US3769743A - Vibratory toy - Google Patents
Vibratory toy Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3769743A US3769743A US00173181A US3769743DA US3769743A US 3769743 A US3769743 A US 3769743A US 00173181 A US00173181 A US 00173181A US 3769743D A US3769743D A US 3769743DA US 3769743 A US3769743 A US 3769743A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- panel
- toy
- support structure
- panels
- operative member
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- A63H18/00—Highways or trackways for toys; Propulsion by special interaction between vehicle and track
- A63H18/007—Vehicles moved by vibration
Definitions
- a vibrator supported on the support structure comprises a power input device, such as a rotatable crank handle; a power transmission section, such as a step-up gearbox; and an output device, such as an eccentric shaft, connected to the operative member to vibrate the latter with rapid translatory motion when the handle is turned.
- the operative member has bounded areas, such as an open area or a closed track, and figurines are placed thereon to move in response to the vibration.
- Figurines to move along the track have support platforms with downwardly and rearwardly extending fibers of plush or the like to move the figurines in one direction along the track.
- This invention relates to the field of toys having moving components and capable of being folded into a selfcontained enclosure, the moving components being propelled by vibrating part of the surface of the toy by means attached to the surface and to a support structure therefor.
- Toys that have separately movable parts have a special curiosity for small children and'when the toys are simple enough to allow the child to provide or control the power to move the parts, the childs interest is increased.
- the toy be self-' contained as well as being simple to operate. Bein'g selfcontained is also an advantage in making the toy easy to store after it has been used. Another factor that is of particular importance in the case of toys to be used by extremely young children is that the toy be as nearly absolutely safe as is possible.
- a further object is to provide a toy of the foregoing type that has movable component parts capable of moving in a random way or at least in a way that is not rigidly repetitious.
- a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved toy structure capable of either being folded into a complete enclosure or being laid out flat for use by a: child.
- a still further object of the present invention is to provide movable figures for a vibrating toy in which the figurines derive motive power from the vibration to cause them to move in a specific direction along a bounded track area.
- the toy of the present invention i's'built upon 'a support structure in the fo'rmof a multi-pa'nel, substantially two-dimensional base, the panels of which are hinged to each other in such a way as to permit them to be folded up to form a box-like enclosure.
- Attached to the surface of the support structure that is on the inside of the box-like structure when his folded up is an operative member in the form of an embossed plastic sheet, the embossments of which divide the sheet in the relatively rigid panels joined by flexible sections.
- the embossments also serve to give the surface of the sheet the resemblance of .a landscape having several bounded areas on which movable objects, such as figurines, can move about.
- One of the bounded areas may be in the form of a closed loop track along which certain of the figurines may progress and another one or more of the bounded areas may be enclosed sections representing ice-skating rinks or the like.
- the toy components moving along the track preferably comprise figurines having fibrous material on the bottom, the fibers of which extend downwardly and towardthe rear of the figurine to cause the figurine to move in a forward direction when the operating member is vibrated.
- the operating member is secured to the support structure by connectors, such as rivets or the like, that,
- Power to cause the operating member to vibrate is provided by an eccentric shaft which is rotated by a step-up gear mechanism capable of being operated by hand by a small child.
- the gear mechanism is attached to the support structure andthe eccentric output shaft is connected to the operating member to cause the latter to vibrate with a translatory motion when the crank handle at the input end of the gear box is turned.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toy according to the present invention, opened up for use;
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a typical figurine to be used in the toy of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 shows'the toy of FIG. 1 folded up to make an enclosure
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional sideview of a gear box for vibrating the operating member in the toy of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 5 is a top view of the gear box in FIG. 4;
- FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional end view of the gear-box in FIGS. 4 and 5; and I FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing fastening means to hold the gear box of FIGS. 4-6 together.
- FIG. 1 shows a toy generally indicated by reference numeral 11 that includes a base, or support structure, 12.
- the base is divided into a number of panels of which the main ones are panels13 and 14. These are the largest panels, and they are joined together by a central panel 16 that has the same length as the panels 13 and 14 but not necessarily the same width.
- the sup-v port structure 12 may be'formed of two sheets of polyvinyl chloride heat-sealed together around the entire perimeter, asindicated by reference numeral 17, and
- Polyvinyl chloride is a particularly suitable materialbecause it is tough enough to withstand the usage of a child and yet inexpensive enough tope'rmit the toy to be made for a reasonable cost. Furthermore, it is flexibleenough so that it can act as an integral hinge between adjacent panels.
- a suitable stiffening material 15,- such as cardboard may be sealed into appropriate areas by the perimeter heat seal 17 and by other heat seals that may be used to define the'integral hinges between panels.
- An operative member 39 may be embossed by a vacuum-forming technique or the like so as'to be divided into three panels 40-42. These panels are joined to each other by hinge sections 43 and 44. Section 40 of the operating member 39 is slightly smaller than the panel 13 of the support structure but is almost coextensive therewith. Similarly, the section 42 is substantially coextensive with the panel 14 and the section 41 is sub-' stantially coextensive with the panel 16.
- the embossments on the operating member give it the appearance of a simulated landscape.
- These embossments may include 46 and 47, a closed loop track made of sections 48-51, a structure 52 apparentlybuilt of blocks and a pair of enclosed flat surfaces 53 and 54.
- the operating member 39 is made of white plastic, all of the topographical features on it may be made to look as if they were snow covered or, in-the case of the flat surfaces 53 and 54, ice-covered skating rinks.
- the icecovered skating rinks are enclosed by raised perimeters 56 andv57, respectively.
- the closed loop track may be formed in such a way as to look as if it were dug out of a relatively thick layer of snow so that it has vertical walls 58-61 all around.
- the operating member 39 At the four corners of the operating member 39 are four connectors 63-66, each of which has a stern (not shown) of relatively narrow cross-section and an enlarged head.
- the stems of the connectors 63-66 extend through slots 68-71, respectively, and are attached at their lower ends to the support structure 12.
- the enlarged heads prevent the operating member 39 from being pulled off of the connectors 63-66 but allow-the operating member to move slightly relative to the support structure 12.
- FIG. 72 Another topographical feature of the simulated landscape is a tunnel 72 that has connecting supports (not shown) that extend through four openings inthe operating member 39. Only two of the openings 73and 74 are shown in the drawing. Below these openings are slots 75 and 76 located in the support structure 12 to permit the tunnel 72 to be attached directly to the support structure without affecting the mobility of the' operating member 39.
- the block structure 52 houses the actuating mechanism that vibrates the operating member 39 and will be described in greater detail hereinafter.
- the actuating mechanism has a handle 78 which, when turned, causes the operating member 39 to vibrate laterally with a translatory motion with respect to the support structure 12.
- This vibration is transmitted to movable toy figurines resting on the operating member 39.
- These may include a figurine 79 representing a small boy and a figurine 81 representing a small girl, both located in the area54 that represents anice-skating rink.
- These figurines preferably are so constructed that they readily stand erect, even when the operating member 39 vibrates. This vibration causes the figurines to move in such a way as to appear to skate across the surface of rink 54.
- the cow 82 which may be of any configuration but in the example shown is a simulation of a cow, is arranged, to move on the closed loop track.
- the cow 82 which is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2, has a support platform 83 the lower surface of which is covered with a fibrous material 84 such as a plush.
- the fibers of this material extend downwardly and toward the rear of the animal and when the operating member 39 is vibrated, the vibratory motion acts upon the fibers 84 and causes the figurine 82 to move forward along the track.
- the platform 83 is rectangular and has a width somewhat less than the width of the various tracksections 48-51 so that this figurine cannot turn around in the track but must continue in one direction around the loop.
- the' figurine crosses the two hinged sections 43 and 44 of the operating memeber 39, which are coplanarwith the track sections 48-51.
- the platform 83 of the figurine 82 is made long enough so that the figurine cannot get twisted in crossing the hinge sections 43 and 44 but continues straight across and on to the next track section.
- the first step is to fold the panels 18-25 and snap them together in the same manner as the panels 26-28.
- the support structure 12 forms a tray that is closed except for the two gaps at the ends of the center panel 16.
- the toy may be used in this manner without unsnapping any of the side panels.
- the main panels 13 and 14 may be folded to an upright position with respect to the center panelv 16.
- the side panel'24 partially overlaps the panel 23 when the main panels 13 and 14 have been folded to an upright position.
- the side panel 28 overlaps the side panel 18 in the same manner as thepanel 24 overlaps thepanel 23.
- the panel 21 has part of the catch by which the enclosure is held in a closed condition. This part of the catch is a metal window 89 that defines a rectangular opening in the panel 21 through which a rotatable bar 91 can pass. After passing through the opening, the bar is twisted to the position shown in FIG. 3 to lock the enclosure.
- the enclosure also has a carrying handle 92 that extends through two openings 93 and 94 in the panel 26.
- the actuating mechanism has a base 101 and a cover 102. Both of these parts are made of molded plastic, and the base includes several support posts of which only the posts 103 and 104 are shown in this figure. These posts are attached directly to the center panel 16 by means of suitable fasteners 106 and 107.
- the base 101 has a shallow cup 108 formed in it as a journal for the axle 109 of a gear 111.
- the cover 102 FIGS. 4-7 show the actuating mechanism for the toy has a matching cup 112 aligned with the cup 108 as a journal for the other end of the axle 109.
- An opening 113 in the center of the cup 112 permits a shaft 114 of the handle 78 to extend through the cover 102 and engage the axle 109 to rotate it and thereby to rotate the gear 111 when the handle 78 is turned.
- the shaft 114 has a square cross-section to assure that the gear 111 does not slip.
- a gear set comprising a pinion 116 and a gear 117 connected theretois mounted in suitable journals 118 and 119 in the. base 101 and the cover 102, respectively.
- the pinion 116 meshes with the gear 111 to be driven thereby.
- the gear 117 meshes with another gear 121 on a shaft 122 journalled in a support 123 in the base 101 and another support 124 in the cover 102.
- the shaft 122 extends through the base and has an offset, or eccentric end, 126 that engages connector means in the form of an upwardly extending projection 127 integral with a plate 128.
- This plate is connected by suitable means such as rivets 129 and 131 to the operating member 39 to transmit eccentric movement of the end 126 of the shaft 122 directly to the operating member. Becauseof the step-up gear ratio between the first gear 111 and the last gear 121, relatively slow rotation of the handle 78 will cause rapid rotation of the eccentric end 126 and, therefore, rapid vibration of the operating member 39. Openings 132 and 133 are provided in the center panel 16 to allow access to the rivets 129 and 131. As may be seen, the block-shaped structure 52 embossed on the operating member 39 provides an outer cover for the actuating device. The shaft 114 extends through anaperture 134, which is large enough so that its edges do not strike the shaft 114 when the operating member 39 is vibrated byrotation of the handle 78.
- FIG. 5 shows a top view of the actuating device and particularly thesupports 103, 104, and 136, 137 for the actuating member. These supports pass through openings 138-141, respectively, in the plate 128 to allow the actuating device tobe attached directly to the center panel 16 of the support structure without coming into contact with the plate 128 that will be vibrated by rotation of the handle 78.
- FIG. 6 shows more clearly the way the supports 104 and 137 extend through the openings 139 and 141 in the plate 128 and are riveted to the center panel 16 by rivets 142 and 143.
- FIG. 7 shows a slightly enlarged fragment of one corner of the actuating device to illustrate the way in which the cover 102 is attached to the base 101'.
- the cover 102 has a slot 144 in its'lower side adjacent a flange 146 that forms part of the support 136.
- the base 101 has a latch 147 that extends from it and engages a slot 144.
- the upper surface of the latch 147 is semicylindrical so that it is easy to force the base 101 directly upwardly to engage the cover 102.
- the lower projecting surface of the latch 147 is straight, and it is difficult to expand the cover 102 far enough to allow the latch to become disengaged.
- the actuating device can be manufactured as a complete separate item and later assembled with the center panel 16 of the support structure and with the plate 128 and the operating memberv 39.
- a toy comprising, an operative member, a support structure, means for loosely attaching said operative member to said support structure to permit relative vibratory movement therebetween, and actuator means for vibrating said operative member, said actuator means including a coupling member operatively connected to said operative member and means for supplying rapid movement of said coupling member, thereby to vibrate said operative member; said support structure including-a plurality of operatively interconnected panels selectively foldable into an enclosure for said operative member and said actuator means.
- said support structure comprises two sheets of polyvinyl chloride heat-sealed I together around the perimeter thereof, and said panels includes stiffening sheets between said polyvinyl chloride sheets and sealed therebetween.
- said operative member includes flexible hinge sections to dividing said opera tive member into panels substantially coextensive with some of said panelsof said support structure.
- said'operative member is a plastic sheet having landscape-simulating embossments, said embossments dividing said plastic sheet into a plurality of panels, said-flexible hinge sections being between said embossments.
- said bounded surface area is an open area comprising raised boundries around its perimeter and being substantially flat within said perimeter.
- a second main panel having substantially the same shape and size as said first main panel
- a first end panel extending from the edge of said first main panel opposite said base panel and having substantially the same length as said base panel;
- a second end panel extending from the edge of said second main panel opposite said base panel and having substantially the same length as said base panel;
- a first pair of side panels extending from the two remaining edges of said first main panel and comprising end fiaps extending from said side panels in the same direction as said first end panel;
- a second pair of side panels extending from the two remaining edges of said second main panel and comprising end flaps extending from said side panels in the same direction as said second end panel;
- An additional panel formed in the edge of said first end panel facing away from said first main panel and defined by slits extending from said last-named edge toward said first main panel in the central region of said first end panel to receive the edge of said second end panel facing away from said second main panel;
- Locking means attached to said additional panel and said second end panel to lock said support structure together to form an enclosure.
Landscapes
- Toys (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (14)
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17318171A | 1971-08-19 | 1971-08-19 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3769743A true US3769743A (en) | 1973-11-06 |
Family
ID=22630863
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US00173181A Expired - Lifetime US3769743A (en) | 1971-08-19 | 1971-08-19 | Vibratory toy |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3769743A (en) |
CA (1) | CA960038A (en) |
Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4085539A (en) * | 1976-10-27 | 1978-04-25 | Reynolds W. Guyer | Platform toy |
US4147358A (en) * | 1978-01-26 | 1979-04-03 | Marvin Glass & Associates | Vibrating game apparatus with loosely interfitting surface elements |
US4285157A (en) * | 1980-01-10 | 1981-08-25 | Mattel, Inc. | Toy racing set |
US4349983A (en) * | 1981-02-09 | 1982-09-21 | Mattel, Inc. | Playset for toy vehicles |
US4571205A (en) * | 1984-01-20 | 1986-02-18 | Marvin Glass & Associates | Express delivery playset |
US4755159A (en) * | 1986-07-15 | 1988-07-05 | Mattel, Inc. | Carrying case usable as a toy building or toy playground |
US5310190A (en) * | 1993-07-23 | 1994-05-10 | Morris Richard D | Western game board apparatus |
US5679047A (en) * | 1995-10-26 | 1997-10-21 | Engel; Robert W. | Vibratory toy and game apparatus |
US20070293122A1 (en) * | 2006-05-04 | 2007-12-20 | Mattel, Inc. | Track set |
US20110130068A1 (en) * | 2006-05-04 | 2011-06-02 | Mattel, Inc. | Foldable vehicle playsets with moving components |
US20130260635A1 (en) * | 2012-05-21 | 2013-10-03 | Tanous Works, Llc | Flying Toy Figure |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US539807A (en) * | 1895-05-28 | John goodwin | ||
US974376A (en) * | 1909-07-12 | 1910-11-01 | John Goodwin | Race-game apparatus. |
US2882644A (en) * | 1950-12-12 | 1959-04-21 | Lionel Corp | Toy railroad trackside accessories |
-
1971
- 1971-08-19 US US00173181A patent/US3769743A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1972
- 1972-06-16 CA CA144,916A patent/CA960038A/en not_active Expired
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US539807A (en) * | 1895-05-28 | John goodwin | ||
US974376A (en) * | 1909-07-12 | 1910-11-01 | John Goodwin | Race-game apparatus. |
US2882644A (en) * | 1950-12-12 | 1959-04-21 | Lionel Corp | Toy railroad trackside accessories |
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4085539A (en) * | 1976-10-27 | 1978-04-25 | Reynolds W. Guyer | Platform toy |
US4147358A (en) * | 1978-01-26 | 1979-04-03 | Marvin Glass & Associates | Vibrating game apparatus with loosely interfitting surface elements |
US4285157A (en) * | 1980-01-10 | 1981-08-25 | Mattel, Inc. | Toy racing set |
US4349983A (en) * | 1981-02-09 | 1982-09-21 | Mattel, Inc. | Playset for toy vehicles |
US4571205A (en) * | 1984-01-20 | 1986-02-18 | Marvin Glass & Associates | Express delivery playset |
US4755159A (en) * | 1986-07-15 | 1988-07-05 | Mattel, Inc. | Carrying case usable as a toy building or toy playground |
US5310190A (en) * | 1993-07-23 | 1994-05-10 | Morris Richard D | Western game board apparatus |
US5679047A (en) * | 1995-10-26 | 1997-10-21 | Engel; Robert W. | Vibratory toy and game apparatus |
US20070293122A1 (en) * | 2006-05-04 | 2007-12-20 | Mattel, Inc. | Track set |
US20110130068A1 (en) * | 2006-05-04 | 2011-06-02 | Mattel, Inc. | Foldable vehicle playsets with moving components |
US8430712B2 (en) | 2006-05-04 | 2013-04-30 | Mattel, Inc. | Track set |
US8449344B2 (en) * | 2006-05-04 | 2013-05-28 | Mattle, Inc. | Foldable vehicle playsets with moving components |
US20130260635A1 (en) * | 2012-05-21 | 2013-10-03 | Tanous Works, Llc | Flying Toy Figure |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA960038A (en) | 1974-12-31 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CBS INC., 51 WEST 52ND STREET, NEW YORK, NY 1001 Free format text: NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT;ASSIGNOR:IDEAL TOY CORPORATION, A CORP OF DE;REEL/FRAME:004210/0055 Effective date: 19831108 Owner name: IDEAL TOY CORPORATION 184-10 JAMAICA AVENUE HOLLIS Free format text: NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT;ASSIGNOR:IDEAL TOY CORPORATION, A NY CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004210/0050 Effective date: 19720410 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: VIEW-MASTER IDEAL GROUP, INC., 200 FIFTH AVENUE, N Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. AS OF JANUARY 21, 1986.;ASSIGNOR:CBS INC., A CORP OF NY;REEL/FRAME:004648/0575 Effective date: 19861107 Owner name: VIEW-MASTER IDEAL GROUP, INC., A CORP OF DE,NEW YO Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CBS INC., A CORP OF NY;REEL/FRAME:004648/0575 Effective date: 19861107 |