US3784210A

US3784210A - Kissing doll phonograph

Info

Publication number: US3784210A
Application number: US00208625A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Fox; H Leung; H Stern
Original assignee: Mattel Inc
Current assignee: Mattel Inc
Priority date: 1971-12-16
Filing date: 1971-12-16
Publication date: 1974-01-08
Anticipated expiration: 1991-01-08

Abstract

A doll with a phonograph that plays each time the lip portion is depressed, the doll being constructed to enable large dimensional tolerances in the location of the switch that is operated by depressing the lips, and the phonograph being constructed to sequentially play different recordings. An electrical switch that turns on the phonograph when the lips are depressed, includes a relaxation member extending from the lips to a switch contact to push the contact against another contact when the lips are depressed, the relaxation member constructed of an ordinary plastic that quickly loses its resilient resistance to deflection. The phonograph includes a cam for returning the tone arm to the outside of the record, and a stop pivotally mounted on the cam for positively engaging a catch on the turntable to rotate the cam with the turntable after each record groove is played.

Description

United States Patent [191 Fox et a1. Jan. 8, 1974 {54] KISSING DOLL PHONOGRAPH Priumry fixnminer lmuis R. Prince [-75] Inventors, James H F Torrance, Assistant lilramirter stevenis. Stephan Han-Chung Leung, Los Angeles; Howard R. Stern, Anaheim, all of Calif.

Assignee: Mattel, Inc., Hawthorne, Calif.

Filed: Dec. 16, 1971 Appl. No.: 208,625

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1969 Cowell et a1 274/1 A 3/1935 Wardrop 274/10 R 4/1966 Ryan 274 1 A Attomy- Max E. Shirk and Franklin D. J ankosky [5 7] ABSTRACT A doll with a phonograph that plays each time the lip portion is depressed, the doll being constructed to enable large dimensional tolerances in the location of the switch that is operated by depressing the lips, and the phonograph being constructed to sequentially play different recordings. An electrical switch that turns on the phonograph when the lips are depressed, includes a relaxation member extending from the lips to a switch contact to push the contact against another contact when the lips are depressed, the relaxation member constructed of an ordinary plastic that quickly loses its resilient resistance to deflection. The phonograph includes a cam for returning the tone arm to the outside of the record, and a stop pivotally mounted on the cam for positively engaging a catch on the turntable to rotate the cam with the turntable after each record groove is played.

4 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PNENTED JAN 8 4 SHEU 3 BF 6 PATENTEU JAN 8 4 SHEU 5 OF 6 1 KISSING DOLL PHONOGRAPH BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to toys.

One type of entertaining toy is a doll with a phonograph that plays a recording when a child kisses the lips of the doll. The doll head can be formed as a resilient shell, and a switch can be placed behind the lip portion so it is closed when the lips are depressed. However, it is often difficult to maintain close enough dimentional tolerances so that a small predetermined depression of the lip portion will close the switch, to thereby assure phonograph playing when even a light pressure is applied while preventing a constant closed-switch condition.

A phonograph suitable for use in such a doll may include a disc record with several record grooves that have spaced leadin portions..A mechanism is required for returning the tone arm to periphery of the record after each playing, and in a manner that assures the playing of all of the record grooves. While friction operated devices can be utilized to return the tone arm they sometimes are not reliable. Furthermore, friction operated devices sometimes result in replacing the tone arm in an uncontrollable manner that causes repetitious playing of only one or a few of the many record grooves that may be provided. It would be desirable to employ a positive tone arm return mechanism that assured either sequential playing of each of the grooves or at least random selection in a manner that caused each of the grooves to be occasionally played.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a doll is provided that sequentially plays different recordings when its lips are depressed a small amount, and which can be mass produced at low cost.

The doll includes a battery powered phonograph that plays a recording when a switch is closed, and an apparatus for closing the switch when the lips of the doll are lightly depressed. The switch includes a pair of contacts that are spring-biased apart and a stop that prevents more than a small separation of the contacts. The switch closing apparatus includes a long strip of plastic that extends to the inner lip walls of the head and is bent thereat to extend in a curve to one of the switch contacts. When the lip walls are depressed, the strip transmits the depressing force to the switch contacts to move them together. The plastic strip is of a relaxation material, that is, it is springy but relaxes into any position at which it is held for a short period. Thus, even if the lips are maintained depressed, the strip cannot continue to supply forces that keep the contacts closed and they will open to allow the phonograph to stop after playing a recording. The plastic strip allows wide dimensional tolerances in the mounting of it and of the switch in the doll head, while assuring closing of the switch when a small lip depression occurs.

The phonograph within the doll has several spiral record grooves with spaced leadin portions near its periphery and runout portions near its hub. The grooves can be played by a tone arm which is returned to the periphery of the record when it reaches a runout groove portion. Such returning of the tone arm is accomplished by a cam that is usually stationary. A stop pivotally mounted on the cam is moved by the tone arm as it enters a runout groove portion. Pivoting the stop causes it to engage a catch on the rotating turntable, so that the stop and cam are driven with the turntable for one revolution, to return the tone arm to the periphery of the record. A guide fixed to the phonograph housing pivots the stop in a direction to disengage the turntable catch after one revolution. The use of a stop that positively engages a catch and is positively disengaged therefrom provides more reliable operation. Such positive operation also allows control over the position at which the tone arm is set down on the record, so that the record groove can be played in a predetermined sequence.

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention will be best understood from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawlngs. l

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view of a doll, showing the kiss operated switch mechanism and its location relative to the phonograph mechanism;

FIG. 1A is a view taken on the line 1AIA of FIG.

FIG. 2 is a view of the kiss operated switch mechanism of FIG. 1, shown prior to the installation of the doll head on the doll;

FIG. 3 is a view of the apparatus of FIG. 2 immediately after installation of the.doll. head;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to the FIG. 3 at a later time after installation of the doll head;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the phonograph mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a view taken on the line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view taken on the lines 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view taken on the line 88 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a partial view of the phonograph of FIG. 5, showing it stopped prior to an activation;

FIG. 10 is a view of the phonograph of FIG. 9 a short time later in the operating cycle, when the cam has moved the tone arm to the periphery of a record;

FIG. 11 is a view of the phonograph of FIG. 10 a short time later in the operating cycle, when the return cam stops rotating;

FIG. 12 is a view of the phonograph of FIG. 11 at a later time in the operating cycle, when the tone arm enters a run-out groove portion;

FIG. 13 is a view of the phonograph of FIG. 12 a short time later in the operating cycle, as the stop on the cam engages a turntable catch to begin cam rotation; and

FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view of the phonograph in the position of FIG. 12.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 illustrates a kissing doll 10 which plays a recording when a child presses her lips against a lip portion 12 on the head 14 of the dollQThe doll has a body 16 which contains a phonograph 18 that is powered by a battery 20. When the lip portion 12 is depressed, a relaxation member 22 closes a switch 24 to complete an electric circuit that energizes a motor 26 of the phonograph. After a recording is played, the phonograph stops, and it will start again only after a child has released the lip portion 12 of the doll and again depresses it, the phonograph then playing a different recording.

The switch 24 includes a first electrical contact 28 fixed to a frame 30, and a second electrical contact 32 that can move against and away from the first contact. The second contact 32 is constructed of resilient material and is held by the frame 30 so that it is resiliently biased away from the first contact 28. However, a stop 34 holds the second contact 32 a short distance from the first one so that only a small movement of the second contact closes the switch. The relaxation member 22 transmits depressing forces applied to the lip portion 12 of the doll, to the second switch contact 32 to move it against the first contact 28. The relaxation member 22 is constructed so that the switch 24 automatically opens a short time after it is closed, even if a child continues pressing on the lip portion of the doll, and also to enable wide dimensional tolerances in the construction of the doll.

The switching apparatus is initially mounted in the manner shown in FIG. 2. The frame 30 is fixed to the body of the doll and the relaxation member 22 is mounted on the frame. The relaxation member has an inner end portion 36 fixed to the frame, an outer end portion 38 which is adjacent to the switch contact 32, and a center portion 40 which is bent at the lip portion 12. The relaxation member is mounted so that the center portion 40 juts past the position occupied by the lip portion of the doll head. A post 42 on the frame can abut an enlarged part 44 near the outer end of the relaxation member to maintain the outer portion 38 in extension towards the switch contact 32, to assure proper functioning when the doll head 14 is installed.

When the doll head 14 is installed, the relaxation member 22 moves from the position shown in phantom lines in FIG. 3 to the position shown in solid lines therein. It can be seen that the center portion 44 of the relaxation member is deflected inwardly by a considerable amount, and the outer end portion 38 is bent and presses hard enough against the switch contact 32 to close the switch. However, a short time after the head 14 is installed, the relaxation member 22 assumes the configuration shown in FIG. 4 wherein the outer end 38 bends even further under the force of the resilient contact 32, to allow the contact 32 to move away from the other contact 28 so that the switch opens. However, if the lip portion 12 of the doll is depressed, the relaxation member will move the switch contact 32 against the other contact 28 and again close the switch.

The relaxation member 22 is constructed of a material that is resilient, but which partially sets or relaxes to a position to which it is deflected. There is, however, always a partial recovery of the material when the deflection force is released. This permits the relaxation member 22 to recover to the position in FIG. 4 when lip pressure is released. Many common plastics have this property, and a mateiral such as polyethylene can be utilized. The switch contact 32 is constructed of a resilient material such as brass which does not readily set or relax when subjected to small deflections. Thus, when the contact 32 is deflected, it continually applies forces to the relaxation member, and the relaxation member slowly yields until the contact 32 abuts the stop 34. The stop 34 holds the switch contacts close together so that only a small depression of the doll lips can again close the switch. Even though wide tolerances are utilized in the mounting of the relaxation member, it automatically adjusts itself to a condition wherein its outer end 38 abuts the switch contact 32 when the switch is open, so that a small lip depression will close the siwtch. The relaxation member also protects the phonograph from being kept constantly on if the doll is stored with an object pressing against the lips, because even if the lips are depressed the relaxation member will allow the switch to open after a short time.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the phonograph 18 includes a housing 50, a turntable 52 rotatably mounted on a housing and carrying a record 54, and a tone arm 56 with a stylus 58 that can play the record. After each playing of the phonograph, it stops with the tone arm 56 in the position shown in FIG. 5, with the stylus 58 near the hub of the record and the stylus 58 lifted off the record. When the kiss-operated switch is closed, the tone arm 56 is swung to a position where the stylus is over a peripheral portion of the record, and the tone arm is released to allow the stylus to enter a record groove and play it. Vibrations of the stylus 58 are transmitted through a tone arm flange 60 to a speaker armature 62 that is spring biased toward the tone arm, and which transmits the vibrations to a speaker cone 64 that acoustically amplifies them.

The record 54 that is fixed to the turntable, and which is shown in detail in FIG. 7, includes multiple record grooves, for example eleven, designated in FIG. 7 as grooves G,-G Each record groove has a pair of leadin portions L L which are circumferentially spaced about the periphery of the record. Each of the grooves also has a runout portion R -R and the runout portions are circumferentially spaced about an inner portion of the record. In some cases it is desirable to play the record grooves in a predetermined sequence, while in other cases it is desirable to select them randomly. However, in all cases it is highly desirable that each of the grooves be played occasionally. In those cases where the mechanism for returning the tone arm to the periphery of the record is not positively driven, it sometimes occurs that one or a few of the record grooves are played over and over, and many of the grooves are never played. The phonograph of this invention is constructed so that the grooves may be played in sequence, or at least that each groove is occasionally played.

FIG. 9 illustrates the position of the tone arm 56 in relation to the record 54 after the phonograph starts and prior to the next playing cycle. The tone arm 56 which is pivotally mounted at 66 on the housing, has a projection 68 that can open a switch 70 that connects the battery to the phonograph motor, by deflecting a contact 72 away from another contact 74. The switch 70 is connected in parallel with the kiss-operated switch 24. Thus, when the doll is kissed, the phonograph begins playing, and the record and turntable begin rotating in the direction of the arrow F.

As the turntable begins rotating in the direction of arrow F, a return cam 76 pivots the tone arm 56 over the record to the periphery of the record, setting it down in the position shown in FIG. 10 with its stylus 58 in a position to enter one of the leadin groove portions L at the periphery of the record. Pivoting of the tone arm also allows the latching switch 70 to close and allow the phonograph to play' a recording. After the phonograph has played a recording and the stylus enters a runout groove portion, the phonograph automatically stops to await the next activation which occurs when the doll is kissed again.

The return cam 76 is rotated a single revolution when the phonograph is turned on, by apparatus that positively connects it to the rotating turntable during a single revolution even though the turntable rotates many times during the playing of a spiral record groove. As best shown in FIG. 14, the apparatus positively coupling the cam 76 to the turntable 52 includes a stop member 78 that is pivotally mounted on a post 80 of the return cam to rotate with it by one revolution at each cycle of playing. The stop 78 has a catch-engaging projection 82 which can engage one of a series of catches 84 that are fixed to the turntable or record, to thereby connect the cam 76 to the turntable to rotate the cam. The stop 78 has another projection 86 that can be moved by an operating finger 88 on the tone arm 56, to cause pivoting of the stop 78 so that the catch-engaging portion 82 engages one of the catches.

A guide 90 fixed to the phonograph housing forms a track that engages the stop projection 86. The guide 90 has a stopping surface 92 that initially engages the stop projection 86 to prevent rotation of the stop and therefore to prevent rotation of the return cam 76. However, when the tone arm finger 88 pivots the stop so that the stop projection 82 engages a catch 84, the other stop projection 86 can move along a track 94 of the guide that keeps the stop engaged with a catch 84 to assure continued rotation of the return cam with the turntable.

A description of a cycle of operation of the phonograph will aid in understanding its manner of operation. As shown in FIG. 9, the phonograph is normally stopped at the end of a cycle with the guide-engaging stop projection 86 positioned along the track 94 of the guide 90. When the phonograph is turned on by-kissing of the doll, the cam 76 completes its revolution while a returning portion 96 thereof moves the tone arm 56 to the periphery of the record and releases it thereat.

FIG. illustrates the phonograph mechanism when the cam 76 has completed most of the revolution and has released the tone arm. At that time, the guideengaging portion 86 on the stop encounters a reverse pivoting portion 100 of the guide 90, that causes the stop 78 to pivot in the direction of arrow S. Such pivoting of the cam results in the catch-engaging portion 82 moving out of engagement with one of the turntable catches 84 so that the stop 78 and return cam 76 are no longer positively driven to rotate with the turntable. There is enough friction, however, to cause continued rotation of the cam 76 with the turntable for a further fraction of a revolution until the stop projection 86 encounters the holding surface 92 of the guide, as shown in FIG. 11. The guide surface 92 prevents any further rotation of the stop 78 and return cam with the turntable, and fixes the position of the stop until it is next moved by the tone arm.

The record and turntable continue rotating force several revolutions while a recording is played, even though the return cam does not rotate. As the tone arm stylus 58 tracks a spiral recordgroove, the tone arm moves radially inwardly towards the stop 78. FIG. 12 illustrates the situation as the stylus'58 enters a run-out groove portion R of a record groove and approaches the projection 86 on the stop.

As the stylus 58 moves along the runout groove portion R, the tone arm finger 88 encounters the stop projection 86 and pivots the stop in the direction of arrow T. As shown in FIG. 13, this causes the stop to move The tone arm has a downwardly projecting member 104 (FIG. 14) that is received radially within the lifter portion 102 to prevent disengagement of the tone arm from the return cam. Thereafter, the large spiralling portion 96 of the return cam maintains the tone arm off the record as it moves it first radially outwardly. A short time after the beginning of rotation of the return cam, before the tone arm can be moved outwardly, the phonograph stops in the position shown in FIG. 9, and remains in this condition until the doll is kissed again. The stopping occurs when the tone arm projection 68 opens the latch switch 70, which may occur immediately prior to the tone arm contacting the stop 78, and the turntable coasting to the position shown in FIG. 9 before it actually stops.

The return cam 76 is constructed to set down the tone arm at the periphery of the record so that the stylus plays the next succeeding record groove. Thus, for example, if the tone arm had previously played groove G and was moving along runout, portion R when it was liftedby the return cam, the tone arm will be set down in a position to engage the leadin portion L of the next groove G As a result, each of the grooves will be played in sequence. If the tolerances of manufacture are loose, then the tone arm may skip the next groove and therefore after playing groove G may next play groove G However, where an odd number of grooves such as eleven are employed, all of the grooves will be eventually played. It is also possible to alter the sequence by changing the number or relative location of the catches 84 that are fixed to the turntable. The catches 84 are actually formed as teeth on the. center area of the record, which is permanently cemented to the turntable. While eleven catches 84 are shown to enable sequential playing of the eleven grooves, it is possible to utilize a different number to provide for a different order of groove playing. The fact that there is positive engagement of the cam with the turntable, assures that each of the grooves will occasionally be played.

Thus, the invention provides a doll and phonograph apparatus which assures reliable operation in spite of only moderate part tolerances. The doll has an electrical switch that operates when the lips are depressed a small amount, and utilizes an elongated member of relaxation material to couple the inner walls of the head at the lip to the switch. The relaxation member enables wide variations in mounting while assuring switch closing when a small but definite lip depression is applied, and also prevents a constant closed-switch condition that would drain the batteries. The phonograph has a tone arm return mechanism that operates positively to assure reliable operation and to assure playing of all of the phonograph record grooves at least occasionally, if not in sequence.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated herein, it is recognized that modifications and variations may readily occur to those skilled in the art and, consequently, it is intended that the claims be interpreted to cover such modifications and equivalents.

What is claimed is:

1. In a toy phonograph which includes a driven turntable assembly, a record with at least one spiral groove having leadin and runout portions, and a tone arm with a stylus that can track said groove, the improvement comprising:

a drivable cam having a tone-arm engaging portion for moving the tone arm to a position over the record where the tone arm can engage said leadin portion;

means responsive to said stylus moving onto said runout groove portion for drivably connecting said cam to said turntable assembly; and

means for terminating the drivable connection of said cam to said turntable assembly after a predetermined rotation of said turntable;

said record having a plurality of spiral, interleaved grooves having circumferentially spaced leadin and runout portions, said leadin and runout portions being spaced about said record by a first predetermined angle; and

said tone-arm engaging portion of said cam being constructed to raise the tone arm off the record, and then release it so its stylus can move against the record after a second predetermined angular rotation of said record, said second predetermined angular rotation being chosen so that the stylus engages successive record grooves in a predetermined order.

2. The improvement described in claim 1 wherein:

said cam is mounted for rotation about the same axis of rotation as said record; and

said means for drivably connecting said cam to said turntable assembly includes a plurality of catch members fixed to said turntable and a stop member pivotally mounted on said cam, said stop member having a first portion engageable and disengageable from said catch members and a second portion positioned to abut said tone arm as it moves along a run-out groove portion to receive forces from it that pivot said stop member in a direction for said first portion to engage one of said catch members, said catch members corresponding in number to said grooves and being circumferentially spaced about said turntable by said first predetermined angle.

3. The improvement described. in claim 2 wherein:

said means for terminating the drivable connection of said cam to said turntable includes a fixed member having a surface for engagingsaid stop member to force it to pivot in a direction wherein said first stop-member portion disengages from a catch member.

4. A toy phonograph comprising:

a housing;

a turntable rotatably mounted on said housing;

a motor connected to said turntable to rotate it in a forward direction;

a record mounted on said turntable and having a plurality of record grooves;

catch means coupled to said turntable to rotate with a tone arm having an inner end pivotally mounted on said housing and an outer end, and having a stylus at said outer end; i Y

a return cam rotatably mounted about the same axis of rotation as said turntable, and having a portion which engages said tone arm to move the outer end thereof to the peripheral portion of the record;

a stop member pivotally mounted on said return cam to pivot between an engaged position wherein said stop member is in the path of said catch means and a disengaged position out of the path of said catch means; and

stop guiding means mounted on said housing and having a first portion for abutting said stop member when it is in said disengaged position to prevent movement ofit in said forward direction of rotation of said turntable, said stop guiding means having a second portion for maintaining said stop member in said engaged position during a predetermined angular rotation of it with said turntable, and said stop guiding means having a third portion for pivoting said stop member to said disengaged position as it moves thereby so that said stop member can abut said first portion of said stop guiding means; and

said tone arm having a portion for engaging said stop member when said stop member abuts said first portion of said stop guiding means to pivot said stop member tosaid engaged position.

Claims

1. In a toy phonograph which includes a driven turntable assembly, a record with at least one spiral groove having leadin and runout portions, and a tone arm with a stylus that can track said groove, the improvement comprising: a drivable cam having a tone-arm engaging portion for moving the tone arm to a position over the record where the tone arm can engage said leadin portion; means responsive to said stylus moving onto said runout groove portion for drivably connecting said cam to said turntable assembly; and means for terminating the drivable connection of said cam to said turntable assembly after a predetermined rotation of said turntable; said record having a plurality of spiral, interleaved grooves having circumferentially spaced leadin and runout portions, said leadin and runout portions being spaced about said record by a first predetermined angle; and said tone-arm engaging portion of said cam being constructed to raise the tone arm off the record, and then release it so its stylus can move against the record after a second predetermined angular rotation of said record, said second predetermined angular rotation being chosen so that the stylus engages successive record grooves in a predetermined order.

2. The improvement described in claim 1 wherein: said cam is mounted for rotation about the same axis of rotation as said record; and said means for drivably connecting said cam to said turntable assembly includes a plurality of catch members fixed to said turntable and a stop member pivotally mounted on said cam, said stop member having a first portion engageable and disengageable from said catch members and a seCond portion positioned to abut said tone arm as it moves along a run-out groove portion to receive forces from it that pivot said stop member in a direction for said first portion to engage one of said catch members, said catch members corresponding in number to said grooves and being circumferentially spaced about said turntable by said first predetermined angle.

3. The improvement described in claim 2 wherein: said means for terminating the drivable connection of said cam to said turntable includes a fixed member having a surface for engaging said stop member to force it to pivot in a direction wherein said first stop-member portion disengages from a catch member.

4. A toy phonograph comprising: a housing; a turntable rotatably mounted on said housing; a motor connected to said turntable to rotate it in a forward direction; a record mounted on said turntable and having a plurality of record grooves; catch means coupled to said turntable to rotate with it; a tone arm having an inner end pivotally mounted on said housing and an outer end, and having a stylus at said outer end; a return cam rotatably mounted about the same axis of rotation as said turntable, and having a portion which engages said tone arm to move the outer end thereof to the peripheral portion of the record; a stop member pivotally mounted on said return cam to pivot between an engaged position wherein said stop member is in the path of said catch means and a disengaged position out of the path of said catch means; and stop guiding means mounted on said housing and having a first portion for abutting said stop member when it is in said disengaged position to prevent movement of it in said forward direction of rotation of said turntable, said stop guiding means having a second portion for maintaining said stop member in said engaged position during a predetermined angular rotation of it with said turntable, and said stop guiding means having a third portion for pivoting said stop member to said disengaged position as it moves thereby so that said stop member can abut said first portion of said stop guiding means; and said tone arm having a portion for engaging said stop member when said stop member abuts said first portion of said stop guiding means to pivot said stop member to said engaged position.