Drawing Device

Abstract

A drawing device which includes a frame movable over a marking surface by at least a pair of wheels fixedly secured to a shaft for rotation with the wheels. At least one marking member is mounted on the frame and movable relative thereto to draw a predetermined pattern onto the marking surface in response to movement of the frame over the marking surface. A cam drum, having a plurality of different, individual cam runs disposed longitudinally therealong, is secured to the rotating shaft and a linkage is operatively connected to the marking member, with a cam follower of the linkages engageable with the cam drum to move the marking member relative to the frame in a pattern determined by the individual cam runs on the cam drum. The cam follower portion of the linkage and the cam drum are relatively shiftable to thereby permit selective determination of the pattern to be drawn by the drawing device. The marking member is journaled on the frame for movement toward and away from the frame, as well as pivoting movement relative to the frame, to provide for further selective changes of the drawn pattern.

Description

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a self-contained designing toy or drawing device movable over a marking surface to draw a predetermined pattern thereon.

Various manual drawing devices presently are available and include a positioning frame which has a marking surface or an area for receiving materials such as paper or the like which have marking surfaces, and a variety of stencillike members, such as perforated guide bars or rings, are provided for movement within the frame or guide means with a pencil or like marking device to trace various patterns on the marking surface. Such devices normally draw concentric rectangular, spiral, or circular patterns on the surface by manual manipulation of a pencil or like marking device guided by the perforated bars or rings. Ingenuity in creating designs is the primary purpose of such devices. Other manual drawing devices have been provided which are movable over a drawing surface, with a marking member adapted to draw a continuous pattern in response to movement of the device over the marking surface. However, with devices of the latter type, use thereof becomes quite monotonous because the pattern always is the same. The present invention is directed to providing a new and improved designing toy for drawing a predetermined pattern on a marking surface in response to movement of the device over the marking surface, and the device has means permitting an extremely wide range of selections and/or changes in the drawn pattern and thereby enhance the artistic creations of the user, particularly a child.

An object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a new and improved drawing device of the character described, and, particularly, a new and improved drawing device which provides for selectively determining the patterns drawn on the marking surface by the device as it is moved over the marking surface.

The invention contemplates employing a frame which is movable over a marking surface, with marking means mounted on the frame and movable relative thereto to draw a predetermined pattern onto the marking surface in response to movement of the frame over the marking surface. Means are provided to selectively change the movement of the marking means relative to the frame to thereby change the pattern drawn thereby. The device is a self-contained unit, with the means for selectively changing the pattern mounted on the frame of the device.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a pair of wheels are fixedly secured for rotation with a drive shaft mounted on the frame, the wheels being in engagement with the marking surface so that the drive shaft rotates with the wheels in response to movement of the frame over the marking surface. A cam drum is mounted on the shaft and rotatable therewith, and a linkage is operatively connected to the marking means and has a cam follower portion engageable with the cam drum to move the marking means relative to the frame in a pattern determined by the cam drum. The cam drum has a plurality of different individual cam runs disposed longitudinally along the cam drum, and means are provided for shifting the cam follower portion of the linkage selectively along the cam drum for engagement with selected ones of the cam runs to thereby selectively change the pattern drawn by the marking means.

The marking means of the present invention preferably comprises a pair of marking members oscillated by the linkage between the cam drum and the marking members in a predetermined sequence generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of the frame over the marking surface. Each cam run on the cam drum has a plurality of rises and falls to effect the oscillating movement of the marking members. The rises cause the marking members to move outwardly perpendicular to the direction of movement of the device, and spring means are provided to urge the marking members back inwardly as the cam follower portion of the linkage moves over the falls on the cam drum.

The marking members preferably are independently journaled on the frame on an axis generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of the frame over the marking surface to permit the marking members to be pivoted about the axis to adjust the amplitude of the oscillatory movement of either of the marking members to provide further changes for the drawn pattern. The marking members also are independently adjustable in a direction generally parallel to the direction of movement of the frame over the marking surface to provide further changes for the drawn pattern. Such adjustment of the marking members, along with the plurality of different cam runs on the cam drum, provide for greater creativity in the selection of patterns to be drawn by the device than has heretofore been available.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drawing device, embodying the concepts of the present invention, and shown positioned on a marking surface;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 1, with the two marking members moved outwardly from the positions shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, on an enlarged scale, with portions cut away and in section to facilitate the illustration;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken generally along the line 4--4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section taken generally along the line 5--5 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cam drum utilized in the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The drawing device of the present invention, as shown herein, is incorporated in a self-contained manually movable unit which is designed to ride over and upon a marking surface to draw patterns on that surface corresponding to the movement of a pair of marking members movable relative to the frame of the device, and having means permitting the user of the device to selectively determine the movement of the marking members relative to the frame as the device moves over the marking surface. For illustration purposes, the device is shown in the form or configuration of a mechanical insect which has a pair of movable head portions, the device being manually movable over the drawing surface, all of which will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail, the device of the present invention, generally designated 10, includes a generally hollow frame 12 within which most of the operative components of the device are housed. The device is manually movable over a marking surface 14 by a pair of front wheels 16 and a pair of rear wheels 18. The rear wheels 18 are fixedly secured to a rectangularly shaped (in cross section) drive shaft 20 for rotation therewith, the wheels being spaced in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of the frame 12 over the marking surface 14. Each wheel 18 has a friction surface about the periphery thereof, the disclosed embodiment comprising rubber rings 22. The rubber rings 22, along with the wheels 18 being fixed to the shaft 20, facilitate the frame 12 in moving over the marking surface 14 in a straight line.

The marking means of the present invention comprises a pair of holders 24 within which are received vertically a pair of marking members 26 (such as pens, pencils, and the like) for engagement at their lower ends with the marking surface 14. As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the holders 24 and the marking members 26 move relative to the frame 10 to draw a predetermined pattern onto the marking surface 14 in response to movement of the frame over the marking surface, and means are provided for selectively changing the movement of the holders 24 (and thus the marking members 26) relative to the frame 12 to thereby permit selective determination of the pattern to be drawn by the marking members 26.

Referring to FIGS. 3 through 6, a cam drum, generally designated 28, is fixed to the shaft 20 between the wheels 18 for rotation therewith. The cam drum has a plurality of different, individual cam runs 28a through 28g disposed longitudinally therealong. A linkage, generally designated 30 in FIG. 3, is provided to operatively associate the cam drum 28 with the marking holders 24, and marking members 26, so that the marking members oscillate in a predetermined sequence generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of the frame 12 over the marking surface 14. The sequence and amplitude of the oscillatory movement of the marking members are determined primarily by the rises and falls on the cam runs 28a-28g of the cam drum 28.

More particularly, the linkage 30 between the cam drum 28 and the marking members 26 (and holders 24) comprises an elongated flap 32 pivoted by ears 32a, disposed along the top edge thereof to the frame 10, so that the flap is freely swingable, as like a pendulum, as best seen by the dot-dash and full lines in FIG. 5. The flap 32 has a cam follower portion 32b which operatively engages the cam runs 28a-28g of the cam drum 28. Thus, as the cam drum 28 rotates with the shaft 20, the rises and falls on the particular selected cam run, as will be described in greater detail hereinafter, will cause the flap to move back and forth, as shown best in FIG. 5. The linkage 30 further includes a lever, generally designated 34, for each of the marking holders 24 and pivoted on a vertical shaft 36. Each lever 34 has a forwardly protruding arm portion 34a fixed to one of the marking holders 24 and an offset rearwardly protruding arm portion 34b which is maintained in engagement with the flap 32 by means of wire springs 38 (as more fully described hereinafter).

Thus, the operative chain between the cam drum 28 and the marking holders 24 (and marking members 26) is as follows: As the follower portion 32b of the swingable flap 32 engages a rise on one of the cam runs 28a-28g of the cam drum 28, the flap will be moved in the direction of arrow A (FIG. 5) and, through its engagement with the lever arm portions 34b, will cause the levers 34 to pivot in a direction whereby the forwardly protruding arm portions 34a of the levers will move outwardly in the direction of arrows B (FIG. 3) to separate the marking holders 24 and cause the marking members 26, held thereby, to mark diverging lines on the marking surface 14 as the device moves in a forward direction. As the cam follower portion 32b of the swingable flap 32 reaches a fall in one of the cam runs 28a-28g of the cam drum 28, the springs 38 will bias the levers 34 in a direction so that the marking holders 24 move back inwardly in a direction opposite that of arrows B (FIG. 3) and thereby mark converging lines on the marking surface, as drawn by the marking members 26. In essence, the marking holders 24 and marking members 26 are oscillated generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of the frame 10 over the marking surface in identical but oppositely oriented patterns. The sequence of oscillation and the amplitude thereof are determined by the rises and falls on the cam runs 28a-28g of the cam drum 28.

To provide for selective changing or determination of the movement of the marking holders 24 (and marking members 26) relative to the frame 10 as the frame is moved over the marking surface 14, the cam drum 28 is slidably mounted on the shaft 20 so that the different individual cam runs 28a through 28g may be selectively positioned for engagement with the cam follower portion 32b on the swingable flap 32. To facilitate shifting the cam drum 28 along the shaft 20, a handle 40 is provided and protrudes from the casing 10, as best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, and is secured to a yoke, generally designated 42 in FIG. 4, disposed within the casing and embracing the cam drum 28. The yoke 42 has a pair of downwardly depending arms 42a (FIGS. 4 and 5) disposed on opposite sides of the cam drum to sandwich the cam drum therebetween and the arms 42a have apertures 42b through which the rectangular shaft 20 extends. The apertures 42b are sufficiently larger than the rectangular shaft 20 and is circular in shape to permit the yoke 42 to move freely longitudinally along the shaft 20, with the handle 40 moving therewith, to move the cam drum 28 along the shaft 20 and shift the cam drum relative to the cam follower portion 32b of the flap 32.

As best seen in FIGS. 1-3, the top wall of the casing 12 has an elongated slot 44 to accommodate movement of the handle 40 longitudinally of the shaft 20. The front of the slot 44 has a plurality of notches 44a corresponding in number and position to the cam runs 28a-28g on the cam drum 28 so that a narrow rib portion 40a (FIGS. 3 and 4) of the handle 40 may be disposed in the slots to accurately locate and hold the cam drum in position along the shaft 20 with one of the cam runs 28a-28g in engagement with the cam follower portion 32b of the flap 32. As seen in FIG. 5, a front lip portion 42c of the arms 42a (which depend from the handle 40) are held in engagement with the flap 32 along the lower edge thereof. This engagement is maintained by the springs 38 which urge the lever 34 against the flap 32 and into engagement with the cam drum 28. Consequently, the springs 38 hold the narrow rib portion 40a of the handle 40 in the notches 44a in the top wall of the frame 20. To shift the cam drum 28 longitudinally along the shaft 20, the handle 40 is depressed in the direction of arrow C (FIG. 5) to the position shown by the dot-dash lines in FIG. 5. Thus, the handle and the depending arms 42a will pivot about shaft 20 and urge the flap 32 away from the cam drum 28 in the direction of arrow A (FIG. 5) so that the follower portion 32b of the flap will not interfere with the movement of the cam drum 28 longitudinally along the shaft 20.

As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, the holders 24 for the marking members 26 have rearwardly extending rod portions 50 journaled in bushings 52 secured to the front of the forwardly extending arm portions 34a of the lever 34. This structure permits the holders 24 for the marking members 26 to be pivoted about an axis which normally extends generally parallel to the direction of movement of the frame 12 over the marking surface 14, so as to adjust the lower end of the marking members 26 generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of the frame 12 over the marking surface 14 and thereby adjust the amplitude of the oscillatory movement of either or both of the marking holders 24 for the marking members 26. The holders 24 and marking members 26 also may be adjusted in the bushings 52 along the axis of rods 50 in a direction generally parallel to the direction of movement of the frame 12 over the marking surface to further provide for greater creativity in the selection of patterns to be drawn by the device of the present invention.

Each marking member 26 also may be removed from the holders 24 to further change the drawn patterns.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom as some modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

Claims

We claim:

1. A drawing device comprising, a frame, wheel-supporting means on said frame affording movement of said frame across a supporting surface, a pair of mounting means pivotally supported on said frame, one marking means movably supported on each said mounting means affording independent angular positioning of said marking means relative to the path of movement of said frame, actuating means connecting said wheel-supporting means with said pair of mounting means so as to provide for oscillatory movement of said mounting means through spaced-apart paths which are mirror images of each other in response to movement of said wheel-supporting means, whereby the movement of said device over a surface produces a pair of generally similar linear patterns which may vary in amplitude in accordance with the selective positioning of said separate marker-supporting means.

2. The drawing device of claim 1 wherein said marking members are independently adjustable in a direction generally parallel to the direction of movement of the frame over the marking surface to provide for further selective determinations of the drawn pattern.

3. The drawing device of claim 1 including a drive shaft mounted on said frame and rotatable in response to movement of the frame over said marking surface, a cam drum mounted on said shaft and rotatable therewith, and a linkage operatively connected to said mounting means and having a cam follower portion engageable with said cam drum to move the marking means in a pattern determined by the cam drum.

4. The drawing device of claim 3 wherein said cam drum has a plurality of different individual cam runs disposed longitudinally therealong, and including means for shifting said cam follower portion relative to said cam drum for selective engagement with selected ones of said cam runs.

5. The drawing device of claim 3 wherein said cam drum has a plurality of rises and falls to effect movement of said mounting means through said linkage, the rises causing movement of the mounting means outwardly perpendicular to the direction of movement of the device, and including spring means to urge the mounting means back inwardly as said cam follower portion moves over the falls on the cam drum.