Spinning novelty toy powered by the manipulation of a handheld platform

Abstract

A spinning toy system and its method of providing rotational energy to a spinning toy. A platform is provided having a bottom surface and a friction ring that encircles the bottom surface. A spinning toy assembly is provided that has a point upon which it spins in a balanced condition. The spinning toy assembly is initially set to spin on the platform at a low RPM rate. The platform is then manipulated to cause the spinning toy assembly to repeatedly contact the friction ring. The spinning toy assembly gathers rotational speed as it contacts the moving friction ring and accelerates from its initial RPM rate to a rate much faster. Once up to full speed, the spinning toy assembly can be removed from the platform and used for even more play.

1 . A method of providing rotational energy to a toy assembly, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a platform having a bottom surface and a friction ring encircling said bottom surface;   providing a toy assembly having a point upon which said toy assembly can spin in a balanced condition;   spinning said toy assembly on said platform, therein causing said toy assembly to spin on said point in said balanced condition at a first rotational speed,   moving said platform, causing said toy assembly to repeatedly contact said friction ring and gather rotational energy therefrom, therein causing said toy assembly to accelerate in rotational speed from said first rotational speed.   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of providing a platform includes providing a platform with a handle. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said step of moving said platform, includes manually manipulating said handle to cause said platform to move in a repeating circular pattern in a horizontal plane. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of providing a toy assembly includes providing a toy assembly with a flange that radially extends from said toy proximate said point. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said step of providing a platform includes providing a platform with a gap interposed between said bottom surface and said friction ring, wherein said flange on said toy assembly passes into said gap as said toy assembly contacts said friction ring, therein inhibiting said toy assembly from separating from said platform while in contact with said friction ring. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of providing a toy assembly includes providing a toy assembly with a shaft that leads to said point, wherein said shaft has a first diameter and wherein said shaft contacts said friction ring during said step of moving said platform. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein said toy assembly expands to a diameter at least ten times said first diameter of said shaft. 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of spinning said toy assembly on said platform includes launching said toy assembly from a manually operated spinning mechanism. 
   
   
       9 . A method of adding rotational energy to an element of a toy assembly, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a toy assembly having a protruding point upon which said toy assembly can balance while spinning;   rotating said toy assembly on a platform encircled by a friction ring;   repeatedly manipulating said platform so that said toy assembly contacts said friction ring and receives rotational energy from said friction ring;   removing said toy assembly from said platform while spinning, therein enabling said toy assembly to perform a secondary function with said rotational energy stored therein.   
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein said step of rotating said toy assembly on a platform further includes providing a platform with a handle and manually manipulating said handle to cause said platform to move in a repeating circular pattern in a horizontal plane. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein said step of providing a toy assembly includes providing a toy assembly with a flange that radially extends from said toy proximate said protruding point. 
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein said step of providing a platform includes providing a platform with a gap disposed below said friction ring, wherein said flange on said toy assembly passes into said gap as said toy assembly contacts said friction ring, therein inhibiting said toy assembly from separating from said platform while in contact with said friction ring. 
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein said step of providing a toy assembly includes providing a toy assembly with a shaft that leads to said protruding point, wherein said shaft has a first diameter and wherein said shaft contacts said friction ring during said step of repeatedly manipulating said platform. 
   
   
       14 . A novelty toy system, comprising:
 a spinning toy having a point upon which said spinning toy can balance when spinning, said point being located at the end of an elongated element extending from said spinning toy, wherein a flange radially extends from said elongated element proximate said point;   a platform having a surface encircled by a friction ring, wherein said friction ring is positioned and sized to contact said elongated element extending from said spinning toy should said spinning toy travel into said friction ring, and wherein a gap is disposed under said friction ring that receives said flange on said spinning toy while said elongated element of said spinning toy is in abutment with said friction ring.   
   
   
       15 . The system according to  claim 14 , further including a spinning mechanism for causing said spinning toy to initially start spinning on said platform. 
   
   
       16 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein said spinning toy has a top end that is magnetic. 
   
   
       17 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein said platform includes at least one magnet that is strong enough to lift said spinning toy. 
   
   
       18 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein said platform includes a handle.