US2589268A - Remote controlled toy ship - Google Patents

Description

March 18, 1952 F. R. LESS 2,589,268

REMOTE CONTROLLED TOY SHIP Filed Aug. 14, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet l i WM ATTORNEYS March 18, 1952 F. R. LESS 2,589,268

REMOTE CONTROLLED TOY SHIP Filed Aug. 14, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 HIM.

IN VEN OR.

A T TOPNEYS March 18, 1952 F. R. LESS REMOTE CONTROLLED TOY SHIP Filed Aug. 14, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 INVENTOR. 11,

ATTORNEYS A NA/ IWWM 9 HI IIIIIII March 18, 1952 F. R. LESS 2,589,268

REMOTE CONTROLLED TOY SHIP I Filed Aug. 14, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I l I I IN V EN TOR.

BY Z

117' T OEJVE YS Patented Mar. 18, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE REMOTE CONTROLLED TOY SHIP Floyd R. Less, North Tonawanda, N. Y.

Application August 14, 1950, Serial No. 179,343

18 Claims. 1

This invention relates to amusement device and more particularly to a remotely controlled nautical toy.

The principal object of the invention is to move miniature ships by means which are entirely out of view of the observer and by which the ships can be caused to move in any desired direction as nearly as possible in the same manner as if they were propelled by their own power.

Another important object is to provide such means which permit the movement of the ship to be controlled from a place remote from the ship.

A further important object is to provide such means by which the ship is not compelled to follow any predetermined course but which permit the movements of the ship to be subject to change and control entirely at the will of the operator.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a miniature marine setting embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view through the ship shown in Fig. 1 and showing the remotely controlled electrical responsive devices arranged within the ship for actuating the propeller and rudder of the ship.

Fig. 3 is a vertical generally central longitudinal view thereof.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view, on an enlarged scale, of the rails and movable carriage arranged thereon shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view thereof.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the means for connecting the electrical responsive devices carried by the ship with a remote source of controlled supply, this view being taken on line 66 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6A is a perspective view of the connectable elements shown in Fig. 6 and showing these elements in a separated condition.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view thereof taken on line '|--1 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the means for connecting the lead wires extending from the ship to the movable carriage shown in Figs. 4 and 5, this View being taken generally on line 88 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8A is a perspective view of the connectable elements shown in Fig. 8 and showing these elements in a separated condition.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional view of a wheel assembly for the carriage shown in Figs. 4 and 5, this View being taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical transverse sectional view thereof taken on line Ill-l0 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged vertical central sectional view of the remotely located control unit shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 12 is an elevational view of the left end thereof as shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a top plan view thereof.

Fig. 14 is a wiring diagram of the electrical apparatus.

An amusement device illustrating one embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 1. The miniature marine setting illustrated in Fig. 1 is shown as including a box-like structure 20 formed with a depression which is filled with water preferably distilled water or any other suitable liquid to provide a lake 2|. The contour of the lake can be as desired as well as the terrain surrounding the lake, that shown being solely intended as illustrative and not limitative of the practice of the invention.

A miniature ship or boat 22 which may be of any suitable type is shown as floating on the body of water or lake 2| and has a submerged propeller 23 and rudder 24 (Fig. 3). Electrical responsive devices 25 and 25 are arranged within the ship for actuating the propeller 23 and rudder 24 respectively (Figs. 2 and 3). The operation of these electrical responsive devices 25 and 26 is under control of a manually operated control unit indicated generally at 28 which may be located remote from the lake 2| such as on the shore as shown in Fig. 1. The means for electrically connecting the control unit 28 with the electrical responsive devices 25 and 26 within the ship 22 include stationary conductors indicated generally at 29 submerged in the lake and connected with the control unit 28, conductive pick-up devices indicated generally at 3!! and movably arranged on the conductors 29, and

' conductive means indicated generally at 3| connecting the pick-up devices with the electrical responsive devices 25 and 26 in the ship 22.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the ship 22 is shown as having a hull 32 housing the electrical responsive devices 25 and 26. The propeller 23 is shown as fast to the rear end of a shaft 33 which is suitably journalled on the hull. The front end of this shaft 33 is suitably connected to and adapted to be driven by the electrical responsive device 25 which may be of any suitable type and is preferably a reversible electric motor of the direct current type.

The rudder 24 is shown as extending laterally from the lower end of a vertically arranged shaft 34 suitably journaled on the hull 32. While any suitable mechanical means may be employed for turning the rudder 24, that shown includes a pulley 35 fast to the upper end of the shaft 34 and a belt or cord 36 which passes around the rear side of the pulley 35 and has its opposite ends connected to the ends of a rock lever 38. This rock lever 38 extends horizontally transversely of the hull of the ship and is pivotally supported centrally of its ends on a bracket 39 which is connected to the hull. The axis of the generally vertical pivotal mounting of the rock lever 38 is indicated at 40.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, two electrical responsive devices 26, which are preferably solenoids, are arranged in push-pull relation with respect to the rock lever 38. Each of the solenoids 26 is shown as comprising a coil 4| surrounding an elongated cylindrical tube 42 and arranged at the front end thereof, and a magnetically permeable cylindrical armature 43 slidably arranged within the tube 42. A rod or link 44 is shown as connecting the armature 43 of each solenoid with the corresponding end of the rock lever 38 and as extending axially of such armature.

The solenoids 26 are shown as arranged with their axes extending rearwardly and slightly upwardly and inwardly with respect to the hull 32 of the ship so as to be directed towards the ends of the rock lever 38. These solenoids are supported in this position on the hull 32 by front brackets 45 and a rear bracket 46, such brackets embracing exposed portions of the solenoid tubes 42 and being suitably connected to the hull.

It will be seen that by energizing one solenoid 26 and correspondingly deenergizing the other solenoid 26, the rock lever 38 can be swung about its pivot 4!! and thereby turn the rudder in the desired. direction and through the desired angle.

The reversible electric motor 25 and solenoids 26 are preferably operated on direct current having a voltage of from 12 to 15 volts. While this power may be derived from any suitable source it is preferably derived from the conventional household supply of alternating current at 110 volts. This alternating current is converted to direct current at the desired voltage. For this purpose, referring to the wiring diagram in Fig. 14, the A. C. lines are shown as connected to the primary coil of a transformer indicated at 48 and the secondary coil thereof is arranged in series with a rectifier 49 of any suitable type. Lines 50 and connect this series secondary circuit with a double pole double throw switch 52 and thereby provide the desired D. C. voltage for operating the motor 25 and solenoids 26.

Still referring to Fig. 14, the switch 52 is adapted to engage either the contacts of branch lines 53 and 54 or the contacts of branch lines 55 and 56. The branch lines 53 and 55 are shown as connected to one side 53 of a main line and the branch lines 54 and 56 are connected to the other side 59 of this main line. The reversible electric motor 25 is shown as connected in series with a variable resistor or rheostat 66 and both these elements are arranged across the lines 58 and 59. Similarly the coils 4| of the two solenoids 26. are shown as individually connected in series with variable resistors or rheostats 6| and 62 respectively and each set of elements so provided is connected across the lines 58 and 59.

It will thus be seen that with the switch 52 engaging the contacts for the branch lines 53 and 54 the line 58 can be rendered positive and the line 59 negative so that the reversible electric motor 25 can be driven in one direction at a speed under control of the setting of the rheostat 60. This closed position of the switch can determine the forward motion of the ship 22. On the other hand, if the switch 52 engages the contacts for the branch lines 55 and 56 which contacts are in reversed relation to those for the branch lines 53 and 54, the line 59 will be positive and the line 58 negative. This will operate to drive the motor in a reverse direction and determine backward movement of the ship 22.

An incandescent lamp 63 is shown as arranged in the line 58 between the rheostat 62 and the branch line 53 and when illuminated indicates to the operator that the operating circuit is live. A fuse 64 is preferably included in the operating circuit and is shown as arranged in the line 59 between the adjacent coil 4| and the branch line 54.

Referring to Figs. 1l-13, the control unit 28 is shown as having a hollow base 65 and a housing 66 supported on this base. Within the housing 65 the rheostats 6| and 62 are shown as arranged in horizontally spaced relation with their movable elements fast to a common shaft 68. This shaft 68 is arranged horizontally and has its opposite ends journaled on brackets 69, 69. A handwheel m is arranged between the rheostats 5| and 62 and is fast to the shaft 68. The housing 65 has a transverse opening 6'! from which the outer marginal portion of the handwheel 10 projects.

Referring to Fig. 14, it will be noted that the rheostats 6| and 62 are arranged operatively opposite to each other. Thus if the handwheel 10 is turned in one direction the effective resistance of one of the rheostats 6| and 62 will be increased while the effective resistance of the other will be decreased correspondingly. The relation of the effective resistances of the rheostats reverses when the handwheel H1 is turned in the opposite direction. In this manner the coils 4| of the solenoids 26 are reversely energized and thereby the position of the rudder is controlled so as to steer the ship 22 as desired.

The rheostat 6|] is also arranged within the housing 66 of the control unit 28 and is shown as supported by a bracket H in a position in which the spindle T2 for its rotatable element extends vertically upwardly through the top of the housing 65. A knob 13 is arranged on the upper end of the spindle I2 and facilitates adjustment of the rheostat 60.

Adjustment of the rheostat 60 controls the R. P. M. of the electric motor 25 and hence the speed of the ship 22.

For convenience, the switch 52 is shown as arranged on one end wall of the housing 66 on the outer side of which the fuse 64 is also mounted. The lamp 63 is preferably arranged in the hollow base 65 with its bulb portion visible through an opening 51 in the top of the base.

While Fig. 14 is a simplified wiring diagram of the electrical circuit, the actual means for electrically connecting the control unit with the electrical responsive devices 25 and 26 within the ship 22 include the stationary conductors 29 resting on the floor of the lake 2|, the conductive pick-up devices 30 and the conductive means 3|.

acemes The stationary conductors 29 are shown as including four parallel rails I4, 15, I6, and TI arranged in transversely spaced relation on blocks or ties T8 of insulating material. These rails 14, i5, 16 and I! are electrically connected to the control unit 28 by a cable I9 which includes four wires each one of which is connected to a different rail as shown in Fig. 1. Three of these wires serve as the leads from the rheostats 88, 6| and 62 and the fourth wire serves as the common ground or the line 59 shown in Fig. 14.

The pick up devices indicated generally at 38 are shown as comprising wheel assemblies 88, BI, 82 and 83 riding respectively on the rails I4, I5, I6 and TI (Fig. 4). These wheel assemblies support a block or frame 84 of insulating material and provide jointly therewith a carriage movable back and forth along the rails. Each of these wheel assemblies 88, 8|, 82 and 83 is similar in construction and the construction of the wheel assembly 84, which is representative of the construction of all, is shown in detail in Figs. 9 and 18. As there shown, the wheel assembly 84 comprises an inverted channel shaped member having transversely spaced vertical side walls 85, 85 connected along their top edges by a horizontal web 88. A pair of wheels 88, 88 are arranged between the side walls 85, 85 and spaced longitudinally along the rail. Each wheel 88 is fast to an axle 89, the ends of which are journalled on the side walls 85, 85. The channel shaped member is arranged in an opening 98 provided in the carriage frame 84. To connect this member to the carriage frame and yet permit free movement of the wheel assembly relative to the frame,

a horizontal rod 9I extends transversely through enlarged openings 92 provided in the side walls 85 and is firmly fastened at its ends to the frame 84. This rod 9I carries an upstanding rod 93 which projects upwardly through an enlarged opening 94 provided in the web 85.. It will thus be seen that the channel member with its wheels mounted thereon is free to rock about the axis of the horizontal rod, move vertically with respect thereto, move slightly in a fore and aft direction relative thereto, as well as slightly axially thereof. Thus a self adjusting wheel assembly is provided which eliminates any tendency of the carriage to bind in its movement along the rails. This is important for a purpose hereinafter noted.

The wheel assemblies 88, 8|, 82, and 83 are made of conductive material and are individually electrically connected through wires 95, 96, 9'5, 98 respectively to the corresponding one of a series of stationary contactors 99. these stationary contactors is in the form of a hair pin having closed and open ends. The stationary contactors 99 are superposed one above the other and have their closed ends separated by a washer I88 of insulating materialand held down against the upper surface of the block 84 in any suitable manner as by the screw MI. The wires 95, 96, 91 and 98 are shown as connected to the side walls 85 of the corresponding wheel assembly and to the closed ends of the stationary contactors 99 (Fig. 4).

The open ends of the stationary contactors 99 individually have wiping contact with the corresponding one of a series of rotatable superposed contact rings I82. These rings I82 are insulated one from the other by spacers I83. The side legs of each contactor 99 are biased toward each other so as to press firmly against the corresponding contact ring I82 the periphery of Each of 6 which is preferably grooved to receive the side legs of the companion contactor.

The contact rings I82 and spacers I83 are part of a unitary structure which also includes an elbow shaped conduit I84 having a vertical neck portion extending upwardly from'the ring assembly and a horizontal portion extending laterally from the upper end of the neck portion. The outer end of this horizontal portion of the conduit I84 is formed to provide a receptacle I85. This receptacle I85 has a series of four sockets I88 (Fig. 8A) spaced one from the other and each is connected by an individual wire I88 arranged Within the conduit I84 to one of the contact rings I82.

The unitary structure so formed is mounted, on the carriage block 84 for rotation about a vertical axis. For this purpose, a depending spindle I89 is rotatably received in a hole in the block 84 and a hold down strap II8 extends over the uppermost contact ring I 82 and has an opening through which the upstanding neck portion of the elbow conduit I84 extends. The ends of the strap I I8 are fastened to the block 84 in any suitable manner as by the screws II I arranged at opposite ends thereof.

It will thus be seen that the receptacle I85 mounted on the carriage frame 84 can swing about a vertical axis and at all times have its sockets maintain constant electrical connection with the corresponding wheel assembly and in turn the corresponding rail, even while the carriage is moving along the rails.

Referring to Figs. 6 and 6A, the ship is provided with a receptacle H2 having four sockets I I3. Three of these sockets are electrically connected with the electric motor 25 and the two solenoids 26 and the fourth of these sockets serves as a common electrical return for the operation of these electrically responsive devices. For this purpose the receptacle H2 is arranged adjacent an opening H4 in the bottom of the hull 32 of the ship and is shown as carried on the lower end of a tubular member or shaft II5 which is rotatably mounted on the hull. The support for the rotatable member I I 5 comprises an upstanding sleeve IIB arranged within the hull 32 and surrounding the opening H4. The upper end of this sleeve is narrow and provides a bearing for the tubular member II5. A laterally extending arm I I8 is arranged on the upper end of the sleeve I I6 and provides a support for a series of four superposed stationary contactors II9 which are similar to the contactors 99. Spacers I28 of insulating material separate the closed ends of the contactors II9 from each other and these spacers and contactorsare held down on the outer end of the support arm II8 by a screw I2I.

The free inwardly biased ends of each of the stationary contactors II9 have a, wiping contact with a contact ring I22 which is similar to the contact ring I82. Thus four contact rings I22 are provided and these are separated from each other by spacers I23 of insulating material. These contact rings I22 and spacers I23 are mounted on the upper end of the tubular member H5 and rotate therewith. A wire I 24 arranged within the tubular member II5 connects each of the contact rings I22 with the corresponding socket I I3 of the receptacle IIZ. A nut I25 on the upper end of the tubular member I I5 prevents the same from dropping out of the boat.

Lead wires I26 extend from the closed ends of the stationary contactors I I9, three of these wires being connected with the electric motor 25 and the two solenoids 26 and the fourth lead wire serving as a common ground therefor.

The conductive means indicated generally at 3| (Fig. 1), electrically connects the receptacles I and H2. Such means is in the form of a flexible cable I28 having a plug I29 at one end and a plug I30 at its opposite end. The cable I28 contains four wires which at opposite ends are connected to the prongs I3I and I32 of the plugs I29 and I30 respectively. The prongs I3I are adapted to be received by the sockets I06 and the prongs I32 are adapted to be received by the sockets II3.

Referring to Figs. 6A and 8A, it will be noted that the arrangement of the mating prongs and sockets is not symmetrical so that they can be connected only in the desired manner. This correct manner of connection is further insured by a lug I33 on the end face of the receptacle II2 fitting into a recess I34 in the end face of the plug I40 and a similar lug I35 on the receptacle I05 fitting into a recess I36 in the plug I29.

Reviewing all the electrical connections it will be seen that connection of the live sides of the rheostats 60, BI and 52 with the respective and appropriate electrical responsive devices 25 and 26 arranged within the ship 22 can be easily maintained, as well as providing a common ground return for these devices.

It will be noted that the movements of the ship 22 as to direction and speed are entirely under the control of the operator who operates the remotely located control unit 28. The rail conductors 29 while only shown as straight can, if desired, include curved portions. As the ship 22 moves it will pull the flexible cable I28 and a sufficiently long cable will be provided to provide the desired lateral movement of the ship relative to the rails. The ship can also pull the carriage along the rails if a long distance of travel is desired, the wheel assemblies of the carriage being designed to provide a minimum of mechanical resistance to travel along the rails. Because of the swivel connection between the ends of the flexible cable I28 and the ship 22 and pick up devices 30, twisting of the cable is avoided as well as minimizing drag on the ship.

Other electrical responsive devices, such as lights and smoke generators, arranged on the ship can be actuated and controlled in a manner similar to that disclosed above for propulsion and steering purposes. This could be accomplished by providing other rails, pick-up devices and suitable electrical connections.

It will therefore be seen that the present invention provides a highly entertaining and educational amusement device which in practice is capable of taking many different forms. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is intended to be limited only as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an amusement device including a body of water and a miniature ship floating thereon and having a propeller, the combination therewith of means for controlling the propulsion of said ship, comprising an electrical responsive device arranged to rotate said propeller upon actuation of said device, conductor means submerged in said body of water, conductive pick-up means movably arranged on said conductor means, conductive means connecting said pick-up means with said device, and means controlling the feed of current to said conductor means thereby to control the actuation of said device.

2. In an amusement device including a body of water and a miniature ship floating and movable thereon and having a rudder, the combination therewith of means for controllin the turning of said rudder to steer said ship, comprising an electrical responsive device arranged to turn said rudder upon actuation of said device, conductor means submerged in said body of water, conductive pick-up means movably arranged on said conductor means, conductive means connecting said pick-up means with said device, and means controlling the feed of current to said conductor means thereby to control the actuation of said device.

3. In an amusement device including a body of water and a miniature ship floating thereon and having a propeller and a rudder, the combination therewith of means for controlling the movements of said ship, comprising a first electrical responsive device arranged to turn said rudder upon actuation of said first device, a second electrical responsive device arranged to rotate said propeller upon actuation of said second device, conductor means submerged in said body of water, conductive pick-up means movably arranged on said conductor means, conductive means connecting said pick up means with said electrical responsive devices, and means controlling the feed of current to said conductor means thereby to control the actuation of said electrical responsive devices.

4. In an amusement device including a body of Water and a miniature ship floating thereon and having a propeller, the combination therewith of means for controlling the propulsion of said ship comprising an electric motor arranged on said ship to rotate said propeller upon energization of said motor, conductors submerged in said body of water, conductive pick-up devices movably arranged on said conductors, conductive means connecting said pick-up devices with said motor, and means controlling the flow of current through said conductors thereby to control the energization of said motor.

5. In an amusement device including a body of water and a miniature shipfloating and movable thereon and having a rudder, the combination therewith of means for controlling the turning of said rudder to steer said ship, comprising a solenoid arranged on said ship to turn said rudder upon energization of said solenoid, conductors submerged in said body of Water, conductive pick-up devices movably arranged on said conductors, conductive means connecting said pick-up devices with said solenoid, and means controlling the flow of current through said conductors thereby to control the energization of said solenoid.

6. In an amusement device including a body of water and a miniature ship floating and movable thereon and having a rudder, the combination therewith of means for controlling the turning of said rudder to steer said ship, comprising a lever connected to said rudder for turning the same, a pair of solenoids operatively connected to said lever in push-pull relation for moving said lever, conductors submerged in said body of water, conductive pick-up devices movably arranged on said conductors, conductive means connecting said pick-up devices With said solenoids, and means controlling the flow of current through said conductors thereby to control the reverse energization of said solenoids.

7. In an amusement device including a body of water and a miniature ship floating thereon and having a propellerand a rudder, the combination therewith of means for controlling the movements of said ship, comprising an electric motor arranged on said ship to turn said propeller for propulsion of said ship, a solenoid arranged on said ship to turn said rudder for steering said ship, conductors submerged in said body of water, conductive pick-up devices movably arranged on said conductors, conductive means connecting said pick-up devices with said motor and solenoid, and means controlling the flow of current through said conductors thereby to control the energization of said motor and solenoid.

8. In an amusement device including a body of water and a miniature ship floating thereon and having a propeller and a rudder, the combination therewith of means for controlling the movements of said ship, comprising an electric motor arranged on said ship to turn said propeller for propulsion of said ship, a lever connected to said rudder for turning the same to steer the ship, a pair of solenoids operatively connected to said lever in push-pull relation for moving said lever, conductors submerged in said body of water, conductive pick-up devices movably arranged on said conductors, conductive means connecting said pick-up devices with said motor and solenoids, and means controlling the flow of current through said conductors thereby to control the energization of said motor and the reverse energization of said solenoids.

9. In an amusement device including a body of water and a miniature ship floating thereon and having a propeller and a rudder, the combination therewith of means for controlling the movements of said ship, comprising a first electrical responsive device arranged on said ship to turn said rudder upon actuation of said first device, a second electrical responsive device arranged on said ship to rotate said propeller upon actuation of said second device, conductor rails submerged in said body of water, a carriage movably arranged on said rails and having pickup devices engaging said rails, flexible conductors connecting said pick-up devices with said electrical responsive devices, and means controlling the feed of current to said conductor rails thereby to control the actuation of said electrical responsive devices.

10. In an amusement device including a body of water and a miniature ship floating thereon and having a propeller and a rudder, the combination therewith of means for controlling the movements of said ship, comprising a first electrical responsive device arranged on said ship to turn said rudder upon actuation of said first device, a second electrical responsive device arranged on said ship to rotate said propeller upon actuation of said second device, a plurality of conductor rails submerged in said body of water, a carriage movably arranged on said rails and having pick-up devices engaging said rails, a flexible conductor for each of said electrical responsive devices and connecting the same with one of said pick-up devices, and means controlling the fiow of current through each of said conductor rails thereby to control the actuation of said electrical responsive devices.

11. In an amusement device including a body of water and a miniature ship floating thereon and having a propeller and a rudder, the combination therewith of means for controlling the movements of said ship, comprising a first electrical responsive device arranged on said ship to turn said rudder upon actuation of said first device, a second electrical responsive device arranged on said ship to rotate said propeller upon actuation of said second device, a plurality of conductor rails submerged in said body of water, a carriage movably arranged on said rails and having pick-up devices engaging said rails, a current supply line connected at one end of each of said electrical responsive devices and extending from said ship through the bottom thereof, the other ends of said lines being connected to said pick-up devices, and means controlling the now of current through each of said conductor rails thereby to control the actuation of said electrical responsive devices.

12. In an amusement device including a body of water and a miniature ship floating thereon and having a propeller and a rudder, the combination therewith of means for controlling the movements of said ship, comprising a first electrical responsive device arranged on said ship to turn said rudder upon actuation of said first device, a second electrical responsive device arranged on said ship to rotate said propeller upon actuation of said second device, means electrically connecting said electrical responsive devices to an outlet in the bottom of said ship, a plurality of conductor rails submerged in said body of water, a carriage movably arranged on said rails and having pick-up devices engaging said rails, a flexible cable removably connected at one end to said outlet and at its other end connected to said carriage, said cable including a current supply line for each of said electrical responsive devices and operatively connected to one of said pick-up devices, said ship being adapted to pull said carriage along said rails by said cable, and means controlling the flow of current through each of said conductor rails thereby to control the actuation of said electrical responsive devices.

13. In an amusement device including a body of water and a miniature ship floating thereon and having a propeller and a rudder, the combination therewith of means for controlling the movements of said ship, comprising a first electrical responsive device arranged on said ship to turn said rudder upon actuation of said first device, a second electrical responsive device arranged on said ship to rotate said propeller upon actuation of said second device, a plurality of contacts arranged on said ship for rotation about a generally vertical axis and having access thereto through an opening in the bottom of said ship, means electrically connecting each of said electrical responsive devices to a different one of said contacts, a plurality of conductor rails submerged in said body of water, a carriage movably arranged on said rails and having pick-up devices engaging said rails, a plurality of contacts arranged on said carriage for rotation about a generally vertical axis, means electrically connecting each of said last mentioned contacts to a different one of said rails, a flexible cable removably connected at opposite ends to both sets of said contacts, said cable including a current supply line for each of said electrical responsive devices, said ship being adapted to pull said carriage along said rails by said cable, and means controlling the flow of current through each of said conductor rails thereby to control the actuation of said electrical responsive devices.

14. In an amusement device including a body of water and a miniature ship floating thereon and having a propeller and a rudder, the combination therewith of means for controlling the gaging each of said rails, a flexible cable connected at one end to said ship and at its other end to said carriage and including a current supply line for each of said electrical responsive devices and operatively connected thereto and to one of said wheel assemblies, and means controlling the flow of current through each of said conductor rails thereby to control the actuation of said electrical responsive devices.

15. In an amusement device including a body of water and a miniature ship floating thereon and having a propeller and a rudder, the combination therewith of means for controlling the movements of said ship, comprising a first electrical responsive device arranged on said ship to turn said rudder upon actuation of said first device, a second electrical responsive device arranged on said ship to rotate said propeller upon actuation of said second device, a plurality of conductor rails submerged in said body of water and including a live rail for each of said electrical responsive devices and a ground rail, a carriage movably arranged on said rails and having pickup devices contacting said rails, a flexible conductor for each of said pick-up devices and connected thereto, means connecting each of said flexible conductors having connection with said live rails with the corresponding one of said electrical responsive devices, means connecting said electrical responsive devices to that one of said flexible conductors which is connected to said ground rail, and means connected with said rails and arranged to controlthe independent feed of current to said live rails thereby to control the actuation of said electrical responsive devices.

16. In an amusement device including a body of water and a miniature ship floating thereon and having a propeller and a rudder, the combination therewith of means for controlling the movements of said ship, comprising a first electrical response device arranged on said ship to turn said rudder upon actuation of said first device, a second electrical responsive device arranged on said ship to rotate said propeller upon actuation of said second device, a plurality of conductor rails submerged in said body of water and including a live rail for each of said electrical responsive devices and a ground rail, a carriage movably arranged on said rails and having pick-up devices contacting said rails, a flexible conductor for each of said pick-up devices and connected thereto, means connecting each of said flexible conductors having connection with said live rails with the corresponding one of said electrical responsive devices, means connecting said electrical responsive devices to that one of said flexible conductors which is connected to said ground rail, and a control unit located remotely from said rails and operatively connected therewith and having a manually adjustable rheostat in circuit with each of said live rails thereby to control the actuation of said electrical responsive devices.

17. In an amusement device including a body of water and a miniature ship floating thereon and having a propeller and a rudder, the combination therewith of means for controlling the movements of said ship, comprising an electric motor arranged on said ship to turn said propeller for propulsion of said ship, a lever connected to said rudder for turning the same to steer the ship, a pair of solenoids operatively connected to said lever in push-pull relation for moving said lever, a conductive track submerged in said body of water and including a live rail for said motor and for each of said solenoids and in addition a ground rail, a carriage arranged for movement along said rails and having pick-up devices contacting said rails, a flexible conductor for each of said pick-up devices and connected thereto, means connecting each of said flexible conductors having connection with said live rails with the corresponding one of said solenoids and motor, means connecting said motor and solenoids to that one of said flexible conductors which is connected to said ground rail, and a control unit located remotely from said rails and operatively connected therewith, said unit comprising a manually adjustable rheostat in circuit with each of said live rails thereby to control the actuation of said motor and solenoids and means connecting the rheostats for said solenoids in opposing operative relation whereby the effective resistance of one is increased while that of the other is decreased.

18. In an amusement device including a body of water and a miniature ship floating thereon and having a propeller and a rudder, the combination therewith of means for controlling the movements of said ship, comprising a reversible electric motor arranged on said ship to turn said propeller for propulsion of said ship, a solenoid arranged on said ship to turn said rudder for steering said ship, a plurality of conductor rails submerged in said body of water and including separate live rails for said motor and solenoid and a ground rail, a carriage movably arranged on said rails and having pick-up devices contacting said rails, a flexible conductor for each of said pick-up devices and connected thereto, means separately connecting said flexible conductors having connection with said live rails with said motor and solenoid, means connecting said motor and solenoid to that one of said flexible conductors which is connected to said ground rail, and a control unit located remotely from said rails and operatively connected therewith and comprising a manually adjustable rheostat in circuit with each of said live rails thereby to control the actuation of said motor and solenoid and a reversing switch arranged to reverse the polarity of said rails whereby the rotation of said motor is reversed.

FLOYD R. LESS.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,171,972 Myers Feb. 15, 1916 1,587,083 Neuzerling June 1, 1926 1,780,487 Jurgensen Nov. 4, 1930 1,856,991 Franklin May 3, 1932 1,951,505 Dambrine Mar. 20, 1934

Images