US1195792A - Tot-stage construction - Google Patents

Description

LA. DUNIGAN. TOY STAGE CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED. MAR. 1]. ma.

Patented Aug. 22, 1916.

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J. A. DUNIGA N.

TOY STAGE CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 17,1916.

1 1 95,792 I Pafented Aug. 22, 1916.

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TOY STAGE CONSTRUCTION. APEPLICATION FILIED MAR. 17. 1916.

1,1 95,792. Patented. Aug. 22, 1916.

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JAMES ANDREW DUNIGAN, OF ALBANY, NEW YORK.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 22, 1916.

Application filed March 17, 1916. Serial No. 84,907.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMEs A. DUNIGAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Albany, in the county of Albany and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Toy-Stage Construction, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a toy theater or stage construction, and one of its objects s to provide a stage construction which is simple and inexpensive and admits of the use of moving figures in giving different performances or stage productions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a toy theater or stage construction wherein the stage platform and casing forming the inclosing walls of the stage are constructed so as to be made inexpensively of suitable material which may be initially packed within a box or receptacle for sale and then set up for'use, or which may be initially set up 'forsale in condition for use.

and so as to be packed within a container of convenient size.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a stage construction which will admit of the use of suitable scenery and in which the performers, consisting of figures of suitable material, are moved into and out of vision upon an endless belt web which may be operated from a concealed point at the rear of the stage.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a toy theater or stage construction in which circus or similar acts may also be performed in an interesting manner.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of a toy theater stage constructed in accordance with my invention and showing the curtain raised and certain performers in position. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a top plan view. Fig- 4 isa sectional plan view on the line 4.-4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a vertical transverse section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 2. Fig. 8 is a vertical transverse section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the casing body. Fig. 10 is a detail view showing a feature of construction. Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 4 and showing the use of a rotary ring element. Fig. 12 is a section on the line 1212 of Fig. 11.

In carrying my invention into practice, I provide a base or foundation 1 which is preferably made of wood or metal, but may be made of other suitable material, and which comprises a top 2 forming the stage or platform and depending side pieces 3, which support said floor or platform at a suitable elevation. Extending centrally and rearwardly from the said platform portion of the base is a bracket arm 5 having bifurcated or slotted end portions 6 and 7,

which bracket arm is connected with the platform portion by fastenings 8 and is rigidly stayed from said platform portion y braces 9.

The floor 2 is provided with a guide slot 10 extending completely across the same and intersecting the upper ends of guide slots 11 formed in the side pieces 3. -These slots are provided for the guided movement across the stage platform of a portion of the base portion of a triangularly-shaped belt or web 12 which passes at its vertex portion around a drive wheel or roller 13 journaled in the slotted front end 6 of the bracket-arm 5, said wheel beingmounted upon a vertical shaft 141 having an angular head 15 at its upper end adapted to receive a crank handle or other suitable actuating element 16, whereby the movable belt, tape or web may be driven. As shown, the wheel 13 is preferably provided with spurs or pins 17 which are adapted to grip the belt and impart a positive driving motion thereto in such a manner as to prevent the belt from slipping.

The sides of the belt pass around rounded guide members 18 formed of card-board or other suitable material and secured to the side pieces 3, preferably by gluing or pasting, and the said belt as shown comprises a pair of strips 19 and 20 sewed or otherwise united at their lower ends, as indicated at 21, and free at their upper ends from each other, the strips thus forming a channel to receive a base extension 22 of movable figures 23, which are thus adapted to be held or clamped between the strips or folds of the belt by the walls of the slot 10 for movement across the stage floor 2 in either directhe underside of the floor 2 in a suitablebracket 25, and the portion of the belt which engages said roller is held in contact therewith by a ribbon spring 26 secured to the floor at the opposite side of the slot 10 from the roller 24, by means of which the belt will be pressed against said roller and prevented from slipping, while its folds will be held securely closed as long as they are disposed within the slot.

Rising from the foundation or base is a casing 27 forming the walls or inclosure of the stage, the said casing comprising a base or bottom surface 28, side walls 29, a top wall 30, a rear wall 31 and a front or proscenium wall 32 having the proscenium opening 33. These portions of the casing are preferably made of cardboard or other sultable material, which may be printed or colored as desired to represent the simulated portions of a stage, and preferably the base, side walls, top wall and rear wall are made of a single piece of material, as illustrated particularly in Fig. 9. 'As shown, the base 28 is pasted or otherwise suitably secured to the floor 2, and the side walls 29 are integral therewith and bent upwardly therefrom, while the wall 30 is integral with one of the side walls 29, as is also one of the side edges of the rear wall 31. The side walls are designed in practice to be united to the base by suitable strips of paper or other material pasted thereto and are preferably also pasted or otherwise secured to uprights 34:, made of wood or other rigid material, and fixed to and extending upwardly from the foundation. The base and side portions 28 and 29 of the casing are formed with slots 34: and 35 which register with the slots 10 and 11 in the foundation, and, as shown, the free end of the top wall 30 is pasted or otherwise suitably fastened to the opposite sidewall 29 which it overlaps, while the free edge of the wall 30 is provided with a. slotted projection 36 engaged by a tongue or flap 37 on the said side wall 29, whereby said wall 31 is held in closed position. This wall 31 preferably forms a hinged or swinging door at the back of the stage, by means of which access may be secured to the interior of the stage inclosure, for the purpose of inserting and removing scenery and other accessories. The scenery may be represented by printing the inner surfaces of the walls of the easing, or by pasting printed strips of paper thereto, or removable scenic elements may be employed to represent the back ground;

flies, scenic means, etc., so that the stage may be set for any desired production.

The front or proscenium wall 32 is pro vided upon the front face thereof with spacing blocks or members 39 to which are secured rigid side wings 40, which are held at a suitable angle by the blocks so as to give a finished appearance at the front of the stage. To the rear face of the wall 32, above and below the line of the opening 33 are secured wooden strips 41 to which are fastened screw eyes or the like 42 forming bearings for upper and lower transverse shafts 43 and 44. One of these shafts is provided with an actuating crank handle 45 and connect-- ing the shafts are sets of cords 46 and 4'7, which are wound in reverse directions thereon. Secured at its upper edge to the roller 43 is a curtain 48 of muslin or other suitable fabric, which is suitably weighted at its lower edge, as by means of a wooden strip 49 fitted in a pocket formed therein, and the projecting ends of which strip are connected with the cords of one set, by means of which, when the lower shaft is turned in one direc tion or the other by means of its actuating crank, the curtain will be raised and lowered to uncover or cover the opening 33, as will be readily understood, the curtain when being raised winding about the upper shaft. It will thus be seen that a simple type of curtain is provided for closing the proscenium opening whenever desired in the customary manner.

The toy theater or stage constructed as above described is especially adapted for the use of the children and others whereby interesting performances, using scenery of the character described, in conjunction with movable characters or figures, may be carried out. For instance the stage may be set for a school play, showing the exterior of a school house with the door thereof at one side of the stage and in alinement with the transverse guide slot. In such a scene children, represented by figures placed in the endless belt, may be caused to travel across the stage on their way to the school house and to enter the school house through the door thereof. The curtain may then be dropped and a. second scene arranged showing the interior of the school room and certain performances therein, after which athird scene may be given which is a duplicate of the first scene but showing the children leaving the school house on their way home.

The device may also be employed to simulate a moving picture action, using, for example, cartoon pictures cut out of comic supplements and mounted on a. cardboard strip or base, while scenes at a circus or similar entertainment may also be shown. In giving a. circus performance, the stage may be first set for an exterior and figures of band wagons, ponies, elephants, horses, etc., are

placed in the endless belt, the curtain raised and the belt set into motion to give an effective illustration of a parade along the street. After the parade has passed the curtain may be dropped and the stage set for a one ring circus. Among other acts that may be given during the circus performance may be performances of elephants and other animals upon a rotary platform or ring 50 provided with a shaft or stem 51 which may be fitted to turn within an opening 52 in the plat form, and be arranged so as to be engaged by the upper end of the roller 24 so as to be driven by said roller. The figures placed upon this rotary platform will be set in motion by either the rotary motion of the platform or by vibratory action, so as to simu late dancing and other performances.

It is to be understood, of course, that the parts may initially be sold in sections to be set up by the user, and for sale dispensation may be put up in pasteboard boxes or other receptacles, or the device may be sold in a set-up condition with its stationary parts rigidly connected, in which case the device may still be made small enough to be packed Within a box or receptacle of convenient size.

The device may be made as elaborate and expensive in construction as desired, although expressly designed to provide a simple and inexpensive type of amusement apparatus, and it will be seen that it provides a construction which effectually subserves this purpose.

I claim 1. A toy stage comprising a stage structure having a transverse guideway, and an endless belt movable in said guideway for presenting objects to be viewed, said belt being composed of folds of material adapted for holding an interposed object.

2. A toy stage comprising a stage structure having a transverse guideway, an endless belt having a portion movable through said guideway, said belt being composed of folds of material adapted for holding interposed objects to be displayed, guiding means for the belt including a wheel arranged at one side of the guideway, and means at the opposite side of the guideway for pressing the folds of the belt closed and holding the belt in contact with said wheel.

3. A stage comprising a stage structure having a transverse guideway, a belt having a portion movable through said guideway, said belt being composed of folds of material adapted to hold objects to be displayed, means for guiding the belt including a roller at one side of the guideway, and a spring pressure member at the opposite side of the guideway for maintaining the folds of the belt closed and holding the belt in contact with said roller.

4. A toy stage comprising a stage structure having a transverse guideway, an endless display belt passing through said guideway, and composed of folds of material adapted for holding interposed objects to be displayed, a guide roller for the belt arranged at one side of the guideway and centrally of the stage structure, guide members for the belt at opposite sides of the stage, a pressure device for holding the folds of the belt closed and keeping the same in contact with said guide roller, a driving roller for the belt supported in rear of the stage structure, and means for transmitting motion to said drive roller.

5. A toy stage comprising a base frame including a platform and side pieces provided with guide slots, an inclosure supported by said base piece and including side walls having guide slots in alinement with the guide slots in the base and having a movable rear wall forming a door and an endless display belt mounted for movement upon the base piece and for travel through said slots.

6. A toy stage comprising a stage platform having a guideway and a bearing opening, a guide roller, an endless belt movable through said guideway and passing around said guide roller, and a bearing member carried by the roller and projecting upward through the said bearing opening in the stage platform, said bearing member being adapted to receive the stem of a platform to be rotated thereby.

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

JAMES ANDREW DUNIGAN.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM HENRY HILTON, J r., MATTHEW A. DENNINGER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

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