US2124302A - Eccentric running toy vehicle - Google Patents

Description

July 19, 1938. R. LOHR ET AL ECCENTRIC RUNNING TOY VEHICLE I Filed Jan. 21, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I INVENTORS RAYMOND LOHR mw BYELLS'WORTH BAXTER pt I ATTORNEYS July l9, 1938. R. LOHR ET AL ECCENTRIC RUNNING- IOY VEHICLE Filed Jan. 21, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet t m m 3. Y w w w: @Q 3 50 N w w=\ smmmwsv- E 8. 8 fi m a 8. D

- RAYMOND LOHR ELLSWORTH BAXT #2 No. B Fd ATTORNEYS July 19, 1938 R. LOHR ET AL Filed Jan. 21, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS a m A MB LH 0W O W mw AL E v Q ATTORNEYS Patented July 19, 1938 UNITED "STATES optics Application January 21, 1937, Serial No.

,2: ciaiihs. (aria-411) This invention relates to toys, and more par ticularly to'a vehicle toy arranged to run on any of a plurality of different complex paths .Theprimary object of our invention is to generally improve vehicle toys. A more particular object resides in the provision of a vehicle toy which will steer itself in any one of a variety of courses, these'courses being predetermined in nature, but being so numerous and so varied and insome cases so intricate, that the operation of thetoy is amusing and entertaining over an 'indefinite period of time, instead of quickly becoming monotonous, as is the case with most vehicle toys. a V Another and more detailed object of our invention is to so arrange a vehicle toy that it may be made to run in a straight line or to describe a circle of large, medium or small radius, the latter circles being smaller than what could be expected to be obtained from the normal steering action of the front-wheels; Stillanother obj ect'is to so arrange the toy that it will. describe one or more paths made .upv of straight lines and sharp turns. The are turned by the vehicle, depends,.as will later appear, upon the structural parameters ofthe parts of the toy, and may. be varied by. manual control. In a typical case the sharp curve may turn the, vehicle through an angle of either 90 degrees or 180.degrees. .In the latter case, the vehicle will travel ona straight line, then turn back upon itself to. approximately the starti ing position, whereupon it will again. turn and retrace the original path. In the former case, that is, with ninety-degree turns, the vehicle will travel over a figure which is generally square with rounded corners. Still another object is to devise mechanism whereby the vehicle may berun over one ormore paths made up of curved lines and sharp turns; specifically, with the'turns of 180 degrees and 90 degrees previously referred to, and with a suitable curvature for the. normal travel oithe toy between turns,the toy may be made to trace a. triangle with curved sides or an octagon with curved sides. v v

In accordance with still another feature and object of our invention, the toy may be caused at long intervals to perform'an unexpected sharp turn of long duration (causing the toy to turn through360 degrees or more, for example) Inasmuchas this extra and unexpected. turn may be produced ocoasionally as the toy is describing any of the paths above referred to, suchasa square or ellipse with straight. sides, or..a' triangle or octagon with curvedsides, the over-all 'per.

formance is both puzzling, and highly amusing.

In accordance with still another object of the invention, the toy is provided with appropriate reverse gear mechanism whereby it may be caused torun either forwardly orbackwardly. Many of the intricate formationsthrough which the'toy' may be made to travel seem even more erratic, unexpected nd entertaining-when the toy is traveling backward, By appropriate combinations of the v I ferred to, the toy isreadily put through any one of twenty four difierentcourses of'travel, and this number maybereadily increased still 'further by the provision of more than two angles or steering positions for the wheels, as will appear, from the appended more detailed description of the ,toy. v

Still. another object of our invention is toobtain all ortheforegoing movements while using simple and dependable mechanism which, may

be manufactured inexpensively for" sale under quantity production conditions at a low price, and '.yvhile housing all ofthe mechanism within a vehicle bodywhich is itself attractively streamlinedinsimulati'on of a modern motor car.

Totheaccomplishment of the foregoing and other objects whichjwillhereinafter appearyour invention consistsfiii the vehicle toy elements and theirrelatiorrflone to the other, as hereinafter are'more particularly described in the specifica tion and, soughtt'o be defined in the claims. The specification is accompanied by drawings, in which'z'; I I

Fig.1 isfa' side elevation showing .a toy. embodying' features of our invention while operating in normalrunning' condition; a a

Fig. 2 shows the toy inposition for executing a relatively sharp turn} i Fig. 3,. is an. inverted-v plan. view ofithetoy; Fig} 4 is a. plan View of the oha's'sis'oi the toy with the simulated vehicle body removed to ex"- pose the mtem rmec amsm; q

Fig.5 is a fragmentary plan View similarto Fig. 4, but showing the mechanism in position for botlrrshor't and long interval turns; i a

Fig 6 isa side elevation taken in the plane of the line 6;.6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a section taken in elevation through the chassis on the plane or the line 1-1 ofFig; 4; Fig. 8 is a section taken in the plane of the line-8- 8 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary.elevationsimilar to Fig. '7, but showing .the relation of the parts when the cross wheel .or turning wheel is depressed; and

Figs. 10 through 2.1 are schematicdiagrams exva'rious movements. above'replanatory of a variety of paths which the toy may be caused to follow.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 through 9, the toy comprises a vehicle body B normally running upon front wheels F and rear wheels R. The vehicle is propelled by a suitable motor such as the springmotor M, which is preferably geared to one only of the rear wheels R in order to assist turning of the toy. The toy isfurther provided with a cross wheel W preferably located intermediate the front and rear wheels, this cross wheel being vertically movable in order to bring the same into or out of contact with the running surface, as is respectively indicated by Figs. 2 and 1 of the drawings. The movement of cross wheel W may be obtained periodically in response to drive by the aforesaid motor M, and the character of movement obtained may be controlled by a suitable manually movable control member C.

The vehicle may run on the front and rear wheels as shown in Fig. 1, and this may for con-- Venience be referred to as the normal operation of the vehicle. When the cross wheel W is depressed, the front wheels F are elevated slightly from the running surface, and the toy then runs on the cross wheel W and the rear wheels R, as shown in Fig. 2, and this may, for convenience, be referred to as the turning operation. It should be understood, however, that the toy may travel on either a straight or a curved path during its normal operation, this being so because the front wheels may be fixed in any one of a plurality of angular or steering positions, as is clearly indicated in Fig. 3 by the arrows A and B marked on the top. The angle through which the vehicle is turned when in the turning position of Fig. 2,-may be variedby fixing the cross wheel W in one of a plurality of angles or steering positions, indicated by the numerals I and 4 marked on the bottom of' the toy, .as is indicated in Fig, 3. By suitably positioning the control member C, the cross wheel W may be caused to remain elevated as in Fig. 1, or to remain lowered as in Fig. 2, or to be periodically lowered at short intervals, or to be lowered at short intervals and additionally lowered for a longer time at longer intervals.

Considering the arrangement in greater detail the body of the toy is made up of .a bottom or chassis plate l2 and a top 14. The radiator simulation l6 may be made of a separate piece of sheet metal. The parts l4 and I6 are secured together by appropriate tongue and slot connections and together form an upwardly convexed cover or housing which is secured to the bottom l2 by a series of tongue and slot connections [8 extending entirely about the periphery of the bottom, as is best shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Inasmuch as the operating mechanism of the toy is mounted en tirely upon the bottom or chassis. member I2, the said mechanism is fully exposed when the upper parts I 4 and I6 are removed, as shown in Figs. 4 through 9.

Referring now to these figures, the rear wheels R are mounted on an axle 20. Only one wheel, in this case the wheel 22,is secured to axle 20, the other wheel 24 being freelyrotatable on the axle. It will be noted that wheel 22 is the outside wheel when the toy is turning on cross' wheel W (this construction helps insure relatively sharp turning of the. vehicle) The motorM is here illustrated as a spring motor prising a main spring 26, the outer end of which is secured to the motor frame 28 at the mensioned to fit the end of stem 32, the latter being exposed by a hole 44 in body M, as is best shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In order to permit winding of the motor without rotation of the wheels,

.a suitable ratchet may be disposed between the motor and the wheels, and in the present case pinion 36 has a hub which passes freely through. gear 40 and which on the opposite side of gear 40 carries ratchet wheel 46. This ratchet wheel cooperates with a dog 48 pivotally mounted on gear 48. The parts are so faced that the ratchet turns freely pastthe dog when the motor is being wound, but carries the dog and gear 40 with it when the motor is unwinding.

In order to limit the speed of the vehicle, the motor may be provided with suitable governor mechanism, and in the present case this employs a special train of step-up gearing, the gear 40 meshing with .a pinion 50 which in turn drives a gear 52 meshing with a pinion 54, which in turn drives a gear 56 meshing with a pinion 53 mounted on the governor shaft 68. Shaft 60 carries an eccentrically disposed weight 62 which functions to limit the unwinding speed of the motor. The operation of the toy may be con trolled by a stop lever 64, the lower end of which is pivotally mounted on the motor frame, as shown at 66 in Fig. 7, .and the intermediate part of which may be moved toward or away from the eccentric weight 62, as will be clear from inspection of Figs. 4 and 7. The upper end of lever 64 projects through a suitable slot in the top of the vehicle body, as is. clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. With lever 64 in the position shown in Fig. 2, the'motor is freed for operation, whereas with lever 64 in the position shown in Fig. 1, the motor is locked. The eccentric weight 62 functions not only as a governor, but also as part of the stop mechanism of the toy.

The front wheels F are mounted on an axle 68 journalled in flanges l8 and (2 turned upwardly from bottom plate I2. Flange 10 has a hole receiving axle 68, as will be clear from inspection of Fig. '7, while flange 12 is provided with an elongated slot .14 best shown in Fig. 6. Slot M is enlarged at its ends to form detents 16 and 18 (see Fig. 6), and axle 68 is normally pressed upwardly by a leaf spring 88, one end of which is secured to plate [2 at 82, and the other end 84 of which bears upwardly against carrier 86, the forward end of which receives axle 68. The purpose of carrier 86 will be described subsequently, but for the present it may be observed that the carrier is flanged upwardly at its side edges 88 and 90 and that flange 88 is apertured to receive axle 68, as is best shown in Fig. '7, while flange 90 is slotted at 92 to receive axle 68,

as is best shown in Fig. 6. Because of slot 92,.

there is no interference with steering oscillation of the front axle as between the positions shown in solid and broken lines in Fig. 3. Specifically, in the present case the detent 16 is so located that axle 68 is maintained at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle; hence in the position shown in Fig. 4, the toy runs on a straight line. When, however, the axle is moved until designated- A and B in Fig. 3, by seizi g and moving, the same manually. y

The cross wheel or turning wheel W is mounted on an axle 94, one end of which may,if desired, be, prolonged to form a handle 96. The axleis carried in the side walls 98. and I00 of a suitable U-shaped support I02, the top or closed. end, of which is secured to carrier 86, as by the useof tongue and slot connections I04. Wall 9,8,is pro,- vided with a hole receiving one end of axle 9.4, while wall I00 is provided with an elongated .slot I06 bestshownin Fig. 8'. The ends .of slot I06, are. enlarged to form detents J08 and I0,.and' axle 94, is normally urged upwardly by the lower end II2 of a wire spring theupper end N4 of which is secured on wall I00. With this arrangement the angular position of the cross wheel W is readily changed from that corresponding to the center'lineIIB of Fig.,'3-to center line H8, in Fig. 3. In the present case, this is indicated on the toy itself by the numerals I and 4, the handle 96 being movable to eitherofthe numerals. With the handle 96 at numeral 4, the wheel W causes the toy to turn'on the smallest available radius, while with the handle 96 at numeral I, the vehicle turns on a somewhat larger radius, though the radius is still small compared to what would lee-obtainable from the steeringaction of the front wheels F alone.

The cross wheel W'may be periodically lowered by mechanism driven from the spring motor M. Referring to Figs. 4, and '7, it will be seen that intermediate shaft 38 carries a cam I20, the said cam being secured to gear 40 by arm. I22.

The carrier 86 heretofore referred to is vertically'l oscillatable by reason of its pivotal mounting on front axle 68. It is normally elevated, as shown in Fig.7, by means of a leaf spring I24, the for-.

ward end of which is secured to chassis I2 .at I26 and the rear end of which bears upwardly againstthe bottom of carrier 86., Withtheparts in the position shown in Figsfll' and 7, the rear end I28 of carrier 86 is disposed beneathv cam I2Ilv and acts as a cam follower. During each revolution of intermediate shaft 38' the carrier 86 is depressed by cam I20 and the cross wheel iis'thus brought into contact with the running surface.

The duration of the contact of cross wheel W with the running surface depends upon the speed, of intermediate shaft 38 and the peripheral-length of cam I20.

These factors may be designed with considerable latitude. In the present case, the design is such that the toy is caused to turn 180 degrees; that is, it performs. a U turn when the .cross wheel W is, inshortest radius turning .position;

that is, the position 4 in Fig. 3. At the Same time: the difference in angle between the positions Ii and 4 of the cross wheel is such that in. position I the vehicle turnsi90 degrees. preciated that because of a number of factors, such as slippage of the driving wheel22 on the running surface, the angle turned by the toy depends somewhat upon the naturef'andsmooth-i ness of the running surface, and also varies slightly depending, upon whether the toy is. freshlywound. or nearly unwound. In the present toy the turning wheel W is rubber-tired, while the front and' rear wheels for the sake ofeconomy are, ,-made of sheet metal. .;The performance of the It will be ap'" toy depends upon thisfactor well, it bein modified somewhat if the wheels are all rubbertired.

, We have so far described thefirst mechanism whereby the cross wheel may be periodically de pressed. The presenttoy is additionally provided with asecond mechanism which periodically depresses the cross wheel, but preferably at substan-. tially longer intervals and for a somewhat longer time. Specifically, the main driving gear 34 is provided with a camming pin I30 adapted to bear against an arm I32 thelower end of which is pivoted on the motor frame at I34 and the upper end of which is turned inwardly at I36 to dispose the same above the adjacent edge I38 of car-' rier 86, as is best shown in Fig. 5. Arm I32 may beheld against. sideward movementbya disc I40 mountedon stem 32, the camming pin I30 eX- tending between gear 34 and disc I40, and the arm I32 being disposed therebetween. Ifdeposition by a wire spring I42. It will be evident from ,a comparison of Figs. 7 and 9, that upon rotation of gear 34 the camming pin I30 bears downwardly against arm I32, the end I36 of which in turn depresses carrier 06 against the influence of leaf spring I24, and thus lowers the cross wheel into contact with the running surface. This operation takes place regardless of the disposition of cam I20. Inasmuch as there is a very large step-up gear ratio between the winding stem 32. and the intermediate shaft 38, the interval between the functioning of cam I30 is very much longer than the interval of the functioning of cam I20. The duration ofthe lowering of the crosswheel depends upon the radius of camming element I30 together with the relative disposition of the other parts of the mechanism, and we preferably so arrange these parts that the cross 6 wheel remains in contactwith the running surface for a time substantially greater than that provided under the influence of cam I20. Specifically, we prefer to design the toy so that it turns 360 degrees or more whenever the camming member being oscillatable by means of a handle I48 projecting outwardlyfrom the side of the vehicle. -,Member I44 is so shaped as to provide a surface 1500f small radius, a surface I52 of intermediate radius, and a surface I54 of large radius, as well as a motion limiting stop I56. These surfaces are adapted to bear against the adjacent edge of wall ,I00 on which the cross wheel Wis mounted. The entire carrier 86 is bodily oscillatable about a vertical axis, as is indicated for example by the difference between the solid line position 86 in Fig. 4 and the broken line position K This movement is readily obtained by reason of the mounting heretofore described, for carrier 86 receives axle 68 by means of a hole in flange 88, whereas it receives axle 68 by means of a slot in flange 90. The carrier is therefore bodily oscillatable about axle 68 at the flange 88.. TIhecarrier is normally urged counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 4, or clockwise as With the control member C in the'position shown in Figs. 3 and 4, that is, with the surface I52 of intermediate radius in use, the cam follower end I28 of carrier 86 is disposed beneath cam I20, but the edge I38 of carrier 86 is not disposed beneath the inturned lug I36 of arm I32. In this position the cam I20 functions, but the cam element I30 is rendered inoperative. When the control element is turned to bring the large radius surface I54 against the cross wheel mount, the carrier is moved to the broken line position shown in Fig. 4, at which time the cam follower end I28 is moved out of the path of cam I20 and the latter is made inoperative. When, however, the control element C is moved in opposite direction to bring the smallest radius surface I50 into use, the carrier 86 is moved counterclockwise relative to the position shown in Fig. 4, thus bringing the same to the position shown in Fig. 5, at which time the edge I38 comes beneath inturned lug I35 and both camming mechanisms I20 and I30 are made operative.

The three positions of control member C are indicated on the toy, as by the numerals I, 2 and 3 shown in Fig. 3, the said numerals being used in cooperation with a suitable arrow or pointer on the control member.

The control member C may be used for still another function, namely to hold the cross wheel W permanently in lowered position. Referring to Fig. 8, it will be seen that the side wall I is notched near its upper end at I64. If the cross wheel is drawn down from the elevated position shown in solid lines to the lowered position shown in broken lines, the notch I64 reaches the control member 0 and by swinging the control member to the large radius position, that is, to the numeral 3, the edge of the control member is moved into recess I64 and thus locks the cross wheel in lowered position. At this time the cross wheel is preferably lowered somewhat more than the amount which it is lowered by the camming mechanisms I20 and I30, thus avoiding any possibility of recess I64 reaching the control member during the periodical depressions of the cross wheel under motor drive. The cross wheel may be locked in depressed position only by manually moving the same to fully lowered position. With the cross wheel locked in depressed position, it may, of course, be moved to either of the angular or steering positions, thus causing the toy to describe either a small or medium sized circle, both of these circles, however, being substantially smaller than what may be obtained by use of the steering action of the front wheels.

In order to increase the number of actions obtainable from the toy, and because some of the more intricate movements of the toy are even more surprising and amusing when performed with the toy running backwardly, we prefer to equip the toy with reversing mechanism. Referring to Figs. 4 and 7, it will be seen that the rear axle 20 is carried in ears I 66 turned upwardly at the outer extremities of a T-shaped member I68, the stem I of which projects outwardly through the bottom of the toy at the rear end thereof. The manner in which the control arm I10 extends out of the toy will be clear from inspection of Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings. Fig. '1 shows the manner in which the upwardly curved bottom wall I12 is slotted at I14 to receive the arm I10. The side edges of arm I10 are turned downwardly or flanged at I16, and these flanges are notched to form spaced detent recesses I 18 and I80 which cooperate with a detent-lug I82.-

A leaf spring I84secured to the bottom of the toy at I86 bears downwardly and normally holds one or the other of the recesses on detent I82.

The ends of the T-shaped plate beneath the ears I66 rest directly on the marginal or higher level parts of the bottom I88 (Figs. 3 and '1) The motor frame carries an idle pinion I90 so disposed that when the reverse arm I 10 is moved from the forward position shown in Fig. '7 to a rearward position in which notch I18 is disposed on detent I82, the axle pinion 42 is disengaged from gear 40 and engages pinion I90, which in turn is constantly in mesh with gear 40. The direction of rotation of axle 20 is thus reversed. To shift from forward to reverse or vice versa, it is merely necessary to preliminarily lift the arm I10, thus freeing the detent, and to thereupon slide the arm forwardly or rearwardly, the forward position corresponding to forward drive of the vehicle, and the rearward position corresponding to rearward drive of the vehicle.

It is believed that the construction and operation of our improved toy vehicle, as well as the many advantages thereof, will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description. By way of review, however, the operation may be described with reference to the schematic diagrams shown in Figs. 10 through 21 of the drawings. If the front wheels F are disposed in position A in Fig. 3, and if the control member C is moved to position3, thus making both camming mechanisms inoperative, the toy simply runs on a straight line, as shown in Fig. 21. If now the front wheels are changed from the straight line position A to the angular steering position B, the toy describes a circle of large radius, as shown in Fig. 14. In a practical case, this diameter may, for example, be 48 inches. 1

If the cross wheel W is turned downwardly and locked in depressed position by control member C (the control member being in position 3 and the steering position of the front wheels being immaterial), the toy will be caused to turn on a circle of small radius. If at this time the cross wheel is in position 4 in Fig. 3, the toy will describe a small circle as shown in Fig. 15, and if the cross wheel is moved to position I of Fig. 3, the toy will describe a somewhat larger circle, as shown in Fig. 16. In a practical case these circles are 22 inches and 32 inches in diameter, respectively.

If the front wheels are left straight, that is, in position A, and if the control member C is moved to position 2, thus making the cam I20 operative, the toy will describe a figure made up of straight lines and sharp turns. With the cross wheel in position 4, the toy will run back and forth repeatedly, this figure being indicated by Fig. 10. The length of the straight run relative to the length of the sharp turn may be greater than is shown in Fig. 10. This figure may, for want of a better term, be referred to as an ellipse. If the cross wheel W is moved from position 4 to position I, so that the turn is 90 degrees rather than 180 degrees, the toy will describe a figure such as that indicated in Fig. 11, this figure being substantially a square with rounded corners.

If the front wheels are changed from position A to position B, the normal running of the toy will be on a curve rather than a straight line. This curve we prefer to make in a direction opposite to that produced by a cross wheel. The figure described by the toy is then made up of a series of curves, some of long radius and some of short'radius. Forexample, with the cross wheel in position 4 so that the toy turns 180 degrees, the toywill describe a triangle with curved sides,

substantially as indicated in Fig. 12. If, however, thecross wheel is moved to position I so that the toy turns approximatelyQO degrees, the vehicle will describe apolygon withcurved sides, substantially the octagonal figure shown in Fig. 13.

X If the control member 0 is moved to the position I, thereby making both camming mechanisms 120 and I30 effective, each of Figs. 10, 11, 12 and 13 will be reproduced with the additional surprise element of an unexpected sharp turn by the vehicle at relatively long intervals. This is schematically indicated by Figs. l'l'through 20. In Fig. 17, for example, the ellipse hassuperposed thereon a complete circle of movement it being understood that in practice the toy runs back and forth about the ellipse anumber of times before the unexpected circling of the toy takes place. It will also be understood that inasmuch as the circling of the toy may be more than 360 degrees, the vehicle may thereafter describe an ellipse in a different direction than that previously maintained. To produce. this figure, the front wheels are put in position A, the cross wheel is put in position 4, and the control member is putin position I.

Similarly, in Fig. 18 the toy describes a straightsided polygon with rounded corners, and at relatively long intervals the operation is interrupted by an unexpected turning movement of the toy. This figure is obtained with the parts as previously described, but with the cross-wheel changed from position 4 to position I.

Figs. 19 and 20 will be understood from the foregoing. remarks, without additional detailed comment, it being understood that "in 'all cases the figures have been somewhat idealized forconvenience and that the axis of each of the figures may be changed by the long interval turning movement. To produce Fig. 19, the front wheels are changed from position A tofp'osition B, and the cross wheel is placedin position 4; while to produce Fig/20, the cross wheel is placed in position I. v In this way 12 different courses may be describedby the toy,-and by appropriate use of the reverse mechanism thesnumber of operations may be increased to 24. The variety in operation is still .further increased by-reason of the difference in traction on various running surfaces, such as 'a rough cement floor, a polished fioor, etc., and

also because in practical operation the toy'occasionally encounters a wall or'other obstacle, and is thus deflected from its course. Because of the numerous variables involved, the operationuin a practical case'is not readily discoverable tobe a specific geometric figure, and the paths such as Figs. :13 and-20 apparently simulate the erratic course of an'automobile operated by a novice or an intoxicated driver. The Zigzag-turning movements of the toy are highly amusing to watch, and the amusement is enhanced when the toy is operated in reverse.

It will be apparent that while we have shown anddescribed our invention in a preferred form,- many changes and modifications maybe made in the structure disclosed without departingfrom .the spirit of the invention defined in the following claims.

We claim:

1 A toy vehicle comprising front wheels, rear wheels,a driving motorgeared to a rear wheel in order topropel-thevehicle, a cross wheel interinediateithe front and rear wheels, mechanism for periodically raising and lowering the cross wheel in order tobr'ing the same into and out of contact with the running surface, and additional mechanism lfordepressingthe crosswheel at longer intervals, said mechanism being driven by the aforesaid motor.

1: 2. A toyvehiclecomprising front wheels, rear wheels, a driving motor geared to a rear wheel in order to propel the vehicle, a cross wheel intermediate the frontand rear wheels, mechanism for periodically raising and lowering the cross wheel inorder to bring the same into and out of contact with therunning surface, said mechanism being driven'by the aforesaid motor, and means whereby thecrosswheel may be locked in. depressedposition.

.3;. A. toy vehicle comprising front wheels, rear wheels, a driving motor geared to a rear wheel in order to-propel the vehicle, a cross wheel intermediate the front and rear wheels, mechanism for periodically raising and lowering the cross wheel in orderto bring the same into and out of contact with the running surface, said mechanism being driven by the aforesaid motor, a control member for making the mechanism operative or inoperative at will, and means whereby the cross wheel maybe locked in depressedposition.

4. A toy vehicle comprising front wheels, rear wheels,"a driving motor geared to one of said rear wheels in order to propel the vehicle, a. crosswheel intermediate the front and rear wheels'and a'h'ead of the center of gravity of the toy, a cam and camfollower mechanism. for periodically raising and lowering the cross wheel in'ord'e'r to 'bring'th'e same into and out of contact with the running'surface, whereby said vehicle runs on eitherthe rear wheels and front wheels, or-onthe rear wheels and the cross wheel, said cam being driven by the aforesaid motor, said cam follower being movable either into or out of cooperation with the cam, and a control member for moving the cam follower into or out of cooperation with said camming means.

7 5. A'toy vehicle comprising front wheels, means whereby the front wheels may be fixed or locked inv one of a plurality of steering positions, rear wheels, a driving motor geared to one of the rear wheels in order to propel the vehicle, a cross wheel intermediate the front and rear wheels andaheadof the center of gravityof the toy, and mechanism for periodically raising and lowering the cross wheel in order to bring the same into and out of contact with the running surface, said mechanism being driven'by-the aforesaid motor, whereby said :vehicleruns on either the rear wheels and front wheels or on the rear wheels and longer intervals, said mechanismbeing driven by the aforesaid motor.

7. A toy vehiclecomprising front wheels, means whereby the front wheels may be fixed in one of a plurality of steering positions, rear Wheels, a driving motor geared to a rear wheel in order to propel the vehicle, a cross 1 wheel intermediate the front' and rear wheels, mechanismfor periodically raising and lowering the cross wheel in order to bring the same into and out of contact with the running surface, said mechanism being driven by the aforesaid motor, and means whereby the cross wheel may be locked in depressed position. I

8. A toy vehicle comprising front wheels, means whereby the front wheels may be fixed in one of a plurality of steering positions, rear wheels, a driving motor geared to one of the rear wheels in order to propel the vehicle, a cross wheel intermediate the front and rear wheels and ahead of the center of gravity of the toy, mechanism for periodically raising and lowering the cross wheel in order to bring the same into and out of contact with the running surface, whereby said vehicle runs on either the rear wheels and front wheels, or'on the rear Wheels and cross wheel, said mechanism being driven by the aforesaid motor, and a control member for making said mechanism operative or inoperative.

9. A toy vehicle comprising front wheels, means whereby the front wheels may be fixed in one of a plurality of steering positions, rear wheels, a driving motor geared to a rear wheel in order to propel the vehicle, a cross wheel intermediate the front and rear wheels, mechanism for periodically raising and lowering the cross wheel in order to bring the same into and out of contact with the running surface, said mechanism being driven by the aforesaid motor, a control member for making said mechanism operative or inoperative, and means whereby the cross wheel may be locked in depressed position.

10. A toy vehicle comprising front wheels, rear wheels, 2 driving motor geared to a rear wheelin order to propel the vehicle, a cross wheel intermediate the front and rear wheels, means so mounting the cross wheel that it may be fixed in one of a plurality of angles or steering positions, and mechanism for periodically raising and lowering the cross wheel in order to bring the same into and out of contact with the running surface, said mechanism being driven by the aforesaid motor.

11. A toy vehicle comprising front wheels, rear wheels, a driving motor geared to a rear wheel in order to propel the vehicle, a cross wheel intermediate the front and rear wheels, means so mechanism for periodically raising and lowering the cross wheel in order to bring the same into and out of contact with the running surface, and addi-' tional mechanism for depressing the cross wheel at longer intervals, said mechanism being driven by the aforesaid motor.

12. A toy vehicle comprising front wheels, rear wheels, a driving motor geared to a rear wheel in order to propel the vehicle, a cross wheel intermediate the front and rear wheels, means so mounting the cross wheel that it may be fixed in one of a plurality of angles or steering positions, mechanism for periodically raising and lowering the cross wheel in order to bring the same into and out of contact with the running surface, said mechanism being driven by the aforesaid motor,

and means whereby the cross wheel may be one of a plurality'of angles or steering positions; mechanism for' periodically raising and lowering the cross wheel in order to bring the same into and out of contact with the running surface, said mechanism being driven by the aforesaid motor, and control means for making said mechanism operative or inoperative.

14. A toy vehicle comprising front wheels, rear wheels, a driving motor geared to a rear wheel in order to propel the vehicle, a cross wheel intermediate the front and rear wheels, means so mounting the cross wheel that it may be fixed in one of a plurality of angles or steering positions, mechanism for periodically raising and lowering the cross wheel in order to bring'the same into and out of contact with the running surface,'said mechanism being driven by the aforesaid motor, control means for making said mechanism'opera tive or inoperative, and means whereby the cross wheel may'be locked in depressed position.

' 15. A toy vehicle comprising front wheels, means whereby the front wheels may be fixed in one of a plurality of steering positions, rear wheels, a driving motor geared to a rear wheel in order to propel the vehicle, a cross wheel intermediate the front'and'rea'r wheels, means so mounting the cross wheel that it may be fixed in one of a plurality of angles or steering positions, and mechanism for periodically raising and lowering the cross wheel in order to' bring the same into and out of contact with the running surface, said mechanism being driven by the aforesaid motor.

16; A toy vehicle comprising front wheels, means whereby the front wheels may'be' fixed in one of a plurality of steering positions, rear wheels, adriving motor geared to a 'rear wheel in order to propel the vehicle, an idle cross wheel intermediate the front and rear 'wheels, means so mounting the cross wheel-that it may be fixed in one of a plurality of angles or steering posi-' tions, a cam and cam follower mechanism for periodically raising and lowering the cross wheel in order to bring the same into and out of con with the cam, and a control memberfor moving the cam follower into or out of cooperation with said cam.

17. A toy vehicle comprising front wheels, means whereby the front wheels may be fixed in one of a plurality of steering positions, 'rear' wheels, a driving motor geared to a rear wheel in order to propel the vehicle, an idle cross wheel intermediate the front and rear wheels, means so mounting the cross wheel that it may be fixed in one of a plurality of angles or steering positions, a cam and cam follower mechanism for periodically raising and lowering the cross wheel in order to bring the same into and out of contact with the running surface, said cam being driven by the aforesaid motor, and said cam follower being movable either into or out of cooperation with the cam, control means for moving the cam follower into or out of cooperation with said cam, and means whereby the cross wheel may be locked in depressed position.

'18. A toy vehicle comprising rear wheels, a driving motor geared to a rear wheel in order to propel said vehicle, front wheels, a cross wheel intermediate the rear and front wheels, said cross wheel being vertically movable in order to'bring the same into or out of contact with the running surface, resilient means normally elevating the cross wheel, and a control member for locking the cross wheel in depressed position.

19. A toy vehicle comprising rear wheels, a driving motor geared to a rear wheel in order to propel said vehicle, front wheels, means whereby the front wheels may be fixed in one of a plurality of steering positions, a cross wheel in termediate the rear and front wheels, said cross wheel being vertically movable in order to bring the same into or out of contact with the running surface, resilient means normally elevating the cross wheel, and a control member for locking the cross wheel in depressed position.

20. A toy vehicle comprising rear wheels, a

driving motor geared to a rear wheel in order to propel said vehicle, front wheels, a cross wheel intermediate the rear and front wheels, said cross wheel being vertically movable in order to bring the same into orout of contact with the running surface, resilient means normallyelevating the cross wheel, a control member for 'locking the cross wheel in depressed position,

and means whereby the cross wheel may be fixed in one of a plurality of angular steering positions.

21. A toy vehicle comprising rear wheels, a driving motor connected to one of said rear wheels, front wheels, a cross wheel intermediate the rear and front wheels, carrier means to lower or raise the cross wheel in order to bring the same into or out of contact with the running surface, cam means driven by said spring motor at a predetermined frequency for actuating said carrier means, control means whereby the cam means may be made operative or inoperative to actuate the carrier, and means to vary thev angle through which the vehicle is turned upon each depression of the cross wheel by the cam means.

22. A toy vehicle comprising rear wheels, a driving motor connected to one of said rear wheels, front wheels, a cross wheel intermediate the rear and front wheels, carrier means to lower or raise the cross'wheel in orderto bring the same into or out of contact with the running surface, whereby said vehicle runs on either the rear wheels and front wheels, or on the rear wheels and cross wheel, cam means driven by said motor at one predetermined rotational frequency for actuating said carrier means, cam means driven by the said motor at another predetermined rotational frequency for actuating said carrier means, control means whereby neither cam means or the first cam means alone or both the first and second cam means may be made operative to actuate the carrier.

23. A toy vehicle comprising rear wheels, a driving motor connected to one of said rear wheels, front wheels, a cross wheel intermediate the rear and front wheels, carrierv means to lower or raise the crosswheel in order to bring the same into or out of contact with the running surface, cam means'driven by said motor at one predetermined frequency for actuating said carrier means, cam means driven by said motor at another predetermined frequency for actuating 'said carrier means, control means whereby neither cam means or the first cam means alone or both the first and second cam means may be made operative to actuate the carrier, and means to vary the angle through which the vehicle is turned upon each depression of the cross wheel by the cam means.

24. A toy vehicle comprising front wheels, rear wheels, a driving motor geared to one of said rear wheels in order to propel the vehicle, a cross wheel intermediate the front and rear wheels, a

cam and cam follower mechanism for periodically raising and lowering the cross wheel inorder to bring the same into and out of contact with the running surface, said cam being driven by the wheel intermediate the front and rear wheels, a

cam and cam follower mechanism for periodically raising and lowering the cross wheel in order to bring the same into and out of contact with the running surface, said cam being driven by the aforesaid motor, and said cam follower being movable either into or out of cooperation with the cam, additional camming means for depressing the cross wheel at longer intervals, control means for moving the cam followerv into or out of cooperation with either or both of said camming means, and means whereby the cross wheel may be locked in depressed position.

26. A toy vehicle comprising front wheels, rear wheels, a driving motor geared to one of said rear wheels in order to propel the vehicle, an idle cross wheel intermediate the front and rear wheels, means so mounting the cross wheel that it may be fixed in one of a plurality of angles or steering positions, a cam and cam follower mechanism for periodically raising and lowering the cross wheel in order to bring the same into and out of contact with the running surface, said cam being driven by the aforesaid motor, and said cam follower being movable either into or out of cooperation with the cam, additional camming means for depressing the cross wheel at longer intervals, and control means for moving the cam follower into or out of cooperation with either or both of said camming means.

27. A toy vehicle comprising front wheels, rear wheels, adriving motor geared to one of said rear wheels in order to propel the vehicle, an idle cross wheel intermediate the front and rear wheels, means so mounting the cross wheel that it may be fixed in one of a plurality of angles or steering positions, a cam and cam follower mechanism for periodically raising and lowering the cross wheel in order to bring the same into and out of contact with the running surface, said cam being driven by the aforesaid motor, and said cam follower being movable either into or out of cooperation .with the cam, additional camming means for depressing the cross wheel at longer intervals, control means for moving the cam follower into or out of cooperation with either or both of said camming means, and means whereby the cross wheel may be locked in depressed position.

RAYMOND LOI-IR.

ELLSWORTH BAX'I'ER.

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