US1430371A - Walking mechanism for toys and other articles - Google Patents

Description

C. J. HARVEY. WALKING MECHANISM FOR TOYS AND OTHER ARTICLES.

v APPLICATION FILED JAN 30, I920. 1,430,371. a t dsept- 26, 1922.

3 SHEETSSHEET I.

ikiijzfscs 3 [nae/2Z0): Charles Jame; fli'067,

. C. L HARVEY.

WALKING MECHANISM FOR TOYS AND' OTHER ARTlCLES.

' I APPLICATION rim) um 39. I920.

Patented Sept. 26, 1922.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2- Fig.0.

F i I l I 1 I I I l l I l 4 L J 774225263503 I [12062223252 fim/ Ckarles Jmasfiazw C. J. HARVEY. WALKING MECHANISM FOR TOYS AND OTHER ARTICLES. I APPLICATION FILED JAN. 30, 1920. I 1,430,371 PatentedSept. 26, 1922;

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 fli'iflss es [306122 02 W U/zrles Jameslfarae Patented Sept. 2d, 1922.

satires as one i t M0 CHARLES J HARVEY, OF KIZDDERIEINSTER, ENGLAND.

TALKING MECHANISM FOR TOYS AND OTHEBARTIOLES.

Application filed January 30, 1920. Serial No. 355,076.

Other Articles, ofwhich the following is a frame is employed from which is supported the limbs or legs, a pin or rod itself held against lateral oscillatory motion being so associated with the frame as to permit the said frame to swing and the legs to describe arcs of circles at the same time permitting the frame to oscillate laterally of the pin.

The present invention has for its object certain improvements designed to simplify /and/or improve the construction of mechanism of the kind referred to.-

In accordance with the present invention the legs form part ofor are attached to an inverted substantially V-shaped element, said element as distinguished from the arrangement forming the subject of the aforesaid Letters Patent, being carried directly by the toy figure or supporting body, whereby the frameand pin or the like, employed in the former arrangement are dispensed with.

The leg elements, according to the present invention, are moreover so mounted or supported by the tOy or supporting body as to be able to swing to advance the legs alternately with a stepping movement when'the toy or supporting body is moved or drawn along on a horizontal surface, the leg element at the same time being capable of both lateral and longitudinal motion to enable the rearward leg to lift formovement to advanced or forward position.

In order that the invention may be the better understood drawings are appended illustrating various forms of the invention in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one form of the invention as applied to a walking figure.

Fig. 2 is a front view.

Fig. 3 is a side view showing the invention applied to a representation of horse and cart.

Fig. a is a sectionalview showing more clearly the arrangement of the hind legs of the horse shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing an alternative form of the invention.

Fig. 6 is aside View of one of the legs detached from the figure.- t

vFig. 7 is'a front view of the plate whereby the legs are supported. M

Fig. 8 is a front view showing a further modification. v 1

Fig. .9 is a side view of one of the legs gmployed in the arrangement shown inFig.

Fig. 10 is an inverted plan view.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view on line 'AA, Fig. 10 and, I

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view showing more clearly the operation of the parts.

Referring to the accompanying; drawings a Figs. 1 and 2 indicates the legs of a human figure a which legs comprisean inverted substantially if-shaped leg "element the upper end of which a is of substantial Width being cut away ata leaving two vertically disposed projections which, as will be hereafter more fully explained, form stops whereby the extent of the lateral motion of the legs is limited. The figure a is slotted at a said slot being inclined vertically from the front to the rear of the figure. In-order to permit the legsto be introducedinto the slot the metal at the bottom of the said slot isincised at a thus enabling the metal to'be forced or sprung apart at this point for the passage of the part a -of the legs. The edges of the metal after the legs have been inserted in the slot are brought together by pressure or otherwise. The width of the slota" is sufficient to accommodate the part a in a manner such that it is free to swing both in the vertical plane and transversely of the line of the figure. In order that the figure a may be supported and its oscillation prevented there is provided an extensionv b the lower end of which is of such width that when resting upon a tableyor other surface it presents a bearing surface of such width as to enable the figure. to be held against lateral'movements.

In use the extension 6 is grasped by the hand the broad lower end on trail 7)- of said extension being pressed "upon the surface over which the figure isv moved by pushing it along, the end or'trail 6' serving to prevent lateral oscillatory motion-of the body a.

may here be stated that it is essential to the proper working of the device either in the present form or any of the other forms hereafter to be described that the following; conditions be observed. Referring to Fig. 12: Assuming a vertical line to to be drawn from the shoulder of the figure to the groun l, it is essential that the centre line of the leg element be in advance of the vertical as w :0 when the legs are transversely or substantially transversely of the body.

As the legs assume a position longitudinally with the body the centre line of the leg element changes to a position rearward-- ly of said vertical towards the line 20 3, In effect this permits the forward leg membe. to reach point 2 clear oi the ground whilst the weight is still carried by the rearward leg member at 2 When the centre line or the leg element changes to w the forward leg member is caused to come to the ground and the rearward leg member to be lifted at 2 In the arrangement shown in Figs. 3 and l the figure is provided with four legs each pair of legs being comprised by a substantially inverted v shaped leg element such as a before referred to each pair or such legs being mounted in inclined slots stormed in the body c 01"" the animal. The body 0 is held so that its lateral oscillation is prevented by securing it to a cart c provided with wheels which are rigidly connected to a spindle 0 Though it is preferable it is not always essentia for the wheels to be fixed to the spindle. Assuming the wheels are free on the spind e, the body of the toy, it the toy progressed slowly (il'lO'Llgll, vould have time to slide sideways with the spindle on the wheels sufficiently to neutralize the leg action. ll ith increase of speed however the legs worlr'faster and therefore the tendency of tne body to slide sideways is reduced to nil, or nearly so. But in all cases the body must be incapable of rocking as if on a horizontal pivot.

In the arrangement just referred to the front legs of the animal assist in supporting the body 0, but the baclr'legs so mounted that whilst they may contact with the ground to secure their operation they do not assist in supporting the figure. A pair of horses or other quadrupeds may be fixed together when they will naturally support each other without the necessity for providing any other means support, a cart 'for example.

In the case of four legged figures the support may either be in the form of a vehicle, or a second walking figure may be asso ciated with the first figure or any other convenient form of support may be provided. In the case of four legged figures in which the support in the manner above referred to is incoirvenientv or impossib'e, for example in the case of or other animal in which the provision or vehicle would be incongruous or undesirable, the lorelegs may be arranged before described the hind being sutliciently spread to support the figure and at the same time being so arranged as to permit of their oscillation to an extent su icient to give an appearance of walking without upsetting the body.

The oscilla portion may carry exten sions rep entin the head, arms, or other part of the re, which, it desired, can partake of the some movements, and said part may be made in one piece as in the em amples before described, or it may be made in two or more parts meet the exigencies of the particular circumstances under WJlCll it is em? The mechanism may be exposed or it may be encased or enclosed in any suital manner.

' may be found in some instances that emi-rotation tlie legs, such as takes with the mechanism forming the subot the aforementioned patent, is obd to, as this motion prevents the emlo ient of legs having an outline more or orrespondi11;;- to tho natural outline of 1e luman or other lo overcome the obje-cion the legs may be pivotally connected "0 that portion of the mechanism engaging slot of the fi 'ure.

much an arran ement as that described is illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and '2 where the legs indicated by 03 are perforated as shown at (Z and engage a plate 0? of the outline shown in Fig. 7. The upper end of plate 6 is cut away as shown leaving projections (I at each end forming stops tor the pur olaincd. At the lower edge the plate is provided with recesses which provide projections cl. The plate is disposed in an inclined perforation "formed in the figure, the parts, when assembled, being; subs antialiy as shown in Fig. 5.

.ln the foregoing description has been assumed the body, to which the legs are applied, is formed of thin sheet metal. order that the mechanism may be applied a thick body, for example the body of a wooden horse, the operating piece or in other words that portion to which in the foregoing description the legs have been attached, is made in two parts of which one be in the form of a piece of sheet metal.

disposed within a slot formed transversely 'or the body of the horse, and the other second piece disposed beneath the body or the said horse. The slot in the body is of such width to permit the desired rocking movement oi the part at a ri 'ht angle to the length or" the said body so as to provide the leg lilting; portion 01" the movement only, the part disposed externally of the body partaking in the movements of the in ternal part and also providingthe leg swinging part of the movement, for which purpose it is preferably disposed under and clear of the said body. The legs are connected to both of the parts just above described the connection being pivotal or otherwise. The connection of the two parts of the body of the horse may be by means of 8 to 11, may be employed. In this case the limbs are pivotally connected at their upper ends to the body a, the said limbs preferably being slotted as shown at a Fig. 9 for the passage of the pin 6 thereby permitting a certain amount of longitudinal movement on the part of the said leg. Disposed beneath the body is a cross piece 7 at each end of which there is provided an L-shaped extension the vertical limb of which freely on gages a socket 7' formed upon or secured to the inside of the leg. One or both of the L shaped extensions are so connected to the cross piece as to permit it or them to turn in opposite directions sufficiently to follow the movement of the-legs.

Freely-en aging the cross piece f is an eye f pivotally secured to the body of the figure. f indicates stops designed to limit the movement of the legs,

In all cases stops are provided to prevent the leg line approaching too closely to the centre line of the body.

Alternatively the cross piece may be attached to the body by slot, pin or any other connection which will permit of the required movements, and capable, if required,of supporting the weight of the body.

WVhilst throughout the foregoing description the invention is described as being applied to toys, it will be understood that it may be applied to other articles not intended for childrens use. For example to fancy or table articles, salt cellars for table use for instance in which the salt receptacle is in the form of a cart drawn by a horse. The article may be made in silver, china or other metal or material capable of a high finish.

Having thus described my invention I with said surface one leg member is moved body-supporting position, and the other leg member is lifted and moved forwardly with a stepping motion; the leg members being spaced apart at their upper ends in adjacent opposite relation to each other and diverging downwardly.

2. In mechanism for walking movement, the combination of, a body provided with means for preventing lateral oscillatory motion thereof; and a leg element; the leg element comprising rigid leg members, and transverse connecting means for coactively controlling the leg members for alternate movement thereof, whereby when said body is moved horizontally along on a plane surface and the leg members are contactable with said surface one leg member is moved to body-supporting position, and the other. leg member is lifted and moved forwardly and outwardly and inwardly in an arc with a stepping motion; the leg members being spaced apart at their upper ends in adjacent opposite relation to each other and diverging downwardly.

8. In a mechanism for walking movement, the combination of a supporting body having means for preventing lateral osoillatory motion thereof; and a leg'element, the leg element comprising a bodyportion and rigid leg members; the leg element being carried by said supporting body and arranged to swing when the supporting body is moved horizontally 'upon a plane surface and the leg members are contactable with said surface and thereby to advance the leg members alternately by lateral and longitudinal oscillations thereof with a step.- ping movement.

4-. In a mechanism for walking movement, the combination of a supporting body having means for preventing lateral oscillatory motion thereof; and a leg element, the leg element comprising a body portion and rigid leg members; the leg element being carried by said supporting body and arranged to swing when the supporting body is moved horizontally upon a plane surface and the leg members are contactable with said surface and thereby to advance the leg members alternately with a stepping movement, and the leg element being arranged for lateral and longitudinal. motion during said stepping movement to enable the rearward of the leg members to lift for movement to forward position.

5. In a mechanism for walking movement, the combination of a supporting body having means for preventing lateral oscillatory motion thereof; and a plurality of rigid leg elements. the leg elements comprising a body portion and members; the leg elements being caried by said supporting body and arranged to swing when the supporting body is moved horizontally upon a plane surface tactable with advance the oral l and the leg members said surface I o rnately by latone g members to tudinal oscilh mmrcme thereof stepp movement, and the le elements being I anged for lateral and longitudinal motion firing said stepping mov ent to enable the 1 members to L F ward oi the leg lift for movement to forward position ln mechanism for walking movement the combination of a supporting body having means for preventing lateral oscillatory motion thereof; and a leg; element; the supporting body being provided with a slot therein inclined. vertically from the front to the rear of the supporting body; the leg element being substantially inverted V-shape and comprising a body portion and leg members, the body portion being received in the slot of the supporting Dody and arranged to provide swinging '10V6- ment of the leg element w ion the supporting bocy is moved horizontally upon a plane surface and thereby to advance the log members alternately with a stepping movement,

8. li'n a mechanism for walking movement the combination. of a supgoii body having means for preventing lateral oscillatory motion thereof; and a element; the supporting body being provided with a slot therein inclined vertically from the front to the rear of the supporting body; the leg element being substantially of inverted V- shape and comprising body portion and leg members, the bod portion beino' re ceived in the slot of the upper-ting oody nd arranged to provide swinging movenent of the leg element when the supporting Jody is moved horizontally on a plane sur face and thereby to advance the leg members alte "nately with a stepping movement, and the leg element being arranged for lateral and longitudinal motion during said stepping movement to enable the rearward the leg members to lift for movement to rorward position.

9. in a mechanism for walking movement, the combination of a supporting body hav- 'iig means for preventing lateral oscillatory l Votion thereof; and a leg element; the leg element comprising a body portion and leg members and being carried by the supporting bony and connected thereto for swinging movement whereby when the supporting body is moved horizontally upon a plane su face the leg members are alternately advances with a stepping movement; the center line of the leg element when the leg members are substantially transverse to the supporting body being in advance of a vertical line drawn from the point of connection of the leg element through the sup-= porting body to said plane surface, and as the leg members during said stepping movement assuire position longitudinally with the suppoi 111g body said center line changingrearwardly of said vertical line whereby the forward leg member is permitted to reach its advanced point clear of said plane surface while the weight of the supporting body is sustained by the rearward leg member, said center line during the stepping movement changing further rearwardly of said vertical line whereby the forward leg member caused to come to rest upon the plane surface and the rearward leg member to be lifted therefrom for movement to advanced position.

:ln witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES JAMES HARVEY.

Witnesses v ar. Jonrisronm l-lAnowIoK.

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