Toy spinning top

Abstract

A spinning toy or top includes a hollow rotating body with a generally low center of gravity caused by a mass positioned near the bottom of the body and having a portion thereof extending through the lower wall of the body to define a point on which the toy spins. A pair of limbs may be pivotally mounted on the top to be raised or otherwise actuated by centrifugal force upon rotation of the top. A head or similar device may be positioned on the body and coupled thereto for concurrent rotation by frictional forces. The toy is spun by a spinner that includes an elongated screw fabricated in a helical configuration. A handle is secured to the top of the screw and a clutch is mounted on the lower end. The clutch includes a gripping member slidably mounted on the screw so as to rotate when moved relative to the screw. The head member includes a detent mechanism so that the head can be held in a stationary position, or selectively stopped by engagement with the handle.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.