US3656586A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rubber band motor for toys
Assignee: Mattel Inc
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Filing: 1970-10-09
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Granted: 1972-04-18
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Expires: 1990-10-09
Abstract
Abstract A rubber band motor which utilizes a long length of band material in a relatively short toy housing and which enables rapid winding of the band, comprising a first rubber band extending between a rotatable output member and a first gear and a second rubber band extending between a second gear and a stationary bracket. The two gears are normally engaged so that the rubber bands are connected in series to drive the rotatable output member. A winding gear moves into engagement with the first and second gears while separating them from each other when the rubber bands are being wound, so that the winding gear winds both rubber bands simultaneously, i.e., in parallel. When winding forces are no longer applied to the winding gear, it disengages from the first and second gears and allows them to re-engage so that they unwind in series. The motor is useful in a water toy with a flapping tail that propels it through the water while carrying a figure representing a man whose arms engage a pair of fins on the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 George E Robson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:19
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H23/00; A63H23/08; F; F03; F03G; F03G1/00; F03G1/02; F03G1/026; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S185/00; Y10S185/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A toy comprising: a housing; an output member rotatably coupled to said housing; first and second rotatably mounted transmission members normally coupled to each other so that said second transmission member can drive said first transmission member; a first elastic torsion member extending between said output member and said first rotatable transmission member; fixed holding means for holding a second elastic torsion member; and a second elastic torsion member extending between said holding means and said second rotatable transmission member, whereby the same endurance as that of a long elastic member can be obtained in a housing of limited length.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
A toy comprising: a housing; an output member rotatably coupled to said housing; first and second rotatably mounted transmission members normally coupled to each other so that said second transmission member can drive said first transmission member; a first elastic torsion member extending between said output member and said first rotatable transmission member; fixed holding means for holding a second elastic torsion member; and a second elastic torsion member extending between said holding means and said second rotatable transmission member, whereby the same endurance as that of a long elastic member can be obtained in a housing of limited length.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
The toy described in claim 1 wherein: said transmission members are mounted for engaging and disengaging from each other; and including manually operable winding means movable between a first position wherein it disengages said transmission members from each other while rotating them when manually winding forces are applied to it, and a second position away from said transmission members to allow said transmission members to couple to one another.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
138 words
The toy described in claim 1 wherein: said transmission members have rims normally engaged with each other so they rotate in opposite directions when engaged, and at least a first of said transmission members is mounted for movement toward and away from the other; and including a rotatable drive member with a rim for engaging said rims of said transmission members, said rotatable member mounted for movement between a first position wherein its rim bears against said rims of both of said transmission members and holds them apart and a second position wherein its rim is disengaged from the rims of both of said transmission members to allow said transmission members to engage one another; and manually operable means coupled to said rotatable drive member to apply forces simultaneously urging it towards said first position and rotating it.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
96 words
The toy described in claim 3 wherein: said manually operable means includes a shaft fixed to said drive member, said shaft mounted for movement with directional components towards and away from a predetermined transmission member, a pull cord for winding about and unwinding from said shaft, means for guiding sAid pull cord so that when it is pulled it urges said drive member to shift towards said first position, and elastic means for urging said shaft to shift away from said predetermined transmission member and to rotate in a direction to wind said pull cord thereon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
192 words
A toy comprising: a housing having first and second end portions; an output member rotatably mounted at said first end portion of said housing; first and second gear means rotatably mounted at said second end portion of said housing, said first gear means mounted for shifting toward and away from said second gear means to engage and disengage it; holding means mounted at said first end portion of said housing; first and second rubber band means, said first band means extending between one of said gear means and said output member and said second band means extending between the other of said gear means and said holding means; a winding shaft mounted on said housing to rotate and to shift with a directional component towards and away from said first gear means; winding gear means fixed to said winding shaft; a pull cord having an inner end coupled to said winding shaft to wind and unwind from it; and means defining an aperture in said housing for passing said pull cord, said aperture located so that tension in said cord urges said shaft with a directional component towards said first gear means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
192 words
A toy comprising: a housing having first and second end portions; an output member rotatably mounted at said first end portion of said housing; first and second gear means rotatably mounted at said second end portion of said housing, said first gear means mounted for shifting toward and away from said second gear means to engage and disengage it; holding means mounted at said first end portion of said housing; first and second rubber band means, said first band means extending between one of said gear means and said output member and said second band means extending between the other of said gear means and said holding means; a winding shaft mounted on said housing to rotate and to shift with a directional component towards and away from said first gear means; winding gear means fixed to said winding shaft; a pull cord having an inner end coupled to said winding shaft to wind and unwind from it; and means defining an aperture in said housing for passing said pull cord, said aperture located so that tension in said cord urges said shaft with a directional component towards said first gear means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The toy described in claim 5 including: second holding means mounted on said housing; and third rubber band means extending between said winding shaft and said second holding means, for urging said shaft to shift away from said first gear means and to rotate in a direction to wind said pull cord thereon.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-04-18 | 1975-10-18 | 1976-04-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-18 | 1979-10-18 | 1980-04-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-18 | 1983-10-18 | 1984-04-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |