US2568908A - Weight operated climbing toy - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 25, 1951 Filed May 18. 1948 R. -c. BLAlCH ET AL WEIGHT OPERATED CLIMBING TOY 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS RUDOLPH C. BLAICH JOSEPH ALAN BANZHAF ATIZORNEY Sept. 25, 1951 R. c. BLAICH ETAL WE'IGHT OPERATED CLIMBING TOY 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 18, 1948 INVENTORS R-UD'OLPH c. BLAICH JOSEPH ALAN BANZHAF ATTORNEY Sept. 25, 1951 R. c. BLAlCH ETAL' WEIGHT OPERATED CLIMBING TOY 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 18. 1948 INVENTORS RUDOLPH C. BLAICH JOSEPH ALAN BANZHAF ATTORNEY Sept 1951 R. c. BLAICH ETAL WEIGHT OPERATED CLIMBING TOY 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 18, 1948 INVENTORS RUDOLPH c. BLAICH JOSEPH ALAN BANZHAF BY i AII'TORNEYE Patented Sept. 25, 1951 OFFICE WEIGHT OPERATED CLIMBING TOY Rudolph C. Blaich, Bulfalo, and Joseph Alan Banzhaf, Kenmore, N. Y.

Application May 18, 1948, Serial N 0. 27,7 86

10 Claims.

This invention relates to a weight operated toy.

The invention provides an animated toy having a tree simulating structure with a concealed weight containing magazine at the top and a figure simulating carrier slidably mounted on the column or trunk simulating portion of the toy for movement up and down the column to receive nut simulating weights one at a time and deliver them at the bottom of the tree. The invention enables the Weight operated carrier of the toy and the tree simulating portion to be constructed to simulate a cocoanut palm having a monkey running up and down the trunk of the palm picking cocoanuts from the top of the palm tree and delivering them at the bottom.

The invention in providing an animated weight operated toy has a tubular column formed with a longitudinally extending slot at one side thereof through which portions of a carrier extend to embrace the inner and outer margins of the column adjacent the slot to slidably mount the carrier on the column for movement between the upper and lower ends thereof. The carrier has a tray portion for receiving a weight and may be constructed to provide a figure simulating body portion. Weight actuation of the carrier'on the column is obtained by a suitable means concealed within the column such as a counter-weight connected with the carrier so that the carrier is normally moved to its upper limit at the top of the column. This means is so constructed that a Weight of suitable size and shape delivered into the tray portion of the carrier will overcome the efiect of the means normally moving the carrier to the top fthe column and cause the carrier to move with the weight to the bottom portion of the column. A weight ejecting mechanism operates at the bottom of the column to eject the Weight from the carrier tray portion into a receptacle formed in the base portion which also provides a support to hold the column and tree simulating structure in upright position.

The invention provides a magazine at the upper portion of the column for holding a plurality of weights such as balls, that are supported for free rolling movement in an inclined guideway with a carrier actuated discharge mechanism at the lower end of the guideway arranged to discharge the weights one by one to the carrier as it reaches the top portion of the column. A plurality of leaf simulating members are mounted on the top of the column and extend in radial drooping relation to simulate the branches and leaves of a tree.

The leaf simulating members extend over and substantially conceal the magazine and weights therein together with the carrier actuated discharge mechanism. The carrier is provided with an actuating arm for engaging a curvedextension of the carrier actuated discharge mechanism associated with the magazine to control the delivery of weights one by one to the carrier at the upper limit of its movement. In this way the movement of the carrier on the tubular column is obtained automatically to deliver the weights one by one from the magazine into the receptacle in the base, so long as there are weights in the magazine.

The invention provides a tubular column formed of a strip of sheet metal bent into cylindrical form and having complementary attaching portions on opposite ends for interengagement with portions of a sheet metal base portion at one end and a cap at the opposite end for complementary engagement with one another to provide a rigidly assembled supporting structure. The magazine is formed of an angular curved sheet metal strip secured about the outer upper end of the column by complementary interlocking connections on the column and strip. The carrier actuated discharge mechanism is formed of a strip hinged to the column and magazine structure at the lower end of the magazine guideway. The strip is formed to provide a cradle at one end having a pair of sections extending in angular relation. The strip has a hinged mounting intermediate the ends of the end cradle section. The opposite end of the strip extends laterally from one end of the cradle, is arranged at the end of the magazine guideway, and forms a finger for engagement and operation to rock the cradle in discharging a weight supported therein to the carrier. The end of the finger adjacent the magazine will retain the remaining weights against discharge from the magazine when the cradle is in weight discharging position. The cradle will normally be moved by gravity so that the section adjacent the magazine will be positioned to normally receive a weight from the magazine ready for actuation by the carrier to obtain its discharge as the carrier moves to the upper limit of movement on the column.

The invention provides a carrier constructed from relatively simple sheet metal parts having a pair of guide members arranged in spaced relation and provided with shoes for slidably engaging marginal portions of the tubular column adjacent the slot formed therein. One of the guide members is formed to provide a weight receiving tray while complementary means are formed on the guide members and a sheet metal figuresimulating body portion to rigidly assemble the body portion and the guide members together to form the carrier. The weight discharge mechanism is incorporated in the carrier by having a pin slidably mounted in the guide members with the upper end of the pin at the bottom of the weight receiving tray and the lower end of the pin extending below the body and carrier for engagement with the base. When the weight aseaoo 3 actuated carrier moves to the bottom of the column the lower end of the pin will strike the base and stop its downward movement with the carrier which will continue its movement while the pin mounted in one side of the carrier will lift the weight out of the tray portion and discharge it at the opposite side of the carrier toward and into the receptacle formed in the base.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows the weight operated toy constructed according to the invention in perspective looking from one side of the column and base portion, the slot in the column being at the lefthand side with the carrier illustrated at the lefthand side of the column in a position about midway of its movement between the top and bottom of the column.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal cross-section with portionsbroken away to illustrate details of construction, the section being taken through the axis and slotted portion of the column.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the upper portions of the column looking from a position at the left as illustrated in Fig. 2, illustrating the carrier and body construction thereof, with the magazine and weight discharge mechanism in the normal position prior to engagement and actuation of the weight discharge mechanism by the actuating arm on the carrier, no weights being shown.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective of a portion of the column looking at the slotted side thereof illustrating the magazine and the carrier, the discharge end of the magazine being shown in cross-section with a portion of the weight discharging mechanism, illustrating the carrier in full lines in the position where the weight actuating arm thereof first engages the lateral extension of the rock member for the weight discharge mechanism, and the dotted line illustration showing the carrier in the position where the rock member of the weight discharge mechanism has been moved into position to discharge a weight into the tray portion of the carrier and retain the remaining weights in the magazine against discharge.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical cross-section through the column and the carrier similar to the illustration in Fig. 2, showing the carrier at the bottom of the column and the ejector pin in the position where it ejects a weight from the tray portion.

Fig. 6 is a cross-section taken on line B6 of Fig. 5 illustrating how the ejector pin is mounted at one side of the carrier so as to eject the weight outwardly from the tray portion and toward the opposite side of the carrier into the receptacle formed in the base portion, the dotted circles illustrating a weight in a plurality of positions as it moves from the carrier into the tray portion to illustrate its path of movement in discharge.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the toy illustrating the leaf simulating structure at the top of the column for concealing the magazine and the upper portion of the column, with portions broken away.

Fig. 8 is a cross-section taken on line 88 of Fi 2.

Fig. 9 is a cross-section taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 2 showing the magazine and carrier actuated weight discharge structure in plan view.

The toy forming the present invention may be constructed of lightweight sheet metal to obtain an efl'icient operating structure and yet one that is economical to build with a minimum of labor 4 required for assembly. A colunm I is formed from a strip of sheet metal bent into cylindrical form with opposite edges spaced apart to provide a slot extending longitudinally throughout the length of the column and providing guideways for a carrier along the margins of the strip at opposite sides of the slot. At the ends projecting ears 2 are formed to extend through slots in base 3 and cap 4 providing complementary parts on the base, column and cap for interlocking cooperation to secure the three parts in rigid assembled relation. This retains the strip forming the cylindrical column in its cylindrical relation I to. provide a tubular column having a longituit is formed with an offset section providing a ball or weight receiving receptacle 6. Receptacle 6 for the weights is in a laterally spaced position to the vertical axial plane extending through the column and slot, as will be clear from the illustration in Fi 9.

Cap 4 at the upper end of column I has an annular flange extending laterally from the periphery thereof embracing the upper end of the tubular column and forms another means in addition to projections 2 for retaining the column in cylindrical form. A screw, rivet or projecting pin 1 extends axially upward from the center of cap 4 and provides a mounting for a plurality of radially extending leaf simulating strips 8. These strips 8 are constructed of an elongated strip of flexible sheet material in the form of a suitable fabric,

leather or composition material adapted to form a simulation of a pair of palm leaves or the like. These strips are formed to provide a leaf shape at opposite ends so that each strip represents "two oppositely extending leaves. These leaf portions are indicated at 9. The margins of leaf portions 9 are provided with a plurality of slits I0 extending inwardly toward the longitudinal .center portion of the strip to give the leaf portions 9 further leaf simulating structure.

The type of flexible material used in strip 8 may not be sufl'iciently stiff for the strips to extend in laterally extending arched relation to column I, as shown in the drawings.

A leaf supporting strip ll formed of resilient sheet metal has a central opening to receive pin 1. Each strip II is formed of an elongated piece of leaf-spring or the like so that it will arch under the weight of strip 8 to support strips 8 in curved relation in which the ends droop downwardly in the manner illustrated particularly in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Strips II are of less width than strip 8 throughout the leaf forming portions 9 thereof so that the edges of leaf portions 9 will droop downwardly beyond the edges of strip 8 and provide an arched shape transversely of leaf portions 9. The ends of each strip II are formed with return bent portions l2 extending through slots in the central portion of leaf forming sections 9. Portions I2 extend inwardly along the top of leaf portions 9 of strips 8 to firmly attach strips 8 and leaf portions 9 together to form a composite leaf structure. This composite leaf structure is detachably mounted on pin or rivet I in the manner illustrated in the drawings, each strip 8 arranged at an angle.

to the other strips to provide a plurality of radially extending leaves, as shown in Figs. 1 and 7, mounted on pin I on top of cap 4 and column I. Each strip 3 has the central portion crossed over the other strip on top of cap 4 so that the apertures in strips 8 and II register to receive pin or rivet l, as Shown in Fig. 2.

A sheave I3 is mounted on axle I4 which extends transversely across the inside of column I and has the outer ends extending through apertures in'the tube rotatably mounting sheave l3 in the upper end of tube I just below cap 4, as illustrated in Fig. 2. Sheave I3 is positioned so that a portion of the outer periphery extends through the slot in column I while the major portion of the sheave is concealed within the column. The projecting portion of the sheave is concealed by leaf portions 9. A cord I5 has a bight intermediate the ends engaged in the grooved periphery of sheave I3 with one end extending downwardly inside column I in concealed relation. A counterweight I6 is mounted on the lower end of cord I5 while the opposite end extends through the slot to the outside of the column and downwardly along the slot outside of the column with the lower end attached to carrier II. Cord I5 with sheave I3 and weight I6 forms a means substantially concealed in column I for normally moving the carrier to the upper end of the column. Weight I6 is heavier than the weight of the carrier to achieve this purpose but is not as great as the weight of the carrier plus that of one of the operating balls or weights hereinafter described.

Carrier I 1 has upper and lower guide members I8 and I9, respectively. Each guide member is formed of a strip of sheet metal having one end bent into U-shape so that the legs of the U- shaped portions will form spaced parallel inner and outer guide shoes 20 and 2|, respectively.

edges of the strip to provide slots on opposite sides'for receiving the opposite margins of thestrip forming tubular column I between guide shoes as and 2| so that guide shoes 20 and 2| of upper and lower guide members I8 and I9 will cooperate to slidably mount the carrier on column Portion 22 of the guide members extends through the slot in column I in the manner clearly shown in Fig. 8. The opposite end of the strip forming upper guide member I8 is formed with offset portion 23 joined by inclined walls 24 cooperating therewith to provide a weight receiving tray. The side edges of the strips forming both upper and lower guide members I8 and I9 are provided with attaching ears 25.

A figure simulating body 25 is formed of a strip of sheet metal to provide opposite halves of the figure simulating body arranged in coincident edge to edge relation and joined by narrow connecting portions 2?. Body 26 is provided with a head simulating portion 28 having the opposite registering halve sections secured in adjacent relation by retaining ear 29 on the free end of the head forming section opposite to that connected by upper connecting portion 21, as clearly shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 8. Body 26 has arm simulating portions 3% on each halve section formed with slots in the ends through which attaching ears 25 are extended to overlap the outer surface of the arms and rigidly secure both body sections to upper guide member l8.

The arms 30 coupe;

erate with the .tray portion formed by offset portion 23 and inclined walls 24 to complete the tray of the carrier for receiving a weight. Body 25 also has a pair of leg portions 3| provided with slots in the free ends to receive attaching cars 25 on lower guide member I9 so the outer ends may be bent laterally over the outer surface thereof, as shown in Fig. 4. for securely attaching the body to the lower guide member.

Body 26 when attached to upper and lower guide members I8 and|9 as above described, provides a rigid carrier construction holding shoes 20 and 2| in spaced parallel relation and in slid able engagement with the margins of tubular column at opposite sides of the slot therein. A wire 52 has one end attached to body 29, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, to provide a tail simulating portion for an animal simulating figure, such as a monkey. This wire 32 may be covered with suitable tubular plush fabric or the like in providing the tail simulating portion. A carrier supporting rod 33 hasthe lower end secured to lower guide member I9 while the upper end extends through an aperture in upper guide member I8 and is suitably secured thereto with the upper terminal portion formed to provide an eye to which the outer lower end of cord I5 opposite that attached to weight It is secured.

\ Guide members I3 and I9 are formed with aligned apertures for slidably receiving ejector pin 32. The aperture in guide member I8 is formed in one side of offset portion 23 so as to mount ejecting pin 32 at one side of the center of offset portion 23 and likewise at one side of the tray formed in the carrier as will be clear from the illustration in Figs. 6 and 8. The upper end of ejector pin 34 has a head portion that limits its downward movement in the apertures in the guide members. Nibs 35 are formed on opposite sides of ejector pin 34 to prevent its removal and limit slidable movement in the guide members in the assembled relation of the carrier. The nibs are spaced sufficiently far from the head on the upper end of pin 34 so that it is free for movement relative to the carrier to perform the ejecting operation. An actuating arm 36 has one end secured to'guide member IB adjacent supporting rod 33, as shown for example in Fig, 4, while the opposite end extends in curved relation, when metal having an angular shape in cross-section,

as shown in Fig. 4. The magazine is curved to fit the outer periphery of column I about the top portion thereof below cap 4 and sheave I3, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The strip has one edge portion engaged with column I and arranged in substantially horizontal relation perpendicular to the column to provide a guideway 38 formed with aplurality of attaching Iears 39 along the inner edge thereof inserted in slots formed in column I and bent laterally on the inside to rigidly secure the magazine to the column. The other edge 49 of the strip is connected with the outer edge of guideway 38 and extends upwardly in concentric relation about column I and forms an outer wall for retaining a plurality of balls or rolling weights, each indicated by the numeral 4|. Magazine 31 is constructed so that it has a spiral form in order that guideway 38 will incline downwardly when the post is supported in upright position with base .3 supported on a table,

a floor. or. other suitable. horizontal surface...

Weights 4| placed in magazine 31 will therefore roll downwardly around inclined guideway 38 about the outer periphery of column I to the lower end of the guideway normally by the action of gravity.

A discharge control member 42 is mounted at the lower end of magazine 31 to control the discharge of weights from the magazine to the carrier and is actuated in the discharge operation by the carrier. This discharge control member 42 is formed of a sheet metal strip having one end provided with cradle forming sections 43 and 44 arranged in right angle relation and having ears 45 at opposite sides of an intermediate portion of the end section 43, depending therefrom and receiving pivot pin 46 extending through column Pin 46 is retained in the column for pivotally mounting control member 42 on column One end of pin 46 is formed with an upwardly extending hook engaged in an aperture in the end of wall 40 as shown in Fig. 3. Pivot pin 46 is located just beyond the lower end of guideway 38 so that when the control member is in.its normal position as shown in full lines in Fig. 4 the end of cradle forming section 44 opposite section 43 will lie in aligned relation with the end portion of guideway 38 so that balls or weights in the magazine will roll downwardly along guideway 38 by gravity allowing the lower weight 4| to roll into the cradle formed by sections 43 and 44. Section 43 in this position of control member 42 extends upwardly in inclined relation, as shown in full lines in Fig. 4, and provides a stop to limit the movement of the lower weight so that it lies over the juncture of sections 43 and 44.

The length of section 43 is greater than section 44 and the size of the cradle is proportioned to the diameter of a weight 4| in order that only one Weight will lie in the cradle in the normal position of member 42, as shown in full lines in Fig. 4. The remaining portion of the strip forming discharge control member 42 extends laterally and downwardly from the free end of cradle forming section 44 adjacent the end of guideway 38 to provide angle section 41. The end then extends laterally from the lower end of section 41 to provide a finger 48 positioned in aligned relation with the path of movement of the end of actuating arm 36. Finger 48 depends below the lower end of magazine 40, as shown in Fig. 4, and along a portion of column I disposed laterally to the slot in the column and also at one side of the path of travel of carrier I! on the column. However, the path of movement of the free end of actuating arm 36 is in aligned relation with finger 48 so that it will engage the finger as the carrier moves near the upper end of the column. A stop 49 on the lower edge of wall 40 extends inwardly toward the column under discharge control member 42 and limits clockwise movement thereof, as shown in Fig. 4, so that finger 48 extends in inclined relation to the column.

The position at which the free end of actuating arm 36 engages finger 48 of the weight discharge mechanism is shown in full lines in Fig. 4, which is drawn to particularly illustrate the construction and operation of the weight discharge mechanism by the carrier.

In operation, counterweight l6 normally operates to move carrier upwardly to its upper limit of movement on column I when the tray in the carrier is empty, or without a weight 4|. When the carrier reachesthe upper portion of the column, as shown in Fig. 4, in its upward movement from a position,'such as illustrated in Fig. 1, the free end of actuating arm 36 engages finger 43. In further movement of the carrier upwardly to the dotted line position illustrated in Fig. 4, it moves finger 48 upwardly and moves rock member 42 of the discharge control mechanism in a counter-clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 4, to the position shown in dotted lines. In this movement of the carrier in operating control or rock member 42, it will be seen that angle section 41 moves upwardly above the lower end of guideway 38 between weight 4| in the cradle and the weights adjacent thereto in the magazine on the lower end of guideway 38. Section 41 thereby prevents the remaining weights in the magazine on guideway 38 from moving into the cradle portion of rock member 42. The cradle portion formed by sections 43 and 44 is moved from the full line position shown in Fig. 4 to the dotted line position for discharging weight or ball 4| carried thereby off the free end of cradle forming section 43 into the tray of the carrier.

When the carrier reaches its upper limit of movement it will be in the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 4, at which time discharge control member 42 will be in the dotted line position with cradle forming section 43 in downwardly inclined relation so that a weight 4| carried in the cradle portion can move by gravity off the end of section 43 as shown in dotted lines when it will drop into the tray portion of the carrier. This discharge mechanism with the cradle portion is so positioned on the upper end of column I that when the weight rolls oil of the free end of section 43 it is in the proper position to drop directly into the tray ofthe carrier.

As soon as a weight has dropped into the tray portion of the carrier this causes the weight of the carrier to be greater than that of counterweight I 6 whereupon the carrier with the weight in the tray slides downwardly on column and discharge control member 42 then gravitates back into the full line position from that shown in dotted lines to allow the next weight in the magazine to move into the cradle portion thereof ready for subsequent discharge.

The carrier slides to the bottom of the column into the position shown in Fig. 5. As the carrier reaches the bottom of the column the lower end of ejector pin 34 will engage the upper surface of base 3. The downward momentum of carrier I1 is sufficient however to continue for a limited distance to the position shown in Fig. 5 during which time it will move relative to ejector pin 34 so that the pinin efiect moves upwardly into the tray portion and lifts weight 4| out of the tray portion so as to eject it from the carrier. Fig. 6 illustrates how this ejecting operation takes place. As pin 34 moves upwardly in its position at one side relative to the carrier the head on the upper end thereof lifts weight 4| upwardly into the full line position shown in Fig. 6. The momentum of the parts in movement is such that with the parts shown in the full line position of Fig. 6 and a slight additional movement of the carrierdownwardly a weight 4| will be discharged from the tray portion to the right as shown in Fig. 6, so that it will follow the path of the dotted circles to one side of the carrier, the right side as shown in Fig. 6, and drop into receptacle 6 formed in base 3.

As soon as the weight is discharged in this manner from carrier I! the downward momentum is arrested and counterweight |6 then starts the upward sliding motion of the carrier toward the top of the column with the tray empty while pin 34 moves downwardly to its normal position, as shown in Fig. 2.

The upward movement of carrier I! on column I through the action of counterweight it will then cause it to move to the top of the column where it will again actuate the discharge control mechanism for the weights in the magazine to deliver another weight i! to the tray portion of the carrier for another downward movement. In this way, the carrier moves up and down the column automatically to receive a weight at the top of the column from the magazine and discharge it into the receptacle at the bottom of the column, bringing one weight down the column at a time until all of the weights in the magazine are exhausted. When the weights in the magazine are exhausted the carrier will then move to the top of column I into the dotted line position as shown in Fig. 4 where it will remain until a supply of weights is placed in the magazine to start its operation again.

The construction herein described provides for concealing the principal operating mechanism for the carrier to move it upwardly on the column and further provides a structure in which the column, base and strips 8 may be formed and decorated to simulate the trunk and leaves of a cocoanut palm tree. The carrier has the body formed as shown in the drawings to simulate a monkey while the weights are formed to simulate cocoanuts. The automatic operation of the top by the weights with the magazine concealed by leaf portions 9 will produce an effect simulating a monkey running up and down a palm tree and bringing down a cocoanut each time a descent is made producing a very amusing and entertaining effect. It is obvious that any other type of tree may be simulated through the teachings of the present invention and that any other form of animal or figure may be simulated by the shape and construction of body 26 to suit the fancy of those to be entertained, within the scope of the present invention.

The invention claimed is:

1. A weight operated toy comprising a tubular column formed of an elongated strip curved into substantially cylindrical relation with side edges terminating in opposed spaced relation, a base formed of a plate having a depending marginal flange attached to the lower extremity of said column at a plurality of positions supporting it in upstanding position and holding the strip in extending across the upper end of said column and outwardly in radial relation beyond said column to simulate a tree in cooperation with said column, a figure simulating carrier slidably mounted on said column on the side edges of said strip for movement between the upper and lower ends thereof, means concealed in said column for normally moving said carrier toward the top of said column, a plurality of weights, a magazine on the top portion of said column concealed by said leaves for carrying said weights, carrier actuated means mounted on said column adjacent one end of said magazine for discharging said weights one by one to said carrier from said magazine, a weight normally moving said carrier to the bottom of said column when engaged therein by overcoming operation of said carrier by said means concealed in said column, and

means for discharging a weight from said carand formed" with a tray portion projecting outwardly from said column, the other guide member being located at the bottom of said carrier and formed with an outwardly extending plate section below said tray, a pair of oppositely formed body members having projecting portions secured to said top and bottom guide members on opposite sides of said tray portion and plate section for cooperation therewith in forming a complete carrier, means for causing upward sliding movement of said carrier on said column, a weight deposited in said tray portion causing downward movement of said carrier on said column, and means mounted in said guide members operable to eject said weight from said tray portion at the bottom of said column.

3. In a weight operated toy having a column, a cap mounted on the upper end of the column, a weight holding and delivering mechanism mounted at the top of the column, and a carrier for delivering the weights one at a time from said mechanism at the bottom of the column, the combination of a plurality of elongated flexible strips, a supporting strip secured in longitudinally extending relation on each flexible strip and extending throughout the intermediate portions thereof between opposite end portions for supporting said flexible strips in arched relation, and means detachably securing the central portions of each of said strips in radially extending relation on and across the top of said column. to said cap with the ends cooperating to conceal said mechanism and simulate a tree in cooperae tion with said column.

4. A weight operated toy comprising a, sheet metal strip curved into cylindrical form with the edges spaced apart in opposed relation to form a longitudinal slot, a base, a cap, means on the ends of said strip interengaged with complementary means on said capand base for attaching said cap, and base on opposite ends of said strip for retaining said strip in rigid relation to form a slotted tubular column extending between said cap and base, weight holding and delivering mechanism mounted on the upper end of said strip, and a carrier slidably mounted on the margins of said strip and havingportions engaged in said slot and means operable in cooperation with said carrier to deliver one weight at a time from said mechanism onto said base.

5. A weight operated toy as claimed in claim 4 having a plurality of radially extending leaf forming strips secured in the central portion to the top of said cap and extending radially from said column in angular relation to each other and concealing the upper end of said column, cap and said mechanism from view.

6. In a weight operated toy, having a column, a ball carrier slidably mounted on the column for movement between the upper and lower ends, means normally moving said carrier to the upper end of said column and a magazine having an inclined support for a plurality of rolling weights normally rolling toward the lower end, the combination of a rock member formed of a pair of sections extending in obtuse angular relation forming a cradle, means mounting said rock member on said column at the lower end of said magazine for rocking movement for aligning one section in one position with the lower end of said guideway so a weight will roll into the cradle against the other section, a lateral extension on the end of said one section of said cradle for normally holding said cradle in position to receive a ball from said magazine, and an actuating arm on said carrier for engaging said lateral extension as the ball carrier moves toward its upper limit for rocking said rock member to move said other section into position for the weight thereon to roll off the free end onto said carrier as it reaches the upper limit of movement, said lateral extension and said one section of said rock member extending above said guideway and retaining the weights in said magazine against movement onto said rock member while a weight in said cradle is being delivered to said carrier and said actuating arm is engaged with said lateral extension.

7. In a weight operated toy having a column, a ball carrier slidably mounted on the column for movement between the upper and lower ends, means normally moving said carrier to the upper end of said column, and a magazine having an inclined guideway for supporting a plurality of rolling weights normally gravitating toward the lower end of said guideway, the combination of a rock member formed of a strip having one'end formed into a pair of sections extending in obtuse angular relation to form a cradle, the opposite end of said strip extending laterally in curved relation downwardly away from one end of one of said sections, means on said column pivotally mounting said rock member at the juncture of said sections adjacent the end of said guideway with said one section aligned with said guideway in one position so the weight at the lower end of said guideway may gravitate onto said one section into the central portion of said rock member where its movement is arrested by the other section, said rock member having said one section of a size to accommodate only one weight, and an actuating arm on said carrier projecting laterally therefrom in curved relation about said column and having a path of movement with said carrier aligned with said opposite end of said strip for engaging said opposite end to move said rock member on its pivot as the carrier moves toward its upper limit' of movement for moving said other section of said rock member into a downwardly inclined position toward said carrier so the weight in said cradle is discharged into said carrier to cause downward movement of the carrier by overcoming the operation of said first mentioned means, said one section and adjacent laterally extending portion of said strip cooperating to retain the remaining weights in said magazine while said rock member is moved to discharge the weight into said cradle.

8. In a weight operated toy, a carrier comprising upper and lower guide members formed on one end with guide shoes for slidably engaging a column, said upper guide member having I the opposite end formed into a tray portion, and a body member formed with spaced upper and lower pro ections secured at the free ends to op-.

posite sides of said upper and lower guide members respectively and retaining said members in spaced assembled relation.

9. In a weight operated toy having a column supported in upright position on a base and a carrier movable on the column for delivering weights from the top portion to the bottom of said column, the combination of a cap mounted on the upper extremity of said column, a plurality of independent leaf simulating strips formed of flexible sheet material having a narrow central portion extending diametrically across said cap and detachably secured thereto, opposite ends of each strip extending radially from said column in opposite directions and having the intermediate portion of each end substantially wider than the extremities and central portion with the edges tapering toward said extremities and central portion and resilient strip members each having the central portion secured to the top of said cap and extending along the longitudinal central portion of one of said leaf simulating strips and secured thereto for supporting said leaf simulating strip in outwardly extending drooping relation relative to said column, each of said leaf simulating strips extending in angular relation to the others.

10. A weight operated toy, comprising an elongated strip curved transversely into substantially cylindrical form with opposite side edges in opposed spaced relation to form a tubular column having a slot between said side edges, a cap mounted on one end of the column holding said strip in cylindrical form, a base mounted on the opposite end of said strip holding it in cylindrical column forming relation in cooperation with said cap, a carrier composed of upper and lower guide members each formed of a strip having one end formed into V-shape portions with the leg portions forming opposed guide shoes at opposite sides of each strip slidably engaging inner and outer faces on the marginal portions along opposite sides of said elongated column forming strip, the opposite ends of each strip forming said guide members extending in parallel relation perpendicular to the axis of said column, said upper guide member having said opposite end offset to form a tray, and a figure simulating body having a strip formed into opposed half body forming portions joined on one edge of said half portions and having the remaining edges of said body forming portions in coincident opposed relation, arm and leg simulating projections on each half portion, said arm projections having the free ends secured to opposite sides of said upper guide member for cooperation therewith to complete said tray and said leg projections having the free ends secured to opposite sides of said lower guide member, said body portion and projections retaining said guide members in rigid spaced parallel relation.

RUDOLPH C. BLAICH. JOSEPH ALAN BANZHAF.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS 0 Number Name Date 1,323,002 Bowman Nov. 25, 1919 1,836,640 Bowman Dec. 15, 1931 1,999,879 Lee Apr. 30, 1935

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