U.S. patent number 3,667,156 [Application Number 05/094,314] was granted by the patent office on 1972-06-06 for motor-driven rolling toy.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Tomy Kogyo Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to John H. Heim, Eijiro Tomiyama.
United States Patent |
3,667,156 |
Tomiyama , et al. |
June 6, 1972 |
MOTOR-DRIVEN ROLLING TOY
Abstract
A rolling toy which comprises a substantially wheel-shaped
housing and a motivating unit housed therein. The motivating unit
is carried by a shaft extending axially along the central axis of
the housing and is arranged to be rotated about the central axis.
Also, the unit includes power means and other elements which are
disposed in eccentric relation to the shaft, whereby when the unit
is rotated by the power means, rolling movement is imparted to the
housing to cause the same to roll along a surface. The toy can
return to its rolling position automatically when overturned.
Inventors: |
Tomiyama; Eijiro (Tokyo,
JA), Heim; John H. (Barrington, RI) |
Assignee: |
Tomy Kogyo Co., Ltd. (Tokyo,
JA)
|
Family
ID: |
22244429 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/094,314 |
Filed: |
December 2, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/458 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H
33/005 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63H
33/00 (20060101); A63h 033/26 () |
Field of
Search: |
;46/47,243 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Mancene; Louis G.
Assistant Examiner: Cutting; Robert F.
Claims
What I claim is
1. A motor-driven rolling toy comprising a wheel shaped housing
having a central axis and composed of a pair of substantially
symmetrical housing sections secured together, each said housing
section having a side surface with the central axis passing
centrally therethrough and a circumferentially extending surface
located around the edge of said side surface, an annular resilient
material mounted on the outer circumferential surfaces of said
housing sections and forming a surface-contacting portion for
holding said housings on a supporting surface in an upright
position, each of said housing sections having a substantially
conical extension located centrally of and projecting axially
outwardly from said side surface thereof and serving as a support
for permitting a conical movement of said housing when it is
displaced from the upright position, a shaft extending axially
along the central axis of said housing, and a motivating unit for
imparting a rolling movement to said housing, said motivating unit
being supported on said shaft within said housing for rotation
about said central axis and including a frame supported on said
shaft, an electric motor carried by said frame in eccentric
relation to said shaft, and means operatively arranged between said
motor, said shaft and said frame for rotating said frame relative
to said housing, whereby when said housing is placed on a
supporting surface in an upright position and said frame is rotated
relative to the housing, said housing is caused to begin rolling on
the surface by the off-center movement of the center of gravity of
said frame, and whereby when said housing is displaced onto one
said side surfaces during its rolling movement in the upright
position, sufficient centrifugal force acts on said frame and said
housing to cause said housing to right itself and return to the
upright position.
2. A toy as set forth in claim 1, wherein said frame has a
substantially sectorial configuration and is supported on said
shaft in such a way that it arc extends radially outwardly from
said shaft, two battery casings for dry cell batteries being
position on said frame, substantially along its arc, so that said
frame is eccentrically weighted further with said batteries housed
therein.
3. A toy as set forth in claim 1, wherein said shaft is fixed to
and extends between each of said housing sections.
4. A toy as set forth in claim 2, wherein a metallic weight is
mounted on said frame in eccentric relation to said shaft so as to
impart sufficient centrifugal force to said housing when rotated,
whereby when the toy is displaced from its upright position during
rolling it can be automatically returned to the upright
position.
5. A motor-driven rolling toy comprising a wheel-shaped housing
having a central axis and composed of a pair of substantially
symmetrical housing sections secured together, each said housing
section having a side surface with the central axis passing
centrally therethrough and a circumferentially extending surface
located around the edge of said side surface, an annular resilient
material mounted on the outer circumferential surfaces of said
housing sections and forming a surface-contacting portion for
holding said housing on a supporting surface in an upright
position, each of said housing sections having a substantially
conical extension located centrally of and projecting axially
outwardly from said side surfaces thereof and serving as a support
for permitting a conical movement of said housing when it is
displaced from the upright position, a hollow shaft extending
axially along the central axis of said housing, an internally
toothed ring gear provided on one of said housings sections, and a
motivating unit for imparting a rolling movement to said housing,
said motivating unit being supported on said shaft within said
housing for rotation about said central axis and including a frame
supported on said shaft, an electric motor carried by said frame in
eccentric relation to said shaft and a gear wheel in meshed
engagement with said ring gear and arranged to be driven by said
motor to rotate said frame relative to said housing, whereby when
said housing is placed on a supporting surface in an upright
position and said frame is rotated relative to the housing, the
housing is caused to begin rolling on the surface by the off-center
movement of the center of gravity of said frame, and whereby when
the housing is displaced onto one said side surface during its
rolling movement in an upright position, sufficient centrifugal
force acts on said frame and said housing to cause the housing to
right itself and return to the upright position.
6. A toy as set forth in claim 5, wherein an electric switch means
for actuating the motor is provided, said switch means comprising a
spring contact secured to said frame and in circuit with said
motor, a pusher means arranged to be displaceable along the central
axis of the hollow shaft, a rotatable cam means arranged to be
manually operable from the outside of the housing for displacing
said pusher means toward and away from said spring contact, and a
contact arranged to be contacted by said spring contact to close
the motor circuit when the latter is pushed by said pusher means.
Description
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to toys, and more particularly to a
battery-operated rolling toy contemplated to afford considerable
enjoyment to observers due to its comical and mysterious
operation.
One object of the present invention is to provide a toy
substantially in the form of a wheel in which is mounted a
motivating unit for imparting rotary motion to the wheel to cause
it to roll along a surface without the application of external
force.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a toy of the
kind stated which is capable of making a comical and mysterious
movement on a surface and which will be very entertaining and
interesting to adults as well as children.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a toy of
the character stated which is simple in construction and operation,
durable in use and which can be manufactured and sold at a
reasonable cost.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a toy
of the type described which can be easily disassembled for
replacing the batteries in the toy.
Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent from the following description taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate
preferred embodiments of the present invention and in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG.
1:
FIG. 3 is a plan view of one of the two sections which form a
wheel-like housing of the embodiment, illustrating the internal
structure thereof;
FIG. 4 is a view schematically illustrating one example of the
manner in which the toy overturned is caused to be erected;
FIG. 5 is a view diagrammatically illustrating one example of the
manner of operation of the toy in a room;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 7 is a plan view of one of the two sections which form a
wheel-like housing of the second embodiment, illustrating the
structure of a driving unit attached to the section; and
FIG. 8 is an exploded view of part of switch means attached to the
second embodiment.
Referring to the drawings, in FIG. 1 to 3, there is shown a rolling
toy A as one embodiment of the present invention. The rolling toy A
comprises a pair of interengaged, substantially symmetrical
sections 10 and 11 of suitable material such as metal or plastics
which form a housing 12 substantially in the form of a wheel for an
automobile, two annular sections 13 and 14 of resilient material
such as rubber which are respectively mounted on the outer
peripheral portions of the housing sections 10 and 11 to form a
simulated tire 15, a shaft 16 of a suitable structural material
such as metal which extends axially along the central axis of the
housing sections 10 and 11 and is fixed thereto by means of
generally hub cap-like threaded members 17 and 18 which are in
threaded engagement with threaded end portions 16a and 16b of the
shaft 16 and which are fitted in the central holes 19 and 20 formed
in laterally outwardly extending rim portions 21 and 22 of the
housing sections 10 and 11, respectively, and a motivating or
driving unit, generally designed as 23, is enclosed within the
housing 12 and is carried by and rotatable about the shaft 16.
The motivating unit 23 comprises a substantially sectorial frame 24
having a gear box 24a and symmetrically arranged battery casings
24b and carried by and rotatable about the shaft 16, an electric
motor 25 mounted within the gear box 24a of the frame 24 in
eccentric relation to the shaft 16, said electric motor being
operatively connected to the shaft 16, through the medium of a gear
train generally designated at 26, for rotating the frame 24
relative to the housing 12, dry cell batteries 27 tightly encased
by the battery casings 24b formed on the frame 24 in eccentric
relation to the shaft 16, and a weight 28 which is also formed on
the frame 24 in eccentric relation to the shaft 16.
The batteries 27 are electrically connected to the motor 25 via a
contactor 29 and manually operable switch means 30 for controlling
the operation of said motor. To change the batteries 27 in the toy,
one may first remove the threaded member 18 on the side of the
housing section 11 and then separate the housing section 11 from
the other housing section 10, whereupon one opens covers 24b' of
the battery casings 24b thereby providing access to the
batteries.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the switch means 30 is mounted on one 10
of the two housing sections and includes a switch lever 30a
projecting outwardly of the housing section 10. The contactor 29
includes an insulating disk 29a fixedly mounted on the shaft 16,
two annular contacts 29b and 29c fixed to one side of the disk 29a
and two leaf-springs 29d and 29e in contact with the annular
contacts 29b and 29c at their tip portions and which are anchored
at their base portions to the rotatable frame 24. It goes without
saying that switch 30, contactor 29 and motor 25 are connected to
each other by lead wires in conventional manner.
The circumferential edge portion of one of the two housing sections
10 and 11 is formed in stepped fashion as indicated at 31 so that
the opposing edges of the housing sections interlock with each
other. The stepped interengagement of the two housing sections 10
and 11 serves to keep the toy maintained in the form of a wheel in
cooperation with the shaft 16 and threaded members 18 and 19, which
secure the two housing sections 10 and 11 together, during use.
The gear train 26 includes a pinion 32 attached to the motor shaft
33, a gear wheel 34 and a pinion 35 attached to a shaft 36
journalled in the side walls of the gear box 24a, a gear wheel 37
attached to a shaft 38 journalled in said side walls, a pinion 39
coaxial with the gear wheel 37 and a gear wheel 40 fixedly mounted
on the central shaft 16.
When it is desired to operate the rolling toy A, the switch 30 is
first manipulated to close the motor circuit. The motor 25 will
then rotate causing rotation of the gear wheels 32, 34, 35, 37 and
39. This will cause the motivating unit 23 to rotate about the
fixed gear wheel 40 and the central shaft 16. As the toy is
positioned on a supporting surface such as a floor in an upright
position by placing the peripheral surface of its tire 15 thereon,
the off-center movement of the center of gravity of the motivating
unit 23 will cause the housing 12 in the form of a wheel to begin
rolling on the surface. In this instance, the housing 12 will
rotate in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the
unit 23.
As the toy continues rolling on the surface in an upright position
and comes into collision with an obstruction such as a wall, it
will overturn and rotate on the surface while describing a
substantially conical path, as if a top, which has overturned and
almost lost its rotational force, rotates on the supporting
surface.
Then, centrifugal force will act on the motivating unit 23 and
accordingly on the housing 12 as the speed of rotation of the unit
23 increases, and at the same time the frictional force between a
surface-contacting portion of the tire 15 of the wheel and the
supporting surface in contact therewith that acts to drive the
wheel along the surface will increase. In other words, at this
time, a resultant force of such centrifugal force and frictional
force will act on the toy strongly. Accordingly, the toy supported
on the surface with its threaded member 17 or 18 and the
surface-contacting portion -- the sideward peripheral portion -- of
its tire 15 will be caused to return into an upright or standing
position as schematically illustrated in FIG. 4, thereby resuming
its rolling movement on the surface with the tire 15 in frictional
contact therewith. Thereafter, it will repeat such movements as
diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 5 which exemplifies the manner
of operation of the toy.
Referring now to FIGS. 6 to 8, there is shown another embodiment B
of the present invention. This embodiment B differs principally
from the first embodiment A in the following points, although it is
basically the same as the latter.
As clearly shown in FIG. 6, a central shaft 41 which corresponds to
the central shaft 16 of the first embodiment A is of a hollow
structure and extends axially along the central axis between
housing sections 10' and 11'. Further, the hollow shaft 41 is
rotatably supported at its opposite ends 41a and 41b by inwardly
extending axially positioned bosses 42 and 43 on the housing
sections 10' and 11' and carries a sectorial frame 14' which
constitutes part of a motivating unit 23' which corresponds to the
motivating unit 23 of the first embodiment A.
The motivating unit 23' of the second embodiment includes an
electric motor 25' fixed to the frame 24' and having an output
shaft 33' having a pinion 32', a gear wheel 34' attached to the
shaft 36', journalled in the side walls of the frame 24' and a gear
wheel 35' coaxial with the gear wheel 34'.
In the second embodiment, the two housing sections 10' and 11' are
adhesively secured together at the opposing edges thereof to form a
wheel-shaped housing 12'. One 10' of the two housing sections is
formed with a ring gear 44 which is in meshed engagement with the
gear wheel 35'. The other 11' of the two housing sections is
provided with an opening 45 with an openable cover 46 for replacing
batteries 27', and also with switch means generally indicated at
47.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the switch means 47 includes a
substantially U-shaped leaf-spring 48 which is secured to the frame
24' and which is in circuit with the motor 25' via the batteries
27' and axially displaceable pusher means 49 including a rod 50
having a disk 50' and being displaceable along the central axis of
the hollow shaft 41, a rotatable cam member 51 manually operable
from the outside of the housing section 11' and adapted to displace
the rod 50 toward and away from the leaf-contact 48 in cooperation
with a fixed cylindrical member 52 having engaging means 52' in
engagement with sloping cam surfaces 51' of the cam member 51, when
manipulated.
In the illustrated second embodiment B, the portions or parts
indicated by numerals 13', 14', 15', 21', 22', 24b' and 31'
correspond to the portions or parts 13, 14, 15, 21, 22, 24b and 31
of the first embodiment A, respectively. Therefore, to avoid
repetition description will be omitted as to these parts.
In operation, when the contact 48 is depressed by manipulation of
the rotatable cam member 51, it is brought into contact with a
mating 48' of the motor 25' whereby the motor circuit is closed and
the motor 25' is actuated, causing rotation of the gears 32', 34'
and 35'. This will cause the motivating unit 23' to rotate about
the central axis of the housing 12' to thereby impart rotary motion
to the housing 12', Thus enabling the toy B to make such comical
and mysterious movements as previously mentioned in respect of the
first embodiment A.
It is to be noted that the tire 15 or 15' should be made of rubber
or other material which creates relatively large friction forces so
that it may have sufficient resistance to sliding on the supporting
surface. If the tire is made of a material which has little or no
resistance to the slippage, the toy will be unable to return to
rolling position when overturned, since the frictional resistance
of the tire against the supporting surface requires to be large
enough to cause the toy to be righted in cooperation with the
action of centrifugal force.
It is to be also noted that, although the configuration of the
housing 12 or 12' of the toy A or B may be suitably modified as
long as it takes the form of a wheel, the housing must always have
on each side thereof a portion extending laterally outwardly
therefrom in substantial alignment with its transverse axis in
order that the toy may return to the upright position, when
overturned. The length of the laterally outwardly extending
portion, which acts as a support or pivot for the toy when the toy
overturns, may be appropriately designed depending upon the
diameter and the width of the wheel-shaped housing. The
configuration of the portion is preferably conical or like
shape.
Further, although a weight such as indicated at 28 is preferably
provided on the frame 24 or 24', the provision of such weight is
not always necessary, as long as the frame is sufficiently
eccentrically weighted relative to the shaft 16 or 41. It will be
understood that in the second embodiment B the motor 25' and
batteries 27 ' which are disposed on the frame 24' in eccentric
relation to the shaft 41 serve as effective eccentric weight means
for the frame.
* * * * *