US2922649A

US2922649A - Mechanical rodeo horse

Info

Publication number: US2922649A
Application number: US725822A
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul W Hawkins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1958-04-02
Filing date: 1958-04-02
Publication date: 1960-01-26
Anticipated expiration: 1977-01-26

Description

Jan. 26, 1960 P. w. HAwKlNs MECHANICAL RODEO HORSE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 2, 1958 Y lNvENToR Q2 u Z W. Ha wn s ATTORNEYS Jan. 26, 1960 P. w. HAwKlNs 2,922,649

MECHANICAL RoDEo HORSE Filed April 2, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 4Z INVENT OR Pa uZ 'ur/ 'i115 ATTOEYS Jan. 26, -1960 P. w.,HAwK|Ns 2,922,649

MECHANICAL RoDEo HORSE Filed April 2. 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INV ENT OR fau! Waw/in ATTORNEYS Jan. 26, 1960 P. w. HAwKlNs MECHANICAL RODEO HORSE 5 Sheets-Sheetl 4 Filed Aprilr'Z. 1958 NVENTOR Daal Wga u/ z'ns ATTORNEYS Jan. 26, 1960 P. w. HAwK|Ns 2,922,549

MECHANICAL RODEO HORSE Filed April 2. 1958 5 sheets-sheet 5 x5; s VII/4:; YIM

INVENT OR Pau! WHaw-/cz'ns BY l ATTORNEYS United States Patent MECHANICAL RODEO HORSE Paul W. Hawkins, Tucson, Ariz.

Application April 2, 1958, Serial No. 725,822

4 Claims. (Cl. 272-531) The present invention relates to mechanical rodeo horses, and more particularly to such horses which are under the control of the rider.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a mechanical rodeo horse having a two speed operation controlled by reins and simulated spur action.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanical rodeo horse of the class described above which is of the coin controlled type and is completely self-contained.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanical horse of the class described above having a rotary forward motion and a swinging rear motion t closely simulate the action of a horse.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a mechanical rodeo horse of the class described above which is inexpensive to manufacture, easy to use, and which is completely safe for operation` by children.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanical device of the class described above on which simulated bodies of various types such as an elephant, lion, camel, or automobile can be mounted.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the following specification when considered in the light of the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the invention shown partially broken away and in section for convenience of illustration.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation shown partially broken away and in section.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken along the line 3 3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the mechanism from the side opposite to Figure l.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary transverse section taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is a horizontal section taken along the line 7-7 of Figure l, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken along the line 8-8 of Figure 7, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section taken along the line 9--9 of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure l0 is a fragmentary vertical section taken along the line 10-10 of Figure 9, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary vertical section taken along the line 11--11 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings in detail'wherein like reference characters indicate like -parts throughout the several figures, the' 'reference numeral 20y indicates gener-allya-mechanical rodeo horse-which includesa stationary base generally indicated at B, a hollow horse body generally indicated by. the letter H', a horse moving mechanism generally indicated by the letter M and a coin box generally indicated by the letter C.

The base B of the rodeo horse 20 includes a generally rectangular horizontal iloor plate 21 having a pair of resilient feet 22 positioned adjacent the rear corners thereof and a second pair of resilient feet 23 positioned adjacent the front corners thereof. The resilient feet 23 are mounted on a threaded shank 24 threaded through the oor plate 21 to permit the feet 23 to be'vertically adjusted with respect thereto. A lock'nut 25 secures the threadedr shank 24 in adjusted position.

The tloor plate 21 is provided with a pair of forwardly extending spaced parallel ears 26 adjacent each of the feet 23 and having a roller 27 journalled therebetween.

The rollers 27 are arranged so that the Weight of the mechanical rodeo horse 20 is normally carried on the

resilient feet

22, 23 but can be shifted to the rollers 27 by tilting the horse 20 forwardly raising the rear of the oor plate 21.

A pair of upright parallelv

tubular standards

28, 29 have their lower ends Welded to the oor plate 21 and are connected by a reinforcing web 30 extending horizontally therebetween `in upwardly spaced relation from the oor plate 21. An upper generally rectangular elongated horizontal plate 31 is secured tothe upper ends of the

standards

28, 29 by means of welding, and is further connected to the standard 29 by means of a diagonal brace 32 welded therebetween.

The coin collection box C is mounted on the upper end of a tubular standard 33 formed as an integral perpendicularly offset extension of a tubular base member 34 Secured to the oor plate 21 and to the standard 29. The coin collection box C is of conventional construction and includes suitable control wires generally indicated at 35 extending through the hollow standard 33 and the hollow standard 29. A wire 36 extends through the hollow standard 28 and has a plug 37 secured to the free en d thereof for attachment to a convenient outlet.

The hollow horse H includes a hollow body 38, a hollow head 39, saddle 40, stirrups 41, and a plurality of horizontally aligned angular mounting brackets 42 positioned within the hollow body 38.

The horse drive mechanism generally indicated at M includes a variable speed electric motor 43 having a base 44 secured' to the mounting plate 311. A transmission 45 is secured to the mounting plate 31 and is operatively connected to the motor 43 by a flexible coupling 46. The transmission 45 has a pair of oppositely extending shafts 47. A crank 48 is mounted on the outer end of each of the shafts 47 and e-ach are provided` with` a crank pin 49.

A motor controller 50 is mounted on the rear end of the mounting plate 31 and is electrically connected to the motor 43 to controlthe operation thereof. The motor controller 50 operates the motor 43 in two speeds, slow and fast. k v Y A pair of

brackets

51, 52 are xedly secured to the mounting plate 31 adjacent the motor controller 50 and have a transverse shaft 53 secured to the upper ends thereof parallel to the mounting plate 31. A brace member 54 is integrally connected to the upper end of the

upright brackets

51, 52, as best seen in Figures 3, 5 and 6.

. A pair of spaced apart

parallel mounting rails

55, 56 aresecured in 'generally horizontal relation to the brackets 42 within the hollow body 38 of the horseI-I. A plate 57 extends-integrally upward-lyv fromlthe forward end portions of' the mounting '

rails

55, 56 and have ,the crank pins -49 -journalled centrally therein'suspending the forward ends ofthe mounting rails 55, S6 from the transmission 45.

An upwardly extending ear 58 is iixedly secured to the rear end portion of each of the

mounting rails

55, 56, as can be best seen in Figures 2, 4 and 5. A p air of links 59 have their upper ends journalled on opposite ends of the shaft 53 and their lower ends pivoted onl pins 60 having its opposite ends mounted in the ears 58 and the

mounting rails

55, 56. The links 59 support the rear end portions of the

mounting rails

55, 56 to permit swinging movement thereof.

A safetyrshield generally indicated at 62 includes a vertical leg portion 63 secured in depending relation to each of the

mounting rails

55, 56 and an integral perpendicularly offset generally horizontal leg 64 formed integrally on the lower end of the vertical leg 63 and extending inwardly therefrom. The forward ends of the arm `91 have their opposite ends connected byv parallel pivot links 92. A coil spring 93 has one end thereof connected to one of a pair of transverse mounting brackets 94 fixed to the horse body 38 at the opposite ends thereof and supporting the bracket 90. The spring 93 has the opposite end thereof connected to an ear 95 formed on the arm 91. The coil spring 93 normally biases the arm 91 away from the switch actuating arm 80.

The cable 89 has a coil spring 96 connected to the rear end thereof and the opposite end of the coil spring 96 is connected to an eye 97 on the lower end of the forward j pivot link 92 so that forward movement on the spring arm horizontal leg 64 of the safety shield 62 are connected by a brace 65 secured transversely thereto. It should be noted that the horizontal leg 64 of the safety shield 62 underlies the plate 31 to effectively prevent access to the mechanism M by unauthorized persons.

A micro-switch 66 is secured to the plate 31 and has an arm 67 extending laterally therefrom toward the mounting rail 56. The arm 67 has a roller 68 journalled on the outer end thereof, for reasons to be assigned. The switch 66 is connected electrically to the motor controller 50 and when closed shifts the motor controller to fast speed operation of the motor 43.

, A bracket 69 is secured to the mounting rail 56 by securing elements 70 and has a transverse horizontal bushing 71 integrally secured thereto. The bushing 71 has a square opening and a square shaft 72 is supported for horizontalsliding movement therein. The square shaft 72 extends through the body 38 and has a plate 73 xedly secured to the outer end thereof.

A plate 74 is iixedly secured to the inner end of the shaft 72 adjacent the roller 68 so that lateral inward movement of the shaft 72 will move the roller 68 and arm 67 to close the contacts of the switch 66. A coil spring 75 is connected at one end to the plate 74 and at the other end to an eye 76 secured to the bushing 71.

The spring 75 normally biases the

plates

73, 74 away from the switch 66. The plate 73 is positioned with respect to the horse H so that the heel of the rider can press the plate 73 inwardly to switch 66 actuating position by following the normal action of spurring the horse to increase its speed.`

A second micro-switch 77 is secured to a longitudinally extending upright plate 78 supported at its forward end on a transversely extending upright plate 79 secured to the "shaft 53. The lower rear edge of the upright plate 78 is secured to the medial portion of the brace 54. The switch 77 'has an upstanding actuating arm 89 for closing the circuit in the switch 77 when the arm 80 is depressed. The switch 77 is electrically connected to the motor controller 50 and when actuated controls the motor 43 so as to produce a slow speed therein. An arm 81 is positioned vwithin the head 39 of the horse H in generally upright relation and has the upper end 82 thereof movable longitudinally within the head of the horse. A curb bit generally indicated at 83 includes a pair of spaced parallel side bars 84 connected by a shaft 85 pivotally mounted in the head 39 adjacent the lower end of the arm 8-1. The shaft 85 has an offset central portion 86 which extends upwardly and has the lower end portion of the arm 81 integrally secured thereto.

Rotation of the shaft 85 caused by pulling on the reins 87 connected to the lower end of the side bars 84 swings the upper end of the arm 81 forwardly. An eye 88 is fixed to the arm 81 intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof and has an operating cable 89 secured thereto.

A generally horizontal bracket 90 is xedly secured to the horse body 38 in overlying relation to the switch 77. A switch actuating arm 91 is positioned in spaced parallel 81 moves the cable 89 forwardly swinging the arm 91 forwardly and downwardly to actuate the switch 77. A stop 98 is mounted on the bracket 90 to prevent the arm 91 from moving too far forwardly.

The switch 77 operating the slow speed control of the motor 43 is actuated by a normal pulling back on the reins 87 in the same manner as is normally used in stopping a horse.

In the operation of the invention, the rider mounts into the saddle 40 and drops a coin into the coin collection box C which energizes the motor 43 through the motor controller 50. The motor 43 operates at first on a slow rate to permit the rider to adjust the motion before he depresses the high speed switch 66. The motor controller V 50 is of the type which returns to the slow speed position that the circuit to the motor controller 5G is broken after a suitable lapse of time.

Having thus described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that numerous structural modifications and adaptations may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A mechanical rodeo horse comprising a` base, front and rear upstanding parallel standards immovably fixed to said base, a horizontal plate immovably fixed to the upper ends of said standards and supported by said standards in immovable relation to said base, a motor mounted on said plate, a transmission mounted on said plate and connected to said motor, a pair of crank arms extending oppositely from said transmission and driven thereby, a pair of upstariding brackets fixed to said plate at the end thereof opposite said transmission, a pair of oppositely disposed links pivotally connected at their upper ends to said brackets, a pair of spaced parallel generally horizontal horse mounting rails pivotally secured at one end to the lower end of said links and having their opposite ends mounted on said crank arms whereby the ends of said horse mounting rails supported on said crank arms are moved in a rotary motion therewith and the opposite ends supported on .said links are simultaneously oscillated by said tcrank arms, and a'simulated horse body iixedly secured to said horse mounting rails.

2. A device as claimed in claim l wherein motor speed control means is mounted on said plate and electrically connected to said motor for controlling the speed of said motor, a switch mounted on said plate for actuating said motor control means to a fast speed condition, a second switch mounted on said bracket for actuating said motor control means to a slow speed condition, means extending transversely of said horse body, and having an operating plate exteriorlyof the flank of said horse body in a position to be impacted by the heel of a rider for actuat- 6 ing said rst named switch, a horse head on said horse 4. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein coin conbody, and rein actuated means on said horse head and in trolled horse body energizing means is mounted on said said horse body for controlling said last named switch. base in laterally spaced relation to said horse body.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said rein controlled means includes a pivoted bit connected to said 5 References Cited in the me 0f this Patent reins, an arm having one end xed to said pivoted bit UNITED STATES PATENTS and the opposite end extending upwardly in said horse head, and a resilient connection extending between said ggl Alggvl arm and said last named switch for closing said last named switch to actuate said motor control means to a 10 FREGN PATENTS 810W Speed =11diti11 742,592 Great Britain Dec. 3o, 1955