Flywheel Powered Toy That Can Operate Both as a Vehicle and as a Top

Abstract

A toy assembly having a body symmetrically balanced around a first axis. The body has wheels upon which the body can roll. A flywheel is disposed within the body that rotates about the first axis in a plane that is perpendicular to said first axis. The flywheel preserves angular momentum. At least one gear is provided within the body that transfers rotational energy between the flywheel and at least one of the wheels. The toy assembly can roll as a vehicle or spin as a top depending on whether it is placed on a flat surface or balanced on a salient point.

1 . A toy assembly symmetrically balanced about a first axis, said assembly comprising:
 a housing having an exterior surface, said housing having a projection on said exterior surface that is aligned with said first axis, wherein said housing is symmetrically balanced about said first axis;   a base platform symmetrically balanced around said first axis, said base platform having a relief formed therein that is aligned with said first axis, wherein said relief is sized to receive said projection therein, wherein said base platform is supported by wheels upon which said body can roll, and wherein said base platform and said housing combine to define an internal chamber;   a flywheel disposed within said internal chamber that rotates about said first axis in a plane perpendicular to said first axis; and   at least one gear within said internal chamber that transfers rotational energy between said flywheel and at least one of said wheels.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The toy assembly according to  claim 1 , further including an axle that connects two of said wheels, wherein said at least one gear interconnects with said axle and turns with said axle. 
     
     
         4 . The toy assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said base platform has a bottom surface that faces away from said internal chamber, wherein said relief is disposed in said bottom surface. 
     
     
         5 . The toy assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said housing tapers from a wide base to an apex, wherein said apex is aligned along said first axis. 
     
     
         6 . The toy assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein said housing has a semispherical shape. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A toy assembly, comprising:
 a first toy vehicle powered by a first internal flywheel, wherein said first internal flywheel spins about a first axis and said first toy vehicle is balanced about said first axis;   a second toy vehicle powered by a second internal flywheel, wherein said second internal flywheel spins about a second axis and said second toy vehicle is balanced about said second axis;   wherein said first toy vehicle has a projection extending therefrom that is aligned with said first axis, and said second toy vehicle has a relief formed therein that is aligned with said second axis, wherein said second toy vehicle can balance atop said first toy vehicle when said relief of said second toy vehicle is placed atop said projection of said first toy vehicle.   
     
     
         14 . The toy assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein said first internal flywheel has a first weighted wheel that spins about said first axis perpendicular to said first axis. 
     
     
         15 . The toy assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein said second internal flywheel has a second weighted wheel that spins about said second axis perpendicular to said second axis. 
     
     
         16 . The toy assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein said first toy vehicle rolls upon at least one wheel that is coupled to said first internal flywheel so as to rotate with said first internal flywheel. 
     
     
         17 . The toy assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein both said first toy vehicle and said second toy vehicle have hemispherical shapes. 
     
     
         18 . The toy assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein said first toy vehicle and said second toy vehicle are identical in shape and size.