US2761243A - Walking and crawling doll - Google Patents

Description

pt. 4, 1956 E. w. BAGGOTT WALKING AND CRAWLING DOLL s Sheet-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 20, 1954 INVEN TOR. 'DMU/VD W 5466077 M v MW.

Arromvsys Sept. 4, 1956 E. w. BAGGOTT WALKING AND CRAWLING DOLL 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 20, 1954 FIG. 6.

INVENTOR. 5044mm m 846G077 BY WWW Sept. 4, 1956 E. w. BAGGOTT WALKING AND CRAWLING DOLL 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 H09.

Filed Sept. 20, 1954 FIG. 6.

m I I I u FIG. 10.

United States Patent WALKING AND CRAWLING DOLL Edmund W. Baggott, Hollis, N. Y., assignor to Ideal Toy Corporation, Hollis, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application September 20, 1954, Serial No. 456,976

13 Claims. (Cl. 46-149) This invention relates generally to dolls and is particularly directed to the construction of animated dolls having moving parts.

The particular embodiment of the present invention,

which is illustrated in the drawings and which will be described hereinafter in greater detail, comprises generally a simulated torso, and simulated lower and upper limbs which are movably connected to the torso.

ltis one object of the present invention to provide a doll construction of the type described in which the movements of the lower and upper limbs relative to the torso are coordinated with each other to present the appearance of life-like body movements. Further, the present invention contemplates the provision of novel means for effecting movement of a simulated head in proper anatomic relation with respect to the torso and limbs.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an animated doll construction of the type described in which the upper or shoulder portions of the upper limbs are adapted to effect a life-like swinging motion relative to the torso and in properly coordinated relation with respect to the upper and lower limbs to accurately simulate normal shoulder movements.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an animated doll construction having the advantageous characteristics mentioned above, and in which such characteristics may be employed to realistically effect the physical operations of crawling and Walking. In addition, the instant invention provides simple and eflicient means for selectively altering the movements of a particular doll to afford the appearance of walking or crawling, as desired.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a doll construction of the type described which is capable of performing a wide variety of normal body motions, and which can be quickly, easily and correctly operated, even by small children, without training or supervision.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a doll construction having the novel features mentioned above, which is simple and durable in construction and operation, neat and attractive in appearance, and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a doll construction of the present invention, and shows the doll inone.

position of its crawling movement;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view showing the doll of Fig. 1 in a different, slightly later position of its crawling movement;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the doll of Figs. 1 and 2 at still a slightly later instant in which the doll has reassumed the crawling position of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the doll positions of Figs. 1, 2 and 3 and their relation with respect to each other;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 55 of Fig. 1 showing the interior of the doll torso and the entire operating mechanism contained therein;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view, greatly enlarged, taken substantially along the line 77 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view, somewhat enlarged, of the operating mechanism within the doll torso;

Fig, 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 9-9 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 10-10 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 11 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 11-11 of Fig. 5, and illustrating the operation of an upper limb adjustment.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to Figs. 1-3 thereof, the embodiment of the invention illustrated therein comprises a doll, generally designated 20, having a simulated torso 21, simulated lower limbs or legs 22, simulated upper limbs 23, and a simulated head 24, all movably connected to the torso. While the torso, limbs and head are preferably molded of plastic, they may also be formed by other methods and of other materials, as desired.

The torso 21 is advantageously formed of upper and lower complementary shell members 26 and 27, which are secured together along their abutting edges to conjointly define a pair of lower limb openings 28 at the lower end of the torso, a pair of upper limb openings or slots 29 in the upper region of the torso on opposite sides thereof, and a head opening 30, see Fig. 5, in the upper end of the torso.

The lower limbs or legs 22 are crooked or bent at their knees 32 to simulate the human leg in a crawling position, and have their upper end portions extending into the torso openings 28, respectively, and pivotally secured therein by the laterally extending pin 33. Similarly, the upper limbs 23 are crooked or bent at their elbows and wrists to simulate a crawling position, and have their shoulder portions 35 connected to the torso 21 in the regions of the torso openings 29, by means which will be more fully described hereinafter. In the crawling doll of Figs. 1-3, it will be observed that the knees 32 and the hands 36 engage with the ground or supporting surface 34; and, that the hands are supinated to permit rolling along the supporting surface, as of the right hand during movement from the position of Fig. 1

to that of Fig. 2.

In Figs. 5 and 6 are seen the limb and head operating mechanism, which includes a shaft 37 disposed longitudinally centrally within the torso 21, and rotatably supported therein. That is, one end 38 of the shaft 37 is journaled in the lower end of the torso, and the other shaftend 39 is rotatably supported in the upper torso end. It is also seen that the upper end portion of each lower limb 22 is formed with a pair of transversely aligned, through apertures 41 which loosely receive the pivot pin 33; and, that each lower limb is further formed in its upper portion with an elongated slot 42 disposed in a plane normal to the pivot pin and entirely within the torso. FiXedly secured to each of the legs 22 at opposite ends of the assocaited slot 42 are a pair of holding members or clips 43. A connecting arm or rod 44 ex- .3 tends through each of the slots 42, being releasably held by one of the associated clips 43, and is provided on one end with an eye 4-5 loosely circumposed about the adjacent pivot pin portion interiorly of the associated lower limb.

Disposed transversely of the shaft 37 and fixedly secured thereto in the lower region of the torso 21 is an elongated member or bar 47. More specifically, the bar 47 is fixedly secured, as by welding or the like, intermediate its ends to the shaft 37, and provided in its opposite end portions with a pair of elongated, longitudinally aligned openings or slots 48, best seen in Fig. 10. It will there be observed that each of the arms 44 extends from its associated lower limb member into sliding engagement within the adjacent slot 48, so that forward swinging movement of one of the lower limbs 22, say the left lower limb as seen .in Fig. 6,.will cause rotation of the bar 47, the shaft 37, and rearward swinging movement of. the right lower limb. Stated otherwise, rearward. swinging movement of the right lower limb will efiect limited rotation of. the bar 47, shaft 37,, and forward swinging movement of the left lower limb. Of course, alternate forward and rearward swinging of the lower limbs will, through the connecting arms 44 and bar 47, effect rotary oscillation of the shaft 37. Further, the range of angular disposition of the lower limbs relative to the torso may be altered by selectively engaging. each of the arms 44 in one or the other of the adjacent clips 43.

An aligned integral extension 56 is provided on the upper end of the shaft 37 exteriorly of the upper torso end; and, the simulated head 24 is fixed to the shaft extension for rotary movement therewith. The head 24 will: therefore effect rotary oscillation in timed or synchronized relation with respect to pivotal movements of the lower limbs 22.

Fixedly secured to the torso 21, intermediate the lower and upper ends thereof, and rotatably supporting the, medial portion of the shaft 3'7 is a journal bearing 52. A pair of laterally disposed trunnions or pivots 53 extend in aligned relation from opposite sides of the fixed journal bearing 52, and each rotatably supports a rod or lever 54. That .is, each of the levers 54 is pivoted intermediate its ends on one of the trunnions 53. A bar or yoke 55 is disposed transversely of the shaft 37 between the bar 47 and the journal bearing 52, and has its intermediate portion fixedly secured to the shaft. The opposite ends of the bar or yoke 55 are formed with inwardly extending; cutouts or notches 56, each of which slidably receives one end of the adjacent lever 54. Thus, rotary oscillation of the shaft 37, as effected by swinging movement of. the lower limbs 22, will, through the transverse bar or yoke 55 cause rotary oscillation of the levers 54 about the pivots 53.

Just above the journal bearing 52, on the shaft 37, a hub 58 is mounted for rotary movement about the shaft. That is, the hub 58 is rotatably circumposed about the shaft' 37 in the upper region of the torso 21. Extending laterally outwards from opposite sides of the hub 58 are a pair of axially aligned spokes 59. The spokes 59 have their inner ends fixedly secured to the hub 58, as by a threaded connection or other suitable means, and have their outer ends extending through and beyond the torso slots 29 for oscillatory movement therein. Thus, the spokes 59 and hub 58 combine to define a cross piece pivoted intermediate its ends on the shaft 37 for rotary oscillation relative to the latter.

Extending transversely across the shaft 37 and secured intermediate its. ends to the hub 58 is a bar or yokev 61 which is movable with the hub for rotation relative to the shaft 37 about the axis of the latter. Extending inwardly from opposite ends of the yoke 61 are cutouts.

or notches 62, each of which slidably receive the adjae cent end ofone of the levers 54. Upon rotary oscillation of the shaft 37 due to swinging movement of the lower limbs 22, as described hereinbefore, the yoke 55, levers 54 and yoke 61 will effect rotary oscillation of the hub 58, and cross piece defined by the hub and spokes 59, and constrain the same to movement in a direction opposite to that of the shaft. Stated otherwise, the hub 58 is constrained by the yo- kes 55 and 61 and the levers 54 to rotary oscillation in the reverse direction or 180 out of phase with the shaft 37. It is of course apparent that this constrained reversing action and consequent back and forth spoke movement in the slots 29 may be achieved with only one of the levers 54 and only one arm of each yoke 55 and 61 operatively connected to the one lever.

Fixed on opposite ends of the spokes 59 are abutment caps 63, which house helical compression springs 64. The outer ends of the spokes 59 extend into the shoulder portions 35 of the upper limbs 23, with the abutment caps 63 and compression springs disposed with the upper limb shoulder portions. As best seen in Fig. 5, the compression. springs, 64 each yieldably engage with the inner Wall. 65 of the associated upper limb to resiliently maintain the latter, in position.

A tubular mounting member or sleeve 67 is rotatably circumposed' about each of the cross piece spokes 59 for axial rotation or swivel movement about the latter, and has its outer end projecting outwardly through the adjacent torso slot 29.

As best illustrated in Fig. 11, a spacer member or plate 68 is interposed between the shoulder portion 35 of each upper limb 23- and the adjacent torso surface portion 69. The torso surface portions 69 substantially surround the slots.29 and are preferably spherically convex. The inner surface 76 of each plate 69 is preferably spherically concave to conformably engage with the adjacent torso surface 69 in any position of back and forth spoke movement in the slots 29. Further, the plates 68 are each. circumposed about and fixedly secured to the outer end of one mounting sleeve 67 and rotatable with the latter about the adjacent spoke while in conforming engagement with the adjacent torso surface portion 69.

Formed on the outer surface 71 of each spacer plate 68 is a chordal rib or shoulder 72; and, a plurality of angularly spaced recesses or grooves 73 are formed on the. inner surface 7% of each upper limb shoulder portion 35' for selective interfitting engagement with the rib 72. Thus, each of the upper limb members 23 may be adjusted to various angular dispositions relative to the spacers 68 and mounting members 67 by outward withdrawal against the force of the spring 64 and rotation of the upper limb to engage the spacer plate shoulder 72 in any selected groove 73. With the shoulders 72 received in one of the grooves 73,,the upper limbs 23 are each nonrotatably connected to the adjacent spacer plate 68 and its mounting member 67.

In. order toeffect pivotal or swinging movement of the upper limbs 23 about their shoulder portions 35,. a pair of actuating arms or rods 76 each have one end fixed to one of the sleeves 67, and has its other end connected to the torso for effecting axial rotation of the sleeves 67 upon rotary oscillation of the spokes 59 about the axis of the shaft 37. More particularly, each of the actuating arms 76 has one end provided with an eye 77 surrounding and fixed to the associated sleeve 67. The other end of each actuating arm 76' extends upwards, and is loosely, slida'bly received in an apertured bracket 78 fixed to the torso; Thus, upon rotary oscillation of the spokes 59 aboutthe axis of the shaft 37', the actuating arms 76 cause the members about the axis of the spokes 59, which simu' latesl normal arm movements, occurs simultaneously with swinging movement of the upper limb shoulder portions, which is effected by rotary oscillation of the spokes 59 about the shaft 37 and simulates normal shoulder swinging movement.

In operation, as seen in Fig. 1, the right knee 32 and right hand 36 are disposed slightly forwards of the left knee and left hand, respectively. This position is illustrated in block 1, the upper block of Fig. 4, wherein the arrow indicates the direction of force required to effect continued crawling movement. That is, a force directed forward and slightly toward the right, as by the hand of the operator on the back of the torso, will cause rearward swinging movement of the right leg and arm. As each pair of lower and upper limbs are connected to each other for simultaneous swinging movements in opposite directions, it will now be apparent that rearward swinging movement of the right leg and arm will cause forward swinging movement of the left leg and arm, to the position of Fig. 2. This is diagrammatically represented in block 2 of Fig. 4.

In addition to swinging or pivotal movements of the lower and upper limbs about the pin 33 and spokes 59 upon movement to the position of Fig. 2, the spokes are rotated about the axis of the shaft 37 and moved in the slots 29 to effect swinging movement of the upper limb shoulder portions 35 about the shaft axis. More particularly, the left shoulder moves downwards upon forward movement of the left hand from the position of Fig. 1 to that of Fig. 2, while the right shoulder moves upwards upon rearward movement of the right hand. In addition, the head 24 turns toward the left upon downward movement of the left shoulder.

Continued operation of the crawling doll from the position of Fig. 2 to that of Fig 3 may be effected by a force directed forward and to the left, as indicated by the arrow in block 2 of Fig. 4. Such a force will effect rearward swinging movement of the left lower and upper limbs, which in turn effects forward swinging movement of the lower and upper right limbs. Simultaneously, the right shoulder portion moves downwards while the left shoulder portion moves upwards, and the head turns toward the right, thus assuming the crawling position of Fig. l, which is illustrated in front view of Fig. 3, but at a slightly advanced location on the supporting surface 37 as seen in block 3 of Fig. 4. The cycle may be commenced again by directing a force forwardly and to the right, as indicated by the arrow in block 3 of Fig. 4.

While the particular embodiment of the present invention which has been described in detail hereinbefore, discloses a crawling doll, it is of course appreciated that the relative pivotal movements of the lower and upper limbs as well as the swinging shoulder and turning head movements are substantially the same for a walking operation. Hence, it is believed apparent that a walking doll may be provided by merely changing the shapes of the lower and upper limbs; or, limbs of selectively adjustable shape may be incorporated in the illustrated embodiment to permit of both crawling and walking operations. For example, an adjustable knee joint of any suitable construction may be incorporated in the lower limb members 22, and the latter may be pivoted about the pin 33 to engagethe rods 44 in the other of the clips 43, thereby varying the range of angular disposition of the lower limbs relative to the torso. Similarly, the upper limbs 23 may be moved outwards and pivoted about the spokes 59 to engage the shoulder 72 in different grooves 73, and thereby selectively vary the range of angular disposition of angular disposition of the upper limbs relative to the torso.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides an animated doll construction which accurately simulates and realistically effects a wide variety of normal body movements, which otherwise fully accomplishes its intended objects and which is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A doll construction comprising a simulated torso, a longitudinal disposed shaft rotatably mounted in the lower portion of said torso, simulated lower limbs pivoted to the lower end of said torso on opposite sides of said shaft and connected to the latter for effecting rotary oscillation thereof upon pivotal movement of said lower limbs, a hub mounted in the upper portion of said torso for rotation about an axis disposed longitudinally of said torso, a pair of laterally disposed spokes extending oppositely from said hub and movable with the latter, a mounting member supported on each of said spokes for movement therewith and rotation thereabout, a pair of simulated upper limbs disposed on opposite sides of said torso and each having its shoulder portions fixedly connected to one of said mounting members, each of said upper limbs thus being mounted for swinging movement about the axis of said hub and aboutthe associated spoke, constraining means connecting said shaft to said hub for effecting rotary oscillation of the latter in opposition to that of said shaft, and actuating means for rotating said mounting members in opposite directions about said spokes upon rotary oscillation of said hub, to effect life-like movement of said upper limbs relative to said lower limbs.

2. A doll construction according to claim 1, said constraining means comprising a pair of laterally extending arms each fixed on one of said shaft and hub, and a lever having its end portions operatively connected to said arms and its intermediate portion pivoted to said torso for transmitting motion in opposite directions between said shaft and hub. a

3. A doll construction according to claim 1, said actuating means comprising a pair of arms each having one end fixed to one of said mounting members, the other ends of said arms being connected to said torso for effecting rotation of said arms and their associated mounting members in opposite directions about said spokes upon rotary oscillation of the latter with said hub.

4. A doll construction according to claim 1, in combination with means for selectively varying the range of angular disposition of said lower limbs relative to said torso, and means for selectively varying the range of angular disposition of said upper limbs relative to said torso, whereby said lower and upper limbs may be arranged relative to said torso to present the appearance of both crawling and walking movements.

5. A doll construction comprising a simulated torso, a longitudinally disposed shaft rotatably mounted in the lower portion of said torso, simulated lower limbs pivoted to the lower end of said torso on opposite sides of said shaft and connected to the latter for effecting rotary oscillation thereof upon pivotal movement of said legs, a cross piece pivotally mounted intermediate its ends in the upper region of said torso for rotary oscillation about an axis disposed longitudinally of said torso, apair of simulated upper limb members disposed on opposite sides of said torso and each carried on one end of said cross piece for rotary movement with the latter and pivotal movement about said cross piece, constraining means connecting said shaft to said cross piece for effecting rotary oscillation of the latter in opposition to that of said shaft, and actuating means for pivoting said upper limb members in opposite directions about said cross piece upon rotary oscillation of the latter, to eflect life-like .movements of said upper limbs relative to said lower limbs.

6. A doll construction according to claim 5, in combination with a simulated head on the upper end of said lation therewithv in, liferlike relation with respect to said lower and upper limbs.

71. A doll construction according to claim; 5, said constraining means comprising a pair ofv laterally extending yokes each fixed on one of said shaft and cross piece, and a lever having its end portions loosely received in said yokes and its intermediate portion pivoted to said torso for transmitting motion in opposite directions between said shaft and cross piece.

8. A- doll construction comprising a simulated torso, alongitudinally disposed shaftrotatably supported in said torso; simulated lower limbs pivoted to the lower end of said torso. on opposite. sides of said shaft and connected to the latter for effecting rotary oscillation thereof upon pivotal movement of said legs, a simulated head on the upper end of said torso and fixed on said shaft for rotary oscillation therewith upon pivotal movement of said legs, awcross piece disposed in said torso adjacent to the upper end thereof and mounted intermediate its ends on said shaft-1 for rotary oscillation about the latter, a simulated upper limb on each side of said torso, means mounting said upper limbs on opposite end portions of said cross piece for rotary oscillation therewith and swivel movement thereabout, constraining means connecting said shaft to said: cross piece for effecting rotary oscillation of the latter in oppositionto that ofsaid. shaft, and actuating means for effecting swivel movement of said mounting,

tatably supported on said cross piece on opposite sides of said shaft and each fixedly secured to one of said upper limbs;

10. A doll construction according to claim 9, said actuating means comprising a pair of arms each having one, end fixed to one of said sleeves, the other ends of said arms-being connected to said torso to effect rotation of said arms and their associated sleeves in opposite directions upon rotary oscillationof said cross piece.

11. A doll construction comprising a simulated torso, a pair of simulated lower limbs shaped to assume a crawling position and pivotally connected to the lower end of said torso, a shaft arranged longitudinally of and rotatably mounted in the lower portion of said torso, means connecting said lower limbs to said shaft for effecting rotary oscillation of the latter upon swinging movement of said lower limbs, a cross piece mounted intermediate its ends in the upper region of said torso for rotary oscillation about an axis disposed longitudinally of said torso, a pair of simulated upper limbs shaped to assume a crawling position andv disposed on opposite sides of said torso, means mounting said upper limbs on opposite end portions of said cross piece for rotary oscillation therewith and pivotal swinging movement thereabout, constraining means connecting said shaft to said cross piece for effecting rotary oscillation of the latter in opposition to that of said shaft, and actuating means for pivoting said upper limb mounting means about said cross piece in opposite directions upon rotary oscillation of said cross piece, the

knee and hand portions of said lower and upper limbs being engageable with a supportingsurface and movabletherealong upon'pivotal movement of said lower and upper limbs, and the shoulder portions ofsaid upper limbs being 'sW-inga'olerelative to said torso upon rotary oscillation of saidcross piece to accurately simulate life-like crawling movements.

12. Ina doll construction having asimulated torso and simulated upper limbs mounted for swinging movement in planes parallel to the longitudinal axis of the simulated torso about axis which is capable of being oscillated in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the simulatedv torso, said doll comprising a longitudinally disposed shaft rotatably supported in said torso, simulated lower limbs pivoted to the lower end of said torso,- means for effecting rotary oscillation of said shaft upon pivotal movement of said simulated lower limbs, one of said simulated upper limbs disposed on each side of saidtorso,

shoulder portion attached to one end of a diiferent one of said elongated members, means for simultaneously rotating said elongated members in the same sense about said shaft upon rotation of said shaft and in an opposite sense thereto, and means for rotating said elongated members about their elongated axes upon rotation-of said shaft.

13. In a doll construction having a simulated torso and simulated upper limbs mounted for swinging movement in planes parallel to the longitudinal axis of the torso about an axis which is capable of being oscillated in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the simulated torso; said doll comprising a longitudinally disposed shaft rotatably supported in said simulated torso, simulated lower limbs pivoted to the lower end of said torso, means for effecting rotary oscillation of said shaft upon pivotal movement of said simulated lower limbs,

one of said simulated upper limbs disposed on each side of said torso, an elongated cross member disposed perpendicular to said shaft, means for mounting said cross member intermediate its ends for rotation about said shaft, a pair of hollow sleeves disposed about different portions of said cross member and extending laterally outward from opposite sides of said shaft, saidsleeves being rotatable about the elongated axis of said crossmember, each of said upper limbs being attached to one end of a diiferent one of said hollow sleeves, means for rotating said cross member about said shaft in response to rotation of said shaft and in an opposite sense thereto and means for rotating said hollow sleeves about said cross member in response to rotation of said cross member about said shaft.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 738,628 Reinhardt Sept. 8, 1903' FOREIGN PATENTS 363,706 Italy Oct. 11, 1938-

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