US817771A

US817771A - Mechanical toy.

Info

Publication number: US817771A
Application number: US27951805A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Helmer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1905-09-21
Filing date: 1905-09-21
Publication date: 1906-04-17
Anticipated expiration: 1923-04-17

Description

No. 817,771. PATENTED APR. 17, 1906. R. HELMER. MEGHANIGAL'TOY.

APPLIOATIOH FILED SEPT. 21, 1905.

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Wihwoazo w q No. 817,771. PATENTED APR. 17, 1906. R. HBLMER.

MECHANICAL TUY.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 21, 1905.

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MECHANICAL TOY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 17, 1906.

Application filed September 21,1905. Serial No. 279.518.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT HELMER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hector, in the county of Renville and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanical Toys, of which the following is a specification.

As a diversity in the line of toys actuated by movement the present invention provides a device of this character possessing peculiar characteristics, the same representing a hurdle race and a master, the jumpers pausing when reaching the hurdle before leaping over the same and the master being mounted to turn and urge the racers onward.

The invention consists, preferably, of a series of figures representing running horses arranged to travel in a circle, hurdles for the figures to leap over, actuating means for operating the figures, a track having inraced or serrated portions to effect a trotting move ment of the horses and projections opposite the hurdles to cause the horses to leap thereover, and operating means to effect a turning of the master and a quick movement to the arm carrying the whip.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings.

\Vhile the invention maybe adapted to different forms and conditions by changes in the structure and minor details without departing from the spirit or essential features thereof, still the preferred embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mechanical toy embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical central section thereof, showing the movement in full lines. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the toy having the rotary platform and attached figures omitted. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the platform as seen from the under side, showing the relation of the parts attached thereto. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of a figure and connections between it and the platform. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the instrumentality for effecting a turning of the master and a movement of the whip-carrying arm. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the brake mechanism.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The framework is hollow and is preferably of circular form and comprises a bottom 1 and rim 2, the lower portion of the latter projecting a short distance below the bottom 1, so as to support the brake and winding thumb-piece out of contact with the table or other support upon which the toy may be placed. An annular rest 3 projects inward from the upper portion of the rim 2 and constitutes a track and supports the hurdles 4. The platform 5 is preferably arranged in the plane of the rest 3 and has the movable fig.

ures, such as the horses and master, attached thereto. In the operation of the toy the platform 5 is rotated and carries the figures around in a circle.

Any suitable motor or means may be provided for imparting rotary movement to the platform, and, as illustrated, a clock-movement 6 of ordinary construction is employed and is secured to the bottom 1 and arranged within the framework, so as to be protected and housed thereby.

The center arbor 7 of the motor or clockmovement is extended at each end, so as to project beyond the bottom 1 and the platform 5, the upper end being secured to the platform to compel the latter to rotate there with and the lower projecting end cooperating with' a brake by means of which the speed of the motor may be controlled. Concentric with the arbor or shaft 7 is arranged a circular track 8, whose upper edge is inraced, serrated, or embedded to provide a series of teeth or projections 9, whose edges similarly curve in opposite directions, so as to impart a jogging movement to the figures or horses when carried around in a circle. Opposite to each of the hurdles 4 the track 8 is provided with projections 10, which extend to a higher elevation than the teeth or projections 9 and which have their opposite edges reversely inclined, so as to impart to the horses or figures a rising-and -falling movement corresponding to that produced by a horse when leaping over a hurdle. The relative size and inclination of the edges of the projections 10 will depend upon the height of the hurdles and the nature and size of the leaping figures, so as to produce the desired eifectnamely, to simulate the life-like action of a leaping animal. The track 8 preferably consists of a ring having a vertical arrangement and secured at its lower edge to the bottom 1. The running figures 11 represent horses having jointed limbs and are supported by means of arms 12 and 13, the latter being pivotally connected at opposite ends to, respectively, the figure and the platform, whereas the arm 13 is composed of articulated parts which are jointed at 14 and are pivotally connected at opposite ends to, respectively, the figure and the platform. Each of the arms 12-and 13 is composed of angularly-disposed members, one of which projects horizontally and the other in an upright or substantially vertical. direction. Lateral offsets 15 project outward. from the arms at the point of divergence of their respective members and are arranged to travel upon the inraced, serrated, or toothed edge of the track 8. The parts are so arranged that when an offset of one arm is upon the crest of a tooth or projection the offset of the companion arm is in the notch or indenture formed between adjacent teeth or projections, and as a result of this arrangement the figure, in addition to receiving a vertical reciprocating movement, is at the same time oscillated, presenting the appearance of a trotting horse. It is essential that one of the arms be rigid throughout its length in order to maintain the figure in normal position, and by preference the rear arm 12 is formed in this manner. The offsets 15 consist of folds resulting from doubling a part of the arms upon itself. The upper portion of the arm 13 1s jointed to the upper member of the fold of the lower part, as shown most clearly in Fig. 5. The projections 10 have their upper edges straight and their front and rear edges oppositely inclined, the upper straight edge serving to support either the front or hind portion of the figure during its passage over the hurdle, whereas the front and rear inclined edges give to the figure the leaping action. The arms may be pivotally connected to the figures and platform in any manner so long as provision is had for accomplishing the result specified.

The figure 16, representing the master, is mounted upon a stand 17, from which a spindle 18 is pendent and journaled to the platform 5 a short distance from its center or the arbor 7. The lower end of the spindle 18 is provided with a iii-wheel 19, the arms of which are adapte in the rotation of the platform to come in contact with a trip 20, GX- tended upward from the bottom 1 of the framework, so as to cause the spindle and figure 16 to partly turn at each operation of the pin-wheel. There may be as many trips 20 as desired. The master is located eccentric withreference to the platform 5, and hence travels around in a circle therewith and at the same time receives an independent rotary movement due to the arms of the pinwheel 19 coming in contact with the trip 20.

The arms of the figure of the master 14 are jointed to the body, and in the hand of one of the arms is carried a whip or rod 21, which simultaneously with the turning of the master with the spindle 18 receives a movement approximating the action of lashing or snapping the whip to urge the runners forward. This movement of the whip 21 is effected by the instrumentality shown most clearly in Fig. 6, the same consisting of a lever 22, pivotally connected to the base 17 at 23 and having one end connected by wire 24 with a crank 25, attached to the movable arm 26 of said figure. A series of cams 27 have a concentric arrangement with reference to the spindle 18 and are attached to the platform 5. j

The end of the lever 22 opposite to that connected with the part 24 is arranged to travel upon the cams 27 and is actuated thereby to impart an oscillatory movement to said lever, which in turn is transmitted to the whip car rying the arm 26 by means of the connection. 24. A pin 28 is pendent from the base 17 and holds the lever 22 in proper position. The brake for controlling the action of the toy cooperates with the arbor or shaft 7 and consists of companion members 29, arranged to embrace opposite sides of the projecting end thereof, said arms being preferably parts of a spring-clip pivotally connected at the closed end to the bottom 1 and adapted to have the free ends drawn together by the threaded end of a rod 30, arranged beneath the bottom 1 and projecting beyond the rim 2 and provided with a handle 31. By rotating the rod 30 in one direction. the members 29 may be caused to clip the arbor or shaft 7 with sufficient force to prevent action of the toy, even though the driving-spring may be wound, and by turning the rod 30 in the op posite direction the members 29 are permitted to spread and release the shaft, so that the toy may operate in the event of its being wound.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In a mechanical toy and in combination with a movable figure, an inraced track, and spaced connections between said. figure and track arranged with reference to the teeth or projections to cause opposite end portions of the figure to receive a simultaneous inverse movement at the same time the figure is carried forward. I

2. In a mechanical toy, and in combination with a movable figure, a projection, and spaced connections cooperating with said figure and projection to impart to the figure a leaping action simultaneous with its for- Ward movement.

3. In a mechanical toy, the combination of a movable figure, a projection arranged in the path thereof and having oppositelyin clined edge portions, and spaced arms extended from the figure and adapted to colIO operate with said projection to impart a leaping action to the figure simultaneously with its forward movement.

4. In a mechanical toy, the combination of a movable figure, an inraced track having projections separating the indentations or serrations, and cooperating means between the figure and said track actuated by means of the indentations and projections thereof to impart to the figure a trotting movement during a portion of its forward movement and a leaping action during certain other portions of its travel, substantially as set forth.

5. In a mechanical toy, the combination of a movable figure, an inraced track, and arms extended from the figure .and having offset portions to travel upon the inraced portion of the track to impart a jogging action to the figures simultaneous with its forward movement.

6. In a mechanical toy, the combination of a movable figure, a movable support therefor, spaced arms having pivotal connection with respectively, said figure and support, and an inraced track cooperating with said arms to impart a jogging movement to the figure simultaneous with its forward movement.

7. In a mechanical toy, the combination of a movable figure, a travel-support therefor, spaced arms having pivotal connection with respectively, the figure and its support, one of said arms being rigid throughout its length and the other composed of articulating parts, and an inraced track cooperating with said arms to impart a jogging action to the figure simultaneously with its forward movement.

8. In a mechanical toy, the combination of a figure, a movable support therefor, spaced arms pivotally connecting said figure with said support and having a portion of each folded to provide an offset, and an inraced track cooperating with the offsets of said arms to impart a jogging action to the figure simultaneously with its forward movement.

9. In a mechanical toy, the combination of a figure, a movable support therefor, an inraced track, and spaced arms having pivotal connection with respectively, the said figure and support, one of said arms being rigid and the other composed of articulating parts, and each of said arms having a portion folded to provide an offset, the parts of the jointed arm articulating upon a member of the folded portion thereof.

10. In a mechanical toy, the combination of a movable figure, hurdles arranged in the path of said figure, a track having projections opposite to the hurdles and having the portions between said projections inraced or serrated, and cooperating means between the movable figure and track to impart a jogging action to the figure when traveling between the hurdles and a leaping action when clearing said hurdles.

11. In a mechanical toy, the combination of an annular rest provided at intervals with hurdles, a movable figure, an annular track concentric with the rest and the path of travel of said figure and having projections opposite to the hurdles and inraced portions opposite the spaces formed between said hurdles, and supporting-arms for said figure having parts arranged to travel upon the inraced and projecting portions of the track to impart a trotting and leaping action to the figure in its forward movement, substantially as set forth.

12. In a mechanical toy, the combination of a movable figure, a second figure representing a master, means for imparting a bodily movement to said master, and other means for giving motion to a member of said master independent of the bodily movement.

13. In a mechanical toy, the combination of a figure having jointed members and mounted to turn about an axis, means for imparting rotary movement to said figure, a series of cams-concentric with the axis of the figure, and cooperating means between a member of the figure and said cams to cause the member to receive a movement independent of the rotary movement of the fi ure.

let. In a mechanical toy, the combination of a rotary support, a figure mounted upon said support for independent rotary movement and having jointed members, a pinwheel connected with the axis of said figure, a trip arranged in the path of the members of said pin-wheel to effect intermittent rotation of the figure, a series of cams concentrio-with the axis of said figure, and cooperating means between a member of the figure and said cams.

15. A mechanical toy comprising a platform, means for imparting rotary movement thereto, a series of figures, arms loosely connecting said figures with the platform, an inraced track cooperating with said arms to impart a jogging action to thefigures, an-

other figure representing a master and comprising jointed members, one of which carries a whip or like article, means for imparting intermittent rotary movement to the master, and other means for actuating the whip-carrying arm.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT HELMER. Witnesses:

HENRY NoBBs, RALPH PREsooTT.