US1256111A - Toy. - Google Patents

Description

n. P. CLARK.

TOY.

APPLICATION FILED Pal/1&3). 1916.

WWW Feb. 12,19fi8 gave/14 501,

43 42 ,Dm odflUmrk,

DAVID r. "CLARK, or DAYTON, on-ro.

TOY. 1

Specification of Letters ZE'atent.

Patented nee. 12, 191%..

Original application filed. February 28, 1916, Serial No. 80,777. Divided and this application. filed March 30, 1916. Serial No. 87,719.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, DAVID P. CLARK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and usefulv Improvements in Toys, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to toys. The object of the invention is to provide a selfpropelled toy which will travel on a track with a minimum of resistance and at a high speed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a transverse, sectional view of the track showing one of my self-propelled toys thereon in rear elevation; Fig. 2 is a bottom plan of the self-propelled toy shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a detail vertical,sectional view of the toy shown in Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. i is a bottom plan of a portion of the modified form of the toy; Fig. 5 is a vertical, sectional view of the modified form shown in Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 is a detail perspective of the pivoted bearing for the driving axle of the form shown in Figs. 1 and5.

The subject matter of this invention was fully shown and described in applicants copending application filed February 28, 1916, Ser. No. 80,777, of which the present application is a division. The track upon which my toy operates was fully described in the above-mentioned application. As shown in Fig. 1, however, the track comprises a pair of spaced-apart U-shaped track members 1' adapted to receive thewheels herein shown and to retain them upon the track. The track members are connected by suitable ties 2 which can be permanently attached to the members 1 by-soldering, if so desired. Each tie comprises an inner reduced portion 3 having a recess 4 adapted to receive one of the track members 1. The tie also comprises .anenlarged portion 5 having a recess 6 to receivethe other track member 1, the track members being bent over, as shown at 7, in order to have proper engagement with the ties. It will be seen from an inspectionof Fig. 1 that the out side track member is higher than the inside track member. By this arrangement the effects of centrifugal force upon the moving car as it travels around thecurve is elimithe track above described.

nated. As described in the above mentioned application the track is built up of sections and the several sections are connected by U- shaped couplers 8. The couplers are of such size that they can telescopically engage the ends and have portions 9 thereon overlapping the said ends. The couplcrs are ar ranged to project beyond the ends of the members to form sockets into which the track members of theadjacent sections can telescope.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 I have therein shown one form of self-propelled toy which is especially adapted to travel on I This self-propelled toy may be made to simulate an automobile, as described in my patent granted Sept. 22, 191%, No. 1,111,056. As described in said patent the self-propelled toy herein described also comprises a body frame 10 having a pair of wheels 11 at the front thereof and a similar pair of wheels 15? at the rear for supporting and propelling the same. T he wheels herein shown have rounded rims. but the form of wheel can be varied. The form of track, however, must be such as to properly hold the wheel thereon whatever its form. The wheels 11 are mounted upon an axle 13 journaled in downwardly projecting portions 14 of a cross member 15. The member 15 is loosely secured to a pin 16 so that it can rotate around the same as a vertical axis without undue friction and resistance. as well as tilt transversely around a longitudinal axis. For this purpose the member is provided with a centrally located hole 16' of larger diameter than the pin and into which the latter ex tends, there being suflicient play between the parts to allow universal movement. There is complete freedom of movement in order that the wheels may very easily make the curves of the track herein described. The front pair of wheels in the above enumerated features distinguishes from the abovementioned patent for the reason that inthe device shown and described in the said patent the front wheels are merely adjustable and considerable force would be required to rotate the same around a vertical axis. At the rear portion of the bottom of the frame 10 I have provided a transverse frame member 17in which is journaled the shaft 18 having-atitsouter end a suitable gear 19 fixed thereto. The shaft 18 is adapted to be rotated by a spring motor 20, a detail description of which is not necessary here, as this spring motor is fully described in the above mentioned patent. It is to be understood, however, that any form of motor or source of power may be used in connection with this invention.

At the lower end of the frame 17 I have shown a member 21 having a downwardly projecting part 22. This part forms a pivot around which the casing or frame 23 is free to rotate. At 24 I have shown a pin mounted upon the casing 23. Rotatably mounted upon the said pin 24 and fixed to each other are a small gear 25 and a crown gear 26. The front portion of the casing 23 is provided with an upwardly projecting part 27 having an enlarged opening 28 therein loosely embracing the shaft 18 to permit the frame 23 to turn on its axis. It will be seen that the casing 23 is capable of movement around a vertical axis without interfering with any of the driving mechanism. The small gear 25 meshes with the large gear 19 and the two gears are spaced apart one below the other sufliciently to allow a certain amount of relative movement and the gear 25 is also of a greater width than the gear 19. Projecting from the rear portion of the casing 23 and struck rearwardly therefrom are bearings 29, in which the axle 30 is rotably mounted, this axle carrying the wheels 12. A gear 31 fixed to the axle meshes with the crown gear 26. I have also provided stops 32 to limit the amount of pivotal movement of the frame 23 to prevent the periphery of the gear 26 from engaging the gear 19.

By the construction above described it will be seen that the rear wheels are capable of movement around a vertical axis without interfering with the propulsion thereof. The arrangement is a very simple one and a very high speed is thereby obtained on account of the arrangement of gearing of different sizes. It will be seen that the rear wheels will freely adjust themselves in making curves without impairing the efliciency of the gearing between the same and the source of power. The fact that part of the gears are mounted upon a pivoted casing and other parts meshing therewith are mounted on a relatively fixed part does not make any difference in the operation thereof, the teeth of the engaging gears being so arranged as to allow this movement around a vertical axis.

In Figs. 4, 5 and 6 I have shown a form of myself-propelled toy which in many respects is the preferred one. In this form the usual body frame-work 33 is provided and a transverse frame member 34 is attached thereto. To the rear of this transverse frame member 34 I have provided a casing 35 fixed to theframe 33. Projecting into this casing 35 and. suitably journa'led in one of the wallsthereof and in the transverse member 34 is a shaft 36 having fixed at the end thereof within the casing a crown wheel'37. The shaft 36 and crown wheel 37 are rotated by means of a spring 38 which is similar in construction to the one described in conneotion with Figs. 1, 2 and 3 and in my patent above mentioned.

Suitably journaled within the casing 35 is a small gear 39 meshing with the gear 37. The gear 39 has fixed to it atone side thereof a large gear 40; Projecting downwardly from thebottom 41 of-the casing 35 is a- U-shaped hanger42. Pivotally mounted at 43 tothe hanger 42 and located within the same is a U-shaped frame member 14. This U-shaped member is provided with recessed bearings 45 projecting .downwardly from the upper edges of the sides thereof. The rear axle 4:6. to which the wheels 17 are attached is mounted within these hearings and is held in place between themember: '14 and the bottom 41. Located between the sides'of the member 44 and fixed tothe axle-is a small gear 48 which projects through a slot 49 in the bottom ll and meshes with the gear 40. The arrangement of the teeth of the respective gears 4O and 18 is such that the axle 16 with its gear can freely rotate around a vertical axis without in any way interfering with the transmission or driving connection between the two gears. I have,

however, provided the corners of the bottom 7 11 with downwardly projecting lugs 50 to limit this movement around a vertical axis.

The form of my device shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 is more durable as the pivoted POI? tion is not as heavy as that described in con- 1 nection with Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The operation, however, is substantially the same as in j the first described form. V

The toy herein described will be found very attractive to children and even to grown persons for the reason that it is es pecially adapted to uses upon tracks having curved portions and'preferably with the outside track higher than the inside track. My toy will make the curves at a high "rate of speed and at the same time continue to move around the track for quite an extended time.

The success of this toy is due;in no small measure to the arrangement of gearing which produces a. very high speed in connection with the freely pivoted front and rear wheels.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent. is

1. In a self-propelled toy, a main frame, a pair of wheels pivoted on a Verticalaxis and attached to said frame, a second frame pivoted on a vertical axis to. said main frame, an axle having a pair of wheels and ournaled on said second frame, a toy'motor, and 'a driving connection between Said motor and said axle adapted to drive said wheels at all times irrespective of the pivotal movement of the second frame.

2. In a self-propelled toy, a main frame, a motor on said main frame, supporting and propelling means pivotally mounted on said main frame for movement around a vertical axis, and a driving connection between said motor and the supporting and propelling means comprising a gear on the main frame meshing directly with a gear on said pivoted means, said gears being arranged to mesh with each other at all times irrespective of the pivotal movements of the parts relatively to each other.

3. In a self-propelled toy, a main frame, a pair of wheels pivoted to said main body frame, said pivotal connection being such as to allow said pair of wheels to move around both a vertical and a longitudinally extending horizontal axis. a second pair of Wheels pivotally attached to said main body frame and arranged to move around a vertical axis, motor means located on said main body frame, and a driving connection between said motor means and said second pair of wheels, said driving connection being operative to drive said wheels at all times irrespective of the pivotal movement thereof.

4. In a self-propelled toy, a main frame, a second frame pivotally attached to said body frame and arranged to move around a vertical axis, wheels journaled on said sec-- ond frame, motor means on said main frame, and a driving connection between said motor 1 cans and wheels comprising a gear on. the main frame meshing with a gear on the movable frame and arranged to allow the pivotal movement of said second frame without interrupting the driving connection.

5. In a self-propelled toy, a main frame, a second frame pivotally attached to said frame and arranged to move around a. vertical axis, wheels journaled on said second frame, motor means on said main frame, and a speed increasing driving connection between said motor means and said wheels comprising a gear on the main frame meshing with a gear on the movable frame and arranged to allow the pivotal movement of said second frame without interrupting the driving connection.

6. In a self-propelled toy, a main frame, a pair of wheels pivoted to said main frame and arranged to freely move around a vertical axis and tilt transversely, a second frame pivotally attached to said main frame and arranged to move around a vertical axis, wheels journaled on said second frame, motor means on said main frame, and a driving connection between said motor means and last -mentioned wheels comprising a gear on the main frame meshing with a gear on the movable frame and arranged to allow the pivotal movement of said second frame without interrupting the driving connection.

7. In a self-propelled toy, a main frame,

motor means mounted on said frame, gearing journaled On said frame and driven by said motor means, a depending hanger attached to said main frame, a bearing supported by said hanger and rotatable around a vertical axis, a pair of wheels journaled in said bearing, and a gear fixed to said wheels meshing with a gear on the main frame.

8. In a device of the character described, a main frame, front and rear wheels pivoted to said main frame and arranged to move around vertical axes, a toy motor upon the main frame, and a driving connection between said motor and certain of said wheels, said connection comprising a gear on the main frame meshing directly with a gear on the pivotal portion of certain of said wheels, whereby the toy is propelled at all times irrespective of the pivotal movements thereof;

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

DAVID P. CLARK.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G.

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