US2908998A - Action toy - Google Patents

Description

W. P. DOE ETAL ACTION TOY Filed Feb. 14, 1958 Oct. 20, 1959 United States Patent F ACTION TOY Walter P. Doe and Leslie W. Sly, East Aurora, N .Y., assignors to Fisher-Price Toys, Inc., East Aurora, N.Y.

Application February 14, 1958, Serial No. 115,436

8 Claims. (Cl. 46-113) This invention relates generally to the amusement device art, and more specifically to a new and useful action toy particularly designed to entertain and amuse very young children.

' A primary object of this invention is to provide. an action toy having air actuated sound producing means, telescopically related parts comprising an air pump, and figure simulating body parts movable relative to one another, together with means moving one body part relative to the other to operate the pump and thereby actuate the sound producing means as the toy is moved along a supporting surface.

Another object of this invention is to provide an action toy fancifully simulating a steam locomotive and having boiler simulating, telescopic tube parts, together with means for pumping one tube part relative to the other as the toy is moved along a supporting surface and whistle producing means operated by pumping the tube parts.

Still another object of this invention is to provide the foregoing in a toy which is relatively simple and inexpensive in construction, and which is extremely durable in operation and safe for use by the very young.

, In one aspect thereof, one embodiment of an action toy constructed in accord with our invention is characterized by the provision of two body members each carrying wheels for rolling movement along a supporting surface and each carrying a tubular part, the tubular parts being arranged in telescopic relation with air actuated sound producing means adjacent one end of the assembled tubes, together with link means connected adjacent one end to one body member and operatively connected adjacent its other end to the wheel means of the other body part in eccentric relation to the axis of rotation thereof, thereby to reciprocate one body part relative to the other and cause said telescopic tubes to actuate the sound producing means as the toy is rolled along a supporting surface.

' tube 10 resting in a concave recess in the upper face of The foregoing and other objects, advantages and characterizing features of an action toy constructed in accord with our invention will become clearly apparent from the ensuing detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing illustrating said embodiment wherein like reference numerals denote like parts throughout the various views and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of one form of action toy constructed in accord with our invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof; and

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectional view thereof taken about on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Referring now in detail to the accompanying drawing, a presently preferred form of action toy constructed in accord with our invention is adapted to simulate, in caricature, a steam locomotive, and comprises a first body member 1 which can simulate a locomotive cab, having a roof 2 secured thereto as by pins 2', and a second body member 3 simulating a locomotive truck, to which the usual pull string member 4 is attached. Body members Patented Oct. 20, 1959 1 and 3 carry axles 5 and 6, respectively, which can extend through transverse openings in the respective body parts and which carry paired wheels 7 and 8, respectively, adjacent the opposite ends thereof, the body members 1 and 3 being arranged for movement toward and away from each other.

Body members 1 and 3 also carry boiler simulating tube parts 9 and 10, respectively, the tube 9 being secured for example in a corresponding recess formed in the front face of body member 1, as by means ofpins 11, and the body member 3 and secured therein as by a long pin 12 extending through tube 10 and body member3 from the bottom of the latter. Pin 12 also can secure a smoke stack simulating member 13 to the boiler simulating tube 10', adjacent the forward end thereof. a

Tubes 9 and 10 are open at their outer and inner ends, respectively, and these ends are arranged in telescopic relation with tube 9 sliding within tube 10 in the illustrated embodiment. The rearward, inner end of tube 9 is closed by body member 1, and the forward, outer end of tube 10 is closed by an air actuated, whistle producing mechanism generally indicated at 14.

As indicated in Fig. 3, whistle mechanism 14 comprises two wall members 15 and 16 having their central portions spaced apart lengthwise of tube 10 and formed with aligned apertures 17 and 18, respectively, therein. Apertures 17 and 18 are designed so that when air is either pushed or pulled therethrough, a whistle is produced the tone and sharpness of which vary with the abruptness of the air flow through the apertures. It is a feature of our invention that air is caused to pass through the whistle openings 17, 18 by alternately telescoping and expanding the assembled tubes 9 and 10 which comprise an air pump for this purpose, and this pumping action is produced by reciprocatingone of the body to the other thereof. 1 V

This reciprocating action is produced by means of an eccentric drive, comprising in the illustrated embodiment connecting rods 19 on opposite sides of the toy. Rods 19 are operatively connected adjacent one end thereof to body member 3, as by means of loop formations 20 thereon loosely engaging about axle 6. At' theirother ends rods 19 are eccentrically pivoted on wheels 7 of body member 1, as by means of pins 21 loosely engaging loop formations 22 at that end of the rods 19. Because of the eccentric pivot of rods 19 on Wheels 7, as the toy is pulled along a supporting surface 23 (Fig. 2) rotation of wheels 7 causes the connecting rods 19 to alternately push body member 3 away from body member 1 and pull body member 3 toward body member 1, thereby translating rotation of wheels 7 into reciprocation of body member 3 relative to body member 1 and causing tube 10 to recipro cate relative to tube 9. This alternate telescoping and expanding of the air pump comprising tubes 9 and 10 members 1, 3 relative alternately expels air contained therein through thealigned apertures 17 and 18, and draws air inwardly therethrough, to produce a whistling sound with each stroke. In other words, reciprocation of one body part relative to the other produces a pumping action of the tubes 9 and 10, which in turn produces a whistle with each pump stroke. Further, the nature of the mechanism is such that the faster the toy is pulled the sharper the whistle becomes, because air is moved through the apertures with greater force and abruptness. A child usually pulls and/or pushes such a toy at widely varying speeds, whereby the ensuing whistle produced by the toy varies widely in tone and sharpness. Of course, this mechanism operates equally well whether the toy is moved backwards or forwards.

Another feature of our invention resides in the mounting of the whistle mechanism 14. While such whistle pro 3 ducing mechanisms generally are Well known and old in the art, the particular anchoring arrangement thereof in tube part is believed to be novel and is a matter of considerable practical significance.

Each wall member 15, 16 is provided withaskirt portion 25, 26, respectively, the latter nesting in the former and both of them slip-fitting into the outer end of tube 10 in close fitting, relatively snug engagement with the inner wall thereof. Skirt portion 25 terminates in an outturned rim or flange 27 which overlies and bears against the outer edge of tube 10, and to securely fasten the whistle mechanism 13 in this position the skirt portion 26 of the outermost wall member 16 terminates in a reverse bent, rolled edge portion 28 extending over and around the outer edge of the tube, to overlie and bite into the outer wall surface thereof. This provides a structure which is readily assembled in tube 10, which reinforces the outer-end of tube 10, which in combination with tube 10 is durable and long lasting in operation, and which has the further-advantage of generally simulating the forward end of a steam locomotive.

To provide better friction between drive wheels 7 and the supporting surface 23, grooved or serrated rings 24 of rubber or other friction producing material can be carried in peripheral grooves onthe wheels 7, and it will be appreciated that the various cab, roof, boiler, truck and smokestack simulating members and parts, in addition to having an appropriate outline configuration, can be painted or carry decorative lithographs or other appropriate surface ornamentation to simulate, in caricature, a steam locomotive.

Therefore, while we have illustrated only one presently preferred embodiment of our invention, we have done so only by way of-illustration and without thought of limitation. Instead, we recognize that modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the'spirit of our invention, and we intend that they be included within the scope of the appended claims,

Obviously, while the tubes 9 and 10 are shown therein as being hollow cylinders, they need not necessarily be of circular cross sectional configuration and could be tubes having a rectangulanoval, or any other desired cross sectional configuration. Also, connecting rods 19 could be connected directly to body part 3, or to some part connected thereto other than axle 6, and instead of being connected at their other end to wheels 7 the connecting links could be operatively connected thereto through other means such as for example a crank portion on axle 5. However, it is believed that the connecting link arrangement illustrated in the drawing is the more intriguing, because it simulates the drive rods on a steam locomotive, and it will be noted that the opposite ends of each link or rod are laterally offset to accommodate the width of the wheels 7 and Son opposite sides thereof.

Having fully disclosed and completely described our invention in a presently preferred, illustrative embodiment thereof, together with the mode of operation thereof, what we claim as new is:

1. An action toy comprising, first and second body members at least one of which is movable toward and away from the other thereof, axle means carried by each of said body members, wheel means carried by each of said axle means for rolling said toy along a supporting surface, telescopic tubular parts carried one by said first body member and the other by said second body member for movement therewith, the telescoping ends of said tubular parts being open and one of said parts being substantially closed at its other end, the other end of the other of said parts being closed by sound producing means providing air vent passage means therethrough, whereby telescoping of said parts actuates said sound producing means, and link means operatively connected adjacent one end thereof to one body member and adjacent the opposite end thereof to one of the wheel and axle means of the other body member in eccentric relation to the of rotation of the wheel means thereof, whereby at least one body member is caused to reciprocate relative to the other thereof to alternately telescope and expand said tubular parts as said toy is rolled along a supporting surface.

2. An action toy comprising, first and second body assemblies, each of said body assemblies having a body member, wheel means for rolling movement along a supporting surface and a tube part open at one end and substantially closed adjacent the other end thereof, the other end of one of said tube parts being closed by air actuated sound producing means providing an air passage therethrough, the open ends of said tube parts being assembled in telescoping relation and at least one of said body assemblies being movable toward and away from the other thereof to alternately telescope and expand said tube parts, and connecting link means operatively connected adjacent one end thereof to one of said body assemblies and adjacent the opposite end thereof to the wheel means of the other of said body assemblies in eccentric relation to the axis of rotation thereof, whereby said one body assembly is reciproeated relative to the other thereof as said toy is rolled along a supporting surface.

3. An action toy comprising, first and second body assemblies each having wheel means for rolling movement along a supporting surface and a tube part open at one end-thereof, one of said tube parts being substantially closed at the other end thereof and the other end of the other of said tube parts being closed by air actuated sound producing means providing an air passage therethrough, said tube parts being assembled-with the open ends thereof in telescopic relation and at least one of said body assemblies being movable toward and away from the other thereof to alternately telescope and expand said assembled tube parts, said sound producing means being actuated by movement of air through said passage in either direction, and link means operatively connected adjacent one end to said one body assembly, said link means being operatively connected adjacent the other end thereof to the wheel means of the other body assembly in eccentric relation to the axis of rotation thereof, whereby said one body assembly is reciprocated relative to said other body assembly as said toy is rolled along a supporting surface.

4. An action toy as set forth in claim 3, wherein said sound producing means comprise first and second wall members spanning said other end of said other tube part, each of said wall members having a skirt portion and said wall members being assembled in said other end of said other tube part with the skirt portion of the outermost wall member nesting in the skirt portion of the innermost wall member, said innermost wall member skirt portion closely fitting the inner wall of said other tube part and terminating in an outturned flange portion overlying the outer edge of said other tube part and bearing thereagainst, and said outermost wall member skirt portion terminating in a reverse bent portion extending around said outer edge of said other tube and along the outer side wall thereof to secure said assembled wali members in place therein, said wall members having portions spaced apart lengthwise of said tube parts and formed with alined aper tures therein.

5. A steam locomotive simulating action toy compris ing, first body means simulating alocornotive cab, a first tube part projecting forwardly from said first body means, second body means simulating a locomotive truck, anecond tube part carried by said second body means and ,projecting rearwardly therefrom, one of said first and second tube parts extending into the other thereof in telescopic relation thereto, said other tube part simulating a locomotive boiler, the rearward end of said first tube part being closed, and the forward end of said second .tube part carrying whistle producing means actuated by passage of air therethrough, axle means carried by each-of said body means, paired wheels carried by each of said axle means, and connecting rods on opposite sides of said toy, each of said connecting rods being pivotally connected adjacent one end thereof to the axle means of said second body means and being pivotally connected adjacent the opposite end thereof to the wheel means of said first body means in eccentric relation to the axis of rotation thereof.

6. An action toy comprising, first and second body assemblies at least one of which is movable toward and away from the other thereof and both of which are movable along a supporting surface, first and second tube parts carried by said body assemblies in telescopic relation to each other to comprise an air pump operated by movement of said one body assembly toward and away from the other thereof, air actuated sound producing means operatively associated with said air pump for being actuated thereby, and means including eccentric drive rod means interconnecting said body assemblies for translating movement thereof along a supporting surface into reciprocation of said one body assembly relative to the other thereof.

7. An action toy comprising, first and second figure simulating body assemblies at least one of which is movable toward and away from the other thereof, means including Wheel means mounted on the other of said first and second body assemblies for rolling said toy along a supporting surface, said first and second body assemblies including paired tube means in telescopic relation to each other comprising an air pump operated by such movement of said one body assembly in at least one direction relative to the other thereof, air actuated sound producing means operatively associated with said air pump for being actuated thereby, and means including eccentric link means interconnecting said first and second body assemblies for translating rotation of said wheel means into movement of said one body assembly relative to the other thereof to actuate said sound producing means as said toy is rolled along a supporting surface.

8. An action toy comprising, first and second figure simulating body means movable relative to each other, means including wheel means mounted on at least one of said first and second body means for rolling said toy along a supporting surface, telescopically related tube parts one of which is carried by said one of said body means and the other of which is movable relative thereto by the other of said body means, said tube parts thereby comprising an air pump operated by movement of said other body means relative to said one body means, air actuated sound producing means operatively associated with said air pump for being actuated thereby, and means including eccentric link means interconnecting said first and second body means for translating rotation of said wheel means into movement of said other body means relative to said one body means as said toy is rolled along a supporting surface.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 281,360 Hall July 17, 1883 941,311 Cotton Nov. 23, 1904 1,183,232 Proctor May 16, 1916 1,599,736 Wright Sept. 14, 1926 2,641,865 Gowland June 16, 1953

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