US2197268A

US2197268A - Animating apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2197268A
Application number: US166301A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gold Sam
Original assignee: American Advertising & Res Cor
Current assignee: American Advertising & Res Cor; American Advertising & Research Corp
Priority date: 1937-09-29
Filing date: 1937-09-29
Publication date: 1940-04-16
Anticipated expiration: 1957-04-16

Description

April 16, 1940. I GOL 2,197,268

ANIMATING APPARATUS Fil ed $ept. 29, 1957 s Sheets-Sheet 1 I Im/en or: 4.21/22 @014.

April 16, 1940. 5 GOLD 2,197,268

ANIIIATING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 29, 1937 3 Sheets-Shea 2 Jam April 16, 1940. 5, GOLD 2,197,268

ANIMATING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 29, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Ira/enter Patented Apr. 16, 1940 UNITED STATES ANIMATING APPARATUS Sam Gold, Chicago, Ill., assignor to American Advertising & Research Corporation, a corporation of Illinois Application September 29, 1937, Serial No. 166,301

11 Claims.

The invention relates to picture animating apparatus and more particularly to a novelly constructed toy for animating still pictures.

An object of the invention is to provide a simply operated novel picture animating apparatus which is readily assembled from fiat stock.

Another object is to provide a picture animating apparatus with a novelly constructed picture carrying rotor embodying novel means to detachably secure a plurality of picture bearing members thereto. 7

Another object is to provide a knock-down picture animating apparatus which is inexpensive to manufacture, easy to assemble, and simple and pleasing in operation.

The foregoing and such other objects of the invention as will appear hereinafter as the description proceeds will be more readily understood from a perusal of thefollowing specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the improved toy.

Fig. 2 is a vertical central sectional view through the toy, showingthe rotor in elevation.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the rotor.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the rotor, partly assembled.

Fig. 6 is a view of a. blank printed and perfoorated to provide a set of individual picture bearing members.

Fig. '7 is a view of the blank for the apparatus housing.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the blank employed to make the eye piece. I

Fig. 9 is a view of the blank for the rotor spacers.

The improved knock-down toy includes a set of pictures arranged upon a rotor within a suitable housing in such a manner that rotation of the rotor exposes each picture of the set in sequence at such a rate of speed as to animate the characters represented on said pictures.

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 7,'the housing H preferably is formed from a sheet of material, such as heavy cardboard or the like, suitably die-cut and scored to permit its being readily folded and interlocked to produce a substantially square shallow box-like structure. As best illustrated in Fig. '7, the top 12 is defined by score lines l3 and I4 and has an opening it therein, the opposed edges l6-l6a of which preferably are curved, as shown, for a purpose to be more fully explained hereinafter. Portions I! joined to the top l2 along the score lines l3--|4 are adapted to be positioned parallel to each other at right angles to the top l2. A bottom portion l8 joined to one of the side walls H has tabs IQ for insertion into slots 2i at the free edge of the other side Wall to retain said sidewalls in spaced parallel relation. The ends of the housing are closed by end flaps 22-23, both of which preferably are joined to one of the side walls I! along score lines 24. Each end of the top 12 and of the bottom l8 terminates in tabs 25-46, respectively, for insertion beneath the

respective end walls

22 and 23, thereby securely interlocking the various portions of the blank to provide a rigid housing, which may be readily disassembled and unfolded. I i The side walls I1 have aligning openings 21 to receive for free rotation therein a square shaft 28. The shaft preferably is formed by folding a flat sheet of material, such as heavy cardboard or the like. As best shown in Fig. 2, the shaft 28 is located substantially midway between the

end walls

22 and 23 and at a substantially equal distance above the bottom wall i8 but relatively closer to the inclined top wall 12. A rotor 29 is mounted upon the shaft 28 for rotatlon therewith within the housing II and preferably includes spaced apart disks 3! each having a square axial opening 32 therein to fit snug ly upon said shaft. I

The disks 3| are retained in spaced relation to each other and to the housing side walls I! preferably by two spacers .33 each of which, as best shown in Fig. 9, consist of a blank of heavy sheet material folded substantially v-shaped along a medial score line 34, and has end portions 35 and a wide central portion 36 providing. shoulders 31. The spacers are placed between the disks 3i with their end portions 35 extending through triangular-shaped openings 38 in each disk. Due to the resiliency of the folded V-shaped spacers, the disks are frictionally retained against the shoulder 31.

Each disk has a. plurality of uniformly spaced apart radial slits 4| extending inwardly from its peripherial edge and has portions cut away at each slit, as at 42 (Fig. 3) to facilitate ready access being gained to said slits. The slits of each disk are adapted to align longitudinally with the slits of the companion disk whereby each pair of aligned slits provides a mounting for one 7 picture bearing member 43. As shown, each member 43 is mounted on the rotor along one edge and extends radially outwardly therefrom. In practice it is intended that each picture member of a set will be consecutively numbered and each set of slits may bear corresponding numbers to insure mounting of the picture members in proper sequence. An operating handle 44, preferably formed by bending a sheet of cardboard or the like, of predetermined size and shape, is slipped over one of the projecting ends of shaft 28.

Upon reference to Fig. 2 it will be noted that the picture bearing members 43 brush against the inside face of the top wall l2 and are thereby prevented from assuming their normal radial position. When the rotor is turned clock-wise the distorted picture bearing members are successively released as they move off the edge [6 of the window opening l5 and immediately snap into their substantially radial position. However, the other edge 26a of said opening i5 is so positioned with relation to the rotor that the released picture bearing members are again deflected slightly until such time as they slide freely off said edge. The successive freeing of each member effects animation of the characters thereon when viewed through the opening (5 and as said members are momentarily held by the edge ltd, flickering, induced primarily by vibration of the picture members, is prevented. Sliding friction at the edges l 35a is reduced to a minimum due to the curve of said edges which makes for a point contact with each picture member.

The apparatus is given a more realistic appearance and exposure or injury to the portions of the picture bearing members extending through the opening 55 is avoided by providing a suitable eye piece This eye piece also preferably is formed of sheet material, as best shown in Fig. 8, and consists of an inclined rear wall 41, parallel side walls 38 and an inclined front wall 49, suitably joined along score lines 5| and 52, respectively. The front wall 49 carries a tab 53 on its free edge for insertion through a slot 54 in the opposed side wall 18 for securing the parts in a substantially triangular shape, having its open bottom disposed over the opening 15. The 'ront wall 49 has an opening through which the pictures are viewed, and an opening 56 in the rear wall 4! admits sufficient light. The eye piece 45 preferably is secured in place by extensions or wings 5?, one depending from each of the side walls 48, which are inserted through the opening 15 and have their forwardly projecting shoulders 58 engaged beneath the top I2 adjacent the edge H3 of said opening. A flap 59 extending from the rear wall M is inserted beneath the housing end wall 23, as shown in Fig. 2.

From the foregoing it is evident that this device may be quickly and easily assembled by unskilled persons and is simple to operate to provide very amusing entertainment. Repeated operation may eventually result in the picture bearing members 43 tending to assume a substantially curved shape because of the continuous flexing in one direction by the top wall l2. To overcome this tendency it is intended that a complete set or" pictures be reproduced on each side of said members so that by simply opening the housing and reversing the rotor the picture hearing elements will be fiexed in an opposite direction while displaying a second set of pictures. It is obvious also that the utility of this apparatus can be increased by mounting a plurality of rotors upon a common shaft so that diiferent sets, or a single set of pictures of considerably a greater number than that which can possibly be mounted on one rotor, are provided for successive observation. With such an arrangement the housing H is made sufiiciently large to enclose the added number of rotors, and a window opening and associated eye piece are provided on the housing, one for each rotor.

It should be understood that the various terms used herein are descriptive rather than restrictive and it is not intended that the invention be restricted to the precise details illustrated but is to embrace the disclosure in is broadest aspect as limited only by the requirements of the prior art.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus of the character described, a housing formed with an opening in its top wall and a flap forming an end wall, an eye piece adapted to be mounted on the outside of said top i wall over said opening comprising a hollow substantially triangular shaped member open at its bottom, lips extending from each side wall of said member insertable in said opening, shoulders on said lips to engage beneath said top, and a flap at one end of said member insertable beneath the end wall flap.

2. In an apparatus of the character described having a housing provided with an opening through which picture bearing members are exposed, an eye piece adapted to be fitted over said opening comprising a substantially triangular shaped body open at its bottom, and means on said body adapted to engage in said opening to retain the body in place, said body having a window opening in its inclined front wall and a light opening in its inclined rear wall.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, a housing having a substantially rectangular opening therein, one pair of opposed edges of said opening being curved inwardly toward each other, yieldable members movable in uniform sequence past said opening, said members co-acting with said curved edges whereby they are successively snapped into a position to momentarily expose one member at a time.

a. In an apparatus of the character described, a housing having a substantially rectangular opening therein, one pair of opposed edges of said opening being curved inwardly toward each other, yieldable members movable in uniform sequence beneath said opening, said members coacting with said curved edges whereby they are successively snapped into position to momentarily expose one member at a time, and an eye piece detachably fitted over said opening.

5. A knock-down toy picture apparatus including a housing formed of a blank folded to provide parallel side and end walls, a bottom and a top, said top being inclined from one end wall to the other end wall and having an opening therein, a shaft formed of a blank folded to provide fiat sides j ournaled in said side walls, a rotor in said housing having axially aligned square openings through which said shaft extends, said rotor being formed of disks fixedly spaced apart, said disks having uniformly spaced radial slits extending inwardly from their periphery, the slits in one disk being aligned with the slits in the other disk, and picture bearing sheets one mounted in each pair of aligned slits and projecting radially outwardly, said sheets successively coacting with the top wall so that they may be viewed successively through said opening while the rotor is being rotated.

6. A knock-down toy picture apparatus including a housing formed of a blank folded to provide parallel side and end walls, a bottom and a top, said top being inclined from one end wall to the other end wall and having an opening therein, a shaft formed of a blank folded to provide flat sides journaled in said side walls, a rotor in said housing securely mounted on said shaft, said rotor being formed of spaced apart disks having spaced radial slits extending inwardly from their periphery, the slits in one disk being aligned with the slits in the other disk, and picture bearing sheets one mounted in each pair of aligned slits and projecting radially outwardly, said sheets successively co-acting with opposed edges of the opening in said top wall so that they may be viewed successively through said opening while the rotor is being rotated.

7. A knock-down toy picture apparatus including a housing formed of a blank folded and interlocked to provide parallel side and end walls, a bottom and a top, said top having an opening therein, a shaft formed of a blank folded to provide flat sides rotatably journaled in said side walls, a rotor in said housing securely mounted on said shaft, said rotor being formed of disks fixedly spaced apart, said disks having spaced radial slits extending inwardly from their periphery, the slits in one disk being aligned with the slits in the other disk, and picture bearing sheets one mounted in each pair of aligned slits and projecting radially outwardly, said sheets being successively exposed through said opening while the rotor is being rotated.

8. A knock-down toy picture apparatus including a housing having an inclined top wall provided with an opening. a shaft formed of a blank folded to provide flat sides rotatably journaled in said housing, a rotor in said housing through which said shaft extends, said rotor being formed of spaced apart disks having radial slits extending inwardly from their periphery, the slits in one disk being aligned with the slits in the other disk, and picture bearing sheets one mounted in each pair of aligned slits and projecting radially outwardly, said sheets successively co-acting with the top wall so that they may be viewed successively through said opening while the rotor is being rotated.

9. A knock-down toy picture apparatus including a housing having spaced side walls, a shaft rotatably journalled in said side walls having its end portions extend outwardly beyond said walls, at least said end portions of said shaft being square in cross-section, a rotor secured on said shaft between said walls, and an operating handle detachably mounted on either of said extending shaft portions, said handle consisting of sheet material folded upon itself and apertured to snugly receive said shaft.

10. In an apparatus of the character described having a housing provided with an opening through which picture bearing members are exposed, an eye piece adapted to be mounted on the outside of said opening comprising, an irregular shaped hollow body open at its bottom, and tabs depending from said body to engage in the housing opening to detachably retain the body in place, said body having a light opening and a window opening therein. I

11. A knockdown toy picture apparatus including a housing having side walls and a top wall. said top wall having an opening therein, a shaft journalled in and having its end portions extend outwardly beyond said side walls, at least i one of said end portions being square in crosssection, a rotor in said housing securely mounted on said shaft, said rotor being formed of discs fixedly spaced apart, circumferentially spaced radial slits extending inwardly from the circumferential edge of said disc, the slits in one disc being aligned with the slits in the other disc, and picture bearing sheets "one mounted in each aligned pair of slits and projecting radially outwardly, means on the square portion of a said shaft to rotate the rotors, said sheets being successively exposed through said opening while the rotor is being rotated.

SAM GOLD.