TRANSFER MECHANISM INTENDED FOR USE IN TOYS

摘要

A toy in which so-called "ball people" -- figurines which are capable of rolling along an inclined surface -- are transferred from one location to another in such a way as to amuse a child can be constructed so as to include a composite of several transfer mechanisms serving as a unitary transfer mechanism. The disclosed toy includes a more or less tubular tower which extends upwardly from a base. A threaded shaft extends upwardly through the tower. A carrier is located within the tower and is mounted in such a way that as the shaft is rotated the carrier is capable of lifting a figurine from adjacent to a lower or receiving opening to an upper or discharge opening. An inclined chute is provided on the tower so as to receive such a figurine and transport it to a pickup location. An arm mounted upon the upper end of the shaft carries a holder which is rotatable with respect to the tower. When the holder is opposite the pickup location a figurine at the pickup location is taken onto the holder and is rotated to another location where a trap door in the bottom of the holder is opened so that the figurine can be deposited on a runway from which it can be transported away from the transfer mechanism.