US3100949A

US3100949A - Animated figure toy

Info

Publication number: US3100949A
Application number: US143365A
Authority: US
Inventors: Clifford D Brenneman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-10-06
Filing date: 1961-10-06
Publication date: 1963-08-20
Anticipated expiration: 1980-08-20

Description

Aug. 20, 1963 c. D. BRNNEMAN ANIMATED FIGURE TOY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 6, 1961 BATTERY Clifford D. Brenneman INVENTOR.

Allg- 20, 1963 c. D. BRENNEMAN 3,100,949

ANIMATED FIGURE TOY Filed Oct. 6, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Clifford D. Brenneman 1N VEN TOR.

United States Patent O M escasas ANIMA-@TED FEGURE TUY Clifford D. irennemam Box 93, Graegle, Calif. Filed Get. 6, 1961, Ser. No. lid-3,365 6 Qiaims. (Cl. i6- 241) The present invention relates to an animated toy, more particularly, -a novel plaything, a doll or the like for eX- ample, which is unique in that it is provided with an amusing movable object functioning to render the toy novelly attractive.

The preceding objective and concept is, yof course, not new. In fact, the art to which the invention relates is made up of many distinguishably varying figure andother toys where motion imparted to some component part of the toy gives the toy its innovative characteristics. It follows that an objective in the instant mattter is to provide a ligure toy, a doll for instmice, wherein the doll is unique by reason of the fact that it is fashioned as or to represent -a baton twirler, so to speak, and which as a result of its original appearance and behavior willappeal to the young and fold alike.

It should be understood, from the very outset of this disclosure that the toy need not, manifestly, take the form of a doll or, for that matter, a baton twirling doll for,

ICC

Patented Aug. Z0, 1963 nand elevation taken on the plane of the horizontal line `2---2 of FIGURE l and showing the arm straight out;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view with parts in elevation and section and which shows fthe hollow space and the significant components and their Iassociation and arrangement;

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal section on the plane of the section line 4-4 of FIGURE 3; p

FIGURE 5 is an exploded perspective View showing a portion of the baton and the slip joint coupling `and motion obviously, any suitable figure or well known creature or animal may be imitated or represented. Then, too, the so-called baton twirling or handling trick may be achieved by using some other attractive well known object than a baton for the desired animated result.

Notwithstanding the above aspect of the diversified overall concept it is desirable to embody the inventive idea in -a baton twirling doll. To this end the invention pertains, briefly summarized, to a hollow :or an equivalent plastic doll ranging, let us say, from l2 to 36 inches in height. At least one hollow arm-of the doll terminates in a specially constructed hand fashioned to resemble the position taken by a twirlers hand when actually performi ing. The baton is poised in relation -to the hand and is driven by an elongated iiexible motion transmitting shaft which extends through the arm into the hollow portion of the body of the doll where it is connected with a motor which is `also supported and concealed in the hollow portion and is operated by 4a switch-controlled readily insertiable and removably dry cell battery.

More specifically, a simple, practical and `expedient motion transmitting coupling is incorporated in the dolls hand and, what is also significant, the coupling is characterized by a turnable socket member, said socket member being constructed of rnagnetizable metal and being adapted to telescopically receive an insertable and removable permanent magnet which is suitably joined to the baton, whereby to provide an eliective quick separable joint or connection between the source of power and the baton or equivalent rotatable object.

More explicitly'it is an aspect of the overall concept to utilize a doll whose arm is not only hollow and constructed to accommodate the flexible shaft and coupling means but is bendable and has the desired inherent malleable properties that it may be bent to assume different positions and mannerisms to add to the display effect of the twirling baton much tothe amusement of the observer, the baton receiving fthe necessary power notwithstandhig the arms position Yand shape.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE l is a view in perspective of an animated ligure toy, more specifically a baton twirling doll,con

transmitting means;

FIG. 6 is a section-al viewshowing the connection between the arm and shoulder.

FIGURE 7 is a view greatly exaggerated and in section and elevation taken on the section line 7-7 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 8 is a similar fregmentary view on the line 8--8 of FIGURE 7; and

FIGURE 9 is a diagrammatic view showing the wiring diagram.

Keeping in mind the scope of the invention in accordance with the already given objectives the animated figure toy, generally speaking, takes the form of a suitably constructed baton twirling doll, the lower or leg portion thereof being denoted at 10' and the arrn and head equipped body or upper portion being denoted generally at 12. Speciiically the stationary `arm is designated at 14, the improved baton holding and twirling arm at 16 and the head at 1S. The shoulder portion is designated at 20, the forearm 22 and the hand at 24; The plastic material used must be of the desired pliant bendahle and malleable type. The shoulder portion 26 in FIG. 6 has an opening 28 encircled by a flange Sti to which a wooden or an equivalent rigid diaphragm 32 is secured as at 34. This component or diaphragm 32 has a hole 36 therein to` accommodate the coiled casing `or housing 38 of the flexible shaft 40.- As shown in FIG. 2. the elbow portion of the arm is suitably constructed as at 42 to accommodate a `smaller shaft supporting member or diaphragm 44 through which the casing is shown passing in FIG. 2.

, Before taking up the novel coupling `and motion trans-- inittng means of FIGURE `7 attention is directed to `FIG- `vided with Ia closing end plate Ior disk 50` :accessibly tached tothe lower body part 10. This plate is provided i Von its underneath iside with a U-shaped hanger strap 63 embracing the dry cell battery 70. Also fon .this salme side there is an L-shaped clip or hanger 72' having a portion 74 fashioned to seat the fend portion of the dry cell battery and tol accommodate the coil spring 76. `The contact 7S at the other end ofthe battery is cooperable with a contact element Sti onf-an accessible removable cover or closure plate SZvWhereby to thus mount the battery for operation. The electrical conductors, onefrorm the battery at 84 and the other one S6 from the contact element are shown and suitably connected with the motor .for equivalent prime mover 54. i

Attentionis now directed to FIG. V7'infconjiinctiom of course, with FIG.' 5.` it will be seen that the bearing and member.

coupling means comprises a cylindrical barrel or cylinder `3S having an anchoring ange 9b intermediate its ends and embedded in the portion of the hand 24. At the lef-thand end the barrel has 1an axial extension 92 suitably constructed to permit Athe coils 94 of the shaft housing to be secured thereto and to permit the yterminal end por- .tion 96 of the shaft't-o be journaled for rotation therein.

The nut-equipped end 98 of the shaft end is 'suitably connected to an insulated cup 1G@ Which is freely mounted for rotation in the barrel 88. This cup is provided interiorly Y with `an elongated socket member 102 lwhich is non-oircular in cross-section to provide a keying socket for the insertable `and removable key 104. It is' to be pointed out here that the cup 1% Vand socket member 192 are connected by la setscrew 103. The key MP4 preferably comprises an elongated permanent magnet which as shown in FIG. 5 is connected atone end to a disk 1% Vwelded f or. otherwise joined to the rod portion w8 of the baton 110. Both components 16d and N2 may be magnets `or the partv 102 may be a magnetizable element.l In any eventthe attraction object, the baton 119, is lprovided with ya key or the llike Which'has slip joint connection with a driven socket member whereby to thus-provide `a specifically distinct and novel aspect of the over-all invention.

lit is brought out in FIGS. 1 and 2 that the bendable maybe adjusted and set by hand so that different positions may be'assurned. I-t is further clear that the yelectric: motor can be inserted from the back and positionedjas illustrated in FIG. 3. Also the cover plate 32 is readily applicable and removable to allow the orginal dry cell battery tobe installed or replaced when worn.

It will be evident that by turning the accessible switch A.V

(FIG. 3') onrlthe motor will be. supplied with current and a battery and the motor shaft 56 will impart rotation to the elongated flexible shaft. operates'itlhe novel slip. joint coupling 'and motion trans- V* mitting means illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.Y Assuming y l at the toyv is a doll and that the animated plaything is abaton, it will be evidentthat with Vthe baton inV place it will be -twirled or rwhirledfin an :attractive manner.

vIt is-believed that a careful consideration of the specircation in conjunction with the` views of the drawings will enable the reader Ito obtain a clear and comprehensive yunderstanding of the 'construction and operation of the invention.` Thereforefa more lengthy description l.is regarded as unnecessary. Y g The foregoing-is considered .as illustrative only ofthe The latter shaftin turn portion of the arm and connected with thesupporting means, said supporting means embodying a stationary bearing, said socket member being confined and rotatable i-n said bearing. j

' 3. ln combination, a hollow body having a hollow arm having a free outer end portion provided with a xedly mounted barrel constituting a bearing, motion transmitting `and coupling means mounted for rotation in l'said principlesof the invention. Further, since numerous modicat-ions and changes will readily occurto those skilled in the lart, it is not desired to limit the invention to the may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the inventionv-asolairned. j Y Y What is claimed-as new is "as follows: 1. An animated figuretoy `comp-rising Ya body con,

structed to represent @a given` iigure'and having a hollow ,chamberl yand at leastone i,lin'ib with la free terminal end Lportion provided-with bearing rmeans, a prime mover fixed andwconined in said chamber, a ilexible motion trans- Vexact, construction and operation shown and described, 'and accordingly all suitable modifications, and equivalents barrel and including a socket member, said socket member being constructed of magnetizable metal, a baton ernbodying a handle provided with a lateral shank, said shank comprising la permanent magnet and said magnet constituting a key and being slidingly keyed in the socket of the socket member, a flexible shaft connected at one `end with the socket member, and an electric motor in the hollow portion of the housing, the other end of the shaft being connected with said motor.

4. The structure dcined in claim 3 and wherein a divider plate is mounted in the hollow portion of the body, said motor being iixed to the body above the planeof said plate, said divider plate having hanger brackets on an underneath side to support an applicable` and removable battery for said motor.

5. An animated figure toy `comprising a body constructed to represent a given iigure and having a hollow chamber and including abody portion, legs, arms, head and neck connecting the head to the upper end of the body portion, one of said arms being Xed on the body portion and consequently relatively stationary, the other arm being made of -bendable malleable material and being shapeable and positionable in a desired manner relative to said body portiornsaid one arm terminating at an outer cned in a suitably .poised` hand, an electric motor fixedly mounted `and -conned in said hollow chamber, plate means mounted in said body portion and provided with a battery. adapted vto supply current to said motor, a hanged barrel anchored in a terminal end portion of said hand and providing a bearing, socket means'mounted for rotation in said bearing', a `baton having a statiT with shank means thereon separably fitted into ,and joined'to said socket means for rotation therewith, and a flexible power y transmitting 'shaft having one jend operatively connected with a shaft provided therefor on said motor and having the yopposite end `operatively connected with said'socket means.

6. An animated gure toy comprising la body constructed and designed to represent a given figure, said body having a hollow chamber and including a body portion, legs, arms, a head and a neck connecting the head to the upper end of the body portion, at least one of said arms having a free terminal end ,portion embodying bearing means, a prime mover confined for operation in said chamber, airiexible motion transmitting shaftoperatively connected at one end with said prime mover, a rotatable lattention attracting object separate/from `said body, said motion transmitting shaft having a free end remote from said one end, said free end being provided with a driven socket member, said object comprising a toy baton having a shankembodying apermanent magnet, said socket inemmitting shaft operatively connected at one end vwith said prime movenl a movable' attention-attracting object adaptedl to move 'relative tosaid limb, the end 'of lsaid. Y

` shaft opposite said one end embodying a driven socket member ofmagnetizable metal, said object comprising a baton, said'bato-n embodying ahandling staif provided intermediate its ends fwith a laterally projecting permanent magnet constituting Va couplingv `andV keying` shank, said! 'i Vshank beinig adapted to beslidingly keyed in said socket 2. 'The structure defined inl claim-'1 and wherein `said Y 4body comprisesV a plastic doll, saidlirnb comprising a bendable yarmv terminating in a desirablyy poised hand, said beingzhollow'and `provided with shaft lsupporting means, saidshftextending Vaxially through the hollow ber embodying magnetiza'ble material and'said shank being fitted tele'scopically and removably into the socket of being separably connectible y said socket member and therewith.-

References Cited intherle of this patent Y j j ornaa naraaeNoas Y Y Washington Daily News, April 14, 1960, page 68.

Claims

1. AN ANIMATED FIGURE TOY COMPRISING A BODY CONSTRUCTED TO REPRESENT A GIVEN FIGURE AND HAVING A HOLLOW CHAMBER AND AT LEAST ONE LIMB WITH A FREE TERMINAL END PORTION PROVIDED WITH BEARING MEANS, A PRIME MOVER FIXED AND CONFINED IN SAID CHAMBER, A FLEXIBLE MOTION TRANSMITTING SHAFT OPERATIVELY CONNECTED AT ONE END WITH SAID PRIME MOVER, A MOVABLE ATTENTION-ATTRACTING OBJECT ADAPTED TO MOVE RELATIVE TO SAID LIMB, THE END OF SAID SHAFT OPPOSITE SAID ONE END EMBODYING A DRIVEN SOCKET MEMBER OF MAGNETIZABLE METAL, SAID OBJECT COMPRISING A BATON, SAID BATON EMBODYING A HANDLING STAFF PROVIDED INTERMEDIATE ITS ENDS WITH A LATERALLY PROJECTING PERMANENT MAGNET CONSTITUTING A COUPLING AND KEYING SHANK, SAID SHANK BEING ADAPTED TO BE SLIDINGLY KEYED IN SAID SOCKET MEMBER.