The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 23, 1993
Filed:
Dec. 13, 1991
Mark Hartelius, Eden Prairie, MN (US);
Randy Randleman, White Bear Lake, MN (US);
Other;
Abstract
A toy (10) is disclosed including a spinner (34) having an annular member (38) formed of compressible material rotatably moveable relative to first and second, semiconductor walls (18, 28). A first track wall defined by walls (14, 16, 20) extends between the extremities of the first wall (18). A second track wall defined by walls (24, 26, 30) extends between the extremities of the second wall (28) parallel to and spaced from the first track wall, with the first and second track walls defining a track for rolling receipt of the balls (76). The track includes first and second inclined portions having a bell (68) at their interconnection. In operation, balls (76) compress the compressible material and are captured between the annular member (38) and the first wall (18) when the spinner (34) is rotated. The captured balls (76) are moved relative to the first wall (18) with the rotation of the spinner (34) until they reach the first extremity of the first wall ( 18) and are released into the track with a spring force due to the expansion of the annular member (38) from its compressed condition. The balls (76) fall down the first inclined portion, hit and ring the bell (68) as they pivot and change their direction to and down the second inclined portion back towards the spinner (34).