An Improved Magnetic Toy.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Feb., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 11th Nov., 1897-Accepted, 15th Jan., 1898
An Improved Magnetic Toy.
I, JOACHIM HEINRICH HOMEISTER, of 18 Malzweg, Hamburg-Borgfelde, in the
Empire of Germany, Master-Painter, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
-
The magnetic rotary body forming the subject of this invention is intended to
serve as an amusing and instructive toy having the outward shape of a ball, roller,
wheel or the like. It is made hollow and contains a magnet, directed towards its
surface, for attracting and fixing certain appropriate bodies or figures placed upon
the outer surface of the said rotary body.
The magnet is supported by a shaft or spindle rotatably arranged in a frame.
This frame is freely suspended from a divided shaft, is steadied at its bottom by
a weight and provided with a motor spring case and a worm wheel gear. The
motor spring located in the interior of the said case is prevented when wound up,
from unwinding. by a ratchet wheel and pawl.
After the said motor spring has been wound up, (which operation is effected by
means of a key passed through an opening in the ball, and caused to engage with
the spring spindle,) the ball is set in rotary motion, by the unwinding of the
spring. A friction disc or a toothed wheel fixed to the spring case sets a second
friction disc or a toothed wheel fixed upon one extremity of the divided shaft
in rotary motion. This shaft is firmly fixed to the inner surface of the ball, for
instance by means of a cup shaped support, so that the ball is forced to rotate,
when the divided shaft is turned. The opposite part of the divided shaft is like-
wise firmly fixed to the inner surface of the ball, by means of a cup shaped support,
is consequently likewise set in rotary motion, and rotates a worm wheel arranged
on a third shaft carried by the frame, through the medium of friction or toothed
wheels. Finally, the worin-wheel imparts motion to the worm upon the magnet
shaft which is together with the magnet set in rotation.
The supporting frame, owing to the weight fixed thereto, remains suspended in
its lower position, thus holding the magnet in position immediately beneath the
top of the ball. The magnet holds an armature upon the top of the ball and to
this armature bodies of any suitable shape can be attached.
According to one arrangement the armature is suspended beneath a velocipede
and does not itself come in contact with the ball. The running wheels of the
velocipede are adapted to turn upon the ball and one of them, or if there are two
wheels on one axle, the base is of such a width that the velocipede is prevented
from falling down or turning except with the ball. The velocipede thus is held
fast upon the top of the ball by the armature which is induced by the magnet but
not rotated. The wheels of the velocipede are set in motion through the rotary
motion of the ball and may indirectly cause the cyclist's legs and arms to execute
the movements of a velocipede rider.
According to another arrangement, a swinging arm is pivoted upon a pin attached
to the armature. The armature, constructed in the form of a spherical segment.

page_text: of a slightly greater radius than the ball, has only its central portion resting upon
the said ball, follows the rotary movements of the internal magnet, is prevented
from tilting sidewardly and cannot be easily bent or strained.
According to a third arrangement, the armature carries a balloon provided with
a flag; while in a fourth the armature carries the figure of a human being moving
on a small ball, and in a fifth arrangement a disc with coloured fields or surfaces;
finally, in a sixth arrangement, the armature carries a top.
In all these cases the armature may be firmly or loosely connected to the figure
or body placed thereon. In the first case the said body or figure must follow the
movements of the armature within the ball, whilst in the latter case the said figure
or body follows the armature more or less slowly, or sometimes not at all, accord-
ing to the frictional resistance, existing at the point of contact between the arma-
ture and ball or between the figure or body and the ball, and to the greater or
smaller resistance of air.
The interior magnet moves so rapidly as to act as an air vane to regulate the
motion, so that the arrangement of a special fly with all its transmission gearing
is rendered superfluous.
Apart from the latter advantage this rapid rotation of the magnet allows of
comparatively large and heavy bodies being drawn along by the said magnet,
because the quicker the rotation of the armature for a constant rate of travel of
the rolling body below the said armature, the greater will be the attractive and
tractive force of the armature.
The supporting frame has its centre of gravity arranged obuely relatively
to the direction of the divided shaft as well as to the vertical central axis of the
ball passing at right angles to the said divided shaft, which obliquity is due to
the arrangement of the weight at the bottom of the supporting frame. The greater
weight upon one side in the direction of the divided shaft ensures that the ball
shall revolve without a special track. On the other hand, the greater weight on
one side, in a direction rectangularly to the divided shaft, counteracts the pressure
of the contracted motor-spring in such a manner that the magnet shaft together
with the magnet at the top will slightly incline toward one or other side while
the spring is unwinding. The degree of inclination however, is slight, whereas
when the spring is contracted, this inclination would be comparatively great if it
were not for the surplus weight upon one side. The shaft or spindle of the
magnet comes nearest to the vertical position when the spring is exerting its
medium force.
Instead of causing the rotary body to travel progressively upon a plane or track,
it may be made to rotate without travelling by suspending it for instance, from
its divided shaft.
I, JOACHIM HEINRICII HOMEISTER, of 18 Malzweg, Hamburg-Borgfelde, in the
Empire of Germany, Master-Painter, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion 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 improvements in magnetie toys designed to serve
amusing and instructive purposes. It consists in a hollow rotary body haying

page_text: the outward shape of a ball, roller, wheel or the like and containing a vertically
rotating magnet, directed towards the upper surface of the hollow body, for attract
ing and fixing certain appropriate bodies or figures placed upon the outer surface
of the hollow rotary body.
To carry my invention into effect, I will proceed to describe the same by way
of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which
Figure 1 illustrates a vertical section of a magnetic toy in the shape of a globe:
made in accordance with my invention,
Figure 2 is a similar section taken at right angles to Figure 1.
Figures 3 to 7 illustrate particular bodies or figures adapted to be placed upon
the outer surface of the ball and to be actuated or influenced by the enclosed
rotated magnet.
Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
The magnet a within the hollow ball or globe h is supported by a shaft or
spindle rotatably arranged in a frame e. This frame is freely suspended from
a divided shaft dd, and is steadied at its bottom by a weight e and provided withi
a motor spring case or barrel f and a worm wheel gear g. The motor spring
located in the interior of the said case or barrel is prevented when wound up, from
unwinding by a ratchet wheel f³ and pawl f.
After the said motor spring has been wound up (which operation is effected by
means of a key passed through an opening in the ball h, and caused to engage
with the spring spindle f, the ball is set in rotary motion, by the unwinding of
the spring. A friction disc or a toothed wheel ffixed to the spring barrel f
sets a second friction disc or a toothed pinion i fixed upon one extremity of the
part of the divided shaft in rotary motion. This shaft is firmly fixed to the
inner surface of the ball h, for instance by means of a cup shaped support k², so
that the ball is forced to rotate, when the divided shaft d2 is turned. The opposite
part of the divided shaft which is likewise firmly fixed to the inner surface of
the ball, by means of a cup shaped support k¹, is consequently caused to rotate with
the ball h, and rotates the above mentioned worm wheel arranged on a third
shaft g carried by the frame e, through the medium of friction or toothed
wheels. Finally the worm-wheel y imparts motion to the worm b¹ upon the
magnet shaft which is together with the magnet set in rotation.
The supporting frame c, owing to the weight fixed thereto, remains suspended
in its lower position, thus holding the magnet constantly in an upright position
immediately beneath the top of the ball. The magnet holds an armature a¹ upon
the top of the ball, and to this armature bodies of any suitable shape can be
attached.
According to one arrangement the armature is suspended beneath a velocipede F
(Figures 1 and 3) and does not itself come in contact with the ball. The running
wheels m of the velocipede are adapted to turn upon the ball and one of them, or
if there are two wheels on one axle, the base, is of such a width that the velocipede
is prevented from falling down or turning exceppt with the ball. The velocipede
is thus held fast upon the top of the ball by the armature a¹ which is induced by
the magnet a but not rotated. The wheels of the velocipede are set in motion
through the rotary motion of the ball and may indirectly cause the cyclist's legs
and arms to execute the movements as if riding a velocipede.
According to another arrangement, a swinging arm S (Figure 2) is pivotted
upon a pin attached to the armature a¹. The armature, constructed in the form
of a spherical segment, of a slightly greater radius than the ball, has only its
central portion resting upon the said ball, it follows the rotary movements of the
internai magnet a, is prevented from tilting sidewardly and cannot be easily bent
or strained.
According to a third arrangement, the armature carries a balloon B Figure 4.
provided with a flag w while in a fourth the armature a' carries the figure of a
human being L (Figure 5) moving on a small ball, and in a fifth arrangement a

page_text: disc H (Figure 6) with coloured fields or surfaces; finally, in a sixth arrangement
the armature a¹ carries a top K, Figure 7.
In all these cases the armature may be firmly or loosely connected to the figure
or body placed thereon. In the first case the said body or figure must follow the
movements the armature on the outside of the ball, whilst in the latter case the
said figure or body follows the armature more or less slowly or sometimes not at
all, according to the frictional resistance, existing at the point of contact between
the armature and ball or between the figure or body and the ball, and to the greater
or smaller resistance of air.
The interior magnet a moves so rapidly as to act as an air vane to regulate the
motion, so that the arrangement of a special fly with all its transmission gearing
is in most cases rendered superfluous.
Apart from the latter advantage this rapid rotation of the magnet allow of
comparatively large and heavy bodies being drawn along by the said magnet,
because the quicker the rotation of the armature for a constant rate of travel of
the rolling body below the said armature, the greater will be the attractive and
tractive force of the armature.
The supporting frame c has its centre of gravity arranged obliquely relatively to
the direction of the divided shaft as well as to the vertical central axis of the
ball passing at right angles to the said divided shaft, which obliquity is due to
the arrangement of the weight at the bottom of the supporting frame. The
greater weight upon one side in the direction of the divided shaft d' d² ensures
that the ball shall travel in a circle without a special track. On the other hand,
the greater weight on one side, in a direction rectangularly to the divided
shaft dd, counteracts the pressure of the contracted motor-spring in such a
manner that the magnet shaft b together with the magnet a at the top will slightly
incline toward one or the other side while the spring is unwinding. The degree
of inclination however is slight, whereas when the spring is contracted, this
inclination would be comparatively great if it were not for the surplus weight upon
one side. The shaft or spindle of the magnet comes nearest to the vertical position
when the spring is exerting its medium force. Instead of causing the rotary body
to travel progressively upon a plane or track, it may be made to rotate without
travelling by suspending it for instance, from its divided shaft di d².
Instead of directly winding up the spring within the spring barrel by means of
a key passed through the opening in the ball the spring motor may be wound
by turning the spring barrel, around the rigidly fastened spring spindle fi through
the medium of the one part of the divided shaft and the toothed wheels i f², in
which case the shaft d² is not rigidly fastened to the ball and is besides accessible
by a key to be passed through an opening in the ball coincident with shaft. In
order to prevent the motor spring from unwinding when winding up, a ratchet
wheel is to be fixed on the shaft d² into which engages a pawl suspended by the
ball or the cup shaped support of the same. Of course in this case the ratchet'
wheel 3 on the spring spindle and the pawl f attached to the frame c are to be
dispensed with.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same may be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
:
1. The hereindescribed magnetic toy consisting of a hollow rotary body having
the outward shape of a ball, roller, wheel or the like and enclosing a magnet on
a vertical rotary shaft and a weight tending to hold the magnet in upright
position, directed towards the top of the hollow rotary body substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
a
2. The combination of a hollow rotary body having the outer shape of a ball,
roller, wheel or the like, a vertical rotatable magnet within the hollow body,
weighted frame for the magnet tending to hold the latter in upright position
towards the top of the hollow rotary body and a spring motor adapted to rotate

page_text: the hollow body as well as the magnet, substantially in the manner and for the
purpose set forth.
3. In combination with a magnetic toy of the herein-described type, a body or
figure rigidly connected to the armature designed to be placed upon the outer
surface of the hollow rotary body forming part of the toy and to be induced by
the magnet within the hollow rotary body, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
4. In combination with a magnetic toy of the type herein described, a body or
figure loosely attached to the armature designed to be placed upon the outer
surface of the hollow rotary body forming part of the magnetic toy and to be
induced by the magnet within the hollow rotary body of the toy, substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.