US3698130A - Amusement device - Google Patents

Abstract

An amusement device featuring a trackway along which a vehicle moves including automatic turn-around sections at the ends of the trackway permitting the vehicle to reverse its direction of travel and a stand wherein the movement of the vehicle is halted while a second vehicle traverses the stand after which the vehicle continues its forward motion.

Description

United States Patent Usami [54] AMUSEMENT DEVICE [72] Inventor: Hikoo Usami, Tokyo, Japan [73] Assignee: Tomy Kogyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo,

Japan [22] Filed: Oct. 28, 1971 [21] App]. No.: 193,310

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Dec.28, 1970 Japan ..45/l36625 [52] US. Cl ..46/206 [51] Int. Cl. ..'.....A63h 17/00 [58] Field of Search ..46/l R, 1 C, 206, 216, 202

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,540,153 11/1970 Aoki ..46/2l6 X Oct. 17, 1972 3,589,063 6/1971 Genin ..46/2l6 3,559,334 2/l97l Beny et al ..46/206 661,926 ll/l 900 Agor ..46/216 3 ,5 18,789 7/1970 Domashovetz ..46/202 Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-D. L. Weinhold Attorney-Edward S. Irons et al.

[57] ABSTRACT An amusement device featuring a trackway along which a vehicle moves including automatic turnaround sections at the ends of the trackway permitting the vehicle to reverse its direction of travel and a stand wherein the movement of the vehicle is halted while a second vehicle traverses the stand after which the vehicle continues its forward motion.

6 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures AMUSEMENT DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The trackway is provided with ornamentation so as to depict for the child the plight of the mother snail crawling from tree trunk to tree trunk in search of the baby snail. The mother snail vehicle includes a batterypowered motor for propelling the snail along the trackway. At one end of the trackway is located the sunflower tree. Upon arrival at the tree, a ladybug journeys either up or down its trunk while the sunflower continues to rotate. After the lady bug has completed its journey the mother snail is permitted to continue her travel along the trackway. At the other end of the trackway is located a, second tree provided with a releasable clamp holding the baby snail. As the mother snail arrives at the tree the clamp is lowered permitting the child to deposit the snail on the mothers back through the action of a magnetic force. At the ends of the trackway are located automatic turn-around sections permitting the mother snail upon reaching the end of the trackway to rotate through 180 to begin anew.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the amusement device illustrating the mother snail vehicle moving along the trackway, the sunflower tree,turn-around sections and the second tree provided with the clamp for releasing the baby snail;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the vehicle with one side of its casing removed so as to expose the mechanism for propelling same;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a part of the vehicle with the battery housing removed so as to expose the mechanism for propelling same;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of a portion of the vehicle illustrating the driving gear thereof meshing with the trackway, shown in section, illustrating how the rotating driving gear of the vehicle engages the continuous rack formed as an integral part of the trackway;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view enlarging that portion of the mother snail within the circular arrow shown in FIG. 1 illustrating one of the pinion wheels operated by the motor of the vehicle and its action to rotate colorful disks mounted in the sides of the vehicle;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the sunflower tree with one section of its casing removed so as to illustrate the mechanism for stopping the vehicle, continuously rotating the sunflower and causing a second vehicle to move either up or down the trunk of the tree;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a part of the sunflower tree with one section of its casing removed illustrating the vehicle at rest at which time the second vehicle (not shown) is traveling;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a part of the sunflower tree with one section of its casing removed illustrating the vehicle beginning its forward movement as the second vehicle (not shown) is at rest;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 6 illustrating how the second vehicle is mounted for movement along the sunflower tree;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating one of the two turn-around sections wherein the vehicle is rotated through upon reaching each end of the trackway;

FIG.=11 is a cross-sectional view of one of the turnaround sections illustrating its construction; and

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the top section of one of the turn-around sections illustrating further construction and operation thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The trackway is illustrated generally by the reference numeral 10in FIG. 1 and comprises a series of rail sections 12 appropriately joinedtogether by clamps 14. Within the top of each rail section 12 is located a continuous rack 16 defining the path of travel of the mother snail vehicle designated generally by reference numeral 18 as will be described in detail hereinafter.

From left to right as seen in FIG. 1, the trackway 10 is provided with a tree 20 within which is mounted a releasable clamp 22. Although the tree 20 and clamp 22 are not important to the present invention, it is apparent that spring mechanisms are employed permitting clamp 22 to move up and down, as desired, while further permitting the arms of clamp 22 to move inwardly and outwardly. In such manner, as the mother sgail vehicle 18 moves to the end of the trackway 10 adjacent tree 20 it is possible for the child to deposit the baby snail 24 on the back of the mother snail vehicle 18. For this purpose, the baby snail 24 and the mother snail 18 are provided with magnets.

As further seen in FIG. 1, adjacent the tree 20 is I located the first of two turn-around sections 26. Although the operation of each turn-around section 26 will be described in detail hereinafter, it is presently noted that the function thereof is to permit the mother snail 18, upon reaching either end of the trackway 10, to be rotated automatically through 180 so as to begin travel along the trackway 10in the opposite direction.

A second tree 28 is located at the right end of the trackway 10 and includes appropriate mechanism, described in detail hereinafter, permitting continuous rotation of a sunflower 30 as a ladybug vehicle 32 moves up and down the trunk of the tree 28. Furthermore, as the mother snail 18 reaches the tree 28, forward motion thereof is stopped until the ladybug 32 traverses the length of the trunk of the tree 28.

The mother snail vehicle l8,'as illustrated in FIGS. 24, will now be described in detail. Within the casing 34 is suitably positioned a miniature electric motor 36 suitably wired to be run by a battery 38 positioned within housing 40. Such miniature electrical motor construction is well-known in the prior art.

As motor 36 is energized, the pinion wheel 42 formed at the end of the shaft of the motor rotates, in turn, causing gears 44 and 46 to rotate. Gear 46 is mounted on shaft 48 oppositely disposed from gear 50 which drives gear 52 which is mounted upon shaft 54 which terminates at each end in pinion wheels 56, the purpose of which will be explained later. Shaft 54 also contains gear 58 which drives gear 60 mounted on shaft 62 which is further provided with a simple cam mechanism 64, the purpose of which will be explained later. Note further that gear 50 also mates with the main driving gear 66 which protrudes through the bottom of casing 34 for purposes of powering, as described in detail hereinafter, the mother snail vehicle 18 along the trackway 10. Finally, rod 70 functions as a clutch to disengage gear 46 from gear 44 when pressed inwardly against the force of spring 72.

The operation of the mother snail vehicle 18 will now be described. As motor 36 is actuated, the rotation of pinion wheel 42 rotates gear 44 which in turn rotates gears 46 and 50 located on shaft 48. The rotation of gear 50 in turn rotates main driving gear 66, the teeth 74 thereof meshing with the teeth of the continuous rack 16 formed along the trackway, as illustrated in FIG. 4. This causes the mother snail vehicle 18 to move forwardly along the trackway 10. When it is desired to temporarily halt the movement of the mother snail 18, rod 70 is pushed inwardly, as seen in FIG. 3, thus disengaging gears 44 and 46 in turn halting rotation of driving gear 66.

The mother snail vehicle 18 is provided with vertically positioned rod 76 terminating at its upper end in section 78 so configured as the eyes of the mother snail 18 and at its lower end in flange 80 against which the cam 64 abuts. Thus, as the cam 64 rotates about shaft 62 it periodically raises rod 76 upwardly creating the amusing sight of the snails eyes 78 moving upwardly and downwardly.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 5, each side of the mother snail 18 is provided with a colorful insert 82 mounted about pin 84. Accordingly, and as seen in detail in FIG. 5, each rotating pinion wheel 56 mates with the edge 86 of the insert 82 causing same to rotate clockwise for purposes of further amusing the child.

The operation of the sunflower tree 28 will now be described. Within the trunk 88 of the sunflower tree 28 is mounted for rotation helical member 90, the ends of which are appropriately journaled about shafts 92 and 94. The sunflower 96 is mounted upon upper shaft 94 as seen in FIG. 6. The ladybug 32 comprises, as seen in FIG. 9, a face member 98 bearing indicia representative of the bug, rearwardly extending arms 100 so configured as to fit within trunk 88 and middle flange 101 passing inwardly between adjacent portions of the helical member 90. As will be apparent from FIG. 6, as helical member 90 is rotated in one direction the ladybug 32 is moved upwardly along trunk 88 while rotating helical member 90 in the reverse direction forces the ladybug 32 downwardly.

The tree 28 is further provided with a base 102 extending beneath the trackway as illustrated in FIGS. l and 6. Within base 102 is located shaft 104 terminating at one end in gear 106 meshing with gear 108 formed at the terminal end of shaft 92 located within the trunk 88. The other end of shaft 104, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, terminates in gear 110 suitably journaled within base 102. A braking mechanism designated generally by reference numeral 112 is mounted on shaft 104 and biassed outwardly towards gear 110 by the action of spring 114. The function of the braking mechanism 112 will be explained in detail later.

Finally, and as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, that portion of the trackway 10 adjacent base 102 is provided with a rotatably mounted gear 116, the upper periphery of which is contoured to conform to the continuous rack 16 of the trackway 10.

The operation of the sunflower tree 28 will now be described. As the mother snail vehicle 18 travels along the trackway 10 the driving gear 66 eventually contacts the gear 116. At this juncture, and is illustrated in FIG. 7, the forward motion of the vehicle 18 is abruptly halted by contact with braking member 112. Simultaneously, the rotating driving gear 66 causes gear 116 to rotate in turn imparting rotation to gear causing shaft 104 to rotate in turn rotating the shaft 92 and the helical spring 90. Importantly, the vehicle 18 remains in position over gear 116 by the braking action of member 112. Thus, the rotation of helical spring 90 causes the ladybug 32 to move upwardly along the trunk 88 while simultaneously the sunflower 96 rotates. As the ladybug 32 reaches its uppermost position, as seen in FIG. 6, it butts up againstthe surface 1 18 of the trunk 88. This, in turn, causes the rotation of the helical member 90 to cease in turn forcing gear 116 to remain stationary. At this time, the exposed periphery of the gear 116 functions merely as a part of the continuous rack 16 permitting the vehicle 18 to lurch forward against braking mechanism 112, as illustrated in FIG. 8. This force is sufficient to push the braking member 1 l2 aside permitting the vehicle 18 to continue along the trackway.

Eventually, the vehicle returns to the sunflower tree 28 from the opposite direction at which time the sequence of operation previously described is merely reversed. That is, the sunflower 28 rotates continuously while the ladybug 32 moves downwardly along the trunk 88. As the ladybug 32 hits the bottom of the tree casing 88, gear 116 ceases to rotate and the vehicle continues along its route-of travel.

The construction of the turn-around sections 26 is illustrated in FIGS. 10-12. As explained previously, the function of each turn-around section 26 is to permit the mother snail vehicle 18 upon reaching the ends of the trackway 10 to reverse its travel through 180.

As seen in FIG. 10, each turn-around section comprises an upper section 120 and a lower section 122. The upper section 120 is provided with a raised portion 124 containing teeth 126 defining a continuation of the rack 16 of the trackway 10. Mounted for rotation within upper section 120 is gear 128, the upper periphery thereof mating with the teeth 126.

The lower section 122 is provided with a continuous rack 130 designed to mate with gear 132. A spring 134 is looped around hub 136 of the lower section 122 having one end 138 thereof secured to post 140 formed as an integral part of the upper section 120 and the other end 142 thereof secured to a post 144 formed as an integral part of the lower section 122. The purpose of the spring 134 is to bias the upper, movable section 120 in that position generally illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. Finally, the reference numeral 146 designates a wedging mechanism normally biassed upward by the action of spring 148 preventing the vehicle 18 from moving outwardly past gear 128 unless it is manually depressed.

As will now be apparent, as the mother snail vehicle 18 enters the turn-around section 26, the driving gear 66 meshes with teeth 126 within the upper section 120 until the driving gear 66 reaches gear 128 at which time the vehicle stops, assisted by wedging mechanism 146. At this juncture, the driving gear 66 of the vehicle 18 continues to rotate in turn rotating gear 128 in turn imparting rotation to gear 150 in turn rotating gear 132 which meshes with rack 130 formed as a part of the lower section 122 causing the upper section 120 to rotate counterclockwise relative to lower section 122 against the action of spring 134. Thus, the upper section 120 rotates through 180 at which time post 144 of the lower section 122 and post 152 of the upper section 120 abuts preventing further rotation. At this point, the rotation of gear 128 is halted permitting the vehicle to move forward along the teeth of gear 128 until mating with the teeth 126 after which the vehicle 18 continues along the trackway in reverse. As the turn-around sections 26 are employed at each end of trackway 10, the action is continuous and the mother snail vehicle 18 travels back and forth until stopped.

lclaimi 1. An amusement device, comprising:

a. a trackway provided with a continuous rack;

b. a vehicle provided with a driving gear and means rotating said driving gear so as to mesh with said rack propelling said vehicle along said trackway; and

c. a stand connected to said trackway, said stand including a helical member rotatably mounted therein, a gear rotatably mounted in said trackway interrupting said continuous rack therein, means rotating said helical member as said gear in said trackway is rotated by said driving gear of said vehicle, means stopping movement of said vehicle along said trackway as said driving gear thereof rotates said gear of said trackway, a second vehicle, means mounting said second vehicle for movement along said stand from a first position to a second position, said second vehicle being provided with a flange disposed between adjacent portions of said helical member such that as said helical member rotates said second vehicle is moved along said stand and means permitting said vehicle to continue its movement along said trackway as said second vehicle reaches said second position.

2. An amusement device as in claim 1, said vehicle further including at least one colorful disk mounted for rotation, said means rotating said driving gear also rotating said disk.

3. An amusement device as in claim 1, said vehicle further including a rod configured as the eyes of an animal and mounted for rectilinear motion and means sequentially moving said rod up and down using the power generated by said means for rotating said driving gear.

4. An amusement device as in claim 1, said means stopping movement of said vehicle along said trackway as said driving gear thereof rotates said gear of said trackway comprises a braking arm, means mounting said arm within said stand to move between a first position wherein a portion of said arm extends into the path of said vehicle along said trackway and a second position wherein said arm i s removed from the path of said vehicle and means resiliently urging said braking arm into said first position.

5. An amusement device, comprising:

a. a first trackway having ends between which is provided a rack and a gear wheel operatively mounted for rotation interrupting said rack;

b. a first vehicle provided with. a driving gear and means rotating said driving gear so as to mesh with said rack propelling said vehicle along said first trackway;

c. means at each of said ends of said first trackway for reversing the direction said first vehicle travels along said first trackway;

d. a second trackway; and

e. a second vehicle, means mounting said second vehicle to travel along said second trackway, and means propelling said second vehicle in one direction along said second trackway as the movement of said first vehicle in one direction along said first trackway is stopped and said driving gear of said first vehicle meshes with and rotates said gear wheel of said first trackway and propelling said second vehicle in a different direction along said second trackway as the movement of said first vehicle in the opposite direction along said first trackway is stopped and said driving gear of said first vehicle meshes with and rotates said gear wheel of said first trackway.

6. An amusement device as in claim 5, including means preventing further rotation of said gear wheel of said first trackway after said second vehicle travels a predetermined distance along said second trackway at which time said driving wheel of said first vehicle meshes with the stationary gear wheel of said first trackway propelling said first vehicle along said first trackway.

Claims (6)

1. An amusement device, comprising: a. a trackway provided with a continuous rack; b. a vehicle provided with a driving gear and means rotating said driving gear so as to mesh with said rack propelling said vehicle along said trackway; and c. a stand connected to said trackway, said stand including a helical member rotatably mounted therein, a gear rotatably mounted in said trackway interrupting said continuous rack therein, means rotating said helical member as said gear in said trackway is rotated by said driving gear of said vehicle, means stopping movement of said vehicle along said trackway as said driving gear thereof rotates said gear of said trackway, a second vehicle, means mounting said second vehicle for movement along said stand from a first position to a second position, said second vehicle being provided with a flange disposed between adjacEnt portions of said helical member such that as said helical member rotates said second vehicle is moved along said stand and means permitting said vehicle to continue its movement along said trackway as said second vehicle reaches said second position.

2. An amusement device as in claim 1, said vehicle further including at least one colorful disk mounted for rotation, said means rotating said driving gear also rotating said disk.

3. An amusement device as in claim 1, said vehicle further including a rod configured as the eyes of an animal and mounted for rectilinear motion and means sequentially moving said rod up and down using the power generated by said means for rotating said driving gear.

4. An amusement device as in claim 1, said means stopping movement of said vehicle along said trackway as said driving gear thereof rotates said gear of said trackway comprises a braking arm, means mounting said arm within said stand to move between a first position wherein a portion of said arm extends into the path of said vehicle along said trackway and a second position wherein said arm is removed from the path of said vehicle and means resiliently urging said braking arm into said first position.

5. An amusement device, comprising: a. a first trackway having ends between which is provided a rack and a gear wheel operatively mounted for rotation interrupting said rack; b. a first vehicle provided with a driving gear and means rotating said driving gear so as to mesh with said rack propelling said vehicle along said first trackway; c. means at each of said ends of said first trackway for reversing the direction said first vehicle travels along said first trackway; d. a second trackway; and e. a second vehicle, means mounting said second vehicle to travel along said second trackway, and means propelling said second vehicle in one direction along said second trackway as the movement of said first vehicle in one direction along said first trackway is stopped and said driving gear of said first vehicle meshes with and rotates said gear wheel of said first trackway and propelling said second vehicle in a different direction along said second trackway as the movement of said first vehicle in the opposite direction along said first trackway is stopped and said driving gear of said first vehicle meshes with and rotates said gear wheel of said first trackway.

6. An amusement device as in claim 5, including means preventing further rotation of said gear wheel of said first trackway after said second vehicle travels a predetermined distance along said second trackway at which time said driving wheel of said first vehicle meshes with the stationary gear wheel of said first trackway propelling said first vehicle along said first trackway.

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