GB2138617A

GB2138617A - Musical toy

Info

Publication number: GB2138617A
Application number: GB08310807A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kit Leung Chan; Tzi Chan Choi
Original assignee: Blue Box Toy Factory Ltd
Current assignee: Blue Box Toy Factory Ltd
Priority date: 1983-04-21
Filing date: 1983-04-21
Publication date: 1984-10-24
Also published as: GB8310807D0

Abstract

A musical toy unit for mounting in a toy vehicle is provided. It comprises a motor 14, a fan driven by the motor 14 and supplying air to a wind chest 36, a set of pipes 37 of different pitch connected to the wind chest 36 and valves 40 controlling air flow from the wind chest 36 to individual pipes 37. The motor 14 drives a drum 28 which has at least one cam surface 32 for each pipe 37. As the cam surfaces 32 rotate they actuate the valves 40 to admit air into corresponding pipes 37 to play a tune. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in toys This invention relates to toys.

The invention provides a musical toy unit comprising a motor, a fan driven by the motor and supplying air to a wind chest, a set of pipes of different pitch connected to the wind chest, valves controlling air flow from the wind chest to individual pipes, a drum driven by the motor and having cam surfaces at least one on each pipe, and actuating means whereby as the cam surfaces rotate they actuate the valves to admit air to corresponding pipes to play a tune.

Preferably the drum is in sections, one corresponding to each pipe so that by assembling the sections differently different tunes can be played.

In a preferred form of the invention the unit is mounted in a vehicle driven by the motor.

The preferred form of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal section with front portion cut-away of a toy in the form of a locomotive; Figure 2 is a section of the locomotive taken on the line A-A as shown in Figure 1 , the section showing only parts relevant to the flow of air; Figure 3 is a partial section of the parts shown in Figure 2, the section being taken on the line B-B of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the motor, and drive train for wheels and drum; Figure 5 is a transverse view taken on the line C-C of Figure 1 and showing part of the drive train only;; Figure 6 is a partial view showing the drum and actuating means for controlling the flow of air in the pipes; and Figure 7 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow D in Figure 1 showing the drive of the wheels and decorative member in the steam dome.

Referring to the drawing, Figure 1 shows a toy locomotive designated generally 1 with an internal frame designated generally 2 and an external decorative body designated generally 3 having a simulated boiler 4, steam dome 5, cab 6 and front end 7 (not shown in its entirety). Front and rear wheel 8, 9 are mounted on the frame 2.

The bottom of the frame 2 provides a battery box, 1 Two transverse bulkheads 12, 1 3 form part of the frame 2. Bulkhead 1 3 supports a motor 14.

On the rear side of the bulkhead the motor shaft 1 5 carries a fan 1 6 consisting of a support plate 17 and radial vanes 18, while on the front side of the bulkhead the motor shaft mounts pinion 1 8a driving a train of gears 1 9 supported by the bulkheads. Front wheels 8 are driven by the gear train 1 9 through two sets of crown and pinion gears 21, 22 and vertical shaft 23. A decorative rotating member 24 in the steam dome 5 (which is transparent) is driven by gears 25 from the shaft 23.

The gear train 19 includes a shaft 26 extending rearwardly to drive, through further gearing 27, a drum 28 mounted transversely between side member 29 of the frame 2. The drum 29 comprises a series of similar drum sections 31 connected together. A projection 32 on each drum section 31 forms a cam surface, for a purpose to be described.

The fan 1 6 operates between the bulkhead 1 3 and another transverse division 34 through an axial opening 35 in which it draws air as shown by arrows 35a. The bulkhead 13, divisions 34 and guides 35b define a duct 35c leading air to a wind chest 36 or plenum chamber extending laterally between the side members 29. A set of squaresection pipes 37 like organ pipes, which are of different lengths (and hence different pitch) and have openings 38, are mounted above the wind chest 36. A series of valves 40 control air movement from the wind chest 36 to the respective pipes 37, through ducts 41. Each valve 40 has a valve stem 43 with a head 44 urged to seat on the periphery of an opening 45 in a wall of the wind chest 36, by a compression spring 46.

The stem 43 extends through a bushing 47 in the opposite wall of the chest 36.

A set of levers 50 centrally pivoted at 51 are arranged with one end 52 in positions to be contacted by the cam surfaces of projections 32 on the drum 28, and with the other end 53 acting on a respective valve stem 43. As the projections 32 rotate they move the levers 50 to open the corresponding valve 40. Further rotation brings the projections 32 free of the lever 50, allowing spring 46 to seat the valve head 44 and thus close off air flow.

Air flow with the respective valve 40 open is shown in Figure 3. The valve closed position is illustrated in Figure 6.

As will be apparent, when the motor 14 is energised (with the aid of a switch, not shown) the toy locomotive moves forward, and the decorative member 24 in the steam dome rotates. Also, the fan 16 moves air to set up pressure in the wind chest 36, and rotates the drum 28 to actuate the valves 40 in sequence. Air delivered to the pipes 37 causes them to sound: the locomotive will be heard to play a tune as it moves.

The tune is determined by the setting of the drum sections 31 in relation to one another. The sections can be similar except in orientation. Each section may carry more than one projection 32.

1. A musical toy unit comprising a motor, a fan driven by the motor and supplying air to a wind chest, a set of pipes of different pitch connected to the wind chest, valves controlling air flow from the wind chest to individual pipes, a drum driven by the motor and having cam surfaces, at least one for each pipe, and actuating means whereby as the cam surfaces rotate they actuate the valves to

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in toys This invention relates to toys. The invention provides a musical toy unit comprising a motor, a fan driven by the motor and supplying air to a wind chest, a set of pipes of different pitch connected to the wind chest, valves controlling air flow from the wind chest to individual pipes, a drum driven by the motor and having cam surfaces at least one on each pipe, and actuating means whereby as the cam surfaces rotate they actuate the valves to admit air to corresponding pipes to play a tune. Preferably the drum is in sections, one corresponding to each pipe so that by assembling the sections differently different tunes can be played. In a preferred form of the invention the unit is mounted in a vehicle driven by the motor. The preferred form of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal section with front portion cut-away of a toy in the form of a locomotive; Figure 2 is a section of the locomotive taken on the line A-A as shown in Figure 1 , the section showing only parts relevant to the flow of air; Figure 3 is a partial section of the parts shown in Figure 2, the section being taken on the line B-B of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the motor, and drive train for wheels and drum; Figure 5 is a transverse view taken on the line C-C of Figure 1 and showing part of the drive train only;; Figure 6 is a partial view showing the drum and actuating means for controlling the flow of air in the pipes; and Figure 7 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow D in Figure 1 showing the drive of the wheels and decorative member in the steam dome. Referring to the drawing, Figure 1 shows a toy locomotive designated generally 1 with an internal frame designated generally 2 and an external decorative body designated generally 3 having a simulated boiler 4, steam dome 5, cab 6 and front end 7 (not shown in its entirety). Front and rear wheel 8, 9 are mounted on the frame 2. The bottom of the frame 2 provides a battery box, 1 Two transverse bulkheads 12, 1 3 form part of the frame 2. Bulkhead 1 3 supports a motor 14. On the rear side of the bulkhead the motor shaft 1 5 carries a fan 1 6 consisting of a support plate 17 and radial vanes 18, while on the front side of the bulkhead the motor shaft mounts pinion 1 8a driving a train of gears 1 9 supported by the bulkheads. Front wheels 8 are driven by the gear train 1 9 through two sets of crown and pinion gears 21, 22 and vertical shaft 23. A decorative rotating member 24 in the steam dome 5 (which is transparent) is driven by gears 25 from the shaft 23. The gear train 19 includes a shaft 26 extending rearwardly to drive, through further gearing 27, a drum 28 mounted transversely between side member 29 of the frame 2. The drum 29 comprises a series of similar drum sections 31 connected together. A projection 32 on each drum section 31 forms a cam surface, for a purpose to be described. The fan 1 6 operates between the bulkhead 1 3 and another transverse division 34 through an axial opening 35 in which it draws air as shown by arrows 35a. The bulkhead 13, divisions 34 and guides 35b define a duct 35c leading air to a wind chest 36 or plenum chamber extending laterally between the side members 29. A set of squaresection pipes 37 like organ pipes, which are of different lengths (and hence different pitch) and have openings 38, are mounted above the wind chest 36. A series of valves 40 control air movement from the wind chest 36 to the respective pipes 37, through ducts 41. Each valve 40 has a valve stem 43 with a head 44 urged to seat on the periphery of an opening 45 in a wall of the wind chest 36, by a compression spring 46. The stem 43 extends through a bushing 47 in the opposite wall of the chest 36. A set of levers 50 centrally pivoted at 51 are arranged with one end 52 in positions to be contacted by the cam surfaces of projections 32 on the drum 28, and with the other end 53 acting on a respective valve stem 43. As the projections 32 rotate they move the levers 50 to open the corresponding valve 40. Further rotation brings the projections 32 free of the lever 50, allowing spring 46 to seat the valve head 44 and thus close off air flow. Air flow with the respective valve 40 open is shown in Figure 3. The valve closed position is illustrated in Figure 6. As will be apparent, when the motor 14 is energised (with the aid of a switch, not shown) the toy locomotive moves forward, and the decorative member 24 in the steam dome rotates. Also, the fan 16 moves air to set up pressure in the wind chest 36, and rotates the drum 28 to actuate the valves 40 in sequence. Air delivered to the pipes 37 causes them to sound: the locomotive will be heard to play a tune as it moves. The tune is determined by the setting of the drum sections 31 in relation to one another. The sections can be similar except in orientation. Each section may carry more than one projection 32. CLAIMS

1. A musical toy unit comprising a motor, a fan driven by the motor and supplying air to a wind chest, a set of pipes of different pitch connected to the wind chest, valves controlling air flow from the wind chest to individual pipes, a drum driven by the motor and having cam surfaces, at least one for each pipe, and actuating means whereby as the cam surfaces rotate they actuate the valves to admit air to corresponding pipes to play a tune.

2. A musical toy unit as claimed in claim 1, in which the drum is in sections, one section for each pipe so that by assembling the sections differently, different tunes can be played.

3. A musical toy unit as claimed in claim 2, in which each section carries more than one cam surface.

4. A musical toy unit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, in which the unit is mounted in a vehicle driven by the motor.

5. A musical toy unit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 in which each actuating means is a centrally pivoted lever, one end of which is caused to move by being contacted by a cam surface on the rotating drum so that the other end of which moves to open the corresponding valve.

6. A musical toy unit substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.