Spinning top

Abstract

A hollow rotatable member preferably made from a clear plastic material and a hollow cover are attached to each other in a spinning top. A ring is disposed within the top on the cover at a position of the top's substantially maximum diameter to provide stability and inertia to the top during the top's rotation, thereby significantly increasing the top's spinning time. A cap fits tightly on the upper portion of the rotatable member. A strap having teeth defining a rack gear extends through an aperture in the cap and engages a pinion gear in the aperture. When the strap is pulled from the aperture, the pinion gear rotates and causes the top to spin. Because of the tight fit between the top and the cap, the top can be thrown outwardly and downwardly toward a support surface and can be spinning as it reaches the support surface. The cap may have an increased vertical dimension to facilitate the manual holding of the top in a vertical direction when the strap is pulled from the cap aperture to initiate the top's spinning. Lights may be disposed within the rotatable member to provide illuminations while the top is spinning. A belt is disposed on the cover at substantially the position of the seam between the rotatable member and the cover and is provided with a significant height to receive advertisements. Depending upon their positioning and configuration, lugs on the belt also enhance the top's stability and balance or destabilize and unbalance the top. Each user may have a plurality of as collectible items belts with different configurations of lugs. The lugs strike competitive tops and prevent them from spinning.