Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SPINNING TOP
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a spinning top, and more
particularly to a spinning top that can be spun for a
prolonged period of time.
2. Description of the Related Art
Referring to Fig. 1, a conventional spinning top 1,
as disclosed in Taiwanese Publication No. 200948447,
includes a main body 11, and a shaft 12 projecting downward
from the main body 11. In use, a cord 13 is wound around
the main body 11, and is pulled at one end 131 thereof
to spin the main body 11 and the shaft 12.
As shown in Fig. 1, the main body 11 of the conventional
spinning top 1 has a simple configuration that tapers
downward, and has no structure that can increase
centrifugal force, so that the spinning time of the top
1 cannot be prolonged. Further, a top face of the main
body 11 has a conical shape with a tip end facing upward,
so that it is not possible to stack another spinning top
to the conventional spinning top 1 while spinning.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to
provide a spinning top that is capable of overcoming the
aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art.
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According to one aspect of the invention, there is
provided a spinning top, comprising: a main body tapering from
a top end to a bottom end thereof and having a rotating tip end
at said bottom end; a plate body including a base portion
connected to and covering said top end of said main body, an
annular grip portion extending outwardly and radially from said
base portion, and a top face defined by top surfaces of said
base portion and said annular grip portion, said base portion
having a central tapered groove tapering downwardly from said
top face of said plate body, and an internally threaded
connecting slot extending downwardly from a bottom end of said
central( tapered groove; and a decorative element that has an
externally threaded engaging portion to engage said internally
threaded connecting slot, and a decorative portion connected to
said externally threaded engaging portion; wherein said
rotating tip end has a diameter smaller than a smallest
diameter of said central tapered groove.
According to another aspect of the invention, there
is provided a spinning top, comprising: a main body tapering
from a top end to a bottom end thereof and having a rotating
tip end at said bottom end; and a plate body including a base
portion connected to and covering said top end of said main
body, an annular grip portion extending outwardly and radially
from said base portion, and a top face defined by top surfaces
of said base portion and said annular grip portion, said base
portion having a central tapered groove tapering downwardly
from said top face of said plate body; wherein said rotating
tip end has a diameter smaller than a smallest diameter of said
central tapered groove; and wherein said plate body further
includes an externally threaded protrusion projecting
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downwardly from a bottom surface of said base portion, and said
main body further has an internally threaded depression engaged
detachably to said externally threaded protrusion.
According to still another aspect of the invention,
there is provided a spinning top, comprising: a main body
tapering from a top end to a bottom end thereof and having a
rotating tip end at said bottom end; and a plate body including
a base portion connected to and covering said top end of said
main body, an annular grip portion extending outwardly and
radially from said base portion, and a top face defined by top
surfaces of said base portion and said annular grip portion,
said base portion having a central tapered groove tapering
downwardly from said top face of said plate body; wherein said
rotating tip end has a diameter smaller than a smallest
diameter of said central tapered groove; and wherein said main
body further has an externally threaded protrusion projecting
upwardly therefrom, and said plate body further includes an
internally threaded depression formed in a bottom surface of
said base portion engaged detachably to said externally
threaded protrusion.
According to this invention, a spinning top comprises
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a main body tapering from a top end to a bottom end thereof
and having a rotating tip end at the bottom end, and a
plate body including a base portion connected to and
covering the top end of the main body, an annular grip
portion extending outwardly and radially from the base
portion, and a top face defined by top surfaces of the
base portion and the annular grip portion. The base portion
has a central tapered groove tapering downwardly from the
top face of the plate body. The rotating tip end has a
diameter smaller than a smallest diameter of the central
tapered groove.
The advantage of this invention resides in that through
the annular grip portion that extends outwardly and
radially from the base portion, gripping of the spinning
top can be facilitated, so that not only a greater throwing
force can be imparted, but also the centrifugal force
generated during spinning of the spinning top can be
increased, thereby prolonging the spinning time of the
spinning top. Further, through the presence of the central
tapered groove, a second spinning top may be spun on the
central tapered groove of a first spinning top. Hence,
a plurality of spinning tops may be stacked on top of each
other while spinning.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other features and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent in the following detailed description
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of the preferred embodiments of the invention, with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional spinning
top disclosed in Taiwanese Publication No. 200948447;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a spinning top according
to the first preferred embodiment of this invention;
Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view of the first preferred
embodiment;
Fig. 4 illustrates how one end of a pull cord is placed
in a retaining flute of a main body of the spinning top
of the first preferred embodiment;
Fig. 5 illustrates how to operate the spinning top of
the first preferred embodiment;
Fig. 6 is a partial sectional view of the first preferred
embodiment, illustrating how two spinning tops may be
stacked on top of each other while spinning;
Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but illustrating
an alternative form of a slope area of a plate body of
the spinning top of the first preferred embodiment;
Fig. 8 is an exploded partial sectional view of a
spinning top according to the second preferred embodiment
of this invention;
Fig. 9 is a schematic view of a spinning top according
to the third preferred embodiment of this invention;
Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9, but illustrating
an alternative form of a light-emitting element of the
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spinning top of the third preferred embodiment;
Fig. 11 is an exploded schematic view of a spinning
top according to the fourth preferred embodiment of this
invention; and
Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11, but illustrating
an alternative form of the spinning top of the fourth
preferred embodiment.
DETAILED DESCHIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Before the present invention is described in greater
detail, it should be noted that the same reference numerals
have been used to denote like elements throughout the
specification.
Referring to Figs. 2 to 5, a spinning top 2 according
to the first preferred embodiment of this invention is
shown to comprise a plate body 3 and a main body 4.
The plate body 3 includes a base portion 31, an annular
grip portion 32 extending outwardly and radially from an
outer periphery of the base portion 31, and a top face
30 defined by top surfaces of the base portion 31 and the
grip portion 32. The base portion 31 has a central tapered
groove 311 tapering downwardly from the top face 30 of
the plate body 3, and a slope area 312 that surrounds the
central tapered groove 311 and that has an upper periphery
314 directly connected to the top face 30 of the plate
body 3, and a lower periphery 316 connected directly to
a top periphery 317 of the central tapered groove 311.
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The slope area 312 is tapered from the upper periphery
314 to the lower periphery 316.
The main body 4 tapers gradually from a top end to a
bottom end, and has a rotating tip end 40 at the bottom
5 end thereof. In this embodiment, the main body 4 is
connected integrally as one piece to the plate body 3 such
that the base portion 31 of the plate body 3 covers the
top end of the main body 4. The rotating tip 40 has a diameter
smaller than a smallest diameter of the central tapered
groove 311. The main body 4 further has a retaining flute
41 extending upwardly from the rotating tip end 40.
With reference to Figs. 4 and 5, one end 91 of a pull
cord 900 is first placed in the retaining flute 41, after
which the remaining portion of the pull cord 900 is wound
around the main body 4 of the spinning top 2 in a
bottom-to-top direction covering the end 91 of the pull
cord 900. A free end 92 of the pull cord 900 and the grip
portion 32 of the plate body 3 are then simultaneously
gripped by the user. Finally, the spinning top 2 is thrown
out like a flying saucer to rotate on its rotating tip
end 40 while pulling back the pull cord 900.
In the spinning top 2 of this invention, the grip portion
32 not only extends outwardly and radially from the base
portion 31, but also extends outwardly of the main body
4. Hence, aside from the design of the spinning top 2 being
relatively novel and special, the grip portion 32 can also
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facilitate gripping of the spinning top 2 by the user so
that a greater throwing force can be imparted to the
spinning top 2, and the centrifugal force generated during
spinning of the spinning top 2 can be simultaneously
increased. Thus, the spinning time of the spinning top
2 can be prolonged.
Referring to Fig. 6, because the base portion 31 is
formed with the central tapered groove 311 that tapers
downward from the top face 30 of the plate body 3, and
the diameter of the rotating tip end 40 is smaller than
the smallest diameter of the central tapered groove 311,
when the spinning top 2 is spinning, a second spinning
top 2' may be whirled to the top face 30 of the spinning
top 2, so that a rotating tip end 40' of the second spinning
top 2' rotates within the central tapered groove 311 of
the spinning top 2. Hence, the second spinning top 2' is
stacked on top of the spinning top 2 while spinning
simultaneously. It should be noted that through the
presence of the slope area 312 that surrounds the central
tapered groove 311, when the second spinning top 2' does
not directly fall into the central tapered groove 311 but
is within the slope area 312, the second spinning top 2'
will continue to spin from the slope area 312 toward the
direction of an arrow shown in Fig. 6 and into a bottom
end 319 of the central tapered groove 311.
In this embodiment, the slope area 312 is formed on
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the base portion 31. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 7,
the slope area 312 may extend from the base portion 31
to the annular grip portion 32, so that the area of the
slope area 312 may be enlarged to thereby enhance the
rotational stability and success rate of a plurality of
stacked spinning tops 2.
Referring to Fig. 8, a spinning top 2 according to the
= second preferred embodiment of this invention is shown
to be similar to the first preferred embodiment. However,
in this embodiment, the base portion 31 further has an
internally threaded connecting slot 313 extending
downwardly from the bottom end 319 of the central tapered
groove 311. The spinning top 2 further comprises a
decorative element 5. The decorative element 5 has an
externally threaded engaging portion 51, and a decorative
portion 52 connected to the externally threaded engaging
portion 51. When the externally threaded engaging portion
51 is engaged to the internally threaded connecting slot
313, the decorative portion 58 projects upwardly and
outwardly from the plate body 3.
Through the aforesaid configuration, not only can the
advantages described in the first preferred embodiment
be achieved, but the configuration of the decorative
portion 52 can also be altered according to the custom
and tradition of each region or country. Taking for example
Brazil, which is a football-loving country, the decorative
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portion 52 in Fig. 8 is configured as a football. When
the plate body 3 and the main body 4 of the spinning top
2 rotates, the decorative portion 52 rotates therealong,
thereby enhancing the entertainment and decorative
effects of the spinning top 2. If the decorative element
5 is not required, a screw (not shown) may be engaged to
the internally threaded connecting slot 313 to maintain
the appearance of the spinning top 2 and to prevent dust
and dirt from falling into the connecting slot 313.
Referring to Fig. 9, a spinning top 2 according to the
third preferred embodiment of this invention is shown to
be similar to the first preferred embodiment. However,
in this embodiment, the spinning top 2 further comprises
a power supply 6, and a plurality of spaced-apart
light-emitting elements 61 connected electrically to the
power supply 6. In this embodiment, the power supply 6
is disposed in the main body 4. Alternatively, the power
supply 6 may be disposed on a top or bottom face of the
annular grip portion 32. As long as the counter weight
and balance of the entire spinning top 2 is maintained,
any suitable disposition of the power supply 6 is acceptable .
The power supply 6 may be a lithium battery, an alkaline
battery, or a carbon-zinc cell. When the power supply 6
is disposed on the top face of the grip portion 32, the
power supply 6 may be configured as a solar power.
Further, in this embodiment, the light-emitting
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elements 61 are configured as light-emitting diodes (LEDs)
disposed on a peripheral face 321 of the annular grip
portion 32. Alternatively, the light-emitting elements
61 may be disposed on the top face of the grip portion
32 or an outer surface of the main body 4. As shown in
Fig. 10, the light-emitting elements 61 may be in the form
of fiber optic strip lights that surround the outer surface
of the main body 4 . The number of the light-emitting element
61 may be one, and is not limited to the disclosed embodiment .
Since an electrical connection between the power supply
6 and the light-emitting elements 61 are known in the art,
a detailed description thereof is dispensed herewith.
Hence, not only are the advantages described in the
first preferred embodiment can be achieved, but also, in
this embodiment, the spinning top 2 can emit light rays
during rotation thereof, so that the spinning top 2 is
lustrous and attractive. If the light-emitting elements
61 are multi-colored, during rotation of the spinning top
2, different light rays are mixed to produce a dazzling
and moving visual effect.
Referring to Fig. 11, a spinning top 2 according to
the fourth preferred embodiment of this invention is shown
to be similar to the first preferred embodiment. However,
in this embodiment, the plate body 3 and the main body
4 are connected detachably to each other. The plate body
3 further includes an externally threaded protrusion 33
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projecting downwardly from a bottom surface of the base
portion 31. The main body 4 further has an internally
threaded depression 42 to engage the externally threaded
protrusion 33. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 12, the
5 plate body 3 may be formed with an internally threaded
depression 34 formed in the bottom surface of the base
portion 31, while the main body 4 may be formed with an
externally threaded protrusion 43 projecting upwardly
therefrom to engage the internally threaded depression
10 34. It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the
thickness of the base portion 31 may be increased depending
on the requirement, such that the thickness of the grip
portion 32 is smaller than that of the base portion 31,
and the gripping of the spinning top 2 by the user is not
affected.
Through the aforesaid configuration, the plate body
3 may be altered to a different size according to the
requirement, or when one of the plate body 3 and the main
body 4 is damaged, said one of the plate body 3 and the
main body 4 can be replaced with a new one. Hence, there
is no need to throw away the spinning top 2 when a portion
thereof is damaged.
In summary, the spinning top 2 of this invention has
the annular grip portion 32 extending outwardly from the
main body 4, so that gripping of the spinning top 2 is
easy, a greater throwing force can be imparted, and the
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centrifugal force generated during spinning can be
increased, thereby prolonging the spinning time of the
spinning top 2. Further, through the configuration of the
central tapered groove 311, a plurality of the spinning
tops 2 can be stacked on top of each other while spinning
simultaneously. Hence, the object of the present invention
can be achieved.
While the present invention has been described in
connection with what are considered the most practical
and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this
invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but
is intended to cover various arrangements included within
the scope of the broadest interpretations and
equivalent arrangements.
