US3020672A

US3020672A - Collapsible toy bridge

Info

Publication number: US3020672A
Application number: US824849A
Authority: US
Inventors: Zion Moses
Original assignee: Lionel Corp
Current assignee: Lionel Corp
Priority date: 1959-07-03
Filing date: 1959-07-03
Publication date: 1962-02-13
Anticipated expiration: 1979-02-13

Description

M. ZION COLLAPSIBLE TOY BRIDGE I Feb. 13, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 5, 1959 Feb. 13, 1962 M. ZION 3,020,672

COLLAPSIBLE TOY BRIDGE Filed July 5, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Moss: Z/o/ ATTORNEYS Feb. 13, 1962 M. ZION COLLAPSIBLE TOY BRIDGE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 3, 1959 INVENTOR M0555 Z/a/v United States Patent 01 York Filed July 3, 1959, Ser. No. 824,849 6 Claims. (Cl. 46-17) This invention relates in general to bridges and in particular to a new and useful, easily assembled toy bridge construction, including a deck spanning member having a pivotally mounted arch member which may be swung upwardly to receive and support roof and longitudinal simulated bridge structural framing members.

The present invention finds particular application in connection with bridge structures which are used for model railways and the like. Previously, such devices were expensive molded structures which had to be shipped in large bulky containers. Bridges of this character which were capable of being shipped flat and assembled on receipt by the purchaser were extemely difficult to assemble and the parts and connecting devices required for such structures made their cost extremely high.

The present invention includes a bridge which is made up of a few inexpensive parts which may be readily assembled by a child into a structurally strong complete bridge structure. The parts include a deck span member made of a durable material, such as metal, which may be placed in a location to span the portion of the countryside terrain in which the model is employed. The deck span member includes one or more arch members which are pivotally connected to upstanding flange portions on each side of the deck span member. The arch members may be swung downwardly adjacent the deck for shipping purposes and swung upwardly when it is desired to erect the toy. This structure includes a pair of longitudinal structural frame members which are advan tageously cast of a plastic or similar material and shaped to indicate structural eye beams, gusset plates and the usual bridge structural members. Each of the longitudi nal frame members is provided with a groove cut in the bottom face thereof permit the frame members to be inserted in a respective upstanding flange at the side of the deck span member. When so inserted, the longitudinal frame members are provided with upstanding slots formed back of simulated eye beam members to receive the arch member which is positioned therein. The arch member supports each longitudinal frame in an upright position. When this much of the bridge is assembled it is rigid and self supporting and the other members, such as one or more top members and two end members, may be snapped in place in order to complete the simulated bridge structural appearance.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a toy bridge structure.

A further object of this invention is to provide a toy bridge structure including a rigid deck spanning member having one or more arch members pivotal thereon and including longitudinal frame members which may be anchored in upstanding flanges of the deck span member and supported by the arch member in an upright position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a toy bridge structure which may be readily assembled and disassembled to enhance the play value thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a toy bridge structure which is simple in design, rugged in construction and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of the specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects obtained by its use, reference 7 3,020,672 Patented Feb. 13, 1962 "ice should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated and described a further embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled bridge structure constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view with portions of the bridge structure removed indicating details of the bridge structure indicated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 77 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary top plan of the central junction of the two top frame members; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

Referring to the drawings in particular the invention as embodied therein includes a deck span member generally designated 10 having upstanding flanges 12 and 14- at each side which extend the full length of the member. The member 10 is advantageously made of a metal or other rigid and durable material which may be positioned across an open space to span that space.

In accordance with the invention, the deck span member 10 is provided with one or more substantially U- shaped arch members 16 which are pivotally connected as at 18 at the bottom of each leg portion to the deck span member 10.

The bridge includes two longitudinal frame members generally designated 20 which are advantageously made of a molded plastic material in the general outline and configuration of the usual bridge structural members. Eachof the longitudinal frame members 20 is provided with a slot or recess 21 (FIG. 4) which is formed by a hook member 23 which extends the complete length of -the deck span member 10 by rotating the arch members 16 to a substantially upright position as indicated in FIG. 2 and then positioning the longitudinal frame member 20 with the slot 21 in alignment with an associated one of the channels 12 or 14 and locating a vertically elongated slot 25 (FIG. 8) formed in an I beam member 22 so that it aligns with a side of the U-shaped arch member 16. Each of the arch members 16 (one on each end of the deck span 10) fits into the slot 25 formed on the interior face of the I beam member 22 and the entire structure including the two longitudinal frame members 20 and the deck span member 10 is held rigidly upright.

In accordance with the invention, each of the two frame members 20 are provided with spaced inwardly projecting bearing lugs 24 which are aligned to receive U-shaped snap-holding members 26 located on each side of each of two top frame members 28. The longitudinal frame members 20 are also provided with inwardly extending flat plate members 30. Each of the top frame members 28 includes outstanding securing lugs 32 on each side of the inner ends thereof which are positioned under the plate 30 to anchor this end of the top frame member. The central portion of the top frame members 28 are held by engagement of the U-shaped holding members 26 with the outstanding lugs 24 and the end thereof is held by means of a lag screw' 34 which extends through frame members generally designated 38, one being pro- "vided for each end'ofthe bridge. The end frame member 38 includes an outstanding U-shaped clamping member 40 located adjacent each top and bottom corner which Tare snapped over inwardly extending lug members 42 formed in alignment therewith on the longitudinal frame member 20.

Thus, the invention provides a bridge structure which may be easily assembled or disassembled in a matter of moments, and even by a child. The bridge structural members may be disassembled and shipped or stored in a flat position if desired. When the members are assembled, the bridge forms a rigid structure and it simulates in every respect a natural life-sized bridge.

i said deck span member and having a recess'defined thereon adjacent a bottom face, said 'recess'being positioned over an associated deck span flange portion, said longitudinal frame member having a vertically elongated slot,

and an arch member pivotally connected to said upstanding flange portion of said deck span member and being alternatively collapsible to a horizontal position on'said deck span and to an upright position with a portion confined in said slot.

2. A toy bridge structure comprising a deck 'span member, a frame member extending longitudinally of i said deck span member and said frame member having a vertically elongated slot defined therein, and a substantially U-shaped arch member pivotally connected to' s'aid deck span member, said arch member being rotatable to i an upright position. and having a leg thereof positioned within the slot of said frame member whereby to support said structure in an upright position.

3.' A toy bridge structure comprising a deck s'pan member, longitudinal frame members coextensive in length with said'deck span member, said frame members having a slot extending the full length'of a bottomendr thereof said deck span member including upstanding 'flange portions oneach side whichext'end into an assospan member flange portion, said longitudinal frame 4 ciated one of said slots of said longitudinal frame members; said longitudinal framemembers also including vertically elongated recess areas adjacent each end, an arch member pivotally connected to said deck span member adjacent each end and rotatable to an upright position in alignment with said vertically elongated recesses and positioned in said recesses to hold said longitudinal frame -rnernbers upright.

4. A toy bridge structure according to claim 3, including top frame members each having outwardly extending substantially U-shaped holding portions, and wherein said longitudinal frame members includes inwardly extending stud members, said top frame members being positionable above a pair of said longitudinal frame members and said U-shaped members being engageable with said inwardly extending stud members.

5. A bridge structure according to claim 4, including a pair of end frame members each of said end frame members including inwardly extending U-shaped holding portions and wherein said longitudinal frame members are provided with inwardly extending stud portions to receive the holding portions of said end frame members and to hold the said members in position on each end of said longitudinal frame structure.

6. A toy bridge structure comprising a span member having an outstanding flange portion on one face extending outwardly from each side thereof, a frame member extending longitudinally of said deck span 'member and having a-recess defined thereon adjacent an edge thereof, said recess being positioned over an associated member having a vertically elongated slot, and an arch memberpivotally connected to saidspan member and being alternatively collapsible to a horizontal position on said deck span and to an upright position with a portion confined in said slot.

656,275 Streeter Aug. 21, 1900 999,466 Richter Aug. 1, 1911 1,856,538 Case May 3, 1932 2,116,301 Chainplin May 3, 1938 2,204,319 Parsons et al. .1. June 11, 1940 2,452,888 Woodward Nov. 2, 1948 2,468,966 'Farmer- May 3, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 522,306 -Germany Apr. 7, 1931 682,791 'Great Britain Nov. 19, 1952