US2961795A - Weeping mechanism for dolls - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 2.9, 1960 E. w. BAGGo'r'r 2,961,795

WEEPING MECHANISM Foa DoLLs Filed Jan. 13, 195e 2 sheets-sheet 1 ATTO R N EYS E. W. BAG GOTT WEEPING MECHANISM FOR DOLLS Nov. 29, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 13. 1958 INVENTOR EDMUND W. BAGGOTT BY Wmo M ATTORNEYS WEEPING MECHANISM FDR DOLLS Edmund W. Baggott, Hollis, NX., assignor to Ideal Toy Corporation, Hollis, NX., a corporation of New York Filed Jan. 13, 1958, Ser. No. 708,542

3 Claims. (Cl. i6-135) This invention relates generally to improvements in weeping-doll mechanisms, and is an improvement over the weeping-doll mechanism disclosed in co-pending patent application Serial No. 635,526, filed January 22, 1957, .and since abandoned.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a novel weeping mechanism for a doll, which mechanism is responsive to motion or positioning of the doll to initiate or terminate the weeping operation, and does not require in its operation squeezing or other exertion of undue force.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a Weeping mechanism for dolls having the advantageous characteristics mentioned above, and which includes a liquid-containing tank in the doll head for supplying liquid in the form of teardrops.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by'the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical central sectional view, partly in elevation, showing the doll head, upper part of the doll torso, and certain associated parts;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 2--2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a rear elevational view of the weeping mechanism apart from the doll head;

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

FigureV 5v is a fragmentary, sectional elevational view similar to Figure 4, but showing a slightly modified embodimentof the present invention;

Figure 6 is an inner elevation of the rear tank member; and

Figure 7 is an inner perspective View of the rear tank member. Y

A torso B may be of flexible and resilient construction .and may be .made from a vinyl resin, by slush-molding,

or other suitable methods.

As in said co-pendingpatent application, the instant weeping mechanism is adapted for use in a doll head2 which may be soft, flexible, resilient, and easily compressible. The head 2 may be made of the same material as the torso B, and the head 2 can be squeezable, as is the torso.

At its upper end, the torso B has an integral neck membrane or partition 7 which is soft, resilient, and iiexible. The neck membrane or partition 7 may be imperforate, except for a single perforation 7a through which the air- Vsupply tube 8 of the tank T lits loosely. Hence, if there is a difference of air pressure within head 2 and torso B, air can iiow between the wall of opening 7a and the loose- 2,961,795 ,PatentedANow 2,9, 196,0

ly-ttting` air-supply tube 8 to produce equal air pressure within head 2 and torso B. Y

As shown in Figure 1, this neck membrane or partition 7 has an integral assembly iiange which overlies the edge of the neckV opening of the head 2. This iiange maintains the head and the torso in secure but detachable assembly.

The head 2 has a mouth opening 3, which is provided with an inner, flexible and resilient water inlet tube 3a, which is integral with the head 2.

The front tank-member F and the rear tank-member R define the tank T, which has an interior tank-space TA, as shown in Figure 4. The tank-members F and R, except as noted hereinafter, are rigid and adapted to be molded separately from suitable plastic. The front tank-member F, see Figures 2 and 4, is generally of triangular configuration and is provided with a pair of laterally spaced upwardly projecting peaks 17a. Centrally of the front tank-member F is formed a forwardly extending, rearwardly opening hollow 23, which may also be of triangular configuration as seen in Figure 2. A liquid-inlet conduit or tube 4, of generally circular cross-section extends forwardly from the lower part of the hollow chamber `23. The rear end of said tube 4 yopens into chamber 23. The front end of tube 4 has an integral frusto-conical tip 4a.

As shown in Figure 4, there is a frusto-conical junction between tube 4 and its integral extension 4a, which junction has an inner frusto-conical wall 4s. The wall 4s provides a valve-face for a conventional one-way valve, which is conventionally represented by a ball valve 9a. This ball or check valve 9a admits water through the conduit 3a, 4a, 4, but prevents or substantially prevents vthe expulsion of water or air through said conduit. Any conventional check valve may be used for this purpose.

-At its bottom, the member F has a vertical stem 5f, which stem cooperates with a companion stem 5r of the member R to define a tube 11 in the assembly. The stem 5f has a vertical groove or recess G, which is closed at its upper end.

l The member F has a horizontal, rearwardly extend- -ing ange E, which extends about the upper region of the member F and over the peaks 17a, terminating at liange ends designated as N. As the mechanism is substantially symmetrical about the vertical plane of Figures 1 and 4, it is suicient to show only one such ange end N.

The rear tank-member R includes an integral, rearward extension 16 which opens rearwardly and is of generally cylindrical configuration. This extension 16 provides the main part of the interior tank-space TA, the chamber 23 providing a forward, inlet region of the tank-space.

The bottom stem 5r has a vertical groove or recess GG, and extends downward from the member R.

As shown in Figures 4 and 7 an integral cylindrical stem or spindle 31, which has a planar front wal-l 32, extends horizontally forwardly from a recess RR which is provided in the front or inner face of rear member R. The groove GG communicates with a recess or groove 41 formed in the front or inner face of rear member R, and this groove 41 opens into the tank-space TA by the angular extension groove 20a.

The interior tank-space TA is provided with an outlet for the liquid therein under the action of compressed air in the-top or upper region of the tank-spiace through recesses or grooves 40, 44 and 46 in the front or inner face of the rear member R.

The rear member R is also provided with a pair of laterally spaced upstanding projections or peaks 17, see Figure 3, corresponding to the peaks 17a of the front member F, and is further formed with a forwardly facing recess 17b in the peaks which communicates at 19a with the recesses 46 and 44. A forwardly extending ange ER extends about the upper region of the rear member R and about its peaks 17 to define the recess 17b therewithin.

. In the assembled relation of the parts R and F,"the flange ER extends entirely acrossk the front of the part R, and the flange E extends along and fits exteriorly of the flange ER, so that a recess or reservoir is defined within the peaks 17 and 17a, which reservoir is connected in fluid communication with a lower region of the interior tank-space TA through a passageway defined by grooves 46, 44, and 40. The assembled frontand rear parts F and R may be fixed to each other by cement orY any suitable means.

The lower end of the tube 11 defined by stems 5r and 5f is provided with a coupling 6 which includes a valve seat for a one-way gravity ball valve 9. This coupling has a vertical bore 10. The upper end of the flexible pipe 8 fits closely over the lower end of the coupling 6; and as mentioned hereinbefore, the pipe 8 extends loosely through the hole 7a of membrane or partition i Extending over the open rear end of the extension 16, in closing relation with respect thereto, is a flexible, elastic rear tank wall 19. The rear tank wall 19 is normally vertically disposed when the doll is in upright position, and may be fabricated of rubber, plastic, or other suitable llexible, and preferably elastic material. The flexible rear tank wall 19 may be secured in position by having its peripheral marginal portion extending exteriorly about the cylindrical extension 16 and secured thereto by a binding ring or band 20.

Each eye EE of the doll is held in a conventional mount SS located in a flexible, resilient pouch 22, which is i11- tegral with the head 2. A

Projecting forwardly from the peaks 17a, and in fluid communication with the reservoir defined within the peaks 17 and 17a, are a pair of tubes 12, each of which is connected by a rigid coupling 15 to a respective eye pouch 22. The couplings 15 are each generally tubular and formed with a through bore or passageway 14, see Figure l. Each coupling or junction tube 15 has an enlarged head 15a located interiorly of the respective pouch 22.

Fixed to the underside of the rearward extension 16 are a pair of laterally spaced lower ears 50, which extend rearwardly beyond the rear tank wall 19. A pair of later,- ally spaced upper ears 51 are fixed relative to the tank T, as by integral formation with the tank-member F, and are disposed above the rear extension 16, extending rearwardly beyond the rear tank wall 19. A relatively light weight depressor arm 52 has one end region 53 interposed between the lower ears 50 and there pivotally mounted on a pin 54 extending laterally between the lower ears. The depressor arm 52 extends generally upwardly from the lower ears 50 rearwardly of the rear tank wall 19 aud includes a forwardly bulged or bowed medial portion 55 located contiguous to and swingable into depressing engagement with the central regionv of rear tank wall 19. The depressor arm 52 terminates adjacent to `and spaced below the upper ears 51 in a rearwardly extending end portion 56 having a through slot 57.

A weighted arm 58 has its upper end located between the upper ears 51 and there is pivotally connected Yto a pivot pin 59 extending laterally betweenrand secured to the upper ears 51. The arm 58 extends from thepivot pin 59 generally downwardly through the slot 57 of depressor arm 52, being loosely or slidably received therein. On its lower end, the arm 58 is provided with a relatively heavy weight 60.

The operation of the device is as follows:

When the tank T is empty, the doll can be held in a rearwardly inclined or upright position, wherein the gravity valve 9 of Vthe air-inlet tube 11 is closed, and the valve 9a abuts the front wall 32 of rod or spindle 31, so that valve 9a is retained in its open position. Liquid may then be introduced through the mouth opening 3, as by a nursing bottle, `and pass thence through the tube 4 CFI into the lower region of tank-space TA. Passage of liquid to the torso B is prevented by the closed valve 9. The feeding may be stopped, as lby removal of the nursing bottle; and egress of liquid from the tank T through conduit 4 is prevented by the narrowness of the annular space between tube 4 and rod 31 which prevents the outward flow of liquid therethrough by gravity.

With the doll in a supine or rearwardly inclined position, the weight 60 of the arm 58 falls rearwardly, to the phantom position of Figure l, and shifts the relatively lightweight depressor arm 52 rearwardly away from the rear tank wall 19. However, upon movement of the doll to or toward an upright position, the weighted arm 58 swings downwardly or forwardly about its pivot pin 59, and by its slotted connection at 57, forcibly swings the relatively lightweight depressor arm 52 forwardly into depressing engagement with the flexible rear tanlwall 19,'as seen in Figure 4. This action, of course, increases vthepressure in the tank-space TA and causes liquid to flow upwardly through the outlet passageway 40, 44 and 46 into the reservoir 17b, and thence through theA ducts 12, couplings 15, and out through the eye sockets to simulate tears. Of course, return of the doll to its rearwardly inclined or supine position swings the depressor arm 52 rearwardly away from the rear tank wall 19 and terminates the weeping operation. When the doll is shifted to upright position, the arm 52 is operated by weighted arm 58 to inwardly flex the wall 19 s o that the tank space Ta is subjected to liquid-expelling pressure. The outflow of water from tank space Ta through coupling 6 and pipe 8 under said liquid-expelling pressure is prevented at this 'time by the one-way valve 9. The annular space between tube 4 and stem 31 is narrow so as to hinder outflow of liquid through said annular space. Also, the one-way valve 9a prevents or hinders any outflow of water through tube 4 under said liquid-expelling pressure.

When the doll is now put upon its back, thus shifting the arm'52 to its broken-line position of Fig. 1, the flexible wall 19 returns from its inwardly bent position to its normal flat position, thus lowering the pressure within tank space Ta. Air is now flowed through tube 8 and one-way valve 9, until the pressure within tank space Ta is equal to air pressure at the lower end of pipe 5. The interior of the body space B is under atmospheric pressure.

The above described weeping operation will also be caused by shaking or otherwise moving the doll to swing the depressor arm 52 against and depress the wall 19.

In Figure 5 is shown a slightly modified embodiment of the present invention, wherein the rearward extension 16', corresponding to the rearward extension 16 of the first-described form, is provided adjacent to its rearward edge with a peripherally extending, external recess 65. The rear wall 19', corresponding to the rear wall 19 devscribed hereinbefore, may be molded or otherwise formed with a peripheral flange 66 extending about and adhesively or otherwise securely seated in the recess 65, to effectively assemble rear wall 19' with the extension 16 and eliminate the band 20.

From the foregoing, it is. seen that the present invention provides a highly improved weeping mechanism for dolls which fully accomplishes its intended objects, and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a doll which has a hollow body and a hollow head, said head having a front head-wall which has a mouth opening and eye-openings, a rigid one-way liquid-inlet tube located in said head and extending inwardly 4from said mouth opening, a tank located in said head, said tank having a rigid front tank-wall which is fixed to the rear end of said liquid-inlet tube, said tank `also having a exible rear wall, said tank having a tankspace between said front tank-wall and said rear wall, a one-way air-inlet tube which is connected to the bottom of said tank-space, said one-Way air-inlet tube extending from the bottom of said tank-space within the space of said hollow body, upper rigid ears connected to the top of said front tank-wall and extending rearwardly beyond said rear wall, lower rigid ears connected to said front tank-Wall and extending rearwardly beyond said rear wall, a depressor arm located rearwardly of said ilexible rear wall, said depressor arm being pivoted to said lower rigid ears, a biasing arm pivoted to said upper rigid ears, said biasing arm having a free end which is the lower end of said biasing arm when the doll is in upright position, a weight connected to said free end, said biasing arm being coupled to said depressor arm to actuate said depressor arm to flex said rear wall towards said front tankwall to create ejecting pressure in said tank space when the doll is raised from a supine position to a substantially upright position, and outlet tubes which connect said tank space to said eye-openings.

2. In combination, a doll which has a hollow body and a hollow head, said head having a front head-wall which has a mouth opening and eye openings, a rigid one-way liquid-inlet tube located in said head and extending inwardly from said mouth opening, a tank located in said head, said tank having a rigid front tank-wall which is fixed to the rear end of said liquid inlet tube, said tank also having a exible rear wall, said tank having a tank space between said front tank-wall and said rear wall, said front tank-wall having an integral rod which extends into said liquid-inlet tube, the interior face of said liquid inlet tube and the adjacent face of said rod being separated by an annular space, a one-way air-inlet tube which is connected to the bottom of said tank-space, said one-way airinlet tube extending from the bottom of said tank-space within the space of said hollow body, upper rigid ears connected to the top of said front tank-wall and extending rearwardly beyond said rear wall, lower rigid ears connected to said front tank-wall and extending rearwardly beyond said rear wall, a depressor arm located rearwardly of said exible rear wall, said depressor arm being pivoted to said lower rigid ears, a biasing arm pivoted to said upper rigid ears, said biasing arm havin-g a free end which is the lower end of said biasing arm when the doll is in upright position, a weight connected to said free end, said biasing arm being coupled to said depressor arm to actuate said depressor arm to ilex said ilexible Wall forwardly toward .said front tank-wall to create ejecting pressure in said tank space when the doll is raised from a supine position to a substantially upright position, and outlet tubes which connect said tank space to said eye-openings, said annular space being sufficiently narrow to prevent the reverse flow of water from said tank-space through said -annular space under said ejecting pressure.

3. An improved weeping doll comprising a hollow body member provided with a compressible resilient torso portion and a head portion having openings formed in the area of the eyes and mouth thereof, a closed water holding receptacle located in said body member, said receptacle being formed of a pair of complementary members secured to each other, one of said members having integrally formed with a wall thereof a tubular member aiiording communication between said receptacle and said mouth opening and having an annular shoulder formed in the bore thereof, a rod formed in the other of said complementary members registering with and of smaller crosssectional area than said bore and having a free end spaced from said shoulder, a ball dening a lirst check valve movably located in said bore between said shoulder and said rod free end, a conduit means alording communication between the upper portion of said receptacle and said eye openings, said receptacle having a port formed in the lower portion thereof, and a second check valve coupled to said port and oriented to permit ow into said receptacle.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,627,365 Werlitz May 3, 1927 1,693,157 Rauffus Nov. 27, 1928 2,196,912 Gilbraith Apr. 9, 1940 2,748,530 Stecker June 5, 1956 2,811,810 Ostrander Nov. 5, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,084,950 France July 13, 1954

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