US1819483A - Toy - Google Patents

Description

A. E. RITTENHOUSE TOY Filed Oct. 15, 1929 Aug. 13, 1931.

I Ar QfiarE iittenfioase hi-s'ATToRNEY INVENTOR Patented Aug. 18, 1931 An mia a mammal n 0 transom ALLS. new You Application filed October 15, 1929. fierial No. 893,764.

This invention relates to improvements in toys, and has for its principal object to provide a mechanical toy adapted to swing in circles about the base of a flexible anchor or support to which it issecured.

Another object of the invention is to mount a mechanical toy on a flexible support so that normally when not in motion the toy rests in or below the plane of the base of the support, and when set in motion raises from said plane and moves in an upwardly inclined curve of constantly increasing diameter until an equilibrium is established between its contrifugal force and the reaction of its flexible support when it moves in circles of uniform diameter.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a mechanical toy adapted to be suspended from a flexible support and provided with electrical propelling means.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in the construction and arrangement of parts that will appear from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the novel features 7 being pointed out in the claims following the specification.

In the drawings:

- .Figure 1 is a side ele'vationof a-device constructed according to one embodiment of 'the invention;

- Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the self-propelled toy, plane 1, mounted on or-suspended from the same;

- Figure 3 is an enlarged section on line 3-7.3

of Figure 2showing how the flexible support is mounted, and i a Figure 4 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the flexible support showing how its length may be varied or adjusted to accommodate toys-of different weights.

Like reference numerals refer to the same parts in all the figures ofthe drawings. The apparatus illustrated comprises generally a herein shown as a toy aeroend of a flexible support 2 revolubly mounted a housing or other suitable support 4 a ap d to e t n a plane surface such as a floor or table.

Whil atoy aerop ane i i lustrated th drawings, it will be understood that other mechanical L oys, such as dirigible balloons, or birds may be substituted therefor.

The 1 05 aeroplane illustrated is of well known typecomprising a body portion 5 in which an electric motor 6 is housed. The

shaft of the motor extends through and has a bearing in one end of the body and has a propeller 7secured thereto at its outer end.

The aeroplane illustrated has a monoplane V 8, although it may be of the biplane type. It is also provided with the usual rudders 9.

The aeroplane is mounted on the flexible meimber or support 2 which may be a steel ro support is mounted in the housing 4 to rotate therein and'normallyoccupiesa position with its axis vertical. When, however, the aeroplane is mounted on its upper end, it flexes laterally, and the proportion of the parts is so adjusted that equilibrium is established just as the aeroplane contacts withthe floor r other p an upport 0 n which h sing 4 rests.

The aeroplane or other toy is suspended on the flexible support so that when driven by its propellers, it describes a curvilinear path a u the p v t of th upp rt a a e e takes off the floor, inclines itsplane downwardly toward the center, creases its radius of curvature due to the cenr gal f e d e p d: ts po iti n juj afterirising from the floor is indicated in dotted lines in Figure 1 As thetoy plane rises and revolves about supported on a horizontal partition or support '13 in the housing by means of nuts or collars 14 threaded on its lower end, one on each side of the partition, The sleeve or tubular. member 12 extends upwardly from its suppo t th sh pening the top of the v or tube or other suitable material, The

nd const nt y i 5 ing which cooperates with its support to maintain its axis in vertical alinement. The flexible support 2 is centrally secured in the sleeve 12. The diameter of the opening in the sleeve 12 is larger than the external (1i? ameter of the flexible member, and thus a space is provided between them for insulating material, as indicated at 15. 7

Suitable means are provided for supplying electrical energy to the motor 6. Said means comprises terminals 16 and 17 on the housing 4 to which the terminals of a battery 11 or other suitable source of energy are connected. The terminal 16 is grounded on the housing, but the terminal 17 is insulated therefrom and connected by means of the con- "ductor 18 with a post 19 mounted in the support 13 but insulated therefrom. Mounted on the lower end of the post 19 is a resilient conductor 20 which resiliently contacts With the lower end of the flexible support 2 Which projects from the lower end of the sleeve 12. The other end of the support 2 is connected with an insulated hook or ring 21 on the toy aeroplane which v connects with one of the terminals of the motor 6. v

Bearing on the upper end of the sleeve 12 is a collar or ring 22 of conducting material secured to but insulated from the rod 2, and, towhich a flexible conductor 23 is connected andwhich may be twined or coiled about the support 2 and grounded on the body of the toy aeroplane to provide a grounded connection with the grounded terminal of the motor 6. i

In practice, it is found that the flexibility of different samples of supporting rods 2 varies, as does also the weight of different toys. As a result, it often happens that the support is either too rigid or too flexible for the toy, so that the toy may be either suspended above the floor when at rest, or does not take off or rise therefrom until a high velocity is acquired. "To avoid this difliculty, means have been provided for adjusting or varying the length of the support to meet varying conditions. To this end, the support 2 18 made in two pieces and the ends connected by means of a sleeve 24;into which the free ends of the support are inserted and secured by set screws 25 as shown, or any other suitable means. By loosening one or both of the screws 25, the ends of the support may be moved from each other to lengthen the support and increase its flexibility, or they may be moved toward each other to shorten the support toreduce its flexibility. By tightening the set, screws, the parts will be secured in their adjusted positions.

The housing 1 is preferably constructed of sheet material and of sufficient weight to hold said rod and means on the support 2 in fixed or stationary position when the toy is revolving at comparatively high speed. The housing may be designed to imitate the sheds or hangars employed at aeronautic fields, and serves as a housing for the toy when not in use.

In operation, when the circuit is closed through the motor, it drives the propeller and moves the aeroplane forwardly. Since the aeroplane rests very lightly on its support, and due to the resiliency of the suspending rod 2, it rises as soon as it acquires momentum and moves in an upwardly inclined spiral path untila state of equilibrium is reached,

when itcontinues to move in asubstantially circular path in a horizontal plane. Durlng this movement, the plane has a tendency to swing on the rod to a downwardly and inwardly inclined position, as indicated in the dotted line position in Fig. 1. It will be noted that the rod 2 is attached to the plane at a point outside of its center of gravity so that the force of gravity increases its tendency to swing in this direction. However, the grounded wire 23 is attached to the inner plane at a point adjacent its inner end and being more or less rigid supports the inner end of the plane and tends to maintain it in a fixed position with respect to the rod 2.

While the invention has been described with reference to a toy aeroplane, it will be understood that the parts could be constructed on a much larger scale to carry passengers and employed as an amusement apparatus at amusement parks, country fairs and similar laces.

Although but a single embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood that this application is intended to cover such changes or modifications as may come within the spirit of the invention or scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a toy, the combination with a housing, of a resilient flexible rod revolubly mounted therein and arching in a continuous gradual curve extending substantially upwardly, outwardly and downwardly from the housing, said rod being flexible throughout its entire length from a point immediately above the housing, a toy suspended on the free end of the toy for propelling it, the arrangement being such that the rod flexes upwardly and throughout its entire length to maintain the form of an arch under the weight of the toy which moves in varying curves about the base of the rod as a center.

2. In atoy, the combination with a housing, of a resilient flexible rod revolubly mounted therein and arching in a continuous gradual curve extending substantially upwardly, outwardly'and downwardly from'the housing, said rod being flexible throughout its entire length from a point immediately above the housing, a toy aeroplane suspended from the free end of said rod and pivoted thereto at a point outside its center of gravity, an electric motor on the aeroplane for propelling it, and an electric conductor for said motor mounted on said rod and secured to the aeroplane adjacent its inner end, the arrangement being such that the motor drives the aeroplane causing the rod to flex upwardly while maintaining the form of an arch and the aeroplane is maintained at a substantially uniform angle after it lifts off its support irrespective of the position of the flexible rod. 3. In a toy, the combination with a housing having a horizontal partition, of a sleeve mounted on said partition and extending upwardly through an opening in the top of the housing, a flexible support revolubly mounted in said sleeve and insulated therefrom, said flexible support comprising a rod which arches in a continuous gradual curve extending substantially u wardly, thence outwardly and downwardly f f'om the sleeve and is flexible throughout its entire length from the top of the sleeve, a toy suspended from said flexible member, an electric motor in said toy for propelling it, means electrically connecting one of the terminals of said motor with the flexible support, a conductor connecting the other terminal of said motor with said sleeve, a source of electric current, and means connecting said sleeve and flexible support with the terminals of said source of electric current.

I In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

ARTHUR E. RITTENHOUSE.

Images