US2096333A - Toy - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 19 1937. L, MARX 2,096,333

TOY

Filed June 29, 1955 2 sheets-sheet 1 LOUIS Marx BY gn/Mvc m ATTORNEYS (Tcif Y Oct. 19, 1937. MARX 2,096,333

TOY 3 Filed June 29, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .lNvr-:NToR Lou s Marx ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 19, 1937 ATENT OFFICE TOY Louisk Marx, New York, N. Y.

Application. June 29, 1935, Serial No. 28,989

30 Claims.

y This invention relates to toys, and more particularly tomobile or traveling toys. Y j The primary object of the present inventio is to generally improve mobile or traveling toys in order to make the same universally operable under almost all circumstances and conditions.

The toy may take any of a variety of external forms simulating an automobile, a motorcycle, a tractor,v a rabbit, a mouse, a cat and so forth.

10 A more particularized object of the invention is to make the toy? operable even when running toward ka wall or similar obstruction, the toy simply` turning asideand continuing its travel. The' toy may also be arranged to turn safely aside on approaching an unobstructed table edge or like precipice. and it isI a further object of the present invention toadvantageously combine both of the aforesaid safety features or mechanisms in a simplified and economical mechanism. Still another object of the invention is to improve the operation of the toy by minimizing friction atk the front end of the toy whether propelled in a forward direction or swerved sidewardly.

The toy as so far described operates in a mystifying and highly amusing manner, but theSe characteristics are enhanced in accordance with a further feature and object of my invention,

whereby the toy is made to automatically follow closely around a peripheral wall such as the side Slwall of a block which may have a rectangular,

circultr or other conguration. The mechanism producing this effectm-ay also .be used to cause lthe toy to revolve immediately around an upright match, pencil or like obstruction.

To best demonstrate with convenience the many puzzling and amusing rfeatures of my invention, I have devised a special base or plate to be used in combination with the toy. This base is preferably made hollow and is bordered by a periphthat ythe toy may be run around the base to demonstrate its tendency to hugV the wall of the base, on top of the baseto illustrate the safety feature whereby it swerves and remains on the Y plate when it reaches the edge of the plate, and toshow the collision feature by simply inverting the base and running the toy inside the base. Further objects of my invention are to equip the base with .an optionally usable [opening or trap 50 in which the toy may he made to revolve, and to further provide the b-ase with a Small socket dimensioned and adapted to receive a match or like obstruction about which the toy readily and Vrapidly revolves. 55:` To thev accomplishment of the foregoing and eral flange of suitable height to act as a wall so (Cl. L16m-213) other objects which will hereinafter appear, my invention consists in the toy elements and their relation one to the other as are hereinafter more particularly described in the specication and sought to be dened in the claims. The speci- 5 cation is accompanied by drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle toy operating on and combined with a suitable base;

Fig. 2 is a section taken in elevation through the tov;

Fig. 3 is a section taken in plan on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an inverted plan View showing the front end of the toy;

Fig. 5 is a plan view illustrating the toy operating in combination with the base in inverted condition;

Fig. 6 is a plan view showing the toy operating around the periphery of the base; 20

Fig. '7 illustrates the toy revolving about a match or like obstruction;

Fig. 8 is a detail explanatory of the match support and a trap for the toy;

Fig. 9 is a partially sectioned elevation ex- 25 planatory of the operation of the trap; and

Fig. 10 is a plan View showing the toy revolving in the trap.

Referring to the drawings, the mobile or traveling toy is here illustrated in the form of an automobile. The toy comprises a toy body T within which is housed a suitable driving motor or spring motor M best shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The motor rotates one of the running wheels, in the present case the left rear wheel or driving wheel D. The toy is further equipped with two different types of turning wheels, one being the cross wheel C rotatable on an axis extending transversely of the running wheel axis, and the other being the bumper wheel B rotatable on an axis transverse of the axes of both the running and cross wheels. The cross wheel C and bumper wheel B are preferably though not necessarily power driven by appropriate gear connections to the spring motor M.l Bumper wheel B is concealed within the toy body except for its forwardr periphery which is exposed and acts as a bumper. When the toy reaches a wall, the rotation of bumper wheel B causes the toy to swing aside and to continue its travel in a new direction, as is indicated in Fig. 5` of the drawings. To facilitate swerving of the toy, the forward end preferably rests upon a feeler F preferably consisting of an anti-friction ball bearing as is best shown in Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawings.

' plate it which extends all the Way from the front The cross wheel C is elevated slightly above ground level when the toy rests on feeler F, this being evident in Fig. 2. However, when the toy reaches an edge or precipice, cross wheel kC is lowered into engagement with the ground or running surface and is thereupon made eiective to swing the toy around to a new and safe direction, as is best shown in Fig. l of the drawings.

The side of the toy opposite driving Wheel D is preferably provided with a suitable projection A conveniently formed by extending the rear axle. The retarding iniiuence of projection A combined with the off-center propulsion force caused by driving wheel D resultsr in the toy hugging the peripheral wall of any suitable object such as the base P, so that the toy moves along and turns sharp corners about the base, as is best shown in Fig. 6. The shape and action of feeler F facilitates this, as well as the other turning movements of the toy.

Considering the arrangement in greater detail, the toy body Tis preferably stamped from sheet metal and comprises a single shell l2 which simulates the top and sides of the hood and body of,

the automobile. For economy, front wheels are eliminated but are simulated by suitably shaping and indenting the sides of the body, as is indicated at i4 in Figs. l to 3. To conceal the mechanism and to greatly strengthen the toy structure, the open side of shell l2 is closed by a bottom to the back of the toy. This plate is preferably horizontal and comprises a central lowermost portion i8 which is stepped upwardly at 2t and then bent sidewardly or horizontally at 22 to meet the side edges of shell l2. 'This construction gives the bottom IE a channel formation which stiffens and rigidifies the bottom and thereby strengthens the entire toy body. The shell I2 and bottom I6 are connected by inwardly bent interlocking flanges Yi9 and 2| and tongue and slot connections 23. The bottom is, of course, cut away to clear the running wheels and the cross wheel C. Y

The body is completed by a radiator simulation 2Q provided at its sides with simulated headlights 26 (see Fig. 5) and aring upwardly and outwardly at the bottom to form an apron 28 which overlies and conceals all of bumper Wheel B except its outermost periph-ery. The structural appearance resembles an automobile bumper.

The motor M may be generally conventional and as here illustrated comprises a motor frame 3o carrying'a squared stem or shaft 32 on which is'wound a suitable spring 3. The shell l2 is cut away at 36 oppositeone end of stem 32, thereby affording access to the winding stem which may by wound by inserting a conventional key.

The stem zcarries a main driving gear 38 which may be fitted in the conventional manner with suitable ratchet mechanism 40 to facilitate winding the main spring. Gear 38 meshes with pinion 122 xed to a gear Ml which in turn meshes with a pinion 46 mounted on the rear axle 48 of the vehicle. The operating speed of the motor may if desired be limited by suitable governor mechanism here comprising a step-up gear train including gear 5i), pinion 52, gear54 and pinion 5t. The latter carries an eccentric or unbalanced weight 58. v Y

Driving Wheel D is forced directly on the splined end t@ of axle t8 and is -directly driven thereby.V

The wheelD may be made of any suitable material, but I prefer to stamp the same directly from heavy gauge sheet metal. The edge of the resulting disc or wheel is preferably milledk or roughened as indicated at E2. This type of wheel provides adequate traction for propulsion of the toy, yet may slip slightly when the vehicle is positively obstructed. This is of assistance during the operation of the bumper wheel B, for the radius about which the toy is turned may theoretically cause a difference in speed between the bumper wheel and the driving wheel, which would interfere with proper operation of the toy if both wheels were perfectly frictional or incapable of slippage. This feature isalso of assistance during the operation of the cross Wheel C, for when Vthe toy reaches a precipice, as when running over the edge of a glass orrother smooth table top, the slight slippage permitted the driving wheel D when the cross wheel C rst strikes the table works in the direction of safety, for the cross wheel CV is given an opportunity to come into eifective operation, without the continued propulsive effort of driving wheel D meanwhile or too soon forcing the toy over the precipice.v

The other running. wheel lillmay bemade of oppositely convexed discs of sheet metal. This wheel is slipped over axle 48 and is held in place by pinching the axle at 66. The wheel is preferably an idle wheel freely rotatable on the axle.

The bumper wheel B is. preferably provided with va rubber periphery or tread. This is most simply done by forming the wheel of a disc of rubber 'It supported between metallic discs 12. The assembled wheel is rotatably mounted on an upright shaft or spindle 'M supported in suitable bearings 16 and 'i8 secured to the bottom plate kI6 of the toy. The bumper wheel is operative even if leftidle because ofthe biased or unsymmetrical turning eifort caused by the use of only a single driving wheel. However, I prefer to make the toy positive and rapid in operation by positively driving the bumper wheel, and to this end the Wheel is secured to a crown .gear meshing with a pinion S2 mounted on a propeller shaft 84 extending longitudinally of the toy and carrying at its rear end a pinion 66 which meshes with a crown gear 88 fixed on axle 48. Because-of its length, and because of the necessity for locating the cross wheel C with extreme accuracy, the propeller shaft 811 is carried in bearings not only at the ends S and 92 but also. at an intermediate point 9i! immediately adjacent the cross wheel C where the propellerv shaft passes through the. motor frame 3o.

The cross wheel C is preferably provided with a rubber rim or periphery and this is most simply done by forming the wheel of a rubber disc 96 portion ofA the bumper wheel periphery moves.

toward that side of the toy having the drive wheel D. Specifically, where the drive wheel is the left' wheel, as in the present case, the forward periphery of bumper wheel Bmoves toward the left, as is indicated by the arrow in Fig. 5 of the drawings. Likewise the bottom of cross wheel C moves toward'the left. In each instance the turning f wheel tends to swerve the vehicle4 toward the right and this change in direction is facilitated by the drive wheel at the left side of thevehicle.

The forward end of the toy rests on and is carried by the feeler F here exemplied by a ball 2,096,333 bearing carried in a socket |02 located 'above' a suitable'opening in the bottom I6 of the toy yand 'secured in placey byoutwardly Ybent tongues |64. As is best shownin Fig. 4, the perforation in bottom I6 is smallerin diameter than the ball bearing and'is outwardly recessed at diametricallyiopposite points to receive theidepending tongues |04 of the socket or housing |02. The

socket: and toy bottom cooperate to encompass somewhat more thanv a hemisphere Vof the ball bearing |00, thereby retaining the same in place.

'I'he lessl than hemispherical, downwardly projectingfportion, of the ball bearing runs on the table surface and is particularly desirable in this connection because so much of the movement at the front endof `the toy is sideward as well as forward. f The ball bearing is of course universally movable. When it rolls over the edge of the base ortable it isreadily rolled sidewardly back onto p them-table vby the cross wheel. The pressure and consequently the friction at the front end of the' toy may'of course be reduced by weighting the backend of the toy, as indicated Yby the weight l'immediately surrounding the motor frame 370, as is best shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings.

This weight compensates for the bumperwheel' and related mechanism at the front end'of the toy.

, 'The operating possibilities with this toyare not only' amusing but mystifyng and are so numerous that I have found it extremely desirableV and lconvenient to combine the toy with a special base designed'to help demonstrate its capabilities. To this end I'have devised the base P which is preferably formed. of a generally rectangular piece of sheet metal which is pressed or drawn toform n a flat operating surface or top ||0 and a continuous peripheral flangey I |2. The edge I I4 of theflange may be curved or beaded to prevent rinjury and to give the same a finished appearance. The flange I I2 is made greater in width than the elevation ofthe projection A and the bumper wheel B. The toy may be runon the topr of the base as illustratedin Fig. l, thus demonstrating the safety feature rwhereby it is safely turned away when it reaches the edge of the plate. The toy may then be run around they edge of the base as illustrated in Fig. 6 inwhich case it hugs the edge of the base and turns at the corners despite the fact that the corners` are somewhat rounded as shown at II6. In fact, thetoy will run around a circular block or plate. The base may then be inverted and the toy placed inside 'the next Wall, and so on.

the flange or wall, as is best shown in Fig. 5. In

, this case the toy runs toward the wall and on striking the same is turned aside until it reache If desired, the base maybe improved by forming a small socket at any pointV thereon sufficiently removed from the edge, this socket being dimensioned to receive one end of a match stick or the like. Thus in Figs. 7 and 8 the match Stick |20 has been inserted in a socket |22. The toy runs back and forth over the top of the plate in an erratic course until the right side of the Y toy happens to come close toor bear vagainst the match' or like obstruction. The axle projection A thereupon catches on the projection and the toy revolves around the obstruction as a center. The socket |22 is here shown in the form of an eyelet for reasons next described, but it willbe understood that it may consist simply of a small perforation in the sheet metal base. y

AIf a hole of large diameter (but preferably smaller than the -diameter of wheel 64) is cut through the plate as indicated at |24 in the drawings, this hole acts as a trap when the idle wheel 64 of the toy is placed or rolls into the same. The reason for this will be clear from examination of Fig. 9 in which it will be seen that when wheel 64 settles in hole |24 the cross wheel C is lowered into engagement with the base or plate. 'Ihe vehicle then has two powered or driven wheels C and D which rotate at right angles to one another and which cause the toy to revolve around the trap |24 as a center.

In order to make the trap optionally usable, I provide a cover |26 pivoted beneath the top of the base by an eyelet |22, this cover being movableffrom a position closing the trap as shown in Figs. 7 and 8 to a position clearing or opening of the toy may be used independently of other features and it is not essential to combine all of the features in one toy as here illustrated, a1- though such a toy possesses marked advantages. 'Ihe projection A at the side of the toy need not necessarily be formed by extending the axle as is here the case. 'I'he side projection feature may be used independently of the collision or bumper feature and the latter may be used independently of the cross wheel or safety feature, whereby the toy turns away from an edge or precipice. While these features vare independently usable, they are advantageously combined not only because the mechanism for driving the cross wheel may also be used for driving the bumper wheel, but also because the feeler which is needed for cooperation with the cross wheel facilitates that sideward movement which is necessary for cooperation with the bumper wheel or collision feature as well as the side projection feature. Furthermore, the provision of one fast and one loose rear wheel is highly important in connection with the side projection feature, and this is at the same time helpful though not absolutely essential in combination with the collision and safety features. Of course, when the cross 4wheel and bumper wheel are powered, it is essential that they be rotated in the proper direction relative to the location of the side projection and the driving wheel.

The Vsame chassis or mechanical arrangement may be used with a variety of forms of toy and the performance of the toy is particularly effective when simulating an animal, for example, because the toy appears to possess an innate intelligence of its own as it follows its seemingly erratic but always safe course on or about the base, or circling when caught in the trap.

It is believed that the construction and operation as well as the many advantages of my improved toy will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description thereof, It will also be apparent that while I have shown and described my invention in preferred form, many changes and modications may be made in the structure disclosed Without departing from the spirit of the invention defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A mobile toy, motor means therein to propel the toy, a normally ineffective turning wheel arranged to cause the toy to swervev sharply to one side, said wheel being effective when the toy strikes a wall or like obstruction, whereby the toy continues its travel in a new direction.

2. A vehicle toy comprising a body simulating an automobile, the forward end of said body being convex when viewed in plan, and a bumper wheel positioned generally horizontally on a generally upright spindle at the front end of .the toy, said wheel being concealed by the convex forward end of the toy, except for the forwardV part of the periphery of the wheel, the arrangement being such that when the wheel strikes a wallor obstruction the toy is turned aside.

- v3. A toy comprising a body, a motor housed therein, a pair of wheels at the sides of the body, one of said wheels being loose and the other being positively driven by the aforesaid motor, a turning wheel arranged for rotation on a shaft transverse to the shaft of the side wheels, and means connecting said turning wheel to the motor and rotating said wheel in a direction such that the useful part of its periphery moves toward that side of the toy having the driven wheel, and means whereby the turning wheel is normally ineffective but becomes effective when the toy strikes a wall or similar obstruction.

4. A toy comprising a body, a motor housed therein, side wheels at least one of which is driven by the aforesaid motor, a bumper wheel positioned generally horizontally at thev front end of the toy, and means connecting said bumper wheel to the motor for rotating said bumper wheel.

5, A toy comprising a body, a spring motor housed therein, a pair of wheels at the sides of the body, one of said wheels beingloose Vand the other being positively driven by the aforesaid spring motor, a bumper wheel which is relatively large in diameter and positioned generally horizontally for rotation on a generally upright shaft at the forward end of the toy, the forward part only of the periphery of said bumper wheel being exposed at the front end of the toy, and means connecting said bumper wheel to the spring motor for rotating said bumper wheel in a direction such that theexposed forward peripherymoves toward that side of the toy having the driven wheel, the arrangementY being such that when the bumper wheel strikes a wall or obstruction the toy is turned aside and continues its travel.

6. A vehicle toy comprising a vehicle body, a spring motor housed therein, a pair of rear wheels at the sides of the body, one of said wheels being loose and the other being positively driven by the aforesaid spring motor, simulated front wheels, and a bumper wheel which is relatively large in diameter and positioned generallyhorizontally for rotation on a generally upright shaft, the forward part only of the periphery of said bumper wheel being exposed at the front end of the toy and being arranged to simulate a vehicle bumper.

7. A toy comprising a body housing a motor, running wheels at the sides of said body, a rst turning wheel rotatable on an axis transverse to that of the running wheels, a second turning wheel rotatable on an axis transverse to that of the running wheels and the first turning wheel, and gearing connecting the motor with a running wheel and the first and second turning wheels.

8. A toy comprising a body housing a motor, wheels at the sides of said body, one of which is loose and the other of which is driven by said motor, a feeler at the forward end of the, body on which the toy rests, a cross wheel between the rear wheels and the feeler, said cross wheel being' normally elevated slightly above ground level by the feeler, and a bumper wheel at the forward end of the vehicle for rotation about an upright' axis and havingy its forward periphery exposed beyond the end of the vehicle.

9. A toy comprising a body housing a motor, wheels at the sides of'said body at least one vof which is driven by said motor, a feeler at the forward end of the body on which the toy rests, a cross wheel between the rearwheels and the feeler, said cross wheel being normally elevated slightly above ground level by the feeler, a bumper wheel at the forward end of the vehicle for rotation about an upright axis and'having its forward periphery exposed beyond the end of the vehicle, and gearing connecting the` motor with the cross wheel and bumper wheel for positively rotating the same. 10. A toy comprising a body housing a spring motor, wheels at the sides of said body, one of which is loose and the other of vwhich is driven by said spring motor, a feeler at the forward end of the body on which the toy rests, a cross wheel between the rear wheels and the feeler, said cross wheel being normally elevated slightly above ground level by the feeler, a bumper wheel at the forward end of the vehicle arranged for rotation about an upright axis and having its forward y periphery exposed beyond the end of thevehicle,

and gearing connecting the spring motorV with the cross wheel and bumper wheel for positively rotating the same, the gearing being arranged to rotate the said wheels in such direction that the bottom periphery of the cross wheel and the forward periphery of the bumper wheel move toward the side of the vehicle having the driven side wheel. i

11. A toy comprising a body carrying a motor,

wheelsnat the sides of said body, one of vwhich is loose and the other of which is positively driven by the spring motor, a feeler at the forward kend of the body, said feeler consisting of a ball bearing mounted on the body and projecting downwardly therefrom', and a turning wheel for changing Vthe direction of travel of the toy.

Y l2. A toy comprising a body carrying a motor, a running wheel driven by the motor, a feeler` at the forward end'of the body, said feeler consisting of a ball bearing mounted on, the body and projecting downwardly therefrom, and a turning wheel'also driven by the motor.

13. A toy comprising a. body carrying a motor, wheels at the sides of said body, one of which is loose `and the other of which is positively driven by the motor, a feeler at the forward end of the body, said feeler consisting of a ball bearing mountedon the body and projecting downwardly therefrom, a cross wheel located between the rear wheels and the feeler, said cross wheel being nor` mally elevated slightly. above ground level by the feeler. i

14. A toy comprising a body carrying a spring motor, wheels at the sides of, said body, one of which is loose and the other of which is positively driven by the spring motor, a feeler at the forward end of the body, said feeler consisting of a ball bearing mounted on the body and projecting downwardly therefrom, a cross wheel located be-` tweien theA rear wheels and the feeler, said cross wheel being normally elevated slightly above: ground level 'by the feeler and being positively driven by the sp-ring motor in a. direction such that the bottom. periphery of the wheel moves toward that side of the toy having the driven rear Wheel.

15. Atoy comprising a body housing a motor, 'wheels at the sides of said body, one of which is idle and the other of which is positively driven by the motor, and a projection at that side of the Abody having the idle wheel, the arrangement being-such that the toy if placed alongside'an obstruction or block with the driven-wheel on the outside, tendsl to turn about the obstruction or block because of n the retarding influe-noe of the aforesaid projection. g

. 16.-Atoy comprising abody housing a spring motor,-wheels at the sides of said body, one of vwhich is idle and the other'o-f which is positively driven 'by the spring motor, the axle of said wheels being Yprojected 'sidewardly beyond the body of thetoyf to form aprojection. at that side. of the 'bodyhaving theiidle'whee1, the? arrangement being'such that thev toy if placed alongside an. obstruction or block with the driven wheel on the outside, tends toturn about the obstruction or block because of the retarding inuence of the aforesaid projection.

r17. A vehicle toy comprising a vehicle body housinga motor, simulated front and rear wheels atA the. sides of saidA body, one of said rear wheels.

being idle and theother being positively driven bythe; motor, the rear axle of said toy beingpr jected sidewardly beyond the body ofthe toy to form al projection at that side of the body having the idle rear wheel, the arrange-ment being such thattheftoy if placed alongside an obstruction or Y block .with the driven Wheel on the outside, tends to `turn about'the obstruction. orr block because of the retardingj influence of the aforesaid projection. f

l 18. A- toy'compris'ing a body housing a motor, alpair of wheels at thesides of said body, one of which is idle and the other of which is driven by said motonafeel'er at thefforward end of said body shaped to facilitate sideward movement, a

.crosswheeli intermediate the feeler and wheels,

and a projection extending sidewardly on that y side of the body having the idle wheel.

. projection beyond the body of the toy.

20. A toy comprising a body housing a spring motor, a pair of rear wheels at the sides ofsaid body, one of which is idle and the other of which is driven by said spring motor, a feeler at the forward end of Vsaid body in the form of a ball bearing, a cross wheel intermediate the fe-eler and rear wheels, said cross wheel being normally elevated above the ground level by said feeler and being driven by said spring motor, with the bottom periphery moved toward that side of the toy having the driven rear wheel, the rear wheel axle being extended on that side of the body having the idle wheel in order to form a projection beyond theY body of the toy.

2l. A toy comprising a body, running wheels at the sides thereof, a feeler at the front end thereof, a cross wheel between the feeler and the running wheels, said cross wheel being normally elevated from the ground by the feeler, a bumper wheel projecting at the front end of the toy and rotatable on an upright axis, a sideward projection at one side of the toy, and a motor in said toy driving that running Wheel at the side of the toy opposite the projection, and thereby tending to turn the toy whether in cooperation with either the cross wheel or the bumperwheel or the sideward projection.

22. In combination, a toy comprising a body housing a motor, a pair of wheels at the sides of said body, one of which is idle and the other of which is driven by said motor, the wheel axle being extended on that side of the body having the idle wheel in order to form a projection beyond the body Aof the toy, and a base comprising a. flat running surface and a peripheral side wall, said side wall being greaterin height than the elevation of the aforesaid axle projection, whereby the toy may be 4run around the base.

23. In combination, a toy comprising a body housing a motor, a pair of wheels at the sides of said body, one of which is idle and the other of which is driven by said motor, a feeler at the forward end of said body, a cross wheel intermediate the feeler and wheels, said cross wheel being normally elevated above the ground level by said feeler, a sideward projection on that side of the body having the idle wheel, anda base comprising a flat running surface and a peripheral side wall, said side wall being greater in height than the elevation of the aforesaid projection, whereby the toy may be run on top of the base and may 4also be run around the base.

24. In combination, a toy comprising a body housing a motor, a pair of wheels at the sides of said body, one of which is idle and the other of which is driven by said spring motor, a feeler at the forward end of said body, a cross wheel intermediate the feeler and wheels, said cross wheel being normally elevated above the ground level by said feeler and being driven by said motor, a sideward projection on that side of the body having the idle wheel, and a base comprising a piece of sheet metal pressed or drawn to form a flat running surface and side flanges, the top surface of said base having a hole dimensioned to receive the end of a match or other pin pushed therein, whereby the toy may be run in a circular path about the upwardly projecting pin, or in an erratic course over the top of the base.

25. In combination, a toy comprising a body housing a motor, a pair of wheels at the sides of said body, one of which is idle and the other of which is driven by said motor, a feeler at the forward end of said body, a cross wheel intermediate the feeler and wheels, said cross wheel being normally elevated above the ground level by said feeler and being driven by said motor, and a base comprising a piece of sheet metal pressed or drawn to form a flat running surface and side flanges, the top surface of said base having a relatively large hole or trap cut therethrough, a cover plate movably mounted to cover or uncover said hole or trap, whereby the toy may be run in a circular path about the hole or trap, or in an erratic course over the top of the base.

26. In combination, a toy comprising a body housing a motor, wheels at the sides of said body, one of which is loose and the other of which is driven by sai-d motor, and a bumper wheel located at the forward end of the vehicle for rotation about an upright axis and having its forward periphery exposed beyond the end of the vehicle, and a base, said base comprising a at bottom with a continuous peripheral flange, said ange being greater in width than the elevation of the bumper wheel, whereby the toy maybe operated inside the base. 1

27. In combination, a toy comprising aV body housing a motor, wheels at the sides of said body, one of which is loose and the other of which is driven-by said motor, a bumper wheel located at the forward end of the vehicle for rotation about' an upright axis and` havingits forward periphery exposed beyond'the end of the vehicle, gearing connecting the motor with the bumper wheel, and a sideward projection at thev side of thel body having the idle rear wheel, `and a base, said base comprising a piece of sheet metal pressed or,

drawn to forma flat surface with a continuous peripheral flange, said flange being greater in width than the elevation of the projection and the bumper wheel, whereby the toy may be operated around the outside of the base or inside the base. f

28. In combination, a toy comprising a body housing a motor, wheels at the sides of said body, one of which is loose and the other of which is driven by said motor, arfeeler at the forward end of the body on which the toy rests, a cross wheel betweenk the wheels and the feeler, said cross wheel being normally elevated slightly above ground level by the feeler, a bumper wheel located at the forward end of the vehicle for rotation about an upright axis and having its forward periphery exposed beyond the end of the Vehicle, and a base, said base comprising a flat surface with a continuous peripheral flange, said llange being greater in width than the elevation of the bumper wheel, whereby the toy may be operated on top of the base or inside the base when the base is inverted.

29'.'In combination, a toy comprising a body housing a motor, wheels at the sides of said body, one of which is loose and the other of which is driven by said motor, a feeler at the forward end of the body on which the toy rests, a cross wheel between the wheels and the' feeler, said cross wheel being normally elevated slightly above ground level by the feeler, a bumper wheel 1ocated at the forward end of the vehicle Vfor rotation about an upright axis and having its forward periphery exposed beyond the end of the vehicle, a sideward projection at the side of the body having the idle rear wheel, and a base, said base comprising a flat surface with a continuous peripheral ange, said flange beinggreater in width thanV the elevation of the projection andV the bumper wheel, whereby the toy may befoperated ontop of the base or around outside of the base or inside the base when thev base is inverted.

30. In combination, a toy comprising a body housing a spring motor, wheels at the sides of said body, one of which is loose and the other of which is driven by said spring motor, a feeler at the forward end of the body on whichl the toy rests, a cross wheel between the rear wheels and ing the idle rear wheel in order to form a projection beyond the side of the toy, and a base, said base comprising a ygenerally rectangular piece of sheet metal pressed or drawn to form a fiat surface with a continuous peripheral flange,

said flange being greater in width than the elevation of the axle projection and the bumper wheel, whereby the toy may be operated on top of the base or around outside of the base or inside the base when the base is inverted.

LOUIS yMARX.

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