US618155A - Toy rocking-horse - Google Patents

Description

Patented Jan. 24, |899.

F. WILFEHT.

TOY BOOKING HORSE.

(Application led Feb. 23. 1898.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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ilNiTnn STaTns lia/TENT FRANK IVIIJFERT, OF LEOMINSTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

TOY ROCKlNG-HORSE.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent NO. 618,155, dated January 24, 1899.

Application tiled February 23, 1898. Serial No. 671,361. (No model.)

To all whom it' may concern:

Beit known that I, FRANK WILFERT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Leominster, in the county of IVorcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Toy Rocking- IIorses, of which the following is a full and complete specification, such as will enable those skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates tol a toy rockinghorse in which the rocking motion of the horse is utilized to propel the frame upon which the horse is mounted; and the object is to provide a rocking-horse of this character which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, and in which the rocking motion of the horse is utilized in an eifective manner to propel the device.

The invention consists of a self-propelling rocking-horse constructed as hereinafter described, and dened in theclaim.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawings form a part, in which the separate parts of my improvement are designated by the saine letters of reference in each of the views, and in which- Figure l is an elevation of the improved rocking-horse constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a side view thereof, partly in section; and Fig. 3 is a top view.

In the drawings, A is a vertically-oscillatin g frame, upon which a toy horse is suitably mounted, and is constructed, preferably, of wood and is preferably rectangular in form. This frame is pivotally mounted upon a base B by means of hinge connections or in any other well-known manner. The forward end of the frame A is provided with a downwardlyextending flange a, in the front face of which is formed a vertical groove a. Aratchetplate d2, having downwardly-inclined ratchetteeth CLS, is supported within said groove by means of pins at, loosely sleeved through suitable openings d5 in the ilange a. Helical springs o are coiled about the pins of* and bear at one end against the ratchet-plate d2 and at the other end against the flange a, which serves to press the ratchet-plate forward into its operative position. Suitable means, such as transverse pins, are provided in the ends of the pins o* to prevent the accidental displacement of the ratchet-plate a2.

A suitable spring is arranged upon the base B and bears upon the under side of the frame A to return the front end of the said frame to its normal position, as shown in Fig. 1, and serves to impart the oscillating or rocking motion to the frame. The base B is also preferably made of wood and is rectangular in shape. The rear end of the base B is provided with a suitable truck b, the kingpin of which extends up through said base and is provided upon its upper end with a guide-bar b', which is adapted to receive the ends of a guide or steering rope. (Not shown.)

The forward portion of the base B is provided with a suitable opening, in which are secured parallel lugs b2, which serve as bearings for the two shafts C C', which are arranged parallel to each other and in different horizontal planes.

The shaft C is provided with a iixed wheel or roller O2, which is suitably roughened upon its periphery and which is adapted to bear upon the floor or ground. A pinion C3 is iixed upon the shaft O adjacent to the wheel C2 and in mesh with a gear-wheel C4, xed upon the shaft C. A ratchet-wheel C5 is also fixed to y the shaft C and is provided with upwardlyinclined ratchet-teeth which are adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet-plate a2.

It is obvious that many changes in the details of construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the scope of my invention.

The w`eight and motion of the rider and the force of the springs impart the rocking motion to the frame A. In its downward movement the teeth of the ratchet-plate engage the teeth of the ratchet-wheel C5 and cause the shaft C to revolve, and with it the gear C4, which in turn imparts a rotary motion to the pinion O3, causing the rotation of the wheel or roller C2 upon the. licor or ground, thereby propelling the apparatus in a forward direction. The direction of travel is controlled by the steering-rope, as is obvious. The springs bearing upon the ratchet-plate provide for a slight yielding of the-same and prevent any undue binding of the parts. The apparatus IOO is capable of rapid travel, which materially increases the pleasure derived by children from the use of such toys.

Ilavin g fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent-- The combination with a base plate or board B provided with a truck h beneath the rear end thereof, and an opening at the front end, of vertical lugs or standards secured to the base plate or board at each side of said opening, two parallel shafts journaled in said standards, and arranged in different horizontal planes, a wheel fixed upon the lower shaft, and extending downwardly through said opening, a pinion also xed upon saidshaft, a gear-Wheel fixed upon the upper shaft, and in mesh with said pinion, a ratchet-wheel also iixed on said upper shaft, and a verticallyoscillating plate or support hinged at its rear end to the base plate or board, a spring arranged between the front end of the frame or support and the base plate or board, and a spring-pressed ratchet-plate arranged in the

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