depicted herein as worn on a user's finger(s), the present invention covers embodiments where a top-controlling device is grasped by the user or worn otherwise. Thus, a top controlling device may have a shape of a pen, a dumbbell, a disk, or any convenient shape that may include a magnet to be brought into proximity of the magnetic spinning top.
While various embodiments of the invention have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the attached claims.
Further, in describing representative embodiments, the specification may have presented a method and/or process as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in the specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
The application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/140,016, filed Dec. 22, 2008, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61140016 | Dec 2008 | US |