GB191003346A - A Self-guiding Toy. - Google Patents

Abstract

3346. Cooper, H. A. Feb. 11. [Cognate Application, 7473/10.] Mechanical toys.-A mechanical toy is so constructed that when by its movement its front part is brought partly or wholly beyond the surface on which the toy travels, the progress of one side is automatically checked and the whole thereby caused to turn, so that the toy automatically moves away from the edge. The invention is illustrated as applied to a mechanical beetle having feelers a, a<1> extending in front. The feeler system is pivoted on a shaft a<11>, and the front part of the toy is somewhat heavier than the back part so that normally the feelers press upon the surface travelled over. If one or both feelers in the form shown in Figs. 1 and 3 come over the edge of surface, the weight of the front part of the body is taken by a tilting foot b, which operates a loose link c to tilt the feeler system and so arrest the driving-wheel B on one side or the other by locking a corresponding pinion d and wheel D by means of one of the detents f, Fig. 3, which are connected to the shaft a<11>. In another form, Fig 4, a pair of driving- wheels G are mounted on a spindle concentric with the spindle of a pair of star-wheels H, adapted to lift the driving-wheels above the surface alternately. The teeth of the wheels H break joint so that one driving-wheel is not lifted until the other is down. On the tilting of the feeler system, projections from the shaft a<11> lock one or other of the wheels H. In the form shown in Fig. 7, one driving-wheel I is driven through a train of gearing, while the other I<1> is loose on the spindle. The feelers are fixed. When one or both feelers a cease to be supported, the weight of the front part is taken by a disk M loose on its spindle. The additional friction retards the wheel I<1> so that the toy turns. In this form, the toy will only turn in one direction. A second train of gearing drives a fly or governor L. In all forms of the toy, the checking of the side wheels may be caused to brake a suitable governor. One form of governor comprises flapping wings driven from the main gear-wheels.