U.S. patent application number 10/059257 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-01 for toy gyroscope.
This patent application is currently assigned to Geobra Brandstatter GmbH & Co. KG. Invention is credited to Fleisch, Walter, Reuter, Uwe.
Application Number | 20020102906 10/059257 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7672486 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020102906 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fleisch, Walter ; et
al. |
August 1, 2002 |
Toy gyroscope
Abstract
A toy gyroscope comprises a casing; a toy object which is
rotatably mounted in the casing; and an unbalanced driving element
which is rotatably mounted in the casing; wherein a free wheel
transmission is provided between the unbalanced driving element and
the toy object, having a direction of rotary actuation.
Inventors: |
Fleisch, Walter; (Zirndorf,
DE) ; Reuter, Uwe; (Erlangen, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROWDY AND NEIMARK, P.L.L.C.
624 NINTH STREET, NW
SUITE 300
WASHINGTON
DC
20001-5303
US
|
Assignee: |
Geobra Brandstatter GmbH & Co.
KG
Zirndorf
DE
|
Family ID: |
7672486 |
Appl. No.: |
10/059257 |
Filed: |
January 31, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/233 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 1/06 20130101; A63H
1/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/233 |
International
Class: |
A63H 001/00; A63H
001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 31, 2001 |
DE |
101 04 521.2 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A toy gyroscope comprising a casing (4); a toy object (11) which
is rotatably mounted in the casing (4); and an unbalanced driving
element (8) which is rotatably mounted in the casing (4); wherein a
first free-wheel transmission (15) is provided between the
unbalanced driving element (8) and the toy object (11), having a
direction of rotary actuation (21).
2. A toy gyroscope according to claim 1, wherein a counterpart
driving element (9) is provided, which is rotatably mounted and
which is connected to the unbalanced driving element (8) such that
it rotates in the opposite direction thereof.
3. A toy gyroscope according to claim 2, wherein, between the
counterpart driving element (9) and the toy object (11), a second
free-wheel transmission (18) is provided, having the same direction
of rotary actuation (21).
4. A toy gyroscope according to claim 1, wherein the moment of
inertia of the unbalanced driving element (8) exceeds the moment of
inertia of the toy object (11).
5. A toy gyroscope according to claim 2, wherein the unbalanced
driving element (8) and the counterpart driving element (9) are
connected to each other by a planet wheel connection (10).
6. A toy gyroscope according to claim 2, wherein the unbalanced
driving element (8) and the counterpart driving element (9) are
connected to each other such that, upon complete rotation of the
unbalanced driving element (8), the counterpart driving element (9)
makes a complete rotation in the opposite direction.
7. A toy gyroscope according to claim 2, wherein the toy object
(11) and the unbalanced driving element (8) are mounted for
rotation about a joint axis of rotation (5).
8. A toy gyroscope according to claim 7, wherein the counterpart
driving element (9) is mounted for rotation about the same axis of
rotation (5).
9. A toy gyroscope according to claim 1, wherein the casing (4) has
a casing bottom (2) which is substantially convex.
10. A toy gyroscope according to claim 1, wherein the first free
wheel transmission (15) has a gear ring (16) which is connected to
the toy object (11) and cooperates with a pawl (17) that is joined
to the unbalanced driving element (8).
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a toy gyroscope.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] In conventional toy gyroscopes, provision is made for a
rotatably mounted toy object, to which torque action must be
applied externally. In classical gyroscopes, use is made of a
whipcord. Optionally, a threaded rod may be provided, the linear
displacement of which is transferred into rotary motion of the
gyroscope. All these gyroscopes have in common that they are not
suitable for toddlers whose motor activities are not yet fully
developed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is an object of the invention to embody a toy gyroscope
that may be handled in as simple a manner as possible.
[0006] This object is attained in a toy gyroscope comprising a
casing; a toy object which is rotatably mounted in the casing; and
an unbalanced driving element which is rotatably mounted in the
casing; wherein a first free-wheel transmission is provided between
the unbalanced driving element and the toy object, having a
direction of rotary actuation. The gist of the invention resides in
that a rotatably mounted unbalanced driving element and a rotatably
mounted toy object are provided in a casing. They are both
connected to each other by a free-wheel transmission so that after
a motion of the unbalanced driving element and after its coming to
rest, the toy object continues to move.
[0007] Further features and details of the invention will become
apparent from the ensuing description of an exemplary embodiment,
taken in conjunction with the drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0008] FIG. 1 is a lateral view of a toy gyroscope according to the
invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the toy gyroscope
according to FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a pawl; and
[0011] FIG. 4 is an illustration of an unbalanced driving
element.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0012] A toy gyroscope 1 includes a casing 4, which consists of a
casing bottom 2 and a transparent casing lid 3. The casing bottom 2
bulges outwards, i.e., it is convex. In the casing 4, provision is
made for a shaft 6 which extends centrally and vertically in
symmetry to an axis of rotation 5 and which is mounted on, and
fixed to, the casing bottom 2 in a centered base 7 which forms one
piece therewith. The shaft 6 runs from the casing bottom 2 over
approximately half the height of the casing 4. Rotatably mounted on
the shaft 6 is an unbalanced driving element 8, above which a
counterpart driving element 9 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 6
and is connected to the unbalanced driving element 8 by way of a
planet wheel connection 10.
[0013] Above the counterpart driving element 9, a toy object 11 is
rotatably mounted on the shaft 6, having a support plate 12 as well
as a figurine carrier 13 which is centered thereon and fixed
thereto. Several figurines 14--four in the example--are fixed to
the figurine carrier 13. Between the support plate 12 and the
unbalanced driving element 8, there is a first free-wheel
transmission 15, which comprises a gear ring 16 forming one piece
with the support plate 12 and a pawl 17, which is pivotably
connected to the unbalanced driving element 8 and which can be
engaged with the gear ring 16. Between the support plate 12 and the
counterpart driving element 9, there is a second free-wheel
transmission 18, which is formed by a gear ring 19, which is one
piece with the support plate 12, and by a pawl 20, which is
pivotably connected to the counterpart driving element 9, it being
possible to engage the pawl 20 with the gear ring 19. The
free-wheel transmissions 15 and 18 have a common direction of
rotary actuation 21, i.e., the toy object 11 will always be
actuated in the direction 21.
[0014] The unbalanced driving element 8 has a radial arm 22 with a
drilled hole 23 provided at one end thereof; the shaft 6 is housed
in the hole 23. Provided on the outer end of the arm 22 is an
upwardly open pocket 24, in which an unbalance weight 25, in
particular of heavy metal such as lead, is fixed by a locking
projection 26 which is provided on the upper edge of the pocket 24.
Provided on the wall 27, turned towards the shaft 6, of the pocket
24 is a pin 28 which stands out radially inwards and which
centrally comprises a longitudinal slit 29 and a locking edge 30
projecting on its free end. A pawl 17 is locked into place on the
pin 28 so that it is pivotable about the pin 28. To this end, the
pawl 17 has a drilled hole 31 which houses the pin 28. Provided on
one end of the pawl 17 is a rib 32, which projects upwards and
which is defined by a steeply descending flank 33 and a flatly
descending flank 34. Provided on the other side of the drilled hole
23 are two stop elements 35 which stand out upwards and downwards
from the per se flat pawl 17. Provided in the lower portion of the
wall 27 is a recess 36, in which the stop element is pivotable. The
recess 36 defines the pivotability of the pawl 17 between a
vertical position of the flank 33 on the one hand and a second
position pivoted by approximately 45.degree. in relation
thereto.
[0015] Between the hole 23 and the pocket 24, another drilled hole
37 of greater diameter is provided in the arm 22, extending
parallel to the hole 23. Mounted in the hole 37 is a vertical
pinion shaft 38, to the upper end of which is fixed a first
planetary gearwheel and to the lower end a second planetary
gearwheel 40. The shaft 38 is rotatably run in the hole 37.
Provided on the outside of the base 7 is a gear ring 41, which
forms one piece therewith and which engages with the gearwheel 40.
In a preferred embodiment, the moment of inertia of the unbalanced
driving element 8 exceeds the moment of inertia of the toy object
11.
[0016] The counterpart driving element 9 comprises an arm 42, on
one end of which is provided a bearing sleeve 43, having a centered
hole 44 with the shaft 6 run therein. At the opposite end of the
arm 42, provision is made for a support 45, which is perpendicular
to the arm 42 and projects downwards and on the outer end of which
a pin 46 is provided, extending radially outwards. The design of
the pin 46 corresponds to the design of the pin 28. The pawl 20,
which is placed on the pin 46, corresponds in design to the pawl
17. A corresponding recess 36 is provided in the support 45. The
flanks 33 of the pawls 17 and 20 are oriented in the same
direction. The lower portion of the bearing sleeve 43 is enclosed
by a gear ring 47, which engages with the gearwheel 39. The
reference diameter of the gear ring 41 amounts to 24 mm in an
example. The reference diameter of the gearwheel 40 is 12 mm in an
example. The ratio of the reference diameter of the gear ring 41 to
that of the gearwheel 40 is in the amount of 2:1. The reference
diameter of the gear ring 47 as well as the reference diameter of
the gear wheel 39 are 18 mm in an example. The ratio of the
reference diameter of the gear ring 47 to that of the gearwheel 39
is 1:1.
[0017] The gear rings 16 and 19 of the support plate 12 have dents
48, which are defined each by a steeply descending flank 49 and a
flatly descending flank 50. The flank 49 is engageable with the
flank 33 of the pawls 17 or 20. Centrally, the support plate 12 has
a bearing bush 51, which projects upwards and is closed at the top
and in which the shaft 6 is run for rotation. A ball 54 is arranged
between the inner upper end 52 of the bearing bush 51 and the upper
end 53 of the shaft 6, constituting a ball bearing and thus
reducing the friction between the support plate 12 and the shaft 6.
The figurine carrier 13, which tapers upwards conically, is fixed
by way of locking arms 55 which are provided at its lower end,
engaging with corresponding locking recesses 56 in the support
plate 12 and locking into place therein. At the upper end, the
figurine carrier 13 has a centered impression 57, with which
engages a pin 58 that projects downwards from the inside of the lid
3, forming another bearing for stabilization of the toy object 11.
The figurine carrier 13 has four lugs 59, which project radially
outwards and which, on their free ends, have in each case two
projections 60 that are oriented approximately in the
circumferential direction. The figurines 14 have apertures at the
end of their arms 61, these apertures being engageable with the
projections 60. Correspondingly, projections 63 are provided in the
support plate 12 underneath the feet 62 of the figurines 14,
engaging with corresponding recesses in the feet 62. In this way,
four figurines 14 can be connected to the figurine carrier 13 on
the support plate 12, each looking into a different direction.
[0018] In the marginal area of the casing bottom 2, provision is
made for an annular space 66, which is defined by an internal wall
64 and an external wall 65 and upwardly by a corresponding shoulder
67 of the lid 3. In the annular space 66, provision is made for an
annular intermediate rib 68 between the internal wall 64 and the
external wall 65. Balls 69 are freely rotatable and movable in the
annular space 66.
[0019] The following is an explanation of how the toy gyroscope 1
functions. If someone who plays with the gyroscope 1 gives it a
push, tilting it to the left in FIG. 2, the unbalanced driving
element 8 will pivot either in the direction of rotary actuation 21
or counter to the direction of rotary actuation 21 to the left in
FIG. 2, possibly even transgressing the lowest point of the motion
which is then on the left. If the unbalanced driving element 8 is
pivoted in the direction 21, then the flank 33 of the pawl 17
engages with the flank 49 of a dent 48 of the gear ring 16 so that
the support plate 12 is accelerated in the direction 21. As a
result of the unbalanced driving element 8 being pivoted, the
gearwheel 40 is moved on the gear ring 41, thereby rotating the
gearwheel 39, which again causes an opposite motion of rotation of
the gear ring 47 together with the counterpart driving element 9.
The transmission ratios of the planet wheel connection are selected
such that a rotation by 360.degree. of the unbalanced driving
element 8 will occasion the counterpart driving element 9 to be
pivoted by 360.degree. in the opposite direction. Consequently, the
counterpart driving element 9 is pivoted counter to the direction
21 so that the free-wheel transmission 18 clears for free running.
As soon as the unbalanced driving element 8 comes to rest and the
toy object 11 tends to continue rotating due to momentum
conservation, the free-wheel transmission is cleared for free
running.
[0020] If the unbalanced driving element 8 moves counter to the
direction 21 from the right half seen in FIG. 2 to the left half,
the free-wheel transmission 15 clears so that there is no driving
connection between the pawl 17 and the gear ring 16. As outlined
above, the motion of the unbalanced driving element 8 counter to
the direction 21 leads to an opposite motion of the counterpart
driving element 9 in the direction 21. During this motion, the pawl
20 gets into engagement with the gear ring 19 so that the toy
object 11 is driven in the direction 21 in this case too. As soon
as the unbalanced driving element 8 has reached its position of
rest, the toy object 11, in this case too, continues rotating due
to momentum conservation and nearly frictionless mounting, because
both free-wheel transmissions 15 and 18 are cleared for free
running. Consequently, whenever the gyroscope 1 is simply given a
random push, this will always result in the toy object 11 rotating
in the direction 21. Any tilting motion of the casing 4, regardless
of the direction of tilting, leads to accelerated rotation of the
toy object I1 so that the gyroscope 1 is also suitable for
toddlers; handling a conventional gyroscope would be too
complicated for them. The balls 69 disposed in the annular space 66
may be multicolored, which augments the toy effect, because they
move even upon slightest pushes, rousing the interest of the
playing child. Another advantage of the gyroscope 1 resides in that
there is no access from outside that is necessary in conventional
gyroscopes for the rotary motion to be applied. In this way, the
casing 4 can be closed waterproof so that the gyroscope 1 may also
be used in the bath.
* * * * *