US2569324A - Poker chip stand - Google Patents

Description

Sept- 25, 1951 R. B. MOYER 2,569,324

POKER CHIP STAND Filed'July 15, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. ROBERT B. Mona-R.

GLM? M ,4T TOR/VE Ys.

Sept. 25, 1951 R. B. MoYER POKER CHIP STAND 3 Sheets-Sheeil Filed July 15, 1946 JNVENToR.

RoER-r Moran.

sept 25, 1951 R. B. MOYER 2,569,324

POKER CHIP STAND Filed July 15, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet :5

Ross/e1' B. Move-R.

www? MV TTORNEKS.

Patented Sept. 25, 1951 4 "UNITED STATES FA''EPJ'I"V OFFICE i 2,569,324 v o l POKER CHIP s'rAND I Robert B. Moyer, Los Angeles,7Calif`. Application July 15, 1946, Serial No. 683,687

` holder,.display rack and dispensing. device; or the like.

Prior art devices .have been-knownzin .which storage racks are associated with `stationary or rotatable stands'into whichfsuchracks may bev swung during a period of'lnon-use. Moreover a large assortmentof pOkerchip stands andV equivalent devices exist for the purpose of storing poker chips or other. articles in 1a convenient manner,Y usually in racksor stands designed for placement upon a playing table or similar loca-f tion. 1.

In all of the above and other conventional devicesof roughlyvanalogous .purpose to that intended by the instant invention, none is known utilizing a central control. mechanism which is actuatable by a vsingle movement in one direction forthe purpose of .moving the storage racks uniformly outwardly from a place of coniine-V ment within the stand tov a selectedpositionof convenientuse and vice versa. 1n the devices presentlyknown it is. necessary to..actuate :a

mechanism in a firstv direction for the purpose of making the stored Varticles accessible and' in a second direction for confining the racks and contained articles withinV their associated stands.

Furthermore, lnone of ythe conventional'. devices intended to fulll vthe general purposes 'ofthis invention embody comparable features of .convenience, effectiveness and simplicity of design. All= operations are also calculated to be extremely simple, smooth anduniform, but without'detracting from a. desired economy in .the-construction of the apparatus and the ready assem-v bly of itsparts either on a mass production basis orotherwise. l r..

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a storage device and/or display rack utiflizing a single unidirectional manipulating means either for the purpose of making a plurality of various articles intended to be stored within any number of VAstorage lracks associated. therewith readily accessible, or, optionally, storing an hiding them from view.,

.It is afurther object of this invention ',to.-pro. vide av stand of the character described incorporating storage racks of new and improved design.

It is another object to provide a utility stand of new and improved construction having simple manipulative mechanism for alternatelyV but vsimultaneously enclosinga plurality of storage racks within the stand or turning said racks si 5V claims. (ci. al1- 49) multaneously outwardly from said stand for convenient access, use, replacement or display of articles intended for storage in said racks.

It is a further object to provide a newv and improved utility rack associated with a new and improved operative mechanism by which` any number of storage racks associated therewith may be releasably held in a desired position within the stand or pivoted outwardly in a convenient manner therefrom.

Another further object is to provide a novelty stand of the desired character in association with a newand improved unidirectional actuating an clutch mechanism. i f

It is a still furtherobject to provide an apparatus ofthe character described associated with a new and improved impulse and momentum control means for any number of storage racks associated therewith.

A still further object is to provide a novel association of handle and cover means for the stand as well as for any number of storage spaces provided therein; f

p It is also an object to provide a new and improved storage rack construction including a mounting means for use in a utility stand of the character described. f

It is another further object to .provide a utility stand of new and improved construction which can be readily and economically manufactured and conveniently-assembled or disassembled for repair or replacement of parts.

Yet another objectis'to providea new and improved rotatable platform construction for use with a stand ofthe character described.

It isalso an object to provide improvements uponmechanisms associated with prior art devices having a like purpose.

Withrthese and other objects .in view, the invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various'partsof the apparatus whereby the objects contemplated are attainedas hereinafter set forth,.pcinted out in the appendedA claims. .and illustrated in the -accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a pokervchip stand embodying this invention.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure l but with the handle covers inan alternative position.

Figure 3. is a vertical sectional View on the line 3 3 of-Figure 1. i

Figure 4 is aplan `sectional view on the line 4.-4v of Figure V3. l

,Figure 5 is a detail view 'of Athe handle and cover hinge construction taken on the line -5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a detail view of the button clutch mechanism in an initial operative position.

Figure '7 is a vertical section on the line '1 -'l Figure 8 is a view of the clutch mechanism of Figure 6 in 'a position of extreme clockwise rotation of the control button.

Figure 9 is a vertical lsectional view similar to Figure 1 taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a view of the clutch mechanism in an operative position subsequent to that illustratd in Figures 8 and 9. ,y

n Figure 11 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 4 showing the racks or columns ina soc'alled dead center position of their Alinks between their position as illustrated for the closed position in Figure 4 and that illustrated'for the open position in Figure 12.

Figure 12 Vis a view similar to Figure 11 showingfthe columns in their outwardly extended open position.

Figure 13 is a vertical elevational View of a modied form of mounting for the stand.

In the drawings,l a stand generally designated by the numeral 'comprises the following stationary frame components: An upper, annular frame member 2|, a lower substantially disklike frame member 22,.-..and ai central frame portion23 disposed between the upper and lower frame members. These three relatively stationary frame members are secured together by vertical bolts 24.

Extending vertically through the central frame member 23'is a vertical rotatable shaft 25 journalled at its upper end in the' upper portion of the central frame member, as designated by the numeral 26. Keyed to the upper Yend of the shaft 25f'is aclutch disc 21 which is turnable about a vertical axisv within the' upper end of the central framevv member 23, and keyed to the lower end of the same shaft is a control disc` 2'8 formed with equally spaced` holes 29 around its outer margins correspondin'gin number and position to` any number ofY columns or the like such as chip columns 3B. These chip'Y columns and the control discv may be operatively connected together by meansV of individual links 3| in a manner hereafter' tobe described.

The chip columns 30Y areV preferably formed with a bore 32 extendingvertically substantially throughout'theV length of the columns' and are further provided with a second smaller arcuate notch 33 at theb'otto'm'end thereof in a manner tof forma lower` shoulder or shelf 34 enabling a pile ofk articles, such as' poker chips, to be stackedin the bore within' the column in such amanner'thatthey may be'easily accessible for removal when the' chip columns4v are-'disposed outwardly with respect to the frame as illustrated in Figure 12.

The columns 30 are pivoted' at. their upper extremities upon pins 35V andk at' their-'lower extremities upon other pins 36, each ofthe lower pins being preferably supported at. their ends upon frictionless bal-l bearingsv 31. Tlielinks 3| may be formed with upt'urne'dends 3|a which may be journalled respectively inthe' control 'disc 28 and the lower ends of the columns. The ends of thelinks which are journalled in the vcolumns are spaced circumferentially with respectl to the alxis of the pivot pins 36L as illustrated, for example, in Figure 4, where the columns areV in their most inwardly disposed-position within` the Cil 4 stand or, as illustrated in Figure l12, where the columns are in their most outwardly projected open position.

Ignoring for a moment the operation of the clutch mechanism illustrated in detail, especially in Figures 3, and 6 through 10, the Inode of op; eration of the stand is as follows: A manually rotatable button 38 is drivin'gly connected with the shaft 25 when the button is rotated in a clockwise direction. This result is accomplished through a clutching mechanism which will be later described, so that upon an operators giving the button an initial clockwise rotation, starting from the position of the parts as illustrated in Figure 4, the shaft 25, the control disc 28, the inner ends and the links 3| will be drawn in a clockwise direction, thereby giving the chip columns an initial impulse by virtue of which they begin to swing upon their pivot pins 35 and 36 in a counter-clockwise direction outwardly, as'illustrated in Figure 11. Inasrnuch as, the columns, after bei-ngA thus set in motion, will have some weight and momentum, they willcontinueto-r 'rotate' in. av counterclockwise direction so as to pass the dead center position of the links 3|,. illustrated .in Figure 1-1 and assume their fully extended outward position, as illustrated in Figure 12.- This continued swinging movement of the chip columns assumes, of course, that the button 38 has been released or atleast doesf not retard the return or counter-clockwise rotation of the disc 2B which obviously must occur if the columns are' to pass the dead center position of the' links 3|. Such a release of the button 38 is accomplished through the clutch mechanism between and associated with the button and the clutchV disc 2'| which will be described hereinafter.

If, after the columns are outwardly extended as in Figure l2, the' button 38 is grasped and again turned initially in a clockwise direction in a similar manner asf above, a swinging movementofthe chip columns williv begin but this time in areversed or clockwise direction in which the columns 'willf be carried past the A`dead center position, illustrated ini Figure 11, and subsequently assumel their position within the stand, as illustrated in Figure 4. In either case, the weight and momentum 1 'of` theirY VcontentsV and/or the chip columns will readily carry thei'nY past the dead centerposition of the links.-

In order to assurev the: completion of an arc of approximately required to position the columns" and therefore also, necessarily, the disc 28` at their inward and'ou-tward limits, the disc 28 must'return from the 'position illustrated in Figure 11 at which it is in' itslimit of clockwise rotation to the" position illustrated in Figures 4 or 12, at which it is in its limit of counter clockwise' rotation.- Forthis purpose a leaf spring 401, for example, may belsec'ured'as Vby one of rtsendsrtothe central frame member 23 and at thev other of its ends in a pin 4| secured to the upper face` of the disc 28T.vr The spring 40 is formed so as yto normally urge the disc in a counter-clockwis'eA direction, and in-so doing ob'viously aids the momentum of the chip columns iriftheir 'arcuate outward and inward movement so as to carry them easily past the-dead center position? of the-links' 3|, said position being illustrated` in Figure 11.- A stop pin 42, or the like, secured in the frame at a predetermined position relative toA a. suitable abutment 'on 'the' revolv'ing parts li" ts the movement of thek disc in its` counter-clockwise rotation and thereby positions of the columns in either direction of their movement.

Referring now to the clutching mechanism between the button 38 and the upper end of the shaft 25, the clutch disc 21, which is cooperably disposed below the button, constitutes the driven clutch member. It is keyed at its center to the shaft and is formed with a vertical arcuate slot therethrough, as most clearly illustrated in dotted outline in Figures 6 and 8. Said disc 21 is also formed with a cylindrical pocket 46 disposed above and circumferentially aligned with the arcuate slot 45. The pocket 46 isidesigned to loosely receive a ball 5U, as illustrated most clearly in Figures 3 and 7, and is preferably of a depth slightly in excess of one-half the diameter of the ball, so that the ball normally nestles down into the pocket for slightly over one-half its diameter and finds a lateral abutment against the normal surface provided by the side walls of the pocket. The button, which constitutes the driving clutch member, also contains a cylindrical recess 5| substantially corresponding in diameter and position to the pocket 46, but said recess 5| is of sufficient depth to entirely accommodate the ball therein, as illustrated in Figures 9 and 10.

Fixedly anchored by its lower end in the central frame member 23 and projecting upwardly into the slot 45 so as to be freely movable therein when the button 38 and disc 2l are rotated with respectto the central frame member 23, is a key 52 having a slanted upper face 53 upon which the ball 50 may ride upwardly in a manner to remove the same from the lower pocket 46 and carry it into the'recess 5| in the button as when the button has been turned in a clockwise direction to a s'uicient extent. Said button is normally urged to a limitV of counter-clockwise rotation by means of a coil spring which is secured at one of its extremities to `a portion 23a of the central frame member 23 and at the other of its extremities to a point 38a spaced from the center of the button. Y

Fromthis construction of the clutching mechanism, it may be seen that upon initial` clockwise rotation of the button, as illustrated, for example, in Figures 6 and '7, the ball 50 will rest in the pocket 46 while also projecting for somewhat lessv than onehalf its diameter into the abutment formed by the recess 5|, thereby the ball will be carried around with the button'until the ball reaches the key whereupon it will be carried up over the slanted face 53 of the key and thence into the upper ,recess 5| in the button. At that point (see Figure 9) thedisc 21, theshaft 25 and its' associated control mechanism (which hasl also been simultaneously carried around in` alclockwise direction by the clockwise rotation of the button) ,is free to return, in a counterclockwise direction, as urged by the momentum ofv thechip columns throughv the linksl and" also by means of the spring 40,l to a position determined by the mutual abutment of the stop pin 42 in the frame and the pin `4| on thedisc.

lIt may be noted from the above description that it is desirable to retain the links and columns in constantly corresponding and equally spaced positions relative to one another. For this purpose, a preferably floating spacer may be provided, such as an annulus 60, for example, rotatably slidable upon and encircling the lower end-of the central frame member 23. The spacer contains 'suitably spaced openings thereinfor' the spaced accommodation ofn each of the several links 3|, thereby assuring that the operation of all the links .will be uniform, simultaneous and in the same direction. Obviously, 'the columns will also therefore be uniformly actuated and turned, -whereaswithout such a suitable spacer thepmovement of the columns might b'ev relatively chaotic and independent. VSuch a spacer, moreover, assists the movement as well as the retardation of movement of each column by the necessarily similar activation of every `other column. Other equivalent forms of spacers, such as of stiff wire, etc., will readily occur to one skilled in the art of producing devices of this general character.

In addition, it may also be noted that the upper end of the stand is preferably formed with arcuate covers 65 which may serve as handles when pivoted upwardly upon hinges 66 vas illustrated in Figure 2.v A detail of the constructionof the covers and their` associated hinges appears in Figure 5 from which it mayreadily be seen that the handles are slotted at both ends to form rodlike pintles 10 rotatably confined within a suitably shaped` bracket 1| which may be bolted or otherwise-secured to the top frame member 2|. When the covers 65 are elevated, as shown in Figure 2, the card pockets 68, intended for the storage of decks of playing cards or similar items. are revealed.

It is furthermore contemplated, as illustrated in Figure 1.3, that the entire stand may be mounted upon a relatively stationary circular platform provided with a frictionless bearing assembly 8|, so that the entire stand may be rotatedV asa unit whereby any side may face any selected direction.

Said platform -8I is formed with an upset central part 82 havingon its lower side an access hole 83. Axially, the platform is secured to the lower frame member 22 by means of a bolt 84 adjustable to any desired degree of tightness through an adjusting nut 85. The tightening of this nut draws a round-shouldered head 86 of the bolt downwardly against a recessed abutment 8l in the center of the lower frame member 22, whereby the rtendency of the frame 20 to rotate with greater or lesser friction independently of the platform 80 may be adjusted.

-Around fits periphery the lower frame member 22 may be formed with an independent flange 9|) substantially covering the platform 80 around its external edge so that a pleasing appearance of an unbroken outline of the frame itself may be presented.

At the bottom of the frame in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 through l2, or at the bottom of the platform in the form illustrated in Figure 13, a suitable felt, rubber, or other pad of soft, non-abrasive material 9| (or |60) may be applied for the obvious purpose of preventing injury to any polished surface upon which the stand may be placed.

VIt will therefore be seen thatV a stand of excellent appearance and construction adapted for the receptionl of any number of article-holding racks or columns has-been provided in which a single control mechanism readily and smoothly operates to control any number of racks simultaneously.

It is not absolutely necessary in the practice of I this invention that a clutch mechanism be employed, as described, but such a feature is eminently desirable and when used constitutes a valuable portion of the novelty and utility of theV apparatus. Thus upon actuation of the control button invasingle direction, the racks turn in a V'desired mannerv independently of thev facttha't theeoperator continues toretard the return movement-'of the button, Nor isit necessary to operate the buttonin two .distinct directions for the.purposeV of turning the racks in alternatedirectionsas :was heretofore the custom.v As herein described, `the release and spring of the control button automatically returnsto an initial vposition from which it may again initiate its' rack or column-operating. movement.

The-entire apparatus .has been devised .so that itis readily producible by machine methods. For example, the links. may be insertedin position with or' without afxation to any vother member: except in 'a loose and easily replaceable manner. YE-acl'rpart istherefore adapted to be fabricated by.v means Vof Vregulation machine processes and the-collective parts are further adapted to be assembled together in a superimposed, intert-f ting relationship upon the tightening of a few readily accessible bolts. .It is not intended to limit this invention by the use of any particular materials and while it. is desirable in some cases to construct the frame and trays or columnsv and other external portions of the stand out of wood, these parts, as-.tvell.asthe shafts, discs, pins, and links, may be formedfrom any suitable material, `such as metal', plastic, or the like; and the external parts maybe covered with. fabric or given any other desired iinish.

It isthe gist of this invention. to provide a utility stand specially adapted for the storage off various articles which may be contained in any number of racks rotatably. retractable' for storage or rotatably extensible for convenient access, the holder. being readily transportable. neat in appearance, solid in construction, and aotuable in a convenient and simple mann-er.;

While I' have herein-shown and described my invention in what I vhave conceived to be the most practical and preferred'embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of my invention, which is-V not'to-be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is tobe accorded the full scope ofthe claims so as vto embrace any and all equivalent devices.

The invention hav-ing been herein described, what is claimed and sought to be secured by Letters Patent is:

i. A utility stand comprising weighted .member pivotally mounted in the frame von. a vertical axis, a link making a journalled connection at one of its endswithf the weightedmember ata pointspaced vfrom `a rst side of said vertical axis, control means associatedwith the other end of the link actuatable forfinitially drawing the link in a given direction from. a .starting position of the weighted member. in a man-ner to give the weighted vmember an initial rotating movement in said direct-ion, and resilient vstopmeans for limiting the rotation of said vv'eigl/ltedv member .in said. directionv when one end of said link. has been. rotated theretosecondrside'of vsaid vertical axis, substntially.- opposite said first side, said .resilient stopmeans being positioned between then-.ame the control means in a mannerv to return the control means to said starting position such that similar actuations of the control means operate to draw said one end of said link around said vertical axis vin alternately opposite directions.

2. A utility stand comprising a frame, a weighted member pivotall-y mounted in the a, .fran-1, a.

frame on'a vertical axis, a li-nk making ajouri nalledfconnection atl one Aof its ends with the weighted member at a point spaced from a irst side--fof`said vertical axis, control means associated with the otherA end ofthe link actuatable iorinitially drawing the link in a given direction from' va start-ing position of the Weighted member asmanner to give the weighted member an initialrotating.movement inV said direction, reV silient stop means for limiting the rotation of said weighted member in said' direction when said fonte fend of said link has been rotated ithere+ with. to axsecond side of .said vertical axis, substantially opposite said. first side, said resilient stop means being positioned between the frame ther'controlmeans in a manner to return the control means to said starting position such that similar actuations of the control means operate to draw said `one end of said link around saidvertical axis in alternately oppositeY directions, andV a.Y clutch controlled manipulating means upon the control means adapted' to slip atter'a predetermined interval in the movement of themanipulating means, whereby the resilient means-may operate to, return the control means to said starting position independently of the manipulating means;

3. A utility stand comprising aAV frame. a weighted member pivotally mounted in the frame-on a verticalaxis, a linkV making a journalled connection at one of its end-s with the weightedv member at a point spaced from anrst side ofsaid. .vertical axis, control means associated with .the other end of the link actuatable for initially drawing the link in a given direction from a starting position of the weighted member in a manner to give the weighted member an initial rotating movement in said direction, and resilient stop means forY limiting the rotation of. said weighted member in said direction when said one end ofsaid link has been rotated therewith to a second side ofV said vertical axis., substantially opposite said rst side, said resilient stop means comprising a relatively fixed abutment positioned in the frame, a movable abutment positioned on the `control means and a spring anchored 'in lthe frame urging the abutment on theV control means in a predetermned direction towards the relatively xed abutment.

4: `A utility stand comprising a frame, a Weighted member vpivotally mounted in the frame on'. a vertical axis, Aa link making a journall'ed connection at one of its ends with the Weighted member Aat a point spaced from a first side of said vertical axis, control means associated with the other end of the link actuatable for initially drawing the link in a given direction from a starting position of the Weighted member in a manner 'to givethe weighted member an initial rotating movement in said direction, resilient stop A'means for limiting the rotation ofr said weighted member in said directionA when saidA oneendof said link hasbeen rotated 'therewith to'asecond side of said vertical axis, .substan-V tially ofnl'ositel said iirst side, said resilient stop meansbeing positioned. between the frame and the control means in. a manner to return the controlmeans to .said starting position such that similar. actuations of the control means operate to draw .said one end of said link. around said` vertical axis .-in. alternately opposite directions, anda clutch vcontrolled manipulating means vupon thecontrol-.means adapted to slip after a precie term.inedinterval in -the'movement ofthe maraipulatingV means, whereby vtheresllient means may operate to return the control means to said starting position independently of the manipulating means, said control means incorporating a rotatable actuating member secured to a driven clutch body, said manipulating means comprising a rotatable driving clutch body adjacent to and axially aligned with the driven clutch body, each of said bodies being formed with corresponding detents upon their adjacent faces, keying means normally associated with said detents for keying said bodies to one another, releasing means secured in the frame and adapted to release said keying means after a predetermined rotation of said bodies in a predetermined direction in a manner to free the driven body from its keyed connection with the driving body, and a second resilient means adapted to return said driving body to a starting position wherein the bodies are again drivingly connected together by said keying means.

5. A utility stand comprising a frame, a weighted member pivotally mounted in the frame on a vertical axis, a link making a journalled connection at one of its ends with the weighted member at a point spaced from a first side of said vertical axis, control means associated with the other end of the link actuatable for initially drawing the link in a given direction from a starting position of the weighted member in a manner to give the weighted member an initial rotating movement in said direction, resilient stop means for limiting the rotation of said weighted member in said direction when said one end of said link has been rotated therewith to a second side of said vertical axis substantially opposite said rst side, said resilient stop means being positioned between the frame and the control means in a manner to return the control means to said starting position such that similar actuations of the control means operate to draw said one end of said link around said vertical axis in alternately opposite directions, and a clutch controlled manipulating means upon the control means adapted to slip after a predetermined interval in the movement of the manipulating means, whereby the resilient means may operate to return the control means to said starting position independently of the manipulating means,

said control means incorporating a rotatablev shaft, a clutch plate axially secured to the shaft,

:a rotatable button axially aligned with the clutch plate, said plate and said button having adjacent faces each formed with a corresponding depression, one of said depressions being of greater depth than the other, a detent normally resident in the depression of lesser depth and extending into the depression of greater depth, thereby rotatably keying the button to the plate, said depression of lesser depth having an arcuate slot in communication therewith, a key formed with a slanting face secured in the frame and adapted to ride in the slot during an initial rotative movement of the button and further adapted to force the detent out of the depression of lesser depth into the depression of greater depth, said latter depression being sufficiently large to accommodate and release the button and plate for independent rotative movement, and a second resilient means adapted to return said driving body to a starting position wherein the bodies are again drivingly connected together by said keying means.

ROBERT B. MOYER.

REFERENCES VCITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 48,769 Hammer July 11, 1865 182,720 Starr, Jr Sept. 26, 1876 617,478 Cohen Jan. 10, 1899 783,477 Strauss Feb. 28, 1905 912,087 Dempsey Feb. 9, 1909 958,475 Cannon May 17, 1910 1,903,744 Heusser et al Apr. 11, 1933 1,921,652 Bohnert Aug. 8, 1933 2,030,899 Scurlock Feb. 18, 1936 2,054,373 Erk Sept. 15, 1936 2,144,835 Dickinson Jan. 24, 1939 2,223,660 Horton Dec. 3, 1940

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