US2846814A

US2846814A - Self propelled reversing toy

Info

Publication number: US2846814A
Application number: US682481A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frank A Lettieri
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1957-09-06
Filing date: 1957-09-06
Publication date: 1958-08-12
Anticipated expiration: 1975-08-12

Description

Aug. 1958 F. A. LETTIERI 2,846,814

SELF PROPELLED REVERSING Toy Filed Sept. 6, 1957 IN VEN TOR.

rel/W 4 AErr/E/P/ ,ATTEI RN EYB United States Patent M SELF PROPELLED REVERSING TOY Frank A. Lettieri, Red Bank, N. J.

Application September 6, 1957, Serial No. 682,481

2 Claims. (Cl. 46-244) This invention relates to an amusement device or toy. The object of the invention is to provide a movable toy which includes a means for automatically reversing the movement or motion of the toy when the toy encounters an obstacle or obstruction such as a wall.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toy which is adapted to have a fanciful configuration or con tour, and wherein the toy is self-propelled, the toy including a reversible motor which is adapted to be operated by batteries, and wherein there is provided a switch mechanism for automatically reversing the motor when the toy strikes a wall or other object, so that the toy will move away from the obstacle automatically without the necessity of the user adjusting the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide an amusement device which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same.

Figure l is a side elevational view of the amusement device of the present invention, and with parts broken away and in section.

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

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

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral indicates the amusement device or toy of the present invention, and the toy 10 includes a hollow barrel-like body portion 11 which includes a continuous outer wall member 12 which is arcuate in cross section as shown in Figure 1 for example. End walls 13 and 14 are provided on the body portion 11, and extending from the end wall 13 is a head member 15, while extending outwardly from the wall 14 is a foot-like member 16.

Extending longitudinally through the body portion 11 is a shaft 17, and positioned below the shaft 17 is a base 18. The base 18 is adapted to be connected to the shaft 17 by means of clamps 19.

Positioned below the base 18 is a plurality of batteries 20, and the batteries 20 are connected to the base 18 through the medium of brackets 21.

Extending upwardly from the base 18 and connected thereto, is a plurality of posts 22 which serve to support a platform 23, there being a reversible electric motor 24 supported by the platform 23. The motor 24 has a drive shaft 25 extending therefrom, and the drive shaft 25 is connected to a drive wheel 26, the outer periphery of the wheel 26 frictionally engaging the inner surface of the wall member 12. Thus, as the motor 24 is actuated, the wheel 26 is rotated and since the wheel 26 bears against the wall member 12, it will be seen that the body portion 11 will rotate about an axis extending through the shaft 17 so that the device will move in a predetermined path or direction.

2,846,814 Patented Aug. 12, 1958 The toy of the present invention further includes a switch mechanism which is indicated generally by the numeral 27, and the switch mechanism 27 includes upstanding lugs 28 which provide a pivotal support for a bar 29, through the medium of a pivot pin 30. An arm 31 extends upwardly from the intermediate portion of the bar 29, and the arm 31 carries a weight 32 thereon. The ends of the bar 29 are adapted to selectively engage

contacts

33 or 34 and these

contacts

33 and 34 are electrically connected to the batteries 30 and motor 24. Thus, when the contacts 34 are engaged by the end of the bar 29, as for example as shown in Figure 2, the motor 24 will drive the wheel 26 in one direction so as to move the member 10 in one direction, and the member 10 is adapted to roll along a surface such as the floor surface 35. However, when the body portion 11 strikes or contacts an obstacle or obstruction such as the wall 36, then the switch mechanism 27 will be jarred so that the weight 32 will shift from the solid line position shown in Figure 2 to the broken line position shown in Figure 2 whereby the end of the bar 29 will move out of engagement with the contacts 34, and wherein the other end of the bar 29 will engage the contacts 33 so as to cause the motor 24 to reverse whereby the wheel 26 will be driven in the opposite direction. This opposite rotation of the wheel 26 will cause the toy to move away from the wall 36, and it will be seen that this movement is automatic andwill be continuous without the necessity of the user handling the toy.

A nose portion 37 of the toy may be constructed so as to constitute an on and off switch for the device so that when the device is not being used, the batteries 20 will not be needlessly run down.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided an amusement device which is in the nature of a self-propelled toy, and wherein the toy will automatically reverse itself when it encounters an obstacle such as the wall 36. In use, when the switch such as the switch 27 is actuated, the circuit from the batteries 20 to the motor 24 will be completed, so that the shaft 25 will cause rotation of the wheel 26. Since the outer periphery of the wheel 26 frictionally engages theimier surface of the wall member 12, it will be seen that actuation of the motor 24 causes the body portion 11 to roll along a surface such as the floor The switch 27 includes the pivotally mounted bar 29 which has the arm 31 extending upwardly therefrom, and the weight 32 is arranged on the upper end of the arm 31. Thus, when the member 10 contacts a surface such as the wall 36, the weight 32 will be jarred so that for example the weight 32 can move or will move from the solid line position shown in Figure 2 to the broken line position shown in Figure 2 whereby the contacts 34 will open, and the contacts 33 will close and this will have the effect of reversing the rotation of the motor 24 so that the wheel 26 will drive the member 10 in the opposite direction whereby the member will automatically move or back away from the wall 36 and the toy will continue to move in its new direction until a new obstacle or different obstacle is encountered, wherein the switch 27 will again be jarred sufficiently to again reverse the direction of movement of the motor 24 and this cycle of operation is continued as long as the switch is on.

The parts can be made of any suitable material and in difierent shapes or sizes. As shown in Figure 1 for example, the head 15, body portion 11, and feet 16 may be shaped to simulate a highly fanciful creature or member such as a hobo, or clown. However, the toy may have any desired configuration as desired. Furthermore, the nose on the head portion 15 may be constructed or arranged so that it lights up as the toy rolls. The switch 27 controls movement of the toy. The wheel 26 may be made of rubber or the like. When the device is turned on, the barrel-like member will start rolling under its own power until it strikes a wall or other object, and then it will reverse and start back and this action will continue until the toy is stopped. If desired, bells or the like can be installed in the device so that the device will make a suitable noise as it is operated. The batteries 20 are adapted to serve as the ballast to counteract the torque, and the switch 27 is of the type that moves when the device contacts a wall so as to reverse the operation of the motor.

It will be understood of course that the invention contemplates such other embodiments or modifications as may occur to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. In a toy, a hollow body portion of barrel-like formation, and said body portion including a continuous outer wall member which is arcuate in cross section, first and second end walls on the ends of said body portion, a head member extending from said first end wall, a foot-like member extending from the other end wall, a shaft extending longitudinally through said body portion, a base positioned below said shaft, clamps connecting said base to said shaft, a plurality of batteries positioned below said base, brackets connecting said batteries to said base, a switch mechanism supported by said base, posts extending upwardly from said base, a platform secured to said posts, a reversible motor mounted on said platform, a drive wheel arranged in frictional engagement with the inner surface of the wall member of the body portion, said drive wheel being connected to said motor, said switch mechanism including a pivotally mounted bar, an arm extending upwardly from said bar, a weight on the upper 4 end of said arm, and spaced apart contacts adapted to be selectively actuated by said bar.

2. In a toy, a hollow body portion of barrel-like formation, and said body portion including a continuous outer wall member which is arcuate in cross section, first and second end walls on the ends of said body portion, a head member extending from said first end wall, a foot-like member extending from the other end wall, a shaft extending longitudinally through said body portion, a base positioned below said shaft, clamps connecting said base to said shaft, a plurality of batteries positioned below said base, brackets connecting said batteries to said base, a switch mechanism supported by said base, posts extend ing upwardly from said base, a platform secured to said posts, a reversible motor mounted on said platform, a drive wheel arranged in frictional engagement with the inner surface of the wall member of the body portion, said drive wheel being connected to said motor, said switch mechanism including a pivotally mounted bar, an arm extending upwardly from said bar, a weight on the upper end of said arm, spaced apart contacts adapted to be selectively actuated by said bar, said head member, body portion and foot-like member simulating a fanciful creature, and whereby the toy is constructed so that when the body portion rolls into contact with an obstruction, the

switch mechanism moves to reverse rotation of the motor,

and drive wheel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,263,262 McFaul Apr. 16, 1918 1,887,823 Smith Nov. 15, 1932 2,683,956 Conte July 20, 1954