US2184459A - Toy - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 26, 1939. A. LAPOINTE 2,184,459

TOY

Filed Jan. 12, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .JZWM Zapairzi'e JNVENTOR.

Y BY r ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 26, 1939. A, LAPOINTE 2,184,459

TOY

Filed Jan. 12, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 H! Ill /6 /o' 12 flWeZ lapaz'izk INVENTOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 26, 1939 'FU N-Il TLED smres TOY Alfred Lapointe, Pointe aux Trembles, Quebec,

Canad Application January 12, 1939, Serial No. 250,646

1 Claim.

This invention aims to provide a novel game apparatus, including a top and a table board, each of novel construction, the top being so constructed that it may be operated readily, and

being so constituted that, when spun, it will give I devices of that type to which the present invention appertains.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made Within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 shows, in top plan, a device constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevation wherein the top is shown inclined, and resting on the table board;

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the top;

Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section of the top.

The top which forms the subject matter of this application may be made of any desired materials, and may be colored or ornamented in any desired way, so as to present an attractive appearance when spun. The top includes a base, which is denoted generally by the numeral I. The base I comprises a cruciform central member 2, including a hub 3 of circular outline, arms 4 projecting from the hub. The base of the top includes an annular band 5, somewhat wider than the central member 2. Spacers 6 are interposed between the band" 5 and the ends of the arms 4, securing elements 1? passing through the band 5, through the spacers 6, and into the ends of the arms 4. The band 5 may be lettered, ornamented, colored or marked, in any desired way.

Indicators 8, which may be in the shape of human figures, or otherwise, have their lower ends mounted in the arms 4, the indicators being located symmetrically with respect to the axis of rotation of the top.

The upright body of the top is marked as a whole by the numeral 9. It comprises a hemispherical foot l0, connected to the hub 3 of the member 2 by a depending spindle l l, passing upwardly through the part 3, and into the foot l0. At its lower end, the spindle H is convexedly pointed, as shown at I2, so that the top will spin readily, and, at the same time, the construction being such that articles upon which the top is 5 spun, will not be marred. Near its lower end, the spindle II is supplied with a circumferential groove is, in which is secured one end of a flexible element l5, such as a piece of string. To the outer end of the flexible element I5 is 10 secured a sounder, such as a bell Hi. When the top is spun, the sounder [B will rattle over the supporting surface, and fly upwardly against the central portion of the top, an attractively novel noise being produced. The flexible element I5 16 is short enough to conflne the sounder [6 underneath the member 2 of the base i and, therefore, as the sounder swings up and down, should it be thrown far enough upwardly from the supporting surface, the sounder will strike the central 20 member 2 of the top, as has been explained hereinbefore.

The foot 10 of the body of the top is connected by a reduced neck H to a spherical head 18. The head I8 is supplied with oppositely disposed, out- 5 wardly projecting arms 22, and upon the ends of the arms, enlargements, such as beads may be mounted, the beads being colored if desired. The arms 22 and the beads 23 facilitate the handling of the top, and, moreover, when the top 30 is spun, the beads 23 will produce a narrow zone, of a color corresponding to the color of the beads.

In the upper end of the head l8 of the body 9 is secured the lower end of a stem I9, and into 5' the upper end of the stem I9 is inserted a shaft 20, such as a wire nail having a head. The shaft 20 is mounted to rotate in a grip 2|, which may be a bead. A spinning cord 24 is secured to and Wound about the stem l9.

The operator lays hold of the grip or bead 2|, and the cord 2 is drawn out, the shaft 20 and. associated parts turning freely in the bead 2|.

Owing to the form of the foot I0 and the head l8,a peculiarly attractive effect will be produced, 45 when the top is spun. When the top is spun, the sounder It will function as hereinbefore described. I

In connection with the top shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, there may be supplied a 50 table member 25, adapted to be placed on any convenient support. The table member 25 preferably is in the form of a ring 26, having radial divisions 21, which may be numbered, inscribed with figures, or marked'in any other desired way. Because the table member 25 includes the ring 26, the top can be spun upon the hard surface on which the table member is placed. The ring, moreover, tends to keep the top spinning within a prescribed area. When the top ceases to rotate, it may come to rest, in an inclined position, as shown in Fig. 2, upon any of the divisions 2'! of the ring 26, and it will be obvious that, through the instrumentality of the apparatus disclosed, many interesting games can be played. No description as to the method of playing is given, because a patent is granted on the structure, and not on the way in which an article is used.

If desired, the ring 26 of the table member 25 may carry an oifset tab 28, on which advertisements, instructions for playing a game, or the like, may be marked.

The device forming the subject matter of this application is simple in construction, but it will be found capable of use in playing games which will suggest themselves to anyone. The top, of course, can be used independently of the table member 25 of Fig. 1, should the operator desire.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

A top adapted to be spun on a marked surface, the top comprising a body including substantially radial arms, with spaces therebetween, a thin, band-like rim surrounding the outer ends of the arms and secured thereto, and a spindle carrying the body for rotation on a surface, the rim preventing the outer ends of the arms from striking a surface as the top tilts and approaches a state of rest, the spaces and the band-like construction of the rim exposing clearly the marks on a surface, when the top comes to rest and when the rim engages a surface.

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