US2117597A - Mechanical toy - Google Patents

Description

May 17, 1938. s. u. BERGER 2,117,597

MECHANICAL TOY Filed Feb. 2 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Jamaal 1. fie)" er ATTORNEYS s. I. BERGER MECHANICAL TOY May 17, 1938.

Filed Feb. 2 19 33 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS e w mfi NZ 5 mu m QM iii Patented May 17, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 13 Claims.

My present invention relates more particularly to mechanically operated toys capable of locomotion, and while certain aspects thereof are of wider application to toys generally of this type, the invention is applicable more especially to spring motor driven toy vehicles.

One object of the present invention is to provide a toy of the above type, which automatically makes at predetermined intervals a sharp pivotal turn to change the direction of locomotion of the toy.

Another object is to provide a to; of the above type, which automatically follows a succession of straight courses and which at predetermined intervals makes a pivotal square or pivotal reverse turn. 7

Another object is to provide a toy of the character described having a certain predetermined locomotive movement, which gives the impression of being intended and pre-designed, in contra-distinction to the usual spring motor toy having a haphazard uncertain travelling movement.

Another object is to provide a self-propelled toy, which makes at predetermined intervals a sharp pivotal turn, always in the same rotative direction, so that the movement of the toy is confined within a restricted area.

Another object is to provide a toy of the character described which in its realistic appearance and action will be intriguing and highly appealing to the imagination of a juvenile operator, and which is simple, efiicient, rugged and durable in use, and yet well-suited to the requirements of economical manufacture.

The invention is shown embodied in a toy military tank, characterized when in operation by its realistic simulation of a full-sized military tank in combative locomotion.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of various possible embodiments of the sceveralfeatures of the invention,

Fig. l is a top plan view of a toy military tank, constructed in accordance with the present invention,

Figs. 2 and 3 are sections taken respectively on lines 2-2 and 3-3 of Fig. 1, but shown -on a somewhat larger scale,

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4,

Figs. 6 and 7 are sections taken respectively on lines 6-6 and 1-1 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 8 is a bottom plan viewof the traction wheel section of the tank.

Referring to the drawings, the invention is shown embodied in the form of a toy military tank, comprising upper and lower similar metal sheets H and I2, suitably interlocked at l3 and following the contour of ovate spaced side metal plates 14 and I5 to which said sheets are joined preferably by the ordinary slot and bendable tongue connections l6 well known in the toy art. The resultant chassis assembly simulates the armor of a tank and defines a curved forward end IT, a narrower rear end l8, and a straight bottom 20, (Fig. 2).

Connected preferably by the usual tongue and slot connections to the top side of the armor casing is an inverted cup-shaped member 22, simulating a gun turret. Connected to the forward side of this turret 22 preferably by slot and tongue connections is a tubular member 23 rolled from a thin metal sheet to simulate a gun barrel.

The power plant comprises a simple spring m0- tor M mounted within the chassis, and resting on the bottom plate section 20 thereof. This motor is set between a pair of spaced frame plates 25 and 26, joined to provide a casing therefor, plate 25 having transverse extensions l9 affording the tongues for slot and tongue connections with the armor plate l4. These frame plates 25 and 26 form journals for a winding shaft 21, one end 21a of which extends through an aperture 28 in the side plate l4 and is polygonal in crosssection to receive a winding key 2Tb.

Mounted on the winding shaft 2! for rotation therewith is a ratchet plate 28 (Figs. 4 and 5) having prongs 30 cooperating with detent slots 3| in main spur gear 32, loosely supported on said shaft. Afllxed to the winding shaft 21 is one end of a powerful motor spring 35, the other end being anchored to an end frame plate 31 forming an integral part of one of the frame plates as for instance, plate 26.

Journalled on frame plates 25 and 26 is a wheel axle 38, driven from maingear 32 by a pinion a (Fig. 4) afilxed to said axle and meshingwith said gear.

In the winding of the spring motor, the rotation of the winding shaft 21 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 5, causes the winding of the motor spring 35. about said shaft, the ratchet prongs 30 riding idly past the detent slots 3| of gear 32 during this operation. When winding shaft 21 is released, the potential energy stored in the wound spring 35 rotates said shaft in a clockwise direction, and the resultant catching of the prongs 30 in the detent slots 3| effects the rotation of the wheel axle 38 in forward driving direction.

The axle rod fl has afllxed thereto near the inner side of the plates l4 and II, a pair of traction wheels 40 and 4| extending partially through slots 42 and 43 respectively in the chassis plate I; and almost concealed from view.

Centrally connected to the forward endof the chassis is a caster wheel 45, (Figs. 2 and '7) mounted on an axle pin 48, supported on a swivelling bracket 41. This bracket 41 has a pair of spaced arms 48 on which the axle 45 is supported and a pair of spaced flanges 58. These flanges 50 straddle a pair of spaced flanges 5i, extending rearwardly from a hinge post 52 afllxed to chassis plate I! preferably by tongue and slot connections, and are pivotally connected to said flanges 5| by a pintle 53.

Wheel 45 extends partially through a segmentally shaped slot 54 in the chassis plate l2 so that it rides idly on the floor F, and is free to swivel in, accordance with the pivotal movement of the toy. One end 55 of the slot 54 is advantageously parallel to the longitudinal median plane of the toy, and the other end 56 is at right angles thereto for the purpose hereinafter made apparent.

As an important feature of the present invention, the means for pivoting the toy in its sharp turn movement includes a lever 6| (Figs. 3 and 4), pivotally connected to the frame plate 25 at 60, and having an extension 62 at one side of its lower end projecting through a slot 53 formed in an outward flange 64 on the lower edge of said frame'plate. This extension 52 terminates in a point 65 and serves as a pivot leg for the toy as will be hereinafter made apparent.

The upper end 66 of the lever 5| extends through a guide slot 61 formed in an outward flange 58 of frame plate 25, and is provided just below said flange with a transverse extension 10, cooperating as a follower with a cam H aflixed to winding shaft 2l. The lever Si is urged in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3 about its pivotal support 50 by means of a U- shaped spring clip 12 straddling the motor casing, and having its bent base portion 120. anchored in corners formed between the lower edges of frame plates 25 and 26, and lugs 15 depending from said plates respectively. One side arm 12b of spring clip 12 passes over a fulcrum piece 13 struck out from the frame plate 25, and underneath a tongue 14 struck out from the lever BI,

shaped that the pivot leg 62 is directly below wheel axle 38 and passes through said opening 18. For that purpose the lower portion 18 of the lever BI is substantially triangular, and theedge 18 of pivot leg 62 is convexly curved so that said edge will lie closely adjacent to the wheel axle 38 and pivot point 85 will lie directly below said axle. In the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3, while the low part of the cam H is opposite follower plate 10, pivot point 65 will be above the lower peripheries of wheels 48 and 4i, and in the dotted position shown, pivot point 65 will extend below the lower periphery of said wheel 40.

In the operation of the turning feature of the invention, as cam ll rotates in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 3) by the unwinding action of motor spring 35, lever II will be angularly oscillated about its pivot support 88. When the high part of the cam 1| rides over follower plate 18; pivot leg 82 will come down into dotted position shown in Fig. 3 and tilt the toy on one side so that the wheel 48 will be above the floor and willhave no tractive effect on said toy. The toy will then pivot about the pivot point 65 as the result of the tractive action of wheel 4|. As soon as the toy starts to pivot the circular drag of the floor on caster wheel 45 causes said wheel to swivel from the position shown in Figs. 2 and 7, to a position at right angles thereto so that this wheel in its new position aids in the continued pivotal movement of the toy. The end 56 of segmental slot 54 serves as a stop for caster wheel 45 so that said wheel will not quiver and will be maintained in proper steady position during turning movement of the toy.

When the high part of cam H has rotated past engagement with follower plate 18, lever 8| under the action of the spring 12 will return to its normal position shown in full lines in Fig. 3 and the pivot leg 62 will be lifted to restore the wheel 40 into driving engagement with the floor. The toy will then resume its straight course, and caster wheel 45 will be dragged to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 7 in the median longitudinal plane of the toy.

Cam H is so designed, and its speed of rotation so correlated with the speed of rotation of wheels 48 and 4| that the toy will make a square turn. That is the pivot leg 52 will remain in pivot position long enough for the toy to turn 90. However, as far as certain aspects of the invention are concerned the cam H may be constructed to impart a pivotal turning rotation of any desired angle. The return movement of pivot leg 62 may for instance, be delayed long enough to permit thev toy to reverse itself at predetermined intervals.

It must be noted thatthe lever pivot connection 80 is substantially in the horizontal plane of pivot point 85, and that the distance between said pivot connection 60 and said pivot point is sufficiently great so that said pivot point 65 has a substantially vertical movement. In this manner, pivot point 65 does not substantially change its position during turning action of the toy and the turning will therefore be a true pivotal one.

The toy is also provided with a housing 80 (Figs. 1 and 2) connected to the top of the armor plate H preferably by the usual slot and tongue connections, and having a substantially rectangular opening 8| at the top simulating the entrance or exit opening of the tank. Connected to the housing 80 at the rear end of opening 8|,-

has its center of gravity forwardly of its pivotal support 81.

The figure 86 and the door 83 are operated intermittently from the spring motor M in such a way, that the door 83 will swing into closed position, and the figure 88 will enter the interior of the tank during one operating phase, and during another phase, the door will open and the figure 86 will swing out through the opening 8! into tiring position shown in Fig. 2. For that purpose, the .rear end of bracket 34 has a lug II, to which is pivotally connected. one end of a wire pitman 30, the other end being pivotally connected at 03 to a lever 0| which is pivotally supported at 02 to frame plate 26. This lever 8| has pivotally con-,

does not interfere with the swinging movement of said lever, said shaft passes through an elongated slot 98 formed in said lever.

The lever 9| is urged in a clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 2 by the spring clip 12. For that purpose the spring side arm 12c passes over a fulcrum piece IOI struck out of plate 26 and underneath an offset detent I02 formed in cam follower 94, and is downwardly curved in tensioned position to urge said fo1l0wer04 in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 2) about its pivotal support 93 with respect to lever 9|. The extent of counterclockwise movement of follower 94 with respect to lever 9| is determined by an outwardly struck lug I03 of lever 9| serving as a stop for said follower so that when said follower engages said lug said follower and said lever 9! will be urged in unison in a clockwise direction by spring clip l2. In this manner the spring clip l2 serves the dual function of acting upon both levers El and 9|.

In operation, as winding shaft 21 is turned in counterclockwise winding direction (Fig. 2) cam tl acting on follower flange 96 will oscillate follower 94 about its pivotal support 03 without disturbing lever 9i. During the unwinding operation of spring motor M as winding shaft 2! rotates in clockwise direction (Fig. 2), cam 31 engaging follower plate 96a will oscillate follower 9d and lever QI in unison about pivotal support 22. While lever 9| is swinging in counterclock- Wise direction it exerts a downward pull on pitman 90 causing door 83 to open and figure 36 to move from the interior of the tank into firing position shown in Fig. 2. As lever SI swings back in clockwise direction under the action of spring i2, it exerts an upward force on pitman 9i! causing door 83 to swing back again into closed position. During this closing movement, the forward portion I04 of iigure 85 riding over the corner H05 of turret 22 or over a downward flange I06 at the forward end of door opening 8I will swing said toy in clockwise direction (Fig. 2) about its pivot support 81, so that this figure will ride smoothly into the interior of the toy chassis.

Associated with gun barrel 23 is a spark generating mechanism operated from thespring motor M to simulate a firing gun. For that purpose, there is journalled in the plates 25 and 26 a shaft IIO (Figs. 2, 4, and 6) carrying a pinion III meshing with a gear H2 aflixed to axle shaft 38. Connected to one end of this shaft H0 is a crown gear M3, meshing with a pinion II4 affixed to one end of an oblique shaft H5, the other end of which carries a crown gear H5 near the roof of the chassis. The lower end of this shaft H5 isjournalled in a flange III extending outwardly from theplate 26, and the upper end is journalled in a bracket H8 supported from the roof of the chassis preferably by tongue and slot connections. This bracket IIB has a pair of spaced side members I20 in which is journalled a shaft I2I carrying apinion I22 meshing with crown gear I I0. Aflixed to one end of shaft I 2I is a wheel I23 having-an abrasive surface, and passing through an opening I24 in thetop of plate II and a slot I25 in the forward part of the gun turret 22. Resting on the periphery of this abrasive wheel I23 is a pyrophoric element I20 preferably in the form of a flint piece connected to one end of a bar I21, the other end I23, being offset and passing through a slot I20 in the top portion of the gun barrel 23 to pivotally support said bar. By means of this construction, as the vehicle moves, abrasive wheel I23 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 2) thereby generating sparks which fly forwardly through the outlet of the gun barrel 23 in simulation of a firing gun.

The chassis also has incorporated therein a sound producing means for simulating the repeated sounds of a firing gun. This means includes a wheel I30 (Figs. 2 and 4) aflixed to axle shaft 38 and having a series of teeth III preferably only on one side thereof. Cooperating with this wheel I30 is a clapper spring plate I32 having a portion fixed to plate I2 preferably by rivets I33, and having an offset portion I 34 at one end contacting with said wheel. As this wheel I30 rotates, the teeth thereof will strike clapper plate I32 and produce a series of repeated gun firing sounds.

A stop mechanism is provided in the form of a lever I 40 (Figs. 1, 2, and 6) pivoted at I to the side plate I, and formed with a tongue I42 which is struck out-therefrom and which extends inwardly to engage an offset end I43 of shaft Hi. In one angular position of lever I40, tongue I42 engaging offset end I43 of shaft I2! prevents the rotation of said shaft and causes braking of the motor M. In the opposite angular position of lever I40, tongue I42 will be out of the path of the rotating offset shaft end I43 so that the entire mechanism will be free to operate.

As many changes could be made in the above construction, and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope of the claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

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

1. A toy of the self-propelled type including a pair of spaced traction members therefor, a driving motor for said traction members, and a pivot leg adjacent to one of said traction members and oscillated from said motor in a substantially vertical direction to periodically bring the lower pivot point of sai-d'leg below the lower traction surface of said latter traction member,

whereby said latter traction member is rendered,

inoperative and the toy pivotally turned about said pivot point.

3. A toy of the self-propelled type including a pair of spaced traction members therefor, a driving motor for said traction members, and a lever adjacent to one of said traction members, and angularly oscillated from said motor, a pivot extension movable periodically by the oscillatory movement of said lever to below the lower traction surface of said latter traction member to tilt the toy, so that the latter tractionmember is rendered inoperative and the toy pivotally turned about said pivot extension.

4. A toy of the self-propelled type including a pair of traction wheels therefor, a spring mo-v tor for said wheels having a frame casing, a lever pivotally supported on said frame casing near one of said wheels, and defining a pivot point'at its lower end, and. means operated from said motor for angularly oscillating said lever about its pivotal support to periodically move said pivot point below the lower traction surface of said latter wheel, whereby the toy is tilted and caused to turn about said pivot point.

5. A toy of the self-propelled type including a pair of spaced traction wheels therefor, a spring motor for said wheels, a pivotally supported lever adjacent to one of said wheels and defining a pivot point at its lower end, and means for angularly oscillating said lever about its pivotal support to periodically move said pivot point below the lower traction surface of said latter wheel, and including a cam driven from said motor and engaging said lever.

6. A toy of the self-propelled type including a pair of spaced traction wheels therefor, a spring motor for said wheels, a lever having a pivot leg on one side thereof adjacent to one of said wheels, and pivotally supported at a section spaced a substantial horizontal distance from the lower end of said pivot leg and means operated from said motor for angularly oscillating said lever about its pivotal support to move said end in a substantially vertical direction alternately above and below the lower traction surface of said latter wheel, whereby the toy is periodically turned about said pivot leg.

'7. A toy of the self-propelled type comprising a pair of spaced traction wheels therefor, connected to a common axle, a spring motor for said wheels, including a frame casing, and a winding shaft supported on said casing and having one end thereof extending through one side of said casing to receive a winding key, and having the other end extending through the other side of said casing, a lever having an extension near one end forming,a depending pivot leg substantially in the vertical plane of said axle, and pivotally supported on the latter side of said casing near one of said wheels, and at a section spaced a substantial horizontal distance from the lower end of said pivot leg, said lever having a transverse outward flange integral therewith, and means for angularly oscillating said lever about its pivotal support to periodically move said lower end of said pivot leg below the lower traction surface of said latter wheel, whereby the toy is caused to make a pivotal turn about said pivot leg, said latter means including a cam connected to the latter end of said winding shaft and engaging said flange.

8. A toy of the self-propelled type including a spring motor having a frame casing, a pair of members supported on said casing on opposite sides thereof, a pair of cams operated from said motor for oscillating said members respectively, a spring clip straddling said motor casing and urging both of said members against the action of said cams, and means responsive to the oscillatory movement of said members for effecting certain amusing operations of said toy.

9. A toy of the self-propelled type including a spring motor having a frame casing, a pair of levers pivotally supported on said casing on opposite sides thereof, a pair of cams operated from said" motor for angularly oscillating said levers respectively, a spring clip straddling said casing and having a pair of side arms engaging said levers respectively to urge said levers against the action of said cams, and means responsive to the oscillatory movement of said levers for effecting certain amusing operations of said toy.

10. A toy of the self-propelled type comprising a spring motor having a frame casing, a lever pivotally connected to one side of said casing, said motor including a winding shaft supported on said frame casing and having one end extend through an elongated slot in said lever, a cam on the latter end of said winding shaft, a member yieldably mounted on said lever and having a pair of flanges for engagement with said cam, one of said flanges being adapted to be engaged by said cam during the winding rotation of said shaft, to move said member in one direction with respect to said lever, whereby said lever is immobile during said winding rotation, spring means urging said member in opposite direction, stop means for limiting said latter movement with respect to said lever, the other flange being adapted to be engaged by said cam during the unwinding rotation of said shaft, whereby said lever and said member are angularly oscillated in unison about the pivotal support of said lever during this unwinding operation, and means responsive to the oscillatory movement of said lever for effecting an amusing operation of said toy.

11. A toy of the self-propelled type including a motor having a frame casing, a lever pivotally connected to one side of said casing, a winding shaft supported on said frame casing and having one end extending through an elongated slot in said lever, a cam affixed to said shaft end, ameniber pivotally connected to said lever and having a pair of flanges for engagement with said cam, one of said flanges being adapted to be engaged by said cam during the winding movement of the winding shaft to angularly swing said member in one direction with respect to said lever whereby said lever is immobile during said winding operation, a spring for urging said member in opposite angular direction, stop means for limiting this latter movement of said member with respect to said lever, the other flange being adapted to be engaged by said cam during the unwinding rotation of said shaft whereby said lever and said member are angularly oscillated in unison about the pivotal support of said lever against the action of said'spring during this unwinding operation, and means responsive to the angular oscillatory movement of said lever for effecting an amusing operation of said toy.

12. A toy of the self-propelled type including a chassis having a door, a motor in said chassis having a framecasing, a lever pivotally connected to one side of said motor, said motor including a winding shaft supported on said frame casing and having one end extending through an elongated slot in said lever, a cam on said end, a member pivotally connected to said lever and having a pair of flanges for engagement with said cam, one of said flanges being adapted to be engaged by said cam during the winding operation of the winding shaft to angularly swing said member in one direction with respect to said lever whereby said lever is not moved during said winding operation, spring means urging said member in opposite direction, stop means for limiting said latter movement of said member with respect to said lever, the other flange being adapted to be engaged by said cam during the unwinding rotation of said winding shaft, whereby said lever is angularly oscillated about its pivotal support, and means responsive to the angular oscillatory movement of said lever for eiIecting the opening and closing of said door.

13. A toy tank of the self-propelled type including a chassis having an opening on top, and a hinged door for said opening, a. figure adapted to extend in and out through said opening, a motor in said chassis including a frame casing, a lever pivotally connected to one side of said motor, a winding shaft supported on said frame casing and having one end extending through an elongated slot in said lever, a cam on said shaft end, a member pivotally connected to said lever and having a pair of flanges for engagement with said cam, one of said flanges being adapted to be engaged by said cam during the winding operation of the winding shaft to angularly swing said member in one direction with respect to said lever, whereby said lever is not moved during this winding operation, spring means urging said member in opposite direction, stop means for limiting said latter movement of said member with respect to said lever, the other flange being adapted to be engaged by said cam during the unwinding rotation of said winding shaft where by said lever is angularly oscillated about its pivotal support, and means responsive to the angular oscillatory movement of said lever for effecting

Images