PNEUMATIC TOY STOVE ACCESSORY
United States Patent 3846933
Air under pressuer is supplied to a simulated uncooked food item, such as pie, cake, muffins or the like, having a simulated crust or other portion made from a stretchable diaphragm adapted to be distended by air under pressure to simulate dough rising in an oven or other change which occurs in the appearance of food when it passes from an uncooked state to a cooked state.
US Patent References:
Liquid-display fountain
Stanford et al. - November 1930 - 1782944
Toy which simulates the percolating action of a percolator
Pearson, Jr. - July 1961 - 2991575
Percolator toys
Butler et al. - February 1963 - 3078607
Toy
Glass et al. - May 1963 - 3091051
Pneumatic toy stove and accessories
Palumbo et al. - September 1965 - 3205610
Liquid-display fountain
Stanford et al. - November 1930 - 1782944
Toy which simulates the percolating action of a percolator
Pearson, Jr. - July 1961 - 2991575
Percolator toys
Butler et al. - February 1963 - 3078607
Toy
Glass et al. - May 1963 - 3091051
Pneumatic toy stove and accessories
Palumbo et al. - September 1965 - 3205610
Inventors:
Hill, Allen D. (Manhattan Beach, CA)
Bass, Sidney (Los Angeles, CA)
Rich, Hubert A. (Westminister, CA)
Bass, Sidney (Los Angeles, CA)
Rich, Hubert A. (Westminister, CA)
Application Number:
05/417025
Publication Date:
11/12/1974
Filing Date:
11/19/1973
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Mattel, Inc. (Hawthorne, CA)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
446/481
International Classes:
A63H33/30; A63H33/30
Field of Search:
46/14,44,90,247,89 40/106.21,106.22
US Patent References:
Primary Examiner:
Mancene, Louis G.
Assistant Examiner:
Lever J. Q.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Shirk, Max E.
Claims:
What is claimed is
1. In combination with a pneumatic stove toy having an air outlet and means for supplying air under pressure to said outlet, a simulated food-cooking device comprising:
2. In combination with a pneumatic stove toy having an air outlet and means for supplying air under pressure to said outlet, a simulated food-cooking device comprising:
3. A combination as stated in claim 2 including a food-scented pad mounted inside said simulated food item, whereby a food scent will escape through said aperture with the air bleeding from said simulated food item.
4. In combination with a pneumatic stove toy having an air outlet and means for supplying air under pressure to said outlet, a simulated food-cooking device comprising:
5. An accessory as stated in claim 1 including valve means mounted in said pan for controlling the flow of air through said air inlet.
6. An accessory as stated in claim 1 wherein said diaphragm is decorated to simulate a pie.
1. In combination with a pneumatic stove toy having an air outlet and means for supplying air under pressure to said outlet, a simulated food-cooking device comprising:
2. In combination with a pneumatic stove toy having an air outlet and means for supplying air under pressure to said outlet, a simulated food-cooking device comprising:
3. A combination as stated in claim 2 including a food-scented pad mounted inside said simulated food item, whereby a food scent will escape through said aperture with the air bleeding from said simulated food item.
4. In combination with a pneumatic stove toy having an air outlet and means for supplying air under pressure to said outlet, a simulated food-cooking device comprising:
5. An accessory as stated in claim 1 including valve means mounted in said pan for controlling the flow of air through said air inlet.
6. An accessory as stated in claim 1 wherein said diaphragm is decorated to simulate a pie.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The background of the invention will be set forth in two parts.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention pertains generally to the field of pneumatic toy stove accessories and more particularly to a pneumatic, simulated food-cooking device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The prior art known to Applicant is listed by way of illustration, but not of limitation, in separate communications to the United States Patent Office.
The present invention exemplifies improvements over this prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a new and useful pneumatic toy stove accessory.
Another object of the invention is to provide a simulated food-cooking device including pump means for supplying fluid under pressure to the device.
According to the present invention, a pneumatic toy stove accessory is provided and includes a simulated food item having a fluid inlet means and a stretchable diaphragm. The diaphragm simulates uncooked food when in a relaxed condition and simulates cooked food when in a stretched condition. The accessory also includes means for connecting the fluid inlet means to a source of fluid under pressure.
The accessory is shown and described for purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, as a simulated pie-baking device in combination with a pneumatic stove toy having an air outlet and means for supplying air under pressure to the outlet.
The simulated pie-baking device includes a pan having an air inlet provided therein. A stretchable diaphragm covers the open-top portion of the pan and is decorated to simulate the crust of a pie.
The pan includes means for connecting its air inlet to the outlet on the stove toy for supplying air under pressure to the pan to distend the diaphragm is simulation of dough rising in an oven. An umbrella-type valve may be used, if desired, to control the flow of air into the pan and a very small aperture in the diaphragm prevents excessive pressure from building up in the pan. A fruit-scented pad may be placed in the pan to heighten the pie-baking illusion.
The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of use, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like elements in the several views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pneumatic toy stove accessory constituting a presently preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the accessory shown in FIG. 1; and
FIG. 6 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:
Referring again to the drawings, a pneumatic toy stove accessory constituting a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, generally designated 10, includes a pneumatic toy stove 12 having a front wall 14, a side wall 16 and a top wall 18. Top wall 18 is provided with suitable fluid outlet means which is shown herein for purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, as comprising an air-outlet orifice 20 (FIG. 2) having a substantially frusto-conical body portion 22 provided with an air-outlet aperture 24 communicating with an air inlet 26.
Accessory 10 also includes a conduit 28 having a first end 30 connected to air inlet 26 and a second end 32 connected to the outlet 34 of an air pump or blower 36. Blower 36 includes an impeller 38 having an input shaft 40 connected by a coupling 42 to the output shaft 44 on a small electric motor 46. The electric power for electric motor 46 may be supplied by a dry cell 48 resiliently held in place in a battery housing 50 by pressure between battery contact 52 and a resilient electrically-conductive member 54, which is mounted on a wall 65 of battery compartment 50 and which is operatively connected to motor 46 by a lead 58, and by pressure between the base 60 of dry cell 48 and a resiliently-mounted, electrically-conductive lug 62, which is mounted on stove wall 16 and which is operatively connected to motor 46 through a switch 64 and an electrical lead 66. Switch 64 may be slideably mounted in wall 16 and includes a slideable contact 68 engageable with a first metal strip 70, which is connected to lead 66. Blower 36 and motor 46 may be mounted in battery compartment 50 and are separated from battery 48 by a partition 74.
Referring now more in particular to FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6, accessory 10 also includes a simulated food item or prebaking device 76 including a pan 77 having a substantially flat bottom wall 78 from which a sparger ring 88 depends for engagement with body portion 22 of orifice means 20. Sparger ring 88 includes a plurality of apertures, like the ones shown at 90, 92, for admitting fluid under pressure to pan 77 from fluid-outlet aperture 24. Reverse flow of fluid from pan 77 may be prevented by an umbrella-type flapper valve 94 which is connected to bottom wall 78 by a stem 96 passing through an aperture 98 provided in sparger ring 88.
Device 76 also includes a thin, stretchable diaphragm 100, which may be suitably decorated to simulate a particular item of food, like the pie crust shown herein for purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, and which is adapted to close the open-top portion 101 (FIG. 6) of pan 77 so that pressure may build up therein and distend diaphragm 100 in simulation of dough rising under the influence of baking temperatures. An aperture 102 is provided in diaphragm 100 to prevent excessive pressure from building up in pan 77.
Diaphgram 100 may be made from a suitable thin (about 0.015 inches thick) rubber material and is provided with a plurality of peripherally spaced apertures 104 adapted to engage an associated one of the hexagonally-shaped pins 106 carried by a clamping ring 108 having a depending skirt 110 encompassing the open top 101 of pan 77. Pins 106 may be engaged in an associated one of the apertures 112 provided in an outwardly-extending flange 114 encompassing open top 101 as an integral part of pan 77. Flange 114 may be coated with a suitable adhesive before the diaphragm and ring assembly are placed thereon to seal the lower, peripheral edge 116 of diaphragm 100 to flange 114. If desired, a fruit-scented pad 118 may be placed in pan 77 so that the scent issuing from aperture 102 will heighten the illusion of a pie baking.
In use, switch 64 may be closed to complete a circuit to motor 46 which rotates impeller 38 causing air to flow through blower outlet 34, conduit 28, inlet 26, aperture 24, and sparger ring 88 into pan 77 so that puressure will build up in a pan 77 causing diaphragm 100 to distend in simulation of dough rising under the influence of heat. Air will also be bled from pan 77 through aperture 102 in diaphragm 100 to prevent excessive pressure from building up in pan 77 and to carry the scent from pad 110 to atmosphere.
While the particular pneumatic toy stove accessory herein shown and described in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims which form a part of this disclosure. Whenever the term "means" is employed in these claims, this term is to be interpreted as defining the corresponding structure illustrated and described in this specification or the equivalent of the same.
The background of the invention will be set forth in two parts.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention pertains generally to the field of pneumatic toy stove accessories and more particularly to a pneumatic, simulated food-cooking device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The prior art known to Applicant is listed by way of illustration, but not of limitation, in separate communications to the United States Patent Office.
The present invention exemplifies improvements over this prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a new and useful pneumatic toy stove accessory.
Another object of the invention is to provide a simulated food-cooking device including pump means for supplying fluid under pressure to the device.
According to the present invention, a pneumatic toy stove accessory is provided and includes a simulated food item having a fluid inlet means and a stretchable diaphragm. The diaphragm simulates uncooked food when in a relaxed condition and simulates cooked food when in a stretched condition. The accessory also includes means for connecting the fluid inlet means to a source of fluid under pressure.
The accessory is shown and described for purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, as a simulated pie-baking device in combination with a pneumatic stove toy having an air outlet and means for supplying air under pressure to the outlet.
The simulated pie-baking device includes a pan having an air inlet provided therein. A stretchable diaphragm covers the open-top portion of the pan and is decorated to simulate the crust of a pie.
The pan includes means for connecting its air inlet to the outlet on the stove toy for supplying air under pressure to the pan to distend the diaphragm is simulation of dough rising in an oven. An umbrella-type valve may be used, if desired, to control the flow of air into the pan and a very small aperture in the diaphragm prevents excessive pressure from building up in the pan. A fruit-scented pad may be placed in the pan to heighten the pie-baking illusion.
The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of use, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like elements in the several views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pneumatic toy stove accessory constituting a presently preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the accessory shown in FIG. 1; and
FIG. 6 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:
Referring again to the drawings, a pneumatic toy stove accessory constituting a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, generally designated 10, includes a pneumatic toy stove 12 having a front wall 14, a side wall 16 and a top wall 18. Top wall 18 is provided with suitable fluid outlet means which is shown herein for purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, as comprising an air-outlet orifice 20 (FIG. 2) having a substantially frusto-conical body portion 22 provided with an air-outlet aperture 24 communicating with an air inlet 26.
Accessory 10 also includes a conduit 28 having a first end 30 connected to air inlet 26 and a second end 32 connected to the outlet 34 of an air pump or blower 36. Blower 36 includes an impeller 38 having an input shaft 40 connected by a coupling 42 to the output shaft 44 on a small electric motor 46. The electric power for electric motor 46 may be supplied by a dry cell 48 resiliently held in place in a battery housing 50 by pressure between battery contact 52 and a resilient electrically-conductive member 54, which is mounted on a wall 65 of battery compartment 50 and which is operatively connected to motor 46 by a lead 58, and by pressure between the base 60 of dry cell 48 and a resiliently-mounted, electrically-conductive lug 62, which is mounted on stove wall 16 and which is operatively connected to motor 46 through a switch 64 and an electrical lead 66. Switch 64 may be slideably mounted in wall 16 and includes a slideable contact 68 engageable with a first metal strip 70, which is connected to lead 66. Blower 36 and motor 46 may be mounted in battery compartment 50 and are separated from battery 48 by a partition 74.
Referring now more in particular to FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6, accessory 10 also includes a simulated food item or prebaking device 76 including a pan 77 having a substantially flat bottom wall 78 from which a sparger ring 88 depends for engagement with body portion 22 of orifice means 20. Sparger ring 88 includes a plurality of apertures, like the ones shown at 90, 92, for admitting fluid under pressure to pan 77 from fluid-outlet aperture 24. Reverse flow of fluid from pan 77 may be prevented by an umbrella-type flapper valve 94 which is connected to bottom wall 78 by a stem 96 passing through an aperture 98 provided in sparger ring 88.
Device 76 also includes a thin, stretchable diaphragm 100, which may be suitably decorated to simulate a particular item of food, like the pie crust shown herein for purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, and which is adapted to close the open-top portion 101 (FIG. 6) of pan 77 so that pressure may build up therein and distend diaphragm 100 in simulation of dough rising under the influence of baking temperatures. An aperture 102 is provided in diaphragm 100 to prevent excessive pressure from building up in pan 77.
Diaphgram 100 may be made from a suitable thin (about 0.015 inches thick) rubber material and is provided with a plurality of peripherally spaced apertures 104 adapted to engage an associated one of the hexagonally-shaped pins 106 carried by a clamping ring 108 having a depending skirt 110 encompassing the open top 101 of pan 77. Pins 106 may be engaged in an associated one of the apertures 112 provided in an outwardly-extending flange 114 encompassing open top 101 as an integral part of pan 77. Flange 114 may be coated with a suitable adhesive before the diaphragm and ring assembly are placed thereon to seal the lower, peripheral edge 116 of diaphragm 100 to flange 114. If desired, a fruit-scented pad 118 may be placed in pan 77 so that the scent issuing from aperture 102 will heighten the illusion of a pie baking.
In use, switch 64 may be closed to complete a circuit to motor 46 which rotates impeller 38 causing air to flow through blower outlet 34, conduit 28, inlet 26, aperture 24, and sparger ring 88 into pan 77 so that puressure will build up in a pan 77 causing diaphragm 100 to distend in simulation of dough rising under the influence of heat. Air will also be bled from pan 77 through aperture 102 in diaphragm 100 to prevent excessive pressure from building up in pan 77 and to carry the scent from pad 110 to atmosphere.
While the particular pneumatic toy stove accessory herein shown and described in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims which form a part of this disclosure. Whenever the term "means" is employed in these claims, this term is to be interpreted as defining the corresponding structure illustrated and described in this specification or the equivalent of the same.