US20140242873A1

US20140242873A1 - Spinning hand top

Info

Publication number: US20140242873A1
Application number: US13/779,937
Authority: US
Inventors: Eli J. Duncan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-02-28
Filing date: 2013-02-28
Publication date: 2014-08-28

Abstract

The Hand Top is a hand held spinning top toy. The user holds the device in one hand and uses a pull string to activate a spindle rod that causes the top to spin. Unlike other spinning top toys, the Hand Top is completely held in the hands of the user and is not designed to spin on a hard surface such as a floor or table top.

Description

(1) The hand top is a spinning to manufactured of wood, hard plastics such as ABS, acrylic, polypropylene, phenolic resins, amino resins or chrome. Unlike the common spinning top that spins using a pointed tip to spin on smooth surfaces such as a floor or table top, the Hand Top is designed to spin in the grip of one's hand.
(2) There are only three parts to the Hand Top: There is a domed shaped top, two inches in width and ⅝ inches in height at its peak. The dome shaped top is attached to a rod constituting a single part. The rod is 4.78 inches in height and ⅜ inches in diameter, except for the base of the rod, which is one half inch in diameter. A cylinder body with openings in its top and bottom houses the rod with the spinning top resting on top of the cylinder body. The housing cylinder is four inches in height. The opening at the top of the housing is ⅞ inches and the opening at the bottom of the cylinder housing is ⅝ inches. The rod is housed inside of the cylinder, Attached to and wrapped around the rod is a pull string and attached to the string is a plastic. circular grip with an opening for the user to insert his or her finger and pull the string. There is to ⅝ inch opening midway in the cylinder from which the string is accessible to the user.
(3) To use the Hand Top, the user holds the cylinder with one hand and pulls the string with the other causing the rod, which is encased in the cylinder to spin as well as the top which is visible and attached to the rod. The more force applied when pulling the string, the faster the top spins. The user pulls the string and releases it. As the top spins, the string automatically wraps around the rod for use again.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Not applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT—Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX—Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Although there are other spinning top toy devices that operate by a pull string, they all have very similar function; they are designed to spin on a flat surface such as a floor or table top. The had top is a unique and totally different toy in that it is the only spinning device that spins while held in one's hand.
(2) The uniqueness of this device is that it can literally be used anywhere. It does not require access to a hard surface for its use. Additionally, the Hand Top has multiple uses. First and foremost, it is a toy that can be used by children, ages 5 years and up for entertainment purposes. In addition, it enhances a child's eye/hand coordination. The Hand Top can also be used by adults for exercise including adults and children who may use the Hand Top for rehabilitative purposes.
(3) For those that manufacture, distribute and/or market toys, the Hand Top is a totally different spinning toy because its design allows it to be used anywhere users are able to engage both hands.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

(1) The Hand Top is a hand held spinning toy that is different from any other spinning top. As opposed to other tops that are designed to spin on a hard surface, i.e., floor or table, the Hand Top is held with one hand while the user pulls the attached string with the other hand causing the top to spin while remaining in the user's hand.
(2) The advantages of the Hand Top are its ease of use and the ability to use it almost anywhere. It serves as a form of entertainment and play for children, while at the same time; it can provide therapeutic and rehabilitative benefits to both adults and children.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWINGS OF THE DRAWING.

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the domed top and rod with the attached draw string.

FIG. 2 shows the cylinder housing that accommodates the rod and upon which the top's dome rest. It also shows the small opening in the dome from which the user gains access to string.

FIG. 3 is a transparent view of the cylinder showing the rod inserted inside the cylinder and the accessible pull string from the opening located in the middle of the cylinder.

FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a view of the top of the Hand Top.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

1. The Hand Top consists of three parts. The figure drawing shows the spindle rod with domed top, as well as the draw/pull string. The spindle rod is 4.78 inches in height. The rod is ⅜ inches in width, except at the bottom, the measurement is ⅝ inches in width. Attached and tied to the rod is a nylon draw/pull cord. This is the cord the user engages to spin the top which is attached to the rod.
2. The top of the Hand Top is 2 inches in diameter with a slight elevation to create a dome shaped appearance as shown in FIG. 1. The spindle rod is designed to be placed inside the cylinder housing. The cylinder housing is shown in FIG. 2. The housing is 4 inches in height and the top and bottom of the cylinder housing, is open. The top opening is ⅞ inches in diameter and the bottom opening is ⅝ inches in diameter. The cylinder housing has a ⅝ inch hole as shown in FIG. 2 that the nylon draw string is fed through giving the user access to the string.
3.FIG. 3 shows the complete Hand Top. The rod sits inside the cylinder housing. Attached to the top of the spindle rod is the 2 inch domed top. Attached to the rod is a nylon draw/pull string and attached to the end of the string is a plastic open circular grip for the user to insert their finger to pull the string and engage the Hand Top.
4. To use the hand top, the user simply holds the cylinder housing with one hand, while pulling the nylon string with the other. The user pulls the draw string which causes the spindle rod to rotate and thus the attached top spins in full view. When the Hand Top user releases the attached string, the spindle rod moves in the opposite direction causing the string to immediately rewind in preparation for use again. The more force the user applies when pulling the string, the faster the top spins.
5. Unlike conventional spinning, tops that are designed to spin on a hard surface such as a floor or tabletop, the Hand Top operates completely in one's hand.
6. Children can use the Hand Top while riding in a car, bus, train or plane or sitting at home. Those who use the Hand Top for rehabilitative purposes can engage the Hand Top while lying in bed, sitting in a chair or in other confined spaces.
7. file recommended materials for producing the Hand Top are hard plastics such as acrylic or polypropylene. Other potential materials for producing, the Hand Top include chrome and wood.
8. The two major parts of the Hand Top, (spindle rod with dome top, cylinder housing) is ideally produced utilizing injection molding.

Claims

1. A draw/pull string spinning hand top consisting of:

a. A spindle rod with domed shaped top

b. A cylinder housing, for the rod that is open at both ends of the housing with an opening in the middle to access the draw string.

c. A string that is attached to the spindle rod and extends from the rod through an opening in the housing for access by the user.

The user holds the housing, of the Hand Top in one hand and pulls the string with the other. When the user pulls the strings it causes the spindle rod, to which the string is attached to rotate and thus the top which is attached to the spindle rod &so spins. When the string is released, the string winds around the spindle rod for further use. The Hand Top does not require the use of any hard surface such as a floor or table top.