Year: 1888

page_text: We. GEORGE COLE, of 13 and 15 Finsbury Street in the City of London, Toy
Manufacturer, and FREDERICK JEWELL of 11 Dennetts Grove, Dennetts Road,
Peckham, in the County of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to he performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:—
Our invention relates more particularly to improvements upon certain inventions
for which one of us the said Frederick Jewell made application for Letters Patent
dated the 17th day of May 1888 No. 7338, and both of us made a similar application
dated the 2nd day of October 1888 No. 14,190 but our present invention is also
applicable to other classes of tops than those therein referred to.
The object of our present invention is by means of a simple device and at a slight
additional cost to render musical tops capable of producing a variety of changes in the
selection of notes forming musical chords or combinations at the will of the
performer.
For this purpose, and as heretofore proposed, we form the top hollow, or with a
cavity therein, and we introduce into such cavity a plate carrying several vibrating
reeds so as to form musical chords or combinations and we pierce the top above the
reed plate with a number of vertical holes.
We form in the sides of the top below the reed plates several horizontal holes
channels or conduits preferably arranged at a tangent but they might traverse the top
radially from the vertical axis thereof so that in the revolution of the top a current or
currents of air will be drawn in at the upper holes and will pass through the reed slots
thus vibrating the reeds and will thence pass out by the horizontal holes or conduits
and thus produce a musical sound during the revolution of the top.
Now according to our present invention we arrange beneath, or it might be above,
the reed plate, a loose plate or disc formed of paper, wood, metal, or other suitable
material of the necessary degree of lightness, and slotted or perforated in manner
according to the effect desired to be produced and we cause this loose slotted disc to be
normally held in contact with the reed plate by means of a spring or equivalent device
when arranged below the reed plate or by its own gravity or by the gravity of a

page_text: weight acting thereon when arranged above the reed plate and we preferably form the
paper or other disc with vanes projecting vertically therefrom for the purpose of
retarding the rotary motion of the loose disc at the times desired as hereinafter
explained.
The loose slotted-dise is so arranged in relation to the reel plate that by a sudden
vertical movement given to the top itself or to a vertically moveable spindle acting to
release such slotted disc (in some cases whilst the top is spinning and in other cases by
the act of spinning the top according to the particular arrangement of parts employed
and the class of top to which the invention is applied), such loose slotted disc may be
caused momentarily to move away from and out of contact with the reed plate when
nided by the vertical vanes upon such loose dise the momentum or rotary motion
thereof will be slightly retarded but without materially checking the momentum of
the top thus changing the position of its slots in relation to those of the reed plate so
that upon its returning to its normal position in contact with the reed plate a different
set or combination of reeds will be brought into action thus changing the musical
chord or sounds.
It is important that in all cases the necessary degree of lightness of the disc should
he preserved as far as possible otherwise the rotary momentum thereof might become
too sustained to allow of the disc being retarded or checked in the manner required.
And in order that the said invention may be more clearly understood and readily
carried into effect we will proceed aided by the accompanying Drawings more fully to
describe the same.

page_text: Figure 24 represents a vertical section of a musical throw-down peg-top of a similar
modified construction.
Figure 25 represents a part vertical section of a musical "captive" or other peg-top
illustrating a modified construction of loose disc.
Figure 26 is an edge view of the loose disc separately and,
Figure 27 is a similar view representing a further modification in the construction
of the loose disc.
Figure 28 represents a vertical section of a musical whipping-top of similar modified
construction.
Figure 29 represents a top of the humming-top class of similar modified construction.
Figures 30 and 31 are detail views at right angles to each other and drawn to an
enlarged scale.
66
Figure 32 is a part vertical section illustrating a modification, and Figure 33
represents a vertical section of a portion of a captive" peg-top of modified
construction.
In all the figures of the drawings like parts are indicated by similar letters of
reference.
Referring to Figures 1 to 6 which represent a "captive" musical peg-top, a represents
the body of the top which according to the drawing is assumed to be formed of box-
wood but which may be formed of other kinds of wood or of metal and represents
the "crown of the top which is preferably formed of metal.
The body a of the top is formed with a cavity or chamber a therein in which is
fitted the reed plate e carrying a number of vibrating reeds working in slots c
arranged radially around the axis of the top and tuned to produce different notes.
The crown of the top, and the reed plate e, are fixed in position preferably by
means of a central pin e screwing into the body a of the top and formed with a
shoulder or enlargement el bearing upon a washer interposed between it and the
crown", by which means the parts are firmly bound together, or the “ crown band
reed plate e might be otherwise secured to the body a of the top.
58
::
Upon the upper part of the pine is swivelled a bale e to which is fixed one end
of the spinning string e as is usual in this class of tops and such bale e is held in
place by means of the enlarged head e² of the pin e.
The crown which serves as a guard or protector to the reeds is formed with
a number of vertical holes therethrough in order to admit a current or currents of
air to the reeds c¹ and sucli "crown “¿ is” so proportioned and arranged as to leave a
small air space or chamber a³, between its underside and the reed plate c.
A number of horizontal holes, conduits, or channels af are formed through the sides
of the body a of the top and lead from the cavity or chamber a' beneath the reed
plate e through the body a of the top to the outside thereof so that in the revolution
of the top a current of air will be induced as hereinafter explained.
These holes, conduits, or channels a, are preferably arranged at a tangent to the
vertical axis of the top but they might be caused to radiate therefrom.
Beneath the reed plate is arranged a loose plate or disc d formed of paper,
wood, metal or other suitable material of the necessary degree of lightness, but
preferably of paper as represented in the figures to which reference is now had, and
it is provided with a central hole d¹, through which passes the pin e which is capable
of freely turning therein at the times desired.
This loose disc d is formed with a number of slots or perforations d therein
arranged according to the effect desired to be produced and it is provided with several
vanes or blades 3 projecting vertically and downwardly from the face and radiating
from the centre or axis thereof for the purpose of retarding the rotary motion of the
dise at the times desired as hereinafter explained.
Beneath the loose disc d and mounted with capability of freely turning and
rising and falling upon the pin e, is a weight or follower g and this weight is
normally forced upwards by means of a coiled spring hiaking an abutment at its
lower end against the body of the top, a loose washer being interposed between

page_text: the loose disc d and weight or follower in order to prevent friction as much as
possible.
By these means the loose disc d is normally held in contact with the reed plate c
and thus acts to close or stop such of the slots of the reed plate e as do not for the
time being coincide with the slots d of the loose disc d.
:5
When the top is set in motion in the ordinary manner a current of air will be
drawn in through the holes in the crown bit will then pass through
such of the slots of the reed plate c as are not obstructed by the loose dise d
vibrating the reeds c' in its passage and into the cavity or chamber beneath the
reed plate e, and will finally be drawn out through the holes, conduits, or channels a*
in the body a.
This position of the parts will give effect to one musical combination of notes but in
order to bring about a change therein the top which is usually held suspended by the
string whilst spinning should be jerked or have a sudden vertical movement or a
suddenly arrested vertical movement given thereto whereby the weight or follower g
will, by reason of its inertia or momentum according to the manner in which the
required movement is given to the top, overcome and compress the spring and allow
the loose dise & momentarily to move away from and out of contact with the reed
plate when aided by the vertical vanes de offering an extended surface to the
current or currents of air passing through the top the rotary momentum of the loose
disc d will be slightly retarded but without appreciably checking the momentum of the
top thus changing the positions of its slots d² in relation to those of the reed
plate e so that upon the spring again exerting its influence and returning the loose
disc d to its normal position in contact with the reed plate c, a different set or com-
bination of reeds will be brought into action thus changing the musical chord or
combination.
By these means a succession of musical changes or combinations may be brought
about without the necessity for respinning the top and without checking or materially
checking its momentum thus enabling the performer to produce most surprising and
pleasing effects.
The throw-down peg-top represented at Figure 7 is substantially the same as that
hereinbefore described but in his case the concussion consequent upon throwing the
top upon the ground in the act of spinning or taking it up in the hand and throwing
it up and catching it on the hand again or allowing it to fall upon the ground
whilst spinning depresses the weight or follower and brings about the desired.
change in the position of the loose disc d.
In the modification represented at Figures 8 and 9 the follower is formed
materially lighter and the disc d and connected parts are formed of nietal or other
rigid material partly forming in itself a weight and upon the upper surface of the
dised is cemented a film of paper or other suitable material which is slotted to
correspond with the disc d and forms a spitable packing between it and the reed
plate c.
In the modified form of disc represented at Figure. 10 the disc and connected
parts are formed of paper or other similar light material and a central boss ** of
metal or other suitable material is cemented or otherwise fixed to the underside of
such disc d and partly forms the weight necessary to compress the spring h.
At Figures 11 and 12 is represented a "captive "peg-top of similar construction
to that hereinbefore described except that in this example the spring his dispensed
with and the weight of the top is caused to normally keep the loose disc d in contact
with the reed plate c.
22
In this case a tubular spindle formed with a flange or enlargement el at the upper
end thereof at its lower end screws into the body a of the top and thus acts to
retain the crown and reed plate c in position. The pine passes down through
such tube with capability of endway movement therein and is furnished at its lower
end with a cross pin e whose ends work through slots,, formed in the tubular
spindle and support the weighted boss d** or it might be a separate follower of the
loose disc d so that whilst the top is held suspended by the stringe the loose disc d

page_text: will be held in contact with the reed plate c but upon a sudden vertical
movement being given to the top as hereinbefore described or upon its being
momentarily allowed to rest upon the ground the loose disc d will be moved out of
contact with the reed plate c in the manner desired in which position it is represented
in the Drawing.
The whipping-top represented at Figure 13 is in all essential particulars, of precisely
similar construction to the peg-top shown at Figure 7 and the necessary movements of
the loose disc d are brought about very much in the same manner, that is to say,
by the sudden vertical or jumping movements given to the top in the ordinary
manner of spinning it by whipping.
The top represented at Figures 14 15 and 16 is of the humming-top class that is
to say, it is a hollow metal top spun by means of a length of string wound around the
neck or barrel &* and suddenly drawn off by one hand thus giving the required rotary
movement to the top during which time it is held by the other hand aided by the
moveable handle which is formed with a recess therein to receive the tubular
spindle i.
°
In this example a fixed tubular spindle i, and vertically moveable pine and co-acting
parts somewhat similar to those represented with respect to Figure 11 are employed
but in this case the loose disc is itself weighted in the manner shown at Figure 9
and a follower formed with a hole therethrough to receive the cross pine of the pin e.
is acted upon by a spring to keep the loose disc d normally in contact with the
reed plate e and by the momentary pressure of the finger upon the head e2 of the pin e
to displace the loose disc d and produce the desired change in its position.
"
In the foregoing examples the current of air enters the top at its "crown and
passes out at its periphery after vibrating the reeds in the desired manner but at
Figure 17 is shown an example wherein the direction of the air current is reversed,
that is to say, it enters at the lower part of the top and passes out at its periphery
and in this case it is necessary to place the reeds c' below their plate c as shown,
instead of above, and to protect them in the manner shown and described with respect
to figures 22 and 23.
In the various examples hereinbefore given the loose disc d is arranged beneath the
reed plate e but it is evident that such position may be reversed and the loose dise
may be placed above the reed plate, provided that suitable modifications are made in
some of the parts.
We prefer the arrangement of parts hereinbefore described as it is more certain in
its action but as in some cases more especially for the sake of cheapness
might be
desirable to employ such modified arrangement we will now proceed to describe its
application to the several classes of tops hereinhefore represented.
The first necessity of this modified arrangement is that when the reeds are placed
above the reed plate they should in some manner be protected and to this end a metal
plate e formed with slots e coincident with but larger than those e² in the reed plate c
is soldered or otherwise fixed thereto; or the reeds might be otherwise recessed or
protected.
"
The radial vanes or plates d rise vertically from the loose disc d and a tubular or
it might be any other suitable form of stop 2 descends from the crown band
"band
prevents the vanes 3 of the loose disc d coming into contact with the " crown
the spring his dispensed with.
The above features are common to all the figures from 18 to 32 but we will now
describe the several points of difference.
In figures 18 to 24 the loose disc d and its connected parts are formed entirely of
paper or some similar light material and a follower or weight 9 and washer f
mounted loosely upon the pin e assist by their gravity to keep the loose disc d in
contact with the reed plate c.
At Figures 25 and 26 the loose disc d is assumed to be formed of metal or other
rigid material faced with paper or other suitable material, and it is provided with a
loose weight or follower and washer described with respect to the previous
figures.

page_text: Another form of loose disc is shown at Figure 27 in which examples the disc d
and its connected parts are formed of paper or other suitable light material, and a
metal or other heavy boss d** constructed to loosely fit the spindle e, is cemented or
otherwise fixed to the upper surface thereof in order to supply the necessary weight.
The whipping-top represented at Figure 28 is provided with a loose disc d formed
entirely of paper or other similar light material and kept in contact with the reed
plate by means of a separate weight a follower g and a washer similar to the
arrangement shown and described with respect to Figure 18.
The action of these modified forms of tops is similar to that described with respect
to the previous figures, that is to say, a sudden vertical movement given to the top in
the act of, or during, the spinning thereof causes the loose disc d to be momentarily
displaced from the reed plate e when the position of the loose disc d will be changed in
relation to the reed plate as hereinbefore explained.
The tops represented at Figures 29, 30, 31, and 32, are similar to those shown and
described with respect to Figures 14, 15, 16, and 17, but in the present examples in
consequence of the loose disc d being disposed above the reed plate c it is necessary
by momentarily touching the pin e to lift instead of depress it in order to bring
about the necessary change in the position of the loose disc d.
In these examples the loose disc d'and its connected parts are formed of metal or
other solid material and the dise is faced with paper or other suitable material and
provided with a heavy boss d** made to loosely fit the tubular spindle
and formed
with an annular recess *** io receive the ends of the cross pin of the vertical
pin e.
C.
captive" peg-top
At Figure 33 we have represented a modified construction of "
furnished with a loose slotted disc d located above the reed plate
In this arrangement the "crown" is held in place by means of a shoulder e¹ of a
tubular slotted spindle which at its lower end screws into the body of the top in a
similar manner to that shown at Figure 11 but the loose disc is normally held in
contact with the reed plate e by means of a spring which at one end takes an
abutment against the ". crown "and at the other end acts upon a collar fixed by a
cross pine passing through slots to the vertically moveable pin e and pressing such
collar upon the reed plate e with the loose disc d between.
A small disc or collar e fixed by a cross pin e to the pin e passing through slots /
below the reed plate c and of such diameter that it will pass through the central hole
of the reed plate c but not through that of the loose disc d acts to raise the loose disc d
off the reed plate e at the times desired.
The action of this device is as follows:-
The spring is of sufficient strength to hold the loose disc din contact with the
reed plate e that is to sustain the entire weight of the top when the top is suspended
by the string whilst spinning but upon a sudden vertical or jerking movement being
given to the top the spring will be compressed by the inertia of or the impulse given
to the top and the collar e will then free the loose disc d from the reed plate e and
admit of the retarding action thereof as hereinbefore explained.
It will be evident that the various forms of loose disc d herein shown and
described may be employed in connection with any description of top combining
the within described improvements to which they are applicable.
Although throughout this specification the loose discs have been shown and
described as formed with blades or vanes ³ projecting vertically from the face
thereof we would have it known that it is possible to obtain an effect by the
employment of a plain slotted dise unprovided with such vanes but our experiments
have shown that discs thus constructed are not so certain or efficient in their action
as those herein shown and described and we therefore prefer the latter.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The improvements in musical tops substantially as herein shown and described.

page_text: 2. A musical top furnished with a reed plate formed with a number of slots
therein, fitted with vibrating reeds, a loose slotted dise, arranged to close some of
the reed slots leaving others open and normally held in contact with the reed plate
by means of a spring or its equivalent or by gravity and capable of being moved
inomentarily out of contact with the reed plate whilst the top continues to revolve in
order to change the position of the slots of the loose disc in relation to those of the
reed plate, such top being provided with suitable holes or conduits to convey a current
of air to and from the vibrating reeds, all in manner substantially as herein shown
and described and for the purpose stated.
3. A musical top furnished with a reed plate formed with a number of slots therein
fitted with vibrating reeds, a loose slotted dise formed or provided with a number of
projecting vanes or blades and arranged to close some of the reed slots leaving others
open and normally held in contact with the reed plate by means of a spring or its
equivalent, or by gravity, and capable of being moved momentarily out of contact with
the reed plate whilst the top continues to revolve in order to change the positions of
the slots of the loose dise in relation to those of the reed plate, such top being provided
with suitable holes or conduits to convey a current of air to and from the vibrating
reeds, all in manner substantially as herein shown and described and for the purpose
stated.
4. A musical top furnished with a reed plate e formed with a number of slots c²
therein fitted with vibrating reeds c', a loose slotted disc d arranged to close some of
the reed slots leaving others open, and normally held in contact with the reed
plate e by means of a spring through the medium of a loose weight or follower g
and preferably a washer and capable of being moved momentarily out of contact
with the reed plate whilst the top continues to revolve by a sudden or suddenly
arrested vertical movement given to the top which has the effect of causing the
loose weight. g, more or less aided by the loose disc d, according to its construction,
to compress the spring and momentarily free the loose disc d from the reed
plate c, thus slightly retarding it, whereby the positions of the slots d of the loose
dise will be changed in relation to those c³ of the reed plate.c, such top being
provided with suitable holes or conduits a' and 'to convey a current of air to and
from the vibrating reeds c', all in manner substantially as herein shown and described
with respect to Figures 1 to 8 and 13.
5. A musical top of the character herein described furnished with a loose slotted
disc d formed of paper or other similar material, or of metal or other rigid material,
and provided with a facing d* of paper or other suitable material, constructed, arranged,
and acting in manner substantially as herein shown and described.
6. A musical top of the character herein described furnished with a loose slotted
disc formed of paper or other similar material, or of metal or other rigid material,
and provided with projecting vanes №³ and a facing d* of paper, or other suitable
material, constructed, arranged, and operating in manner substantially as herein shown
and described.
7. A musical top consisting of a "captive" peg-top furnished with a reed plate c,
formed with a number of slots therein, fitted with vibrating reeds c', a loose slotted
disc d, arranged to close some of the reed slots e² leaving others open, and normally
held in contact with the reed plate c by means of a cross pin e of the vertical moveable
pine, whilst the top is held suspended by the string and capable of being
momentarily moved or allowed to move out of contact with the reed plate e whilst the
top continues to revolve, by giving a sudden vertical or jerking movement to the top
or by allowing it momentarily to rest upon the ground, thus freeing and slightly
retarding the loose slotted dised and changing the positions of its slots in relation
to those c² of the reed plate c, such top being provided with suitable holes or conduits a¹
and to convey a current of air to and from the vibrating reeds c', all in manner
substantially as herein shown and described with respect to Figures 11 and 12.
8. A musical top furnished with a reed plate c, or compound reed plate c, c³, formed
with a number of slots c² therein fitted with countersunk vibrating reeds c', a loose
slotted disc d located above the reed plate c, arranged to close some of the.reed slots c

page_text: leaving others open and normally held in contact with the reed plate c by gravity,
aided or not by a loose plate y, limited in its upward movement by a stop 2. and
capable of being momentarily moved out of contact with the reed plate e, whilst the
top continues to revolve by giving a sudden, or suddenly arrested, vertical or jerking
movement to the top, thus freeing and slightly retarding the loose slotted disc d, and
thereby changing the positions of its slots d², in relation to those of the reed
plate such top being provided with suitable holes or conduits a' and to convey a
current of air to and from the vibrating reeds e, all in manner substantially as herein
shown and described with respect to Figures 18 to 28.
9. A musical top of the character hereinbefore described, furnished with a reed
plate c, formed with slots c therein, fitted with vibrating reeds, e, protected by a
slotted covering or countersinking plate, all in manner substantially as herein shown
and described with respect to Figures 22 and 23.
.f
10. A musical top consisting of a captive" peg-top furnished with a reed plate c.
or compound reed plate e, c³, formed with a number of slots therein, fitted with
counter sunk vibrating reeds e a loose slotted dised located above the reed plate c,
arranged to close some of the reed slois c. leaving others open, and normally held in
contact with the reed plate e by means of a spring, acting upon a pin e, fixed to the
vertically moveable spindle e, and capable of being momentarily freed from the reed
plate e by a sudden vertical movement of the pin e, in relation to the top, or of the top
in relation to the pin e, compressing the spring and causing the pin e' to raise the
loose disc d, slightly retarding its rotary momentum and thereby changing the positions
of its slots 3 in relation to those 2, of the reed plate c, such top being provided with
suitable holes or conduits a b' to convey a current of air ro and from the vibrating
reeds c, all in manner substantially as herein shown and described with respect to
Figure 33.
11. A musical top furnished with a reed plate c, or à compound reed plate c,.,
formed with a number of slots therein, fitted with vibrating reeds c, a loose slotted
disc d, located above or below the reed plate c, arranged to close some of the reed
slots, leaving others open, and normally held in contact with the reed plate 'e by
gravity, or by a spring h, its upward movement being limited by a stop 2, and capable
of being momentarily moved out of contact with the reed plate e, whilst the top
continues to revolve, by giving a sudden vertical upward or downward movement to a
vertically moveable pin e, which by a cross pin e, projecting through a slot of a
tubular spindle, acts to free the loose disc d from the reed plate c, thus slightly
retarding its rotary momentum and thereby changing the positions of its slots ²,
relation to those 2, of the reed plate c, such top being provided with suitable holes or
conduits a and b, to convey a current of air to and from the vibrating reeds e, all in
manner substantially as herein shown and described with respect to Figures 14, 15,
16, 17, 29, 30, 31 and 32.
Dated this 31st day of October 1888.
in
GEORGE COLE.
FREDERICK JEWELL
By White & Woodington,
27, Southampton Buildings,
Agents.