A Compound Multiplex Kaleidoscope.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Apr., 1897-Accepted, 3rd July, 1897
A Compound Multiplex Kaleidoscope.
I, WILLIAM REEVES of 124 Dwight Street in the City of New Haven in the
County of New Haven and State of Connecticut one of the United States of
America, Photographer, 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 kaleidoscopic or optical instruments creating and
exhibiting by reflection a variety of beautiful colors and symetrical forms from
translucent substances contained in them, and consists in the construction of a
compound disc for the kaleidoscope, formed of a series of sections or cells adapted
to come successively into range of the eye of the spectator, so that not only are
the designs in each section changing upon the rotation of the disc, but also the
different sections follow each other into view. The invention further consists of
clock mechanism for rotating the disc, under control of a coin deposited in a slot
or chute, together with other features fully described hereafter. The invention
is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the casing for my invention.
Fig. 2, a rear elevation of the same.
Fig. 3, a side elevation, with the side of the casing removed.
Fig. 4, a rear elevation with rear of casing removed.
Fig. 5, a vertical section on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.
Fig. 6, a detail rear view of the disc, and
Fig. 7, a top view of the same, both partly broken away.
Fig. 8, a detail view of one section or cell of the disc.
Fig. 9, a detail front elevation of the clock mechanism.
Fig. 10, a detail top view thereof.
In all figures similar letters of reference represent like parts.
In the drawings, 1 represents a casing, in the front 2, of which is an aperture 3,
having therein a lens 4. A slot 6 is also formed in the front 2, adapted for the
reception of the coin, communicating with an inclined chute 7, the mouth of which
is over the upper end of a vertical chute 8, with slotted sides 9. Beneath the
vertical chute 8 is a coin box 10 for the reception of the coin. On the same
horizontal plane with the aperture 3, in the front 2, is a ground glass window 11,
in the rear 12 of the casing, for the admission of light from an electric light 13,
the connection for which will be described hereafter.
Within the casing and attached to the front 2 thereof are, besides the chutes 7.
and 8, a coin-controlled lever 15, and clock mechanism 16, more fully described
hereafter.
To the side casing 20 is attached a plate 21, to which is secured a tripping-
lever 22 which has pivoted at one end a trip 23, more fully described hereafter.
Attached to the side-casings 20 and 24 is a support 25, and extending between the
casing 2 and support 25, and having bearings in both, is an axle 26, on which,
near the rear, is mounted the disc 27, of the kaleidoscope. The support 25 has a
notch 25 for engagement with a lug 24ª on the casing 24, and is pivoted at
TPQ77

page_text: 25 to the side 20 so that axle 26 may be easily removed. Supported on the front 2
of the casing, and on a transverse rod 28, secured to sides 20 and 24 of the casing
is a tube 29, shown triangular in cross-section, having on the three sides
of the interior, mirrors or reflecting surfaces 30 each inclined toward the others
at an angle. The axis of the tube is on a horizontal line between the centres of
the lens 4, and window 11.
The disc 27 is formed of two plates 31 and 32 of glass (each of said plates may
be formed of sections if desired) over the peripheries of which is fitted a cap 33
of any suitable material. The space between the two plates 31 and 32 forms the
cell for the various translucent substances which are placed therein to make the
combinations of color and design, and only a small portion of the disc is adapted
to be in range of the eye, i.c., between the end of the tube 29 and window 11,
at a time. The space between the plates of glass 31 and 32 is divided into
sections 33 formed by strips of metal 34 (bent as shown in Fig. 8), the inner sides of
which fit against a central core 19, between the two plates 31 and 32. The strips
of metal 34 are of sufficient width to fit between the plates of glass 31 and 32, and
form with them a series of enclosures or cells for the translucent substances.
(Fig. 7). On the outside of the plates 31 and 32 are blocks 14 of metal (Figs. 6
and 7), adjustably mounted on the axle 26 to hold the parts of the disc 27 together.
Within the sections 33 may be placed various translucentisubstances to form the
different combinations, each section holding a different combination or device from
the others, so that not only are the designs in each section changing upon the
rotation of the disc, but the different sections follow each other in succession
into the range of vision of the spectator looking through the tube 29. Moreover
each section may contain an entirely different class of substances from the others,
as for example one may contain substances all of one color, another all of one
design, etc.
i
The means for rotating the disc 27 and controlling the same by the coin falling
in the chute 8 is as follows. A gear 35 on the axle 26, meshes with a gear 36,
of the clock mechanism 16, attached to the front 2 of the casing, and which is
composed of gears 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 and 43, the gear 37 being connected with the
spring 41 and the gear 433 with the fly wheel 42. Secured to the plate 44 of the
clock mechanism is a flat spring 45, having a lateral projection 46, as shown in
Fig. 10.
On shaft 47, carrying gearing 36, is also rigidly mounted a wheel 49,
on the periphery of which are the notches 50 and 51, and lugs 52 and 53. On
a shaft 48 in the frame of clock mechanism 16 is a loosely mounted coiled spring 54,
one end of which bears against a rigid shaft 55, and the other end is secured
to a rod 56, secured to said shaft 48, and has its free end bent to form a hook 57.
A rod 58 is rigidly secured to shaft 48 and extends horizontally between the
supports of the clock mechanism, its free end 59 being adapted to enter the lateral
slots 9 in chute 8 (see Figs. 3 and 5). On the rod 58 is secured a lug 60 adapted
to engage with a stop pin 61 on the gear 40. The coin-controlled lever 15 is
pivoted at 62 to plate 63 to swing in a vertical plane. One end of lever 15 extends
through the lateral slots 9 in the chute 8, and is adapted to be depressed upon the
fall of the coin, while the other end of said lever 15, is adapted to engage with
the trip 23, and has a weight 64 to keep it in its normal position, as shown in
Figs. 4 and 5. Trip 23 is pivoted to tripping-lever 22, which is itself pivoted to
plate 21 to swing in a horizontal plane. The other end 65 of tripping-lever 22
is curved upward as shown in Fig. 5, and is adapted to be engaged by a rod 66
on the axle 26.
The connections with the electric light 13 consist of conductors 68 and 69, from
a battery or other power, one 68 to the plate 63, on which is supported coin-
controlled lever 15, the other 69 to the light 13. From the plate 21 a wire 70 also
extends to light 13. The circuit is made through wire 68 to plate 63 over the end
of lever 15 to trip 23, thence to plate 21, and to the light 13 by wire, 70, returning
by wire 69 to the battery, etc. The connection being continuous only so long as
the end of lever 15 is engaged by trip 23.

page_text: In the operation of my device, when a coin is pushed through the aperture 6
in the casing and falls through chute into the chute 8 it strikes the end 59 of
rod 58, which extends into the chute 8 and depresses the same, thereby forcing the
lug 60 from engagement with stop-pin 61 on the gear 40. The depression of rod 58
partially rotates shaft 48, and the rod 56, rigidly connected thereto, thus releasing
the hook end 57 of rod 56 from engagement with the notch 51 of wheel 49
(in which it is shown as resting), allowing the clock mechanism to be set in
motion and rotate the disc 27 by means of gear 35 on the axle 26. Upon the
further passage of the coin in the chute it strikes the coin-controlled lever 15
with
and depresses one end of the same, raising the other end of said lever to engage
trip 23, by which it is held in this position, and completes the electric light
circuit. When the disc has about completed its revolution the rod 66 on the axle 26
engages with the end 65 of tripping lever 22, so that trip 23 is forced inward
toward plate 21 until disengaged from the end of lever 15, when the end of lever 15
is swung into its original position by the weight 64 attached thereto, and
trip 23, by which it is held in this position, and completes the electric light
one end of which is secured to front of plate 21 with its free end bearing against
the rear of said trip.
In the clock mechanism 16, when the hook end 57 of rod 56 is released from the
notch 51, it is engaged by spring 45 from bearing against the wheel 49. As
the wheel 49 is revolved, lug 53 is adapted to press against the lateral projection 46
of the spring 45, and force the other end of spring 45 clear of the hook end 57
of rod 56, so that the end of said rod may be forced into notch 50 by means of
the coiled spring 54 to stop the clock mechanism and the rotation of the disc.
When the end 57 of rod 56 is forced into notch 50 by spring 54, shaft 48 is
revolved slightly, thus raising rod 58 to its normal position where lug 60 will
engage with stop-pin 61 en the gear 40. The end 59 of rod 58 is raised into its
normal position, and the machine ready to operate again, by a deposit of another
coin in the slct. As said rod 66 is so adjusted as to disengage the trip 23 from
lever 15, at the same time the clock mechanism is stopped, the electric light
circuit is broken as the disc completes its revolution.
It will be understood that the, details of my invention may be varied without
departing from the spirit thereof.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
Claim 1. In a kaleidoscope, the combination with a stationary tube provided
with reflecting surfaces on its interior faces; of a rotary disc for carrying
translucent substances, the axis of said tube meeting the disc at a point between
the centre and circumference, so that only a portion of the disc is within the range
of said tube at a time, substantially, as described.
Claim 2. In a kaleidoscope, the combination with a stationary tube provided
with reflecting surfaces on its interior faces; of a rotary dise having hollow
sections for carrying translucent substances, adapted to come successively within
range of said tube, upon the rotation of said disc, substantially as described.
Claim 3. In a kaleidoscope, the combination with a stationary tube provided
with reflecting surfaces on its interior faces; of a rotary disc constructed of two
plates and a series of sections fitting between said plates to form hollow cells for
translucent substances, said cells being adapted to come successively within
range of said tube upon the rotation of said disc, substantially as described.
Claim 4. In a kaleidoscope, the combination with a stationary tube provided
with reflecting surfaces on its interior faces; of a rotary disc having hollow
sections for carrying translucent substances; and mechanism for rotating said
disc so that said sections will come successively within range of said tube,
substantially as described.
Claim 5. In a kaleidoscope, the combination with a stationary tube provided

page_text: with reflecting surfaces on its interior faces; of a rotary disc having hollow
sections for carrying translucent substances, and adapted to
come within
range of said tube upon rotation of said disc; clock mechanism for rotating
said disc; means for checking said clock mechanism; a coin-controlled lever
adapted to disengage said checking means from said clock mechanism upon the
fall of the coin in a chute; and mechanism for retaining said checking means from
re-engaging with said clock mechanism during the rotation of said disc,
substantially as described.
Claim 6. In a kaleidoscope, the combination with a casing having an aperture
at one side, and a window on another side; of a tube, the axis of which is on a
line between said aperture and window, and which is provided with reflecting
surfaces on its interior faces; a rotary disc for carrying translucent substances
between one end of said tube and said window, the axis of said tube meeting said
disc at a point between the centre and circumference thereof, substantially as
described.
Claim 7. In a kaleidoscope, the combination with a stationary tube provided
with reflecting surfaces on its interior faces; of a rotary disc for carrying
translucent substances adapted to come successively within range of said tube
upon the rotation of said disc; mechanism for rotating said disc; means for
checking said mechanism upon the rotation of said disc; a coin-controlled lever
adapted to engage with a trip upon the fall of the coin in a chute; means for
disengaging said trip from said lever upon the rotation of said disc; and an
electric light, the electric connection for which forms a continuous circuit when
said lever is engaged with said trip, substantially as described.
Claim 8. In a kaleidoscope, the combination with a casing having an aperture.
at one side and a window on another side; a tube, the axis of which is on a line
between said aperture and window, and which is provided with reflecting surfaces
on its interior faces; a disc between one end of said tube and said window formed
of hollow sections for holding translucent substances and adapted upon the
rotation of said disc to come successively within range of said tube; clock
mechanism for rotating said disc; means for engaging with and checking said
clock mechanism, and disengaging therefrom upon the fall of the coin in a chute,
and held from re-engagement during the rotation of said disc; a coin-controlled
lever adapted to engage with a trip upon the fall of the coin in a chute; means
for disengaging said trip from said lever upon the rotation of said disc; an
electric light, the light from which is adapted to be received through said window,
and the electric connection for which forms a continuous circuit when said lever
and trip are held in engagement, substantially as described.
Claim 9. In a kaleidoscope, the combination with supports; of a stationary
tube provided with reflecting surfaces on its interior faces, mounted on said
supports; a plate pivoted to one support and adapted to engage with another having
bearings for a rotary axle; and a removable disc mounted on said axle and having
sections for carrying translucent substances adapted to come successively into
range with said tube, substantially as described.
Dated this 99nd dow of Anit 1907
WHITE & WOODINGTON,
27 Southampton Buildings, London, Agents.
WHITE & WOODINGTON,
27 Southampton Buildings, London, Agents.