US2373367A - Amusement device - Google Patents

Description

April 1945" c. WILSON 2,373,367

AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Feb. 17, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 (HARLES 5- WILSON pril 10, 1945.

C- E. WILSON AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Feb. 17, 1944 2 heets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 10, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,373,367 i T AMUSEMENT DEVICE Charles E. Wilson, Bluefield, W. Va.

Application February 1'7, 1944, Serial No. 522,769

Claims.

This invention relates to amusement devices and has relation more particularly to a device of this kind of a grotesque type and which embodies a movable figure.

Primarily it is an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind including a figure comprising a plurality of relatively movable parts so assembled as to effect a changed relation of such parts upon dropping of the figure in suspension.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind including a figure adapted to be releasably supported at a desired height and wherein said figure has associated therewith a suspending element which does not become effective until the release of the figure and wherein said figure comprises an assembly resulting in a simulation of a stretching of the figure when dropped and at the same time effecting an outward projection of an element normally concealed within the figure.

The invention also has for an object to provide a device of this kind which in its operation and use affords a burlesque of an execution byhang- The invention consists in the details of con: struction and in the combination and arrangements of the several parts of my improved amusement device whereby certain important advantages are attained, as will be hereinafter-more fully set forth. 1

In order that my invention may be better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a. view i front elevation of an amusement device constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 1; 1

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 44 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but showing certai of the parts in a second position;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view showing the figure as herein comprised as stretched, with a normally concealed element in projection;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 1-1 of Figure 1;

Figure 8'is a view somewhat similar to Figure '7 but showing certain of the parts in a second position;

Figure 9,is a View in blank of a part placed forward margin is provided with a pair of upstanding posts or columns l of a length to extend to a point closely adjacent to the upper margin of the back plate P. The upper ends ofthese posts or colmnns l have interposed therebetween a cross front member 2 suitably anchored in position. Interposed between the central portion of the member 2 and the back plate P is a beam or member 3 having suitably secured to the central portion thereof an extremity of an elongated flexible member M for a purpose to be hereinafter more particularly referred to.

Hingedly connected, as at 4, for up and. down swinging movement at a desired point above the base plate B is the rear marginal portion of a platform 5. This platform 5 substantially bridges the space between the posts or columns I and also substantially bridges the space between the back plate P and the plane of the posts or columns I when the platform 5 is in its raised position.

The forward longitudinal edge of the platform 5 midway its ends is provided with an outstanding pi 6 which, when the platform 5 is raised to a position substantially parallel with the base plate B, is received within a notch or recess 1 provided in the outer or free end portion of a rigid lever. 8. This lever 8 has its lower end portion pivotally connected, as at 9, to an up standing block I!) carried by the base plate 13 and such lever 8 is of a length to releasably hold the platform 5 in desired raised position, as particularly illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings. The lever 8 is positioned directly above the opening or pocket ll provided in the base plate B and into which extends a pin [2 carried by and depending from the lower pivoted end of the lever B. This pin I2 is adapted to be received within a notch or recess I4 provided in themserted end portion of an elongated plunger I5 which is slidably and rotatably engaged within an opening [6. I

This opening it is in the end portion of the base plate B and extends from the opening or pocket H to the outer end of the base plate B so a that the outer extremity of the plunger l may be normally extended beyond the base plate B to facilitate the operation of the pin when it is desired to effect the necessary rocking movement of the lever 8 to release the platform 5.

the opening or pocket H to hold the lever 8- against return swinging movement.

A suitable figure F is adapted to be freely placed upon the platform 5 when raised and, as

illustrated in the accompanying drawings, this figure F is in grotesque simulation of a human figure including a body l1 and a head w. The

head [8 is provided with a depending elongated neck I9 herein disclosed as cylindrical in form and which tubular neck extends upwardly from below within the head and into a suitable chamber 2min thehead, i

The lower or extended portion of theneck I 9 extends-within an elongated socket 2 l in the upper portion ofthe body H of thefigure F whereby the neck I 9 is permitted to have longitudinal movement independently of the body W in order to provide the effect of stretching the head 18 from the body I! when the figure F is dropped upon releaseof the platform 5; as will be hereinafter more particularlyset forth.

' The outer portion of the socket 2+ is defined by an inwardly disposed flange 22which has close contact with the periphery of the neck 1'8 and the extremity of the neck l9 within the socket 2i carries an outwardly surrounding flange 23. This flange 23 contacts with the flange 22 to limit the extent; of relative longitudinal movement between the neck l9 and the body IT.

The lower portion of the front face of'the head it is provided thereacross with a transverse slot 24. having communication at all. points therealong with the lower part of the chamber within, the head, I58 and throughwhich is adapted to be, freely extended or retracted a tongue 25. The upperv or inner end portion of this tongue member 25 c,arri.es,an, inwardly; and laterally dis posed elongatedbar 25,-whichextends within the upper end portion; of: the; neck ill or that part within the; chamber 20 the; wallof, the: neck, 19 being slotted, as at; 2% to; allow. the; entrance of thebar 2 Q intoi the-neck! 9,,

Thetongue 251 and bar- 2.6: are formed, of: metal or other material having required rigidity and theextremity ofithe: bar ld-iwitltiin the neck i9 is pivotally connected to the neck l9; as at 28, whereby the-bar 25 isfreeto have up and; down swinging movement, whereby the tongue'25 is either retracted within the chamber 20 or extendedtherefromt l The tongue 25 isnormally maintainedin its retracted position by aretractile member 29,

herein disclosed as an elastic band, having one and secured, as at 3th to the bar 2B- and' its opposite end portion secured; as at 3|, tothe neck [9* elastic member 36'. They upper or outer end poras at 3'], to the bar 26 at a point in relatively close proximity to its pivotal mounting 28.

The tension of the elastic member 29 is greater than the tension of the elastic member 36. The elastic member 36 is provided to allow for the continued outward movement of the neck l9 after the tongue 25 has been projected to its fullest extent and, of course, as the neck 19 returns, the

tension of the elastic member 29 will effect a retraction of the tongue 25.,

The flexible member M has its. lower extremity engaged preferably by a slip noose 38 and this member M is of such length that as the figure F is permitted to drop, the body portion I! will conti-nue' to fall after the further downward movement of the head l8 has been limited by the member M. This action will result in the simulationof the neck of the figure F being extended and as a. result of such relative outward longitudinal movement between the neck l9 and the body ll, the; bar 26 will be pulled or swung toward the. body I115, resultingin an extension of the tongue 25. l

The figure F, or more particularly the head l8 thereof, is preferablymade of molded paper stock or the like. and: for: which reason it is of advantage to provide: means; to prevent, any loosened matter falling; int the neck t9. In the present embodiment of the invention, this isprevented; by securing to the top wall of the chamber 20" an elongated strip 39 preferably of paper and which is adhesively held in. place. This strip 39; at. its forward end is provided with the oppositely disposedlaterali extensions,v All which partially overlie the upper portion. of the slot 244 and such overlying portions of the extensions 40 and the adjacent intermediate portioniof' the strip 39- are herein disclosed as having produced thereon grotesque. representations of teeth.

The, lever 8: at: a desired point. intermediate its ends has rigidly secured thereto a laterally disposed elongated bar 41 having its outer end portion operatively: engaged with an articulated arm 42 carried by an upstanding-figure 43 mounted upon the base plate B. This figure 43 is in simulation ofa person and when the l'ever-8-' is swun to release the platform 5, the articulated arm 42' will also'be caused to move, thus creating an effectof the platform 5--being released by' the figure 4 3.

From the foregoing description it is thought. to

beobvious that an amusement device constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and. facility with which it may be assembled and operated.

What is claimedli's;

1. An amusement devicevof; the classdescribed comprising a platform means for hinging: the platform at a predetermined elevation, releasable means for holding the' platform raised, a figure to freely rest on, the platform, and means for suspending the figure when the platform is released and. drops,, said figure comprising parts assembled; for relative movement lengthwise of the figure, such movement being effected when the platform drops and the figure isfplaced in suspension' 7 2'. An amusement device as set forth in claim 1, with a movable element carried by one of the parts of the figure and adapted for retraction and extension with respect to they said one, part of the figure, means for maintaining such element retracted when the figure is supported on the suspending means for the figure, a releasable support for the figure for holding the figure independently of the suspending means, said figure dropping upon release of the support, said figure including a body having a socket in its upper portion, a head, a neck carried by the head and extending within the socket of the body, the suspending means being operatively engaged with the head, said neck being of substantial length and slidably engaged in the socket to allow relative movement between the body and head, and means limiting outward movement of the neck in the socket and the relative movement of the head and body.

4. In an amusement device including a figure, suspending means for the figure, a releasable support for the figure for holding the figure independently of the suspending means, said figure dropping upon release of the support, said figure including a body having a socket in its upper portion, a head, a neck carried by the head and extending within the socket of the body, the suspending means being operatively engaged with the head, said neck being of substantial length and slidably engaged in the socket to allow relative movement between the body and head, and means limiting outward movement of the neck -in the socket and the relative movement of the head and body, said head having a chamber and a slot in the face thereof in communication with the chamber, a tongue mounted for movement inwardly or outwardly of the chamber and through the slot, means for normally maintaining the tongue retracted within the chamber, and means for extending the tongue upon the stated relative movement between the head and body of the figure.

5. An amusement device as set forth in claim 4, wherein the means for extending the tongue comprises an expansible member operatively connected with the tongue and with the body of the figure.

CHARLES E. WILSON.

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