US2241576A - Figure toy - Google Patents

Description

y 1941. c. L. BARTON 2,241,576

FIGURE TOY.

Filed March 20, 1940 I 4 I v W368 .ZJ5arZ0m V A v I I INVENTOR Bv W d EH5 Patented May 13, 1941 nnirso STATES PATENT OFFMIE FIGURE TOY Charles L. Barton, Orange, N. J.

Application March 20, 1940, Serial No. 325,041

1 Claim.

This invention relates to figure toys, and its general object is to provide a toy that includes a plurality of segments colored and associated to simulate a snake and movably connected together in end to end relation by manually operated flexible means which can be manipulated to cause the toy to move in a most realistic serpentine manner, thus giving the appearance of a live snake and thereby bringing about much amusement and fun.

A further object is to provide a toy of the character set forth, that is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and extremely efficient in operation, use and service.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and specifically pointed out in the appended. claim.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawing wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure l is a perspective view illustrating the manner of manipulating my toy to a raised position.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the toy.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken therethrough.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 5-5 of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawing in detail, it will be noted that the form of toy shown includes a plurality of identical elongated substantially oval shaped body and tail segments I and a head segment 2, the segments I each being of the same size and shape throughout the length of the body and tail portions, but they may be shaped so that the toy will taper inwardly toward its rear end in the same manner as a real snake, and all of the segments are colored to simulate a snake.

The head segment 2 is reduced toward its forward end and otherwise shaped to simulate the head of a snake, as well as is notched as at 3 to provide a mouth. Beads 4 Or other means are secured to the head to simulate eyes and the rear end of the head segment is rounded. Both of the ends of the segments I are rounded and all the segments have flat under surfaces so that the toy will normally lay without rolling on any suitable flat surface such as a table top.

Each of the segments I is provided with three bores, two of which are disposed laterally and below the longitudinal center thereof and in parallelism with each other, while the other bore is disposed above and inthe same verticalplane with the longitudinal center, as clearly shown in Figure 4. The segment 2 is likewise provided with three bores that are disposed in converging relation with each other from the rear end thereof and open at the forward ends into the notch 3 in close proximity to each other, as best shown in Figure 5.

. All of the segments are connected together by flexible elements such as strings 5, 6 and I, and the strings 5 and 6 extend through the lateral bores, while the string I extends through the up-v per bores. The segments I are slidably mounted on the strings, but the head section 2 is preferably fixed thereto and for that purpose the forward end of the strings are connected to headed means 8 such as a nail or the like, that is driven within the section 2 centrally of the notch thereof, as best shown in Figure 3. The strings are of a length to extend a considerable distance rearwardly of the rear end segment I and the rear ends of the strings have finger rings 9 connected thereto.

From the above description and the disclosure in the drawing, particularly Figure 1, it is believed that the operation of my toy will be obvious, but it might be mentioned that the toy is laid upon a flat surface and pressure is applied to the rear end section I by the thumb or finger of one hand, as shown in Figure 1. The fingers of the other hand are disposed through the rings and the strings are drawn taut for disposing the ends of all of the sections in abutting engagement with each other. When so disposed and the string 5 is pulled, the toy will move to the right as indicated by the arrow in Figure 2. When the string 6 is pulled the toy will move toward the left as indicated by the arrow in that figure, and when the string I is pulled, the forward portion of the toy will rise, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 3 and clearly shown in Figurel, with the result it will be seen that by alternately pulling and releasing the strings the toy can be given a very realistic movement similar to that of a snake.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided extending longitudinally therethrough, two of,

the bores oi the body and tail segments being disposed laterally and below the longitudinal center thereof and in parallelism with each other, the other bore of the body and tail segments being arranged above the longitudinal center thereof and in the same vertical plane with the longitudinal center, the head segment being notched to simulate a mouth, means mounted on the head segment to simulate eyes, the bores of the head segment being disposed in converging relation from the rear end thereof to the notch, strings extending through the bores, means for securing the forward ends of the strings Within the notch for the strings to hold all the segments in end to end relation, said strings being of a length to extend a considerable distance rearwardly of the rear end segment, and finger receiving rings connected to the rear ends of the strings for a1ter nately pulling and releasing the same to cause the major portion of the toy from the head end thereof to move laterally and vertically when the tail end is held.

- CHARLES L. BARTON.

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