US3672096A

US3672096A - Dolls

Info

Publication number: US3672096A
Application number: US44066A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frank T Johmann
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-06-08
Filing date: 1970-06-08
Publication date: 1972-06-27
Anticipated expiration: 1989-06-27

Abstract

This invention relates to a doll driven by a motor, preferably battery operated, which may move its hands through a number of different positions. The doll may include a sound-reproducing unit and may also move her mouth so as to appear to talk. The doll may also move her head or eyes. Dolls of the invention can be made in varying degrees of complexity to include all or part of any of the preceding activities. Dolls of the invention can be made which can actively participate with a child in playing games such as ''''Peek-A-Boo,'''' ''''Simon Says,'''' or other similar games involving movement of arms and hands.

Description

[451 June 27, 1972 Friedman DOLLS [72] Inventor:

xx 70 2 mm 3,466,795 6/l 969 3,298,120 l/l 967 Walden... 3,l65,320 l/l965 Frank T. Johmann, 49 Hampton Drive, Berkeley Heights, NJ. 07922 June 8, 1970 Ryan.......... ...46/l17 UX Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-D. L. Weinhold [22] Filed:

[2]] Appl. No.: 44,066

[57] ABSTRACT This invention relates to a doll driven by a motor, preferably battery operated, which may move its hands through a number ...46/ll8,1l9,l20,167,116,

of different positions. The doll may Include a soundreproduo 46/ l 15, 117

lng unit and may also move her mouth so as to appear to talk. The doll may also move her head or eyes. Dolls of the inven- [52] U.S.Cl... [Sl] lnt.Cl. [58] Field References Cited tion can be made in varying degrees of complexity to include all or part of any of the preceding activities. Dolls of the inven- UNIT ED STATES PATENTS tion can be made which can actively participate with a child in playing games such as "Peek-A-Boo, Simon Says, or other similar games involving movement of anus and hands.

8 Claims, 2 1 Drawing figures 87 X m l I nn ews W U a" A m .u m

kn l de .u w nafl KFGE 9 96 6666 9999 1111 [Ill 02 lll PATENTEBJum I972 SHEET 1 0F 8 awn-M PATENTEBJun 2 7 m2 SHEET 2 BF 8 INVEN TOR PATENTEDJUH 2 1 19. 2

sum 3 or 8 JNVENTOR PATENTEDJUHN m2 3.672.096

sum s 0; s

H69 INVENTOR iw YBVMW PHENTEBJUN 2 1 I972 SHEET 7 BF 8 FIG. I6

INVENTOR PJA'TENIEDaum m2 SHEET 8 OF 8 FIG.I9

INVENTOR DOLLS SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides dolls which may automatically move their hands through various positions and which may take an active part in common childrens games such as "Peek-A-Boo, "Simon Says, or similar games. "Peek-A- Boo" is a well-known game played by young children whereby the participants. who are facing one another, generally move their hands back and forth in front of their faces, or move their heads while holding their hands still in front of their faces, etc. to hide and then expose their eyes, usually while saying Peek- A-Hoo" and other simple utterances. Usually one party leads (here the doll can be the leader) and the child follows, trying to duplicate the leader's movements. "Simon Says" is a similar type of game where the leader (e.g., the doll) goes through various movements which the child duplicates. There are a number of variations of these games and there appears to be no set rules for their playing. The present invention provides a doll which can move its hands through a series of positions applicable to playing games of the aforesaid types, e.g., the doll may move its hands back and forth in front of its face to hide and then expose its eyes. Thus, the doll can go through a series of different movements, which the child can then duplicate in the manner of playing Peek-A-Boo, Simon Says," etc., whereupon the doll serves as an active playmate playing these games with the child.

The dolls of the invention are preferably operated by a battery-operated electric motor, and are set into motion by the child operating a switch, e.g., a conventional off-on switch, a conventional sound-operated electrical switch, etc. During the cycle of operations which follows, the dolls hand, or hands, are moved through the desired motions. In its more elaborate form, a sound recording may play, and the dools mouth may move to give the impression of the doll speaking or singing words appropriate to the dolls movements. The dolls head and eyes may also move to give a more life-like appearance.

The invention will be further understood by reference to the drawings and the following description which includes a preferred embodiment of the invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view, partly broken away and in section, showing the dolls right side as she sits in playing position to play Peek-ABoo.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken along the line 22 of FIG. I, further illustrating the off-on switch.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary front view of the upper part of the doll of FIG. I, in which the movement of the hands to a position in front of the eyes is shown by dotted lines.

FIG. 4 is a back view, partly broken away in section, of the doll illustrating the internal mechanism of the doll.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional back view of the gear train shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional side view illustrating the cam-operated electrical switch.

FIG. 7 is a schematic electrical wiring diagram ofthe doll.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing details of the head and eye construction, and wherein turning movement of the head to the right is indicated by dotted lines representing the doll '5 face.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side view, partly broken away and in section, illustrating the cam mechanism used for turning the dolls head and further illustrating the system for moving the eyes and mouth.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, schematic-like side view of the lever and cam arrangement for moving the mouth and eyes.

FIG. II is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the tubular pivot connection between the torso and head showing the separation of the actuating cords, or strings, used to operate the eye and mouth mechanisms.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the end of an arm of the actuating lever of FIG. 10 prior to fastening an acluating cord.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating an alternative construction of the eyes for side-to-side movement about a vertical axis.

FIG. [4 is a side schematic-like view which illustrates in detail the cam system used to move the arms and head of the doll.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary side view, partly in section, of a modification of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 14 wherein the dolls arms and hands move up and down vertically in front of the eyes as opposed to the side-ways or horizontal movement of the anns and hands of the embodiment of the doll in F IGS. l to 14.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary sectional back view of the right shoulder of the doll of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a rear view, partly broken away and in section, of another modification of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 14 wherein the dolls arms are pivoted at the shoulders for back and forth sideways movement.

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating the left shoulder joint of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a side view illustrating the arm actuating cam system of the embodiment of FIGS. 17 and 18.

FIG. 20 is a simple schematic illustrating the wiring for the doll of FIGS. 17 to 19.

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary sectional back view illustrating another modification of the embodiment of FIGS. I to 14.

Reference is now made to the drawings in detail. FIG. I shows the right-hand side of a mechanical doll (the normal clothing is removed for clarity) having a head 10, and a torso 12 made up of the molded

plastic split halves

14 and 16 which are fixed together, as by cementing, along line 18, sitting on a floor 20 with her legs 22 extending outwardly. Hand 24 is formed at the outer end of hollow forearm 26. Fixed within forearm 26 is the tubular plug 28 in which is fixed the outer portion of rigid cylindrical shaft 30. The tubular upper arm 32, carried by torso 12, has the outer end wall 34 and the inner wall 36, said walls rotatably supporting shaft 30. Fixed to the inner portion of shaft 30 is the collar 38 of the integral crown gear 40 meshingly engaged with spur gear 42 (also see FIGv 4) fixed on the outer end of sleeve 44 extending outwardly from torso 12. In order to facilitate assembly, and to readily form

walls

34 and 36, the upper arm 32 is preferably molded of rubber or plastic in split halves which are cemented together along line 46, as indicated in FIG. 4.

The left hand, left forearm and left upper arm are similarly formed and mounted and are indicated by similar numbers.

Batteries 50, connected in series, are mounted in a conventional style of battery holder 52 molded integrally with the rear torso half section 16. A removable cover plate 54 fits in a complementary opening in the dolls back and is frictionally held in place. Cover plate 54 has an outwardly projecting tab 56 to serve as a handle for its removal to allow the change of batteries 50. Electrical leads 58 and 60 extend from the battery holder 52 in a conventional manner. The batteries 50 operate electrical motor 62, having leads 63 and 65 (see FIG. 4), mounted in a conventional manner on a channel-shaped frame 64, the bottom of said frame being attached by screws to plastic bosses 66 integral with and extending inwardly from front torso section 14. A simple off-on first switch indicated generally at 8, (FIGS. 1 and 2), includes the operating lever 68 projecting through slot 70 formed in the dolls back, and pivotally mounted on pin 72 fixed in the small tab or wall 74 molded integrally with torso rear half I6. Rivets 76, fix

electrical leads

78 and 80 to wall 74. The metal strip 82, fixed to the plastic non-conducting lever 68, always engages either one or both of rivets 76 to frictionally hold lever 68 in place until it is manually moved to a different setting. Strip 82 simultaneously contacts both rivets 76 to close the circuit to turn on motor 62 when lever 68 is in a central position. Pivoting lever 68 until it contacts an end of slot 70 will break the circuit by disengaging strip 82 from contact with one of said rivets 76 to turn off said motor 62. A second switch, S which is a conventional soundactuated switch, e.g., actuated by a loud noise or by a voice,

may be provided at any convenient location in the doll and is shown fixed to the inner side of the back (see FIGS. 1 and 3). A series of perforations 86 in the dolls back can be provided to aid in allowing sound to reach sound-actuated switch 5,. Switch S, is connected to the rest of the circuit through leads 88 and 90.

Looking at FIGS. 4 and 5, the gear system includes the small spur gear 92 fixed on the rotatable shaft 94 of the motor 62, which meshingly engages and turns gear 96 which is loosely mounted on shaft 98. Gear 96, in turn, drives gear 100 which is loosely mounted on shaft 102. Gear 100 drives gear 104 fixed to shaft 98.

Gears

96, 100 and 104 represent a gear train which reduces the high speed of the motor gear 92 to the slow, strong rotation of gear 104 and shaft 98 fixed to said gear 104.

Shafts

98 and 102 are carried by shaft-supporting

walls

106 and 108 which are each molded integral with and extend inwardly from torso front half section 14. Similar, but opposing, shaft-supporting walls are integral with and extend inwardly from torso back half section 16 as illustrated by walls 108 and 108' of FIG. 6. These shaft-supporting walls are formed with appropriate recesses for loose reception of

shafts

98 and 102 so when the two

torso halves

14 and 16 are cemented together along line 18 as previously described, said similar shaft-supporting walls abut thereby enclosing and supporting

shafts

98 and 102, while allowing said shafts to rotate.

Returning to FIG. 4,

cam wheels

110 and 112 are integral with gear 104 (note FIG. and accordingly are also fixed to shaft 98. Cam wheel 114 is also fixed to the shaft 98. Left arm actuating cam wheel 110 operates left arm cam 116 follower fixed on sleeve 45, while the right arm actuating cam wheel 114 operates right arm cam follower 118 fixed on sleeve 44. Each of the two relatively strong cam return tension springs 120 has one end formed in a loop lying in a complementary recess in the thickened wall portion 122, which loop is disposed around a boss 124 integral with and projecting upwardly from front torso half 14 (see FIG. 6) into a complementary recess in rear torso half 16. The other end of said springs 120 are looped through apertures proximate the ends of

cam followers

116 and 118. A third relatively strong shaft return, tension spring 126 is similarly held between torso halves 14 and 16 and lever 128 fixed to shaft 102. Fixed to shaft 102, proximate its ends, are snap rings 130 which keep the

sleeves

44 and 45 from sliding off shaft 102 on which said sleeves are loosely supported. Sleeve 44 has annular flange 132 adjacent walls 108 and 108' at one end, while its other end is adjacent a snap ring 130. Sleeve 45 has one end adjacent a ring 130, while its other end can abut the cam follower 213 fixed to shaft 102. In this way,

sleeves

44 and 45 are rotatable relative to shaft 102, yet are held from transversely shifting relative to said shaft 102. At the same time, annular washers 133 fixed to shaft 102 and disposed on either side of walls 106-106 maintain shaft 102 from shifting transversely. Similarly,

washers

135 and 137 fixed on shaft 98 maintain said shaft from slipping transversely.

Electrical cam switch 5;, includes the cam 134 whose integral collar 136 is fixed on shaft 98 and is conjointly rotatable therewith. Cam 134 has an annular rim 138 (see FIG. 6), a portion of which is raised at 140. The resilient metal cam follower 144, fixed proximate one end to wall 108 by rivets 142, has a flexible free end which is spring-like and moves either into electricalconducting contact with the metal terminal strip 146, also fixed by rivets 142 to wall 108, or away from said Contact as it presses against and follows the surface of cam annular rim 138. Electrical lead 148 extends from movable terminal or cam follower 144, while electrical lead 150 extends from fixed terminal 146.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 9, fixed on shaft 98 is the head moving cam 152 engaging the cam follower lever 154 which is loosely pivoted on shaft 102. A coil compression spring 156 (see FIG. 9), seated in tubular member 158 molded integrally with front torso halve 14, bears against the underside of lever 154 thus maintaining lever 154 in contact with cam 152. The inner end of the tubular member 158 is slotted to thereby form cars 160, disposed on each side of lever 154, which acts as guides to maintain said lever 154 in alignment. Proximate the upper end of lever 154 is formed a slot 162 through which loosely projects cylindrical arm 164 extending outwardly from tubular pivot member 166. The upper end of member 166 is fixed within the rigid plastic disk 168 which is inserted into and fixed within the slightly flexible hollow head 10. The annular flange 170, integral with pivot member 166, bears against the underside of the neck portion 172, while washer 174 acts as a spacer between neck portion 172 and disk 168, thereby permitting head 10 to easily rotate with pivot member 166.

Returning to FIG. 4, lever 174 is fixed on shaft 102. Lever 174 is connected to mouth-actuating string 176 and eye-actuating strings 178, all of which strings extend through tubular pivot member 166 upwardly into head 10. FIG. 11, which is an enlarged cross-sectional view of tubular pivot member 166, shows how it can be formed with an axially extending divider 167 to thereby aid in preventing tangling of

strings

176 and 178. Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 9, the upper end of mouth-actuating string 176 is attached to lever 180 which is pivotally supported on pin 182 carried by the uprights 184 molded integrally with the neck disk 168. Coil compression spring 186, seated around boss 188 integral with neck disk 168, bears against the under side of lever 180 and urges said lever 180 to a normal position wherein the movable lower lip portion 190, fixed to the outer end of lever 180, appears in a mouth-closed position as illustrated in FIG. 9.

Referring now to FIGS. 4, 8 and 9, the eye-actuating strings 178 have their upper ends attached to eyelets 192 of eyeballs 194. Eyeballs 194 have pins 196 extending horizontally into apertures in tubular shells 198 whereby said eyeballs are pivotally mounted. Relatively weak coil tension springs 200, having one end attached to tubular bases 202 and their other end attached to eyelets 204, maintain said eyes 194 normally opened as shown in the drawings. However, it will be apparent that pulling strings 178 downward will cause eyeballs 194 to pivot around their pins 196, against the pressure of their springs 200, to thereby bring the upper portions 206 of said eyeballs into the childs view. Since portions 206 are painted to resemble eyelids, the doll thus appears to the child to have closed her eyes. Release of tension on strings 178 will enable the eyeballs 194 to return to their normal open position, as shown in the drawings, under the action of their springs 200. While the eyes of FIGS. 8 and 9 move up and down so as to blink, the eyes can be readily mounted for a sideways movement. This mounting for sideways movement is illustrated by the showing of a left eyeball in FIG. 13, where eyeball 194' is pivotally mounted on tubular shell 198' by means of pins 196' for a sideways movement against the action of spring 200' as string 178' is pulled and released.

FIG. 10 illustrates the manner in which strings 176 and 178 are pulled and released to move the lip and eyes 194. Specifically, strings 176 and 178 are attached to the

lever arms

208 and 210 respectively, oflever 174. Then, as the cam wheel 112 rotates, each of its circumferentially spaced cam teeth 212 will come into contact with gear 213, which is fixed on shaft 102 and serves as a cam follower, to thereby partly rotate said gear 213 and the shaft 102 against the bias of the relatively strong, helical tension spring 126 (see FIG. 4). This will rotate lever 174, and its

integral arms

208 and 210, in a counterclockwise direction, when looking at FIG. 10, whereby tension on string 176 is lessened and tension on string 178 is increased. As tension on string 176 is lessened, the inner portion of lip lever 180 moves upwardly under the bias of spring 186, thereby pivoting lever lip 190 downwardly whereupon the doll appears to open her mouth. At the same time, string 178 is pulled downwardly which causes eyes 194 to pivot about pins 196 to cause the doll to close her eyes 194 in the manner previously described. Now as cam wheel 112 rotates further, the tooth 212 engaging gear 213 passes out of engagement with teeth of gear 213, whereupon shaft 102 is pulled back to its original position by contraction of spring 126. As

this happens, lever 174 also returns to its original position, whereupon string 178 is pulled upwardly by eyeball springs 200, which also returns eyeballs 194 to their original eyeopened position. Also, string 176 is pulled down to return the lower lip 190 to its mouth-closed position.

FIG. 12 shows how a lever arm made of deformable metal such as arm 208 can be initially formed with a slot 209 and aperture 211 to aid in the afi'ixing of a string such as 176. Thus, string 176 is passed through slot 209 into aperture 211 and then the end of said arm 208 is crimped to close up said slot 209 and fix the end of string 176 within said aperture 211, This technique can be used throughout the invention where it is necessary to fix strings to other elements.

The sound-reproducing unit is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4. Here, the tone arm 214, carrying the phonograph needle 216 proximate one end, is pivotally mounted on headed pin 218 fixed in tone arm support member 220. Said support member 220 is formed with integral pin portion 222 fixed in the bore of tubular boss 224 molded integral with and extending inwardly from torso front half 14. Intermediate the ends of the tone arm 214 is formed the integral arcuate arm 226 which contacts the cylindrical contact member 228 which is in sliding contact with the apex portion of speaker cone 230 which defines the inwardly turned tubular portion 232. Coil compression spring 234, seated on cylindrical boss 236 formed integral with torso half 14, bears against the annular flange of said member 228, thereby urging member 228, and correspondingly tone arm 214 inwardly so as to urge needle 216 into contact with phonograph record 238. The aforesaid speaker cone 230 is made of a thin, fairly rigid plastic or paper material and is formed with annular flange 240 cemented to the front torso half 14, which in turn, is formed with a series of perforations 241 in front of said cone 230 to aid the passage of sound from cone 230. The photograph record 238, having a single continuous groove, is fixed on disk 242, rotatably mounted on shaft 244 defined by cylindrical boss 246 integral with and extending inwardly from front torso halve l4. Said disk 242 and record 238 fixed thereto, are thus rotatable on shaft 244 while held between snap ring 243 fixed to shaft 244 and shoulder 245. Record 238 is rotated by endless pully cord 248 which frictionally fits in an annular groove defined in disk 242. Pully cord 248 passes between the fixed guides 250 molded integrally with front torso halve 14, onto pully 252 fixed on motor shaft 94. The tone arm return includes a flexible cord 254, e.g., a string, having one end fixed to tone arm 214 and the other end fixed to tone arm return lever 256 fixed on shaft 258 which is journaled within suitable apertures formed by abutment of walls 108 and 108' proximate one end and the

torso members

14 and 16 at the other end. Shaft 258 is formed with integral annular flanges 260 which straddle abutting walls 108-108 to prevent said shaft 258 from shifting longitudinally. A weak spring 262, has one end seated within a transverse aperture in lever arm 256, its middle position loosely coiled about shaft 258, and its other end seated in a suitable complementary groove between abutting torso halves 14 and 16.

The operation of the doll will now be described. Considering the schematic wiring diagram of FIG. 7, the cycle is started by the child closing the main off-0n switch 8,. Then, the child talking or singing close to the doll will close the voice or sound-actuated switch S Current will then flow from batteries 50, through leads 58 and 63, motor 62, leads 65 and 78, through main switch 5,, through leads 80 and 88 to voice switch S then through leads 90 and 60 back to batteries 50 to thereby complete the circuit. As motor 62 turns in response to said current flow, it rotates the

gear train

92, 96, I00 and 104 which reduces the high speed of the motor 62 to a relatively slow, but strong, rotation of gear 104, e.g., gear 104 will now rotate one revolution in say about l0 to 60 seconds, preferably about 20 to 40 seconds, e.g., about the length of time one would normally spend in going through the series of Peek-A- Boo motions which will be later described. As gear 104 rotates, shaft 98 to which it is fixed also rotates, which in turn rotates cam 134 of the cam switch 8;. As cam 134 rotates, flexible contact strip 144 moves off the raised portion of said cam into contact with terminal strip 146 so that current can now flow from batteries 50 through the

circuit

58, 63, 62, 65, 78,

S

80, 148, 144, 146, 150, and 60 back to batteries 50. At this point, the operation of motor 62 is no longer dependent on the sound switch 8,. As gear 104 slowly rotates, it also begins to operate the arm actuating cam system.

Consider the cam operation of the arms which will be further understood by reference to FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and particularly FIG. 14. As shaft 98 rotates, it in turn rotates the left and right arm

actuating cam wheels

110 and 114 respectively. Right-hand cam wheel 114 (FIG. 14) has a series of raised portions 264 which, during rotation, contact and move cam follower 118 from its normal position a shown in solid lines, to position b shown in dotted lines, against the pressure of coil tension spring 120. Follower 118 will remain in position 11 until carn wheel 114 further rotates and follower 118 is released from its sliding engagement against a raised portion 264, and returns to its original position a under influence of spring 120. It is thus seen that a series of back and forth, or oscillating partial rotations of about 45 each are given to sleeve 44 about its longitudinal axis since sleeve 44 is fixed to cam follower 118. In a similar manner, the left-hand cam follower 116 is moved back and forth between positions a and b by action of cam wheel 110 which in turn oscillates sleeve 45. Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 and 3, The doll, at the start of the cycle, is holding her right and left arms and hands in position a. Now, the aforedescribed back-and-forth oscillation of about 45 each of cam follower 118, is transmitted through sleeve 44, spur gear 42, and then to crown gear 40 which correspondingly rotates shaft 30 back and forth so that the forearm 26 and hand 24 oscillates (see FIG. 3) from position a to b wherein hand 24 covers eye 194, and then returns to 0, etc. for a total of five times, during each cycle, i.e., the same total as the number of raised portions 264 on cam wheel I 14. Also, it will be apparent that the length of time, or dwell, that hand 24 in is position b, is directly proportional to the circumferential length of the particular raised portion 264 contacting the cam follower 118 at that part of the cycle. In a similar manner, left hand 24 and left forearm 26 move back and forth between left hand positions a and b, as cam wheel 110 moves cam follower 116 between the a and b positions in FIG. 14.

Considering now the head, eyes, and mouth movements as illustrated by FIGS. 4 and 8 through 13, slow rotation of gear 104, in turn slowly rotates the integral cam gear or wheel 1 12. As the teeth 212 (FIG. 10) of wheel 112 come into contact with cam follower or gear 213 fixed on shaft 102, said shaft partly rotates against the bias of coil tension spring 126, (FIG. 4), following which cam follower 213 moves back to its original position under the action of said spring 126 as each of said teeth 212 passes out of contact with said cam follower. The resulting oscillatory motion of shaft 102 oscillates its fixed lever 174 which, in turn, alternately pulls and releases cord 178 while releasing and then pulling cord 176. As previously described, this reciprocating movement of cord 178 causes eyes 194 to blink or to move side to side if the eyes are mounted as in FIG. 13, while reciprocating movement of cord 176 causes the mouth-actuating lever 180 to see-saw about its pivot 182 thereby moving lower lip 190, whereupon the doll appears to speak. Preferably, the movement of the dolls lip is synchronized with the sound coming from the record 238, e.g., the doll appears to move her mouth only when spoken sound comes from said record.

During the cycle, rotation of the head-turning cam 152 fixed on shaft 98 causes the head 10 to turn to the left as the follower portion 268 (FIG. 9) of lever 154 is raised against the bias of s ring 156 by the tooth 270 of said cam 150. During further rotation of cam wheel 152, follower portion 268 will drop into the cam recess area 272 under urging of spring 156, whereupon head 10 will turn to the right as indicated by the dotted lines representing the face of the doll in FIG. 8. The turning of dolls head 10 is synchronized with the hand move ment, i.e., arranged to take place after hands 24 move in front of her eyes to position b. Then if her head turns to the right, her left eye (as indicated by the dotted line position in FIG. 8) will appear to a child sitting in front of the doll. to be peeking out at the child from behind the doll's hands 24. Similarly, when the dolls head turns to the left. while hands 24 are in position b of FIG. 8, the dolls right eye will appear to be peeking out at the child. This. of course, simulates a common part of Peek-A-Boo, i.e., peeking around hands in front of the facev As previously indicated, the head and hand mOvements are preferably synchronized and the following table summarize the sequence of hand and head movement of the illustrated embodiment. To aid in their understanding, cams 110. 152, and 114 can be considered as divided into segments of 45 each. i.e., into eights, so as to give a total sequence of eight steps during each complete rotation of their common shaft 98. Thus, as seen by the construction of these cams in FIG. 14, and referring to FIGS. 3 and 8, the doll acts as summarized in Table I which follows:

TABLE I STEP ACTION OF DOLL 1. Moves both hands from position a to position b (see FIG. 3) pauses. then moves both hands back to position a.

2. Pause. then repeats step 1.

3. Pause. then moves both hands from position a to position b, while turns head 10 to the left from position look ing straight ahead. The dolls right eye then appears to peek out between her hands (see FIG. 8).

4. Hands are maintained in position b,

while head 10 now turns to the right as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 8

whereupon doll 5 left eye appears to peek out between her hands.

5, Moves head from position looking left to a position looking straight ahead. Both hands move from position b to position a and pause. Left hand moves to position b while right hand remains in position a.

6. Moves right hand to position b so both hands are in position b and pauses.

7. Moves left hand from position b to position a while right hand stays at position b in front of right eye.

8. Moves right hand from position b to position a. pauses, then moves both hands to osition b. pauses. and finally moves both hands to position a.

While the above eight steps are taking place, the record 238 is playing its recorded message, whereupon the doll appears to be saying, or singing, phrases coordinated with and appropriate to her aforesaid hand and head movements. For example, the record could play as follows in Table II. during each of said eight steps as the doll hides and exposes her eyes.

(left I) 8. I see you. a straight Do you see me. b straight Peek-A-Boo a straight As cam 134, of cam switch S finishes a complete rotation at the end of the 8 steps listed above, then its raised portion 140 (FIG. 6) will lift spring-like movable terminal strip 144 from contact with stationary terminal 146 to turn off the motor 62 unless the sound-actuating switch S is activated at this point. e.g., by the child talking to the doll. If switch S is activated, cam 134 will continue to rotate, as motor 62 continues to run, so as to again cause contact between terminals 144 and 146 (see FIG. 7) and thereby recycle and repeat the entire cycle of the eight steps outline above. As long as the child keeps singing, or talking to the doll, the doll will keep recycling. Once the child stops talking, the doll will then completely stop at the end of a cycle. In this manner, the doll makes an automatic response to the child and appears more life-like. Of course. when the child wants to stop playing Peek- A-Boo with the doll, she can turn off switch 5,.

During the course of the cycle of the aforesaid Steps 1 to 8. record player tone arm 214 will move inwardly toward the center of the record 238 to the dotted line position of FIG. 4 thereby taking the slack out of the flexible cord or string 254 attached to the end of said arm 214. Shortly prior to cam switch S breaking contact between its

terminals

144 and 146, tone arm 214 will be automatically reset by moving it from the dotted line position of FIG. 4 back to its solid line starting position for another replay. Thus, boss 268 fixed on cam wheel 1 14 will contact pivotally mounted lever 256 to move it against the bias of spring 262, from its normal solid line position to the dotted line position of FIG. 1. Lever 256, in turn, pulls on string 254 which causes tone arm 214 to pivot on pin 218 so that the needle end of tone arm 216 pivots downwardly away from record 238. Tone arm 216 is formed with an elongated aperture 217 around pin 218 to permit this downward movement. As tone arm 214 pivots downwardly, it does so against cylindrical contact member 228 which also moves downwardly into speaker cone 230 against the pressure of spring 234. Thus, pulling string 254 as described. moves needle 216 from contact with record 238 and at the same time swings tone arm 214 about its pivot pin 218 until it contacts the fixed stop 270 projecting upwardly from support member 220. At this point. tone arm 214 and its needle 216 will be in the dotted line position of FIG. I. As boss 268 passes out of contact with lever 256, said lever 256 returns to its solid line original position under the bias of spring 262, thereby allowing line 254 to slacken and remove the tension from the end of tone arm 214. The tone arm 214 will then be moved upwardly under the pressure of spring 234 until needle 216 again is in contact with record 238 whereupon tone arm 214 and needle 216 are again in their solid line position and the soundreproducing system is ready to start a new cycle.

A modification of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 14. wherein the doll moves her arms vertically up and down in front of her eyes, is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. This variation will be explained in detail with regard to the right arm of the doll, it being understood that the construction. mounting and operation of the left arm is similar to that of the right arm. Specifically, right arm 270 including the hand 24', forearm 26, and upper arm 32', is of a one-piece integral construction which is pivotally mounted at the shoulder of the doll for a vertical up-and-down movement. Tubular plug 272 is fixed on the sleeve 44, while the outer circumference of plug 272 is frictionally engaged with the annular hub 274 of right arm 270. Thus. the child, by exerting sufficient pressure to over come said frictional engagement, can pivot the arm 270, about the longitudinal axis of plug 272 and sleeve 44, while sleeve 44 is held from rotating about its longitudinal axis by spring which engages cam follower 118 fixed on sleeve 44, during play with the doll when the main switch S, is off. However, to start the Peek-A-Boo game, the right arm 270 should be rotated about said longitudinal axis of plug 272, so that the hand 24' is in position Then upon actuation of the previously described mechanism, rotation of cam wheel 114 against cam follower 118, and the return action of spring 120 oscillates sleeve 44 upon which is frictionally fixed plug 272 which, in turn, oscillates arm 270. As cam 114 slowly rotates (see FIG. 14) so that its raised positions 264 engage and disengage from cam follower 118, arm 270 will move between position 0' shown in dotted lines and position b shown by the solid lines in FIG. 15 wherein the hand 24' is in front of eye 194. The doll will move through the same sequence of steps described in the aforesaid Table 1, except that positions a and b of FIGS. 15 and 16 will correspond to positions a and b of said Table l, respectively, while the head can move and the record play as before.

FIGS. 17 to 20 represent another modification of the embodiment of the doll of FIGS. 1 to 14, wherein a more simple arrangement is provided with the lip and eye moving mechanism being eliminated along with the sound reproducing means. Here, dolls anns 276 are pivotally mounted at the shoulders to swing horizontally back-and-forth in front of the eyes and are operated by the cams 114' and 110'. Arms 276, including the upper arm, forearm, and hand are each molded in one piece, and are rotatably mounted on tubular rings 280 having annular grooves 282 which receive the complementary beads 284 molded with said arms 276 as the slightly elastic arms 276 are pressed into said rings 280 until said beads 284 seat in grooves 282. Rings 280 are fixed to shafts 286, which shafts are pivotally mounted on the thickened torso shoulder sections 288, the ends of each shaft 286 being fonned into heads 290 which retain them in place after the arms 276, rings 280 and shafts 286 are assembled with the dolls torso. Annular openings 292 having a diameter larger than said annular rings 280 are formed in the torso (see FIG. 18) to allow some pivotal back-and-forth movement of rings 280 about shafts 286, while washers 293, disposed between rings 280 and torso thickened sections 288, act as spacers to maintain said rings 280 centrally spaced within said annular openings 292. Fixed on shafts 286 are the crown gears 294 which engage the spur gears 296 fixed on sleeves 44' and 45' loosely mounted on shaft 102' which has the snap rings 130 fixed on its ends. A series of partial back-and-forth rotations, or oscillations, is imparted to sleeves 44' and 45 by cam wheels 114 and 110' engaging and disengaging from contact with cam followers 118' and 116' fixed on sleeves 44' and 45. Springs 120 return said cam followers 118' and 116' and

sleeves

44 and 45 to their normal positions after disengagement from said cams. In this way, arms and hands 276 are moved back-and-forth between their normal position b" wherein the hands are in front of the dolls eyes as shown in the full lines, and position 0" shown by dotted lines, where the hands are moved away from the dolls eyes as the oscillations of sleeves 44' and 45' are transmitted through

gears

296 and 294 to shafts 286 upon which are fixed rings 280 carrying the arms 276.

When not playing the game of Peek-A-Boo, the arms may be swung downward away from the eyes as the arms will simply rotate about the longitudinal axis of the tubular ring member 280 which they frictionally engage. This frictional engagement, while sufficiently loose to permit the child to forceably move arms 276, is however sufficiently strong to maintain arms 276 in place once the child lets go of the arms. Of course, prior to playing Peek-A-Boo, the arms should be swung up to position b". The head 10' is fixed to disk 168' which is fixed on pin 166 pivotally supported on neck 172'. Pin 166' has arm 164' engagable with lever 154' loosely pivoted on shaft 102'. Lever 154' is actuated by cam 152 fixed on shaft 98 to thereby move head 10' so that eyes fixed in sockets 298 molded integrally with head 10' can peek around the dolls hands when in position b".

As seen by FIG. 19, the relative arrangement of the arm actuating cams 110' and 114', and the head moving cam 152' will give the following sequence of action which is summarized in Table III, omitting the pauses.

TABLE In Step Action of Doll 1. Both hands move from position b" to a then back to b 2. While hands are in position b", head 10' turns left, then right, then returns to the central position of looking straight ahead.

3. While left hand remains in b" position,

right hand moves to a" position and then returns to b" position.

4. While right hand remains in b" position, left hand moves to 1:" position then returns to a" position.

5. While left hand remains in b" position,

right hand moves to a" position and then returns to b" position.

6. Both hands move from position b" to a" then back to b 7. Both hands move from position b" to a" then back to b FIG. 20 shows how the doll can be simply wired with only the off-on switch 5,. Thus, turning switch S on will send current from battery 50 through motor 62 and will cause the doll to move through the cycle described in Table Ill.

FIG. 21 is a further modification of the embodiments of FIGS. 17 and 20 wherein spur gears 296 and cam follower 116" are fixed directly onto shaft 102. There is only one arm actuating cam wheel, namely which oscillates cam follower 116" against the bias of spring 120'. Oscillation of follower 116' is transmitted through shaft 102' to spur gears 296, then crown gears 294 and finally to shafts 286. Thus, both shafts 286 are rotated by a single cam wheel which further simplifies the doll, although it will be recognized that both of the dolls arms and hands will move simultaneously back and forth together between positions covering her eyes and uncovering her eyes.

While cycles involving specific movements of arms, head, etc. in specific sequences have been illustrated with specific programming means, e.g., the various cam systems shown which time or program the sequence in which the various actions take place, it will be apparent that a wide range of movements, sequences, etc. are possible, e.g., by modifying the cams. Also, while a single motor has been used to operate the various mechanisms of the doll, in some cases it may be an advantage to have two or more motors operating difierent mechanisms. Thus, as seen by the preceding description and drawings, a number of variations of the doll can be made, with or without sound, mouth or eye movement, with either one cam wheel wherein both arms follow the same movement, or with a two-cam wheel construction wherein the two arms are individually moved, etc. The doll can be made of begin the action upon a loud noise such as the child starting to sing by means of a sound-actuated electrical switch, or alternatively the doll may have only a simple off-on switch whereupon the cycle will continually repeat itself until the off-on switch is finally turned off. While the dolls have been illustrated by playing the game "Peek-A-Boo, it will be clear that they can be made to go through other similar motions or to play other games. For example, instead of playing "Peek-A-Boo," the doll can easily play the game "Simon Says" for example by simply having the record play comments such as the following: Simon says cover your eyes. Simon says uncover your eyes. Simon says hide your right eye. Simon says move hour head left, etc., while the doll moves her hands or head through the appropriate steps previously described. If a record is used, one advantage of the illustrated tone arm return operated by cam wheel 114 with boss 268 which act as a cam, in that the tone arm is always reset to the same spot for a replay at the end of every cycle. Thus, if the record should get out of synchroniza' tion with the movements of the doll during the cycle, i.e., the doll is saying one thing while doing another, synchronization is restored at the end of the cycle when the tone arm is reset for a new cycle and the various cams are also in position for a new cycle. While electric motors are preferred. wind-up spring type motors may be used where the doll has only a simple offon switch, or no switch at all where one just winds up the motor and lets it start by releasing the wind-up key.

lclaim:

l. A doll which plays Peek-A-Boo by covering and exposing its eyes to view by head and hands movement comprising a torso; a head pivotally mounted on said torso for horizontal movement relative to said torso back and forth between a first head position and a second head position; eyes carried by said head; and a pair of arms terminating in hands, which hands are movable back and forth between a first hand position wherein said hands are in front of said eyes to cover said eyes when said head is in said first head position, and a second hand position wherein said hands are away from said eyes to expose said eyes when said head is in said first head position, said second head position being such that at least one of said eyes is exposed to view when said hands are in said first hand position, motor means, and actuating means for moving said head and said hands back and forth between said positions in a predetermined sequence including cam means driven by said motor. cam follower means mounted in said doll and in engagement with said cam means whereby said cam follower means oscillate back and forth by said engagement, and connecting means linking said head, and said hands and said cam follower means whereby oscillations of said cam follower means move said head and said hands back and forth between their respective first and second positions.

2. A doll according to claim 1, wherein each of said arms includes an upper arm carried by said torso and pivotally joined to a forearm at the elbow, said forearm pivoting in an arc transversely to the longitudinal axis of said upper arm whereby said hands are moved between said first and second hand positions.

3. A doll according to claim I, wherein said arms are pivotally mounted at the shoulders of said doll for an up and down vertical movement whereby said hands are moved between said first and second hand positions.

4. A dOll according to claim 1, wherein said arms are pivotally mounted at the shoulders of said doll for a horizontal movement whereby said hands are moved between said first and second hand positions.

5. A doll according to claim 1, which includes eyes pivotally mounted in said head and eye actuating means driven by said motor for moving said eyes.

6. A doll according to claim 1, wherein said actuating means for moving said hands back and forth includes two separate cams and independent cam followers each of which engage one of said separate cams whereby said hands are independently movable of each other between said positions.

7. A doll according to claim 1, wherein said actuating means for moving said hands back and forth is a single cam and a single carn follower and both of said hands are linked to said single cam follower whereby both of said hands move simultaneously together back and forth between said positions.

8. A doll according to claim 1, wherein said actuating means includes a first shaft supported within said torso, a pair of sleeves rotatably mounted on and supported on said first shaft, a cam follower fixed to each of said sleeves, resilient means disposed between said cam followers and said torso resisting rotation of said sleeves relative to said first shaft, a pair of cams disposed on a second shaft rotatably supported by said torso and being driven by said motor means, each of said cams being engagable with one of said cam followers whereby said cam followers and sleeves fixed thereto are rotated against the bias of said resilient means, said cams subsequently disengaging from said cam followers whereby said cam followers and sleeves fixed thereto are returned to their original position under the bias of said resilient means whereby said sleeves are oscillated to thereby move said hands back and forth between said hand positions.

Claims

1. A doll which plays Peek-A-Boo by covering and exposing its eyes to view by head and hands movement comprising a torso; a head pivotally mounted on said torso for horizontal movement relative to said torso back and forth between a first head position and a second head position; eyes carried by said head; and a pair of arms terminating in hands, which hands are movable back and forth between a first hand position wherein said hands are in front of said eyes to cover said eyes when said head is in said first head position, and a second hand position wherein said hands are away from said eyes to expose said eyes when said head is in said first head position, said second head position being such that at least one of said eyes is exposed to view when said hands are in said first hand position, motor means, and actuating means for moving said head and said hands back and forth between said positions in a predetermined sequence including cam means driven by said motor, cam follower means mounted in said doll and in engagement with said cam means whereby said cam follower means oscillate back and forth by said engagement, and connecting means linking said head, and said hands and said cam follower means whereby oscillations of said cam follower means move said head and said hands back and forth between their respective first and second positions.

3. A doll according to claim 1, wherein said arms are pivotally mounted at the shoulders of said doll for an up and down vertical movement whereby said hands are moved between said first and second hand positions.

7. A doll according to claim 1, wherein said actuating means for moving said hands back and forth is a single cam and a single cam follower and both of said hands are linked to said single cam follower whereby both of said hands move simultaneously together back and forth between said positions.