Inertial Dynamic Toy

Abstract

An inertial dynamic toy is disclosed comprising: an annular housing having a circumferential groove; a flywheel mounted to a flywheel support axle, the flywheel support axle configured to be retained inside the annular housing; and an outrigger support frame releasably attached to the annular housing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An inertial dynamic toy comprising:
 a annular housing having a circumferential groove;   a flywheel mounted to a flywheel support axle, said flywheel support axle configured to be retained inside said annular housing; and   an outrigger support frame releasably attached to said annular housing.   
     
     
         2 . An inertial dynamic toy as in  claim 1  wherein said annular housing comprises an upper ridge. 
     
     
         3 . An inertial dynamic toy as in  claim 1  wherein said circumferential groove comprises a substantially semicircular cross sectional shape. 
     
     
         4 . An inertial dynamic toy as in  claim 1  wherein said outrigger support frame comprises either a soft metal or a flexible plastic. 
     
     
         5 . An inertial dynamic toy as in  claim 1  where said outrigger support comprises a first C-shaped fan-like section, a second C-shaped fan-like section, a first central curved section connected to said first C-shaped fan-like section, and a second central curved section connected to the second C-shaped fan-like section. 
     
     
         6 . An inertial dynamic toy as in  claim 5  wherein said first central curved section and said second central curved section are both connected to the first C-shaped fan-like section to said second C-shaped fan-like section. 
     
     
         7 . An inertial dynamic toy as in  claim 5  wherein said first C-shaped fan-like section, said second C-shaped fan-like section, said first central curved section, and said second central curved section are mechanically connected by at least one of: fastening, brazing, soldering, and bonding. 
     
     
         8 . An inertial dynamic toy as in  claim 5  wherein said first C-shaped fan-like section, said second C-shaped fan-like section, said first central curved section, and said second central curved section comprise a unitary component. 
     
     
         9 . An inertial dynamic toy as in  claim 5  wherein said first central curved section and said second central curved section are configured to fit into said circumferential groove. 
     
     
         10 . An inertial dynamic toy as in  claim 9  wherein said first C-shaped fan-like section and said second C-shaped fan-like section provide compressive, spring-like forces to retain said first central curved section and said second central curved section in said circumferential groove. 
     
     
         11 . An inertial dynamic toy as in  claim 10  wherein said first C-shaped fan-like section forms a dihedral angle with said second C-shaped fan-like section, said dihedral angle comprising an angle of between 120° to 180°. 
     
     
         12 . An inertial dynamic toy as in  claim 1  further comprising a hemispherical dome cover secured to said annular housing. 
     
     
         13 . An inertial dynamic toy as in  claim 1  further comprising a first cover attached to and covering said first C-shaped fan-like section and a second cover attached to and covering said second C-shaped fan-like section. 
     
     
         14 . A method of imparting dynamic action to a toy comprising the steps of:
 providing a flywheel mounted to a flywheel support axle;   securing said flywheel support axle to an annular housing such that said flywheel freely rotates along an axis of rotation coincident with said flywheel support axle; and   attaching an outrigger support frame to said annular housing such that said flywheel and said outrigger support frame provide two-point support to said annular housing.   
     
     
         15 . The method as in  claim 13  wherein said step of attaching comprises the step of placing a portion of said outrigger support frame into a circumferential groove in said annular housing. 
     
     
         16 . The method as in  claim 13  further comprising the step of rotating said annular housing with respect to said outrigger support frame. 
     
     
         17 . The method as in  claim 13  wherein said outrigger support frame comprises a first C-shaped fan-like section providing a compressive spring-like force to retain said outrigger support frame on said annular housing. 
     
     
         18 . The method as in  claim 17  further comprising the step of attaching a cover to said first C-shaped fan-like section. 
     
     
         19 . The method as in  claim 13  further comprising a second C-shaped fan-like section, wherein a cross sectional shape of said outrigger support frame taken through both said first C-shaped fan-like section and said second C-shaped fan-like section defines an obtuse angle. 
     
     
         20 . The method as in  claim 19  wherein said obtuse angle comprises an angle ranging from 120° to 180°.