Gyroscope

Abstract

A gyroscope includes a frame that surrounds a wheel and a weight that is connected to the wheel. A pair of wheel axles extend from the wheel and connect the wheel to the frame so that the wheel may rotate with respect to the frame. The frame also includes end pivot frames that provide a mounting point for end pivots to be removably attached to the frame. A zip cord may interact with a starting gear on one of the wheel axles to cause rotation of the wheel with respect to the frame.

1 . A toy gyroscope comprising:
 a frame including a first frame section and a second frame section attachable to said first frame section, wherein a first end pivot frame is positioned at an end of said first frame section, and wherein a second end pivot frame is positioned at an end of said second frame section;   a wheel positioned within said frame, wherein said wheel is rotatable within said frame;   a wheel axle including a first wheel axle portion extending from a first side of said wheel and a second wheel axle portion extending from a second side of said wheel;   a weight mounted to said wheel;   a first end pivot removably attached to said frame at said first end pivot frame; and   a second end pivot removably attached to said frame at said second end pivot frame.   
     
     
         2 . The toy gyroscope of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a zip cord including spaced teeth along a length of said zip cord;   wherein said first wheel axle portion includes a first starting gear having a plurality of teeth; and   wherein the teeth of said zip cord correspond to the teeth of said first starting gear, and wherein pulling said zip cord along said first starting gear causes rotation of said wheel within said frame.   
     
     
         3 . The toy gyroscope of  claim 2 ,
 wherein said second wheel axle portion includes a second starting gear having a plurality of teeth; and   wherein the teeth of said zip cord correspond to the teeth of said second starting gear, and wherein pulling said zip cord along said second starting gear causes rotation of said wheel within said frame.   
     
     
         4 . The toy gyroscope of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said first frame section includes first connection flanges that fit into second connection slots defined in said second frame section when said first frame section is connected to said second frame section; and   wherein said second frame section includes second connection flanges that fit into first connection slots defined in said first frame section when said first frame section is connected to said second frame section.   
     
     
         5 . The toy gyroscope of  claim 1 , wherein said first frame section is sonic welded to said second frame section. 
     
     
         6 . The toy gyroscope of  claim 1 ,
 wherein a plurality of frame openings are defined through said first frame section; and   wherein a plurality of frame openings are defined through said second frame section.   
     
     
         7 . The toy gyroscope of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 wheel connection flanges extending from said wheel; and   wherein said wheel connection flanges fit within weight slots defined through a weight ledge of said weight when said weight is attached to said wheel.   
     
     
         8 . The toy gyroscope of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said first end pivot frame includes a first end pivot post;   wherein said first end pivot is removably attachable to said first end pivot frame at said first end pivot post; and   wherein said first end pivot is rotatable about said first end pivot post to secure said first end pivot to said first end pivot frame.   
     
     
         9 . The toy gyroscope of  claim 8 ,
 wherein said first end pivot frame includes an end pivot shoulder; and   wherein said end pivot shoulder fits within a first end pivot slot defined at an edge of said first end pivot and is rotatable into a first end pivot recess to secure said first end pivot to said first end pivot frame.   
     
     
         10 . The toy gyroscope of  claim 8 ,
 wherein said second end pivot frame includes a second end pivot post;   wherein said second end pivot is removably attachable to said second end pivot frame at said second end pivot post; and   wherein said second end pivot is rotatable about said second end pivot post to secure said second end pivot to said second end pivot frame.   
     
     
         11 . The toy gyroscope of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said first end pivot includes a first end pivot head, and wherein a V-shaped slot is defined through said first end pivot head; and   wherein said second end pivot includes a second end pivot head, and wherein a circular recess is defined in said second end pivot head.   
     
     
         12 . A toy gyroscope comprising:
 a frame including a first end pivot frame and a second end pivot frame;   a wheel positioned within said frame, wherein said wheel includes:
 a wheel axle including a first wheel axle portion extending from a first side of said wheel, wherein said first wheel axle portion defines a first bore hole extending within said first wheel axle portion, and a second wheel axle portion extending from a second side of said wheel, wherein said second wheel axle portion defines a second bore hole extending within said second wheel axle portion; 
   a first ball bearing positioned within said first bore hole;   a first bearing pin, wherein an inner end of said first bearing pin is positioned within said first bore hole and an outer end of said first bearing pin is surrounded by said first end pivot frame;   a second ball bearing positioned within said second bore hole; and   a second bearing pin, wherein an inner end of said second bearing pin is positioned within said second bore hole and an outer end of said second bearing pin is surrounded by said second end pivot frame.   
     
     
         13 . The toy gyroscope of  claim 12 ,
 wherein said first wheel axle portion includes a first starting gear, and wherein said first bore hole extends through said first starting gear; and   wherein said second wheel axle portion includes a second starting gear, and wherein said second bore hole extends through said second starting gear.   
     
     
         14 . The toy gyroscope of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a zip cord including spaced teeth along a length of said zip cord;   wherein the teeth of said zip cord correspond to teeth of said first starting gear, and wherein pulling said zip cord along said first starting gear causes rotation of said wheel within said frame.   
     
     
         15 . The toy gyroscope of  claim 12 ,
 wherein said first bore hole has a hemispherically shaped inner end; and   wherein said second bore hole has a hemispherically shaped inner end.   
     
     
         16 . The toy gyroscope of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a first end pivot removably attached to said frame at said first end pivot frame.   
     
     
         17 . The toy gyroscope of  claim 16 ,
 wherein said first end pivot frame includes a first end pivot post;   wherein said first end pivot is removably attachable to said first end pivot frame at said first end pivot post; and   wherein said first end pivot is rotatable about said first end pivot post to secure said first end pivot to said first end pivot frame.   
     
     
         18 . The toy gyroscope of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a second end pivot removably attached to said frame at said second end pivot frame.   
     
     
         19 . The toy gyroscope of  claim 18 ,
 wherein said second end pivot frame includes a second end pivot post;   wherein said second end pivot is removably attachable to said second end pivot frame at said second end pivot post; and   wherein said second end pivot is rotatable about said second end pivot post to secure said second end pivot to said second end pivot frame.   
     
     
         20 . The toy gyroscope of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a weight mounted to said wheel, wherein said weight is positioned around a perimeter of said wheel.