US3045392A - Multi-stage toy missile - Google Patents

Description

July 24, 1962 1 ,.1. A. MARTIN Mmm-STAGE Toy Mrssm:

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed: May 25, 1960 wir m n A m 0 l l w July 24, 1962 L. J. A. MARTIN MULTI-STAGE Toy MIssrLE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 25, 1960 A T'ORIVEYS' July 24, 1962 L. J. A. MARTIN 3,045,392

' MULTI-STAGE TOY MIssILE Filed May 25, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 i I l Il f/ /H W M nc d.

gaged position.

United States Patent O "1 ce 3,045,392 MULTI-STAGE TY MISSIILE Lucien Jean Augustin Martin, 205 Rue La Fayette,

Paris, France Fuga May 2s, 1960, ser. No. 31,631 Claims priority, application France `lune 17, 1959 8 Claims. (Cl. 46-228) The present invention relates to a multi-stage missile. Its object is to provide an inoffensive toy capable of amusing children while awakening their interest in scientilic problems of actuality for the present time as well as for the future. l

More particularly the invention contemplates a multistage toy missile wherein each stage, except the last one, 1s provided with elastic means adapted to eject the following stage, and with at least one catch means adapted to retain said following stage and to be retracted at a predetermined point of the flight path.

As a result of this arrangement any particular stage ejects, while pursuing its flight path, the next higher stage at said predetermined point, whereby the toy missile constitutes a very close imitation of a real missile.

Preferably the elastic means are constituted each by a spring mounted within a tube adapted to receive the following stage, said tube being provided with at least one passage for the catch means.

As a result of this arrangement the guiding of the spring as Well as the following stage is achieved by a single tube.

The various catches may be each integral with a pivotally mounted lever provided with a surface portion cooperating with another surface portion relative to which the stage moves, so as to maintain the catches in the en- Thus the catches are maintained in the engaged position as long as said two4 cooperating surface portions are in contact with each other, while when reaching the point of the flight path at which the contact between said surface portions is disrupted, each lever becomes free to effect a slight rotary motion, which results in setting free the stage to be ejected.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the first stage includes a spring mounted Within a tube adapted to receive a launching column which is attached to a base bearing a retaining hook adapted to engage an elongated hole provided in the tube.

The present invention thus provides a missile which is installed on a fixed launching base, and the launching of which is effected .by actuating the retaining hook. Said base may further be formed with the surface portions cooperating with the pivotally mounted levers of the rst stage, and thus imitate the launching ramps.

In order to achieve the closest possible imitation of a real missile, the respective mechanisms of each stage except the last stage, are mounted within a shell provided with slots through which the levers extend outwardly so as to form lins.

It will be seen that each stage except the last one thus presents the aspect of a real missile stage, the more so as the pivotally mounted levers may be formed with surfaces imitating the stabilizing ns.

The last stage of the missile preferably is terminated by a removable war head imitation made of plastic material,` said war head being adapted to seal a receptacle having perforated walls.

Owing to this arrangement, the to-y missile according to the invention is rendered more attractive and, at the same time, inoffensive, as a child playing with the toy may introduce into the receptacle small objects or insects of its choice.

In another improved embodiment of the invention, electric lighting bulbs or the like may be provided on the base Y 3,045,392 VPatented July 24, 1962 and on several stages of the toy missile, which bulbs may be supplied with current from batteries, and controlled by switch means actuated by the relative movements of the stages and the base.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and readily carried into effect, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE l is a diagrammatic view of a toy missile according to the invention, showing two successive stages in axial section; M

lFIGURE 2 is a View similar to FIG. l, showing another embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 3 shows a launching base for a toy missile according to the invention, in vertical section;

vFIGURE 4 shows lthe launching column of the base illustrated in FIGURE 3, in elevation and partially in section;

FIGURE 5 shows an axial section of the first stage of the missile;

FIGURE 6 shows the same stage, in radial section following the line VI-VI on FIG. 5;

FIGURE 7 shows the same stage, in radial section following the line VII- VII on FIG. 5 and EFIGURE 8 shows the second stage of. the same missile, in axial section.

Referring to FIG. l, there is shown a hollow cylindrical body 1 representing schematically one stage of a toy missile, and a cylindrical body 2 engaged in the lirst cylindrical body and representing the following stage of the missile. Cylindrical body Z is formed with a bead 3 at its base. Numeral 4 designates a spring; two levers 5 are pivotally mounted at 6 on a ring integral with cylindrical body 1 and provided with catches 7. It will be observed that the catches have upwardly and inwardly inclined lower surfaces. The whole assembly is located between two sliding surfaces 8.`

The basic mechanism described as follows:

When stage 1 moves in the direction indicated by arrow F the lower edges of levers 5 slide along the surfaces 8. Spring 4 is compressed by stage 2 and is unable to expand as said stage is locked into position by catches 7. However, as the lower edges of levers 5 leave the surfaces 8, said levers 5 'are set -free and effect a pivotal motion as is indicated by arrows f, under the effect of spring 4 acting on catches 7; said spring then expands and projects, or ejects, stage 2 while stage 1 pursues its flight path.

hereinabove operates Due to the inclination of the lower surfaces` of catches 7,

the force exerted by the spring 4 in the direction F includes a component acting perpendicular to said lower surfaces and thus forces said catches outwardly to release stage 2,. i

Referring now to FIGURE Z it will be seen that -this ligure shows the same lcomponents, las those illustrated in FIG. l, lsimilar parts being designated by identical numer-als. However, in this embodiment the levers 5 :are pivotally mounted at ta point 6 located between the catches 7 and the respective ends of the levers, and the sliding surface 8 is located between the levers. In this construction, when levers 5 reach the end of sur-face 8, their rotary motion resulting from the action of spring 4 will be in the direction indicated by arrows f', while the operation of the other components is the same as hereabove described.

FIGURES 3 to 8 show an embodiment of the invention wherein -the -toy consists essentially of a launching base, ta first missile stage 'and Ia second missile stage.

Referring particularly to FIGURES 3 and 4, the launching base will lirst be described hereafter; this launching base is constituted essentiallyY by a socket 9, a launching column 10 and two launching ramps 11 and 11. The socket is constituted by :a block formed with a central recess 12 which communicates wi-th an opening and which is .adapted to receive an electric battery 13 maintained by means of tongues 14 .and 14 attached to the socket by screws 15 and 15'. 16 and 16' are contact strips. At its lower surface the socket is covered by a plate 17. The launching column 10 is -constituted by a cylindrical tube vertically mounted and bearing a perforated sleeve 18 enclosing la lighting bulb 19 screwed into a screw socket 20. Numerals 21 and 22 designate the electric connection. Tube 10 is mounted upon socket 9 by means of a sleeve 23 formed with two lugs 24 and a projection 25; an laxis extending through the two lugs constitutes a pivot for a lever 27 provided with a trigger-like extension 28, a hook 29 at its upper end and a nose 30 at its lower end. The nose 30 cooperates with the projection 25 of sleeve 23 to maintain `a return spring 26.

The launching ramps 11 `and 11 are constituted by two U-shaped guides mounted in a vertical position on the socket 9, on both lsides of the launching column, the open ends of the Us facing each other. The launching ramps are attached to socket 9 by means of corner plates 31 and 31 and of screws 32, 32 and 34.

The launching base hereinabove described operates in the following manner:

The electric circuit supplying lighting bulb 10 with current from the battery 13 includes a press button switch 33 and ramps 11, 11.

Referring now to FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 showing the first stage of the toy missile, it is'seen that said stage is constituted essentially by a shell 35, a tube 36 and levers 37, 37. Shell 35 has a substantially cylindrical shape except at its upper end which is of frusto-conical shape. The lower end of the stage is provided with two slots 38 and 38'. The central tube 36 is concentric with respect to the shell and extends over the whole height of the stage; central tube I36 is provided with a longitudinal slot 36', two oppose elongated holes 39 `and 39" and one elongated hole 40. Tube 36 encloses a helical spring 41, and a shaft 42 connected with the tube extends transversally through said spring dividing the same into two independent elastic sections of different length. Levers 37 yand 37 'are pivotally mounted at 43 land 43 and provided with catches 44, 44 located at the same level as the elongated holes 39, 39'. The lower portions of said levers are for-med with enlarged extensions forming fins 45, 45 the outer edges of which are indicated at 46, 46. The assembling of the stage is carried out by means of two identical collars 47, 4S encircling tube 36 and made integral, by welding or the like, with shell 35, while `the rivets of collar 47 constitute the pivot Iaxis of the levers. The stage further includes a guiding element 49 for the levers, which is attached to the tube by means of shaft 42.

This guiding element is constituted by four guiding flanges mounted on Ia collar.

The second stage illustrated in FIG. 8 consists essentially of a tube 59 sealed at its upper end by a war head imitation 60 made of rubber, and at its lower end by a plug 61. This tube has in its medium portion a radial wall 62 which divides the tube into an upper part having a perforated wall and a lower part provided with slots 63 facing a lighting bulb 64. This bulb is mounted on a socket 65 behind which a battery 66 is located, the whole bulb, socket and battery assembly being maintained between two spring 67 and 68. The electric circuit is completed by a press button switch 69 the button of which projects through the tube 59. j

The toy missile described hereinbefore is operated in the following manner: first, the second stage is introduced into the tube 36 of the first stage, button 69A sliding in the slot 36 and thus constituting a guiding element.

Spring 41 is compressed until the catches 44 and 44 engage the slots l63. The second stage is maintained by the first stage, and the whole -assembly is then installed on lthe launching base; surface portions 46 'and 46 of the ribs slide along the launching ramps 11 and 11', thus locking the second stage in place, while column 10 is introduced into the tube 36 (whereby spring 41 is cornpressed) until the whole assembly is locked by engagement of hook 29 with the elongated hole 40.

The toy is now ready to operate.

When trigger 28 is depressed, spring 41 is extended and projects the missile; the fins slide along the launching ramps. As the fins reach the end of these ramps, the pressure of spring 41 dsengages the second stage from catches 44. The second stage is then ejected by the extension lof .spring 41.

It will be understood that the portion of spring 41 which ejects the second stage is considerably smaller in length than the portion effecting the projection of the first stage and that consequently the decelerating force exterted on this stage by the ejection of the second stage does not result in substantially decelerating its flight. The first stage thus will pursue its flight while the second stage will be ejected at a higher speed than that of the first stage.

It will also be understood that during the launching phase the electric circuit supplying lighting lbulb 19 is closed as the electric connection between 11 and 11' is established by the missile itself. Bulb 19 thus will be lighted during the whole launching phase. Similarly, button 69 closes the circuit for bulb I64 which will thus be lighted.

It may be noted further that during the iiight of the first stage the output movement of the fins is limited by the associated lever portion extending 'above their respective pivot axis. Indeed, if said fins were spread apart too widely this would disturb the resemblance with a real missile.

Children thus have at their disposal a toy imitating a real missile and which is rendered particularly attractive by the possibility of introducing into the receptacle 59 various objects or animals representing the passengers of the missile, and by the further possibility to equip the missile with an assembly imitating a parachute.

In this case, the folded parachute may be located within a cone which is very loosely fitted in the last stage so as to disengage therefrom during the descent; said cone preferably is provided with air passages adapted to activate the opening of the parachute.

Furthermore, it lies within the scope of the present invention to provide the shell of the first stage with fins bear-ing at their end a ring coaxial with the missile and being adapted to limit the pivotal movement of the fins constituted by the above ment-ioned levers.

The utilisation of the toy may be facilitated by a mechanism adapted to lock temporarily the second stage in place of the first stage, said mechanism including for instance a hook adapted to prevent one of the fins to execute its outward movement, said hook being disengaged after the missile has been installed on the base.

Ity should be well understood that the scope of the invention is by no means limited by the embodiments hereinabove described. Thus the number of stages is, of course, not limited to two; the means ,for the ejection of the different stages may be constituted by elements different from the described levers and may be provided, for example, with a timing device, or time-delay device. Similarly, the lighting bulbs may be located at points different from those indicated hereinabove. Especially the bulb located within the launching column might be mounted on the first stage.

What I claim is:

1. A multi-stage toy missile comprising: a launching base; a missile having at least two stages, the first of said stages having elastic means permanently mounted thereon, the second stage including means slidable with respect to said first stage and engageable with said elastic means whereby said elastic means when in a deformed condition is `adapted to eject said second stage from said first stage; selectively operable means for propelling said rst stage away from said launching base; and lever means pivotally mounted on `said rst stage, said lever means having catch means engageable with said second stage for holding said second stage on said rst stage, said elastic means when ydeformed urging pivotal movement of said lever means to move said catch means out of engagement with said second stage; and guide means on said base engageable with said lever means for preventing pivotal movement thereof in response to the urging of said elastic means until said rst stage has moved a predetermined distance away from said launching base.

2. A multi-stage toy missile comprising a launching base; a missile having at least two stages, the iirst stage having an elongated internal opening; a spring permanently mounted within said opening; the second stage including means telescopically receivable within said opening for compressing said spring; lever means pivotally mounted on said rst stage outside of said internal opening, said lever means having catch means extendable into said internal opening and engageable with said second stage to hold same within said internal opening, said spring when compressed urging said catch means out of said internal opening to thereby effect pivotal movement of said lever means; selectively operable means for propelling said rst stage away from said launching base; and guide means on said base engageable With said lever means for preventing pivotal movement thereof in response to the urging of said spring until said rst stage has moved a predetermined distance away from said launching base.

3. A multi-stage toy missile `according lto claim 2 including a pivotally mounted retaining hook on said base and means on .said rst stage for engaging said hook.

4. A multi-stage toy missile comprising a launching base; a plurality of stages, each stage except the last one having an internal opening with a spring permanently mounted therewithin, the succeeding stage being telescopically receivable within said opening for compression of the spring therewithin; a plurality of levers pivotally mounted on each stage except the last one, each lever including a catch extending into said internal opening for engaging and holding the succeeding stage within said opening, said spring urging said catch out of said opening thereby effect pivotal movement of said levers; selectively operable means for propelling said stages as a unit away from said launching base; and guide means engaging said levers to prevent pivotal movement thereof until the stage on which said levers are mounted has reached a predetermined point in its iight path.

5. A multi-stage toy missile according to claim 4 wherein said last stage has a light bulb therein in the portion thereof which is telescoped within the internal opening in the preceding stage; and a switch for controlling the lighting of said bulb.

6. A multi-stage toy missile according to claim 4 wherein said stages are free from connection to each other except for said catches whereby each stage may follow an independent flight path when it becomes disconnected from the other stages.

7. A multi-stage toy missile according to claim 4 Wherein said levers are iin-shaped and extend outwardly through slot means in the external surface of the stage in which they are mounted.

8. A multi-stage toy missile, according to claim 4 yincluding a light bulb in said launching base and switch means operated in response to placing of the missile on said base for lighting said bulb, said switch means automatically turning off said bulb when the missile isv launched.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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