US2100486A - Dancing figure toy - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 30, 1937. R. LOHR DANCING FIGURE TOY Filed April 28, 1936 xfNvENToR Rogmond Lohr` A l A rta m r l 2 s. v

ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 30, 1937V DANCING FI Raymond Lohr, Erie, Pa.,

Marx & Company, Inc., poration of New VYork Application April 28, 1

- Claims., `(Cl. 46"-138)` This invention relates to toys, and more ticularly to dancing figure toys. .f Y The primary object of the inventionis to generally improve dancing figure toys. A more particular object resides in the provision of such al toy in which the figure will be caused to' move not only vertically to simulate dancing, but also from side to side. In accordance with a further fea-` ture and object of my invention, the vibration and movements of the toy are given an irregularity such as to simula-te tap dancing.

Other objects of my` invention concern the general organization and arrangement' of the toy, and are to simulate a small stage with an appropriate back drop; to conceal the motorworks and operating mechanisml behind the drop; and to support and control the movement of the gure toy by means of a support arm which extends in a relatively inconspic'uous manner 20 from the toy rearwardly through an opening in Y the back drop.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing'and other more particularized Yolzrjects which will hereinafter appear, my invention consists in the toy tap dancer elements, and their relation one to the other, as hereinafter are more particularly described in the specification and sought to be defined in the claims. The'specication is accompanied by a drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of one form of toy embodying features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a section taken in elevation through the operating mechanism of the toy; and

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation looking in the plane of section line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing'and more particularly to Fig. '1, the toy comprises a figure I2 disposed above the forward part Vof a suitable base I4 and in front of an upright plate I6 mounted on said base. lf desired, thexbase I4 and plate I6 may be suitably shaped and decorated tosimulate a stage and back drop such as is used in theatres, restaurants, night-clubs, and the like. The figure I2 is mounted onthe forward end of a'support arm I8 which extends rearwardly from the figureA through an opening 28 in the plate or drop I6. Appropriate motor-works, generally designated 22in Fig. 2, are disposed in back of and concealed by the plate I6. The figure I2 is caused tov dance by movements given to support arm I8 by the motor 22.

Considering the arrangement in greater detail, the figure I2 is preferably a loosely jointed gure, that is, the arms 24 are hung loosely from the pall'- PATENT OFFICE?" assigner to Louis New York, N. Y., a cor- 936, serial No. 76,746

body at the shoulders by pivotal connections 26. The legs 28 are suspended freely from within the i bodyjand the legs are themselveslooselyarticu lated atthe knees 38. 'I'he relative dispositionfjof the parts and the range of vertical movement of thesupport arm I8 are such 'that the feet 32 of the gure are lifted clear .ofbase I4 Ywhen 'the gure is elevated, but rest on the base when the figure is lowered. Y j Referring now.Y to Figs. 2 and 3, the inner or rear end of support arm I8 is pivotally mounted at'341'n a suitable vvertical vframe plate-36 forming' the forward Vwall of the spring motor frame. A cam wheel 38 is'lo'cated beneath arm v'Itland is provided with teeth or cam projections 4I) which bear directly against arm I 8. As will b-e noted Y in the drawing, the cam 38 is. preferably made., large .in diameter and'isprovided with a vlarge number of camming teeth. These teeth are pref-V erably Virregularly spaced and irregularly dimenl sioned. The arm I8 is vibrated or oscillated in a vertical plane by lcam wheel 38, andthe dimensions and groupings of the teeth 48 are such as to imparta desired rhythm and variety to the daneY l ing movement of the figure 25 An important feature of sides in the fact that the side to side,V as well as up` purpose, I provide a sui able plate or member 42 having a vertical slot 36 44 through which the support arm I8 passes.' Slot 44 is disposed immediately in back of the opening 28 previously referred to, and the'said opening is preferablyV dimensioned to ',accommodate an appreciable side to side movement -ofY slot 44 andV with it the support -armv I8. The spring motor-works'is arranged to movethe plate or memb-er 42 from side to side, thus giving the support arm I 8 a rather complex oscillatory move` ment having vertical and horizontal components. H The sideward movements of the ligure are preferably made relatively slow `and-infrequent` rcorn-i paredtothe verticalv movements, and Ythis result is brought about in a comparativelyl simple man, ner by using the cam Wheel 38Y asY awcrank vor actuating member for'causing sidevvarddisplace-` ment of. member 42. Morespecically, member 42 is pivotally-mounted at its upper end 4B on the plate or drop I 6. Cam 38 carries an eccentri callylocated pin 48- which projects forwardly from the cam wheel and isfthus adapted to-,bear against'th'e depending lower portion 58o'f member42. For a simple uniform side to side movement of Vmember 42, the member YmayrbeprovidedA pin 48 passes.V I-Iovv'-l the present Vtoy regureisrvmoved from and down. *For this table sidewardly mov# with a-slotinto which crank ever, I prefer to make even the side to side movement less obviously regular. The plate or member 42 is therefore cut away to form the generally hook-shaped outline indicated in dotted lines at 50 in Fig. 3. The cam wheel 38 rotates in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3. As pin 48 moves from its bottom position upwardly, it bears against the portion 50 of member 42, thus carrying the member toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 3, or to the broken-line position Vof the dancer shown in Fig. 1. When pin 48 passes above the upper end of portion 58, the member 42 is freed for return movement towardithe right.

Inasmuoh asl the upper peripheral portion of.

cam wheel 38 bearing against support arm I8, is moving toward the right, the support arm is carried quickly toward the right, the member 42 being moved with the support arm'. The dancer is then moved to the solid-line position shown in Fig. 1. shownfin'Fig. V8, the figure I2 executing a number of steps Ein that position before'it is again carried toward 'the opposite side by the'cooperation of crank pin 48 and the lower portion "58 of the slotted plate'42.

As so far described, the toy dancing figure might `be-rigidly secured at the forward end of the operating or support arm I8. However, one important advantage of the present construction is the `ease with which the gure may be arranged foran oscillation or sideward swinging movement about the supportarm. As here illustrated, arm I8 is formedof'round wire or rod, and it passes freely through the figure at a point above the center of gravity of the figure. The figure then remains normally in generally upright position, but when the'flgure is swung to one side by arm I8, the lower or `'heavier part of the figure continues its movement and swings outwardly beyond the'support rod. Similarly, when the support larm moves in opposite direction, the feet tend to lag behind, thus bringing the figure toy angular position, and, finally, at the end of the sideward movement, the feet `continue their movement, thus swinging the figure in opposite direction. The result of this additional movement of the iigure, combined with the movements previously described, is that the figure simulates the spirited or flying movement of a modern stage dance and not the mere shuffling in fixed bodily position of the ordinary toy 'jiggern TheV motor `comprises a main spring 52 the outer end of -which is secured to the motor frame at 54, and the inner end of which is connected toa suitable winding stem 58 a part of which is bent to form a winding key 58. Stem 56 is connected to a main gear 68 by means of conventional ratchet mechanism, so that the main spring may be wound without driving the entire toy. Gear 68 has xedly secured thereto a suitable collar 82 carrying at its forward end a plate V|54 which is secured to and forms a part of cam wheel 38. Cam wheel 38 is thus caused to rotate with gear 60 and winding stem 58 when the motor is unwinding. Plate 84 serves an additional function in providing a rigid support for crank` pin 48 because the crankpin passes through both the cam wheel 38 and the plate 64.

The motor is further provided with a train of step-up gearing which,` however, is used primarily for speed governing and control purposes. Specifically, gear 60 meshes with a pinion 66 fixed to a gear G8 which in turn meshes with a pinion 10 fixed to a gear 12 which in turn meshesA which in turn` with a pinion 14 fixed to agear 16 The parts then dwell in the positionk meshes with a terminal pinion 18. It will be understood that pinions 66 and 14 are loosely carried by spindle 88, while pinions I0 and 'I8 areA ,be used as a stop element to control the starting 'and stopping of the spring motor. For this purpose, I provide a stop lever 86 pivoted on the motor frame at 88 and having a bent inner end 98 adapted to be moved into the path of the enlarged or eccentric part of member 84. In other words, by moving the opposite or manually movable end 92 of the stop lever downwardly, the end 98 is elevated, thus freeing the spring motor for operation. When, on the other hand, the manually movable end 92 is elevated, the motor is locked against unwinding.

When, 4asis "here the' case, the ,support arm I8 is -bent upwardly Yrather than straight, it is necessary to prevent the arm from turning about its 4longitudinal axis, for otherwise the figure would be unduly lowered. Referring to Fig.- 2, I

provide an auxiliary arm 94 having one end fix-V edly secured to Varm 8 at 9S, and having its other end received in a vertical slot 98 cut in the motor frame plate 35. It will be manifest that "the auxiliary arm -94 in no *Way interferes with the desired universal movement of support arm I8 about its pivotal connection 34, for the arm may be moved both -sidewardly and vertically with the utmost freedom. However, the arm is prevented from rotating or oscillating about its longitudinal axis, because of the cooperating relation of auxiliary arm 94 and slot 98.

The frame-work ofthe motor comprises two main pieces of metal. The first piece, numbered 36, extends generally parallel to plate |8 but is turned forwardly at the upper and lower corners to form spacer arms |00 which are connected to plate I6 by appropriate tongue and slot connections. The second piece, numbered |02, acts as aback vplate for the frame and is turned forwardly at its side edges to form side walls |84 which are joined vto the forward wall .3,6 byappropriate tongue and slot'connections."

It is believed that the construction and operation, as well as the many advantages of my improved dancing figure toy, will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description thereof. The gure is not'marred by a visible vertical support rod extending upwardly from the base. The absencepf such a support rod also contributes to permit a perfectly free active movement of the legs of the figure, particularly when the figure is moved from sideto side as well as vertically. 'Ihisfside to side movement adds greatly to the realism of operation. Considerable range of movement is obtained without equal movement of the visible portion of thesupport arm, -for the '.reason that the support arm is moved with an oscillatory movement about a fixed pivot. VThis 1oY A aio'oase.

ments ofthe figure, as to produce a-realistic Leffect.

It will be apparent that while I- have shown and described my invention in a -preferred form, many changes and modifications may be made in the structure disclosed, without departing from the spirit of the invention, defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A dancing toy comprising arloosely jointed passing loosely into the gure at a point abovethe center of gravity thereof and forming a horizontal pivot about which the ligure may swing freely from side to side, means causing at least part of the figure ,to vibrate up and down to simulate dancing, and means to move the aforesaid support arm from side to side. Y Y -1 3. A dancing toy comprising a loosely jointed figure, a single support arm extending rearwardly from said figure, the forward end of the arm passing loosely into the gure at a point above the center of gravity thereof and forming a horizontal pivot about which the figure may swing freely from side to side, means causing at least part of the figure to mo-ve up and down to simulate dancing, means to move the aforesaid support arm from side to side, and a single motor for causing both of the aforesaid movements.

Y 4. A dancing toy comprising a loosely jointed figure, motor-works disposed behind Vand spaced from said figure, a single support ann extending from said figure rearwardly to said motor-works,

the forward end of the arm passing loosely'intoV the ligure at a point abovev the center of gravity thereof and forming a horizontal pivot about which the figure may swing freely from side to side, and means in said motor-works for moving the support arm from side to side.

5. A dancing toy comprising a loosely jointed ligure, motor-works disposed behind and spaced from said figure, asingle support arm extending from said figure rearwardly to said motor-works, the forward end of the arm passing loosely into the figure at a point above the center of gravity thereof and forming a horizontal pivot about which the figure may swing freely from side to side, means in said motor-works for vibrating the support arm up and down, and additional means for moving the aforesaid support arm from side to side.

6. A dancing toy comprising a loosely jointed figure, motor-works disposed in back of and spaced from said figure, a support arm extending from said figure rearwardly to said motorworks, and means in said motor-works for moving the support arm witha complex motion having components in a plurality of different directions.

7. A dancing toy comprising a loosely jointed gure, motor-works disposed behind and spaced from said figure, a support arm extending from said figure rearwardly to said motor-works, means in said motor-works for vibrating the support arm up and down, and additional means in said motor-*works for oscillating'the support arm from side to side.

y8. jAf dancing toy comprising a loosely jointedY gure, motor-works spaced fromsaid ligure, a Y support arm extending from said figure tosaidv motor-works, the end of said support arm remote from lsaid figure being pivotallymounted for universal movement, and means in said motor-works for oscillating the support arm with a complex motion having components in a plurality of different directions.

9. A dancing toy comprising a loosely jointed ligure, Vmotor-works located inV back of and spaced from said figure, a single support arm extending rearwardly from saidrgure to'said motor-works, the forward end of the arm passing loosely into the figure at a point above the center of Ygravity thereof and'forming ahorizontal pivot about which the figure may swing-freely 'Y from side to side, a toothed cam wheel rotated by said motor-works, said wheeljhaving a plurality of teeth disposed on its periphery, a part of said support arm resting on the periphery of said cam wheel and being vibrated up and down by said cam wheel, and additional means formoving to side.

l 10. A dancingtoy Ycomprisingna loosely jointed ligure, motor-works spaced fromA said-gurefa single supportarm extending from said figure the aforesaid support arm from side to said motor-works, a toothedcam wheelof relatively large diameterrotatedby said motor-v works, said wheel having a plurality ofV teeth dis-y posed on its periphery for vibrating the support arm upY and down, said teethbeing irregular in` spacing and dimension in order to produce a de-V siredvariety in the dancing movement of the ligure, and additional means for horizontallyk rev ciprocating the aforesaid support arm.

11. A dancing toy comprising a looselyj(-)ir'itedY Y figure, motor-works located in back of and Yspacedfrom said figure, a single support arm extending rearwardly from said ligure to said motor-works, a toothed cam wheel of relatively large diameter rotated by said motor-works, said wheel having a plurality of teeth disposed on its periphery, said teeth being irregular in spacing and dimension in orderto produce a desired variety inthe dancing movementof the figure, a part of said support arm resting on the periphery: of said cam wheel and being vibrated up anddown` by said cam wheel, and additional means for moving the aforesaid support arm from side to side.v

12. A dancing toy comprising a loosely jointedv ligure` motor-works located in back of and spaced from said figure, a support arm extending rear- Wardly from said figure to said motor-works, a movable plate having a vertically disposed slot through which the support arm passes, means driven by said motor to move the plate and with it the support arm from side to side, and means driven by said motor to vibrate the support arm 4up and down.

13. A dancing toy comprising a loosely jointed gurje, motor-works located in' backs of and spaced from said figure, a support arm extending rearwardly from said figure to said motorworks, a toothed cam wheel rotated by said motor-works, said wheel having a plurality of teeth disposed on its periphery, a part of said support arm resting on the periphery of said cam Wheel and being vibrated up and down by said cam wheel, a movable plate having a vertically disposed slot through which the support arm passes,

and means driven by said l-moto'r for moving the plate from side to side.

14. A dancing toy comprising a loosely7 jointed figure, motor-works located in back of and spaced from said gure, a support arm extending rearwardly from said figure to said motorworks, a toothed cam wheel rotated by said motor-works, said wheel having a plurality of teeth disposed on its periphery, a part Yof said support arm resting on the periphery of said cam wheel and being vibrated up and down by said cam wheel, a movable plate having a vertically disposed slot through which the support arm passes, and means on said cam wheel cooperating with said plate to move the plate from side to side during rotation of the cam wheeLwhereby the support arm is rapidly vibrated in a vertical direction and is more slowly moved in a sideward direction.

15. A dancing toy comprising a loosely jointed gure, motor-works located in` back of and spaced from said ligure, a support arm extending rearwardly from said figure to said motor-Works, a toothed cam Wheel of relatively large diameter rotated by said motor-works, said wheel having a plurality of teeth disposed on its periphery,

said teeth being irregular in spacing and dimen sion in order to produce a desired variety in the dancing movement of the figure, a part of said support arm resting on the periphery of said cam Wheel and being vibrated up and down by said cam wheel, a movable plate `having a vertically disposed slot through which the support arm passes, and means on said cam wheel cooperating with said plate to move the plate from side to side during rotation of the cam wheel, whereby the support arm is rapidly vibrated in a vertical Ldirection and is more slowly moved in a sideward direction.

16. A dancing toy comprising a base simulating a stage, an upright plate near the back of the stage simulating a stage drop, a loosely jointed figure disposed Vabove the forward part of the stage, a support arm extending rearwardly from said figure through an opening in said drop, the forward end of the arm passing loosely into the gure at a point above the center of gravity thereof and forming a horizontal pivot about which the gure may swing freely from side to side, spring motor-works mounted in back of said drop, and means driven thereby for moving the support arm from one side to the other side of the aforesaid stage.

17. A dancing toy comprising a base simulating a stage, an upright plate near the back of the stage simulating a stage drop, a loosely jointed gure disposed above the forward part of the stage, a support arm extending rearwardly from said figure through an opening in said drop, spring motor-Works mounted in back of said drop, and means driven thereby for vibrating the support arm up and down and from side to side.

`18. A dancing toy comprising a base simulating a stage, an upright plate near the back of the stage simulating a stage drop, a loosely jointed gure disposed above the forward part of the stage, a support arm extending rearwardly from said figure through an opening in said drop, spring motor-works mounted in back of said drop, a plate movably mounted in back of said drop, said plate having a vertical slot disposed in back of the aforesaid-opening through which the support arm passes, a toothed rotatable cam wheel bearing against the aforesaid support arm, said support arm being pivotally mounted for universal movement, said plate and cam wheel being driven by said spring motorto oscillate the support arm in different directions.

19. A dancing toy comprising a base simulating a stage,'an upright plate near the back of the stage simulating a stage drop, a loosely jointed figure disposed above the forward part of the stage, a support arm extending rearwardly from said figure through an opening in said drop, spring motorworks mounted in back of said drop, a member pivoted at one end to said drop, said member having a vertical slot disposed in back of the aforesaid opening through which the support arm passes, a toothed cam wheel of large diameter rotatably mounted adjacent said member and bearing against the aforesaid support arm, the rear end of said support arm being pivotally mounted for universal movement, said member and cam wheel having means which cooperate for slowly moving the member in a direction opposite the direction of movement of that part of the cam wheel bearing against the arm, but which means disengage to permit more rapid return movement of the support arm by the cam wheel.

20. A dancing toy comprising a loosely jointed gure, a support arm extending from said figure rearwardly, said gure being freely pivoted on said support arm, and motor-works for vibrating the support arm up and down and for moving the support arm from side to side.

. RAYMOND LOI-IR..

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