US3082573A - Toy - Google Patents

Description

March 26, 1963 Filed Jan. 15, 1960 W. P. KANTZ TOY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W//// "am P. Kan 2"2 INVENTOR.

ATTO/FA/L'KI March 26, 1963 Filed Jan. 15, 1960 W. P. KANTZ TOY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Kan zz INVENTOR.

Unite The present invention relates to a toy and more particularly to a device which simulates a man withdrawing a pistol or other firearm from a holster or the like.

With the advent of television and the large number of so-called Westerns shown thereon, a considerable amount of interest in rapidly drawing a pistol from a holster has been created, and children and adults throughout the nation are engaged in contests of skill to see how fast they are on the draw.

The device of the present invention serves as an opponent for a person drawing and firing a pistol or other weapon. It is therefore an important object of the present invention to test or measure the skill of a person in withdrawing a pistol or other firearm from a holster or the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a toy which simulates a man withdrawing a pistol from a holster.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved toy which simulates the drawing and firing of a pistol and which my also provides a target which when hit or activated will cause a signal either visible or audible to be produced.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved toy which may be manufac tured and sold at a relatively low price wherein a person may improve his skill in the rapid drawing and firing of a pistol or other firearm.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus which simulates the fast draw of a firearm and which may be used as a toy, game or amusement device and also as a means for testing ones skill in the art of rapidly drawing a pistol or other firearm from a holster or the like.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for simulating the draw of a firearm wherein the speed of the drawing may be adjusted to various rates.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereof.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and where- FIG. 1 is a front elevation illustrating the overall device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation illustrating the arm movement of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation of the device of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view showing a portion of the structural details of the movable arm and the speed control means;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation illustrating the details of the arm moving means;

FIG. 6 is a view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a top view slightly tilted illustrating the sound producing means; and

FIG. 8 is a side view of a portion of the means for adjusting the speed control mechanism.

Referring now to the drawings, the device of the present invention is indicated generally at F and includes a frame 12 which is illustrated as a cut out or model of a man rates Patent 0 3,882,573 Fatented Mar. 26, 1963 Ice in western attire similar to a large paper doll. The device F includes generally a movable arm 14 pivotally mounted on the frame 12, a mechanism or means R for raising and lowering the arm 14, a speed control adjustment means S wherein the rate of speed at which such arm 14 is raised may be varied, and a movable target T representing a portion of the figure portrayed, the details all of which will be explained hereinafter.

As illustrated in the drawings and best seen in FIGS. 1-3, the cut out or image portion 12 of the device F is of sufiiciently heavy material to serve as the frame 12. A pair of identical'members 13 are attached perpendicularly to the lower end portions 12a. of the frame 12 by nails, screws, glue or other suitable means and act as a stand to keep the frame 12 substantially erect. It should also be noted that the picture 12" of the cowboy on the figure portion 12' of the frame 12 may be drawn or painted directly on the frame 12 or may be attached to the frame by any suitable means such as staples, glue or the like. Such picture 12" could also be of any other character as desired, such as Indians, soldiers, cartoon characters or even animals if desired.

In the device F of the present invention, the right arm 14 is movable and comprises a pair of identical upper arm members 14a connected together at their upper ends by a pin 15 which is pivotally mounted on the block 16 which is glued, nailed or otherwise suitably fixed to the frame 12. A hole 16a is placed in the block or support member 16which is adapted to receive the pin 15. The lower ends of the upper arm members 14a are connected together by a second pin 17 which also connects the upper ends of a pair of identical forearm members 14b to each other and to the upper arm members thereby simulating an elbow.

An annular ring 18 is positioned over or is formed integrally with the forearm members 1411. A pin 21 extending through the members 141) connects themovable arm 14 to the arm raising mechanism R which will be ex plained hereinafter. The lower ends of the members 14b are connected by a smaller annular ring 19 which is welded or otherwise suitably attached or formed there with and which is smaller in diameter than the ring 18.

A cloth or otherwise suitable sleeve 14' is placed over the entire arm 14 thereby giving the arm the appearance of a human arm and also neatly covering the mechanism and parts of the arm 14. A hand 51 with a pistol 52 held therein is sewn or otherwise attached to the sleeve 14'. Such hand 51 and gun 52 may be integrally con structed together and made of any suitable material such as wood, plastic, metal or even paper. V

The gun 52 rests in a holster 53 which is attached to the frame 12 at a suitable place by glue, nails, screws or other suitable means and is adapted to receive the gun 52. The front of the holster 53 has a longitudinal opening or slot 53a therein which is large enough to permit the gun 52 to move therethrough.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings, the mechanism R for raising and lowering the arm 14 is illustrated in detail and shows the position of the various parts of the means R when the arm 14 is in a substantially vertical or hanging position as seen in solid lines in FIG. 2. The mechanism R is preferably placed on the back of the frame 12 and next to the movable arm 14 A covering or box 22 is also preferably used to cover the mechanism R and is attached to the frame 12 by screws 22' or other suitable means. A shaft 23 is mounted between a pair of bearings or pillow blocks 24 which are attached to the frame 12 by any suitable means such as screws or the like.

A lever or arm 25 having a longitudinal slot 25a therein which is adapted to receive the pin 21 is connected at one end 25!) to the shaft 23 so as to move therewith. A foot 250 is formed on the other end 25d of the lever 25 and has a shoulder 25c on which rests the latch finger 61, the details of which will be explained hereinafter.

One end 27a of a spring 27 is attached to the end 251) of the lever 2'5 and coiled around the shaft 23 and the other end 2712 is attached to a ring or eye 28 which is fixed to the frame 12. The spring 27 is mounted in such manner that when the lever 25 is in the position as viewed in FIGS. and 6 the spring 27 is under compres sion so as to urge the lever 25 and the shaft 23 in a clockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 5) until the shoulder 25e of the lever 25 contacts the stop 29.

An ordinary toy percussion cap 71 may be placed on the shoulder 29a of the stop 29 by an adhesive or other suitable means so that when the shoulder 25e of the lever 25 makes contact with the shoulder 29:: the cap 71 will explode to simulate the firing of a gun.

The latch mechanism L comprises a latch finger 61 pivotally mounted at 62' in a trip block 62 which finger 61 is prohibited from further counterclockwise movemnent as viewed in FIG. 5. The block 62 is attached to the frame 12 by means of a hinge 63' and also by a spring 64 which tends to urge the block 62 against the foot 250 of the movable arm or lever 25. A string or cord 65 is attached to one end of the block 62 so that a pull on the string 64- will cause the block 62 to move downwardly (see FIG. 5) thereby moving the latch finger 61 away from contact with the foot 250 of the arm 25 thereby permitting the spring 27 to urge the arm or lever 25- around to the stop or cap receiving means 29.

A substantially U-shaped track or channel 30 is attached to the frame 12 by screws 31 or any other suitable means which is adapted to receive one end 21a of the pin 21 slidably therein. One side 2212 of the cover 22 has a slot 22b therein substantially U-shaped and similar and parallel to the channel 30' thereby preventing the cover 22 from obstructing the pin 21 as the pin 21 moves throughout the channel member 30'. As the forearm 14b is connected to the end portion 210 of the pin 21, the forearm 14b follows the same path of movement as the pin 21 in the channel 30. Also as the pin 21 is inserted through the longitudinal slot 25a of the lever 25, the pin 21 is forced along the channel 30 by the lever 25 when such lever is caused to move by the action of the spring 27 upon the release of the latch finger 61.

FIG. 2. illustrates the movement of the arm 14 from its hanging position (in solid lines) to its raised position (in dotted lines). Such raising of the forearm 14" occurs when the lever 25 forces the pin 21 from the position of the pin 21 as shown in solid line in FIG. 5 to the position of the pin 21 as. illustrated in dotted line in FIG. 5. The movement of the forearm simulates the drawing of a pistol from a holster and could of course also simulate the drawing of various types of weapons from the side or belt or other suitable place.

After the mechanism R has been activated as described above it is necessary to recock or return the arm 14 to drawing position. This is accomplished by means of the arm lowering mechanism generally designated at C. The

means C include the lever 41 which is'pivotally. con nected at 42 in the'frarne 12 and integrally formed or otherwise connected to a ratchet 43 having teeth 43a which mesh with the gear wheel 44 fixed ,to the shaft 23 soas r to rotate therewith.

As the lever 25 moves clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 5, the gear 44 is also moved clockwise and in turn moves the ratchet 43 downwardly. Thus after the latch 61 has been released and the lever 25 has been moved to its stop position against the stop or cap mount 29, the righthand end 41a of the lever 41 has-been moved to its uppermost position. From such uppermost position and by pushing downwardly on the right-hand end 41a of 4 the lever 41, the lever 41 is caused to pivot around the pivot 42. Such movement causes the ratchet 43 to move the gear 44, shaft 23, and lever 25- counterclockwise and to move the pin 21 from upper dotted line position to lower solid line position. Then as the lever 41 moves toward its cocked or armed position asviewed in FIG. 5 and makes contact with the latch finger 61, the cord 65 is pulled downwardly thereby moving the latch finger 61 from the path of the lever foot 25c and permitting the lever 25 to be moved to such armed or cocked position. By holding the right-hand end 41c of the lever 41 downwardly the lever 25 may be retained in its cocked position until the cord 65 is released and the latch finger 61 returned to the position of contact with the shoulder 25c of the foot 250 of the lever 25 as viewed in FIG. 5.

The speed at which the forearm 14 is raised may be varied by the size and tension of the spring 27; however, a separate speed control mechanism 8 is provided which can be rapidly adjusted and which provides several rates of speed. The speed control mechanism 8 includes the rod or shaft 81 on which a weight 82 is fixedly positioned on one end 81a thereon. Such rod 81 and weight 82 are inserted through the ring 19 and between the forearm members 141') and slidably connected on the members 141) by means of- L-shaped clamps 83 (see FIGURE 4).

The other end 81b of the rod 81 is inserted through an opening or hole 52a (FIG. 8) in the gun 52 and is welded or otherwise suitably attached to a bolt 84 or the like (see FIG. 8). A slot 521) is located in the top of the barrel of the gun 52 and extends into the enlarged portion 520 of the opening 52a and such slot 52b is adapted to receive the bolt 84. A plurality of recesses 52d adapted to receive the lower end of the bolt 83' are positioned in the opening 520 longitudinally and in line with each other at appropriate intervals. A spring 85 is placed on the bolt 84 so as to force the bolt 84 downwardly and thereby locking the bolt 84 in a recess 52d when positioned therein. The weight 82 is easily slid along the member 14b by first raising bolt 34 out of the recess 52d in which it is then positioned and then sliding the bolt '84 to the next desired recess 52d. Suitable slots 52c are located on top of the barrel of the gun 52 which correspond to the recesses 52d thereby making it easy to locate the recesses 52:! and insert the bolt 84 therein. The speed with which the forearm 14" is raised is varied by moving the weight 82 longitudinally with the forearm member 1415. As the weight 82 is moved towards the gun 52 the weight which the spring 27 must overcome in order to raise the forearm 14-" is increased thereby slowing the movement of the forearm 14 and vice versa.

Different positions of the weight 82 could easily be preselected so that each weight position corresponded to a known rate of speed or amount of time consumed in completing the draw action from the release of the latch finger 61 to the firing of the cap '71. A simple positive means of timing ones draw is therefore provided.

To further make the device of the present invention even more realistic and provide a test of a persons shooting skill as well as his drawing skill a suitable target T of the frame or FIGURE 12 is cut out and attached to the frame 12 by means of a hinge 91. The target T is preferably located in the general area of the heart and is hinged so as to move backwards when hit.

A small megaphone or partial'cone 92 is attached perpendicularly to the rear of the target T by brackets 93 or other suitable means and a flexible finger 94 is mounted at the mouth of the megaphone 92 on a pin 95 inserted therethrough. As the target T is hit the flexible finger 94 is forced into contact with a gear 96 or the like, the operation of which will be explained hereinafter. Since the 7 gear 96 is rotating a noise is produced and amplified by the cone 92 and the target T therefore signals when it is hit. Such signal could easily be changed to flash a light by closing a circuit or other means, and similarly ring a hell or produce other sounds or signals.

The device which produces rotation in the gear 96 includes the shaft 23 of the mechanism R on which a pully 97 and belt 98 are mounted thereon so as to rotate therewith. The belt 98 is operably connected to a smaller pulley 99 on a shaft 100' on which the gear 96 is positioned. The shaft 100 is mounted on the bearing support member or journal 101 attached to the frame 12 on one end and to the bearing 102 on the support member 103 attached to the frame 12. The gear 96 is therefore placed in rotation when the forearm 14 is raised as explained above.

The device F as illustrated is preferably of life size thereby making the effect of the device F more life-like. The image or cutout 12' might even be made of paper in which case the frame 12 could be a vertical member with one or two side members extending therefrom to provide stability as needed or desired.

In operating the device F the cord 65 is pulled downwardly as viewed in FIG. 5 thereby releasing the latch finger 61 from the foot 25c of the lever 25. The spring 27 which is under tension then urges the lever 25 clockwise as viewed in FIG. 5 and likewise the shaft 23. The movement of the lever 25 urges the pin 21 through the length of the channel 30 to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 5 and therefore raises the forearm 14" from its hanging position in solid lines (FIG. 2) to its raised position in dotted lines (also FIG. 2). Simultaneously with the movement of the lever 25, the gear 44 is rotated with the shaft 23 and causes the ratchet 43 to move downwardly, the lever 41 to pivot at 42 and the right end 41a of the lever 41 to be raised to its uppermost position. Also simultaneously with the movement of the lever 25, the pulley 97 is rotated, thereby driving the belt 98 which drives the pulley 99 and in turn the shaft 100 which causes the gear 96 to be rotated. When the shoulder 25e of the lever fo'ot 25c reaches the stop 29 the cap 71 will explode and the mechanism R is halted.

The lever 41 may then be moved downwardly by pressing on the righthand end 41a of the lever 41 to rearm or reset the mechanism R as explained above.

The present invention has many uses such as a toy, game of skill, target and testing apparatus for speed of gun draw. It is generally anticipated however that such device F will largely be employed as a toy. In such case, the person using the device F will be equipped with a holster and a gun, which gun preferably shoots a harmless pellet such as a suction cup or other type of harmless pellet. The person so equipped will stand within range of the target and will simultaneously draw his own gun as he pulls the string which activates the device F as explained above. If the person is faster on the draw than the device F and also hits the target T, the device F will produce the sound resulting from the finger 94 making contact with the gear 96 before the cap 71 is exploded. Thus if a person hears the noise before he hears the cap explosion he knows he was faster on the draw than the device F. Conversely if he hears the cap noise first, then he is dead as the device F beat him to the draw. Of course if there is much relative difference between the individuals draw and the device Fs draw, such difference would also be perceptible by the eye.

From the foregoing description, it is believed evident that the present invention can be put to many interesting and entertaining uses.

It should be noted that the latch finger 61 could be urged to vertical position as viewed in FIG. 5 by a conventional spring (not shown) thereby eliminating the hinge 63.

In lieu of the spring 27 connected to the lever 25, a motor -(not shown) could be connected to the shaft 23.

In such case, the motor would have a conventional switch actuated when the cord or line 65 is pulled. The motor could be turned off manually with an electrical switch or turned off automatically upon the arm or lever 25 reaching its top position.

Also, the arm 14 may be constructed of one piece without pivoting at the elbow, in which case the shape of the channel 30 would be changed to merely raise the complete arm from a hanging position to a substantially horizontal position.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape, and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction, may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A firearm draw simulating device, comprising a frame, an arm, said arm having an upper arm and a forearm pivotally connected together, said upper arm pivotally connected to said frame, means for raising said forearm from an approximately vertical position to an approximately horizontal position, said last named means including a lever having a longitudinal slot therein, a pin adapted to be positioned in said longitudinal slot, said pin connected to said forearm, a member having an approximate- 13/ U-shaped slot therein, said U-shaped slot adapted to receive said pin, and means for moving said lever whereby said pin is moved in said U-shaped slot thereby causing said forearm to be raised to simulate an arm drawing a firearm.

2. The structure recited in claim 1 wherein said means for moving said lever includes a spring connected to said lever, and a means for rewinding said spring after said spring has been unwound and returning said lever to its position prior to moving said lever.

3. A toy whereby the rapid drawing of a pistol is simulated, comprising a frame, an upper arm pivotally connected to said frame whereby a shoulder is simulated, a forearm pivotally connected to said upper arm whereby an elbow is simulated, means for raising said forearm from a lower position to a higher position relative thereto, said last named means including a lever having a longitudinal slot therein, said lever adapted to pivot at one end, a pin attached to said forearm and adapted to be positioned in said longitudinal slot, an approximately U-shaped slot through which said pin is moved by said lever as said lever is moved, latch means for retaining said lever in a position wherein said forearm is approximately vertical, and means for releasing said latch means thereby causing said lever to pivot and guide said pin in said U-shaped slot whereby said forearm is raised from its approximately vertical position to an approximately horizontal position.

4. The structure in claim 1, including means for retaining an explosive cap in a position for engagement by a portion of said lever when said lever reaches the end of its travel for exploding the explosive cap thereby making a noise simulating the firing of a gun.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 476,895 Pyle June 14, 1892 733,409 Macko July 14, 1903 1,266,494 Lakin May 14, 1918 1,305,653 Lassalle June 3, 1919 1,616,462 Miller Feb. 8, 19 27 2,279,603 Wallis Apr. 14, 1942 2,404,653 Plebanek July 23, 1946 2,432,596 Tingdale Dec. 16, 1947 2,580,413 Dietze Jan. 1, 1952 2,894,356 Campdera Sala July 14, 1959 2,957,693 Ross Oct. 25, 1960

Claims (1)

1. A FIREARM DRAW SIMULATING DEVICE, COMPRISING A FRAME, AN ARM, SAID ARM HAVING AN UPPER ARM AND A FOREARM PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TOGETHER, SAID UPPER ARM PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID FRAME, MEANS FOR RAISING SAID FOREARM FROM AN APPROXIMATELY VERTICAL POSITION TO AN APPROXIMATELY HORIZONTAL POSITION, SAID LAST NAMED MEANS INCLUDING A LEVER HAVING A LONGITUDINAL SLOT THEREIN, A PIN ADAPTED TO BE POSITIONED IN SAID LONGITUDINAL SLOT, SAID PIN CONNECTED TO SAID FOREARM, A MEMBER HAVING AN APPROXIMATELY U-SHAPED SLOT THEREIN, SAID U-SHAPED SLOT ADAPTED TO RECEIVE SAID PIN, AND MEANS FOR MOVING SAID LEVER WHEREBY SAID PIN IS MOVED IN SAID U-SHAPED SLOT THEREBY CAUSING SAID FOREARM TO BE RAISED TO SIMULATE AN ARM DRAWING A FIREARM.

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