U.S. patent application number 12/926184 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-21 for spinner for toy top.
This patent application is currently assigned to TOMY COMPANY, LTD.. Invention is credited to Takeaki Maeda, Haruhisa Ujita.
Application Number | 20110177750 12/926184 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42824834 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110177750 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ujita; Haruhisa ; et
al. |
July 21, 2011 |
Spinner for toy top
Abstract
A spinner capable of imparting clockwise and counterclockwise
rotation to a toy top by pulling a string. The spinner includes a
spinner body, a first gear with string wound therearound, a second
gear meshing with the first gear, and first and second toy top
holders that rotate interlockingly with the second gear. The string
has one end attached to the first gear and the other end can be
pulled from the outside. The holders each include a portion for
holding the toy top. The holding portions protrude from upper and
lower surfaces of the spinner body, respectively. The holders are
adapted to rotate the toy top clockwise and counterclockwise
according to rotation of the second gear by pulling the string.
Inventors: |
Ujita; Haruhisa; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Maeda; Takeaki; (Tokyo, JP) |
Assignee: |
TOMY COMPANY, LTD.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
42824834 |
Appl. No.: |
12/926184 |
Filed: |
October 29, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/263 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 1/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/263 |
International
Class: |
A63H 1/08 20060101
A63H001/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 15, 2010 |
JP |
2010-228 |
Claims
1. A spinner for a toy top that imparts rotation to the toy top and
launches the toy top, comprising: a spinner body, wherein the
spinner body includes a first gear formed so as to have a string
wound therearound, a second gear meshing with the first gear, and a
first toy top holder and a second toy top holder that rotate
interlockingly with the second gear, the string has one end thereof
attached to the first gear and the other end thereof extending to
the outside of the spinner body so that the other end thereof can
be subjected to a pulling operation from the outside, the first and
second toy top holders each include a holding portion for holding
the toy top, the holding portion of the first toy top holder and
the holding portion of the second toy top holder protrude outside
from opposite surfaces of the spinner body, respectively, and the
first toy top holder is adapted to rotate the toy top in a
clockwise direction according to rotation of the second gear by a
pulling operation of the string and the second toy top holder is
adapted to rotate the toy top in a counterclockwise direction
according to rotation of the second gear by a pulling operation of
the string.
2. The spinner according to claim 1, wherein the spinner body is
formed such that an appearance thereof on a side on which the first
toy top holder is disposed and an appearance thereof on a side on
which the second toy top holder is disposed are substantially
identical in design.
3. The spinner according to claim 1, further comprising a cap
member for selectively covering the holding portion of one of the
first and second toy top holders, wherein the opposite surfaces of
the spinner body are an upper surface and a lower surface of the
spinner body, each provided with a mounting portion for mounting
the cap member thereto, and the spinner body has a ratchet disposed
therein for preventing rotation of the second gear, wherein when
the cap member is mounted to the mounting portion of either of the
upper surface and the lower surface of the spinner body, prevention
of the rotation of the second gear by the ratchet is released.
4. The spinner according to claim 2, further comprising a cap
member for selectively covering the holding portion of one of the
first and second toy top holders, wherein the opposite surfaces of
the spinner body are an upper surface and a lower surface of the
spinner body, each provided with a mounting portion for mounting
the cap member thereto, and the spinner body has a ratchet disposed
therein for preventing rotation of the second gear, wherein when
the cap member is mounted to the mounting portion of either of the
upper surface and the lower surface of the spinner body, prevention
of the rotation of the second gear by the ratchet is released.
5. The spinner according to claim 1, wherein the spinner body has
an urging member disposed therein for urging the first gear in a
direction of taking up the string.
6. The spinner according to claim 2, wherein the spinner body has
an urging member disposed therein for urging the first gear in a
direction of taking up the string.
7. The spinner according to claim 3, wherein the spinner body has
an urging member disposed therein for urging the first gear in a
direction of taking up the string.
8. The spinner according to claim 1, wherein the spinner body has
clutches disposed between the second gear and the first toy top
holder and between the second gear and the second toy top holder,
respectively.
9. The spinner according to claim 2, wherein the spinner body has
clutches disposed between the second gear and the first toy top
holder and between the second gear and the second toy top holder,
respectively.
10. The spinner according to claim 3, wherein the spinner body has
clutches disposed between the second gear and the first toy top
holder and between the second gear and the second toy top holder,
respectively.
11. The spinner according to claim 5, wherein the spinner body has
clutches disposed between the second gear and the first toy top
holder and between the second gear and the second toy top holder,
respectively.
12. The spinner according to claim 3, wherein the spinner body
includes an upper casing and a lower casing, the ratchet is
pivotally arranged in the vicinity of the second gear and includes
an arm and a pawl disengageably engaging with the second gear, the
cap member is formed in a cup shape and has at a lower end thereof
engaging plates protruding downward, and the mounting portions
include arcuate openings formed respectively in the upper casing
and lower casing, into which openings the engaging plates of the
cap member are inserted, one of the openings of each of the upper
and lower casings being disposed at a position corresponding to the
arm of the ratchet, wherein when the engaging plates of the cap
member are inserted in the openings and the cap member is turned,
one of the engaging plates of the cap member engages with the arm
of the ratchet and pushes away the arm, so that the pawl of the
ratchet is disengaged from the second gear, resulting in the
prevention of rotation of the second gear being released.
13. The spinner according to claim 12, wherein each of the engaging
plates of the cap member has a thick portion at a distal end
thereof, the arcuate openings are each provided at a part thereof
with an engaging portion having a narrow opening width, and the cap
member is fixed to the spinner body by engagement of the thick
portions of the engaging plates with the engaging portions of the
openings.
14. A spinner for a toy top, comprising: a spinner body including a
first gear, a second gear meshing with the first gear, and a first
toy top holder and a second toy top holder that rotate with the
second gear, a string having one end thereof attached to the first
gear and another end thereof to be pulled from the outside, the
first and second toy top holders each protruding outside from
opposite surfaces of the spinner body, respectively, and the first
toy top holder rotates the toy top in a clockwise direction, when
the second gear is rotated by pulling the string, and the second
toy top holder rotates the toy top in a counterclockwise direction
when the second gear is rotated by pulling the string.
15. The spinner according to claim 14, wherein an appearance of the
spinner body on the surface from which the first toy top holder
protrudes and an appearance of the spinner body from the surface on
which the second toy top holder protrudes are substantially
identical.
16. The spinner according to claim 14, further comprising a cap
member for covering one of the first and second toy top holders,
wherein each of the opposite surfaces of the spinner body includes
a mounting portion for mounting the cap member thereto, and the
spinner body includes a ratchet for preventing rotation of the
second gear, wherein, when the cap member is mounted to either
mounting portion, prevention of the rotation of the second gear by
the ratchet is released.
17. The spinner according to claim 14, wherein the spinner body has
a member for urging the first gear to take up the string.
18. The spinner according to claim 14, wherein the spinner body has
a clutch disposed between the second gear and the first toy top
holder, and a clutch between the second gear and the second toy top
holder, respectively.
19. The spinner according to claim 16, wherein the ratchet includes
an arm and a pawl disengageably engaging with the second gear, the
cap member has protruding engaging plates, and the mounting
portions include arcuate openings into which the engaging plates
are inserted, one of the openings being disposed at a position
corresponding to the arm of the ratchet, wherein when the engaging
plates of the cap member are inserted in the openings and the cap
member is turned, one of the engaging plates of the cap member
pushes the arm of the ratchet, so that the pawl of the ratchet is
disengaged from the second gear, resulting in the prevention of
rotation of the second gear being released.
20. The spinner according to claim 19, wherein each of the engaging
plates has a thick portion at a distal end thereof, the arcuate
openings are each provided with an engaging portion having a narrow
opening width, and the cap member is fixed to the spinner body by
engagement of the thick portions of the engaging plates with the
engaging portions of the openings.
21. A spinner for a toy top, comprising: a spinner body, including
a first gear, a second gear meshing with the first gear, and a
first toy top holder and a second toy top holder that rotate with
the second gear, a string having one end thereof attached to the
first gear and another end thereof to be pulled from the outside,
the first and second toy top holders each protruding outside from
opposite surfaces of the spinner body, respectively, and the first
toy top holder rotates the toy top in a clockwise direction, when
the second gear is rotated by pulling the string, and the second
toy top holder rotates the toy top in a counterclockwise direction
when the second gear is rotated by pulling the string, wherein an
appearance of the spinner body on the surface from which the first
toy top holder protrudes and an appearance of the spinner body on
the surface from which the second toy top holder protrudes are
substantially identical; and a cap member for covering one of the
first and second toy top holders.
22. The spinner according to claim 21, wherein: each of the
opposite surfaces of the spinner body includes a mounting portion
for mounting the cap member thereto, and the spinner body includes
a ratchet for preventing rotation of the second gear, wherein, when
the cap member is mounted to either mounting portion, prevention of
the rotation of the second gear by the ratchet is released.
23. The spinner according to claim 21, wherein the spinner body has
a member for urging the first gear to take up the string.
24. The spinner according to claim 21, wherein the spinner body has
a clutch disposed between the second gear and the first toy top
holder, and a clutch between the second gear and the second toy top
holder, respectively.
25. The spinner according to claim 22, wherein the ratchet includes
an arm and a pawl disengageably engaging with the second gear, the
cap member protruding engaging plates, and the mounting portions
include arcuate openings into which the engaging plates are
inserted, one of the openings being disposed at a position
corresponding to the arm of the ratchet, wherein when the engaging
plates of the cap member are inserted in the openings and the cap
member is turned, one of the engaging plates of the cap member
pushes the arm of the ratchet, so that the pawl of the ratchet is
disengaged from the second gear, resulting in the prevention of
rotation of the second gear being released.
26. The spinner according to claim 25, wherein each of the engaging
plates has a thick portion at a distal end thereof, the arcuate
openings are each provided with an engaging portion having a narrow
opening width, and the cap member is fixed to the spinner body by
engagement of the thick portions of the engaging plates with the
engaging portions of the openings.
27. The spinner according to claim 21, wherein the string cannot be
pulled out, unless the cap member is mounted on one of the first
and second toy top holders.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section
119 of Japanese Utility Model Application No. 2010-228, filed Jan.
15, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety
into this application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a spinner for a toy top
that imparts rotation to the toy top and launches it, and more
particularly to a spinner for a toy top that is capable of
launching the toy top while rotating it in either a clockwise or a
counterclockwise direction.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Conventionally, a spinner for a toy top has been proposed
which enables a user to freely select either a clockwise rotation
direction of the toy top or a counterclockwise direction and
launches the toy top while rotating it in the one selected
direction (see Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3098449).
This spinner is provided in the inside of a spinner body thereof
with a rotator and a pinion gear operatively coupled with the
rotator. The rotator has a toy top mounting member formed on a
lower portion thereof to protrude downward from the spinner body.
The spinner body has two insertion passages formed therein for
insertion of a rack belt therein and removal of the rack belt
therefrom, which insertion passages are formed in parallel on both
sides across the pinion gear so as to engage the rack belt with the
pinion gear when the rack belt is inserted in either of the
insertion passages. The rotation direction of the toy top can be
selected depending on which of the two insertion passages the rack
belt is to be inserted in.
[0006] Also, a spinner for a toy top capable of launching the toy
top without the need to insert a rack belt each time has been
proposed (see Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3142475).
This spinner includes a first gear having a string wound
therearound and engaged with a second gear, and a toy top holder
that rotates with the second gear. One end of the string is
attached to the first gear and the other is extended to the outside
of a spinner body, so that when the string is pulled from outside,
the toy top holder is rotated via the first gear and the second
gear, to thereby impart rotation to the toy top held by the toy top
holder.
[0007] In the former conventional spinner, when the rotation
direction of the toy top is selected, the direction can be selected
depending on which one of the insertion passages of the spinner the
rack belt is to be inserted in. However, since which insertion
passage the rack belt is inserted in may be seen by an opponent,
the opponent can possibly determine the rotation direction of the
toy top, i.e. clockwise or counterclockwise. On the other hand, in
the latter conventional spinner, although the spinner can launch a
toy top by a pulling operation of the string even without inserting
a rack belt each time, the spinner can rotate the toy top only in
one direction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In view of the above problems of the conventional spinners,
the present invention has been made. Accordingly, it is an object
of the present invention to provide a spinner for a toy top capable
of, when the toy top is launched, imparting to a toy top rotation
in different directions, clockwise and counterclockwise directions,
with the same operation of pulling a string, without requiring a
selection of an insertion passage in which a rack belt is to be
inserted depending on whether the rotation direction of the toy top
is set in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
[0009] In order to solve the above problems, according to the
present invention, there is provided a spinner for a toy top that
imparts rotation to the toy top and launches the toy top. The
spinner includes a spinner body, wherein the spinner body includes
a first gear formed so as to have a string wound therearound, a
second gear meshing with the first gear, and a first toy top holder
and a second toy top holder that rotate interlockingly with the
second gear, the string has one end thereof attached to the first
gear and the other end thereof extending to the outside of the
spinner body so that the other end thereof can be subjected to a
pulling operation from the outside, the first and second toy top
holders each include a holding portion for holding the toy top, the
holding portion of the first toy top holder and the holding portion
of the second toy top holder protrude outside from opposite
surfaces of the spinner body, respectively, and the first toy top
holder is adapted to rotate the toy top in a clockwise direction
according to rotation of the second gear by a pulling operation of
the string and the second toy top holder is adapted to rotate the
toy top in a counterclockwise direction according to rotation of
the second gear by a pulling operation of the string.
[0010] The spinner body may be formed such that an appearance
thereof on a side on which the first toy top holder is disposed and
an appearance thereof on a side on which the second toy top holder
is disposed are substantially identical in design.
[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the spinner
further includes a cap member for selectively covering the holding
portion of one of the first and second toy top holders, wherein the
opposite surfaces of the spinner body are an upper surface and a
lower surface of the spinner body, each provided with a mounting
portion for mounting the cap member thereto, and the spinner body
has a ratchet disposed therein for preventing rotation of the
second gear, wherein when the cap member is mounted to the mounting
portion of either of the upper surface and the lower surface of the
spinner body, prevention of the rotation of the second gear by the
ratchet is released.
[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, the spinner body
has an urging member disposed therein for urging the first gear in
a direction of taking up the string, so that the pulled string may
be automatically rewound.
[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the spinner body
has clutches disposed between the second gear and the first toy top
holder and between the second gear and the second toy top holder,
respectively, so that an external force applied onto the first or
second toy top holder can be prevented from being exerted onto the
second gear.
[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, the spinner body
includes an upper casing and a lower casing, a ratchet is pivotally
arranged in the vicinity of the second gear and includes an arm and
a pawl disengageably engaging with the second gear, the cap member
is formed in a cup shape and has at a lower end thereof engaging
plates protruding downward, and the mounting portions include
arcuate openings formed respectively in the upper casing and lower
casing, into which openings the engaging plates of the cap member
are inserted, one of the openings of each of the upper and lower
casings being disposed at a position corresponding to the arm of
the ratchet, wherein when the engaging plates of the cap member are
inserted in the openings and the cap member is turned, one of the
engaging plates of the cap member engages with the arm of the
ratchet and pushes away the arm, so that the pawl of the ratchet is
disengaged from the second gear, resulting in the prevention of
rotation of the second gear being released.
[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, each of the
engaging plates of the cap member has a thick portion at a distal
end thereof, the arcuate openings are each provided at a part
thereof with an engaging portion having a narrow opening width, and
the cap member is fixed to the spinner body by engagement of the
thick portions of the engaging plates with the engaging portions of
the openings.
[0016] According to the present invention, the rotation direction
of the toy top can be selected by merely selecting the first toy
top holder or the second toy top holder to hold the toy top.
Therefore, rotation in different directions can be imparted to the
toy top by the same operation of simply pulling the string.
[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
spinner body has an appearance on the side from which the first toy
top holder protrudes and an appearance on the side from which the
second toy top holder protrudes, which are formed substantially
identical to each other in design.
[0018] Therefore, it is extremely difficult for an opponent to
judge, from the outer appearance of the spinner body, which toy top
holder of the spinner body the toy top is held by, whereby one can
advantageously conduct a match with the opponent.
[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, with
the cap member being mounted on the spinner body, one of the toy
top holders that does not have the toy top held thereon is not
exposed, thereby positively preventing troubles, such as injury due
to a contact with the toy top holder at the time of imparting
rotation to the toy top.
[0020] Furthermore, unless the cap member is mounted, the second
gear cannot rotate and the first gear engaging with the second gear
cannot rotate either, so that the string cannot be pulled,
resulting in a very safe spinner for a toy top being achieved.
[0021] According to one embodiment of the present invention, since
the urging member urging the first gear in a direction of taking up
the string is linked to the first gear, the string pulled out by
pulling is automatically rewound, thereby avoiding the
inconvenience of having to rewind by hand each time.
[0022] According to one embodiment of the present invention, even
in the case where an undue force is applied to the toy top holder
when the toy top is held by the first or second toy top holder, the
first or second clutch can fend off the force, so that no load is
imposed onto the second gear and other components that are
mechanically connected to the second gear directly or indirectly,
resulting in an occurrence of failure being prevented.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of a
spinner for a toy top according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the
internal structure of a spinner body incorporated in the
spinner;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of a toy top;
[0026] FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are a side view, a bottom view and a
plan view of the spinner body, respectively;
[0027] FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a state where engaging
plates of a cap member are inserted in openings of an upper casing
of the spinner body so as to mount the cap member thereon, FIG. 5B
is a diagram illustrating a state where a string is pulled while
the cap member is mounted on the upper casing of the spinner body
and locking of a ratchet is released, and FIG. 5C is a diagram
illustrating a state where the string is pulled while the cap
member is mounted on a lower casing and locking of the ratchet is
released, respectively;
[0028] FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views illustrating states
before and after the cap member is mounted on the spinner body,
respectively; and
[0029] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a state of pulling
the string and launching the toy top.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a spinner A for a toy
top according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2
is an exploded perspective view illustrating the internal structure
of the spinner A. The spinner A includes a spinner body 1 and is so
constructed that the spinner A can impart rotation to a toy top B
held on a first toy top holder 5 or a second toy top holder 6 and
launch it by pulling a handle 2 disposed on the front side of the
spinner body 1.
[0031] The spinner body 1 includes a lower casing 1a and an upper
casing 1b and is formed in such a flat box shape that an appearance
of the spinner body 1 on the bottom surface side and an appearance
thereof on the top surface side are substantially identical in
design. The spinner body 1 is provided at the inside thereof with a
first gear 3 rotated via a string 7 by a pulling operation of the
handle 2 and a second gear 4 meshing with the first gear 3 to be
interlockedly rotated with the first gear 3. The spinner body 1
also includes two toy top holders, or the first toy top holder 5
and the second toy top holder 6, which are disposed so as to be
vertically symmetrical about the second gear 4 and to be
interlockedly rotated with the second gear 4.
[0032] The first gear 3 has a drum 8 integrally formed on the upper
surface thereof, which drum has one end of the string 7 fixed
thereto and has the string 7 wound therearound. A cover 9 is
disposed on the upper end of the drum 8 to prevent the wound string
7 from coming off from the drum 8. The cover 9 and the first gear 3
are coupled to a spiral spring case 11 by screws 10 so that the
first gear 3 and the spiral spring case 11 can integrally rotate
about a spindle 12.
[0033] The spiral spring case 11 is constituted by an upper case
member 11a and a lower case member 11b, and has a spiral spring 13
accommodated therein, which serves as an urging member. The spiral
spring 13 has an inner end or starting end 13a thereof fixed in a
slit 15 formed in the spindle 12 and an outer end or terminating
end 13b thereof fixed in a slit 16 formed in the lower case member
11b so as to urge the string 7 in a direction in which the string 7
is rewound around the drum 8. An upper portion 12a of the spindle
12 is formed in a rectangular column shape and fittedly held in a
spindle support portion (not shown) formed on the spinner body 1 so
that the spindle 12 cannot rotate.
[0034] The string 7 is extended out of the spinner body 1 and has
the handle 2 attached to the end thereof. The string 7 is
preferably wound around the drum 8 such that the handle 2 abuts on
a front end of the spinner body 1 when the spiral spring 13 has
returned into a wound state.
[0035] The second gear 4 is disposed in the spinner body 1 so as to
mesh with the first gear 3. The second gear 4 has a rotating shaft
17 with a lower end 17a and an upper end 17b each formed in a
rectangular column shape. The lower end 17a and upper end 17b of
the rotating shaft 17 are fit in fitting holes 20a and 21a of first
and second clutches 20 and 21, respectively, so that the rotating
shaft 17 and the first and second clutches 20 and 21 are formed
into an integral structure.
[0036] A ratchet 18 is pivotally disposed in the vicinity of the
second gear 4. The ratchet 18 has a pawl 18a normally engaging with
the second gear 4 and locks the second gear 4 so as to prevent the
second gear 4 from rotating in one direction or a clockwise
direction in FIG. 2. The pawl 18a of the ratchet 18 is disengaged
from the second gear 4 by engaging one of engaging plates 26 of a
cap member 25, which will be described below, with an arm 18b of
the ratchet 18 and then turning the cap member 25, to thereby
release locking of the second gear 4.
[0037] Rotation of the second gear 4 is transmitted via the first
clutch 20 to the first toy top holder 5 and via the second clutch
21 to the second toy top holder 6. The first and second clutches 20
and 21 are provided in order that when an excessive external force
is applied to the first toy top holder 5 or second toy top holder
6, a corresponding one of the clutches 20 and 21 elastically
deforms so as to allow the first toy top holder 5 or second toy top
holder 6 to rotate relative to the second gear 4, to thereby
prevent damage from being caused to the first gear 3, the second
gear 4 or the like due to the external force.
[0038] The first toy top holder 5 is disposed below the second gear
4 and includes a pair of holding portions 23 which are formed
thereon to protrude downward from the lower casing 1a of the
spinner body 1 so as to engage with a pair of arcuate engaging
holes 22 (see FIG. 3) formed in a toy top B. The holding portions
23 are each formed in an approximately L shape when viewed from the
side so that when the holding portions 23 are inserted into the
engaging holes 22 of the toy top B and the toy top B is then
relatively turned, the distal ends of the L-shaped holding portions
23 are each engaged with a lower surface around edges of the
engaging holes 22 of the toy top B, resulting in the toy top B
being held by the holding portions 23. Incidentally, rear ends 23a
of the holding portions 22 are each formed to be downwardly
inclined to make the holding portions 23 narrow toward the lower
end such that the held toy top B is easily released.
[0039] The second toy top holder 6 is disposed above the second
gear 4. As with the first toy top holder 5, on the second toy top
holder 6, a pair of holding portions 24 engageable with the pair of
arcuate engaging holes 22 formed in the toy top B are also formed
so as to protrude upward from the upper casing 1b of the spinner
body 1. Like the holding portions 23 of the first toy top holder 5,
these holding portions 24 are each formed in an approximately L
shape when viewed from the side so that when the toy top B is
turned while the holding portions 24 are engaged with the engaging
holes 22 of the toy top B, the toy top B is held by the holding
portions 24.
[0040] The holding portions 24, like the holding portions 23, are
each formed to be tapered toward the distal end while having an
inclined rear end 24a so as to allow the held toy top B to be
easily released.
[0041] The cap member 25 is formed in a cup shape so as to
selectively cover the holding portions 23 of the first toy top
holder 5 or the holding portions 24 of the second toy top holder 6,
which portions protrude from the spinner body 1. The cap member 25
has a pair of the engaging plates 26 formed at a lower end thereof
so as to protrude downward. The engaging plates 26 have each a
thick portion 27 formed at a lower end thereof that swells
outward.
[0042] On the lower casing 1a and the upper casing 1b of the
spinner body 1, openings 29 (see FIGS. 4B and 4C) are respectively
formed so as to have the respective end faces of the toy top
holders 5 and 6 exposed and so as to allow the respective holding
portions 23 and 24 to protrude therefrom as depicted in a side view
of FIG. 4A. Outside each of the openings 29, a mounting portion 30
to which the cap member 25 is mounted is formed. As depicted in a
bottom view of FIG. 4B and a plan view of FIG. 4C, each mounting
portion 30 is constituted by a pair of arc-shaped openings 31 or 32
which are formed to be point symmetric about the center of the
first toy top holder 5 or second toy top holder 6. The openings 31
and 32 are respectively provided with engaging portions 33 and 34
each having a narrow opening width which is formed by part of a
wall located at the outer side thereof swelling toward the center
of the toy top holder. The pairs of openings 31 and 32 are arranged
on the lower casing 1a and upper casing 1b, respectively, in such a
manner that one of the openings 31 or 32 in each pair is located at
a position corresponding to the arm 18b of the ratchet 18 as shown
in FIGS. 4B and 4C.
[0043] When the engaging plates 26 of the cap member 25 are
inserted in the respective openings 32, which are the mounting
portion 30 of the upper casing 1b of the spinner body 1, and the
cap member 25 is turned in a clockwise direction, the thick portion
27 of each of the engaging plates 26 engages with the engaging
portion 34 of the opening 32, thereby fixing the cap member 25 on
the spinner body 1. At this time, the cap member 25 is in a state
in which it covers the holding portions 24 of the second toy top
holder 6.
[0044] As described above, one of the pair of openings 32 is
disposed at the position corresponding to the arm 18b of the
ratchet 18 engaging with the second gear 4 (see FIGS. 4C and 5A).
Accordingly, when the engaging plates 26 of the cap member 25 are
inserted into the openings 32 and the cap member 25 is rotated in a
clockwise direction, one of the engaging plates 26 is engaged with
the arm 18b of the ratchet 18 of which the pawl 18a is engaging
with the second gear 4 and the pawl 18a of the ratchet 18 is
disengaged from the second gear 4 as depicted in FIG. 5B, thereby
allowing rotation of the second gear 4 and also rotation of the
first gear 3 engaging with the second gear 4. In this state, when
the string 7 is pulled by pulling the handle 2, the drum 8 having
the string 7 wound therearound is rotated and the first gear 3
integral with the drum 8 is rotated, and the second gear 4 meshing
with the first gear 3 is rotated in turn, resulting in that the
first toy top holder 5 that is connected to the second gear 4 via
the first clutch 20 can be rotated.
[0045] The above description also applies to the case where the
spinner body 1 is turned upside down and the cap member 25 is
mounted to the openings 31, which is the mounting portion 30 of the
lower casing 1a of the spinner body 1, and therefore a description
of this case is omitted herein.
[0046] Now, a manner of using the spinner A for a toy top thus
constructed will be described. First, it is decided whether to
rotate a toy top B in a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise
direction. When the toy top B is rotated in a clockwise direction,
the orientation of the spinner body 1 is set with the first toy top
holder 5 positioned below and the second toy top holder 6
positioned above as shown in FIG. 6A. Then the engaging plates 26
of the cap member 25 are inserted into the respective openings 32
of the upper casing 1b of the spinner body 1 and the cap member 25
is then rotated in a clockwise direction to engage the thick
portions 27 of the engaging plates 26 with the respective engaging
portions 34, so that the cap member 25 can be fixed to the spinner
body 1. At this time, as described above, since rotation of the cap
member 25 causes one of the engaging plates 26 to engage with the
arm 18b of the ratchet 18 and push the arm 18b away, the ratchet 18
rotates outward to cause its pawl 18a to disengage from the second
gear 4, so that the second gear 4 is allowed to rotate (see FIG.
5B).
[0047] After the cap member 25 is fixed to the spinner body 1, the
holding portions 23 of the first toy top holder 5 are inserted into
the respective engaging holes 22 of the toy top B and the toy top B
is turned in a clockwise direction as viewed from the bottom side
to be held on the holding portions 23 and so as not to be detached
from the holding portions 23. Thus, the toy top B is mounted on the
spinner A (see FIG. 6B).
[0048] Even when the first toy top holder 5 is forcibly reversed by
rotating the toy top B more than necessary, since the first toy top
holder 5 and the second gear 4 are coupled to each other via the
first clutch 20, a strong force does not act on the second gear 4
and the first gear 3.
[0049] After the toy top B is held by the first toy top holder 5,
the spinner body 1 is held by one hand, and the handle 2 is grasped
and vigorously pulled by the other hand. Since the string 7 is
coupled to the handle 2, upon pulling the string 7, as shown in
FIG. 5B, the first gear 3 is forcibly rotated in a counterclockwise
direction indicated by an arrow P. At this time, the spring case 11
is also rotated integrally with the first gear 3, but since the
starting end 13a of the spiral spring 13 is attached to the slit 15
formed in the spindle 12, the terminal end 13b of the spiral spring
13 is rotated together with the spring case 11, so that the spiral
spring 13 is wound up on the spindle 12.
[0050] When the first gear 3 is rotated in the counterclockwise
direction, the second gear 4 meshing with the first gear 3 is
rotated in a clockwise direction indicated by an arrow Q, and the
toy top B held by the first toy top holder 5 is also rotated in the
clockwise direction.
[0051] When the pulling operation of the handle 2 is stopped,
rotation of the first gear 3 stops, which results in stopping of
the second gear 4, but the first gear 3 is urged in a reverse
rotation direction by a winding-back force of the spiral spring 13
to be stopped rapidly so that the first toy top holder 5 integrated
with the second gear 4 is also stopped rapidly.
[0052] Since the toy top B is rotating due to an inertial force
even if the first toy top holder 5 stops, the toy top B rotates
relative to the first toy top holder 5 so that the rear end edges
of the engagement holes 22 of the toy top B abut on the inclined
rear ends 23a of the holding portions 23 and are guided along the
inclined rear ends 23a downwardly, so that the toy top B is
released from the holding portions 23 while being rotated. Thus,
the toy top B is launched from the spinner A in a state where the
toy top B has a rotation in a clockwise direction imparted thereto,
as shown in FIG. 7.
[0053] When the pulling force applied to the string 7 is loosened
after launching of the toy top B, the first gear 3 and the drum 8
together with the spring case 11 are rotated in a clockwise
direction by a rewinding force of the spiral spring 13 to wind the
string 7 around the drum 8, so that the spinner A is returned to an
initial state.
[0054] On the other hand, when the spinner body 1 is reversed so
that the lower casing 1a is oriented upward to position the second
toy top holder 6 below and the first toy top holder 5 above, the
cap member 25 can be fixed to the spinner body 1 so as to cover the
first toy top holder 5 through an operation similar to that in
which the second toy top holder 6 is covered with the cap member 25
as described above, and the toy top B can be held by the holding
portions 24 of the second toy top holder 6.
[0055] In this state, as shown in FIG. 5C, the string 7 is wound
around the drum 8 in a clockwise direction, and the ratchet 18 is
retracted outward by one of the engaging plates 26, so that the
second gear 4 is allowed to rotate. When the spinner body 1 is held
by one hand and the handle 2 is grasped and vigorously pulled by
the other hand to pull the string 7, as shown in FIG. 5C, the first
gear 3 is forcibly rotated in a clockwise direction indicated by an
arrow R.
[0056] When the first gear 3 is rotated in the clockwise direction,
the second gear 4 meshing with the first gear 3 is rotated in a
counterclockwise direction indicated by an arrow S, and the toy top
B held by the toy top holder 6 is also rotated in the
counterclockwise direction.
[0057] When the pulling operation of the handle 2 is stopped,
rotation of the first gear 3 stops, which results in stopping of
the second gear 4, but the first gear 3 is biased in a reverse
rotation direction by a winding-back force of the spiral spring 13
to be stopped rapidly so that the second toy top holder 6
integrated with the second gear 4 is also stopped rapidly.
[0058] Since the toy top B is rotating due to an inertial force
even when the second toy top holder 6 stops, the toy top B is
released from the holding portions 24 while rotating. Thus, the toy
top B is launched from the spinner A in a state where the toy top B
has a rotation in a counterclockwise direction imparted
thereto.
[0059] The spinner A described above can launch the toy top B only
by mounting the toy top B on the spinner body 1 and a pulling
operation of the handle 2 to pull the string 7. Furthermore, the
spinner A enables a user to freely select whether to rotate the toy
top B in a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction by
merely selecting on which surface of the spinner body 1 the toy top
B is to be mounted. The spinner A is not required to perform such
an operation as is performed with the conventional spinner for a
toy top, i.e. an operation of inserting a rack belt in a spinner
body and pulling out the inserted rack belt each time. Thus,
according to the present invention, a spinner for a toy top which
is capable of easily launching a toy top can be achieved.
[0060] Furthermore, since the string 7 cannot be pulled unless the
cap member 25 is mounted on the spinner body 1, one pair of the
pairs of first and second holding portions 23 or 24 that is not
used for holding the toy top B cannot be rotated when the one pair
is in an exposed state. Thus, a spinner for a toy top which is
excellent in safety can be provided.
[0061] As described above, in the state where the cap member 25 is
not mounted on the spinner body 1, the pawl 18a of the ratchet 18
engages with the second gear 4 to lock rotation of the second gear
4 in a clockwise direction (as seen in a plan view) to prevent the
pulling operation of the string 7, whereas when the cap member 25
is mounted on the spinner body 1, the locking is released to allow
the pulling operation of the string 7. On the other, when the cap
member 25 is removed from the spinner body 1 in a state where the
string 7 is being pulled, the pawl 18a of the ratchet 18 engages
with the second gear 4 to lock the second gear 4. However, since
the one purpose of this ratchet 18 is to lock rotation of the
second gear 4 in a direction in which the string 7 is pulled out,
the first gear 3 meshing with the second gear 4 starts, upon
removal of the cap member 25, to rotate due to the rewinding force
of the spiral spring 13 to wind up the string 7, thereby
automatically returning the spinner A to an initial state.
* * * * *