Abstract: A driving device for initiating and maintaining a spinning top in a continuous movement of rotation and precession. The driving device is made of a shaft adapted to axially rotate in a tube on which is concentrically fixed a rim. A top is hingely connected by its central post to the end of the shaft adjacent the rim. The post is able to rotate around the rim through a ball-bearing joint and the friction between the post and the rim causes the top to spin around the rim. By momentarily braking or changing the direction of the shaft with a manual contact on the shaft, it is possible to create a precession movement to the spinning top which will raise above the rim.

Abstract: A toy top launcher simulating a space shuttle is disclosed for launching a rotating top having a circular enlarged end and a gear adjacent the opposite end onto a flat surface. The top launcher has a chamber for supporting the enlarged ends of a plurality of tops is a row. A discharge station is provided for discharging the leading top from the chamber to a starting launching position on a launch pad. The launch pad has a pair of spaced elongated edges defining an open-ended elongated slot having a gear track along one edge thereof. A launch slider is mounted for reciprocal movement on the launch pad, and in one direction of movement engages the top and urges the gear thereof into meshing engagement with the gear rack. Further movement of the slider imparts rotation and forward motion to the top, expelling the top from the open-end of the slot.

Abstract: A top device is designed for determining chance by spinning it. Primarily, it consists of a body with a lower pointed end and a polygonal shaped upper end that receives a hexagonal pencil that is retained in a tapered hexagonal and vertical opening by friction, and the pencil is employed as a shaft for rotating or spinning the device when employed for chance determining endeavors, while in the alternative the pencil can be removed for writing.

Abstract: A lever having an inner impeller arm and outer actuating arm is pivoted to a portable platform. An adjustably fixed post is secured to the platform radially outward from the impeller arm. The post includes a concave surface which faces a convex surface at the end of the impeller arm. At least a portion of the surfaces are mutually congruent and spaced-apart a distance less than the diameter of a top spindle. The surfaces are resilient and grip the spindle so that relative movement between the surfaces will rotate the spindle and top. As the impeller arm is swung beyond the stationary surface, the top will be released from the surfaces and become propelled by the arm into dynamic flight.

Abstract: A domed spinning top is disclosed in which a vertically movable housing member having a transparent dome is mounted above a stationary base. A rotatable turntable is mounted on the housing member under the dome. An actuating mechanism acts upon a drive mechanism to engage the turntable and rotate it during vertical movement of the housing member toward the base. Upon cessation of vertical movement of the housing member toward the base, the actuating mechanism disengages the drive mechanism from the turntable to permit the turntable to rotate freely. A peek-a-boo enclosure comprising a plurality of shroud segments is mounted on the turntable in which the segments separate to expose a central figure during rapid rotation of the turntable, and return together to substantially encase the central figure when rotation of the turntable is diminished.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetic top running toy wherein a spinning top is run along a running path. The magnetic top running toy includes a top having a magnetic shaft and a running path having a magnetic attraction wall adapted to contact with the magnetic shaft of the top when the top runs along the running path. The running path is constructed as a reciprocative running path permitting the top to turn at both ends thereof. A starting station and a jumping station are attached to the running path. The starting station has a guide surface for guiding the top onto the running path. The jumping station is adapted to allow the top guided from the running path to fly therefrom while keeping the top to spin.

Abstract: A spinning toy having a hollow housing, a detachable cover, a cargo carrier in the housing, means responsive to attachment of the cover to engage first detent means, means for rotating the toy, means for retaining the cover on the housing as the toy is rotated, means responsive to centrifugal force for transferring the engagement to second detent means, and means responsive to a decrease in centrifugal force for disengaging the second detent means and means for ejecting the cover and cargo upon release of the second detent means; and a launcher that serves as means for retaining the cover on the housing during the transition from first to second detent means, the launcher having means for disengaging the toy and moving it away to spin freely.