US2665677A - Toy gun - Google Patents

Description

P. WHITLOCK Jan. 12, 1954 TOY GUN Filed Sept. 22, 1948 Patented Jan. 12, 1954 UNITED STATEfi PATENT OFFICE 32,665,671 roY GUN P ul with e en .O Application September 22, 1943, Serial No. 59,459

2 Claims. (01. 124 17) V This invention relates to toy guns of the kind constructed and arranged to propel a ball through a limited flight in a manner and by means simulating the discharge of a projectile from an actual gun.

The invention is particularly characterized by a novel hammer mechanism which includes a floating mount for the hammer, and which further includes a resilient power source for the hammer serving the dual purpose of maintaining the hammer in assembled operative relation to the other parts of the gun.

The object of the invention is to simplify the construction as well as the means and mode of operation of a toy gun whereby such guns may not only be economically manufactured, but will be more efficient and satisfactory in use, having relatively few parts and being highly unlikely to get out of repair.

Another object of the invention is to make a toy gun using a minimum number of parts and which may in large extent be formed from a single piece of wood or other suitable material.

A further object in this connection is to enable a quick and easy assembly of the gun.

A further object of the invention is to provide an equalizing means for the resilient power source.

A further object is to provide a toy gun which is attractive in appearance yet easy and reliable in operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a toy gun capable of withstanding the hard wear and inexperienced manipulation to which such articles of manufacture are usually subjected.

A further object of the invention'is to provide a toy gun possessing the advantageous structural features, the inherent meritorious characteristics and the mode of operation herein mentioned.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or their equivalents.

In carrying out the above objects there has been evolved a toy gun comprising a unitary stock orbody presenting an elevated ball rest, a floating hammer member pivotally movable upon the body through retracting and impact strokes relatively to the ball rest, and a resilient band anchored at the front of the body and surrounding the ball rest and the hammer member. .In one form of the invention the anchor for said band is automatically adjustable to compensate for inequalities of tension upon the band.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, wherein is found the preferred but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention,

.Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a toy cannon embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing the automatic adjustment motion of the resilient band anchor;

Fig. 3 is a side view of a toy pistol embodying the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary front view of the device of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side view of a toy pistol like that of Fig. ,3, showing a modified means for anchoring the rubber band; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary front view of the device of Fig. 5.

Like parts are indicated .by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

Referring to Fig. 1, a toy cannon constructed in accordancewith the'present invention may comprise a .body in the form of a generally rectangular block I0. .Formed integrally with the block l ll or set therein are laterally projecting studs ll extending respectively from the lower side edges of the .block. Relatively large broad wheels 12 are rotatably mounted on the studs I l which serve as axles. The wheels l2 are held in place upon the studs or axles H by suitable retaining means, for example a rubber sleeve [3 as shown.

Projecting forwardly from the block 10 adjacent the upper end thereof is a simulated gun barrel M which may, like the studs ll, be integral with the block or set into the block l0. Projecting from the rear of the block [0 adjacent the lower end thereof and inclined relatively to the block is a shaft or carriage tongue l5. The tongue I5 is round throughout th greater portion of its length but is undercut or flattened at its outer end where an opening I6 is formed for attachment of the cannon to a towing device.

The upper end of the block 10 is formed with a concave surface I! defining a channel over which a projectile ball may be'discharged and which may be used as a ball rest. For projecting a ball there is provided a hammer member I8. The hammer member I?! is rectangular in shape, having a Width corresponding to the width of the block [0. The lower end of the hammer member floats or rests upon the tongu l5 and the length thereof is such as to cause a substantial portion thereof to project above the horizontal plane of the surface I1. In the projecting upper end of the member I8 is an opening I9 which may be used to receive or carry a projectil ball 2i, the aXis of opening I9 being parallel to the concave surface I I and to the gun barrel I4.

Formed integrally with the hammer member I8, or set therein, are laterally projecting trunnions 22 located in the respective side edges of the hammer member adjacent the lower end thereof. In overlying contacting relationship to the trunnions 22 is a rubber or rubber-like band 23 providing the power for operating the hammer member I8.

At the front of block I3 is a dowel pin 24 rotatably set in the block I and formed with transverse slots 25 respectively receiving the ends of the band 23. The slots 25 are of such width relative to the thickness of the band 23 that the band must be stretched at a point adjacent its ends for insertion into the slots. When the ends have been so inserted, those portions of the band within the slots 25 are compressed and the relatively thicker portions of the band outside the slots effectively resist sliding motion of the band relatively to the dowel pin. The ends of the band 23 accordingly are anchored to the front of the block III. The anchor or dowel pin 24 is made rotatable in order that any inequality of tension upon the band 23 may automatically be compensated. Thus, if one end or one-half of the length of the band is stretched excessively While the other end or half is relatively loose, the dowel pin 24 will rotate slightly in its bearing in block I3 to distribute the tension upon the band more equally. This motion is indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 2. The dowel pin 24 is located in a horizontal plane lower than the trunnions 22 so that the yielding force exerted by the band is resolved into forward and downward components.

In the installation of the band 23 an initial tension is imparted thereto sufiicient to urge the hammer member I8 into a flush contact with the rear of block I3 and to press the lower end of the hammer member into a seated position at the point of intersection of the tongue I with the block Ill.

The hammer member is retractable from such position by hand against the yielding resistance of band 23 for release into striking engagement with the block It). The point of intersection of the block I3 and tongue I5 provides a pivot point for such rocking motion of the hammer member. The return motion of the hammer member into striking engagement with the block I0 under the urging of band 23 is a swift action and the impact of the engagement of the hammer with the block it is sufficient to dislodge the ball H from the opening I9 and to project it forwardly along the line of the gun barrel I4. If, instead of mounting the ball 2! in the opening I9, the same or another ball is placed upon the concave surface 4! the hammer member IE will propel the ball forwardly. In this instance, the ball tends to follow the hammer in its return stroke and slides relatively to the hammer and to the surface II. In an operation involving projection from the opening IS a rubber or other type of compressible ball is used, while if using the rest IT a relatively large celluloid ball may be used.

The invention is shown in Fig. 3 as applied to a toy pistol. In this instance the body 26 of 4 the device is formed with a handle grip portion 21 and an upstanding block portion 28, the portions 21 and 28 being interconnected by a stock 23 in which appears an opening 3| defining a simulated trigger guard.

At the top of the stock 29 is a land 32 merging at its opposite ends with the upper end of handle grip portion 21 and the base of block portion 28 at the rear thereof. Integral with or set in the front of the block 28 is a simulated gun barrel 33. The top of the block 28 defines a ball rest 34. Fastened to the opposite sides of the block 28 and extending upwardly alongside the ball rest 34 are spring arms 35 sheathed in a rubber or fabric material. The arms 35 are constructed and arranged to grip therebetween a hollow light-weight ball 33 which may be placed on the rest 34.

A hammer member 31 is operable to strike the ball 36 and propel it forwardly out of the grip of the spring arms 35 and along the line of the gun barrel 33. The hammer member 3? is rectangular in shape with a width corresponding to the width of the block 28, and its lower end floats or rests upon the land 32, being normally situated thereon at the base of block 28. Projecting from the side edges of the hammer member 37 adjacent the lower end thereof are trunnions 38 underlying a rubber band 39 which surrounds the hammer member and the block 28 in the same manner as the band 23 described in connection with the cannon of Fig. 1 Similarly, the ends of the band 39 are anchored in a 1'0- tatable dowel pin ll in a manner and for the purpose described in connection with the embodiment of Fig. 1. The hammer member 3'. is retractable by hand about its pivot at the base of block 28 to or beyond the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3. Upon release of the hammer from retracted position it is moved swiftly through its return stroke by the band 39 into striking engagement with the rear of block 28. With the ball 33 properly positioned between the arms 35, the hammer will simultaneously strike the ball and drive it outwardly into flight. It is to be noted, however, that at the moment of impact with the block 28 the pivot point of the hammer tends to shift from the base of the block to the rear edge of the rest 34 on the top thereof. The hammer thus is capable of a slight over-travel at the end of its impact stroke which enables it to strike the ball even though the ball was not initially placed in contact with the hammer. The lower end of the hammer member 31 is rounded for easy rocking and sliding motion relative to the land 32.

The resilient band indicated at 23 in Fig. 1, and at 39 in Fig. 3, may be anchored by means other than the rotatable dowel pin described. Thus, in Figs. 5 and 6, for example, there is shown a toy piston including stock 43 formed with transverse slots 44 corresponding to the slots in the dowel pins above described. The ends of the band, in this instance denoted at 45, are stretched and inserted into the slots 44 in the same manner as the band is anchored to the dowel pm.

All of the parts of the gun, except the rubber power band, may be made easily and inexpensively of a light weight wood. The elements toy pistol constitute an exception to the above but it will be recognized that these could well be omitted, if desired, and the rest 34 be made concave temporarily to retain the ball. Correspondingly, however, it also is contemplated that spring arms like the arms 35 could be used in connection with the cannon of Fig. 1.

Concerning the rubber bands 23 or 39, these may be made from and take the form of a variety of materials. In the illustrated guns, sections of surgical tubing are used, this material having been selected by reason of its elasticity, strength and durability.

If desired, a pair of semi-flexible guides 55 may be inserted in the top of the surface l1 extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom then downwardly, the ends thereof being seated within the tongue l5. Such guides (shown in Fig. 1) have a dual purpose in that they provide a ball rest and also prevent accidental insertion of an operators fingers intermediate the block [0 and hammer Hi. When such guides are used, the cannon form of toy shown in Fig. 1 may be used with a relatively hard Celluloid ball which is centrally located upon the surface I? and retained in position by the portions of the guides adjacent the surface 11.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A toy gun, including a body presenting an upstanding block portion and a substantially right angle extension projecting rearwardly therefrom, a projectile rest on the top of said block portion, a bearing surface interconnecting said body portions merging at its opposite ends with the top of said extension and the base of said block portion, a simulated gun barrel projecting from the front of said block portion below said projectile rest, resilient arms supported by said block portion and extending alongside said projectile rest to yieldingly hold a projectile there between, a hammer member loosely resting on said interconnecting bearing surface and extending above the plane of said projectile rest, and resilient means urging said hammer member against the rear of said block portion, said hammer member being retractable rearwardly about the pivot point represented by the intersection of said bearing surface and the base of said block portion for release into striking engagement with the rear of said block portion, the impact of said engagement permitting a slight overtravel of said hammer member pivotally about the upper end of said block portion.

2. A toy gun, including a body having an upwardly extending portion and a "earwardly extending portion thereon, a projectile rest upon the top of the upstanding portion, a hammer member loosely supported upon the rearwardiy extending portion of the body adjacent the upstanding portion thereof for oscillatory movement relative to the upstanding portion, an extensible and contractible band resiliently urging the harnmer member into upright position, and anchor means for said band, including a dowel pin hav ing a series of slots therein, the ends of the resili ent band being engageable in clamped relation in said slots, said dowel pin being rotatable so that the tension imparted to said resilient hand during the retracting stroke of the hammer member may be equally distributed through the resilient band.

PAUL WHITLOCK.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 83,211 Ripley Oct. 20,. 1868 224,043 Robinson Feb. 3,. 1880 300,415 Allen June 17, 1884 363,755 Myers May 24,. 1887 939,022 Henery Nov. 2, 1909 1,049,592 Nelson Jan. 7, 1913 1,146,262 Judd July 13, 1915 1,250,024 Rudisell Dec. 11, 1917 1,362,171 Minnich Dec. 14, 1920 1,965,425 McDonald July 3,. 1934 2,287,266 Ostrander June 23, 1942 2,540,303 Sylvester Feb. 6, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 570,117 Great Britain June 22, 1945

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