US1603038A

US1603038A - Toy

Info

Publication number: US1603038A
Application number: US452801A
Authority: US
Inventors: George W Ferguson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1921-03-16
Filing date: 1921-03-16
Publication date: 1926-10-12
Anticipated expiration: 1943-10-12

Description

Oct. 12 1925.

G. W. FERGUSON TOY 2 Smeets-Sheet 1 Filed March 16. 1921 9 I l I n.. i@ E0. 4MW fe m, /w ..5

Oct. l2 1926. 1,603,038

G. w. FERGUSON y TOY K Filed March 1e, 1921' 2 Smets-sheet z 65 3l 1 y 72% 7J 74" [7N/67771.07@

George Wryl/SN- Fig. 6

Patented Oct. 12, 1926.

PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. FERGUSON, F MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

Toy.

i Application filed March .15, 1921. Serial No. 452,801.

.My invention relates to toys and particu` lar-ly .to the type of toy mounted on wheels and has for its object to provide ajointed ligure mounted `on a plurality .of 'Wheels .adaptedto go through grotesque motions as the lWheels are rotated, with ymeans for liniitingithe movement ofthe jointed members goftliefigure when the toyinoves into its different ositions.-

.Anot er objectyof the invention is to provide means for movementsof guiding and yariesting--certain `portions of the toy so as .to cause the toy to have imovements characteristicto the object represented by the toy.

A still further object of the invention is vto provide adjusting means for the relative ,positionsgofthe support-s for the toy` and the .arrestingmeans so as to v arythe motions of vthe toy lwhen in operation.

'f to AIva ry .the distane between the. supports on, i

the .toy to give the.resultsdesired The full `objects and advantages ofsmy 1n-v lnthedrawings, illustratingV the applica-"pp tion of my invention: i0 Y of the invention.

F ig. 2 is aperspective vieiv of the form,

of the invention, indicated inFigurel 'showing the toy in one of its extreme positions.

Fig. 3 is a view similar toFigure 2 showing the toy in another of its extreme,posi-` tions. d j d 4 is a plan view of a portion of lthe invention shown in Figure 1.

Fig. 5.is a vienT similar to'Figure 1 of another form ofthe invention.

F ig. 6is aview similar toFigui-e 301 'the form of the invention shown in Fi 1re' 5,

Fig. 7. is a 'perspective vienT l,cilfianliill an' In carrying out my invention Iprovide erprovide a frame j f-.ventfion Will appear in connection with the Fig. l isa perspective A`vieiv of one form other ,form of the invention similar to'that shown in Figures and 6. l l i K Fig. 8 is a `plan view of a portion of the invention shown in Figure 7. v

Fig. 9 is a rear elevational vieiv of a portion of the invention shown in Figure 2.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 'I provide four Wheels, l0, 11, 12, and 13 Which have fastened to them

axels

14 and 15 mounted at the geometrical centers of said Wheels.` Theseaxels arejprovided with crank portions ,16 and 17 `which extend substantially the entire'length ofthe axel. A frame comprising'four rods 1%9, 20, 21 and 22 is journalled'on portions `18 rof vaxels 14.- and 15

vadjacent wheels

10, 11, 12 and '13 by means of journals-23 formed on the ends of said rods bending said rods in the shape of an eye. Rods`19, 20, 21 and 22 extend through a bar 24vpo`sitioned transversely of the frame and are slidably mounted in said bar and kept from moving 1n he samel by the `friction ,of the bar on said roc s. adjustment of .the length of the frame vcan `be obtained so t-hat-therelative kpositioning of the parts of the toy can be altered to suit the requirements as will be `later explained. Thetoy proper comprises a figure 25 in pivotal` `to i1;y 'avec ande? four legs 2e, 29, and .31. These legs are beveledat their A pivoted ends `Where they engage the body of the ligure-25 so that said legs spread to- Wardsthe hoofs of the animal ivhen thepiv`

ots

26 and 27 are in place.

Legs

28, 29,30 and `31 .are rotatably mounted upon the

cranks

16 and 17 Which extend through said legs at the hoofs of the animal. Upon the back ofthe donkey is mounted the figure of a manhaving a bodyyportion 32 anda'head 33 vformed integraltherevvith, jointed arm members 34 and'35 andjointed leg members 36 and137 pivoted thereto. vArm vmembers 34 yare pivoted tothe'donkey at 38 at the hands of the man and leg members 37 are pivoted to the donkey. atr39 through the' heels of the leg. All of the joints in both the man Aand the donkey including pivots '27 and 26 are made looseso that the donkey is xfree to move upon the

crank members

16 and 17 and both ythe donkey andthe man are adapted to move By sliding these rods in the haran y @the `shape of a body of a donkey Whichhas ently explained, the donkey has no other support on the trame and wheels ot the toy than through its legs and the

crank members

16 and 17. The device is adapted to be drawn about on the floor by means ot a string l0 tied to a looped draw bar L.ll :termed integral with the

rods

19 and 22. As the toy is drawn about on the floor,

wheels

10, 11, 12 and 12E are caused to rotate, revolving` within them the

cranks

16 and 17. As these cranks turn, legs 28, 29, Si() and 31 ot' the donkey are caused to travel with them, which legs impart to the donkey great variety ot motions,

To limit the relative movement ot the Alegs ot the donkey in regard to the body I provide pairs ot stops l2 and 43 secured to the body of the animal in the proximity of the pivots .46 and 27 which are adapted to engage pins li/t provided on the ends ot each of the leg members Q, 29, and 31. These stops and pins serve a duplicate purpose, first in limiting the movement ot the legs on the donkey to prevent the donkey from collapsing or completely falling down, and secondly, in imparting to the body of the donkey a motion in the opposite direction when one of the pins lhits either of the stops l2 and 43. ln this way the donkey is given a very simple motion. As the toy is drawn along the i'loor and the legs ot the donkey moved on

cranks

16 and 17 the donkey is thrown in positions varying between that shown in Figure 2 to that shown in Figure 3, the said pin 44 and stops lr-2 and fl?) terminating this movement.

By observing the drawings it can be noticed that the two pairs of wheels travel independently ot' each other so that the two

cranks

16 and 17 be traveling at the saine distance 'from each other or may have their crank arms disposed in relatively dititercnt angles to one another. lln the event that the two crank arms travel vthe same distance apart throughout their rotation, both sets o'l' legs simultaneously are moved successfully torward, downward, rearward and upward which gives the donkey and rider a galloping or jumping appearance. As the toy is drawn along, through irregularities in contact ot the wheels on the flo-or and due to irregular slippage ot the same the relative positioning ot the cranks varies. as soon as one of the cranks is in advance oit the other the legs are independently given their four motions which cause the donkey to have a bucking or kicking` movement. When the cranks are operating exactly 180 degrees apart the donkey moves substantially straight up and down while his legs travel simultaneously together ant. away troni each other so that the donkey has the appearance ot galloping at a high rate ot speed. Slight variations in the relative angular positions ot the crank arms 1.6 and 17 with one another produce several variations in the move-ments ot both ot donkey and the man as the toy is operated. The man being loosely jointed by being pivoted to the donkey at the two

points

38 and 39 is able to raise up 'trom the back ot the donkey and to descend again on the donkeys back as the body olf the donkey is put through its various motions by the cranks. Two such motions shown in Figures 2 and 3 when the donkey is at two of its extreme positions. Numerous other positions can also be taken by the man which give him a very animated appearance.

To further vary the movements of the 'a toy I provide a tl-shaped upright 453 which is slidably mounted in the bar 2li and which is adapted to engage the under portion ot the body 10 ot the donkey anywhere along its surtacc at 46 between the legs Q8, 29, 30

and 31. rlhis upright quickly arrests the downward motions ot the donkey in either its forward or rearward reciprocation which gives the donkey a movement similar to that ol a hinge or a sharp kick. T he same device also causes the body o't the donkey to oscillate on the point ot contact ot said upright as a pivot, which, due to the momentum of the body tends to rotate either ot the

cranks

16 or 17 relative to each other iii opposition to the friction of the wheels ot' the toy on the Hoor so that the relative positioning ot the

cranks

16 and 17 is constantly being changed Without effort on the part oit the person operating the toy. lt can hence be seen that the toy continuously passes through varying grotesque motions which are constantly being changed as the toy is operated..

As before stated the rods or iranie memlbers 19, 20, 21 and 22 are slidably mounted in the bar 24. Then the traine is extended by pulling these rods outwardly the donkey has shorter movements with the possi bility of one of the sets ot legs remaining l stationary relative to the body while the other pair is engaged in oscillating movement relative to the same. By adjusting the upright lo in the bar the motions ot the toy can be still further changed. il'

ln the form of the invention shown in Figures 5 and 6, l provide a

pair ot wheels

17, 48, 49 and 50, lined to axels and 5:2 which have crank portions ofi and similar to the device shown in Figure fl. avels are journaled in a traine member 53 formed of a single piece of wire bent with eyes at 5l ttor journaling said axels 5l and 52 and ext-ending in the Yform ot a loop, in advance ot the toy to serve as a draw bar to which a string 55 may be attached by means ot which to draw the toy. rllhe ligure in this case is that ot a person havinga body 56 and

legs

57 and 58 pivoted to said body at 59 and

arms

60 and 61 pivoted to i as the toy travels along the floor.

said body at 62. Arms 60 andl are free to move relative to the body as the same is put through various motions while the

legs

57 and 58 are each respectively `pivoted to the cranls53 and 54 -in the "form lof the

legs

57 and 58 and similarly formed with pins 625 fastened to the body 56.

The operation of this device is similar to that shown in Figures -2 and E3. As the toy is drawn about on the floor by mcansof string the

cranks

53 and 54 impart to legs 5T and 58 motions'in conjunction with the stops 64and 65 and the pin 653` which give the entire figure movements similar to that of `a. person ruiming and jumping.

lallienever cranks 53 and 54 change relative angular position the movements of this toy vary accordingly. 'When both cran-ks travel parallel the toy has a leapilrig motion, the body moving principally up and down. As he cranks vary in angular position relative to each other the ligure gets an oscillating motion back and forth in combination with the alternate raising and lowering of the legs the arms and "6l swinging freely y It Acan be clearly seen that the mot-ions through which the toy Canbe put are quit-e animated, and that the variety of gestures and posturesvare very numerous. y

ln Figures 7 and 8 I'have shown a combination of two such ltoys as shown in Figures 5 and 6 mounted on a single lframe 66, which frame carries three sets of wheels and aXels'GY. 68 and 69. figures and 7l mounted on the axels 72, 7f3 and 74 of this device which figures are placed facing each other as shown in Figure 7 and which havetwo of their legs 75 and 7 6 pivoted to the middleaxel 73. As this toy is'drawn about on the floor each of the figures TO and 71 .pass through the same gestures. and motions asthat shown in Figures 5 andl 6. The movementof these figures towards each other and the free swing ingv of" the arms of figures towards each other give the 'figures `the Aappearance -of a couple of prize fighters. vIn vaddition to the reverse movements of the figures caused by the pins 68 and stop 64 and 65 the figures are quickly thrnstaway' `from each other when they directly engage each other either through their heads or the arms of the same, thus adding other movements to said fig ures not present with the toy shown in Figures 5 and 6.

The advantages of my invention are manifest. A toy is provided which is capable of passing through a most varied course of movements. which movements are constantly changing as the toy is being op-.

erated. The toy may be made to resemble animated objects and the movements are such as are clearly characteristic of the object represented. The toy can be made very I here show twoI pearance that even when stationary the is highly attractive. The toy is alpassing `through some new motion or same ways

-antic' to the great amusement ofthe operator.

ln accordance with the patent statutes "I have described the principles of operation of nry invention, together with the apparatuswhich l now consider to representthe best embodiment thereof, but lV desire to have it vuinlerstood that the construction shown is only illustrative and that the inventioncan be carried out by other 'means and applied to uses otherthan thoseabove set forth Within the scope of the following claims.

l claim:

l. A toy comprising 'a -frame member, a pair of axels journalled in said framemember., cranks formed on said axels. a plurality of wheels secured to said axels, a ligure in the shape of an animal having a body and a plurality of legs pivoted thereto, said legs 4being pivoted tothe axel for freely supporting said animal thereon independently of the frame, and means oooperating between lthe legspand bodyindependent of the frame for holding'thefigure upright.

2.k A toy coinprisingaframe member, a pair of axels journalled in said frame member, cranks formed on said axels, `a plurality of wheels secured to said axels7 a figure in the shape of an animal having a body. a plurality of legs pivoted' thereto,

said legs beingpivoted to the axel for freely supporting -said animal thereon independently of the frame, andmeans associated with said legs and body for holding `the animal in an upright position.

3. A Vtoy comprising a frame member, aV

pair of axels journalled in said frame member, cranks formed on said axels a plurality of wheels secured 4to said axels, a figure in the shape `of'an animal having a body, a plurality of legs fpivotedtheretmsaid 'legs being pivoted Vto the axel 'for 'freely sup` porting said animal thereon independently of the frame, and means for confiningthe movement and of momentarily arresting said animal in its movements to alter the direction of travel of the same.

4. A toy comprising a frame member, a pair of axels journalled in said frame member, cranks formed on said axels, a plurality of Wheels secured to said axels, a figure in the shape of an animal having a body portion, a plurality of legs pivoted thereto, said legs being pivoted to the cranks of said axels, a projection formed on each of said legs and stops formed on said body portionl adapted to be engaged by the projection on said legs to assist in holding the ligure upright and to alter the direction of movement ol the same.

5. A toy comprising a frame member, Wheels journalled in said frame member, a ligure having a body portion, legs pivoted to said body portion, said legs being excentrically connected with said Wheels, pairs of stops on said body adjacent each olf said legs and means on said legs adapted to be engaged by said stops to hold the ligure upright and to vary the motion of said ligure.

6. A toy comprising a pair of Wheels, axes secured to said Wheels having cranks formed thereon, a trame journalled on said aXels, a ligure representing an animated ol ject having a body portion, legs pivoted at one end to said body portion and to the axels at their other end, said body portion being placed above the lrame, a member supported on said frame adapted to engage the underside of the body portion to change the direction of movement of said body portion imparted to it by said cranks, and means Yfor adjustably holding said member attaclied to said frame.

7. A toy comprising pairs ol wheels, axels connected to said Wheels, a l'ront traine member journaled on one el said axels and a rear frame member journaled on the other of said aXels, and means for slidably holding said frame members in adjustable position relative to each other,

8. A toy comprising pairs of Wheels, axels connected to said wheels and having cranks `formed on said axels, a front frame member journaled on the other ot said axels, means for slidably holding said :trame members relative to each other, a draiv bar formed on the 'liront Yframe member, a ligure representing an animated object having a body portion, a plurality of legs pivoted to said body portion at one end and to said cranks at their other end, said body being positioned above said frame members.

9. A toy comprising pairs of Wheels, axels connected to said Wheels and having cranks formed on said axels, a front frame member journaled on one of said axels, a rear frame member j ournaled on the other of said aXels, and means for slidably holding said frame members in relative positions, a draw bar formed on the front frame member7 a ligure representing an animated object having a body portion, a plurality ot' legs pivoted to said body portion at one end and to said cranks at their other end, said body being positioned above said trame members, and means engaging portion of the body lor changing the direction of the motion imparted to the body through said cranks.

lO. A toy comprising a pair ol Wheels, axels secured to said Wheels having cranks formed thereon, a frame journaled on said axels, a ligure representing an animated object having a body portion, legs pivoted at one end to said body portion and to jthe axels at their other end, said body portion being placed above the trame, a member supported on said trame adapted to engage the underside oit' the body portion to change the direction ol' movenient olf said body portion imparted to it by said cranks.

ll. A toy comprising a pair of longitudinal ''rame members, aXels journalled in said lrame members, a bar adjustably connecting said Yiframe members, Wheels supported on said ariela, a ligure mounted on said axels and a vertical upright adjustably positioned in said bar.

l2. A toy comprising a Yframe member,

`a pair of axels journalled in said frame member having cranks thereon, Wheels secured to said aXels, a ligure 1n the shape of an animal having a. body portion, limbs pivoted at one end to said body and at theirl other end to said cranks for freely supporting said animal and an upright positioned belen7 the body of said animal 'for momentarily supporting the same. y

13. A toy comprising a lraine member, a pair ot axels journalled in said lrame mcmber having |cranks thereon, Wheels secured to said axels, a ligure in the shape of anv animal having a body portion, limbs pivoted at one end to said body and at their other end to said cranks For freely supporting said animal and an upright adj ustably positioned to said frame,

In testimony Whereot I affix my signature.

GEORGE W. FERGUSON.