Improvements in Folding or Collapsible Model or Toy Buildings or Structures.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Feb., 1894-Accepted, 21st Apr., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Folding or Collapsible Model or Toy Buildings or
Structures.
A communication from EUGEN FRIEDRICH FRIESE, Publisher, and JESKO LEO
CONSTANTIN VON PUTTKAMER, Publisher, both of 15, Johann-Georgen-
Allee, Dresden, Empire of Germany.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, 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:-
The folding model or toy buildings which are the subject of this invention,
contrary to the similar toys which have no use and serve no purpose apart from
attractive appearance, represent and constitute a game or amusement which is in
itself an occupation. The toys referred to consist of a number of separate articles
or objects, ranged one behind the other, but flat in themselves; whereas those
constructed according to this invention are really models of solid appearance
possessing form and substance, and without any reverse side. The former, in a
certain manner, present only an apology for relief, while the latter give its actual
realisation and presentment. The former, by the association and union of parts
which go to make the so-called raised or elevated pictures, have developed into
books; the latter enable my correspondents to give perfect representations in wood,
paste-board, or papier-maché, of the costly, troublesome and spacious fortresses,
houses and buildings of cities, as they exist, and, like them, supply a genuine
occupation, in the form of an amusement or game.
In
The application of this invention which in the accompanying drawings by way
of example is intended to represent a railway station as the central idea of a
proposed game with railway-carriages, waggons, omnibuses, human figures etc., ‘and
thus, as already stated, to lay the foundation and furnish the stage or scene for an
actual game to be played, not merely something to be looked at and admired.
a similar manner, my correspondents have it in contemplation to develop a street,
busy with traffic of all kinds, barracks with soldiers of all arms and more of the
same kind. The models fold up after the manner of a pocket-map or plan, a
folding panorama, a "Leporello" album and the like; they may be joined at one
end to a book-cover with a view to their being folded inside the same; or also
joined to the bottom of a box or case.
The former is supposed to be the case in the accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 is a general perspective view of the folding model, and Figures 2 and 3
cross sections showing the nature and method of the folding devices.
On one edge of the book-cover which is provided with a hinge or flexible joint a,
is fixed (by means of a linen or equivalent strip) the vertical wall B, consisting
of several leaves or sections b also united to each other. by hinge-joints. To the
lower edge of B are similarly attached, on both sides, with hinge-joints the leaves
or sections c of the ground C which are likewise jointed together by hinges. Thus
a structure or framework is formed, in the shape of an inverted T in cross-section
(Figure 2) which forms the skeleton of the building. The side-walls d of the
finished building are hinged together and to the leaves or sections c and the roofs d

page_text: are also hinged together and to the leaves or sections b. The necessarily greater
breadth of the roof-sections d' as compared with the ground sections enclosed
between the vertical sections band d consequent on and proportionate to their
inclined position, would prevent the proper folding of the parts together, the one
over the other, but for the provision of an extra folding joint at d² (Figures 2
and 3). By means of this additional fold, the entire structure collapses in the
form and position shown in Figure 3 in section (somewhat after the fashion of an
umbrella frame). In point of length d and d' must correspond to the length of a
single leaf or section of B or C or be slightly smaller; thus in the prolonged
structure constituting the station in this illustration, the parts d and d' are arranged
in accordance with the sections and c. The gable-ends e serve to stiffen
and support the model when duly expanded and set up, being hinged on the
sections 6 and they can be utilised as doors in the game.
In Figure 1 the parts to the right of the central wall B of the model represent
the outside or the street side, those to the left the inner or platform side of the
railway station. The former can be used, in the game, for road-vehicles, etc.; the
latter for the trains of railway-carriages with locomotives, etc. The model gives
occasion for manifold suggestions and occupation for children; and the same holds
good, naturally, for similar models representing buildings, etc., of other and various
kinds, such as already mentioned.
Extremely attractive and interesting effects are readily, obtainable by means
of partial openings in the wall. Thus, for example, by means of door and
window openings arranged in the central wall B, views can be given, from the
platform-side into waiting rooms, telegraph-offices, etc., for which the walls d on the
side of the street may furnish suitable backgrounds. Similarly the book-cover A,
which serves to stiffen and sustain the entire structure of the model may be utilised,.
on its rear or inner. side, i.e., the side turned towards the station, for appropriate
backgrounds, pictures or decorations, representing supplementary details of scenery
and effects, as shown in Figure 1.
As regards the folding together or collapse of the model structure, in the first
place, the various sections or leaves representing the ground are turned up in the
direction of the arrows i (Figure 2) towards the central wall B; whereupon the
joints d become doubled inwards and the roof sections fold in the direction shown
by the arrows 2 and 3, the outer or lower parts pivoting as it were, on their centres,
in the direction indicated by the arrows 4, while the side walls d fold up against
the sections c, as shown by the arrows 5. In this manner, the several parts or
sections assume the relative positions shown in section in Figure 3, which enables
the whole to be folded together within the book-cover, on the principle of the pocket-
maps or "Leporello-Albums" previously mentioned.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said inven-
tion as communicated to me by my foreign correspondents, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A folding or collapsible model or toy consisting of a number of parts repre-
senting different portions of a complete structure, so hinged or jointed, together
that they may be either arranged in an extended form to represent a complete
building or structure or folded into small compass substantially as described.
2. A folding or collapsible model or toy building or structure wherein a central
vertical wall B composed of several hinge-jointed or flexibly connected leaves or
sections 6 in combination with a ground or floor C also consisting of several leaves
or sections c hinge-jointed or flexibly connected to one another as well as to the
central wall B and on both sides thereof constitutes the framework for the side-
walls and roofs of the building which are jointed together as well as to the ground
and central wall respectively in such manner that though practically destitute of
any reverse side the model has a thoroughly solid appearance in point of form
and substance substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.

page_text: 3. The complete folding or collapsible model or toy substantially as described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 20th day of February 1894.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
London, Nottingham, Liverpool, and Manchester,
Agents for the Applicant.