US3126670A

US3126670A - smith

Info

Publication number: US3126670A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1964-03-31
Anticipated expiration: 1981-03-31

Description

J. M. SMITH March 31, 19164 TOY 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 25, 1962 FIG. 2.

INVEN TOR. da/N M SM/ TH,

March 3'1, 1964 J. M. SMITH TOY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 23, 1962 NVENTOR. uo/-f/v A4. swf/TH, F/Gl 4u c United States Patent 3,126,670 TOY John M. Smith, 108 Broad St., Phillipsburg, NJ. Fired Feb. 23, 1962, ser. No. 175,193 10 Claims. (Cl. 46-240) This invention relates to animated toys, and in particular to a simulated steep-angle climb by a toy motorcycle.

It is an object of the invention to provide a toy as anoresaid which provides to the user an illusion of participation by means of handlebar controls for the powered device. Another object is to provide a combination of vehicle and course with no physical connection between the two, thus attaining a high degree of realism. A further object is to provide a feature in the control means adapted to effect sidewise deviations oi the vehicle from straight line motionduring its climb. A still further object is to provide means simulating the sound of a motorcycle engine, in association with the motive power in the toy.

These and other ends, which will be apparent, are attained by the present inyeniton, a preferred form of which is described in the following specification, as illustrated in the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the toy, showing the vehicle with rider at the bottom of the sloped course,

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the device of FlIGU-RE 1,

FIGURE 3 is a sectional View taken on the plane of the line 3 3 of FIGURE 2, `and somewhat enlarged in scale,

FIGURE 4 is a rear elevational View orf the device of FIGURE 1, as seen from [the right of FIGURE 1, and to the same scale as FIGURE 3,

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of a detail of the magnet taken on the line 5 5 of FIGURE 3, and

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view of a detail beneath the handle bar controls, taken `on the line 6 6 of FIG- URE 3.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, there is shown a hollow structure or enclosure, comprising a at base 10, sides 4152 and 14, and Ifront wall 16. This structure m-ay be fabricated from any suitable material such as wood, metal, plastic, or a combination of -materialsl yIn simulation of a steeply inclined motorcycle course, the top wall of the structure has an inclined, middle pontion 18, with a small level area 20 at the top, and a small level area 22 at the bottom. iSide

walls

12, 14, and front wall 16 are, off course, shaped and sized to comport with the three segments of the course.

The toy FIGURE A24, representing a rider mounted on a motorcycle is separate from the apparatus, but is held upright, and controlled as to position at :all times by a magnet 26, concealed Within a pocket formed by la partition 28, closely adjacent and parallel to the slant 18 and upper, level wall 20, and open to the rear, and having a lower end wall 30. For maximum lateral maneuverability of the rider, the partition wall 28 preferably extends lthe full width of the structure, but it will be understood that such width is not necessary at the lower end, and Ithe partition wall could, therefore, be fan-shaped, with sides diverging, in the upward direction, to attain the full width lof the structure at the top.

The magnet is xed to a carri-age 32, having looiped lower `and

upper ends

34, 36, which `form the points of contact with partition 28, and therefore minimize friction. The upper loop 36 carries a bridle 38, to which is anchored the end of a cord lor cable 411, by means of which the magnet is pulled upward in its cornpartment. The cord 40 passes over a pulley 42, carried by a yoke 44 on the outer end orf a boom 46, and leads to rice a winch or take-up shaft 48 within the enclosure. Windup of the cord onto the winch thus supplies the force which urges the magnet, and hence the vehicle and rider, up the incline. The |winch is journalled in a pair of

uprights

50, 52, and is `actuated by a low-powered motor 54, operating from a 110 volt line, dry cells or a transformer. The lleads to the motor are shown at 56, 58, and the apparatus will include a suitable switch. However, control of the winch is mechanical, as will be seen, and the motor may fbe left running for a series of operations.

For imparting the motor power to the winch the motor shaft carries a friction wheel 6i)l adapted to contact the periphery lof a larger lwheel 62 carried by the winch shaft. For this purpose the motor shaft is journalled in a pair of

arms

64, 66 which in turn are journalled on a shaft 68 carried by a pair of ears 70 on the winch standards 50', 52. The force of gravity normally holds drive wheel 6i) out of contact with driven wheel 62, and in order to effect `wind-up of the cord on the winch to pull the magnet upward, the motor is swung about shaft 68 by means of a control cord 72, connected with an external, manual control system 74 at the front ci the apparatus. The latter is in the form of a handlebar 7 6, with hand grips 7 8 of suitable material, which has the effect of giving the operator a feeling oif actual particination in the climb of the course.

Besides control of the motor, the system 74 is also arranged Ito swing the boom 46 in azimuth, to cause the vehicle to depart from a straight line course in its ascent. To this end, the central, upright tube Sil of -the handleblar is journalled in a circular opening in the upper Wall section 22 at the lower level of the course, the tube 8l) having a ilange 82 which dwells in the section 22 and limits downward movement of the tube. A bearing ring 84 is provided on the tube 80, within the enclosure, and the lower end lof the tube is received in an opening at the rear end of a horizontal section S6 of the boom 46. This boom section is secured to tube by la set screw 88 threaded in its end edge, and is so positioned that the bearing ring is #snugly held between the boom section and the inner surface of wall 22. Thus, the hoorn is not only secured for lmovement in azimuth by the handlebars, but 'also serves as a keeper for the journal mounting of the handlebar tube.

For actuating the motor control cord 72, one of the grips 78 carries lan axial spindle 90 which extends into one end of 'the handlebar tube, and to which the end of cord 72 is anchored, the cord being trained over a pulley 92 rotating on a pin 94 carried at the lower end of -tube 811, and passing up through tube Sil and a lateral arm of the handlebar to spindle 90. Turning of spindle 9d by rotation of the grip, 'causes the cord to wind up on the spindle, swinging vthe Imotor until drive wheel 56 is brought into contact with driven wheel 62. Since the motor is running, this initiates winding of cable 40 on the Winch, and 'the magnet 26 is 1drawn up the incline, carrying with it the motorcycle, the rear wheel area of which is locked in its magnetic field. In full-scale exercises in this sport, it is usual for the vehicle to weave from. side to side in negotiating a steep incline, and this condition is simulated by turning the handlebars 76, which swings the boom in azimuth, changing the direction of the pulling force 'and thus causing the motorcycle to change direction. Since no operative connections are visible loutwardly of the system eifects are quite realistic.

Only a very slight turn on the grip is sufficient to permit the wheel 56 to fall away from frictional engagement, or to restore it thereto, and therefore a delicate degree of control is attained. With the friction clutch inactivated, the magnet may be lowered in its compartment, by manual return of the rider, or both may return under the influence of gravity, if the rider is separated from the magnetic field. Descent of the magnet causes unwinding of the cord from the winch. If too much acceleration is imparted, in the ascent of the vehicle, the front wheel Will raise, causing the vehicle to flip and tumble to the bottom of the incline, thus providing another realistic effect.

In order to retain the magnet within its compartment at the top of the course, there is provided a keeper in the form of a rubber band 96, mounted on a pair of upright pins 98 located at the ends of the compartment, just beyond the upper end of the incline, and spanning substantially the entire width of the compartment.

In another feature attended with realism, a soundetfect unit is provided in conjunction with the motor, comprising an open-faced resonance box carrying a protruding, transversely disposed reed 102, which is contacted cyclically by a crank arm 104 carried by a hub or collar 166 on an end of the motor shaft. This simulates the sound of the motorcycle engine, and the system may be so adjusted that the sound is generated prior to clutch Contact, as well as during such contact. It follows that the sound will be more labored after clutch contact, which is compatible with actual conditions, and therefore further productive of realism.

While a certain preferred embodiment has been shown and described, various modifications will be apparent, in the light of this disclosure, and the invention should not, therefore, be deemed as limited, except insofar as shall appear from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A toy simulating an inclined vehicle course, comprising an enclosure with a flat base, a top wall with a low-level area, an inclined area and a high-level area, side walls, a front Wall at said low-level area, and an open rear face at said high-level area, a handlebar with a vertical tube journalled in said top wall within said low-level area, a boom within said enclosure having a horizontal portion secured to said tube, and an upwardly slanted portion extending to the level of said high-level area and rearwardly thereof, a pulley carried by the upper end of said boom, a partition within said enclosure arranged in parallelism to said top wall in its inclined area and in its highlevel area, a mount carrying a magnet, located in the passage between said partition and said top wall, a toy vehicle having magnetically responsive means adapted for placement on said top wall within the eld of said magnet, a winch within said enclosure and having a driven wheel, a motor swingably mounted within said enclosure and having a drive Wheel adapted to contact said driven wheel, a tow line secured to said magnet mount, trained over said pulley and secured to said winch for winding thereon, a rotatable grip having a spindle extending within said handlebar, a pulley carried by said tube of said handlebar, and a tow line secured to said spindle, passing through said handlebar, trained over said latter pulley, and secured to said motor, whereby to swing said drive wheel into engagement with said driven wheel.

2. A device as in claim l, said partition extending over substantially the entire width of said enclosure at the open face thereof.

3. A toy simulating an inclined vehicle course, cornprising an enclosure with a Hat base, a top wall with a low-level area, an inclined area and a high-level area, side walls, a front wall at said low-level area, and an open rear face at said high-level area, a handlebar with a vertical tube journalled in said top Wall within said low-level area, a boom within said enclosure secured to said tube, and extending to the level of said high-level area and rearwardly thereof, a pulley carried by the upper end of said boom, a partition within said enclosure arranged in parallelism to said top wall in its inclined area and in its high-level area, a mount carrying a magnet, located in the passage between said partition and said top wall, a toy vehicle having magnetically responsive means adapted for placement on said top wall within the eld of said magnet, a winch within said enclosure and having a driven wheel, a motor swingably mounted within said enclosure and having a drive wheel adapted to contact said driven wheel, a tow line secured to said magnet mount, trained over said pulley and secured to said winch for winding thereon, a rotatable grip having a spindle extending within said handlebar, a pulley carried by said tube of said handlebar, and a tow line secured to said spindle, passing through said handlebar, trained over said latter pulley, and secured to said motor, whereby to swing said drive wheel into engagement with said driven Wheel.

4. A toy simulating an inclined vehicle course, comprising an enclosure with a flat base, a top wall with a low-level area, an inclined area and a high-level area, side walls, a front wall at said low-level area, and an open rear face at said high-level area, a handlebar with a vertical tube journalled in said top wall within said low-level area, a boom within said enclosure secured to said tube, and extending to the level of said high-level area and rearwardly thereof, a pulley carried by the upper end of said boom, a partition within said enclosure arranged in parallelism to said top wall in its inclined area and in its highlevel area, a magnet located in the passage between said partition and said top wall, a toy vehicle having magnetically responsive means adapted for placement on said top wall Within the field of said magnet, a winch within said enclosure and having a driven wheel, a motor swingably mounted within said enclosure and having a drive wheel adapted to contact said driven wheel, a tow line secured to said magnet trained over said pulley and secured to said winch for winding thereon, a rotatable grip having a spindle extending within said handlebar, a pulley carried by said tube of said handlebar, and a tow line secured to said spindle, passing through said handlebar, trained over said latter pulley, and secured to said motor, whereby to swing said drive wheel into engagement with said driven wheel.

5. A toy simulating an inclined vehicle course, comprising an enclosure with a fiat base, a top Wall with a low-level area, an inclined area and a high-level area, side walls, a front wall at said low-level area, and an open rear face at said high-level area, a handlebar with a vertical tube journalled in said top wall within said lowlevel area, a boom within said enclosure secured to said tube, and extending to the level of said high-level area and rearwardly thereof, a pulley carried by the upper end of said boom, a partition Within said enclosure arranged in parallelism to said top wall in its inclined area and in its high-level area, a magnet located in the passage between said partition and said top Wall, a toy vehicle having magnetically responsive means adapted for placement on said top wall within the field of said magnet, a winch within said enclosure and having a driven wheel, a motor swingably mounted within said enclosure and having a drive Wheel adapted to contact said driven wheel, a tow line secured to said magnet, trained over said pulley and secured to said Winch for winding thereon, a spindle carried by said handlebar, a pulley carried by said tube of said handlebar, and a tow line secured to said spindle, passing through said handlebar, trained over said latter pulley, and secured to said motor, whereby to swing said drive wheel into engagement with said driven wheel.

6. A toy simulating an inclined vehicle course, comprising an enclosure with a flat base, a top wall with a low-level area, an inclined area and a high-level area, side walls, a front Wall at said low-level area, and an open rear face at said high-level area, a handlebar with a vertical tube journalled in said top wall within said low-level area, a boom within said enclosure secured to said tube, and extending to the level of said high-level area and rearwardly thereof, a partition within said enclosure arranged in parallelism to said top wall in its inclined area and in its high-level area, a magnet located in the passage between `said partition and said top wall, a toy vehicle having magnetically responsive means adapted for placement on said top wall within the eld of said magnet, a winch within said enclosure and having a driven wheel, a motor swingably mounted within said enclosure and having a drive wheel adapted to contact said driven wheel, a tow line secured to said magnet, trained over said boom and secured to said winch for winding thereon, a spindle carried by said handlebar, and a tow line secured to said spindle, passing through said handlebar, and secured to said motor, whereby to swing said drive wheel into engagement with said driven wheel.

7. A toy simulating an inclined vehicle course, cornprising an enclosure with a flat base, a top wall with a low-level area, an inclined area and a high-level area, side walls, a front wall at said low level area, and an open rear face at said high-level area, a handle bar with a vertical tube journalled in said top wall within said low-level area, a boom within said enclosure secured to said tube, and extending to the level of said high-level area and rearwardly thereof, a partition within said enclosure arranged in parallelism to said top wall in its inclined area and in its high-level area, a magnet located in the passage between said partition and said top wall, and adapted to hold, within its eld, a toy vehicle located above said top wall, a winch within said enclosure and having a driven wheel, a motor swingably mounted within said enclosure and having a drive wheel adapted to contact said driven wheel, a tow line secured to said magnet, trained over said boom and secured to said winch for winding thereon, a spindle carried by said handlebar, 30

and a tow line secured to said spindle, passing through said handlebar, and secured to said motor, whereby to swing said drive wheel into engagement with said driven wheel.

8. A toy simulating an inclined vehicle course comprising an enclosure having a top wall with an inclined section, and a partition defining a passage beneath said section, magnetic means freely movable within said passage, a winch in said enclosure, having a tow line connected to said magnetic means, a boom in said enclosure mounted for swinging movement about a vertical axis and having guide means for said tow line, control means for said boom having a handling portion outwardly of said enclosure, a drive motor for said winch, clutch means between said motor and said winch, and control means for said clutch means carried by said boom control means.

9. A device as in claim 8, said boom control means comprising a handlebar, and said clutch control means comprising a rotatable grip, and a cord running from said grip to said clutch.

l0. In a device as in claim l, a resilient stop means for said toy vehicle located in the compartment dened by said partition, in the region of said high-level area.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,447,363 Tozier Mar. 6, 1923 2,673,241 Leonard Mar. 30, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 516,305 Italy Feb. 21, 1955

Claims

8. A TOY SIMULATING AN INCLINED VEHICLE COURSE COMPRISING AN ENCLOSURE HAVING A TOP WALL WITH AN INCLINED SECTION, AND A PARTION DEFINING A PASSAGE BENEATH SAID SECTION, MAGNETIC MEANS FREELY MOVABLE WITHIN SAID PASSAGE, A WINCH IN SAID ENCLOSURE, HAVING A TOW LINE CONNECTED TO SAID MAGNETIC MEANS, A BOOM IN SAID ENCLOSURE MOUNTED FOR SWINGING MOVEMENT ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS AND HAVING GUIDE MEANS FOR SAID TOW LINE, CONTROL MEANS FOR SAID BOOM HAVING A HANDLING PORTION OUTWARDLY OF SAID ENCLOSURE, A DRIVE MOTOR FOR SAID WINCH CLUTCH MEANS BETWEEN SAID MOTOR AND SAID WINCH, AND CONTROL MEANS FOR SAID CLUTCH MEANS CARRIED BY SAID BOOM CONTROL MEANS.