US3142131A

US3142131A - Motion conversion device in a doll

Info

Publication number: US3142131A
Application number: US104092A
Authority: US
Inventors: Rabenau Manuel Von
Original assignee: WRITING TOYS CORP
Current assignee: WRITING TOYS CORP
Priority date: 1961-04-19
Filing date: 1961-04-19
Publication date: 1964-07-28
Anticipated expiration: 1981-07-28
Also published as: FR1321731A; GB953030A

Description

July 28, 1964 M. voN RABl-:NAU 3,142,131

MOTION CONVERSION DEVICE IN A DOLL Filed April 19, 1961 5 Sheelzs-Shec-)tl 1 INVENTOR. AMM/EL in/455mm July 28, 1964 M. voN RABENAU 3,142,131

MOTION CONVERSION DEVICE IN A DOLL Filed April 19, 1961 'K s sheets-sheet 2 IN V HV TOR. /I//A/w/a MJNRAE/vnu /lrToRNs-YJ July 28., 1964 M. voN RABENAU 3,142,131

MOTION CONVERSION DEVICE IN A DOLL Filed April 19, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR. MANUEL l/oN/AE/vnu TToR/vs Ks' July 28, 1964 M. vQN RABENAU 3,142,131

MOTION CONVERSION DEVICE IN A DOLL Filed April 19, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. MAM/5L lvfvnf/vau Arron/vers July 28, 1964 M. voN RABENAU 3,142,131

MOTION coNvERsIoN DEVICE 1N A Dom.

Filed April 19, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INV EN TOR. MAM/5L VoNRAL-'Nau United States Patent O 3,142,131 MOTION CGNVERSION DEVICE IN A DOLL Manuel von Rabenau, St. Paul, Minn., assigner to Writing Toys Corporation, St. Paul, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Filed Apr. 19, 1961, Ser. No. 104,092 19 Claims. (Cl. 46--119) This invention relates to a motion conversion device by which rotary motion is utilized to impart predetermined longitudinal and transverse movement to a carrier arm for the purpose of mechanically reproducing a predetermined word or phrase or design or other inscribed indicia. Among applications of such a device are the installation in the body and arms of a doll whereby rotary motion may be utilized to impart a predetermined longitudinal and transverse movement to a carrier arm to enable the doll to draw or write. The present invention constitutes an improvement over the invention described and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 827,209, led July l5, 1959, now Patent No. 3,024,- 535, of which this application is a continuation-in-part, and Patent No. 2,895,258, granted July 21, 1959, from application Serial No. 652,787, filed April 15, 1957, of which application Serial No. 827,209 is in part a division.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a motion converter adapted to the use of interchangeable double track cams which upon rotation impart a predetermined longitudinal and transverse movement to a carrier arm guided by cam followers in the track of said cams.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel double track cam provided with a neutral groove or channel for each of the tracks.

It is another object of this invention to provide a mechanical writing doll having a motion conversion device installed in its body and adapted to the use of interchangeable double track cams which upon rotation irnpart predetermined longitudinal and transverse movement to a carrier arm guided by followers in the tracks of said cams and extending through one of the arms of the doll to a hand holding a stylus with which a predetermined written message or drawn figure or design may be inscribed.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, this invention then comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.

The invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which the same numerals refer to corresponding parts and in which:

FIGURE l is a top plan view of one form of the motion conversion device of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a rear elevation of the device;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary rear elevation, partly in section, and partly broken away to show details of construction;

FIGURE 4 is a left end elevation;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary right end elevation;

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of one form of double track cam;

FIGURE 7 is a top plan view of a modified form of motion conversion device adapted for installation in the body of a doll;

FIGURE 7A is a top plan view of a further modified form of motion conversion device adapted for installation in the body of a doll;

All

FIGURE 8 is a representation of a doll showing schematically the manner in which the device of this invention is incorporated in a dolls body to produce a mechanical writing doll;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary elevation, partly in section, showing an alternative form of resilient mounting for the gear and motor housing and turntable of the motion conversion device; and

FIGURE l0 is a fragmentary elevation, partly in section, showing an alternative form of resilient mounting for the turntable of the motion conversion device.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGURES 1 to 5, there is shown a box-like frame or housing, indicated generally at 10, and divided into an upper and lower portion hinged at 11. The housing is composed of a top wall 12; a bottom wall 13; upper and

lower front walls

14 and 15, respectively; upper and lower

right walls

16 and 17, respectively; upper and lower

left walls

18 and 19, respectively; and lower backwall 20. For purposes of illustration, all of the wall members are shown as being formed from transparent material in order to show interior construction but they may, of course, be formed of any suitable rigid sheet material. The housing need not be enclosed but may be in the form of an open frame. A handle 21 supported by brackets attached to upper right wall 16 and upper left wall 18 extends across the back of the upper portion of the housing to facilitate opening of the housing on its hinge 11 to permit interchange of cam discs.

A base plate 22 is disposed in the upper portion of the housing parallel to top wall 12 and spaced and supported therefrom by a plurality of rods or posts 23. The base plate is held rigid. The posts 23 are desirably threaded and secured to the top wall and base plate by screws or bolts or other suitable methods. The base plate supports a longitudinal motion carrier, indicated generally at 24, which in turn supports a lateral or transverse motion carrier, indicated generally at 25, for movement therewith. The expressions longitudinal and transverse as used in this application are used as related to a viewed written word or expression. Movement in the direction from left to right or right to left is longitudinal. Movement perpendicular to right and left is lateral or transverse.

The longitudinal motion carrier 24 includes a block 26 provided with a pair of opposed horizontal longitudinal and parallel channels 27 on its oposite sides by means of which the block 26 is supported forV slidable reciprocatory movement in a longitudinal slot 28 in the base plate 22. Movement of the block 26 in the slot 28 is limited by the closed end of the slot at one end and by a stop 29 at the other. The pressure of a spring 30 between one of posts 23 and the longitudinal motion carrier tends to force the longitudinal motion carrier 24 to a so-called neutral position at rest against stop 29 for a purpose explained hereinafter. The bottom surface of block 26 on the bottomside of base plate 22 is fitted with a pin 31 which serves as a cam follower to move the longitudinal motion carrier back and forth in the longitudinal slot 28 in response to rotation of a double track cam, as explained hereinafter.

T he longitudinal motion carrier 24 also includes a top plate 32 mounted on top of block 26. Top plate 32 is thus spaced from and parallel to the base plate 22. The opposite side edges of top plate 32 which extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of block with

longitudinal channels

36 and 37, respectively, which engage the right and left side edges of top plate 32, respectively. The front edge of top plate 35 of the transverse motion carrier 25 is provided with a downwardly depending portion 38 which in turn iits in sliding engagement in an upstanding longitudinal channel 39 on the top surface of a transverse motion plate 40. The lower surface of plate 46 is provided with a pin 41, which functions as a cam follower.

Cam follower 41 is adapted to engage one groove of a double track cam for imparting lateral or transverse reciprocatory motions to the transverse motion carrier 25 in response to rotation of the cam, as hereinafter described. Cam follower 41 extends through and moves in a transverse or lateral slot 42 in the base plate 22. A shoulder 43 on the cam follower dil engages the bottom surface of the base plate to maintain the transverse motion plate 4t) in surface engagement with the top of the base plate 22.

In order to insure the lateral alignment of the transverse motion carrier, the motion plate 40 is provided with an additional pin 44 which lits into slot 42 and is provided with a head or shoulder 4S wider than the slot to assist in maintaining the motion plate in surface contact with the top of the base plate. The movement of the transverse motion plate and transverse motion carrier is limited in one direction by the forward edge of top plate 32 of the longitudinal motion carrier forming a stop against which the upstanding channel 39 of the transverse motion plate comes into Contact at the extreme rearward end of the lateral stroke. A stop in the forward direction is provided by the forwardmost post 23 bearing against a recess 46.

The transverse motion plate 40 is normally maintained in this forwardmost neutral position by means of spring tension exerted by spring 47, one end of'which is secured to the base plate by means of a screw or bolt 4S or other suitable fastening means. It will be observed that as the transverse motion carrier is moved in a transverse direction due to transverse movement of the motion plate 4t),

.the transverse motion carrier may simultaneously be moved in a longitudinal direction imparted by the longitudinal motion carrier 24 because of the slidable engagement between the transverse motion plate and transverse motion carrier.

The transverse motion carrier 25 supports a carrier arm bracket, indicated generally at 49, and including a horizontal base Si) in Contact with the carrier top plate 35, right and left end

upright plates

51 and 52, respectively, perpendicular to 50 and parallel to one another, and a front plate 53 supported by the forward edges of the

uprights

51 and 52 and extending slightly beyond the left upright 52. A carrier arm 54 is supported by and journaled in the

upright plates

51 and 52 of the bracket 49 for rotation about a longitudinal axis which is parallel to the plane of base plate 22. The carrier arm 54 is held against longitudinal movement by means of a pair of collars or washers 55 or other like means held with Cotter pins or soldered or otherwise secured to the arm on opposite sides of one of the upright plates 51.

A lifter arm 56 is secured to the carrier arm perpendicular to the portion of the carrier arm` supported in the kbracket 49. The lifter arm 56 extends angularly downward and, as described hereinafter, the free end of the lifter arm is adapted to ride along the peripheral edge of the double track cam disc and be engaged by edge cams to lift the carrier arm.

The end of carrier arm 54 which extends beyond the left end plate 52 of the carrier arm bracket 49 is provided with a slot 57. A ilat spiral spring 58 is disposed about that end of the carrier arm with one end of the spring engaging the slot '7 and the other end engaging the portion of the carrier arm bracket front plate 53 which extends leftward beyond the left bracket end plate 52. Spring 5S functions to exert a force on the carrier arm to urge the lifter arm 56 downward into contact with the edge of the cam disc. n

The free end of carrier arm 54 extends outward beyond the housing l@ and is provided with a stylus 59 by means of which an inscription may be made on a suitable pad 66. In the form of motion conversion device shown in FIGURES 1 through 5, the pad 60 is disposed on top of the top wall 12 of the housing. However, as shown in FIGURE 7, when the motion conversion device is intended to be incorporated into the body of a doll, the pad 6@ is supported at the end of a stationary arm 61 which is attached to the housing and which is adapted to pass Vthrough the lefthand arm of a doll, as shown in FIGURE 8, so that the doll appears to be holding the pad in its hand. In this instance, a modied form of carrier arm 54A is employed which extends beyond the motion conversion device housing and is adapted to extend through the right arm of a doll and terminate in a stylus 59A held in the hand of the doll and in engagement with the pad so that upon operation of the device, the doll simulates a person writing.

The stylus may be, for example, a pencil, a ballpoint pen, or the like and the pad 60 may be simply a pad of paper supported by a suitably rigid backing. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, however, it is preferred that the stylus be simply a dull nonmarking point and that the pad be a so-called Magic Slate. As is well known, such a tablet or pad comprises an opaque backing sheet having a waxy coating overlaid by a semiopaque or translucent sheet. This last sheet is also desirably covered by a tough scratch-resistant transparent film. As an inscription is formed by the pressure of the stylus against the top surface of the pad the semi-opaque sheet is forced into intimate contact with the waxy surface of the opaque backing. Because of the very slight tackiness of the waxy coating, the semi-opaque sheet adheres to the opaque backing along the line where pressure was applied so that the opaque backing is visible through the semi-opaque sheet at these points. The whole inscription is erased by merely lifting the translucent sheet from the backing and breaking the temporary bond between it and the backing sheet.

The lifter arm 56 functions to lift the stylus from the pad during those intervals in the operation of the device during which it is desired that no mark be scribed upon the pad. For example, if the expression being written consists of separate block letters or more than one word, the lifter arm by means of appropriately placed edge cams lifts the stylus from the pad to form the space between the letters of words. Similarly, the stylus is lifted from the pad during such operations as the clotting of an i or the crossing of a t or to provide spaces between the elements of an arithmetical expression such as 2 3=6, or the like. The spring 58 functions not only to hold the lifter arm in engagement with the periphery of the cam but also to hold the point of the stylus in contact with the surface of the pad at all times except when the stylus is lifted by action of the lifter arm.

The double track cam disc, indicated generally at 62, which governs movement of the longitudinal and transverse motion carriers to impart movement Lto the stylus, is supported on a rotatable turntable 63 supported immediately below the base plate 22. The turntable 63 is provided with a central spindle 64 to center the cam discs and a key in the form of a stud 65 to insure rotation of the cam disc with the turntable. The turntable 63 is supported on a vert-ical shaft 66 journaled in a bushing 67 in the top wall 68 of a motor and gear housing. The shaft is driven by suitable power such as a spring motor or, as illustrated, a small electric motor 69 supported from the bottom surface of an intermediate wall 70 of the motor and gear housing and having a drive shaft tted with a spur gear 71.

The teeth of gear 71 mesh with the teeth of a larger spur gear 72 journaled for rotation in a bushing 73 in the intermediate wall 70 'of the motor and gear housing on an axis aligned with the axis of the vertical turntable shaft. A smaller spur gear 74 is secured to vgear 72 and rotates on the same axis with it and at the same rate. Gear 74 in turn meshes with a larger gear 75 journaled in a bushing 76 in the intermediate wall 70 of the motor and gear housing for rotation on an axis parallel to the axis of the turntable shaft. Gear 75 in turn has a smaller gear 77 secured to it for rotation on the same axis and at the same speed. This smaller gear in turn meshes with a larger gear 78 journaled in the top of gear 74 for rotation on the same axis as that gear but independently and at a different rate.

A smaller gear 79 is attached to gear 78 for rotation with it on the same axis and at the same rate of speed. Gear 79 in turn meshes with a larger gear 80 journaled in the top of gear 77 and a bushing V81 in the top wall 68 of the motor and gear housing. A smaller gear 82 is secured to gear 80 and rotates on the same axis and at the same rate as gear 8). Gears y80 and 82 rotate on the same axis as gears 75 and 77 but independently thereof and at a different rate of speed. Gear 82 in turn meshes with a larger gear 83 secured to the bottom of the turntable shaft 66 within the gear housing.

The bottom of the turntable shaft 66 is journaled in the top of gear 79. Thus, gears S3, 79, 78, 74, and 72 all rotate on the same axis, but gears 72 and 74 rotate independently at a rate greater than

gears

78 and 79 which rotate at a rate greater than gear 83. Thus, the rate of rotation of the turntable shaft is reduced to such a rate that movement of the stylus on the pad in vresponse to rotation of the disc'cam simulates the writing rate of a child.

Where an electric motor is used as the driving force, it may be powered, for example, by a pair of flashlight batteries 84 connected in series between a pair of

contact plates

85 and 86, one of which is connected directly tothe motor through a suitable conductor wi-re 87 and the other of which is connected to the motorthrough suitable conductor wire 88 to a switch 89 and wire 90 from the switch to the motor. The motor and gear housing is supported from the bottom wall 13 of the housing by a plurality of legs 91 and the top wall 68 of that housing is spaced from the intermediate wall 70 by means of a plurality of spacer posts 92, all secured by use of any suitable Vfastening means.

As best shown in FIGURE 6, the face of the -disc cam 62 is provided with an outer endless eccentric operating cam track 93 which governs movement of the lateral motion plate 40 and lateral motion carrier 25 by means of cam follower 41 which is moved in response to the configuration of the outer carn track. The disc is also provided with an inner endless eccentric operating cam track 94 which controls movement of the longitudinal motion carrier 24 through the medium of cam follower 31 which rests in the cam groove and is moved in response to rotation of the cam disc. In addition, the face of the cam disc is provided with a circular outer neutral groove or channel or track 95 which Vis in direct communication with outer operating track 93 and a circular inner neutral groove or channel or track 96 which is in communication with the inner operating cam track 94. Neutral track 95 is exterior of and surrounds the outer operating cam track and neutral track 96 is exterior of and surrounds the inner operating cam track and is inside of the outer operating cam track. The neutral `tracks end at their points of intersection with the eccentric operating cam tracks. The beginnings of the neutral tracks are spaced as closely as possible to the points where the connecting tracks to the operating tracks depart from the circular path. This is necessary to move vthe cam followers into the operating tracks.

The function of the neutral tracks is to insure that'the word or inscritipon written on the pad by the stylus is begun at-its beginning regardless of the relative locations of the cam tracks and the cam followers when cam discs are interchanged. In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIGURES 1 through 5, the housing is hinged to permit ready access to the top of the turntable for the purpose of changing cam discs. It will be readily apparent that, when no disc is present on the turntable, the cam followers will be forced under spring pressure to their neutral positions. The inner and outer neutral grooves of the cam disc are so spaced that when a new disc is placed on the turntable and the housing is closed, the

cam followers

41 and 31 will fit into their respective neutral cam tracks and 96. Then, when rotation of the turntable is begun, the cam followers will ride in their respective neutral tracks to the point where the neutral tracks merge with the operating tracks and then the scribing of the inscription by the stylus will begin at the actual beginning.

In FIGURE 6, the cam followers are shown at the ends of the circular portion `of the neutral tracks at the point where the neutral tracks begin to merge with the operating tracks. It is easily visualized that, as the disc is rotated about a sixteenth of a turn in a clockwise direction, the cam follower 41 will be moved from the outer neutral track 95 to the outer operating track 93. During the same interval, the cam follower 31 will be moved from the innerk neutral track 96 to the inner operating track 94. The cam tracks are so designed that the cam followers Venter the operating track at the place where the configuration of the operating track is such as to begin movement of the cam followers to actuate their respective carriers and the stylus to begin the insscription to be scribed at the beginning.

Although the neutral cam tracks or grooves are shown in FIGURE 6 in each instance as surrounding the operating track, this is a matter of preference and choice depending upon the stop positions of the cam followers. The neutral tracks are so positioned that upon installation of a disc the cam followers in their stop or neutral position will engage the neutral cam tracks.

The outer periphery of the cam disc is provided with a continuous edge cam 97 having ridges and grooves 1ocated to lift the stylus from the pad by meansof the lifter arm 56 at those places Where the nature of the inscription being written requires that no mark be made by the stylus, such as at the end of the inscription during the period the stylus is returned to the starting 'point of the inscription, and to cause the lifter arm to exert pressure upon the stylus when writing. In the forms of the mechanism shown in FIGURES 1 through 5 and 7A vthe lifter arm 56 functions to exertpressure on the stylus when the end of the lifter arm rides on the low portions or Vgrooves of the yedge cam and lifts the stylus from the pad when the lifter arm is elevated by the raised ridges of the edge cam. In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 7, however, because of the change of position of the pad and stylus relative to the axis of rotation of the stylus carrier arm, `the lifter arm functions to exert pressure on 'the stylus when it rides on the raised ridges of the edge cam and to lift the stylus from the pad when it drops into low spots or grooves in the edge cam. As shown in FIGURE 3, each cam disc is desirably double faced, that is, provided with grooves on both sides for the Writing of different inscriptions.

In the modified form of motion conversion device shown in `FIGURE 7A the lements of the device are shown in virtual mirror image as compared to FIGURE 7. Corresponding elements which are generally similar structurally but appear in mirror image in FIGURE 7A are kdesignated by the same numeral to which has been appended a suffix A. This form of device functions essentially as already described. The principal difference as between the devices of FIGURE 7 and IFIGURE 7A is that in the latter device the lifter arm 56A functions to exert pressure on the stylus when the end of the lifter arm rides in the low areas of the edge cam of the cam disc and functions to lift the stylus from the pad when it enstylus. the left shoulder and left arm of the doll down to the 'left hand which holds a suitable pad 60. Obviously, the entire mechanism can be reversed to produce a leftgages the ridges of the edge cam. This is opposite to the corresponding function of the lifter arm 56 in the 'embodiment of FIGURE 7.

The manner in which combined and simultaneous longitudinal and transverse motions are imparted to the stylus in order to form a particular inscription is fully described in my copending application and prior patent and, for that reason, is not repeated here. It will be readily apparent that as the cam follower 41 is moved to impart lateral or transverse motion to the lateral or transverse motion carrier 25, the cam follower 31 may be simultaneously moved to impart longitudinal movement to the longitudinal motion carrier 24 which carries the transverse motion carrier 25 in slidable engagement. Thus, the combination of these simultaneous longitudinal and lateral motions are transmitted to the single carrier arm and the stylus carried by it. The resulting inscription depends upon the particular combination of longitudinal and transverse motions and these combinations are infinite in number. The extent of the inscription which may be inscribed as a result of rotation of a single disc is limited by such factors as the diameter of the disc, the width of the cam tracks and the diameters of the cam followers. Accordingly, where space is severely limited, the inscription which may be scribed must necessarily also be limited.

In FIGURE 8, the motion conversion unit of this invention is installed in the body and arms of a doll indicated generally at 98. The housing is installed in the upper chest portion of the dolls body with the result that the dolls body becomes an overall housing for the conversion unit. The carrier arm 54A extends out through the right shoulder and down through the right arm to the right hand of the doll which holds a suitable Similarly, the stationary arm 61 extends through handed doll if so desired. In order to provide access for changing discs, it is necessary that the upper chest portion of the dolls body be formed in two parts which may be hinged so as to break open at about the plane of the disc turntable.

Where it is not desirable or feasible that the dolls body be hinged, a modified form of motion conversion device may be utilized, as shown in FIGURE 9, wherein the turntable and the gearing and motor housing are resiliently mounted. As shown, the rigid supporting legs supporting the intermediate wall of the motor and gear housing above the bottom wall of the conversion unit housing are replaced by spring mounted resilient legs. These resilient supporting legs composed of two telescoping portions 99 and 100.v A coil spring 101 is positioned within the outer telescoping leg portion 100.

With this mounting, when it is desired to change a cam disc the entire turntable and motor and gear housing is depressed against the pressure of springs 101 a sufhcient distance to permit removal of the disc from the turntable and replacement with another disc. The overall length of the resilient leg is sucient to permit this compression. When the new disc is replaced, the spring tension urges the turntable upwardly against the cam followers, which are automatically returned to their neutral position upon removal of the disc.

In order to provide a stop to limit the upward movement of the motor and gear housing and turntable so as to prevent drag resulting from the bottom end of the cam followers rubbing against the bottoms of the cam tracks, stop means are provided in the form of a pin 102 provided with fixed heads 103. The distance by which the heads 103 are spaced apart determines the maximum height of the turntable above the bottom of the conversion unit housing. If desired, lock means may be provided to hold the turntable and motor and gear housing in the depressed position.

In an alternative form of resilient mounting, shown in c; FIGURE l0, the turntable alone is resiliently mounted. In this modified form of construction, reduction gear 83 is fixed to a splined shaft 104 journaled in bushing 67 in the top motor and gear housing plate 68. The turntable shaft 66A is hollow and tubular and adapted to t telescopically over the splined shaft 104 and be keyed to it by means of a key 105 to rotate with the splined shaft. A coil spring 106 is disposed within the tubular shaft 66A. A threaded pin 107 extends down through the turntable spindle 64 and the coil spring 106 and is secured in the top of the splined shaft 104. The head 10S at the upper end of pin 107 serves as a stop to determine the highest position of the turntable in order to prevent the ends of the cam followers from creating drag by scraping against the bottom of the cam tracks on the cam discs.

Using this form of resiliently mounted turntable, the cam discs may be interchanged simply by depressing the turntable by finger pressure a sufficient distance to lower the cam disc from the cam followers and permit it to be lifted over the spindle 64 and stud 65 to free the cam disc. Then the cam disc is either turned over or replaced by another disc. Finger pressure is released and the turntable is permitted to elevate to bring the disc into contact with the cam followers which will be in their neutral position. Optionally, means may be provided to lock the turntable in the lowered position. Where such resilient mounting is incorporated into the motion conversion device and that unit is incorporated into a dolls body the hinge structure to permit change of discs is unnecessary and only a relatively narrow slot suicient to permit insertion of the ngers and cam discs is necessary.

It is apparent that many modifications and variations of this invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The specic embodiments described are given by way of example only and the invention is limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A device for converting rotary motion to transverse and longitudinal motion in a plane, said device comprising a supporting frame, a base plate supported within said frame, a longitudinal motion carrier mounted for reciprocatory motion on said base plate, a transverse motion carrier mounted on said longitudinal carrier for longitudinal movement with said carrier and simultaneous transverse recipricatory motion relative thereto, a double track cam disc, said disc comprising a at circular sheet provided with a pair of non-intersecting endless eccentric operating cam tracks disposed about the center of said disc, one of said tracks governing longitudinal movement and the other of said tracks governing transverse movement, and a pair of circular neutral cam tracks disposed about the center of the disc, said neutral cam tracks being spaced from said eccentric operating cam tracks, each of said neutral cam tracks being in communication with one of said eccentric cam tracks a cam follower disposed in association with each of said sets of operating and neutral cam tracks, a slotted guide member in said base plate for each of said cam followers, one of said slotted guide members being disposed longitudinally and the other of said slotted guide members being disposed at right angles with respect to the rst, means connecting the second of said cam followers to said transverse motion carrier to impart transverse motion to said carrier, means connecting the first of said cam followers to said longitudinal motion carrier to impart longitudinal motion simultaneously to said longitudinal and transverse motion carriers, and turntable means for supporting and rotating said cam disc.

2. A device according to claim l further characterized in that said longitudinal motion carrier comprises a pair of spaced parallel horizontal slide members mounted in the base plate in the longitudinally disposed slotted guide member in engagement with the opposite edges of the slotted guide member for reciprocation in a longitudinal direction and the rst of said cam followers extending below said base plate below the longitudinally disposed slotted guide member.

3. A device according to claim 2 further characterized in that said longitudinal motion carrier includes a second pair of spaced parallel horizontal slide members perpendicular to the first pair of slide members and connected thereto, said transverse motion carrier being su`pported on said second pair of slide members for transverse reciprocatory movement relative to the longitudinal motion carrier.

4. A device according to claim 3 further characterized in that the means connecting said transverse motion carrier to said second cam follower includes a plate supported on said base plate and movable relative thereto, in a transverse direction, said second cam follower being connected thereto and extending below the slotted guide member at right angles to the longitudinal slotted guide member, and a horizontal longitudinal slide connection between the movable plate and the transverse motion carrier.

5. A device according to claim 1 further characterized in that said base plate and associated mechanisms are supported independently so as to be separable from said turntable means to permit interchange of disc cams.

6. A device according to claim 5 further characterized in that said turntable means is resiliently mounted on an axis perpendicular to said base plate to urge a cam disc on said turntable into resilient contact with said cam followers.

7. A device according to claim 1 further characterized in that spring means are provided for normally urging the cam followers associated with said longitudinal motion carrier and said transverse motion carrier to a predetermined stop position with respect to said slotted lguide members.

8. A device according to claim l further characterized in that a rigid carrier arm having a stylus at its outer extremity is mounted for movement with said transverse motion carrier and a rigid stationary flat pad is provided held in the plane of movement of said stylus.

9. A device according to claim 8 further characterized by the provision of eccentric edge cam means on said cam disc, a lifter arm associated with said carrier arm, said lifter arm extending to the periphery of said cam disc and operative to lift said carrier arm and stylus from the surface of said pad upon engagement with said edge cam means.

10. A device according to claim 8 further characterized in that the device is housed in the body of a doll, said rigid stationary at pad is supported at the outer extremity of a rigid stationary arm mounted on said supporting frame and extending through one arm of the doll and terminating at the hand of the doll thereof, said rigid carrier arm extending through the other arm of said doll, the end thereof supporting a stylus terminating at the other hand of the doll.

ll. A device for converting rotary motion to transverse and longitudinal motion in a plane, said device comprising a supporting frame; a horizontal base plate supported within said frame; a longitudinal motion carrier comprising a pair of parallel horizontal slide members mounted on said base plate for reciprocation in a longitudinal direction and a second pair of parallel horizontal slide members perpendicular to the first pair of slide members and connected thereto; a transverse motion carrier mounted on said second pair of slide members of said longitudinal carrier for longitudinal movement with said longitudinal carrier and simultaneous transverse motion relative thereto; a horizontal double track cam disc supported for horizontal rotation in said frame below said carriers, said cam being provided with a pair of non-intersecting eccentric cam tracks disposed about the center of `said disc, one of said tracks governing longitudinal movement of the longitudinal motion carrier and transverse motion carrier and the other of said tracks governing `simultaneous transverse movement of the transverse motion carrier, said cam disc being additionally provided with a pair of circular -neutral cam tracks disposed about the center of the disc, said neutral c'am tracks being spaced from said eccentric operating cam tracks and each of said neutral` cam tracks being in communication with one of said eccentric cam tracks; a first cam follower adapted toffollow one of said cam tracks a longitudinal slotted guide member foi' Vsaid first cam follower in said base plate above the cam disc, said slotted guide member providing a slideway for the first pair of horizontal slide members of said longitudinal motion carrier, said first cam follower being connected to said longitudinal motion carrier whereby longitudinal motion of said first cam follower upon rotation of said cam is imparted to said carrier; a second cam follower adapted to follow the other of said cam tracks, a second slotted guide member for said second cam follower in said base plate above the cam disc, said slotted guide member being disposed at right angles to said first slotted guide member, said second cam follower being connected to said transverse motion carrier whereby transverse motion of said cam follower upon rotation of said cam is imparted to said carrier; a rigid carrier arm having a stylus at its outer extremity mounted for movement with said transverse motion carrier; a at pad held in the plane of movement of the stylus; and turntable means for supporting and rotating said cam disc.

12. A device according to claim 11 further characterized in that the means connecting said transverse motion carrier to said second cam follower includes a plate supported on said base plate and movable relative thereto, in a transverse direction, said second cam follower being connected thereto and extending below the slotted guide member at right angles to the longitudinal slotted guide member, and a horizontal longitudinal slide connection between the movable plate and the transverse motion carrier.

13. A device according to claim 11 further characterized in that said base plate and associated mechanisms are supported independently so as to be separable from said turntable means to permit interchange of disc cams.

14. A device according to claim 13 further characterized in that said turntable means is resiliently mounted on an axis perpendicular to said base plate to urge a cam disc on said turntable into resilient contact with said cam followers.

l5. A device according to claim 11 further characterized in that spring means are provided for normally urging the cam followers associated with said longitudinal motion carrier and said transverse motion carrier to a predetermined stop position with respect to said slotted guide members.

16. A device according to claim l1 further characterized by the provision of eccentric edge cam means on said cam disc, a lifter arm associated with said carrier arm, said lifter arm extending to the periphery of said cam disc and operative to lift said carrier arm and stylus from the surface of said pad upon engagement with said edge cam means.

17. A device according to claim 11 further characterized in that the device is housed in the body of a doll, said rigid stationary at pad is supported at the outer extremity of a rigid stationary arrn mounted on said supporting frame and extending through one arm of the doll and terminating at the hand thereof, said rigid carrier arm extending through the other arm of said doll, the end thereof supporting a stylus terminating at the other hand of the doll.

18. A cam disc for converting rotary motion to transverse and longitudinal motion in a plane comprising a flat circular sheet provided with a pair of non-intersecting endless eccentric operating cam tracks disposed about the center of said disc, one of said tracks governing longitudinal movement and the other of said tracks governing transverse movement, and a pair of circular neutral cam tracks disposed about the center of the disc, said neutral carn tracks being spaced from said eccentric operating cam tracks, each of said neutral cam tracks being in communication With one of said eccentric cam tracks.

19. A cam disc according to claim 18 further characterized in that said disc is provided witheccentric edge vcam means disposed about the periphery of said discs and extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of said disc. Y

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,507,800 Mekelburg May 16, 1950 2,528,386 Napper Oct. 31, 1950 2,552,724 Lang May l5, 1951 2,895,258 Von Rabenau July 2l, 1959 2,957,357 Stockwell Oct. 25, 1960

Claims

1. A DEVICE FOR CONVERTING ROTARY MOTION TO TRANSVERSE AND LONGITUDINAL MOTION IN A PLANE, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING A SUPPORTING FRAME, A BASE PLATE SUPPORTED WITHIN SAID FRAME, A LONGITUDINAL MOTION CARRIER MOUNTED FOR RECIPROCATORY MOTION ON SAID BASE PLATE, A TRANSVERSE MOTION CARRIER MOUNTED ON SAID LONGITUDINAL CARRIER FOR LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT WITH SAID CARRIER AND SIMULTANEOUS TRANSVERSE RECIPROCATORY MOTION RELATIVE THERETO, A DOUBLE TRACK CAM DISC, SAID DISC COMPRISING A FLAT CIRCULAR SHEET PROVIDED WITH A PAIR OF NON-INTERSECTING ENDLESS ECCENTRIC OPERATING CAM TRACKS DISPOSED ABOUT THE CENTER OF SAID DISC, ONE OF SAID TRACKS GOVERNING LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT AND THE OTHER OF SAID TRACKS GOVERNING TRANSVERSE MOVEMENT, AND A PAIR OF CIRCULAR NEUTRAL CAM TRACKS DISPOSED ABOUT THE CENTER OF THE DISC, SAID NEUTRAL CAM TRACKS BEING SPACED FROM SAID ECCENTRIC OPERATING CAM TRACKS, EACH OF SAID NEUTRAL CAM TRACKS BEING IN COMMUNICATION WITH ONE OF SAID ECCENTRIC CAM TRACKS A CAM FOLLOWER DISPOSED IN ASSOCIATION WITH EACH OF SAID SETS OF OPERATING AND NEUTRAL CAM TRACKS, A SLOTTED GUIDE MEMBER IN SAID BASE PLATE FOR EACH OF SAID CAM FOLLOWERS, ONE OF SAID SLOTTED GUIDE MEMBERS BEING DISPOSED LONGITUDINALLY AND THE OTHER OF SAID SLOTTED GUIDE MEMBERS BEING DISPOSED AT RIGHT ANGLES WITH RESPECT TO THE FIRST, MEANS CONNECTING THE SECOND OF SAID CAM FOLLOWERS TO SAID TRANSVERSE MOTION CARRIER TO IMPART TRANSVERSE MOTION TO SAID CARRIER, MEANS CONNECTING THE FIRST OF SAID CAM FOLLOWERS TO SAID LONGITUDINAL MOTION CARRIER TO IMPART LONGITUDINAL MOTION SIMULTANEOUSLY TO SAID LONGITUDINAL AND TRANSVERSE MOTION CARRIERS, AND TURNTABLE MEANS FOR SUPPORTING AND ROTATING SAID CAM DISC.

8. A DEVICE ACCORDING TO CLAIM 1 FURTHER CHARACTERIZED IN THAT A RIGID CARRIER ARM HAVING A STYLUS AT ITS OUTER EXTREMITY IS MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT WITH SAID TRANSVERSE MOTION CARRIER AND A RIGID STATIONARY FLAT PAD IS PROVIDED HELD IN THE PLANE OF MOVEMENT OF SAID STYLUS.

10. A DEVICE ACCORDING TO CLAIM 8 FURTHER CHARACTERIZED IN THAT THE DEVICE IS HOUSED IN THE BODY OF A DOLL, SAID RIGID STATIONARY FLAT PAD IS SUPPORTED AT THE OUTER EXTREMITY OF A RIGID STATIONARY ARM MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORTING FRAME AND EXTENDING THROUGH ONE ARM OF THE DOLL AND TERMINATING AT THE HAND OF THE DOLL THEREOF, SAID RIGID CARRIER ARM EXTENDING THROUGH THE OTHER ARM OF SAID DOLL, THE END THEREOF SUPPORTING A STYLUS TERMINATING AT THE OTHER HAND OF THE DOLL.