US3391932A

US3391932A - Hand and foot operated hobby horse swing

Info

Publication number: US3391932A
Application number: US488219A
Authority: US
Inventors: William D Scalf
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1965-09-17
Filing date: 1965-09-17
Publication date: 1968-07-09
Anticipated expiration: 1985-07-09

Description

July 9, 1968 w. D. SCALF 3,391,932

HAND AND FOOT OPERATED HOBBY HORSE SWING Filed Sept. 17, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. IC?- 3. W/LL/AM 0. $044 Filed Sept. 17, 1965 July 9, 1968 w. D. SCALF HAND AND FOOT OPERATED HOBBY HORSE SWING 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 4.

FIG. 5.

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United States Patent 3,391,932 HAND AND FOOT OPERATED HOBBY HORSE SWING William D. Scalf, Box 227, Barbourville, Ky. 40906 Filed Sept. 17, 1965, Ser. No. 488,219 3 Claims. (Cl. 272-87) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A swinging hobby horse consisting of a simulated horses body having a pivoted front portion including a simulated horses head and front leg, and a pivoted rear portion including a simulated horses hind quarter and rear leg. The front and rear portions are swingably-suspended by link rods from a top frame bar. A simulated saddle is adjustably-mounted on the top edge portion of the simulated horses body. The rear link rod is bowed rearwardly away from its pivotal connection to provide added clearance. The front link rod has a connection yoke with a transverse pivot sleeve serving as a handgrip. A foot rest rod is provided on the lower portion of the simulated front leg.

This invention relates to a novel amusement apparatus, and more particularly, a hobby horse on which a child can sit and swing.

It is an object of this invention to provide a swinging hobby horse for the amusement of a child.

A further object of this invention resides in designing the swinging hobby horse of the present invention so as to simulate the galloping motion of a horse when swung, thereby providing for the greater enjoyment and amusement of the user.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an amusement apparatus of the character indicated which is safe in use, and is especially provided with lateral stability precluding substantial sway.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an amusement device comprising a swinging hobby horse which is constructed to permit the rider to initiate swinging of the hobby horse from his seated position.

Another object of this invention resides in the construction of a hobby horse amusement device which can be conveniently shipped and stored in a knock-down condition, and which is easily and efiiciently assembled.

Still another object of this invention resides in a provision of an amusement apparatus of the character indicated which requires little maintenance and attention.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be- I come apparent from the following description and claims and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the amusement apparatus comprising the subject matter of the instant invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary crosssectional view taken substantially along the plane indicated by the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of a portion of the amusement apparatus comprising the subject matter of the instant invention, as seen from the left hand side of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary end view in elevation of the amusement apparatus of the present invention, as seen from the plane indicated by the line 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the plane indicated by the line 55 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the plane indicated by the line 66 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along the plane indicated by the line 77 of FIGURE 4;

3,391,932 Patented July 9, 1968 FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the plane indicated by the line 8--8 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 9 is a side view in elevation similar to FIG- URE 3, but showing the hobby horse of the amusement apparatus of the present invention at one extreme position of its swinging movement; and

FIGURE 10 is a view similar to FIGURE 9, but illustrating the hobby horse in the other extreme position of its swinging movement.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates a hobby horse adapted to be mounted for swinging movement along its length on a frame generally designated by the numeral 12.

The frame 12 consists of a pair of parallel, spaced, inverted V-shaped end pieces connected by a cross bar 14. Each end piece includes a pair of divergent legs. The divergent legs 16 and 18 of one of the end pieces are connected by a tri-leg corner pipe joint 23 to the cross bar 14, while in a similar manner, the

divergent legs

20 and 22 of the other end piece of the frame 12 are connected by a tri-leg corner pipe joint 23 to the opposite end of the cross bar 14 Each of the

legs

16, 18, 20, and 22 terminates in a foot 24, thereby enabling the frame to be positioned upon a substantally flat supporting surface.

The hobby horse It} is suspended from the cross bar 14 of the frame 12 by a pair of parallel,

rigid suspension rods

23 and 30. The rods 28 and 39 are swivelly connected to the cross bar 14 of the frame 12. In order to effect the swivel connection, the rod 28 terminates in an upper bifurcated end or yoke 34. Similarly, the rod 30 terminates in an upper bifurcated end or yoke 32. Spaced lateral tubes 36 (FIGURE 2) are Welded to the lower surface of the cross bar 14 of the frame 12, and are adapted to receive a swivel bolt 38 which passes through the arms of the

yokes

32 and 34. The bolts 38 are adapted to rotate within the lateral tubes 36, thereby enabling the

rigid rods

28 and 30 to swing.

The

legs

16, 18, 20, 22 of the frame 12 can be adjusted in height by mererly adding pipe sections to pipe connector fittings 26. In a like manner, the cross bar 14 can be adjusted in length to vary the breadth of the amusement apparatus. The length of the

rods

28 and 30 are also adjustable in a similar fashion, thus enabling the hobby horse 10 to be lowered or raised with respect to the supporting surface.

The lower end of the rigid suspension rod 28 terminates in a lower bifurcated end or yoke 46 for connection to the hobby horse It). The rigid suspension rod 30 terminates in a lower bifurcated end or yoke 42 for securement to the hobby horse 10. The suspension rods are connected to the hobby horse in such a manner, as will readily become apparent hereinafter, that the motion imparted to the hobby horse will simulate the gallop of a real horse.

The hobby horse 10 comprises a front part generally designated by the numeral 44 simultating a horses head, shoulders, and front legs. The simulation of the body of a horse is effected by a middle part generally designated by the numeral 46 which :is hinged to the front part 44 in a manner hereinafter appearing. The remainder of the hobby horse 10 consists of a back part generally designated by the numeral 48 simulating a horses rear legs, hindquarter, and tail. The back part 48 is hingedly connected to the middle part 46 at an end opposite from the hinged connection of the middle part to the front part 44.

The middle part 46 of the hobby horse 10 includes a pair of spaced,

parallel boards

50 and 52. A transverse pivot bolt 54 extends through the

boards

50, 52 and through, approximately, the middle of the front part 44 disposed between the

boards

50 and 52 adjacent one end thereof. The front part 44 as shown in the drawings is shaped and decorated to simulate the front part of a 3 horse, that is a head 56, a neck 58, chest or shoulder portion 60, and front leg portions 62.

The head 56 is formed with a groove 110 into which the neck 58 of the'front part 44 is fitted. A tube 66 is press-fitted through aligned openings in the head 56 and neck 58 and extends laterally from both sides of the head. A fastener 108 extends from the top surface of the neck 58 into the tube 66 as illustrated in FIGURE 4 to bind the neck and head together as an integral unit. The tube 66 also functions as a handgrip for the hobby horse rider.

A transverse rod 64 extends laterally from both sides of and through the front legs 62 of the front part 44 of the hobby horse 10. The transverse rod 64 acts as a foot rest for the rider of hobby horse 10. The handgrip 66 and the foot rest 64 are on opposite sides of the transverse pivot bolt 54, hingedly connecting the front part 44 to the boards and 52 of the middle part 46.

The lower bifurcated end or yoke 40 of the rigid suspension rod 28 is adapted to be swivelly connected to the ends of the handgrip tube '66, as shown in FIGURES 4 and 7. Each end of the handgrip tube 66 is provided with a press-fitted, nylon, self-lubricating bushing 68. The bushing 68 rotatably receives a swivel pin 70 having a reduced, threaded, outer end portion 72. The threaded portion 72 of each swivel pin 78 passes through an aperture 74 on opposite ends of the yoke 40 and is secured thereto by means of a washer '76 and nut 78.

As shown in FIGURES 3, 5, and 6, the back part 48 of the hobby horse is disposed between the

boards

50 and 52 of the middle part 46 at the end of the middle part opposite from the front part 44. The back part 48 is hingedly connected to the

boards

50 and 52 by means of a transverse pivot bolt 89 passing through the

boards

50 and 52 and the back part 48. The back part 48 as shown in the drawings is shaped and decorated to simulate the back part of a horse, that is the hindquarters 81, rear legs 82, and tail 84.

The pivot bolt 8% passes through the opposed legs of the yoke 42, FIGURE 5, on the lower end of the rigid suspension rod 30. The yoke 42 straddles the hindquarters 81 of the back part 48 of the hobby horse 10. The yoke 42 is secured to the hindquarters 81 by means of offset

fasteners

88 and 90 so that movement of the suspension rod is imparted to the whole back part 48 as the rod 30 swings at its upper end. In other words, movement of the rod 30 will move the back part 48 about the transverse pivot bolt 80. This will synchronize movement of the simulated rear legs 82 with the simulated front legs 62 in order to give the hobby horse 10 the appearance of galloping as it is being swung. This is shown in FIGURES 9 and 10, wherein the extreme positions of swinging movement of the hobby horse 10 are illustrated.

The pivot bolt 80 passes through a nylon bushing 86 press-fitted in the simulated hindquarters 81 of the back part 48. This renders the hinge connection self-lubricating and substantially maintenance free. The same construction is provided for the pivot bolt 54 passing through the front part 44 of the hobby horse 1%.

A seat 94 simulating a saddle is provided and mounted on top of the boards and 52. The seat is adjustable along the length of the

boards

50 and 52 by means of a tongue 1'34 depending from the lower surface of the seat. The tongue 104 is adapted to be selectively received within one of a number of aligned grooves 106 along the top of the boards 59, 52.

The central portion of the seat 94 is provided with 2. depending portion having an eye 96. The seat 94 is locked in adjusted position on the middle part 46 by providing an anchor block 98 beneath the

parallel boards

50, 52. The another block 98 includes an upwardly extending eye 169 intermediate the

boards

50, 52. A coil spring 102 is placed under tension and connected to the

eyes

96 and 100. The spring 102 being under tension, will pull the seat 94 towards the anchor block 98 and cause the tongue 104 to lock snugly within a selected one of the aligned grooves 166.

Reference to FIGURE 3 will illustrate that the lower portion of the suspension rod 30 is curved or bowed away from the middle part 46 of the hobby horse 10. This enables the rider to comfortably use the hobby horse 10. For example, if the rider is seated on the seat 94, which has been moved to the rear portion of the hobby horse 1%, swinging movement of the hobby horse towards its back part would tend to throw the rider rearwardly with the possibility of the rider striking the rod 30. This is precluded by bowing the rod.

Swinging motion may be initiated by the rider from a. seated position on the hobby horse 10 by simply applying pressure with the feet on the foot rest 64 and by pushing or pulling with the hands on the handgrip 66. This will cause the front part 44 of the hobby horse to rock about the pivot bolt 54 which in turn will cause oscillation of the suspension rods. The initiation of the swinging motion by rocking the front part of the hobby horse also provides valuable exercise to the rider. Hence, larger models of the instant invention could be used by adults as an exercise device.

The rigid suspension rod construction wherein the suspension rods lie substantially in a single vertical plane prevents lateral sway of the hobby horses 10, rendering the same safe for children who otherwise might fall laterally from the horse. Further, the simple, unitary construction comprises a minimum number of components rendering the amusement apparatus easy to assemble, but yet capable of being readily knocked down for shipment and storage purposes. The nylon bushings at the hinged swivel joints render the construction substantially maintenance free. Finally, swinging movement of the hobby horse 10 will always simulate the galloping of a real horse, as both the rear legs and front legs will be in motion relative to the supporting frame and middle part.

While a specific embodiment of my invention has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications Within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Amusement apparatus comprising a hobby horse, said hobby horse including a front part simulating a horses head, shoulders and front legs, a back part simulating a horses rear legs, hind quarters and tail, and a middle part disposed between said front and back parts simulating a horses body, said front and back parts being hingedly-connected to said middle part at opposite ends thereof, a frame, and means connected at spaced points to said front and back parts for suspending said hobby horse from said frame for swinging movement along its length, whereby swinging movement of said hobby horse will simulate the gallup of a horse due to simultaneous movement of said front and back parts, said suspension means including a first rigid rod connected to said back part and frame, a second rigid rod connected to said front part and frame in substantially parallel, coplanar relation to said first rod, whereby lateral sway of said hobby horse is substantially precluded during its swinging movement, said middle part including substantially parallel, spaced-apart boards, said front and back hinged-connected parts being disposed between said spaced-apart boards, said first and second rigid rods, having bifurcated terminal portions at each end thereof, means for sWivelly-connecting each of the bifurcated ends at one end of said rods to said frame, the bifurcated terminal portion at the other end of said first rigid rod being disposed so as to straddle the back part between the parallel boards of said middle part, means rigidly-fastening said bifurcated end to said back part, a handgrip, said handgrip including an elongated rod through and extending laterally from both sides of said front part, means for sWivelly-connecting the bifurcated terminal portion at the other end of said second rigid rod to opposed ends of said handgrip rod, and a footrest, said footrest including an elongated rod through and extending laterally from said front part below said handgrip rod and hinged connection between said front part and middle part, said handgrip and footrest enabling the rider of said hobby horse to rock said front part about its hinged connection to said middle part for initiating swinging movement of said horse on said frame.

2. Amusement apparatus comprising a hobby horse, said hobby horse including a front part simulating a horses head, shoulders and front legs, a back part simulating a horses rear legs, hind quarters and tail, and a middle part disposed between said front and back parts simulating a horses body, said front and back parts being hingedly-connected to said middle part at opposite ends thereof, a frame, and means connected at spaced points to said front and back parts for suspending said hobby horse from said frame for swinging movement along its length, whereby swinging movement of said hobby horse will simulate the gallop of a horse due to simultaneous pivotal movement of said front and back parts, said suspension means including a first rigid rod connected to said back part and frame, a second rigid rod connected to said front part and frame in substantially parallel, coplanar relation to said first rod, whereby lateral sway of said hobby horse is substantially precluded during its swinging movement, said middle part including substantially parallel, spaced-apart boards, said front and back parts being hingedly-connected to said boards at opposite ends thereof and disposed therebetween, means for swivelly-connecting one end of each of said rods to said frame, the terminal portion at the other end of said first rigid rod being fastened to said back part, a handgrip, said handgrip including an elongated rod through and extending laterally from both sides of said front part, means for connecting the terminal portion at the other end of said second rigid rod to said handgrip rod, a foot rest, said foot rest including an elongated rod through and extending laterally from said front part below said handgrip rod and hinged connection between said front part and middle part, said handgrip and foot rest enabling the rider of said hobby horse to rock said front part about its hinged connection to said middle part for initiating swinging movement of said horse on said frame, a seat on said hobby horse simultating a saddle, and means for adjustably-mounting said seat along the length of said middle part on said boards, said mounting means including a series of spaced grooves on the top of said boards, a depending tongue on said seat for mating engagement with a selected one of said groves, and means between the parallel boards of said middle part for locking said tongue in seated engagement with said groove. 3. Amusement apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said first rigid rod is bowed away from said middle part adjacent its connection to said back part.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 935,854 10/1909 Linerode 272- 1,566,765 12/1925 Natale 272-54 1,874,345 8/1932 Parrott 272- 2,092,993 9/1937 Tinker 272-87 2,371,384 3/1945 Dyer 272-87 2,478,673 8/ 1949 Soderholm 272-87 2,525, 77 10/1950 Schwartz 272-53.1 2,533,482 12/1950 Liesner 272-37 X 3,271,029 10/1966 Grudoski 272-87 FOREIGN PATENTS 165,493 10/1955 Australia.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner.

A W. KRAMER, Assistant Examiner.