Compound nutational carriage mechanism

A compound nutational carriage mechanism for a game, ambulatory toy or the like including a first disc member having a curvilinear periphery and a second disc member having a similar curvilinear periphery. The disc members are operably connected in such a manner that planar extensions of the disc members mutually intersect and form an angular relationship therebetween and the line of intersection of the planes extends perpendicular to a third plane. An axle is connected to the first and second disc members and lies in alignment with the line of intersection of the planar extentions of the first and second disc members.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a compound nutational carriage mechanism. More 
particularly the invention relates to a carriage mechanism for an 
ambulatory wobble toy, game or the like. 
In the past games, toys, animal models etc. have been designed with various 
bearing elements and/or undercarriage mechanisms designed to impart a 
wobble or ambulatory motion to the article during operation. Such devices, 
while providing at least a degree of user appeal, exhibit several 
disadvantages. One difficulty is that in order to achieve a desired 
motion, prior devices have tended to be somewhat complex and intricate. 
Additionally previously known mechanisms are relatively costly to 
manufacture yet easily damaged. Once damaged these devices, are, in all 
practical respects difficult if not impossible to satisfactorily repair. 
The difficulties suggested above are not intended to be exhaustive, but 
rather are among many which may tend to reduce the desirability of 
previously known devices. Other noteworthy problems may also exist; 
however, the foregoing is believed to demonstrate that previously known 
wobble carriage mechanisms will admit to worthwhile improvement. 
Accordingly it is a general object of the invention to provide a novel 
carriage mechanism for a game, toy or the like which will obviate or 
minimize problems of the type previously described. 
It is a particular object of the invention to provide a novel carriage 
mechanism for a game, ambulatory toy or the like which is basic in design 
and facilely manufactured. 
It is another object of the invention to provide a wobble or compound 
nutational carriage mechanism which may be inexpensively manufactured, yet 
highly rugged and durable. 
It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel wobble carriage 
mechanism which, if damaged, may be readily repaired. 
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a novel compound 
nutational carriage mechanism which produces a realistic and appealing 
wobble motion to an ambulatory toy or the like.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
Referring now to the drawings and particularly FIG. 1, there will be seen 
an axonometric view of a compound nutational carriage mechanism 10 
according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
The carriage mechanism 10 includes a first disc member 12 having a 
generally regular curvilinear periphery 14 and a second disc member 16 
having a similar curvilinear periphery 18. 
The disc members 12 and 16 are interconnected through the provision of 
compatability dimension notches as at 20. An adhesive suitably bonds the 
abutting notches in a permanent, fixed relationship and thereby forms an 
inherent axle at the junction. 
An imaginary planar extension through disc member 12 and an imaginary 
planar extension through disc member 16 intersect and form a line 22 
extending through the central portion of the disc members and the center 
of the notches at 20. This line of intersection 22 lies perpendicular to a 
third plane 24 depicted by an outline in phantom on FIG. 1. 
In a preferred embodiment the planar extension of disc members 12 and 16 
are mutually perpendicular. In this regard a phantom line 26 lying in a 
planar extension of disc 12 and intersecting line 22 is perpendicular to a 
phantom line 28 lying in a planar extension of disc 16. 
While a perpendicular angular relationship between the disc members is 
preferred other angular relationships may produce desirable results in 
some applications and are embraced by the subject invention. 
In addition to the axle junction formed at 20 the traction disc members 12 
and 16 are each fitted with an axle member 30 and 32 projecting outwardly 
from said disc members respectively. The axle members 30 and 32 as well as 
a central portion of disc notches at 20 lie upon the line upon the line of 
intersection 22 of said planar extensions. 
FIG. 2 discloses a modified embodiment of the structure depicted in FIG. 1 
wherein discs 12 and 16 are spaced and a separate axle member 40 is 
interposed between and interconnects the disc members in an operative 
relationship. FIG. 2 also discloses the generally circular configuration 
of the disc members wherein the periphery of the discs lie upon the 
extremity of a constant radius line 42. 
An alternative preferred embodiment of the invention is set forth in FIG. 3 
wherein the disc members 44 and 46 are each symmetrically configured with 
a major axis 48 and a minor axis 50. 
In this embodiment the major axis 48 lies upon a line of intersection of 
planar extensions of the disc members 44 and 46. It will be noted 
additionally that the configuration of the disc members is not perfectly 
elliptical although such elliptical configuration would be satisfactory. 
The point to be made is that a variety of oblong configurations may be 
effectively utilized in the subject invention. 
When the major axes are in alignment, as depicted in FIG. 3, the degree of 
compound nutational or wobble motion of the carriage mechanism will be 
less pronounced than that exhibited by the carriage mechanism depicted in 
FIG. 1. 
Alternatively the disc members 44 and 46 may be constructed wherein the 
minor axes are in alignment and lie upon the intersection of planar 
extensions of the disc members. In this mode the major axes extend 
perpendicular to the line of intersection and produce the most pronounced 
nutational motion of the carriage mechanism. 
FIGS. 4 and 5 disclose a generally planar animal model 52 mounted upon a 
carriage mechanism such as set forth in FIG. 2. In this connection the 
model 52 is supported upon the central axle member 40 as at 54. A flexible 
line or cord 56 is connected to a forward portion of the animal model and 
is used to pull the model across a ground surface 58. 
Upon forward movement of the model 52 the supporting carriage mechanism 
will impart a side-to-side wobble motion to the model as the carriage 
mechanism rolls in a compound nutational mode across a ground surface. 
In a similar vein FIGS. 6 and 7 disclose a carriage mechanism such as 
depicted in FIG. 1 mounted upon a three dimensional toy 60. In this 
embodiment the toy surrounds the carriage mechanism and is journaled upon 
axles 30 and 32 as previously described. A flexible line or cord 62 is 
connected to the nose of the toy and upon pulling motion by an operator 
serves to drag the toy across a ground surface 64. 
In a manner as previously noted in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5 the 
carriage mechanism will exhibit a compound nutational motion as the toy is 
pulled forward which will produce a pronounced side-to-side wobble of the 
ambulatory toy. 
From the foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, 
those skilled in the art will recognize several advantages thereof which 
singularly distinguishes the subject invention from previously known 
devices. 
A particular advantage resides in the basic design concept of the compound 
nutational carriage mechanism which is facilely and inexpensively 
manufactured. 
Additionally, the subject carriage mechanism is highly rugged and durable 
in operation. 
Further the subject carriage mechanism may be quickly repaired in the event 
of excessive wear or damage during usage. 
Another appealing feature of the subject carriage mechanism is that a 
highly realistic and appealing wobble motion is imparted to an associated 
ambulator toy, game or the like. 
In describing the invention, reference has been made to preferred 
embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art, however, and 
familiar with the subject disclosure, may recognize additions, deletions, 
modifications, substitutions and/or other changes which will fall within 
the purview of the invention as defined in the following claims.