US2820324A

US2820324A - Doll walker

Info

Publication number: US2820324A
Application number: US604975A
Authority: US
Inventors: Matilda W Echelmeier
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1956-08-20
Filing date: 1956-08-20
Publication date: 1958-01-21
Anticipated expiration: 1975-01-21

Description

Jan. 21, 1958 M. w. EdHELMEIER DOLL WALKER Filed Aug. 20. 1956 a2 soi NVENTOR, Mafl'laa- W Echelme/ett BY K4 Af/ornsy United States Patent DOLL WALKER Matilda W. Echelmeier, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application August 20, 1956, Serial No. 604,975

1 Claim. (Cl. 46-106) My invention relates to doll walkers, and it has for a purpose the provision of a doll walker which is characterized by a wheeled platform, and an upright fixed on the platform and having means for securing the doll in upright position thereon so that by grasping the hand of the doll a child can pull the walker to simulate walking of the doll, or turn the walker to simulate dancing movements of the doll, all to the end of aifording entertainment for the child.

The present application is a continuation in part of my application Serial No. 463,997, filed October 22, 1954, now abandoned.

It is also a purpose of my invention to provide a doll Walker in which it is so constructed and the doll so secured thereon as to prevent the two from tipping forwardly during pulling of the doll by a child when walking, or to prevent the two from tipping sidewise when the child is performing dancing movements with the doll.

A further purpose of my invention is the provision of a doll walker which is adaptable for use with dolls, or other stuffed toys, of varying heights, and which also can be used as a display stand for either.

I will describe only one form of doll walker embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a view showing in front elevation one form of doll walker involving my invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a View showing the doll walker in side elevation, and illustrating a doll in phantom lines on the walker.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, my invention in its present embodiment comprises a base or platform generally designated at B, which may be made up of an intermediate plate 15, an upper plate 16 secured to the upper side of the intermediate plate, and a lower plate 17 secured to the lower side of the intermediate plate.

The intermediate plate 15 is preferably constructed of lead of a thickness to give it the requisite weight necessary to achieve the function for which it is intended. This plate also may be made of laminations of sheets of steel welded one to the other, and in sufiicient number to give it the necessary weight. The upper plate 16, which is made of steel or other suitable metal, is of an area substantially the same as that of the plate 15, and it is secured thereto by suitable fastening members 18 in the form of screws or rivets.

The lower plate 17 is likewise made of steel or other suitable metal, and has its rear portion secured by fastening members 19, such as screws or rivets, to the underside of the forward portion of the plate 15. The forward plate portion of the plate 17 projects from the plate 15 and is shaped to provide two members 20 which di- 2,820,324 Patented Jan. 21, 1958 verge one from the other and from the forward end of the plate 15.

To support the platform B for rolling movement, as well as to render the. walker readily steerable, a pair of caster wheels 21 are mounted on the underside of the members 20 with their vertical axes at the free extremities of such members. Also, a pair of wheels 22 support the rear end of the platform, and these are journalled on the ends of an axle 23 carried in a sleeve 24 Which is a part of a hanger or bracket 25.

The hanger 25 is formed from a metal plate bent upon itself medially thereof to form the sleeve 24, while the parallel portions of the plate are secured to each other by a fastening member 26. Such parallel portions are, at their free marginal ends, bent at right angles to form flanges 27 which are secured to the underside of the plate 15 by fastening members 28, such as screws or rivets. a

It is important to note that the axle 23 is of such length that the rear wheels 22 are spaced from each other a distance less than the spacing of the front caster wheels 21, for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

A rubber bumper strip 29 is secured to the side and front edges of the plate 17, so as to prevent marring of furniture or other objects which the walker may strike during use thereof.

An upright R is fixed in vertical position on the top side of the top plate 16 at the rear edge thereof and medially of the ends of such edge so as to be positioned midway between the rear wheels 22. This upright comprises a lower section 30, and an upper section 31 which telescopes in the lower section so that the overall length of the upright can be varied to hold dolls, or other stufi'ed toys, of various heights in upright position thereon. The upper section 31 is securable in any position of adjustment lengthwise in the lower section by a set screw 32 screw threaded in the upper section to engage the lower section at any point along its length.

Both sections of the upright R are constructed from strips of sheet metal each bent upon itself to form a fiat tube which is open at one side thereof. As the two sections are assembled the open side of the lower section faces to the rear of the platform, while the open side of the upper section faces the forward end of the plat form. Such open sides accommodate the set screw 32 so that it may function to secure the upper section in any extended position with respect to the lower section.

The lower upright section 30 is fixedly secured to the upper plate 16 by welding its lower end to the plate and to the rear vertical edge of a gusset 33. This gusset, in turn, is Welded in vertical position on the plate 16.

Adjacent the upper end of the upper section 30 a bracket 34 is secured to the rear side thereof, and it is through this bracket that a scarf 35 can be extended. An elastic belt 36 is secured at its medial portion to the rear side of the upper section 30 by means of a pair of rivets 37 and at a point just below the bracket 32. An endless elastic belt 38 is trained about the lower end of the upright R and the gusset 33.

In the use of the walker, a doll, or other toy, is secured in upright position on the platform B as illustrated in phantom lines in Fig. 3, the feet of the doll being held on the platform on opposite sides of the gusset 33 by the band 38. The body of the doll is secured to the upright by the belt 36 which is extended under the dolls clothing to conceal it. The dolls head is secured to the upright by extending and tying the scarf 35 about the neck of the doll. Thus the doll is firmly secured vertically to the upright with its arms left free.

By grasping either hand of the doll, a child can pull the doll forwardly causing the walker to roll forwardly on the

wheels

21 and 22, and thereby simulating walkingot the 'doll. The caster wheels '21 afford ready steering of the walker as it is pulled so that it will follow the walking movements of the child.

Because the platform B is weighted as it is by the plate 15, the upright at the rear portion thereof, and the caster wheels mounted forwardly of such plate in divergent relation thereto and spaced from each other a greater distance than from the rear wheels, sufiicient stability is given to the walker to prevent it from overturning or even tilting under any pulling force exerted by the child on an arm of the doll, either forwardly in walking it, or sidewise when turning it in dancing therewith.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of doll walker embodying my invention, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and .the spirit and scope of the appended claim.

What, I claim is:

A doll walker, including: a base comprising an intermediate plate of relatively heavy metal, an upper plate secured to the upper side of the intermediate plate, and a lower plate secured to the lower side of the intermediate plate and projecting forwardly therefrom; a hanger bearing bracket secured to and extending transversely of the lower side of the intermediate plate at the rear portion thereof; an axle journalled in said bracket; rear wheels on the ends of the axle; a pair of front caster wheels mounted on the underside of the lower plate where it projects forwardly from the intermediate plate; an upright secured on the rear portion of the upper plate at a point midway between the rear wheels; and means on the upright for securing a doll in upright position thereon.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 220,606 Goye Oct. 14, 1879 569,333 Hinckley Oct. 13, 1896 1,339,109 Irrgang May 4, 1920 2,465,301 Warner Mar. 22, 1949