IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SPINNING Tops
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Theodor Eckhardt, of 32, Aldermanbury, in the City of
London, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SPINNING
Tops." A communication from abroad by John C. Johnson, of Springfield,
Vermont. in the United States of America.
Sealed the 27th December 1879, and dated the 9th July 1879.
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION, left by the said Theodor Eckhardt at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th July 1879.
'IMPROVE-
THEODOR ECKHARDT, of 32, Aldermanbury, in the City of London.
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SPINNING TOPS." [A communication from abroad by
John C. Johnson, of Springfield, Vermont, in the United States of America.]
This Invention has for. its object improvements in apparatus for spinning tops.
A very usual way of spinning tops is by means of a string wound many times
round the stem which is inserted through holes in the two arms of a split handle.
The objections to this method are, that the operation of winding the string round
the stem takes a considerable time, and that unless this is done.with some care a
successful result is not obtained.
According to this Invention the string is only wound once round the stem and
the necessary tension is given to the string by passing it through a friction appa-
ratus, by preference merely a slot or groove in the head of a button.
In order to spin the top it is only necessary to pass the stem through a hole in
the handle, which need not be split, lay the string in the groove, and wind it once
round the stem. When the string is pulled, the top being between the friction
apparatus and the hand, the tension of the string will be sufficient to get a good
nip on the stem of the top and prevent any slipping. Thus if the string is pulled
hard enough to make it gradually slip through the friction apparatus the top will
be rotated, and when all the string has been drawn through, the top will free,
itself from the handle and spin in the same way as when the ordinary handle is
employed,
One great advantage which is gained by this apparatus is that two, three, or
more tops can be spun simultaneously with only one handle and one string, which
would be very difficult if not impossible with the ordinary apparatus. To do this
it is only necessary to have a series of holes, one for each top, the string is wound
in succession once round the stem of each top, and when the end of the string is
pulled all the tops will be spun simultaneously.
The friction button may be fixed in the handle in such a manner that it may be
turned when required, and so vary the angle through which the string is bent in
passing along the groove, thereby regulating the amount of friction.

page_text: ESPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Theodor Eckhardt in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th January
-1880.-
THEODOR ECKHARDT, of 32, Aldermanbury, in the City of London.
" IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SPINNING TOPS.' (A communication from abroad by
John C. Johnson, of Springfield, Vermont, in the United States of America.)
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus for spinning tops.
A very usual way of spinning tops is by means of a string wound many times
round the stem which is inserted through holes in the two arms of a split handle.
The objections to this method are, that the operation of winding the string round
the stem takes a considerable time, and that unless this is done with some care a
successful result is not obtained.
According to this Invention the string is only wound once round the stem and
the necessary tension is given to the string by passing it through a friction appa-
ratus, by preference merely a slot or groove in the head of a button.
In order to spin the top it is only necessary to pass the stem through a hole in
the handle, which need not be split, lay the string in the groove, and wind it once
round the stem. When the string is pulled, the top being between the friction
apparatus and the hand, the tension of the string will be sufficient to get a good
nip on the stem of the top and prevent any slipping. Thus if the string is pulled
hard enough to make it gradually slip through the friction apparatus the top will
be rotated, and when all the string has been drawn through the top will free
itself from the handle and spin in the same way as when the ordinary handle is
employed.
One great advantage which is gained by this apparatus is that two, three, or
more tops can be spun simultaneously with only one handle and one string, which
would be very difficult if not impossible with the ordinary apparatus.
To do this it is only necessary to have a series of holes, one for each top, the
string is wound in succession once round the stem of each top, and when the end of
the string is pulled all the tops will be spun simultaneously.
The friction button may be fixed in the handle in such a manner that it may be
turned when required, and so vary the angle through which the string is bent in
passing along the groove, thereby regulating the amount of friction.
The Invention is illustrated by the Drawings annexed.
What I claim is,―
First. Apparatus for spinning tops consisting of a handle suitably formed to
receive the stem of the top, and having upon it also a string holder, such as to
oppose sufficient resistance to the string being drawn away.
Second. Apparatus for simultaneonsly spinning several tops, substantially as
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Theodor Eckhardt, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-second day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
THEODOR ECKHARDT. (L.S.)