Spinning top for demonstrating and teaching stem concepts

Abstract

The present invention is an improvement on the spinning top that includes a plurality of radial indentations, notches, or holes along the outer circumference. It also includes a sloped, geometrically shaped stem, topped with a rounded gear used to spin the top. A plurality of square-holed inserts which lock in place when inserted over the sloped, square stem, are also provided for demonstrating STEM concepts. The indentations, when spinning, highlight the effect of AC electric light by creating a strobing effect that appears at first to move with the rotation of the top, then appears to stand still, and then reverses rotation. The interchangeable parts or spokes make it possible for the invention to have variable geometry that allows the invention's mass, balance, and weight distribution to be modified. The invention's indentations, interchangeable spokes, and graphical locking inserts can be used individually or in unison to demonstrate and teach various STEM concepts. The invention can also be used for entertainment and to produce interesting visual and sound effects.

Claims

1. A spinning top comprising: a planar body having a top surface and a bottom surface, the planar body including a plurality of radial impressions running through the top surface and the bottom surface of the planar body; a stem protruding from the top surface of the planar body, the stem including a base affixed directly to the top surface of the planar body, wherein the base is configured to hold a locking insert in place on the top surface of the planar body; and a conical base protruding from the bottom surface of the planar body, the conical base including a base tip; wherein the base tip defines a vertical axis of rotation symmetrical about the stem.

2. The spinning top of claim 1, wherein the planar body includes a side surface connecting the top surface to the bottom surface.

3. The spinning top of claim 2, wherein the side surface includes a plurality of indentations, the plurality of indentations being equal and symmetrical in size along the side surface.

4. The spinning top of claim 3, wherein the plurality of indentations are rounded in shape.

5. The spinning top of claim 1, wherein the planar body is comprised of a plurality of interchangeable spokes.

6. The spinning top of claim 5, wherein the plurality of interchangeable spokes each include an inner side surface, the inner side surface including a magnetic hub connector.

7. The spinning top of claim 6, wherein the magnetic hub connector of each of the plurality of interchangeable spokes are configured to mate with a magnetic spoke hub of a top core portion of the spinning top.

8. The spinning top of claim 7, wherein the top core portion includes the stem and the conical base.

9. The spinning top of claim 8, wherein the stem includes a stem tip, a stem gear, the base, and a sloped portion connecting the base to the stem gear and the stem tip.

10. The spinning top of claim 9, wherein the stem gear includes a plurality of radial protrusions disposed circumferentially about a longitudinal axis.

11. The spinning top of claim 10, wherein the radial protrusions are configured to allow a user to better grip the stem gear.

12. The spinning top of claim 9, wherein the locking inserts include a geometrically shaped hole, and further wherein the geometrically shaped hole is configured to match the sloped portion of the stem such that the locking insert locks in place on the top surface of the planar body.

13. The spinning top of claim 1, wherein the base is square-shaped.

14. The spinning top of claim 1, wherein the locking inserts may include graphical imprints.

15. The spinning top of claim 1, wherein the locking inserts are blank such that a user creates and experiment with their own graphical designs and patterns.

16. A spinning top comprising: a planar body having a top surface and a bottom surface, the planar body including a side surface connecting the top surface to the bottom surface, wherein the side surface includes a plurality of indentations, the plurality of indentations being equal and symmetrical in size along the side surface; a stem protruding from the top surface of the planar body, the stem including a base affixed directly to the top surface of the planar body, wherein the base is configured to hold a locking insert in place on the top surface of the planar body; and a conical base protruding from the bottom surface of the planar body, the conical base including a base tip; wherein the base tip defines a vertical axis of rotation symmetrical about the stem, and further wherein the planar body is in rotation greater than 60 Hz and under AC electric light, the indentations appear as a fast rotating blur.

17. The spinning top of claim 16, wherein the stem gear includes a plurality of radial protrusions disposed circumferentially about a longitudinal axis, and further wherein the plurality of radial protrusions are configured to allow a user to better grip the stem gear.

18. A spinning top comprising: a planar body having a top surface and a bottom surface, the planar body including a side surface connecting the top surface to the bottom surface, wherein the side surface includes a plurality of indentations, the plurality of indentations being equal and symmetrical in size along the side surface; a plurality of interchangeable spokes comprised within the planar body, the plurality of interchangeable spokes including an inner side surface, the inner side surface including a magnetic hub connector, wherein the magnetic hub connector of the interchangeable spokes may be configured to mate with a magnetic spoke hub of a top core portion of the spinning top; a stem protruding from the top surface of the planar body, the stem including a base affixed directly to the top surface of the planar body, wherein the base is configured to hold a locking insert in place on the top surface of the planar body; and a conical base protruding from the bottom surface of the planar body, the conical base including a base tip; wherein the base tip defines a vertical axis of rotation symmetrical about the stem, and further wherein the planar body is in rotation greater than 60 Hz and under AC electric light, the indentations appear as a fast rotating blur.

19. The spinning top of claim 18, wherein the locking inserts include a geometrically shaped hole, and further wherein the geometrically shaped hole is configured to match the sloped portion of the stem such that the locking insert locks in place on the top surface of the planar body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 presents a top perspective view of the spinning top for demonstrating and teaching STEM concepts in accordance with a first illustrative embodiment of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 presents a side elevation view of the spinning top illustrated in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 presents a bottom perspective view of the spinning top illustrated in FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 presents a top plan view of the spinning top illustrated in FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 presents a bottom plan view of the illustrated in FIG. 1;

(7) FIG. 6 presents a top perspective view of a spinning top for demonstrating and teaching STEM concepts in accordance with another illustrative embodiment of the invention;

(8) FIG. 7 presents a bottom perspective view of the spinning top illustrated in FIG. 6;

(9) FIG. 8 presents a perspective view of a top core portion of the spinning top illustrated in FIG. 6;

(10) FIG. 9 presents an exploded, perspective view of a partially disassembled spinning top illustrated in FIG. 6;

(11) FIG. 10 presents a top perspective view of a spinning top for demonstrating and teaching STEM concepts in accordance with another illustrative embodiment of the invention;

(12) FIG. 11 presents an exploded, perspective view of a partially disassembled spinning top illustrated in FIG. 10;

(13) FIG. 12 presents a perspective view of a graphical locking insert;

(14) FIG. 13 presents a perspective view of a blank locking insert;

(15) FIG. 14 presents a top perspective view of the spinning top illustrated in FIG. 1, shown with a graphical insert in place on a top surface of the spinning top; and

(16) FIG. 15 presents a top perspective view of a spinning top for demonstrating and teaching STEM concepts in accordance with another illustrative embodiment of the invention.

(17) Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(18) The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word exemplary or illustrative means serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any implementation described herein as exemplary or illustrative is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms upper, lower, left, rear, right, front, vertical, horizontal, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

(19) Shown throughout the figures, the present invention is directed toward a spinning top for demonstrating and teaching various STEM concepts. The apparatus may include a planar body with an attached stem and an attached conical base and base tip on opposite sides of the planar base. As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, in some embodiments the planar body may be comprised of a singular unit, whereas in other embodiments the planar base may be comprised of a plurality of interchangeable spokes. The aforementioned stem may include a rotatable stem gear, as well as a stem base. The stem base may serve as a locking mechanism for a locking insert on a top surface of the planar body. The design of the spinning may be configured such that the base tip defines a vertical axis of rotation symmetrical about the apparatus.

(20) Referring initially to FIGS. 1-5, a spinning top 100 for demonstrating and teaching STEM concepts is illustrated in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The spinning top 100 includes a planar body 120 having a top surface 122 and a bottom surface 124. Additionally, the planar body 120 may include a side surface 123 connecting the top surface 122 to the bottom surface 124. The side surface 123 may include a plurality of indentations 121 that may be radial in nature and may run along the side surface 123 of the planar body 120. Each of the plurality of indentations 121 may be equal in size and may be symmetrical along the side surface. As shown in the present embodiment, the plurality of indentations 121 may be rounded in shape. However, embodiments are envisioned wherein the shape and structure on the plurality of indentations 121 may vary. Similarly, in the present embodiment the planar body 120 less than the plurality of indentations 121 may be circular in shape. However, embodiments are envisioned wherein the planar body 120 may be comprised of any symmetrical shape allowing the base tip 131 to define a vertical axis of rotation about the stem 110.

(21) With specific reference to FIG. 2, the stem 110 may protrude from the top surface 122 of the planar body 120. In particular, the stem 110 may include a base 114 affixed to the to the top surface. In addition to the base 114, the stem 110 may also include a stem tip 111, a stem gear 112, and a sloped portion 113. The sloped portion 113 may connect the base 114 to the stem gear 112. The base 114 may be square-shaped and may be configured to hold a locking insert (as will be described in greater detail hereinafter) in place on the top surface 122 of the planar body 120. The sloped portion 113 may connect the stem gear 112 to the base 114. The stem gear 112 may include a plurality of radial protrusions disposed circumferentially about a longitudinal axis. This is also shown in FIG. 4. The plurality of radial protrusions may be configured to allow a user to better grip the stem gear 112.

(22) Referring now particularly to FIG. 3, protruding from the bottom surface of the planar body 120 may be a conical base 130. The conical base 130 may be located in a center portion of the bottom surface of the planar body. At an apex of the conical base 130 may be the base tip 131. The base tip 131 may be configured to contact with a surface and rotate on that surface, allowing the spinning top 131 to spin in the direction desired by the user.

(23) As best shown in FIG. 15, the spinning top 100 may include a plurality of radial impressions 134. The plurality of radial impressions 134 may run directly through the top surface 122 and the bottom surface 124 of the planar body 120.

(24) Referring now to FIGS. 6-9, a spinning top 200 for demonstrating and teaching STEM concepts is illustrated in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The spinning top 200 includes a planar body 218 comprised of a plurality of interchangeable spokes 220. As best shown in FIG. 9, the plurality of interchangeable spokes 220 may include an outer side surface 222 and an inner side surface 224. The outer side surface 222 may include a plurality of indentations 221 that may be radial in nature, similar to the first embodiment. Each of the plurality of indentations 221 may be equal in size and may be symmetrical along the outer side surface 222. As shown in the present embodiment, the plurality of indentations 221 may be rounded in shape. However, embodiments are envisioned wherein the shape and structure on the plurality of indentations 221 may vary. The inner side surface 224 of interchangeable spokes 220 may include a magnetic hub connector 225. The magnetic hub connector 225 may be configured to mate with a magnetic spoke hub 215 of a top core portion 210 of the spinning top 200.

(25) With particular reference to FIG. 8-9, the top core portion 210 includes a stem tip 211, a stem gear 212, a sloped portion 213 connection the stem gear 212 to a base 214, a magnetic spoke hub 215, a conical base 230, and a base tip 231. The conical base 230 may include a circular platform 232 before protruding out to the base tip 231. As mentioned previously, the magnetic spoke hub 215 may connect each of the plurality of interchangeable spokes 220 to the top core portion 210 to form the spinning top 200.

(26) Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, in a third embodiment of the invention, the spinning top 300 similar to the aforementioned spinning top 200, it is also composed of interchangeable parts: one top core portion 210 and a plurality of frame spokes 320. Instead of having indentations, the frame spoke 320 is comprised of a circular frame 321 and spoke 322, a magnetic hub connector 325 at the end of the spoke, and magnetic frame connectors 326 at each end of the circular frame. When the frame spoke 320 is inserted into the magnetic spoke hub 215 of the top core 210, the parts snap together forming a secure fit with the magnetic hub connector 325 attaching to the magnetic spoke hub 215 and the magnetic frame connectors 326 attaching to the adjacent magnetic frame connectors, if present. The top core 210 can be used with all four frame spokes 320 at the same time or any combination thereof.

(27) Referring to FIGS. 12-14, in another aspect of the invention, locking inserts 102 are provided that may enhance the effect produced by alternating current electric light, and also provide the basis for additional STEM lessons. FIG. 12 shows a circular graphical locking insert 102 with a graphical design 103 and a square opening 104 that locks in place when inserted over the top of the stem gear 112 and base 114, as shown in FIG. 14. The lock enabled by the base may prevent the square-holed insert from rotating when the top is motion. The stem 110 and the hole in the inserts can be any geometric shape that allows the insert to lock in place when placed over the stem.

(28) As shown in FIG. 13, a blank locking insert 102 with a blank surface 106 and a square opening 104 that locks in place when inserted over the top of the gear and base. Blank locking inserts 105 are used by students to create and experiment with their own graphical designs and patterns.

(29) With reference to FIGS. 1-14, an example method of operation of the spinning top 100, 200, 300 is demonstrated. Launching the device is generally accomplished by using the thumb and index finger to spin the top using the top stem 110 (or top core portion 210) and the stem gear 112, 212.

(30) If the spinning top 100, 200, 300 is spun clockwise under an AC electric light without a graphical locking insert, the indentations on the outer circumference will interact with and synchronize with AC electric light in the following way: when the rotational speed of the top 100, 200, 300 is well outside of the 60 Hz sync speed, the plurality of indentations 121, 221 appear as a fast rotating blur. As the rotational speed of the top 100, 200, 300 approaches the 60 Hz sync speed, a strobed image of the indentations 121, 221 appears rotating clockwise. Rotation may then slow and appear to stop and then the rotation reverses. As the rotational speed of the top falls below the 60 Hz sync speed, the strobed image of the indentations 121, 221 continues rotating counter-clockwise with increasing speed until it becomes a blur again. However, the spinning top 100, 200, 300 is spinning clockwise.

(31) If the spinning top 100, 200, 300 is spun clockwise with a graphical locking insert 102 in place, under AC electric light, the indentations 121, 221 on the side surface will behave in the way described above. Similarly, this effect may be demonstrated in the plurality of radial impressions 134 at that speed. The graphical locking inserts can be used to show how the onset of the AC electric light effect varies depending on the number indentions or spokes being rotated under that light. For example, if an embodiment where the invention has twelve indentations and a graphical locking insert that has eight spokes is used, the AC electric light effect will appear sooner on the spokes of the insert than on the outer indentations.

(32) Alternative embodiments are contemplated to those shown or described herein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, embodiments are contemplated in which the number of the plurality of spokes vary. Another alternative embodiment considered differentiating the shapes of both the indentations, as well as the shapes of the stem and the inserts.

(33) In summary, the spinning top disclosed herein provides a user with a spinning top that allows a user to create variable geometry and allow the device's mass, balance, weight distribution, and indentations to vary. This variability allows for the demonstration and teaching of various STEM concepts.

(34) Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Furthermore, it is understood that any of the features presented in the embodiments may be integrated into any of the other embodiments unless explicitly stated otherwise. The scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.