US2669063A - Growing figure toy - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 16, 1954 P. w.- LANG 2,669,063

GROWING FIGURE TOY Filed May 1, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR g PFflL WE/VTWORW L/r/ve,

Feb. 16, 1954 P. w. LANG GROWING FIGURE TOY 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 1, 1950 IN VENTOR M14 WE/VZWOFT Lfi/VG,

i ATTOR 'EY Feb. 16, 1954 p, w, N 2,669,063

GROWING FIGURE TOY Filed May 1, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 a E2 INVENTOR my; Warn 0,1 7 ARA/6',

BY 5. I ATTO NEY Feb. 16, 1954 P.'W. LANG GROWING FIGURE TOY 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed \May 1 1950 INVENTOR WUL WEA/TWO/PTH zfl/v,

BY &- 6 0 AT ()RNEY tion; Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the escapement mechanism which governs the rate of operation of the expansion cycle in the form of my invention shown in Figs. 1-10.

My invention is directed to a toy novelty in which a rubber or synthetic rubber casing representative of an animate figure encloses coil spring members biased to expanded positions and including restraining members in the form of cords which may be wrapped upon spaced positions on a central arbor, the central arbor being connected through clutch mechanism with an escapement governor. The escapement governor operates to control the release of the coil spring members at a rate to simulate growth of the figure toy from a contracted normal limit position to an expanded limit position for projecting the parts of the figure toy. In restoring the figure toy to contracted position the parts of the figure toy are individually collapsed by applying manual force thereto while the arbor is released from the escapement governor by operation of the clutch mechanism. The arbor may be wound manually to wind up the restraining members which connect with the ends of the coil springs for contracting the coil springs and correspondingly contracting the rubber or synthetic rubber encasing whereby the figure toy is restored to its original animate position, the escapement governor reconnected with the arbor through operation of the clutch mechanism and the figure toy thus conditioned for a repeating cycle of expansion or growth. My invention finds expression in a variety of figure toys such as a rubber or synthetic rubber encased snake or reptile, a rubber or synthetic rubber encased doll or a rubber or synthetic rubber encased plant, tree, bush or vegetation. The principle I have evolved is that of controlling the expansion of a spring motor to stretch an enclosing casing from one limiting position to another giving the appearance of growth of the enclosing casing.

The escapement mechanism within the figure toy is particularly appropriate for use in a toy representative of a doll as the escapement mechanism produces an audible sound simulating the heart beat thereby increasing the attractiveness of the toy to children.

The principles of m invention when applied to a doll provide for the simulated growth of not only the arms and legs of the figure but also the torso portion of the figure which is arranged with coil springs surrounding the restraining cords which extend to the arm and leg members of the figure toy and which provide for the central expansion and contraction of the figure toy.

The preferred form of my invention employs a contraction and expansion mechanism of a type in which two. substantially linearly extending members are arranged for translatory movement therebetween in a somewhat telescopic relation. The two members slide in a longitudinal direction toward or away from each other and are provided with transversely extending extremities forming guides for coil spring members which project through the resilient body structure of the figure toy. The coil springs are connected from their ends through restraining members which pass through the hereinbefore referred to guides and are looped through one of the substantially linearly extending members intermediate the length thereof and through the extremity of the coacting linearly extending mem ber whereby the said members under action of the coil springs which are connected With t e tions.

straining members operate to continuously displace the substantially linearly extending members to a position in which the extremity of one of the substantially linearly extending members tends to align itself with the intermediate portion of the other of the substantially linearly extending members through which the said restraining members pass. This continuous displacement to which the coacting linearly extending members are subjected is regulated by a weight and ratchet mechanism so that the substantially linearl extending members move apart gradually. This gradual expansive movement when embodied in an animat figure such as a doll, a plant, tree, bush, vegetation, or a figure toy of general construction, such as a snake or a serpent, simulates a condition of growth which imparts a naturalness to the device which is attractive, entertaining, educational, and in many applications very amusing.

Referring to the drawings in more detail I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention applied to a doll formed by a casing of highly resilient material having expansive and contractive properties, which I have represented generally by reference character i. may take a variety of shapes such as the form of a doll or other figure toy, plant, tree, bush or vegetation. I provide a multiplicity of expansive coil springs within the parts of the figure which simulate the limbs. For example, in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the figure simulates a doll wherein expansive coil springs 2 and 3 are disposed in the arm of the doll. Expansive coil spring 2 is disposed between ball member 4 adjacent the hand, and ball member 5 adjacent the elbow. Expansive coil spring 3 is disposed between ball member 5 at the elbow and ball member 6 at the shoulder. The restraining member or cord 7 is fastened to ball 4 and extends through the coil spring 2, the ball 5 and the coil spring 3 and through a passage 8 formed in ball member 5 by which the direction of the restraining cord 7 is changed so that the restraining cord extends downwardly and through a port 9 formed in the side wall of the longitudinally extending member um of the substantially linearly extending member Iii. Substantially linearly extending member l0 includes a pair of longitudinally extending members Illa and iilb secured to a transverse header H at the adjacent extremities thereof. The transversely extending header I! l maintains the ball members I2 and is at the extremities thereof in predetermined spaced relation for guiding the coil springs shown respectively at iii and ES. The ball members l2 and I4 are arranged in a manner similar to the symmetrically arranged ball members at the opposite end of the device hereinbefore referred to as ball member 5. That is to say, ball member 6 is carried by the extremity of a transversely extending header I! which carries the ball member 18 on the other end thereof. The transversely extending header ll connects with substantially linearly extending member l9 and with the central longitudinally extending member 25!. The substantially linearly extending 'member is may be channel shaped in section as shown more clearly in Fig. 9 with the side wallslea and I9?) spaced to embrace the substantially linearly extending members ill-a and Iflb which are adapted to slide in a longitudinal direction. The movement of the channel shaped member 19 and the members its and 4th is coordinated: by pin and slot connec- That is, member Illa carries pin Inc The casingwhich projects through slot 519g" in member 190. 5201) projects from member lfllb through a depending slot in side channel shaped meme ber .13. The substantially linearly extending members in! and 1'9 are thus capable of mutual movement :a longitudinal direction. That is, members 1:9 :and 1:0 move telescopically with respect to each .other. The central longitudinally extending member 20 .may be mtegral with or separate from the channel shaped member 19'; but in any event is keyed to move with the channel shaped member 19 guided by pins Ilia and Nb operating in the aligned slots represented in 5 and .10 at 19a. To facilitate mounting the expansion and contraction device within a resilient casing, such as the torso of a doll, the coacting members 19 and 20 are slightly curved in contour as represented in Figs. 2, 5 and 10, so that members l9 and slide linearly but in a controlled curved path. The ball members 6 and I8 approach and .recede with respect to each other in a linear direction which may be in a somewhat inclined plane depending upon the mounting of the expansion and contraction device within the resilient casing which is to be subjected to the expansion and contraction movement. The linear movement of the members l9 and In is further controlled by means of pin and slot connections spaced from the aforesaid pin and slot connections similarly to pin lilo and slot |9a'.' These additional pin and slot connections are illustrated in Figs. 1-10, consisting of pins 10a" and I01)" carried by linearly extendingmembers 10a and Nb and extending throughslots 18a, in the side walls of channel shaped member 19 which I have repre sented in Figs. 5 and 10 at lea. Thus the translatory movement of members 19 and HI is guided in spaced positions along the channel shaped member 19.

The rear of the channel member I9 carries the toothed rack 24. The toothed rack 2| is curved or somewhat arcuate in contour and coacts with spaced teeth 22 and 23' formed on opposite endsof the strip 24c on which is mounted the weight 24 which is carried by a transversely extending shaft member 25. The transversely extending shaft member 25 pivoted at opposite ends thereof in the flat members 25 and 21. The flat members 26 and 27 are substantially right angularly shaped as shown more clearly'in Figs. 5 and 1,0, with elon-v gated portionsslotted as represented at 26c. The ends of the elongated portions or eachoi the members 26 and 21 are pivotally mounted on pintles lfla' and IOb"-', extending from the sides of linearly ext-ending members Ito and 1017. Members 26 and 21 rock angularly about pintles at Mal and Iflb' as channel shaped member IQ and members Illa and 10b slide linearly with respect to each other under control of the stepbyestep movement of weight 24. This step-bystep movement produced by the constanttension maintained between members 10 and t9 enables the 'members H1 and I to expand or extend with respect to each other according to a regulated or controlled movement, so that'the sliding action of member I U with respect to member 19 is gradually effected. The mass of weight 24 issuch that by shaking the doll, movement may be induced in strip 24a for moving teeth '22 and 23 step-by-step undercontrol of rocking weight 24. I

Sufficient lost motion is provided by the slotted arran ement of members 26 and to allow stepebyefstep movement of weight 524 :ior preventing too rapid an expansion or spreading of the .coacting members 10 and M. :It is be- :this expansion or spreading action will be clear tram the iforego'ing specification, but for purposes ;of emphasis it is pointed out -.that the coil springs constitute the motive means for the expansive action. These coil springs hereinbefore partially :rlescribed are arranged symmetrically at opposite ends of the mechanism to exert continuous force on the restraining members represented at 1 5 29 and 30. That is to say, coil spring 3 exerts :a continuous force on restraining member :1; :coil spring 3| exerts a continuous force ,on restraining member 29.; coil spring it exerts a continuous force on restraining member 28; while coil spring I6 exerts a continuous zforce on restraining member 30. It will :be understood that potential energy is stored in the several coil springs and their associated and aligned coil springs :by compressing the springs. Kinetic energy produced by the several coil springs during the gradual and controlled expansion of the several .coil springs in Wilson. whereby restraining members 1 and .28 passing through port 9 in the side l fla of memher it] and restraining members 29 and 30 pass.- ing through the corresponding port disposed in member l0b represented in Fig. -7 at 32 and extending through a port 33 the end or the centrally longitudinally extending member 20 forming part of .the member 19, whereby ,a continuous transiatory force is exerted, tending to displace the member 49 to a position in which the ported terminus of member 20 becomes substantially aligned with the ports 9 and 32 in members la and 10b. This translatory movement in a longitudinal direction is regulated and controlled by the step-by-step operation of the weighted escapement 24. the substantially linearly .zextending members l9 and i0 approach the limit of their fully expanded position the Weighted escapement is sufficiently disengaged from the rack teeth '2:| to permit the two coacting members 11:9 and ID to be manually squeezed together by forces applied to the transversely extending members II and 11 to condition the mechanism for a repeat cycle at which time the weighted escapemen't is again engaged with the rack teeth 2|. Thus control between the two members 10 and 19 is relieved automati- Cally in the fully .expanded position of the members but is restored upon the replenishment of potential energy in the device so that the transformation from a potential energy condition to a kinetic energy condition can only occur over an extended time cycle and with a gradual movement simulating growth.

The potential energy is stored up by the serie operation of a multiplicity of coil springs simultaneously as indicated for example in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 by coil springs 2 and 3 acting conjointly or coil springs I15 and 34 acting conjointly. The springs 15 and 34 act against restraining member 28 and through ball members [2, 35 and 36. The ball member 36 adjacent the end of the figure is provided with a projecting extension 31 thereon that is slidable adjacent the surface of a rearwardly disposed floating ball 38. The extension 31 serves as a foundation means for the toe portion of the foot of the figure while the heating ball 38 serves as a foundation means e the li sc he fo t so tha as e ensi n 31 s ices against the. serrate arr stin all 38 the application of pressure produces a 'fsimulated"- 7v growing action to the extreme foot end of the figure.

In Figs. 1 and 2 I have shown the manner of encasing the coil springs with the resilient material I constituting the body structure of the figure. Special precaution is taken to mold the parts of the figure in predetermined graduated thicknesses to eliminate bulging or collapsing of the parts of the figure where concentrated forces are introduced so that a natural appearance is maintained for the figure. That is to say, in case of a doll the outwardly projecting contour portions are provided with relatively thick walls which maintain the shape of the figure for stretching actions produced intermediate the thinner wall portions. In other words the lateral thickness of the walls of the figure is so selected that stretching is not accompanied by distortion but natural shapes are maintained. In certain forms of my device I may mold the resilient material as represented in Fig.3 at 45 directly around the coil springs I and 3-4 and around the ball members 35 and 35 and the extension 31 and the floating'ball 3B. The resiliency of the molded material is such that the material. expands as the coil springs I5 and 34 exert a drawing force on restraining member 28 simulating growth of the figure.

The ball members 6, l2, l4 and it serve as guides for the coil springs which are free to. orient about the ball members when changing the'angular disposition of the limbs of the figure. The transverse member H may connect with pad members 5! and 52 that serve to shape the figure casing I. I may mount the ball members in sockets in the transverse members i and H and thereby increase the adjustability of the limbs. The ball members 5, l2, l4 and I3 when free to revolve universally greatly facilitate the ease of moving the limbs to desired selected positions.

The restraining means under these conditions serve to maintain the ball members in their sockets in any of the positions to which the limbs enclosing the springs may be moved.

The fact that the substantially linearly mov able members are retractible toward and away from each other for spreading the transversely extending members H and I l in substantially parallel positions enables the device to be mounted within the torso of the figure so that it is effective to expand and contract the torso in a vertical direction simultaneously with the expansion and contraction of the limbs in similitude which further increases the naturalness of the appearance of the device in simulating growth.

Figs. 11, 12 and 13 show a modified form of my invention wherein a rotatable mechanism is em-' ployed for Winding the restraining members i, 28, 29 and 38 on sections of a drum'within the figure toy. The sectionalized drum is mounted on a shaft 41 which is journaled within a hollow and somewhat curved casing represented at 42. The shaft ii is slidable longitudinally under control of a push button device 43 which extends throughthe resilient body structure represented at l foreffecting disengagement ofthe clutch mechanism represented at 44 for disconnecting the escape ment mechanism represented at 45 when the device has expanded to its maximum limit and preparatory to the manual contraction thereto to permit the re-cycling expansion operation. Button 43 is provided with a head diametrically grooved at 43a to allow the entry of a small tool or blade or the edge of a coil for rotating the shaft 41 while the clutch is disengaged for rewindinglthe restraining members'l, 28, 29 and 30 on the drums 53, 54 and 55 when retracting the coil springs 3, l5, I6, 3| etc.

.The clutch member 44 comprises a disc 46 having a projecting lug 46a thereon adapted to engage a lug carried by coacting disc ii.

Disc 41 carries a series of horizontally projecting spaced pins 38 which are engaged step-bystep by the end of the bifurcated escapement lever 49 that is pivoted interiorly of one end of casin 42 at 50 inc. position operative to swing angularly in a plane ofiset from the plane of disc 47. Shaft 4| connected to the set of drums 53, 54 and 55 through speed reduction gearing 56, 51,58 and 59 so that the set of drums rotate at a slow rate compared to the rotation of shaft 4| in releasing restraining members I, 28, 29 and 35, from drums 53 and 55 and restraining members 65 and 66 from drum 5i. Thus the coil springs and also the torso are allowed to gradually expand simulating animate growth.

The torso portion of the device also expands as separate coil springs 5i] and iii are disposed between the ends of casing $2 at 42c. and 42b and the interior ends of the telescopic members 62 and 63, which slide thereon. Restraining members 55 and 56 extend from drum M to the ends of coil springs 60 and SI and release these coil springs gradually allowing the telescopic members 62 and 53 to spread apart on casing 52. The members 52 and 63 carry the ball members 5, l8 and I2, l4 and/or the sockets in which these members are supported. The restraining means i, 28 and 35 pass through the ball members 6, i8, i2 and it, as previously described. When the restraining members '3, 28, 29 and 35 are released from the drums 53 and 55 and. restraining members 55 and 56 released from drum 54 the coil springs 65] and GI become effective to push the telescopic members 52 and 63 apart simulating the appearance of animate growth.

The repeated clicking sound of the escapement mechanism that governs the rate of growth of the device adds further attractiveness to the device as the clicking simulates the sound of a heart beat for the device when built into a doll or manikin.

In Figs. 1-10 and Fig. 14, I have illustrated the rack 2i and the teeth22 and 23 supported by supporting strip 24a of weight 24 on an enlarged scale with a relatively small number of teeth formed in the rack 2|. It will be understood, however, that the enlarged showing is for purposes of explaining the operation of my invention and that in practice the gear teeth are formed on a scale that enables prolonged operation of the expanding cycle to take place. Also the arcuate contour of the rack 2| is so determined that the teeth 22 and 23 supporting strip 24a of weight 24 remain in step-by-step engagement therewith until the expansion limit has been reached whereupon the two coacting members may be restored to contracted position from a limiting position in which teeth 22 and 23 of weight 24 are retracted from meshing engage- [shown in the drawings so that a resiliency is provided in the rockable device that permits the sliding of the teeth over the ratchet-like teeth 21 of the rack when the device is being restored to the original condition preparatory to expansion. The links 26 and 21 serve to guide the weight, the resilient supporting strip 24a and the teeth 22 and 23 throughout the restoring cycle to the position at which the expansion cycle commences.

I may mold the parts of the casing of the expansion and contraction mechanism, shown in Figs. 11-13 or of the telescopic members of Figs. 1-10, from plastic, thereby reducing costs in manufacture and production.

While I have described my invention in certain preferred embodiments, I realize that modifications may be made and I desire that it be understood that no limitations upon my invention are intended other than may be imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. A figure toy comprising a resilient tubular casing, an expandible and contractible coil spring enclosed by said resilient tubular casing, a terminus member embedded in the end of said tubular casing, a ball member fioatingly supported in the end of said tubular casing and slidably engaged by said terminus member, said coil spring being connected with said terminus member for forcing said terminus member in sliding cam-like contact with said fioatingly supported ball member for displacing said terminus member and said ball member within said tubular casing for stretching said tubular casing as said coil spring expands for simulating animate growth at the end of said tubular casing.

2. A figure toy as set forth in claim 1 in which rounded termini are housed within said casing on which said coil spring is supported and a restraining member extending through said rounded termini and movable therethrough during the expansive action of said coil spring for controlling the stretching of said tubular casing.

3. A figure toy comprising a resilient tubular casing terminating in an end portion extending in a generally extending transverse direction to ,the axis of said tubular casing, said end portion tially in alignment with the laterally extending portion of said casing and in slidable contact abutment with said first mentioned ball member whereby expansion and contraction of said coil spring effects displacement of said second mentioned ball member for correspondingly displacing said first mentioned ball member through the sliding abutment effected by the movement of said extension with respect to said first mentioned ball member for simulating growth of said laterally extending portion in correlation to simulating growth of said tubular casing.

4. A figure toy as set forth in claim 3 in which said extension member moves in a path that is substantially tangent to said first mentioned ball member as said coil spring expands and contracts.

5. A figure toy as set forth in claim 3 in which the laterally extending portion of said casing simulates the shape of an animate member and in which said extension member imparts movement in one direction to the said casing while said first mentioned ball member imparts movement in an opposite direction to said casing for simulating growth of the simulated animate member.

' 6. A figure toy as set forth in claim 3 in which said first mentioned ball member is located in a position corresponding to the position of a heel and in which an extension member terminates in a position of a toe and wherein the slidable displacement of said extension member with respect to said first mentioned ball member operates to spread the terminus of said extension member away from said ball member for simulating growth between the heel and the toe of the figure toy.

PAUL WENTWOBTH LANG.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 268,020 Howard Nov. 28, 1882 1,049,345 Dolman Jan. 7, 1913 1,062,129 Sweeney May 20, 1913 1,484,182 Margus Feb. 19, 1924 1,918,122 Naue July 11, 1933 2,129,421 Hales Sept. 6, 1938 2,252,125 Hauser Aug. 12, 1941 2,422,913 Leach June 24, 1947 2,564,813 Moyers Aug. 21, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 352,728 France 1905 104,280 Great Britain 1917 633,641 Great Britain 1949

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