Spinning toy with trigger actuated stop mechanism

• US 9,526,998 B2
• Filed: 11/16/2012
• Issued: 12/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jakks Pacific, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Jakks Pacific, Inc.
• Inventors: Hudson, Jon, Laurienzo, Dominic, Wolfson, Jared, Padawer, Jeremy, Lee Chi Wai, Dennis, Tsui Ka Tim, Timmy, McCafferty, Jim, Leong, Greg, DeLacy, Steven Douglas
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): HYLINSKI, ALYSSA MARIE
• Application Number:
  US13/678,958
• Publication Number:
  US 20130072084A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,502 Days
• Field of Search: 446/4, 446/6, 446/236, 446/242, 446/431, 446/457, 446/465, 446/470
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 1/00 Tops diabolos or similar thrown and caught spinning tops or throwing and catching devices therefor A63B67/16; flying tops A63H27/12
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 1/24 with illuminating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/02 convertible into other forms under the action of impact or shock, e.g. arrangements for imitating accidents

Abstract

A perpetual spinning toy is described. The spinning toy includes a body component and a motor housed within the body component. A power source is housed within the body component and electrically connected with the motor. Finally, a spinning wheel is connected with the motor. Thus, when the motor is activated, the motor spins the spinning wheel, thereby causing the toy to spin. The toy also includes an impact trigger and stop mechanism, both of which are connected with the body component. The stop mechanism is also operably connected with the impact trigger. The stop mechanism includes a latch that is connected with the impact trigger and a plurality of spring-loaded wings that are pivotally connected with the body component, such that upon impacting the impact trigger, the wings are released from the catch, causing them to swing outward.

Claims

1. A spinning toy, comprising:

a body component

a motor housed within the body component;

a power source housed within the body component and electrically connected with the motor; and

a single spinning wheel connected with the motor and projecting from the body for causing the spinning toy to spin about a vertical axis, whereby when the motor is activated, the motor spins the spinning wheel, thereby causing the toy to spin around a vertical axis;

an impact trigger connected with the body component, wherein the spinning toy has a first end a second end opposite the first end, with the single spinning wheel being positioned at the first end and the impact trigger being positioned at the second end;

a stop mechanism that is connected with the body component and operably connected with the impact trigger; and

wherein the stop mechanism includes a plurality of spring-loaded wings that are pivotally connected with the body component and a catch that is adapted to hold the wings against the body component, wherein the catch is operably connected with the impact trigger, such that upon impacting the impact trigger, the wings are released and allowed to swing outward to a deployed state; and

wherein the spring-loaded wings are shaped such that when held in a closed position against the body component, the spring-loaded wings collectively form a cylindrical shape.

2. The spinning toy as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a light positioned within the body component, wherein at least a portion of the body component and wings are formed of a translucent material such that the light is visible through the wings.

3. The spinning toy as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a switch for activating the motor, the switch being a switch selected from a group consisting of a slide switch, a motion switch, and a centrifugal switch.

4. The spinning toy as set forth in claim 3, wherein the spinning wheel is formed of a material such that the spinning wheel is heavier than the body component.

5. A spinning toy, comprising:

a body component;

an impact trigger connected with the body component;

a motor housed within the body component;

a power source housed within the body component and electrically connected with the motor;

a single spinning wheel connected with the motor and projecting from the body for causing the spinning toy to spin about a vertical axis, whereby when the motor is activated, the motor spins the spinning wheel, thereby causing the toy to spin about the vertical axis;

a stop mechanism that is connected with the body component and operably connected with the impact trigger;

wherein the stop mechanism includes a plurality of spring-loaded wings that are pivotally connected with the body component and a catch that is adapted to hold the wings against the body component, wherein the catch is operably connected with the impact trigger, such that upon impacting the impact trigger, the wings are released and allowed to swing outward to a deployed state; and

wherein the spring-loaded wings are shaped such that when held in a closed position against the body component, the spring-loaded wings collectively form a cylindrical shape.