Electric Spinning Toy

Abstract

A spinning device for easy and safe operation, in which the rotation of the device may be activated by simple means, and therefore the device may be suitable for use by children. In addition, the use of a spinning blade may provide special airflow inside the device, which may cause the device to spin substantially as long as power is applied to an electric motor of the device.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] There are many known kinds of spinning toys such as a whipping top. Generally, a whipping top is a device having a wide body and a central axis, with a handle protruding from the upper side of the body and a tip on the lower side of the body. The principle of operation of a whipping top is usually that a user places the tip on a surface and provides an initial rotational momentum to the body by holding the handle and giving it a rotational thrust. Usually the spinning top spins for a short time, and then falls when its rotational momentum is depleted by friction. Often an attempt to operate the top fails, especially when the user is a child, who has less skill and coordination than an adult. Therefore, some of these toys may be difficult for use by little children. There are some known automatic spinning devices which use spring or electric motor to provide the initial rotational momentum to the device. However, these devices may be dangerous for children because of the high-speed rotation of the blades needed in order to rotate these devices, and they will stop rotating after all the energy from the initial momentum is over.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0003] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a spinning device according to some embodiments of the present invention;

[0004] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a spinning device with a casing according to some embodiments of the present invention;

[0005] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a spinning device according to other embodiments of the present invention;

[0006] FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic illustrations of an exemplary direction switch according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0007] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating operation of a direction switch according to some embodiments of the present invention;

[0008] FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic illustrations of another rotation direction switch according to some embodiments of the present invention; and

[0009] FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic illustrations of a cross-section view and an exploded view of a device according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0010] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0011] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

[0012] A spinning device according to embodiments of the present invention may provide an easy and safe device, in which the rotation of the device may be activated by simple means, and therefore the device may be suitable for use by children. In addition, the use of a spinning blade may provide special airflow inside the device, which may cause the device to spin substantially as long as power is applied to an electric motor of the device.

[0013] Reference is made to FIG. 1, which is a schematic illustration of a basic mechanism for a spinning device 100 (external casing not shown) according to some embodiments of the present invention. Device 100 may include a blade 110, a motor 112, a plate 114, an axle 116 and batteries 118. Motor 112 may be connected to plate 114. Batteries 118 may provide power to motor 112, for example, using two batteries, one on each side of the central axis, and affixed on the bottom portion of the top; however, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited in this respect and other power source means, e.g., solar power, are possible. Blade 110 may be connected to motor 112 by axle 116. Motor 112 may rotate blade 110. Blade 110 may produce friction with the ambient air when rotating, which may generate a momentum substantially equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to the momentum of blade 110. This may actuate plate 114, for example, together with motor 112, to spin in an opposite direction to the direction of rotation of blade 110. For example, when blade 110 rotates in the direction of arrows A, plate 114 may rotate in the direction of arrows C, such that the total momentum of blade 110 and plate 114 may be substantially zero. Arrows B illustrates typical air flow in the region of blade 110 when rotating. Air may enter the region of blade 110 from the top and be pushed in a centrifugal direction as result of the rotation of blade 110. Blade 110 when spinning may constitute a safety hazard when uncovered, especially when used in a toy for children. According to embodiments of the present invention, device 100 may be implemented in a casing which may make device 10 safe for use, substantially without disturbing or reducing effectiveness of its operation.

[0014] Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which is a schematic illustration of a spinning device 200 with a casing 220 according to some embodiments of the present invention. The core of device 200 may be similar to device 100 described above with reference to FIG. 1. Device 200 may include a blade 210, a motor 212, a plate 214, an axle 216 and batteries 218, which may operate substantially as described in detail above with reference to FIG. 1. Device 200 may additionally include casing 220, which may provide cover to blade 210 and make device 200 safe for use. As described above with reference to FIG. 1, the principle of operation of device 200 is based on the friction between the spinning blade 210 and the air surrounding device 200. Plate 214 may be connected or integral with casing 220 and may fix motor 212 at the central axis of device 200. Casing 220 may include vent openings 224, for example, in order to enable air circulation from outside the top casing and into contact with blade 210 inside the casing and back out of the casing. Some of openings 224 may be inbound vent openings and/or may be located substantially above blade 210, for example, proximate to a length of blade 210, thus, for example, enabling entrance of air into casing 220 and into the region of blade 210. The rotation of blade 210 may push the air outwards from the region of blade 210 and from casing 220 and therefore may prevent entrance of air into casing 220 from openings located on the sides of blade 210. Some of openings 224 may be outbound vent openings and/or may be located substantially on the sides of blade 210, for example, proximate to an outer width of blade 210, thus, for example, enabling exit of air out of the region of blade 210 and out of casing 220. As described above, rotation of blade 210 produces friction forces between the air surrounding casing 220 and blade 210. Therefore the air surrounding casing 220 may apply to casing 220 moment opposite in direction to the moment of blade 210.

[0015] The spinning of blade 210 influences significantly the air in its close surroundings. Therefore, in order that rotation of blade 210 may influence movement of casing 220, the part of casing 220 that covers blade 210, for example, from plate 214 and above, should be close to blade 210. In some embodiments, the distances between blade 210 and casing 220 may depend on the size of the blade. For example, the distance from the edge of blade 210 and upper part of casing 220 may be less than three times the width of blade 210. In a preferred embodiment, for example, the distance from the edge of blade 210 and upper part of casing 220 may be less than twice the width of blade 210. In another preferred embodiment, the distance from the edge of blade 210 and upper part of casing 220 may be less than the width of blade 210. Similar ratios may be true for the distance between the edge of the blade 210 and the outer circumferential side of casing 220. Thus, for example, the distance from the edge of blade 210 and circumferential part of casing 220 may be less than three times the length of blade 210, for example, measured from the central axis. In a preferred embodiment, for example, the distance from the edge of blade 210 and circumferential part of casing 220 may be less than twice the length of blade 210. In another preferred embodiment, the distance from the edge of blade 210 and circumferential part of casing 220 may be less than the length of blade 210.

[0016] Casing 220 may include a tip 222, which may enable device 200 to rotate on a surface 5 when tip 222 is placed on said surface Casing 220 may also include a fixed handle 228, which may be integral with the casing. Device 200 may be activated, for example, by placing tip 222 on surface 5 and applying a moment to handle 228. In some embodiments, device 200 may include a free handle 230, which may rotate substantially independently from blade 210 and casing 220. Additionally or alternatively, device 200 may include blade handle 232, which may be an extension of axle 216 and integral with blade 210.

[0017] Motor 212 may be activated by switches 226, which may, for example, turn the motor on or off and/or determine the mode of operation of motor 212. Switches 226 may, for example, determine the direction in which the motor should rotate spinning device 200. The determination of the direction may be manual or automatic, for example, based on the direction of rotation of device 200 and/or the initial rotational momentum given to the device by the user. The direction of rotation of device 200 and/or the initial rotational momentum may be sensed by mechanical and/or electrical means as described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7. Additionally or alternatively, a magnetic field sensor which may sense the magnetic field of the Earth may be used for sensing the direction of rotation of spinning device 200. When motor 212 is activated, it may rotate blade 210 in rotational direction, thus causing rotation of casing 220 in an opposite rotational direction, as described above.

[0018] Some embodiments of the present invention enable easy activation of the device, which may not require any special skill or coordination. A user may hold device 200 above surface 5 by free handle 230 and activate motor 212, thus activating rotation of casing 220. Device 200 may then be placed with tip 222 on surface 5 while maintaining the rotation of casing 220. Casing 220 may continue spinning as long as motor 212 is on. Alternatively, a user may hold device 200 above surface 5 by blade handle 232 and activate motor 212. Rotation of blade 210 may be prevented by holding blade handle 232, thus causing motor 212 to rotate around axle 216 together with casing 220. Motor 212 may be connected to casing 220, for example, by plate 214 which may transfer the rotational motion of motor 212 to casing 220.

[0019] Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which is a schematic illustration of a spinning device 300 according to some embodiments of the present invention. Device 300 may include a blade 310, a motor 312, a plate 314, batteries 318, casing 320, tip 322, openings 324, for example, vents on the upper and circumferential parts of casing 320, fixed handle 328 and free handle 330. Device 300 may also include an inertia switch 326. Device 300 may be activated manually by providing initial rotational velocity to fixed handle 328. For example, a user may hold fixed handle 328 and give it a rotational thrust, as in activation of a regular whipping top. Inertia switch 326 may sense the rotational motion and activate motor 312, which may maintain the spinning of device 300. Inertia switch 326 may include a flexible conductive leaf 326a and a contact pin 326b, such that when contact is created between conductive leaf 326a and contact pin 326b, motor 312 may be activated. Conductive leaf 326a may be located against contact pin 326b, in a substantially radial direction from the rotation axis of device 300. When device 300 spins, centrifugal forces may cause leaf 326a to lean outwards radially from the rotation axis, thus, for example, making contact with contact pin 326b.

[0020] Additionally or alternatively, device 300 may include a direction switch 332. Direction switch 332 may sense the initial direction of rotation and actuate motor 312 to spin blade 310 in a corresponding direction to maintain the spinning of device 300 in the initial direction of rotation. Direction switch 332 may include a flexible conductive leaf 332a and contact pins 332b. Contact may be created between conductive leaf 332a and one of contact pins 332b respectively according to the direction of rotation of device 300. The contact may actuate motor 312 to rotate blade 310 in a corresponding direction to maintain the spinning of device 300 in the initial direction of rotation. Conductive leaf 332a may be located between contact pins 332b in a circumferential direction around the rotation axis of device 300. When device 300 spins, the friction with the air may cause leaf 332a to lean in an opposite direction to the direction of rotation of plate 314, thus, for example, making contact with one of contact pins 332b. Since direction switch 332 may sense a direction of rotation, it may also sense the actuality of the rotation. Direction switch 332 may also be used to activate motor 312 when rotation of device 300 is sensed, for example, as an alternative or in addition to inertia switch 326.

[0021] In some embodiments of the present invention, after activation of switch 326 and/or switch 332, a user may hold device 300 in the air by free handle 330, thus, for example, enabling device 300 to acquire spinning speed. When the spinning speed of device 300 is high enough, a user may put tip 322 on a surface and, for example, device 300 may continue spinning on this surface.

[0022] Additionally or alternatively, inertia switch 326 and/or direction switch 332 may be activated manually by an external actuator(s), for example as described below with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

[0023] Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A and 4B, which are schematic illustrations of an exemplary direction switch 400 according to embodiments of the present invention which may be an example of direction switch 332 described above with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 4A illustrates a side projection of switch 400 and FIG. 4B illustrates a three-dimensional view of switch 400. Direction switch 400 may include a flexible conductive leaf 410 attached to a plate 440 to serve as sail, contact pins 412a and 412b and manual switch 416. Direction switch 400 may be placed on a plate 414 similar to plate 314 described in FIG. 3. Conductive leaf 410 may be located between contact pins 412a and 412b along the periphery of plate 414. When plate 414 rotates, for example, together with a spinning device as described above, the friction with the air may cause leaf 410 to lean in an opposite direction to the direction of rotation of plate 414, thus, for example, making contact with contact pin 412a or contact pin 412b respectively. FIG. 4A illustrates three conditions of leaf 410. When plate 414 rests, leaf 410 may be in condition B, where it may be straight and perpendicular to plate 414. When plate 414 rotates, the friction of plate 440 with the surrounding air may bring leaf 410 to condition A or C (notated with dashed lines), according to the direction of rotation of plate 414. In each of conditions A and C leaf 410 may contact one of contact pins 412a or 412b, respectively. In condition A leaf 410 may contact pin 412b and in condition C leaf 410 may contact pin 412a. As described above with reference to FIG. 3, the contact with one of contact pins 412a or 412b may actuate the motor of the spinning device to maintain the spinning of the spinning device in the initial direction of rotation, respectively.

[0024] Switch 400 may also be activated manually by manual actuator 416. Manual switch 416 may be in a rest position which enables leaf 410 to be activated by rotation of plate 414, as described in detail above. Manual actuator 416 may be shifted manually to position X or Y (notated with dashed lines). When shifted to one of the positions X or Y, manual actuator 416 may incline leaf 410 towards one of contact pins 412a or 412b respectively, thus causing contact between leaf 410 and one of contact pins 412a or 412b, respectively.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 4B, each of contact pins 412a or 412b may include two contact legs 432, respectively. Leaf 410 may include two leaf legs 430. When leaf 410 leans towards one of contact pins 412a and 412b, each leaf leg 430 may contact one of contact legs 432, respectively. Leaf legs 430 may be electrically insulated from each other and attached together by plate 440 of insulating material. In each of contact pins 412a and 412b, each contact leg 432 may be connected to a different pole of the power source (for example, batteries 318 shown in FIG. 3). The polarity of contact legs 432 of contact pin 412a may be opposite to the polarity of contact legs 432 of contact pins 412b, such that, for example, the same leaf leg may be connected to the negative pole when leaf 410 is in position A, and to the positive pole when leaf 410 is in position C, or vice versa. This arrangement may enable a double pole switch as described below with reference to FIG. 5.

[0026] Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which is a schematic diagram illustrating operation of a direction switch 500 according to some embodiments of the present invention. Direction switch 500 may be an example of direction switch 400 described above with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B. Direction switch 500 may include leaf 510 including two leaf legs 530a and 530b, and contact legs pairs 512a and 512b, including contact legs 532a, 532b, 532c and 532d respectively. Leaf legs 530a and 530b may connect motor 550 to the power source in one of two opposite polarities, for example, by contacting one of contact legs pairs 512a and 512b, respectively. Motor 550 may spin a blade as described above with reference to FIGS. 1-3. The rotation direction of the blade may correspond to the polarity of the connection of motor 550 to the power source. Contact legs 532a and 532c may be connected to the positive pole of the power source (which may be, for example, batteries 318 shown in FIG. 3) and Contact legs 532b and 532d may be connected to the negative pole of the power source, or vice versa. When leaf 510 contacts pair 512a, leaf leg 530a may contact leg 532a and leaf leg 530b may contact leg 532b, thus, for example, connecting motor 550 to the power source in one polarity. When leaf 510 contacts pair 512b, leaf leg 530a may contact leg 532c and leaf leg 530b may contact leg 532d, thus, for example, connecting motor 550 to the power source in the opposite polarity. Motor 550 may rotate the blade in a direction corresponding to the polarity of the connection to the power source.

[0027] Reference is now made to FIGS. 6A and 6B, which are schematic illustrations of another form of a rotation direction switch actuator 600 which may be used in a spinning device according to some embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 6A illustrates a three-dimensional view of switch actuator 600 and FIG. 6B illustrates a top view of switch actuator 600. Direction switch actuator 600 may include plate 612 with indentation 614, which may be attached and/or integral with handle 610 of the spinning device. Plate 612 may be rotatably connected on a spinning device body 620. a switch 616 may protrude into indentation 614 so that, for example, when plate 612 rotates, the internal margin 615 of indentation 614 may thrust switch 616 to an active position. When in an active position, switch 616 may actuate the motor of the spinning device. In some embodiments, for example, switch 616 may actuate the motor of the spinning device according to the direction of rotation of plate 612. When activating handle 610 to spin the spinning device, for example, providing an initial rotational momentum to handle 610, plate 612 may rotate together with handle 610 and push switch 616 to an active position, thus, for example, activating the motor of the device to keep rotating the device. In some embodiments, switch 616 may actuate motor 616 to rotate the device in the initial rotation direction, for example as described above with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. After the initial actuation, plate 612 and/or handle 610 may be locked to its position on the spinning device body 620, and the spinning device may keep turning due to the momentum provided in the initial actuation and/or the operation of the motor actuated by switch 616.

[0028] Additionally to rotation direction switch actuator 600, the spinning device may include manual switch 618, which may enable a user to preset the motor for spinning in a predefined direction. When activating handle 610, plate 612 may push switch 616 which may actuate the motor to rotate the device, for example, in the direction predefined by switch 618.

[0029] Reference is now made to FIGS. 7A and 7B, which are schematic illustrations of a spinning device 700 according to other embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional schematic illustration of device 700. Device 700 may include a blade 710, a motor 712, a plate 714, batteries 718, a covering 721, a base 720, a tip 722, a switch actuator 740, a switch actuator handle 728, a free handle 730 and openings 724, for example, on the upper and circumferential parts of covering 721. Openings 724 may be similar and/or function similarly to openings 224 and/or 324 shown and described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0030] Device 700 may also include a switch 726 (shown in FIG. 7B), for example, to actuate motor 712 in the manner described below with reference to FIG. 7B. Switch actuator 740 may activate motor 712, for example, to maintain spinning of device 700, for example, by rotating blade 710 as described above with reference to FIGS. 1-3. Device 700 may be activated by giving a rotational thrust to handle 728, for example, in a similar manner to activation of a regular spinning top. As a result, actuator 740 may move in a rotational direction and activate switch 726. Switch 726 may be a direction switch, which may activate motor 712 to maintain spinning of device 700 in the initial direction corresponding to a rotational thrust given to handle 728.

[0031] In some embodiments of the present invention, after activation of switch 726 a user may hold device 700 in the air by free handle 730, thus, for example, enabling device 700 to acquire spinning speed. When the spinning speed of device 700 is high enough, a user may put tip 722 on a surface and, for example, device 700 may continue spinning on this surface.

[0032] FIG. 7B shows exploded and assembled three-dimensional views of spinning device 700. In FIG. 7B free handle 730 and covering 721 are not shown. Switch actuator 740 may include projections 742 which may be used to operation of switch 726. Projection 742 may include indentation 744. When assembled on plate 714, switch 726 may be located in indentation 744 between internal margins 745 of indentation 744. If switch actuator 740 is being turned, for example, by handle 728, one of margins 745 may push switch 726 to an active state, which may activate motor 712.

[0033] In some embodiments, motor 712 may activate device 700 to rotate in a direction corresponding to the direction of a first rotational thrust given to handle 728 and/or actuator 740. Switch 726 may have, for example, at least two active positions, one for clockwise rotation of device 700 and the other for counter clockwise rotation of device 700. When activating handle 728 to turn actuator 740 by, for example, providing an initial rotational momentum to handle 728, one of margins 745 may push switch 726 in a corresponding direction, for example, to an active position which may activate the motor to spin device 700 in clockwise or counterclockwise direction, according to the first rotational thrust given to handle 728.

[0034] While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A device comprising: a body rotatable about an axle in a center of said body, said body having a pointed end; a motor to rotate said axle; at least one blade, said at least one blade connected at an inner width side to said axle so as to rotate with said axle when the axle rotates; and a casing covering said blade, the casing having inbound and outbound vent openings, said inbound vent openings located proximate a length of said at least one blade and said outbound vent openings located proximate an outer width of said at least one blade.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said inbound vent openings are located substantially above said length of said blade when said device is placed on the pointed end, thereby enabling entry of air into said casing at a region of said at least one blade from outside the casing.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said outbound vent openings are located substantially outward from said outer width of said blade relative to said axle, thereby enabling exit of air out of said casing from a region of said at least one blade.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the distance from an edge along the length of the blade to the inbound vent opening is less then twice the greatest width of the blade.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the distance from an edge along the length of the blade to the inbound vent opening is less then the greatest width of the blade.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the distance from an edge along the outer width of the blade to the outbound vent opening is less then twice the length width of the blade.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the distance from an edge along the outer width of the blade to the outbound vent opening is less then the length width of the blade.

8. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a handle integral with the casing, for activating rotation of said device.

9. A device according to claim 8, further comprising a handle rotatable relative to said casing.

10. A device according to claim 8, further comprising a handle integral with the axis of said blade.

11. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a switch to activate said motor.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein said switch is to sense rotational momentum applied to said body and to activate said motor accordingly.

13. A device according to claim 12, wherein said switch is to activate said motor to rotate the blade in a corresponding direction to maintain the spinning of the body in the direction of the sensed rotational momentum.

14. A device according to claim 12, wherein said switch comprising a manual actuator enabling a user to activate said motor.

15. A device according to claim 12, wherein said switch comprising a manual actuator enabling a user to predefine the direction in which said motor rotates said blade.

16. A device according to claim 12, wherein said switch comprising a magnetic field sensor to sense the magnetic field of the Earth, said switch is to determine the direction of rotation of the device according to the sensed magnetic field, and to activate the motor to rotate blade in a corresponding direction to maintain rotation of the device in the sensed direction of rotation.

17. A device comprising: a rotatable body; a motor to rotate said body; and a switch comprising a flexible conductive leaf and at least one contact pin, the flexible leaf to contact said at least one contact pin when rotational momentum applied to said body, the contact activates said motor.

18. A device according to claim 17, wherein said flexible conductive leaf is to lean outwards radially from the rotation axis when rotational momentum applied to said body.

19. A device according to claim 17, wherein said at least one contact pin comprises two contact pins, each of the pins is placed in other side of the leaf, and wherein said flexible conductive leaf is to lean in an opposite direction to the direction of the rotational momentum to contact one of said contact pins which is placed in a corresponding side to the direction of leaning.

20. A device according to claim 19, wherein said switch is further to sense the direction of the rotational momentum and to activate said motor according to said direction.

21. A device according to claim 20, wherein said switch activates said motor to maintain the rotation of the body in the sensed direction of rotational momentum.

22. A device comprising: a rotatable body; a handle to initially actuate rotation of said body; a motor; a switch to activate said motor when said switch is in active position; and a switch actuator integral with said handle, said switch being located in an indentation in said activator, wherein said switch is to be pushed to an active position by an internal margin of said indentation when said switch actuator turns rotationally.

23. A device according to claim 22, wherein said actuator comprises a plate integral with said handle, the plate being rotatably connected on the device body, wherein said switch is to be pushed to an active position when the plate rotates, and wherein after the initial activation, the plate is locked to its position on the device body.

24. A device according to claim 22, wherein said switch is to actuate said motor to maintain rotation of the body in the direction corresponding to the initial rotation direction of said actuator.