US3200538A

US3200538A - Electrically powered and sounding toy bird

Info

Publication number: US3200538A
Application number: US255976A
Authority: US
Inventors: Marvin I Glass; Burton C Meyer
Original assignee: Glass Marvin and Associates
Current assignee: Glass Marvin and Associates
Priority date: 1963-02-04
Filing date: 1963-02-04
Publication date: 1965-08-17
Anticipated expiration: 1982-08-17
Also published as: GB1017315A

Description

F Aug. 17,1965 GLASS ETA'L 3,200,538 I ELECTRICALLY POWERED AND SOUNDING TOY BIRD Filed Feb. 4. 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 [HYEJZZUTE 'MH/PV/N 1 4,455 Isa/Prom c Mf/FE mmawuf F136 fwd 1L I lul -4., 5

Aug. 17, 1965 M. l. GLASS ETAL ELEGTRICALLY POWERED AND SOUNDING TOY BIRD Filed Feb. 4, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Wmfdq 666,

Aug. 17, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 4, 1963 Aug. 17, 1965 M. I. GLASS ETAL ELEGTRICALLY POWERED AND souunme TOY BIRD Filed Feb. 4, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 BURTON 6 M67676 1965 M. 1. GLASS ETAL 3,200,538

ELECTRICALLY POWERED AND SOUNDING TOY BIRD Filed Feb. 4, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 1965 M. 1. GLASS ETAL I 3,200,538

ELECTRICALLY POWERED AND SOUNDING TOY BIRD Filed Feb. 4, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 United States Patent Ofiicc 3,200,538 Patented Aug. 17, 1965 assignors to Marvin Glass & Associates, Chicago, Ill., 6

a partnership Filed Feb. 4, 1963, Ser. No. 255,976 Claims. (Cl. 46-232) This invention relates to toys and, more particularly, to toy figures which include means for effecting traveling movement thereof.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved toy figure of the class described.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved toy figure which performs predetermined traveling movcmentson a supporting surface but which, when a particular portion of its body is engaged in a predetermined manner, alters its course of travel and commences to produce raucous sounds.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved toy figure which performs predetermined traveling movements on a supporting surface, alters its course of travel whcna particular portion of its body is engaged in a predetermined manner, and which automatically resumes its performance of the predetermined traveling movements after a designated interval.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved toy figure which performs predetermined traveling movements on a supporting surface while emitting soothing sounds, alters its course of movement and comrnences to produce raucous sounds when a particular portion of its body is engaged in a predetermined manner, automatically resumes its performance of the predetermined traveling movements after a designated interval, and resumes the production of soothing sounds while ceasing the production of the raucous sounds upon engagement of a particular portion of its body in a predetermined manner.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent with refeneneeto the following description and accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a toy figure showing various of the features of the invention;

FIGURES 2 to 4 are plan views of the toy shown in FIG. 1 indicating generally its various paths of traveling movement and a manner in which the traveling movement may be altered and resumed;

FIGURE 5 is a front view of the toy of FIG. 1;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view. of the top of FIG. tin which a portion of the outer wall of the body is removed to reveal the internal mechanism 9i the toy; FIGURE 7 is a bottom sectional view taken along line '17 of FIG. 6;

FIGURE 8 is a partially broken away sectional plan view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIGURE 9 is a schematic plan view showing the relationship of various elements of the operating mechanism of the toy as viewed in the direction of the arrows 9- 9 of FIG. 6;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged partially broken-away exploded view of certain of the operating elements of the y:

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged diagrammatic view of the electrical system of the toy;

FIGURE 12 is a partially broken-away view of a portion of the sound-producing mechanism shown in FIG- URE 7;

' FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary bottom view similar to that of FIGURE 7, but showing an alternate embodiment of the operating mechanism of the toy of FIG. 1; and

FIGURE 14 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the head portion of the toy of FIG.1 showing an alternate' embodiment of the actuating mechanism. Very generally, the toy figure 11 shown in the principal embodiment comprises a hollow body 13 having the appearance of a comical bird including a fan tail 15 and a comb 17 protruding from its head 19. Carried within the hollow body are a first sound-producing means 21 which produces a soothing whistling sound, and a second sound-producing means 23 which produces a raucous squawlting sound. The figure is supported on a pair of elongated legs 25 rotatably journalled within the body at their upper ends and suitably connected to an operating mechanism 27 which rotates the legs so as to cause the figure to move in a generally straight path. The operating mechanism 27 is connected to the first sound-producing means and is effective to cause the figure to emit a whistling sound while initially moving along a straight path.

The operating mechanism of the toy is also connected to the tail 15 and comb 17 such that when the figure is tormented, as by the pulling of its tail, it is caused to commence to undergo a pivotal movement about an axis defined by one of its legs 25, which leg shifts slightly while the pivotal movement is taking place. The pivotal movement continues until the figure is facing in approximately the opposite direction, at which time it again begins to move in a generally straight path, thus giving the impression that it is moving to retaliate against its tormentor. Pulling of the tail of the figure also actuates the soundproducing means, which commences the production of raucoussounds, while rendering the first sound-producing means ineffective.

The raucous sounds continue until the comb of the figure is depressed, as by patting the head of the figure, whereupon production of the raucous sounds ceases and production of the whistling sounds is resumed.

An alternate embodiment of the figure is also provided in which the variations in the operation of the toy are controlled solely by a pulling or depressing of the comb 17 and not by the pulling of the tall 15.

More specifically, the toy figure of the principal embodiment may be made to resemble any one of a variety of creatures but, in the illustrated embodiment, resembles a comical bird, the hollow body 13 of which includes a trunk 29 of generally ellipsoidal shape and the head 19 having'a large beak 31. The beak 31 includes a mnvable lower jaw 32 which is pivotally mounted within the head 19 and biased toward a closed position by means of a suitable spring (not shown). The lower jaw is suitably connected to the tall 15, as will hereinafter be described, so that the jaw will occupy an open position when the fiugre is producing raucous sounds.

A slot 33 is provided in the upper portion of the head I to receive the comb 17 which is pivotally mounted adjacent one of its ends within the head and projects upwardiy through the slot 33. The tail 15 is also pivotally mounted within the body and projects outwardly of the rearward portion of the trunk 29 through a hole 35 provided therein.

Both the comb and tall are suitably con nected to'the operating mechanism 27 of the toy and are platform. A trap door 38 is provided in the lower wall of the trunk 29 to permit servicing of the operating mechanism, especially the replacement of storage batteries.

The figure is supported on the pair of legs 25 previously referred to, each of which is shown to be of cruciform cross section (FIGS. 7 and 8), but may be of other configuration if desired. Each leg 25 is rotatably journalled at its upper end in a bearing 39 fixed within an opening 41 in the platform. The legs extend outwardly of the body through a pair of spaced holes 43 provided in the lower portion of the body wall, the holes 43 as well as the bearings 39 being so arranged and constructed that the legs are inclined slightly. converging with respect to one another toward their lower ends to facilitate the traveling movement of the figure, as will soon become apparent.

The traveling movement of the figure is accomplished by rotation of the legs, each of which is provided at its lower end with a foot member 45 of generally circular configuration fixed to the leg so as to lie in a plane generally normal to the longitudinal axis of the leg. Because of the inclined disposition of the legs, however, the entire lower surface of each foot does not firmly engage the surface upon which the figure is supported (FIG. Instead, only the limited portion of the foot which occupies an outermost position with respect to the other foot at any given time firmly engages the supporting surface, this outermost position being hereinafter referred to as the effective position. Any given portion of the foot effects movement of the figure only when in the effective position. When the feet are rotated in opposite directions, the engaging portions move in the same direction to cause a generally forward movement ofthe figure.

In order to facilitate the balancing of the figure on the pair of legs 25 and to assist its traveling movement, it has been found that the minimum preferred diameter of each foot member bears a direct relationship to the size of the figure and the location of its center of gravity. More specifically, it has been found that the radius of curvature of the peripheral edge of each foot member should preferably be greater than the distance between the center of gravity of the figure and the portion of the peripheral edge of the foot member which is in the effective position.

As previously mentioned, the legs 25 are rotated so as to effect driving movement of the toy and, in order to render the movement more realistic, the legs are rotated alternately so as to cause the movement to simulate a waddling, as of a duck or other bird. The alternate rotation of the legs is accomplished by the operating mechanism 27 which includes an electric motor 49, a storage battery 51, a switch 53 for controlling the fiow of current between the battery and motor, and a gear train 55 connecting the motor with the legs of the figure.

More specifically, the motor 49 is suspended from the platform 37 by means of a cradle 57 formed of an L- shaped member 59 including a horizontally disposed base portion 61 upon which the motor rests and a pair of arm members 63 which engage opposite sides of the motor housing and are sufficiently resilient to clamp the housing thcrebctwccn. An opening (not shown) is provided in tlte base member to receive the shaft 65 ofsthe motor, which shaft extends through the base and has a driver pinion gear 67 secured adjacent its outer end.

The gear train 55 which transmits the rotational movement of the motor armature alternately to the leg members 25 is effective, when the armature rotates in one direction, hereinafter referred to as the forward direction, to alternately rotate the leg members and in opposite directions to each other so as to effect forward movement of the figure in a generally straight but slightly undulating path. The switch 53, in response to a pulling of the tail of the figure, causes the direction of fiow of current to the motor and, hence, the direction of rotation of the motor armature, to be reversed, which reversal causes certain of the components of the gear train 55 to shift in position. This shifting within the gear train causes the direction of rotation of one of the legs 25 to be reversed while the direction of rotation of the other leg remains the same, thus causing pivotal movement of the figure about the other of the legs until the figure is facing in approximately the opposite direction, at which point a timing mechanism 68, hereinafter described, causes the direction of flow of current and, hence, the direction of rotation of the motor armature to again be reversed,

whereupon the figure again moves in a generally straight but undulating path. During the pivotal movement, however, the other lcg, which defines the pivotal axis, continues to rotate and is thus shifted in position slightly.

More specifically, the driver pinion gear 67, which is secured to the motor shaft 65, is in meshing engagement with a larger gear 69 having a pinion gear 71 adjacent each of its opposite faces to form a first compound gear 73. The first compound gear 73 is keyed to a vertically disposed shaft 75 rotatably journalled in a substructure 77 secured to the lower surface of the platform 37.

The pinion gears 71 of the first compound gear 73 are each in meshing engagement with upper and lower gear elements 79 and 81 respectively rotatably carried on a vertically disposed shaft 83 keyed within the substructure 77. Also carried by the shaft 83 is a smaller pinion gear 85 which is keyed to the gear 49 so as to rotate therewith. The pinion gear 85 is in meshing engagement with a large gear element 89 of a third compound gear 91 mounted on a shaft 92. The gear element 89 is in turn in meshing engagement with a similar gear element 93 of an adjacent fourth compound gear 95. Each of the third and fourth compound gears 91 and 95 includes a

smaller gear element

97 and 99 respectively disposed in overlying relation to the larger gears. In addition, the third compound gear includes a vibration inducing gear element 101 which forms part of the second sound producing means, hereinafter described. I Each of the

smaller gear elements

97 and 99 engage a yet smaller gear 103 which is keyed to one of the legs of the figure. It will be seen, therefore, that rotation of the driver gear 67 secured to the shaft 65 of the motor 49 imparts rotation to the legs 25 by means of the gear train 55 previously referred to. This causes the figure to move in a generally straight line. vThe normal directions of rotation of the gears when the figure is so moving are indicated by the solid-line arrows in FIG. 7.

The movement of the figure is made to assume a waddling appearance by causing the legs 25 to 'be rotated alternately relative to one another rather than continuously, the figure being thereby driven first by one leg and then the other so as to move in a slightly undulating path as seen in FIG. 2. This is accomplished by pro- .viding each of the

smaller gear elements

97 and 99 which are in engagement with the gears 103 of the legs with two sets 105 of teeth spaced peripherally from one an other and separated by a pair of gaps 107 (FIG. 10). Ac-= cordingly, although the third and fourth compound gears 91 and 95 are continuously rotated when the figure operates, the gears 103 keyed to the legs are driven only intermittently. The sets 105 of teeth of each gear are staggered relative to the sets of the opposite gear so that during at least a portion of the rotation of one of the legs 25, the other leg will not be driven (FIG. 7). Also, partial teeth 108 are provided at each end of each set 105 to facilitate the'reengagement of the teeth of the gears 97 and 9 9 with the teeth of the gear 103.

As previously mentioned, the embodiment of the figune shown in FIGS. 1 to 12 is adapted to be caused to suddenly commence pivotal movement, as indicated by the arrows of FIG. 3, when its tall 15 is pulled, thus giving the impression that the figure is turning to attack its tormentor. This is accomplished by effecting a reversal of the direction of rotation of the motor 49, which reversal causes a shifting of-a portion of the gear train pre- 55 viously described so as to change the direction of rotation of one of the legs while continuing the rotation ot the other leg in its initial direction. a Mores ecifically, and wi h reference to ,FIG.7, shifting movement within the gear train is accomplished by the mounting of the fourth compound gear' 95 on a movable plate 109 which is itself mounted for swinging movement about the shaft 92 of the stationary thirdcornpound gear 91. As seen in FIG. 7, the swinging movementof the plate 109 in a' clockwise direction is limitedbyastop block 111, and is guided in its swinging movement by a pair of guides 113. Swingingmovementof the plate in a counter-clockwise direction (FIG. 7) is limited by a.

portion of the first sound-producing means 21, later described I Fromthe direction of rotation of the shifting fourth compound gear 95, as indicated by the arrows of FIG. 7,

.tery 51 which is secured within a-bracl et 141 suspended fromthe lower surface of. the platform 37 by a pair of posts 143. f a

From FIG. 11 itwill be seen that it is possible for the smaller pivotally mounted plate 121 to occupy any one of three positions, the first of which (indicatedIby the" solid lines of FIG. 11) permits the fiowof current to the motor in one direction, the third of. which (indicated by the broken lines of FIG. 11) permits the flow of current to the motor in the opposite direction,

and' the intermediate of which is an open position in it will be apparent that rotation of the motor 49 in the V (FIG. 7), causing the plate to pivot in a counter-clock wise direction and bringing the shifting gear out of engagement withthe gear 103 of the adjacent leg and into engagement with an idler gear 115 which is in'rneshin g engagement with the gear of the leg.

Thus, although the directionofrotation of the shifting compound gear 95 is reversed, the motion transmitted to the gear'103 of the adjacent leg through theidler gear 115 causes the leg to rotate inthe same'direction'as it had previously been rotated. This'is not true, of course, for the gear 103 of the oppositeleg, the direction of rotation of which reverses whenever the direction of rotation of the motor is reversed. One offthe legs is thus rotating so as to move the figure forwardly'whilefthe other of the legs is rotating so as to move thefigure rearwardly. As a result, the figure commences the pivotal movement indicatedin FIG. 3. 1 a t a ,When the direction of flow of current is again reversed,

as by the operation of the timing mechanism 68, soon to be described, the direction of rotation of theigears is such as to urge the shifting gear95 back into its original posi tion andcause the figure to resume generally straightfor ward movement. v

The switch means 53 which effects a reversal in the directionof flow of current to the motor 47 and, hence, a

change in the direction of rotationofthe armature of the motor, is best seen in FIGS. 6,-7 and 11 and comprises'a pair of superposed

plates

119 and 121, one (119) of which issomewhat larger than the other (121) and is fixedly secured to the lower. surface of the platform 37 of the body- The smaller plate 121 ispivotallyrconnected to the larger plate 119by means of a pin .or rivet 123 having a head 125 at its ,lowerrend defining a'sho'ulder 127. A biasing spring 129 is interposed between the smallerv plate and the shoulder to urge the smaller plate into intimate 7 contact with the larger plate; p

1 Thestationary or larger plate 7 bodiment is provided with a pair'of spaced-apart contacts 133'and-135, each of which is ielectricallyconneeted to one of the terminals of the motor 47. The smaller plate 121 'is provided 'with a pair of electricallyconduc-i tive surface coatings 137 and '139, 'on'e of. which (137) is L-shaped and borders two adjacentedges ofthe" plate 121, and the other ofiwhich, (1 39),; is of anir-regular shape and is essentially centered-within the remaining available space on'the plate 121. .Eachfofthesurface coatings is. electrically connectedIto one crime terminals .ofthe bate '119 in the illustrated emwhich no current flows'in the circuit.

In the first position, contact 133 of the motor is engaged by one leg of the L-shaped conductive coating 137 (which is at a positive potential), and contact 135 of the motor is engaged by theirregularly shaped coating 137 (which is 'at a negative potential), Hence, current will flow throughthe motor-from terminal 133- to terminal 135.

When the plate is rotated. to the third position, theposi tive-potential. L shape'd conductive coating 137 engages contact 135 and the negativepotential irregularly shaped conductive coating 137 engages contact 133, thus causing a' flow of current through the motor from terminal 135 to terminal 133. In the intermediate position, neither the L-shap'ed conductive coating nor the irregularly shaped conductive coating engage either contact and no current flows in the circuit. v

Rotationof the smaller switch plate 121 is effected either .by means of .a rocket which is utilized to initially rotate the switch to cause the figure to commence generally straight forward movement, and which also forms part of the timing mechanism 68 which operates tocause the figure to cease pivotal movement and resume movement in a generally straight forward path.- The rocker 145 is also rotated by means of anactuating bar 147 which is connected to the tail 15 of the figure and which, when moved, rotates the switch plate 121 to cause a reversal in the direction-of flow of current to the motor and, hence, to cause pivotal movement of the figure. i

More specifically, the rocker 145 is pivotally mounted by means of'a pin 149 on the large stationary plate 119 of the switch 53. and includes a pair of arm members 151and 153 which form an obtuse angle with each other.

One of the arms 151 is bifurcated adjacent its end to receive a post 155 which projects downwardlyl from the smaller pivotally mounted switch plate 121 in spaced rela- "tion to the: pin 149 on which the plate 121 is mounted,

pivotal movement of therocker being thereby effective to cause pivotal movement ,of the switch plate.

The rocker is biased for rotation in the clockwise direction ,(FIG. 7) sov as to urge the switch into the forWard-rnovement-causing or first position by a hairspring 157 which encircles the pin about which the lever is pivotally mounted, and which includes an arm 159 which engages a stop block 161 on the stationary switch plate 119, and a second arm 163 which engages a block 165cm the other .of, the arms of the rocker. The other of the arms 153 of the rocker isprovided with a laterally directed ear 167. which occupies a notch 169 in a clutch disk 171 formingpart of the timing mechanism 117, soon to be described. y V

Pivot al movement of. the smaller switch plate 121 between the first position previously referred to, toward which his biased by the'rocker 14 5,and the intermediate or nonoperativeposition inwhic h nogcurrent flows to,- the motor,- is'a-ccomplishedbyan operating lever 1-73 which'is pivotally] mounted on a pin 175 depending from the platform .37, the operating lever 173;b eing so disposed that on end thereof projects through a slot 177: provided in the. wall-ofthebody. The opposite end of theoperating'lever 'is providedlwith a camming surface 179 which engages,a.nub,i181.;provided on a lateral edge of the rocker 145. Asfwill bescen in FIGS. 7, when the, operating lever 173 is in its most counter clockwise position, as limited by the left edge of the slot 177, the camming edge of the lever engaging the nub 181 of the rocker rotates the rocker in a counter-clockwise direction and maintains it in such a position. This places the small plate 121 of the switch in a position in which neither of the contacts. of the motor engage the conductive surface coatings of the plate and no current flows to the motor. Thus, the non-operative condition of the toy is established. Rotation of the lever in the clockwise direction to the limit imposed by the length of the slot 177 permits biased rotation of the rocker 145 in a clockwise direction so as to cause counter-clockwise rotational movement of the smaller switch plate 121 to the first position, thereby causing straight-forward movement of the figure. It should be clear that it is not possible, by moving the operating lever 173, to effect a reversal in the direction of current fiow to the motor, i.e., to place the switch plate in the third position. Such movement is accomplished by the actuating bar 1147, hereinafter described.

The actuating bar 147 (FIG. 8) extends longitudinally of the body for the greater portion of its length and rests upon a slide 183 (FIG. 6) projecting upwardly from the upper surface of the platform 37. The forward portion 185 of the bar is offset downwardly to form a shoulder 186 and the rearward portion 187 is inclined downwardly and extends through a relatively large slot 139 in the rear- Ward portion of the platform to permit connection between the rearward end of the bar and the tail 15 of the figure. An arm 191 (FIG. 8) projects laterally from one side edge of the bar and engages a post 193 which projects upwardly from a lug 195 extending from a lateral edge of the rocker 145.

From FIG. 8 it will be appreciated that when the bar 147 is moved forwardly, the rocker 145 will be rotated in a clockwise direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 7) so as to rotate the small switch plate 121 into the third position and effect a reversal in the direction of current flow to the motor. The bar is biased, however, for rearward movement by a leaf spring 196, one end of which is anchored to the platform 37 and the other end of which engages the shoulder 186 of the bar.

It will be noted also that the counterclockwise rotational movement of the rocker 145 is effective to withdraw the ear 167 of the rocker from the notch 189 of the clutch disk 171 of the timing mechanism 68, the operation of which will be described shortly.

Forward movement of the actuating bar 147 is effected by a pulling of the tail 15, which tail includes (FIGS. 1 and 6) an enlarged fan-like portion 197 projecting outwardly of the body through the opening 35 provided in the rearward portion of the body wall, and a lower portion 199 inclined at slightly greater than a 90 angle relative to the fan-like portion 197 and extending downwardly through the slot 189 provided inthe rearward end of the platform. A pair of spacedapart lugs 201 are secured to the inclined lower portion 199 of the tail and are disposed between a similar pair of lugs 203 secured to the upper surface of the platform 37 at opposite sides of the slot 189 provided therein. A pin 205 extends through the lugs of the tail and platform to define an axis about which the tailpivots.

Connection between the tail 15 and actuating bar 147 is accomplished by providing the lower tail portion 199 with a small hole 207 adjacent its lower end which receives the narrowed rearward end of the bar 147. The rearward end of the bar may be offset slightly, as at 209, to insure its retention within the hole, and includes a shoulder 211 which is engaged by the tail portion in effecting movement of the bar. It will be seen in FIG. 6, therefore, that when the tail 15 is pulled, it will tend to pivot about the axis defined by the pin 205 and will cause the actuating bar 147 to move forwardly so as to rotate the rocker 145 and, hence, the switch 53, thereby causing the motor armature to rotate in the opposite direction.

The forward end of the actuating bar 147 engages a portion of the comb mechanism 213 of the toy, which is connected to the comb 17 secured to the head 19 of to permit the figure to pivot until it is facing in the opposite direction. In the illustrated embodiment, as

seen best in FIGS. 7 and 10, the clutch disk 171. isnot. keyed to, but is rotatably mounted on, the shaft 92 off the stationary third compound gear 91 and comprises (FIG. 10) a flat circular plate 215, into the periphery of which the notch 169 for receiving the car 167 of' The clutch disk 171-also includes the rocker extends. a smaller circular plate 217 coaxial with the larger plate 215 and provided with a plurality of indentations 219 in,

the periphery of its surface furthest removed from the larger plate 215,

Rotationof the clutch disk 171 is effected by a slipping clutch plate 221 secured to the stationary third gear by means of three spaced pegs 223which extendfromv the gear and occupy holes 225 in'the plate. The plate is irregular in shape and includes three arms 227 which are equally spaced approximately from one another, each of the arms including at its outer end an embossment 229 of V-shaped cross-section which is en:

gageable with one of the plurality of indentations. 219' in the smaller circular plate. 2170f the clutch disk 171.

It will be seen, therefore, that as the stationary third compound gear 91 rotates, engagement between the V- shaped embossments 229 of the clutch plate 221 and the indentations 219 of the clutch disk 217' will tend to cause the clutch disk .to rotate as well. However, if the disk is prevented from rotating, as when the car 167 of the rocker occupies its notch 169, the clutch plate 221 will slip on the disk. When the ear of the rocker, however, is withdrawn from the notch, as when the tail 15 of the figure is pulled, theclutch disk 171 will rotate and, once it has moved from a position in which the notch 169 is no longer in alignment with ear 167, will maintain the rocker in the withdrawn position wherein it maintains the switch plate 121 in,

the third position even though the force on the tail is released. The rocker 145 will pivot in a clockwise direction when the notch 169 has moved through a 360 arc to again bring it into alignment with the, car 167' such that the ear 167 will fall into the notch and, in

so doing, will pivot the rocker which, in turn, will ro-- tate the small switch plate in a counter-clockwise direction, moving it from the third position through the intermediate to the first position, thus again reversing the' flow of current and causing the shifting gear to return to its normal position and again effect generally straight forward movement of the figure.

The interval during which the clutch disk maintains the rocker in a withdrawn position and, hence, the switch in the third position so as to cause pivotal movement of the figure, is preferably of such a length as will permit the figure to turn sufficiently so as to be facing in the opposite direction and create the impression that itis attacking its tormentor.

As previouslymentioned, the illustrated embodimentof the toy shown in FIGS. 1 through 12 is adapted to produce soothing or whistling sounds as the figure moves in a generally straight forward path, but is adapted to cease producing the whistling sounds and to commence producing raucous or squawking sounds when its tail- '9. has been pulled, which pulling of the pivotal movement. The raucoussounds continue, even through the figure has been caused to resume its initial course of 'movement by the operation of thetirning mechanism 68, until the comb 17 of the figure is de pressed, as by patting the head of the figure. 7

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 12, the first orwhistling sound-producing means 21 comprises a housing231 which defines an elongated resonating chamber 233, the portion adjacent one end of which is inclined relative to the remainder for reasons whichwill become apparent shortly. The walls of the housing which define the chamber are provided 'with an inlet opening 235 adjacent the closed end thereof, a' bafile 237 adjacent the opening to increase the velocity of the air as it flows through the chamber,and an exit opening 239, an edge 241 of which is sharpened to vibrate the moving air stream and produce the whistlingsounds desired. a As previously mentioned, the whistling sound-producing means is preferably renderedineffective when the second or raucous sound-producingmeans 23 is operated'so that both means will not be operated simultaneously; This is accomplished by providing the opposite end of the resonating chamber defining meanswith a by-pass opening 243 which, when open, allows the air to by-pass t'he bafile 237 and exit opening 239, and no sound is produced. The by-pass opening 243 is adapted to be maintained in either an open or closed position by a valve member 244 including a plug 245 carried on a support 246. The support'246 is secured to a plate 247 which carries the tail, as has already been discussed, also causes thefigure to commence which is in meshing-engagementawith one of the leg gears 103 and which serves to drive theuleg gear' when the shifting gear 95 has been shifted and the figurefis moving in a circular path. From FIG. 7 it will "be appreciated that as the idler gear 115 rotates, the piston 259 is moved inwardly and outwardly-of the resonating chamber 233 st) as to vary the efiectivelength of the chamber. As the lengthof the chamber varies, so .do

the length of the vibrating air columnltherin and, hence,

the pitch of the sounds produced thereby.

The fascination produced by varying of the resonating chamber may be further increased by forming the gear 81,- to which the piston rod "249 f is connected, and the idler gear 115, to. whichthe link 261 is connected, with. difierent diameters so that their speeds.

of rotation will differ. Accordingly, the ,relative positions of the gears and, hence, the

pistons

251 and,259,

will not be synchronized but will continually vary. Since the pitch of sounds produced is dependent upon the relative positions of the pistons to one'another, asthe relative positions of the pistons change, thesounds produced will second sound-producing means 23 and pivots as itmoves,

the means 23 to an operative position. A When themeans 23 is in a non-operative position,-the plug 245 ispositioned so as to close theby-paSs opening 243. However, when the plate 247 pivots the means 23 into an operative position, the plug is withdrawn, the opening 243 becomes non-obstructed and the first sound-producing means is rendered inoperative.

Air is forced through the inlet opening'235 of the resonating chamber by means of a piston arrangement which includes a cylinder 248 projecting outwardly from the wall of the resonating'chamb er adjacent'the inlet opening 235, the cylinder 248 being ,in generally surrounding relation to the inlet opening at one of its ends. The cylinder is open at the other of its ends to. receive a reciprocally movable piston rod- 249 which has a piston 251m the formof a circular pl-ate' secured toits innermost end and lying in a plane generally normal to the longitudinal axis of the rod 249. A V The other'end of the piston rod 249 is pivo'tally connected to the face of the geardl of the second compound gear 83 of the gear train 55 of the operating mechanism 27 by means of a pin 257 eccentrically disposed relative to the rotational axis of the gear. This eccentric connection of the rod to the gear causes the piston to be forced inwardly of the cylinder along a line generally coaxial with the cylinder during a portion of the rotation of the gear, and to'be withdrawn along a line angularly disposed with respect to the axis of the cylinder during the remaining portion of the rotation of the gear. This withdrawing movement causes the piston plate 251 to become disposed at an acute angle to the axis of the cylinder (FIG. 12). In such a position, the piston is no longer capable of providing a fluid-tight seal between its periphery and the cylinder walls. Accordingly, air will bypass the piston as itis being withdrawn so as to allowair to enter the cylinder. Means are also provided for varying the length of the resonating chamber so as to vary the pitch'of the sounds produced and thus add to the fascination produced by the toy. Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, a second piston 259 is slidably carried within the inclined openended portion of the resonating chamber 233 and, is connected by means of a link261to the idler gear 115 change as well and in a seemingly random mannerto.

provide a fascinating eiiect.

To further add to the.fascinationprovidedby the sound variation of. the means '21, anotch 263 is provided which extends inwardly of the edge of .the wall. defining the portion of the resonating chamberwithin which thesecond or sound-varying piston 259 moves. Thejnotch is of such a length that when the pistonf 259 is withdrawn to its greatest extent, as shown in phantomv in FIG. .7,,the

innermost end of the notch will provide communication betweenthe resonating chamber and the atmosphere, thus changing the chamber from a closedfcondition to an open conditiong' Accordingly, when the piston reaches this position, the pitch of the sounds produced will suddenly jump one octave and provide a fascinating effect;

The second or raucous sound-producingmeans .23 is caused to operate wherrthe figure commences to pivot to face its tormentor. The means23 includes an elongated Carrying plate 247 which is mounted on the lower. surface of the platform 37 soas to pivot about the point cent the diaphragm with the edge defined by the V resting onthe diaphragm. The opposite end; of the leaf spring 277- extends in the direction of the vibrationinducing gear 101 carried on the axis of the stationary or third compound gear 91. When the carrying plate 247 is pivoted in a counter-clockwise direction (FIG. '7),

the resonating box 267 is moved toward the stationary gear-91 so as to bring the end of the leaf spring 277 into engagement with the teethof the vibration-inducing gear 101, causing the leaf spring to vibrate and, in doing so, to vibrate the diaphragm 271 and produce sounds,

If desired, the teeth of the vibration-inducing gear 101 may be of varying size and spacing so as to vary the nature of the sounds produced; As previously mentioned,

pivotal movement of the carrying plate, which is-efiecobstructing relation to the by-pass opening 243 so as to render the sound-producing means 21 substantially ineffective. I c

The opposite end of the carrying plate 247 is inclined adjacent its end so as to facein the-direction of the pl-ate 109 which, carries thev shifting gear of the operating mechanism 27. The endof theplate 247 is taperedand the eifective lengthment is eifective to pivot the plate 247 and bring the leaf spring 277 of the raucous sound-producing means 23 into operation. The portion of the plate 247 inwardly of the previously mentioned end is providedwith a pair of opposing notches 281 which receive a portion of the comb mechanism 213, to be described shortly, which returns the plate to its original position.

The second sound-producing means 23 is maintained in its operative and inoperative positions by an over-center spring. 283 which is interposed between a portion of the plate 263 and a block 285 secured to the platform 37 of the body, each plate and block being notched to receive opposite ends of the spring and maintain it in position.

The carrying plate 247 of the second or raucous soundproducing means 23 is returned to its original position, so as to move the leaf spring 277 out of engagement with the vibration-inducing gear 101 and thus render the second sound-producing means 23 inoperative, by the comb mechanism 213 which includes (FIG. 6) a vertically disposed plate 287 pivotally suspended adjacent its upper end on a pin 289 supported by a pair of spaced-apart bearing members 291. The plate 287 extends through a slot 293 in the platform 37 and is formed so as to include a pair of spaced ears 295 which are disposed so as to occupy the notches 281 in the carrying plate 247 of the raucous sound-producing means 23.

From FIGS. 6 and 8, it should be apparent that pivotal movement of the vertically disposed plate 287 will cause the carrying plate 247 to pivot in a horizontal plane. Specifically, clockwise pivotal movement of the vertically disposed plate of the comb mechanism 213 (FIG. 6) will cause clockwise rotational movement of the carrying plate 247 of the sound-producing means 21 so as to bring the leaf spring 277 out of engagement with the vibration-inducing gear 101.

Olockwise rotation of the plate 287 is effected by a vertically disposed connecting link 297 which is secured at its lower end to a laterally projecting portion of the plate 287 and at its upper end to one end of the comb 17 (FIG. 6) which is pivotally mounted within the head of the figure by a pin 299 passing through its other end. When the comb is depressed, the connecting link 297 is moved downwardly and the plate 287 is rotated in a clockwise direction so as to rotate the plate 247 and deactivate the soundproducing means.

The vertically disposed plate 287 is engaged by, but is not secured to, the actuating bar 147 which is connected to the tail 15 of the figure, and is notched along its rearward edge as at 301 to receive the bifurcated forward end of the bar 147. Forward movement of the bar, caused by pulling of the tail of the figure, will cause the plate 287 to pivot in a counter-clockwise direction so as to pivot the comb slightly to a raised position. However, since the actuating bar 147 is not secured to the vertically disposed plate, movement of the bar in a rearward direction will not cause the vertically disposed plate 287 to rotate and will thus not efiect the operation of the sound-producin'g means. Also, while depressing of the comb 17 will cause rearward movement of the actuating bar 147, it will not aifect the position of the rocker 145 and, thus, will not affect the direction of movement of the toy.

To add to the realism of the toy, the lower jaw member 32 of the figure is caused to assume a normally closed position when the figure moves in a generally straight forward path and the whistling sound-producing means is operated, but to move to an open position whenever the sound or raucous sound-producing means 23 is operated. This is accomplished, in the illustrated embodiment by connecting the jaw to the link 297 which connects the comb 17 with the vertically disposed plate 287 of the comb mechanism 213 so that when the plate 287 pivots, as when the tail of the figure is pulled, the link will be raised and the jaw will pivot to an open position. When the comb is depressed, however, to deactivate the raucous 1.2 sound-producing means 23, the link will be lowered and the jaw will pivot to a closed position.

An alternate embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 and is of a somewhat simpler construction that that shown in FIGS. 1 through 12. Inthe alternate embodiment, a hollow body 13a includes a platform 37a which carries a gear train 55a. The gear train 55a includes a motor 49a secured to the platform 37a by means 'of a cradle 57a. The motor has a shaft 65a to which is keyed a driver pinion gear 67a. The driver pin-ion gear is in meshing engagement with a large gear element 6% of a first compound gear 73a which includes as well upper and lower pinion gears 71a, all of which are keyed to a common shaft 75a.

The upper and lower pinion gears 71a are each in meshing engagement with an upper and a lower gear element 79a and 81a respectively rotatably carried on a shaft 83a. The upper gear element has keyed thereto a small pinion gear (not shown but corresponding to gear 85 of the principal embodiment) which is engaged by each

large gear element

89a and 93a of a pair of stationary compound gears 91a and 95a, each of which includes as well a smaller gear element 97a and 99a respectively. The smaller gear elements 97a and 99a are each in meshing engagement with a gear 103a keyed to the legs 25a of the figure.

It will be seen, therefore, that, unlike the principal embodiment, the compound gear 95a is not mounted for shifting movement. Accordingly, when the direction of rotation of the armature of the motor 49a is reversed, both legs 25a begin to rotate in the opposite direction from their previous direction of rotation, but continue to rotate in the same direction relative to one another, thus causing the figure to begin moving backward rather than to pivot as was true in the principal embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 14, the direction of flow of current to the motor 49a is controlled by a switch 53a which is carried within the head 19a of the figure rather than on the platform 37a as was the case in the principal embodiment. The switch 53a includes a large plate 119a mounted within the head and a smaller plate 121a pivotally secured to the larger plate by means of a pin 123a. One of the plates is provided with surface coatings 137a and 139a suitably connected to opposite terminals of the battery (not shown), while the other is provided with contacts 133a and 135a connected to opposite terminals of the motor 49a. The switch operates in the same manner as in the principal embodiment.

In the alternate embodiment, however, the smaller switch plate 121a is connected directly to the comb by means of a bar 303 such that a downward movement of the comb will cause the figure to move forwardly and an upward pulling of the comb will reverse the direction of flow of cur-rent to the motor and cause the figure to move rearwardly. Accordingly, the operation of the figure of the alternate embodiment is not controlled by the tail but solely by the comb 17a. The switch plate 121a includes a bifurcated lug 305 which engages a pin 367 connected to the jaw 32a so that upward movement of the comb will cause the jaw to open. The jaw is biased to the closed position by a spring 34a.

Also, it is to be noted that there is no timing mechanism'in the alternate embodiment corresponding to the timing mechanism 68 of the principal embodiment. Accordingly, when the comb is pulled, the figure will move rearwardly until its comb is depressed.

As seen in FIG. 13, the alternate embodiment is also provided with a whistling sound-producing mean 21:: including a housing 231a defining a resonating chamber 233a communicating with the atmosphere at one end through an inlet opening 235a and open at its opposite end. The housing is so constructed as to provide the resonating chamber with an L-shaped configuration, which causes it to differ slightly from that of the principal embodiment. An exit opening 239a is provided bodiment.

s reversed.

13 and a baffle 237:: to increase the velocity of the air stream as it reaches the exit opening. a

The housing 231a of the Whistling sound-producing means 21a also defines a cy1inder'248a which receives a piston 251a connected by means of a piston rod 249a to the gear 81a. Means are provided for varying the sounds produced by the means 21a and comprise a second piston 259a movably carried within the open end portion of the resonating chamber 233:: and connected by a link 261a to the large gear 95a. The portion of the housing adjacent'the end of the resonating chamber is provided with a notch 263a to permit the chamber to be suddenly converted from open to closed, as in the principal embodiment.

It will be noted that this construction differs from that of the principal embodiment wherein the piston 259 was connected by link 261 to idler gear 11-5. There is no counterpart to idler gear 115 in the alternate em- It will also be noted that the radial distance between the end of the piston rod 249awhich ispivotally connected to the gear 81a and the axis of rotation of the gear is greater than the radial distance between the end of the link 261a which is pivotally connected to the gear 95a and the axis of rotation of the gear. Hence, the movements of the rod 249a and link 261a will not be synchronized and the pitch of the sounds produced will vary in an apparently random manner.

Also, there is no by-pass opening 243 in the alternate embodiment of the means 21a, nor is there'a plug 245 to open or close such an opening. Instead, as can best be understood with reference to FIGS; 12 and13, when the direction of rotation of the armature of the motor 49a is reversed, the direction of rotation of the gear Siato whichthe piston rod 249a is linked will also be Accordingly, whereas the piston 251a of the principal embodiment was angular-1y disposed while being withdrawn from the cylinder, reversal of the direction of rotation of the gear 81a causes the piston 251a to be angularly disposed when moving inwardly of the cylinder, i.e., during that portion of the stroke when it formerly forced air through the inlet opening 235a. The piston is thus rendered essentially ineffective in forcing air into the resonating chamber 233a and no sound is produced. 7

A raucous sound-producing means 23a is also pro-- leaf spring 277 is in constant engagement with a finely-- toothed gear 309 connected to one of the legs 25a of the figure. When the gear 309 is rotated so asto move 'the figure in a forward direction, the V-shaped offset 279:: of the leaf-spring is lifted out of engagement with the diaphragm 271a and no appreciably audible'sounds are produced even though the spring is'vibrated by the teeth of the gear 30?. However, when the direction of rotation of the gear 339 is reversed, as when the figure.

moves rearWar-dly, the V-shaped offset of the leaf spring is forced into engagement with the diaphragm 271a, thus causing the diaphragm to vibrate and produce sounds. V

A novel toy figure has thus been provided which is both interesting and fascinating in its operation. .While" certain embodiments of the toy have been shown and described, it should be apparent that various changes 7 might be madetherein without departing from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is: s 1. A toy figure comprising a hollow body, movable support means. for said body, powered operating means ,within said bodyv and connected with saidmovable support means for causing afirst traveling movement of said body on a supporting surface, sound-producing means within said body, means on said body effective when engaged in a predetermined manner to cause said operating means to effect a second traveling movement of said 'body on the supporting surface and to actuate said soundproducing means, saidfirst traveling movement and said second'traveling movement of said body differing in direction from one another, said operating means including means for automatically causing said body to resume said first traveling movement after a predetermined period of ,a head, a simulated comb, movably mounted in the head, and a tail movably mounted on the body, support means for said body, operating means forcausing a first traveling movement of said body in an-undulating path on a supporting surface, sound-producing means within said body, means on said body connected to said tail effective when said tail is pulled to cause said operating means to-effect a second travelingymovement of said body on the support- -ing'surface and .to actuate said sound-producing means,

saidlfirst traveling movement and said second traveling movement of said body differing in direction from one I another, timing means within said body for causing said body to resume said first traveling movement after a predetermined interval, and means connected to said simulated comb for deactivating said sound-producing means when said simulated comb is depressed.

3. Atoy figure comprising a hollow body, a pair of elongated leg members rotatably mounted atone of their ends withinsaid body in spaced relation to one another, said leg members being adapted to support said body on a supporting surface, a foot member secured to the lower end of each of said leg members and adapted to rotate therewith, operating'means forimparting a first rotational movement to each of said leg members so as to cause a first traveling movement of said body on the supporting surface, a first and a second. sound-producing means being connected to said operating means, said connection being such as to cause said first means to produce sounds when said figure undergoes said first traveling movement, means on said body effective when engaged in a predetermined manner to cause said operating means to effect a second traveling movement of said body on the supporting sur- 1 face and to actuate said second sound-producing means, said first traveling movement and said second traveling movement of said body differing in direction from one another, timing means within said body for causing said body to resume :said first traveling movement after a l predetermined interval, and means effective when engaged in -a predetermined manner to deactivate said second 4. Atoy figure comprising a hollow body, a pair of elongated leg members rotatably mounted at one of their ends within said body in spaced relation to one another, said'leg membersbeing'adapted to support said .body on a supporting surface, a generally circular foot-member secured to'the lower end of each of said leg members and adapted to rotate therewith, the radius of curvature of the peripheral edge of each'of said foot members being greater than the distance between the center of gravity of the movement to each of said leg members so as to cause a first traveling movement of said body on the supporting surface, sound-producing means within said body, means on said body effective when engaged in a predetermined manner to cause said operating means to effect a second traveling movement of said body on the supporting surface and to actuate said sound-producing means, said first traveling movement and said second traveling movement of said body differing in direction from one another, means for causing said body to resume said first traveling movement, and means effective When engaged in a predetermined manner to deactivate said sound-producing means.

5. A toy figure comprising a hollow body, a pair of elongated leg members rotatably mounted at one of their ends within said body in spaced relation to one another, said leg members being inclined relative to each other and in opposite directions to the vertical, a generally circular foot member secured to the lower end of each of said leg members and adapted to rotate therewith, the supportingsurface engaging portion of each of said feet members being inclined relative to the horizontal so as to engage the surface with a peripheral edge, the radius of curvature of the peripheral edge of each of said foot members being greater than the distance between the center of gravity of the figure and the outermost peripheral edge of the foot member, operating means for imparting a first rotational movement to each of said leg members so as to cause a first traveling movement of said body on the supporting surface, sound-producing means within said body, means on said body effective when engaged in a predetermined manner to cause said operating means to effect a second traveling movement of said body on the supporting surface and to actuate said sound-production means, said first traveling movement and said second traveling movement of said body differing in direction from one another, means for causing said body to resume said first traveling movement, and means effective when engaged in a predetermined manner to deactivate said soundproducing means.

6. A toy figure comprising a hollow body, a pair of elongated leg members rotatably mounted at one of their ends within said body in spaced relation to one another, said leg members being adapted to support said body on a supporting surface, a generally circular foot member secured to the lower end of each of said leg members and adapted to rotate therewith, the radius of curvature of the peripheral edge of each of said foot members being greater than the distance between the center of gravity of the figure and the outermost peripheral edge of the foot member, operating means within said body including a plurality of gears in meshing engagement to form a train, an electric motor having a rotatable shaft connected to said gear train, storage battery means, and switch means connected to said battery for selectively connecting said battery to said motor in either a first direction or a second direction and cause rotation of said motor shaft in either of two directions, rotation of said motor shaft in one direction incident to a flow of current to said motor in said first direction being effective to cause a first traveling movement of said body on a supporting surface and rotation in the opposite direction incident to a flow of current to said motor in said second direction being effective to cause a second traveling movement of said body, said first traveling movement and said second traveling movement differing in direction from one another, means on said body connected to said switch means and effective when engaged in a predetermined manner to cause a reversal in the direction of current flow to said motor from said first direction to said second direction so as to cause said figure to commence said second traveling movement, sound-producing means within said body adapted to be actuated when said figure commences said second traveling movement, timing means on said body connected to said switch means for causing a reversal in the direction of current flow from said second direction to said first direction so as to cause said figure to resume said first traveling movement, and means for deactivating said sound-producing means.

7. A toy figure comprising a hollow body, elongated if leg members depending from said body and rotatably journalled therein, a generally circular foot member secured to the lower end of each of said leg members and adapted to rotate therewith, said foot members being inclined with respect to said leg members so as to engage the supporting surface only adjacent the outer edges of each foot member, operating means within said body including a plurality of gears in meshing engagement to form a train connected to said leg members, one of said gears being shiftable relative to the remainder thereof, an electric motor having a rotatable shaft connected to said gear train, storage battery means, and switch means connected to said battery for selectively connecting said battery to said motor so as to cause current to flow to said motor in either a first direction or a second direction and cause rotation of said motor shaft in either of two directions, rotation of said motor shaft in one direction incident to a flow of current to said motor in said first direction being effective to rotate each of said legs in a given direction and cause a first traveling movement of said body on a supporting surface and rotation in the opposite direction incident to a flow of current to said motor in said second direction being effective to reverse the direction of rotation of one of said leg members to cause a shifting movement of said shifting gear so as to cause said other leg member to continue to rotate in the same direction and cause a second traveling movement of said body, said first traveling movement and said second traveling movement differing in direction from one another, means on said body connected to said switch means and eifective when engaged in a predetermined manner to cause a reversal in the direction of current flow to said motor from said first direction of current flow to said motor from said first direction to said second direction so as to cause said figure to commence said second traveling movement, sound-producing means within said body adapted to be actuated when said figure commences said second traveling movement, timing means on said body connected to said switch means for causing reversal in the direction of current flow from said second direction 7 to said first direction so as to cause said figure to resume said first traveling movement, and means for deactivating said sound-producing means.

8, A toy figure comprising a body, a pair of elongated eg members mounted on said body in supporting relation thereto, a foot in the form of a circular member fixed to the lower end of each leg member, said circular foot members being disposed in oppositely inclined relation to the supporting surface for the figure so that only the laterally opposed peripheral edge portions of the two foot members contact the supporting surface when the toy figure is in an erect, supported position, power operated drive means within said body, and means connecting said drive means with each of said circular foot members ifOI rotation of the latter to cause traveling movement of the toy figure as said opposed peripheral edge portions of said foot members move relative to the supporting surface.

9. A toy figure comprising a body, a pair of elongated leg members rotatably mounted on said body in supporting relation thereto, a foot in the form of a circular member fixed to the lower end of each leg member for rotation therewith, said circular foot members being disposed in oppositely inclined relation to the supporting surface for the figure so that only the laterally opposed peripheral edge portions of the two foot members contact the supporting surface when the toy figure is in an erect, supported position, power operated drive means within said body, means connecting said drive means with each of said leg members for rotation of the latter to cause rotation of said foot members in opposite directions to effect traveling movement of the toy figure, air-operated sound mechanism with said body, and means connecting said drive means with said air-operated sound mechanism so that operation of said drive means causes operation of said sound mechanism to provide a constantly varying sound as the figure moves along a supporting surface.

10. A toy figure comprising a body, a pair of elongated leg members mounted on saidbody in supporting relation thereto, a foot in the form of a circular member fixed to the lower end of each leg member, said circular foot members being disposed in oppositely inclined relation to the supporting surface for the figure so that only the laterally opposed peripheral edge portions of the two foot members contact the supporting surface when the figure is in an erect, supported position, power operated drive means within said body, means connecting said drive means with each of said circular foot members for rotation of the latter in opposite directions to cause traveling movementof the toy figure, air-operated sound mechanism with said body including an elongated chamber, a piston movable within said chamber, and an air supply means for providing a flow of air in said chamber, and means connecting said drive means with said air supply means and said movable piston so that operation of said drive means causes air to move in saidchamber and said piston to move relative to said chamber to provide a constantly varying sound as said figure moves along a supporting surface.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

Claims

6. A TOY FIGURE COMPRISING A HOLLOW BODY, A PAIR OF ELONGATED LEG MEMBERS ROTATABLY MOUNTED AT ONE OF THEIR ENDS WITHIN SAID BODY IN SPACED RELATION TO ONE ANOTHER, SAID LEG MEMBERS BEING ADAPTED TO SUPPORT SAID BODY ON A SUPPORTING SURFACE, A GENERALLY CIRCULAR FOOT MEMBER SECURED TO THE LOWER END OF EACH OF SAID LEG MEMBERS AND ADAPTED TO ROTATE THEREWITH, THE RADIUS OF CURVATION OF THE PERIPHERAL EDGE OF EACH OF SAID FOOT MEMBERS BEING GREATER THAN THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE CENTER OF GRAVITY OF THE FIGURE AND THE OUTERMOST PERIPHERAL EDGE OF THE FOOT MEMBER, OPERATING MEANS WITHIN SAID BODY INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF GEARS IN MESHING ENGAGEMENT TO FORM A TRAIN, AN ELECTRIC MOTOR HAVING A ROTATABLE SHAFT CONNECTED TO SAID GEAR TRAIN, STORAGE BATTERY MEANS, AND SWITCH MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID BATTERY FOR SELECTIVELY CONNECTING SAID BATTERY TO SAID MOTOR IN EITHER A FIRST DIRECTION OR A SECOND DIRECTION AND CAUSE ROTATION OF SAID MOTOR SHAFT IN EITHER OF TWO DIRECTIONS, ROTATION OF SAID MOTOR SHAFT IN ONE DIRECTION INCIDENT TO A FLOW OF CURRENT TO SAID MOTOR IN SAID FIRST DIRECTION BEING EFFECTIVE TO CAUSE A FIRST TRAVELING MOVEMENT OF SAID BODY ON A SUPPORTING SURFACE AND ROTATION IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION INCIDENT TO A FLOW OF CURRENT TO SAID MOTOR IN SAID SECOND DIRECTION BEING EFFECTIVE TO CAUSE A SECOND TRAVELING MOVEMENT OF SAID BODY, SAID FIRST TRAVELING MOVEMENT AND SAID SECOND TRAVELING MOVEMENT DIFFERING IN DIRECTION FROM ONE ANOTHER, MEANS ON SAID BODY CONNECTED TO SAID SWITCH MEANS AND EFFECTIVE WHEN ENGAGED IN A PREDETERMINED MANNER TO CAUSE A REVERSAL IN THE DIRECTION OF CURRENT FLOW TO SAID MOTOR FORM SAID FIRST DIRECTION TO SAID SECOND DIRECTION SO AS TO CAUSE SAID FIGURE TO COMMENCE SAID SECOND TRAVELING MOVEMENT, SOUND-PRODUCING MEANS WITHIN SAID BODY ADAPTED TO BE ACTUATED WHEN SAID FIGURE COMMENCES SAID SECOND TRAVELING MOVEMENT, TIMING MEANS ON SAID BODY CONNECTED TO SAID SWITCH MEANS FOR CAUSING A REVERSAL IN THE DIRECTION OF CURRENT FLOW FROM SAID SECOND DIRECTION TO SAID FIRST DIRECTION SO AS TO CAUSE SAID FIGURE TO RESUME SAID FIRST TRAVELING MOVEMENT, AND MEANS FOR DEACTIVATING SAID SOUND-PRODUCING MEANS.