Controllable spinning device

Abstract

A system and method for controlling an action toy without electronics or motors. A spinning sphere includes a set of magnets supported by a cross beam. A magnet assembly, such as a ring or wand, may be held by an operator and used to control the spinning embodiments. Special play surfaces may be provided to enhance an experience and challenges of steering a spinning sphere.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
         1 . An amusement system, comprising:
 a body having a rotational symmetry including an axis extending between a first reference point and a second reference point and further including a reference plane extending perpendicularly from said axis between said reference points, said reference plane defining a reference perimeter;   a plurality of magnetic components distributed about said reference perimeter; and   a controller, independent from said body, including a magnet structure configured to control a direction of motion of said body as it spins over a play surface.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said body includes a spherical shell containing said reference points and said reference plane. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising an anti-swallowing structure, coupled to said body, encapsulating said plurality of magnetic components. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2  further comprising an anti-swallowing structure, coupled to said body, encapsulating said plurality of magnetic components. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said reference perimeter defines a circle. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein each said magnetic component includes a first magnetic pole associated with a second magnetic pole, said poles disposed within said reference plane, with each said first magnetic pole closer to said axis than each said associated second pole wherein all said first magnetic poles have a same magnetic pole selected from a north magnetic pole or a south magnetic pole. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2  wherein each said magnetic component includes a first magnetic pole associated with a second magnetic pole, said poles disposed within said reference plane, with each said first magnetic pole closer to said axis than each said associated second pole wherein all said first magnetic poles have a same magnetic pole selected from a north magnetic pole or a south magnetic pole. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 3  wherein each said magnetic component includes a first magnetic pole associated with a second magnetic pole, said poles disposed within said reference plane, with each said first magnetic pole closer to said axis than each said associated second pole wherein all said first magnetic poles have a same magnetic pole selected from a north magnetic pole or a south magnetic pole. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 4  wherein each said magnetic component includes a first magnetic pole associated with a second magnetic pole, said poles disposed within said reference plane, with each said first magnetic pole closer to said axis than each said associated second pole wherein all said first magnetic poles have a same magnetic pole selected from a north magnetic pole or a south magnetic pole. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 5  wherein said controller includes a ring including said magnetic structure. 
     
     
         11 . A method of operating an amusement system, comprising:
 a) spinning a first body on a play surface producing a spinning first body, said first body having a rotational symmetry including a first axis extending between a first reference point and a second reference point and further including a first reference plane extending perpendicularly from said axis between said reference points, said first reference plane defining a first reference perimeter; and a plurality of magnetic components distributed about said first reference perimeter, wherein said first reference point is proximate said play surface and wherein said second reference point extends above said play surface; and   b) positioning a first controller, independent from said first body, over said second reference point while said first body is spinning, said first controller including a magnet structure complementary to said plurality of magnetic components; and   c) inducing a movement of said spinning first body over said play surface by translating said first controller over said play surface proximate said second reference point.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein each said magnetic component of said first body includes a first magnetic pole associated with a second magnetic pole, said poles disposed within said reference plane, with each said first magnetic pole closer to said axis than each said associated second pole wherein all said first magnetic poles have a same magnetic pole selected from a north magnetic pole or a south magnetic pole, further comprising:
 d) spinning a second body on said play surface producing a spinning second body wherein each said magnetic component of said second body includes a first magnetic pole associated with a second magnetic pole, said poles disposed within said reference plane, with each said first magnetic pole closer to said axis than each said associated second pole wherein all said first magnetic poles have a same magnetic pole selected from a north magnetic pole or a south magnetic pole and different from said first magnetic poles of said first body; 
 e) positioning a second controller, independent from said bodies, over said second reference point of said second body while said second body is spinning, said second controller including a magnet structure complementary to said plurality of magnetic components of said second body; and 
 f) inducing a movement of said spinning second body over said play surface by translating said second controller over said play surface proximate said second reference point of said second body concurrent with step c). 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein each said body includes a housing having a game play graphic component disposed thereon further comprising:
 g) contacting said spinning bodies together at a contact point for each said housing which fixes a relative position of said contact point with respect to each said game play graphic component; and 
 h) resolving a match event by comparing said contact point to each said game play graphic component. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said play surface may include a track portion assembled from a set of predetermined track portion options. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said play surface may include a track portion assembled from a set of predetermined track portion options. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said play surface may include a track portion assembled from a set of predetermined track portion options.