US3017181A - Amusement device - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 16, 1962 K. R. SANDERS AMUSEMENT DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 25, 1960 Arra/ewsxs m T. w W.

KENNETH \2.$ANDE|2S Jan. 16 1962 K. R. SANDERS AMUSEMENT DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 25, 1960 INVENTOR. KENNETH 12.5AM0E25 %c%m j ite tates The present invention relates to an amusement device.

Presently in use in carnivals. ci-rcuses, at county fairs and the like, are amusement devices in which an individual strikes a target with a mallet to drive upwardly a weight secured in a trackway, the heighth of the weight when driven upwardly being a test of the individuals strength. At the top of the device is a gong which is struck by the weight when optimum striking force is applied to the target. A purpose of the device is to enable a person to win a prize by striking the gong with the weight. It is generally known that children are attracted to such an amusement device as they see at a county fair or the like but are incapable of striking the target with enough force to cause the weight to ring the gong.

An object of the present invention is to provide, in an amusement device, a simulation of the amusement device employed at county fairs and carnivals to test the strength of an individual by striking a target with a mallet and driving a weight upwardly to a gong.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an amusement device for children which is attractive in operation, one requiring a moderate amount of strength to effect the ringing of a gong, and one which is safe in operation for children of all ages to use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an amusement device which is sturdy in construction and having long-life characteristics, one which may be manufactured and assembled at reasonable cost, and one which is highly eitective in action.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be fully apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the device showing a mallet in a position to strike the anvil means on the device;

FIGURE 2 is a view taken on the line 22 of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a front elevational View of the assembly shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a view in section taken on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3, showing the anvil means in the position it will assume when struck, with the balls approaching and engaging the gong of the device;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the lever of the device, removed from the base;

FIGURE 6 is an elevational view of the standard of the device, a portion in the center broken away, and with the tube removed;

FIGURE 7 is a view taken on the line 77 of FIG- URE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 8-8 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 9 is a view on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 9-9 of FIGURE 1.

Referring in greater detail to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, the amusement device of the present invention comprises a base 10*. A standard 12 rises from the base 10 adjacent one end of the latter. A gong 14 is carried by the standard 12 adjacent the upper end and a vertically disposed elongated hollow tube fabricated of clear plastic or the like is supported by and secured to the standard 12 so that the upper end is adjacent to and spaced below a lower peripheral portion or" the gong 14, and the lower end is spaced above the base 10. The tube is designated atent by the numeral 16 and it is secured to the standard 12 between a pair of laterally disposed vertically arranged resilient V- shaped elements 18 and 20, such elements being shown most clearly in FIGURES 6 and 7 which show the tube 16 removed from the standard 12.

An upright plunger 22 is positioned so that a portion adjacent the upper end is within and adjacent the lower end of the tube 16 and the portion adjacent the lower end is exteriorly of the lower end of the tube 16.

A pair of balls 24 and 26 are arranged in superimposed relation within the tube 16 and normally rest upon the upper end of the plunger 22 with the lower ball 26 engaging the plunger 22.

A lever 28 is positioned above the base 10 and connected intermediate its ends to the upper end of a post 30 which rises from the base 10 at a point spaced from the standard 12. A pivot pin 32 connects the lever 28 to the post 30 for rocking movement about the pin 32 as a horizontal axis.

Another pivot pin 34 connects one end of the lever 28 to the lower end portion of the plunger 22 for pivotal movement therebetween.

The other end of the lever 28 carries on its upper face an anvil means in the form of a round-headed knob 36.

A short stub 38 projects upwardly from the base 10 in the path of movement of the end of the lever 28 having the knob 36. As shown in FIGURE 4, the stub 38 is engaged by the adjacent portion of the lever 28 to limit the upward movement of the plunger 22 within the tube 16.

In a preferred form of the invention, the lower end portion of the standard 12 extends clear through the base 10, as shown in FIGURE 6. The post 30' and the stub 38 are each secured to the base III by dowel pins 40 and 42, respectively, which enter blind holes provided in the upper face of the base 10, as shown in FIGURES 8 and 9.

As shown most clearly in FIGURE 5, the one end of the lever 28 which is connected to the plunger 22 is bifurcated, as at 44 and is also provided with an elongated slot 46 providing free movement of the pin 34 therein as the end of the lever 28 moves in an arcuate path with respect to the adjacent end of the plunger 22.

In use, straps 48 and 50 are employed to secure the lower and upper end portions of the tube 16 to the standard 12 on one face thereof. A mallet or hammer 52, having a handle 54 and a head 56 on one end of the handle 54, may be employed to apply a downwardly directed striking force to the knob 36 so as to effect rocking movement of the lever 28 in the clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 1. When the lever 28 executes its rocking movement from the position shown in FIGURE 1 to the position shown in FIGURE 4, the plunger 22 is moved upwardly toward the gong 14, carrying the balls 24 and 26 therealong.

If suificient striking force is applied to the knob 36, the balls 24 and 26 will be cast upwardly with enough force to strike the gong.

It has been found that for small children two lightweight or relatively lightweight balls may be employed, whereas for an older and stronger child a single ball may be employed with most efliciency.

The novel operation of the toy of the present invention makes the toy attractive to a child and enables a child to exercise the muscles of his arm by wielding of the hammer 52.

What is claimed is:

1. An amusement device comprising a base, a standard rising from said base adjacent one end of the latter, a gong carried by said standard adjacent the upper end, a vertioally disposed elongated hollow tube having both ends open secured to said standard so that the upper end is adjacent to and spaced below a lower peripheral portion of said gong and the lower end is spaced above said base, an upright plunger positioned so that a portion adjacent the upper end is within and adjacent the lower end of said tube with the portion adjacent the lower end exteriorly of the lower end of said tube, a ball freely slidable within said tube and normally resting upon the upper end of said plunger, a lever positioned above said base and connected intermediate the ends to said base for rocking movement about a horizontal axis, one end of said lever being pivotally connected to the lower end portion of said plunger, and anvil means on the other end of said lever, said lever upon the application of a downwardly directed striking force to said anvil means being operable to execute rocking movement of said lever and cause upward movement of said plunger with the ball resting thereon toward said gong.

2. An amusement device comprising a base, a standard rising from said base adjacent one end of the latter, a gong carried by said standard adjacent the upper end, a vertically disposed elongated hollow tube having both ends open secured to said standard so that the upper end is adjacent to and spaced below a lower peripheral portion of said gong and the lower end is spaced above said base, an upright plunger positioned so that a portion adjacent the upper end is within and adjacent the lower end of said tube with the portion adjacent the lower end exteriorly of the lower end of said tube, at least two balls arranged in super-imposed abutting relation positioned within and freely slidable in said tube with the lower ball normally resting upon the upper end of said plunger, a lever positioned above said base and connected intermediate the ends to said base for rocking movement about a horizontal axis, one end of said lever being pivotally connected to the lower end portion of said plunger, and anvil means on the other end of said lever, said lever upon the application of a downwardly directed striking force to said anvil means being operable to execute rocking movement of said lever and cause upward movement of said plunger with the balls resting thereon toward said gong.

3. An amusement device comprising a base, a standard rising from said base adjacent one end of the latter, a gong carried by said standard adjacent the upper end, a vertically disposed elongated hollow tube having both ends open secured to said standard so that the upper end is adjacent to and spaced below a lower peripheral portion of said gong and the lower end is spaced above said base, an upright plunger positioned so that a portion adjacent the upper end is within and adjacent the lower end of said tube with the portion adjacent the lower end exteriorly of the lower end of said tube, a ball freely slidable within said tube and normally resting upon the upper end of said plunger, a lever positioned above said base and connected intermediate the ends to said base for rocking movement about a horizontal axis, one end of said lever being pivotally connected to the lower end portion of said plunger, and anvil means embodying a round headed knob on the other end of said lever, said lever upon the application of a downwardly directed striking force to said knob being operable to execute rocking movement of said lever and cause upward movement of said plunger with the ball resting thereon toward said gong.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,120,518 Morgan Dec. 8, 1914 1,532,482 Ford Apr. 7, 1925 1,866,021 Fey July 5, 1932 2,928,207 Paul Mar. 15, 1960 3,003,767 Keuls Oct. 10, 1961

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