US2680329A

US2680329A - Suction cup timing mechanism controlled animated toy

Info

Publication number: US2680329A
Application number: US352086A
Authority: US
Inventors: Voorhis F Wigal
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1953-04-30
Filing date: 1953-04-30
Publication date: 1954-06-08
Anticipated expiration: 1971-06-08
Also published as: FR1098347A; DE1730566U; GB760147A; DE945907C

Description

June 8, 1954 v. F. WlGAL 2,630,329

SUCTION CUP TIMING MECHANISM CONTROLLED ANIMATED TOY Filed April 30, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 24 lu u INVENTOR. YOORHIS F- WIGAL ATTORNEY V. F. WIGAL June 8, 1954 SUCTION CUP TIMING MECHANISM CONTROLLED ANIMATED TOY Filed April 50, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. VOORHIS F. WIGAL ATTORNEY Patented June 8, 1954 SUCTION CUP TIMING MECHANISM CONTROLLED ANIMATED TOY Voorhis F. Wigal Rocky River, ,Ohio Application April 30, 1953, Serial No. 352,086

This invention relates to escapement mechanisms, and in particular relates to a new and novel escapement mechanism having particular application in the field of mechanical toys.

In the past, there have been described the use of certain surface-adhering suction cups, which are bled in various ways to relieve th adherence of the same to the sheer surface being traversed by a Climbing toy.

In one form of prior art, bleeding of the suction cups was efiec'tuated by provision of communicating parts between the interior and exterior faces of the suction cup. In this manner, the formation of a theoretically imperforate was obviated. It has been discovered that substantially the same result can be obtained by the roughening of either the suction cup or the reaction surface to which the suction cup adheres.

It is therefore one object of this invention to utilize this bled type of suction cup, either perforate or imperforate in conjunction with an appropriate surface, as a timing mechanism for an escapement device.

It is a further object of this invention to utilize a vacuum cup with a leak therein, to impart intermittent animation to a simulated toy animal.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent upon reading of the specification, considered in the light of the accompanying drawings.

f the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view partly broken away and in section, of a toy fish having the new and novel escapement mechanism incorporated therein.

Figure 2 is a side elevation, partly broken away and in section, and showing the vacuum cup in adhered relationshi to the reaction surface.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the vacuum cup separated from the reaction surface.

9 Claims. (Cl. 46123) Figure 4 is a side elevation, partly broken away and in section, and illustrating a modification of the invention.

Figure 5 is a view taken on the lines 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figures 6, '7 and 8 are cross-sectional eleva- .tions of various types of suction cups that may mechanism I0, and the escapement mechanism (indicated generally by the numeral 20), that is employed to control the same, are shown mounted within the interior of a hollow toy II, that resembles, in configuration, a simulated toy fish;

having a hollow body Ila, a head portion Ilb,

and a tall or fin portion II c. The arrangement of the component parts is such that while the driving and escapement mechanisms are both mounted on a plate 21 that is secured to the hollow body Ila as at I2, the hollow body Ila is provided with

longitudinal slots

44, 45, to permit the end of a rotor arm H511, to swing out therethrough. In this manner, during the operation of the toy, the end of the rotor arm IBa, will, upon rotation, extend through the

slots

44, 45, and strike the external surface upon which the toy is resting, causing the same to be repelled from the surface in simulation of a fish jumping when on dry land.

Referring now to the driving mechanism Ill, the same is shown as including a shaft I5, journaled between opposed supports 13, I4, and freely extending through appropriate apertures provided in the opposed walls of the hollow body I Ia. Positioned about the shaft I5, adjacent the central portion thereof, may be a rotor 56, mounted in relatively rotatable relationship to the shaft hi, and including a rotor arm I 6a, which is engaged by the escapement mechanism 20 so as to restrict rotation thereof in a manner to be described. To the end of providing a motivating force to cause relative rotation of the rotor It with respect to the shaft I5, there is provided a driving spring I I, positioned around one portion of the shaft I5 and having the respective ends Ila, I'Ib thereof, secured, respectively to the shaft I5, and the rotor I6. (See Figure 1.) Winding of the driving spring is facilitated by providing an externally presented Winding key I3, while unintentional unwinding of the driving spring I! is prevented by employing a ratchet wheel I9, in conjunction with a pawl member Isa.

While the preferred form of escapem-ent mechanism 20 used to control the rotation of the rotor i6, is shown mounted between the opposed supports I3, It, around a pin 2|, the pivotal movement of the same about the pin 2! is controlled by virtue of the novel construction of the escapement mechanism 20, hereinafter to be described. To this end, the escapement mecha-- nism 20 is shown including an arm member 22, generally known in escapements as a pallet arm having one end thereof pivoted about the pin 2 I, and having the opposite end thereof apertured 4 the bent end 25a of the extension arm 25.

until striking the extension arm for reception therein of the flexible shank 23 of a suction cup 24. Integrally connected to the pivoted end of the arm 22, and extending divergently therefrom, may be extension arms or cam means 25, 2'6, successively engageable with the rotor arm 15 to ur e respective disengagement and subsequent re-engagement of the suction cup 24 with a reaction surface 21a, provided on a plate 2]. While the extension arms 25, 2B are acted upon by the rotor arms ifia to impart rotational movement upon the suction cup 25* with respect to the reaction surface 21a, release of the suction cup 24 from the reaction surface 2hr will not take place until sufficient air enters the? like token, the end of the extension arm '25 is L shown bent as at 25a, so as to more efficiently transmit the force presented by the rotor arm lfia. when the same is under tension and exerting driving mechanism' thus wound and secured against accidental unwinding by virtue of the ratchetwheel l9 and the usual ratchet pawl i911, the toy may be placed upon the external'surface and the rotor arm -Hid released, whereupon the samewill rotate in a clockwise direction with the end portion passing through clearance slots 54, 45 provided in the hollow body for this purpose.

Because the'suction cup 2 3 is normal; out of engagement with the reaction surface 23a, the

first complete-revolution of the rotor arm se will operate only to urge the suction cup 2 3 into adherence with the reaction surface 727a as a result of the moment applied to the suction cup 24' by virtue of the contact between the extension arm 2'6 and the tip of the rotor'arm its. With the suction cup 25 thus adhered to the reaction surface 21a, further rotation of the rotor arm I611 will be prohibited when the sail e caches the position shown in Figure 2, where in the end of the rotor arm llia is engaged by Because of the perforate seal formed between the suction cup 24 and the reaction'surface 21a, it is manifest that the rotor arm We will be held in the position of Figure 2 only until sufficient air enters the undersideof the'suction cup 22 to break the seal that causes adherence between "the suction cup 2 3 and the reaction surface 27a.

When this seal is broken, the suction cup 2 5 will 'be urged away from the reaction surface 27a by virtue of the moment applied thereto by the extension-arm 25; and pivoted to the position of'Figure" 3, thereby allowing the rotor arm ific to pass the bent end 25a and subsequently to contact the extension arm 28. At this point,

the motivating force of the rotor arm 180,, will cause the same to pivotally move the extension lfia past extension arm 25, and simultaneously causing; by virtue of the moment applied, a reengagement of the suction cupid with the re action surface 21a. With'the suction cup 2 thus positioned, the rotor arm lEa will rotate whereupon force to disengage the suction cupid from the reaction surface 27a;

"In use or operation of the improved timing underside of the suction cup 24 to break the seal 5,

of the same with the reaction surface 2122. By"

the releasing cycle is repeated until such time as the spring H is unwound.

From the foregoing it is manifest that a new and novel escapement mechanism has been presented that is capable of use in conjunction with animated toys to provide a new and novel simulated movement. It has been further shown how the timing device for the escapement mechanism is or simple, yet 'ldurable, f construction, thus lending itself to economical mass production In Figures 4 and 5, there is illustrated a modified form of the invention, wherein simulated animation is changed from that of a fish to that of a'hopping bird, by providing the driving mechanismlof Figures 1-3 with a rotor 56, having a plurality of rotor arms 5!, 5!. As a result of this use of a multiple arm rotor 59, the rotational advancement of the same, upon release of the suction cup 24 as previously described, is considerably less than the substantially complete rotational advancement efiectuated in Figures 1-3; Accordingly, the'contact' with theexternal surface is less severe and the action simulated is one of hopping rather than jumping: Complete elimination of'the probability of the toy overturning can be insured by providing appropriate weights 4, 5 within the hollow body, thus permitting advanceof the toy in a hopping'fashion. Further modification set forth in Figures 4 and 5 include the use of a" generally roughenedreaction surface 50, provided on the plate 5|, to prevent the formation 'of 'theoretically perfect seal when an imperforate suction'cup 52i's used. It is equally manifest that other types of rotors could be utilized in conjunction with the type or escapement mechanism set "forth in Figures l3. For example, the rotor of Figures 1-3, could be weighted atits outer-end, and madeto rotate entirely within a shell or casing in simulation of a jumping bean.

Because the operation of the escapement mechanism 20 is predicated upon adherence of the suction cup 24 to the reaction surface 27d for a predetermined time interval, it is manifest that either the suction cup 24 or the 'reactionj'surface 21a should preferably be of such "construction as to prevent the formation of a theoretically perfeet vacuum within the concave face thereof when the same engages the reaction surface 21a. Ac-

e cordingly, in Figures 4 and 5, the reaction surface 21a has been shown roughened while in Figures 6, 7 and 8, there are illustrated various types of suction cups that may be employed to the desired'end. Thus in Figure 6, there is shown a suction cup at wherein the entrance of the air is facilitated by provision of an aperture ti, extending from the interior surface 62 to the Xterior surface 63. Likewise, in Figure 7, a theoretically perfect seal is prevented by provision of a channel 10 formed on the interior surface ll of the suction cup l2 and extending to the peripheral edge '13. In Figure 8, agerierally roughened internal face portion 8%, provided on the suction cup 8i, insures against the formation of a theoretically perfect seal.

In Figure 9, there is shown a modification of the invention, wherein the novel releasing 'mechanism is illustrated incorporated in a sliding mechanism. Accordingly, the suction cup $98 is shown mounted on one end of a reciprocating yoke 91, the opposite end 92 of which is secured to conventional reciprocating means (not shown)

Inclined faces

93, 94, are shown mounted on the yoke 91, the arrangement being such that a rotor arm 95, rota-ole Within theyoke' it, will engage accuses the faces 93, 9%, to 'cause reciprocation of the yoke with respect to a reaction surface 95. In operation, the rotor arm 95, rotating in clockwise direction, first engages the inclined face '93, and urges the yoke 99 towards the reaction surface 96. When the suction cup 9?] engages the reaction surface 95, the rotor arm 95 will pass the inclined face and upon rotation, will engage the inclined; face 84. At this point, the yoke 91 will be subjected to force tending to urge the same away from the reaction surface 96. However, movement of the yoke 9| will not be permitted until the seal between the suction cup 9| and the reaction surface 95 is broken as has been previously described. When the seal is broken, the rotor arm 95 will rotate to engage the surface 83 for repetition of the cycle.

Accordingly, other modifications of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An animated toy comprising: a body; a power driven rotor mounted for unidirectional rotation within. said body and having a radially 7 projecting portion rigid therewith, said rotor being disposed so that the path of movement of said projecting portion projects through an opening beyond the confines of said body; escapement means adapted to coact with said rotor toperm'it intermittent rotational advancement thereof whereby intermittent motion is imparted to said body by contact of said projecting portion with the surface on which said body is resting; a pallet arm member in said escapement means adapted to be engaged by said projecting portion of said rotor to permit intermittent, timed rotation of said rotor; a reaction surface on said body; a suction cup carried by said pallet arm "member capable of temporary adherence to said reaction surface and to therefore arrest the movement of said pallet arm member; means on said pallet arm adapted to be activated by said rotor to move said pallet arm so as to bring said suction cup in temporary adhering engagement with said a reaction surface "during each revolution of said rotor; and abutment means on said pallet arm adapted to be thereafter engaged by said projecting portion of said rotating member when said pallet arm and said suction cup are in such adhering engagement, whereby the motion of said rotor is arrested, said abutment means and said am having'a configurationsuch that when said suction. cup subsequently becomes disengaged said rotor is released for further rotary movement, until said abutment means is again engaged by said projecting portion of said rotor.

2. An animated toy -comprisii'ig: a body; a power driven rotor mounted for unidirectional rotation within said body and having a radially projecting portion rigid therewith, said rotor being disposed so that the path of movement of said projecting portion projects through an opening beyond the confines of said body; escapement means adapted to coact with said rotor to permit intermittent rotational advancement thereof whereby intermittent motion is imparted to said body by contact of said projecting por-- tion with the surface on which said body is resting; a pallet arm member in said escapement means adapted to be engaged by said projecting portion of said rotor to permit intermittent, timed rotation of said rotor; a reaction surface -on said support; -a suction cup carried by said pallet arm member, capable of temporaryadherence to said reaction surface, and to therefore arrest the movement of said pallet arm :member'; cam means on said pallet arm adapted to be momentarily engaged by said projecting portion of said rotor during each revolution thereof so as to move said pal-let arm to bring said suction cup into temporary, adhering engagement with said reaction surface; and abutment means on said pallet ar-m adapted to be thereafter engaged by said projecting portion of said rotor when said pallet arm and said suction cup are in such adhering engagement, whereby the motion of said rotor is arrested, said abutment'means and said arm having a configuration such that when said suction cup subsequently becomes disengaged rotor is released for further rotary movement, until said abutment means is again engaged bysaid projecting portion of said rotor.

3. An animated toy comprising: a hollow body; a power driven rotor mounted within and unidi-rectionailiy rotatable with respect to said body; -a plurality of rigid "radial projections on said rotor; the path of movement of the ends thereof extending through an opening in said body; an -esoapement means activated by and controlling the rotation of said rotor; said escapement means compris'mg a reaction surface i-i'exed with respect "to said body, a pallet arm member adapted to be successively engaged by the'projecting portions of said rotor to permit intermittent, time rotation of said rotor, and a suction cup carried by said pallet arm member adapted to be moved alternately into and out of engagement with said react-ion surface by said rotor and being capable of temporary adherence thereto so as to control the movement of said paliet arm member, means'on pallet arm adapted to be activated by said rotating memher to move said pallet arm so as to bring said suction cup into a plurality of temporary adhering -engagements with said reaction surface during each revolution of said rotating member, and abutment means on said pallet arm adapted to be engaged byone of said projecting portions of said rotor when said pallet arm and said'sizction :cup are in such adhering engagement, whereby the motion of said rotor is arrested, said abutment means and said arm having a coringuration such that when said suction cup subsequently becomes disengage said otor is released for further rotary movement, until said abutment means is againengaged by one of said projecting portions of said rotor.

animated "toy comprising: a hollow body having an opening therein, a power driven rotor mounted within and unidirectionaily rotatable with respect to said body, a plurality of rigid radial projections on said rotor, the path of movement of the ends thereof extending through an'opening in said body; and escapement means activated by and controlling the rotation of said rotor; said 'escapement means comprising a reaction surface fixed with respect to said body, a pallet arm member adapted to be successively engaged by the projecting portions of said rotor and to permit intermittent, timed rotationcf said rotor, a suction cup carried by said pallet arm member adapted to be moved alternately into and'out of engagement with said reaction surface by said rotor and being capabie of temporary adherence thereto so as to control the movement of said pallet arm member, cam means on said pallet arm adapted to be momentarily engaged by each of said radial projections on-said rotor during each revolution thereof so as-to move said pallet arm to bring said suction cu into temporary, adhering engagement with said reaction surface, and abutment means on said pallet arm adapted to be thereafter engaged by one of said projections when said pallet arm and said suction cup are in such adhering engagement, whereby the motion of said rotor is arrested, said abutment means and said arm having a configuration such that when said suction cup subsequently becomes disengaged said rotor is released for further rotary movement, until said abutment means is again engaged by one of said radial projections on said rotor.

5. An animated toy comprising: a body; a unidirectional, power driven, rotating member mounted in said body and having a radially projecting portion rigid therewith, said member being disposed so that the path of movement of the end of said member rojects through an opening in said body beyond the confines of that portion of said body normally in contact with the supporting surface on which said toy is disposed; power means for continuously urging said rotating member to rotate and to strike said supporting surface; a bearing member on said body; an arm movable on said bearing member; a reaction surface on said body; a suction cup carried by said arm capable of temporary adherence to said reaction surface, a cam surface on said arm adapted to be momentarily engaged by said projecting portion of said rotating member to move said arm on said bearing member in a direction such as to cause said suction cup to be brought into temporary adhering engagement with said reaction surface; and a second cam surface on said arm adapted to be subsequently engaged by said projecting portion of said rotating member within a single revolution thereof when said suction cup is disposed in adhering engagement with said reaction surface, and while so engaged to continuously urge said suction cup out of engagement with said reaction surface, said second cam surface and said arm having a configuration such that when said suction cup subsequently becomes disengaged said rotating member is released or further rotary movement, until said second cam surface is again engaged by said projecting portion of said rotating member.

6. An escapenient mechanism comprising: a

support; a unidirectional power driven rotating member having a radially projecting portion mounted on said support; a bearing on said support; a pallet arm movable about said bearing disposed in cooperative association with said projecting portion of said rotating member, a suction cup secured to said pallet arm at a point in spaced relation to said bearing; a reaction surface disposed in cooperative association with said suction cup; means on said pallet arm adapted to be activated by said rotating member to move said pallet arm so as to bring said suction cup into temporary adhering engagement with said reaction surface during each revolution of said rotating member; and abutment means on said pallet arm adapted to be thereafter engaged by said projecting portion of said rotating member when said pallet arm and said suction cup are in such adhering engagement, whereby the motion of said rotating member is arrested, said abutment means and said arm having a configuration such that when said suction cup subsequently becomes disengaged said rotating member is released for further rotary movement, until said abutment means is again engaged by said projecting portion of said rotating member.

7. An escapernent mechanism comprising: a support; a unidirectional power driven rotating member having a radially projecting portion mounted on said support; a bearing on said support; a pallet arm movable about said bearing disposed in cooperative association with said projecting portion of said rotating member, a suction cup secured to said pallet arm at a point in spaced relation to said bearing; a reaction surface disposed in cooperative association with said suction cup; cam means on said pallet arm adapted to be momentarily engaged by said projecting portion of said rotating member during each revolution thereof so as to move said pallet arm to bring said suction cup into temporary, adhering engagement with said reaction surface; abutment means on said pallet arm adapted to be thereafter engaged by said projecting portion of said rotating member when said pallet arm and said suction cup are in such adhering engagement whereby the motion of said rotating member is arrested, said abutment means and said arm having a configuration such that when said suction cup subsequently becomes disengaged said rotating member is released for further rotary movement, until said abutment means is again engaged by said projecting portion of said rotating member.

8. An escapement mechanism comprising: a support; a bearing on said support; a pallet arm movable about said bearing; a reaction surface provided on said support adjacent said arm; a suction cup secured to said arm at a point remote from said bearing, and being capable of temporary adherence with said surface; a uni directional, power driven, rotating member mounted on said support in association with said arm and having a radially projecting portion; cam means on said arm adapted to be engaged by said projecting portion of said rotating member to move said arm on said bearing so that said suction cup is brought into temporary adher ig engagement with said surface; and additional cam means on said arm adapted to be thereafter engaged by said projecting portion of said rotating member within a single revolution thereof whereby the motion of said rotating member is arrested and said arm may be urged to move said bearing in a direction such as to cause disengagement of said suction cup with said surface, said additional c-am means and said arm having a configuration such that when said suction cup subsequently becomes disengaged said rotating member is released for further rotary movement, until said additional cam means is again engaged by said projecting portion of said rotating member.

9. An escapement mechanism comprising: a support; a bearing on said support; a pallet arm movable about said bearing; a reaction surface provided on said support adjacent said arm; a suction cup secured to said arm at a point remote from said bearing and being capable of temporary adherence with said surface; a unidirectional, power driven, rotating member mounted on said support in association with said arm and having a radially projecting portion; an abutment surface on said arm adapted to be momentarily engaged by said projecting portion of said rotating member to move said arm on said bearing member in a direction such as to cause said suction cup to be brought into temporary adhering engagement with said reaction surface; and a second abutment surface on said arm adapted to be subsequently engaged by said projecting portion of said rotating member and to arrest the motion References Cited in the file of this patent thereof during the time saici suction cup is so dis- UNITED STATES PATENTS posed in temporary adhering engagement with said reaction surface, said second abutment sur Number Name Date face and said arm having a configuration such 5 7531109 Poppenhusen Feb 23, 1904 that when said suction cup subsequently becomes 1,243,330 1917 disengaged said. rotating member is released for 1329412 schmKdt 1931 further rotary movement, until said second abut- 2,150,465 sonhelm 1939 ment surface is again engaged by said projecting 2,181,113 AFmmS 1939 portion of said rotating member. 10 2215953 Sept 1940 2,297,759 Fornas Oct. 6, 1942 2,298,882 Grunwald Oct. 13, 1942 2,535,230 Purdum Dec. 26, 1950 2,618,889 Wigal NOV. 25, 1952