US3201896A - Spinning top - Google Patents

Description

Aug- 24, 1965 T. DALHART 3,201,896

SPINNING TOP Filed Jan. 2 1963 I N VEN TOR. A05/*WJ 7.' /JA ya@ 7- United States Patent C 3,201,896 SPINNING TOP Austin T. Dalhart, 28905 Osborn, Bay Village, Ohio Filed Jan. v2, 1963, Ser. No. r248,998 4 Claims. (Cl. 46-65) This invention relates generally to spinning tops and more particularly to a novel and improved spinning top assembly combining two or more nested tops which separate and individually spin after being pitched by the player as a single assembly.

. It is an important object of this invention to provide a novel and improved multiple spinning top having two or `more tops which are nested for pitching and which separate and individually spin when the surface on which the top assembly is pitched is engaged by the assembly.

It is another important object of this invention to provide a novel and improved low cost multiple spinning top having locking means to secure the separable tops together during handling until after being pitched by the player and also incorporating means to positively eject the individual tops so that they spin individually after being pitched as an assembly.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a novel and improved multiple spinning top having a minimum of parts which cofact to lock the individual tops in a nested relationship until the assembly engages the .surface on which the top is to spin in combination with means to positively separate the nested tops for separate spinning.

Further objects and advantages will appear from the following description and drawings wherein:

, In the drawings an embodiment is illustrated including three nested tops which separate after pitching by the player and spin individually. However, it should be understood that this invention contemplates multiple tops 'having' other number of separable tops greater than one.

The illustrated embodiment includes an outer top 10, an intermediate top 11 and an inner top 12. The intermediate top 11 nests Within the outer top 10 and the inner top 12 nests within the intermediate top 11. Each of the ytops 10, 11 and 12, includes a moulded plastic generally conicaly body 13, 14 and 16, respectively and a spinning point 17, 18 and 19, respectively. The bodies are preferably moulded of polyethylene or other suitable plastic y and the spinning points are preferably metal parts formed on an automatic screw machine. It should be understood `rhowever that other materials and methods of'manufacture may be utilized for producing these elements.

3'5201 ,8916 Patented Aug. 24, 1965 FIGURE 1 so that the tops spin as the player pitches the assembly, thus imparting a high speed of rotation thereto.

The cylindrical section 23 is formed with a iirst bore 26 open at the lower end of the body 13 and extending to a co-axial larger diameter bore 27. The bore 27 extends up into a cylindrical projection 28 inside of the body 13 and terminating at an inwardly extending tlange 29. A shoulder 31 connecting the bores 26 and 27 cooperates with the bore 27 and the liange 29 to define a recess 32 restricted at both ends.

The spinning point 17 is formed with a conical portion 33 at its lower end, a stem 34 extending upwardly from the portion 33 and an upper head 36 positioned within the recess 32. The head 36 is formed with a diameter slightly larger than the bore 26 and the stem 34 is formed with a diameter to t through the bore 26 with clearance which has been exaggerated for purposes of illustration in the drawings. The body 13`is formed with a generally conical cavity 37 proportioned to receive the intermediate The outer top body 13'is formed with a convex outer y surface l21-having a plurality of annular shallow grooves 22 formed therein. At the lower end of the body 13 ythere is formed a cylindrical section which cooperates rwound around the convex portion 21 as illustrated in top 11. Sufficient thickness however is provided in the body 13 to prevent any substantial distortion of the top when the cord 24 is wound or the top is used.

The body 14 of the intermediate top 11 is formed with a generally conical outer surface 38 extending to a cylindrical portion 39. The apex of the body 14 is .formed with a first bore 41, a second co-axial bore 42, having a diameter larger than the first bore, and an inturned flange 43. This structure is substantially the same as the corresponding structure of the outer top 10 but is dimension- `ally smaller. The spinning point 18 is formed with a conical end portion 44, a stem 46 and a head 47, with the head 47 positioned in a cavity 48 defined by the bore 42, the ange 43 and the shoulder joining the bores 41 and 42. Here again the general structure of the spinning point 18 is similar to the structure of the spinning point 17. However, the spinning point 18 is formed with an enlarged cylindrical section 51 between the stem .46 and the end portion 44, which has an end face 52 having a diameter larger than the bore 41 to engage the end 53 of the body 14. The end portion 44 has a diameter slightly larger than the opening defined by the ilange '29 in the body 13 so that the outer top 16 and the intermediate top 11 are locked in the assembled position when the end portion 44 is pushed past the flange 29 as illustrated in FIGURE 2.

The inner top 12 is proportioned to nest in a conical recess 56 in the intermediate body 14 and is provided with a spinning tip 19 which is securely imbedded at the apex of the body 16. In this case the spinning point 19 is iirmly anchored in the body 16 againstY all movement relative thereto. However, the spinning point 19 is provided with an end portion .54 having a conical shape and a maximum diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the opening defined by the inturned ange 43 of `the intermediate top. The end portion S4 is also spaced from the end of the body 16 to .provide an annular recess to receive the liange 43.

The inner end of the body 16 engages the upper surface of the ilange 43 when the -inner top 12 is pressed into the assembled position illustrated in FlGURE 2. The ends of the bodies 13, 14 and 16, are proportioned so that their upper surfaces are substantially aligned when the three tops are in the nested position of VFIGURES 1 and 2.

.provide any .wear reducing slots.

kReferring to FIGURE 3 the cylindrical projection 28 -is formed with two or more axial slots 57 which add' flexibility to the projections 28 and permit resilient radialY deflection so that the-end 44 can pass the ange 29 during assembly of the tops and theuejection or disassembly occurring during the spinning operation. The flange 43 on the body 14 of the intermediate top 11 is formed with a similar pair of `axial slots (not shown) to permit the flange 43 to resilient-ly spread and -allow passage yof theVV end portion 54. This permits repeated assembly and use of the top without producing wear which wouldeliminate .the locking actionof the tops.` Y l The head 35 of-the spinning 4point* 17 has a diameter.;

slightly larger-than the bore 26 but there is suiicient resiliency of the material forming. the body `13 to permit it. to be pressed into the *installed position. ySincethe spinning point 17 is not removed during use, yit is not necessary to Similarly the head 47 is pressedV through the bore 41 and -once the spinning pointl 13 is installed it remains in the installed position. YThe various elementsare proportioned Vhowever so that the spinning points 17 and 18 may move axially relative to their associated bodies 13 and 14 respectively. y

vIn operation the threetops 1t), 11 andlZ, are pressed intothe lassembled position Vof FGURES 1 and 2, andthe rnediatetoplfr and the, lspinning point18 would be eliminated and the proportions arranged so that the inner top 12 would t within the outer top in a manner similar to the manner in which it its Within the illustrated inter- Y mediate top 11.

` bodies each symmetrical about an axis andproportioned for nesting of said inner body Ywithinsaid outer body with said Vaxes co-axial,,nieansincluding a radially deliectable surface on said outer body normally spaced from the axis thereof by a predetermined distance, a spinningpoint on Vsaid innerrbody having a'portion spaced from the axis thereof by a distance greater than said predetermined distance, said portion being positioned belowfsaid-surface when said -bodies are nested 4locking ,saidbodies in said nested position, aspinningypoint onzsaid outer body axially movable relative thereto to an inner position when said outer body is supported and spinning` thereon,-said f meansmain'taining said spinning Ipoint .on said inner. body in alignmentwith said spinning point'on said outer body cord 24 is wound around the outer top 1.6 in the usual' f manner. When the top is pitched it engages the flo'oror other surface upon which the tops are spun. Engagewhile said por-tion is below said deflectable surface, movei ment of said -spinning point to said inner position pressment of the spinning point 17 with the surface-causes the spinning point 17 to move upwardly relative to the bodies 13 andfld. Engagementl Ibetween the lower end of the spinning point 18 and the upper end of the spinning point .17 causes the spinning point 18 to 4rnove upwardly, relative` to the intermedi-ate top :11. .The Vvarious elements are proportioned so that the upper end of the spinning point 18 engages the lower end of the spinning point 19. before the upper vsurfa`ce`52 of the cylindricalportion 51V engages the end of the .body 14. Therefore, the initial portion of Y upward-movement of the spinning point 17,relative to the outer ,top 1), causes the end portion 5ft-fof the spiningsaid portion past said surface ejecting said inner body from said outer body. Y

2. A combinationspinningktop adapted to spin on a 'surfacecornprising a conical outer body, a rst .point element mounted at 'the apex of said outer body .for

y limited axial movement relative thereto, a conical inner body, a second point element mounted on the apex of said Vinner body, said outer and inner bodie-s bcing'forrned ning pointon the -innerrtop 12 to be pressed .past the flange 43 ejecting the inner top yfrom its nested position.

, rately. Therspringaction of the flange 43after the maximum diameter portion of the end passes, causesan'additional separating force as the inner end of theange 43 snaps; back in along the lower cammingsurface of the' end portion 54. Y Y p .v f The elements are proportioned so that the larger section of the Vend portion 54 is past theflangeV 43 before the kend surface 52 engages the -surface].53. 1 Therefore, the inner topk is ejected before the intermediate topf'l'l -.iscaused toi bev pushed up by further upward movement ofthe spinning Y point 17. ,When Ythe twofsurfaces 52 land 531enga'gejt prevents furtherrelative"movement between the spinning point 18 and the intermediate top V11. 1 Further upward movement ofthe spinningpoint 18 relative-tov the outer i toplt causes the intermediate top 11 to Vbe-ejected from,V

. thenested position.` Hereagainfthe-spring action tof the y flangef29-asit passes the maximumdiameter portionof the end 44 of the spinningpoint 18 causesfa snap action` j to assist in theejection of the intermediate top 11.' There- L fore, the intermediatey top y,11. is separately-ejected,from

.the intermediate posit-ionandffalls ltothefloorwherefit l spins individually. Y, The outer top, of cours'ey continues to f spin withrthe `body 13 resting on the Vend 33of the'spinningg4 L 'point17.V j n.

It should be understood that if more than three.; nestedv 1 tops arerto be utilized, a lstruct-ure functionallysirnilar'to Y the intermediate top 1I -.would' be.duplicated'togprovide j the additionaltops. .On therother hand, if .a combination top is provided'having' only two. separable'tops'the inter-V VDuring the pitching of vthe f tops, before .they impact thev Y floor or other similar surface,rthe-three` tops attain spinning rotation so when the inner top 12isejected-:from the assembled position! and falls,rv to the iloor it spins'sepatofnest said inner body within said outer body, said second point .being formedY with an enlarged shoulder spaced from the end ofsaid inner body, said outer body being formed .withva `central recess having aninturned ange. at one end Vdelining an openingy smaller'than said shoulder, said second point'project-inginto saidrecess with said shoulder past said ViiangeY when said bodies are nested, maintaining said second point in alignment with said rst point, said :flange beingresiliently dee'ctable to perm-itv passage of '1 said shouldensa'id rst point engaging -said second point and-pushingsaid shoulder pastsaid flange when said first point moves inward relative to said outerbody in response 50 toengagementwith'said surface.,`

3. fA combinationspinning topadapted to spin `on a surface comprising'a conical outerY body, a'rst point element mounted at thewf-a-pexf-of Ysaid outer bodyfor limited axial'movement-relative thereto,.a conical inner -:'body`, ay second. point elementv mounted. on the apex of said'innerbody5` said outer 'rand inner bodies beingformed to nestsaidinnerfbody'with-infsaid outer body, said second point being formed withan'enlargedshoulderspaced from the end ofsaid inner'body,said outer'lbodybeing formed with ag'central `recess havingf'an'inturnedange at one end defining an opening 'smaller'` Ithan said shoulder, rsaid second point projecting int'orsaid'reces-s with said shoulder past saidflangefwh'en said bodies are nested, maintaining said first'y andsecond `pointjelements in alignment, axial notches iin Asaid flange permitting radial deflection thereof to'permit passage of said shoulder,'sai d irst-pointengag- 'uingsaid second .point andpushing saidrshoul'der past'said *hangen/'hen said first -point moves inward relative to said 'outerbodyin' response tolengagement with said surface.

J4; A-cOrnbination 'spinning topiadapted'to spinon a surface comprisingja conical-outer. body, a rst point `element Ymountepdywat.the apexjofY saidouterr body for limitedV axial inovernent'relative theretofa Vconical inner body, a-second point element mounted. on the" apex of Vrl`sai'dinner body, said outer and inner bodies being formed to nest sa'id'iinnerbody' within said outer body, said second than said shoulder, said second point projecting into said recess with said shoulder past said ange when said bodies are nested, maintaining said rst and second point elements in alignment, said flange being resiliently deflectable to perm-it passage of said shoulder, said rst point engaging said second point and pushing said shoulder past said ange when said rst point moves inward relative to said outer body in yresponse Ito engagement with said surface, engagement of said flange Wit-h said camming face accelerating said second point and inner body out of the nested position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,089,668 3/14 yPrendergast 46-65 2,619,769 12/52 Gallaher 46-65 2,752,726 7/ 5 6 Calverley 46-22 RCHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A MULTIPLE SPINNING TOP COMPRISING INNER AND OUTER BODIES EACH SYMMETRICAL ABOUT AN AXIS AND PROPORTIONED FOR NESTING OF SAID INNER BODY WITHIN SAID OUTER BODY WITH SAID AXES CO-AXIAL, MEANS INCLUDING A RADIALLY DEFLECTABLE SURFACE ON SAID OUTER BODY NORMALLY SPACED FROM THE AXIS THEREOF BY A PREDETERMINED DISTANCE, A SPINNING POINT ON SAID INNER BODY HAVING A PORTION SPACED FROM THE AXIS THEREOF BY A DISTANCE GREATER THAN SAID PREDETERMINED DISTANCE, SAID PORTION BEING POSITIIONED BELOW SAID SURFACE WHEN SAID BODIES ARE NESTED LOCKING SAID BODIES IN SAID NESTED POSITION, A SPINNING POINT ON SAID OUTER BODY AXIALLY MOVABLE RELATIVE THERETO TO AN INNER POSITION WHEN SAID OUTER BODY IS SUPPORTED AND SPINNING THEREON, SAID MEANS MAINTAINING SAID SPINNING POINT ON SAID INNER BODY IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID SPINNING POINT ON SAID OUTER BODY

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