Incrementally moved cylindrical lens display system for toy

• US 5,312,284 A
• Filed: 02/05/1993
• Issued: 05/17/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Inventors: Grober, David E., Gross, Raymond J.
• Primary Examiner(s): DeMille, Danton D.
• Application Number:
  US08/014,290
• Time in Patent Office: 466 Days
• Field of Search: 446/143, 446/148, 446/149, 446/151, 446/152, 446/408, 40/347, 40/524, 40/527, 424/118, 424/227
• US Class Current: 446/143
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/30 Imitations of miscellaneous apparatus not otherwise provided for, e.g. telephones, weighing-machines, cash-registers savings boxes A45C1/12; toy ticket punches G07B9/02

Abstract

A toy computer includes a keyboard housing and a monitor housing pivotally secured by a hinge coupler. A depressible keyboard unit is pivotally supported by the keyboard housing and is coupled to a movable slider within the interior of the keyboard housing. A return spring is coupled to the slider and is operative to pivot the slider such that a ratchet engaging tooth is raised to its engagement position in the absence of a keyboard unit stroke. An endless belt display utilizes a cylindrical lens element array together with a segmented image formed on the endless belt to provide apparent motion of the image as the endless belt is moved. A ratchet coupling system is coupled between the slider and the movable belt to provide incremental belt motions in response to each keyboard stroke.

Claims

1. A toy display system comprising:

a housing defining a viewing aperture and keyboard surface;

a cylindrical lens array covering said viewing aperture defining a lens spacing;

a depressible key supported upon said keyboard surface;

a movable segmented image display having segment spacing corresponding to said lens spacing producing an image viewable through said viewing aperture and said cylindrical lens array; and

incremental coupling means coupling said depressible key to said movable image display to incrementally move said image in response each depression of said key through an incremental distance equal to said lens spacing.

2. A toy display system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said incremental coupling means includes:

a ratchet gear;

a movable tyne coupled to said depressible key for engaging said ratchet during each depression of said depressible key; and

gear drive means coupling said ratchet to said movable image display.

3. A toy display system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said incremental coupling means includes:

a pivot support for pivotally supporting said depressible key;

a slider supporting said tyne coupled to said depressible key; and

spring means urging said slider away from said ratchet.

4. A toy display system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said incremental coupling means includes a limit stop and wherein said spring means urges said slider against said limit stop and urges said slider toward rotation about said limit stop to move said tyne into engagement with said ratchet.

5. A toy display system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said ratchet includes a ratchet gear and wherein said tyne includes an engaging tooth.

6. A toy display system as set forth in claim 5 wherein said slider defines an angled surface and wherein said slider pivots to said angled surface as said key is depressed.

7. A toy display system comprising:

a cylindrical lens array defining a lens spacing;

movable image support beneath said cylindrical lens;

a depressible key;

a segmented image supported upon said image support having image segments spaced in accordance with said lens spacing;

a movable slider coupled to and moved by said key; and

a ratchet drive coupled to said slider and said image support,

said depressible key moving said slider into engagement with said ratchet drive and imparting an incremental movement thereto which in turn moves said image support incrementally a distance equal to said lens spacing.

8. A toy display as set forth in claim 7, further including spring means urging said slider away from said ratchet drive and urging said depressible key upwardly.

9. A toy display as set forth in claim 8 wherein said ratchet drive includes a ratchet gear having a plurality of angled teeth and wherein said slider includes an extending tyne having a tooth for engaging said angled teeth.

10. A toy display as set forth in claim 9 wherein said toy includes a limit stop and wherein said spring means includes a coil spring coupled to said slider urging said slider against said limit stop and urging said slider toward pivotal motion moving said tooth toward said ratchet gear.

11. For use in a toy resembling a computer in general appearance and having a viewing screen, a toy display comprising:

a depressible key;

a cylindrical lens array defining a lens spacing;

an endless belt supporting a segmented image thereon, said segmented image being formed of image segments spaced in correspondence to said lens spacing;

roller means for supporting said belt and scrolling a portion of said segmented image past said lens array;

incremental motion drive means coupling said key to said roller means such that an incremental movement equal to said lens spacing is imparted to said belt each time said depressible key is depressed; and

spring means for raising said depressible key in the absence of a key depressing force.