Improvements in Mechanical Toys.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Apr., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 4th Jan., 1892-Accepted, 20th Feb., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mechanical Toys.
I, EDWARD STEPHENSON STURDY, of 19 Archer Street, West Hartlepool, in
the County of Durham, Clerk, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
This invention relates to that class of mechanical toys wherein a figure, such
as that of a man, climbs or crawls to the top of a vertical or inclined tubular
standard.
The object of this invention is to construct mechanical toys of this kind in such
a manner that they are cheaper in first cost, simpler in their parts, and therefore
less likely to get out of order than those heretofore made.
According to this invention the hands and feet or other parts of the figure to
which movement is to be imparted in imitation of the natural movements of the animal
represented, are pivotted to cross-bars or pins. These cross-bars or pins are affixed
to lugs passing through a longitudinal slit in the tube, which said lugs are attached to
independent cords, wires, chains, or the like working within the tubular standard
and passing over drums or bobbins arranged eccentrically on a shaft, so that the
cords, wires, chains, etc. are moved alternately thereby producing the alternating
motion of the arms, and legs, or other parts of the figure. To cause the figure to
climb or crawl to the top, the shaft may be actuated by means of a small crank or
winch handle, or by a spiral or other metal or elastic spring, or by means of a
bobbin on which a string is wound and quickly withdrawn as in the act of spinning
a top. The weight of the figure will cause it to descend to the bottom of the tube
again.
Dated this 11th day of April 1891.
CASTLE SMITH,
Invention Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mechanical Toys.
I, EDWARD STEPHENSON STURDY 79 York Road West Hartlepool Durham
Clerk do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
This invention relates to that class of mechanical toys wherein a figure, such
as that of a man, climbs or crawls to the top of a vertical or inclined tubular
standard.
The object of this invention is to construct mechanical toys of this kind in such
manner that they are cheaper in first cost, simpler in their parts, and therefore less
likely to get out of order than those heretofore made.
According to this invention the hands and feet or other parts of the figure to
which movement is to be imparted in imitation of the natural movements of the
animal represented, are pivoted to cross bars, or pins. These cross bars or pins
are affixed to lugs passing through a longitudinal slit in the tube, which said lugs
are attached to independent cords, wires, chains, or the like working within the
tubular standard and passing over drums or bobbins arranged excentrically on a
shaft so that the cords, wires chains etc. are moved alternately thereby producing
the alternate motion of the arms, and legs or other parts of the figures. To cause
TDi Q77

page_text: the figure to climb or crawl to the top, the druuns may be actuated by means of a
small crank or winch handle, or by a spiral or other metal or elastic spring, or by
means of a bobbin on which a string is wound and quickly withdrawn as in the act
of spinning a top. The weight of the figure will cause it to descend to the bottom
of the tube again.
Referring to the annexed drawings:
Fig. 1. is a sectional side elevation of my invention.
Fig. 2. is a front elevation of the excentric drums.
Two drums a & a are excentrically arranged on a spindle which terminates in
a suitable handle or crook on the exterior of the base c. This base supports a
hollow shaft or pole d having a longitudinal slot throughout its length. Two
cords e and are attached to the drums a & a¹. These cords pass over pulleys f
at the top of the pole & are then attached to the arms g and legs respectively
of the figure the limbs of which are moveably pivoted together. When the
drums are revolved the figure is raised, the arms and legs moving alternately owing
to the excentric action of the drums, as when one cord is at its, (the drum's,)
longest axis, the other cord is at the shortest axis of the other drum.
In this way a life like or natural motion is given to the figure owing to the
alternate action of the arms and legs of same, while ascending or descending the
shaft or pole. If desired I may attach a clock or coil spring or its equivalent to
one end of the axis, so that when the figure is at its lowest position the spring is
wound up and upon releasing the figure the same will ascend owing to the action
of the spring the act of moving the figure to its lowest position will rewind or
compress the spring. Any convenient form of brake may be employed to regulate
the speed of the ascent of the figure such as a friction cord passing around the
spindle & projecting through the base or casing.
j
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
In toys of the class herein described, the construction and arrangement of the
excentric drums mounted on a spindle in combination with cords attached to same
passing over pulleys attached to a hollow shaft, and operating the arms and legs of
à figure which ascends the pole by the winding of the cords on the said drums with
or without a coil spring equivalent, substantially as described herein.
Dated this 31st day of December 1891.
E. EATON, C.E., M.S.A.,
Patent Agent for Applicant.