IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TOYS."
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TOYS." A communication from.
abroad by William Sumner Reed, of Leominster, Massachusetts, United States
16
of America
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
J t
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th September 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton..Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
Toys: A communication from abroad by William Sumner Reed, of Leominster,
Massachusetts, United States of America..
С
This Invention relates to a toy so constructed that it can be readily put together
and taken apart, and the disconnected pieces placed within a box or receptacle
which forms the body or other portion of the toy when set up or put together.
And my Invention also comprises the exhibiting upon the outside of the toy
various figures or picture cards representing animals or other objects which may
be removed and placed within the said box or receptacle when not in use.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a toy railway carriage and engine constructed
in accordance with my Invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the said carriage represented as being employed
ás a box for receiving the wheels and axles of the carriage, and the several portions
of the engine taken apart.
.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a toy carriage or wagon made to receive in
the body thereof the figure of the driver, the wheels, and parts connected there-
,

page_text: with, and a series of cards or pictures, the carriage thus serving as a packing box
for those parts when not in use.
Figure 4 is a side elevation of the said carriage or wagon shewing the figure of
the driver on the top, and the picture cards exhibited on one of its sides.
In Figures 1 and 2 of the said Drawing A represents a locomotive engine and B
a carriage, coupled together by a pin a passing through a link b. The boiler c and
front and rear portions d, e, of the engine cab are made detachable from the truck
or platform f of the engine, and are held in their respective positions by dowel pins
entering corresponding holes, the bottom of the smoke stack or chimney g fitting
into an aperture in the boiler c, and being readily detachable therefrom. The
carriago B is made hollow, and its top is hinged at i, i, by which construction a
box is provided for containing the several portions of the engine when disconnected,
and the wheels and axles of the carriage which may be compactly stowed therein,
as seen in Figure 2, in which position the parts are always at hand ready for use,
and thus prevented from being mislaid or lost.. Furthermore the whole toy occupies
but very little space, and when the top or cover his shut down can be very con-
veniently carried from place to place, the separate box (forming no portion of the
toy) heretofore required being thus dispensed with.
In Figures 3 and 4 of the said Drawing, Grepresents the wheels (part of one of
the axles being also shewn in Figure 3); D, the body of a toy wagon; and E, its
sliding cover. Across the outside of the upper edge of the body is a narrow strip
or cleat so attached thereto as to form a narrow slit or aperture on each side of
the top of the grated door F, two panels m, m, being formed as shewn, within which
are intended to be placed successively a series of picture cards having representations
of animals and other figures or objects thereon to be exhibited for the instruction
and pleasure of children. The removable cards may have the alphabet or spelling.
lessons thereon, and when one is removed another may be substituted therefor;
and when the toy waggon or carriage is not in use, the several cards, are packed
away within the interior of the body and the sliding cover is closed over the same,
abox-or-receptacle being thus formed therefor, and the cards and waggon being
always at hand when desired for use.
Upon the top of the cover is placed the figure of the driver, which is always also
made removable so as to pack within the body or receptacle.
Other figures, for instance, those representing the members of a musical band,
may be placed in position by means of pins and apertures upon the top or cover of
the body, and be removed and stowed away therein.
The wheels, axles, tongue, or pole, and dashboard are also so constructed as to
admit of instant removal, and may be stowed away within the body or receptacle, if
desired.
+
Toys made in accordance with my said Invention, besides being amusing, also
possess the additional advantage of being instructive to children, as the taking
apart and setting up of the several pieces give an idea of construction and tend to
fix in the mind the relative position of the parts.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it to be
understood that I do not confine my. Invention to a toy engine and carriage or
exhibition wagon, as other toys may be constructed in a similar manner; for instance,
a steamboat, in which case the hull will serve as a box or receptacle for holding
the removable parts, such as the paddle wheels, the beam, and other parts; but I
claim;=,
A toy so constructed that its several portions may be readily detached or discon-
nected from each other, and packed, when not in use, within a box or receptacle
which forms the body or other portion of the toy when the said pieces are set up,
or put together, as and for the purpose described.
Also the body of a toy carriage or wagon provided on its sides or top with cleats,
apertures, dowel pins, or, other suitable means for supporting, and holding in

page_text: view figures or pictures of animals or other objects, which, when not in use, can be
inclosed within the said body in combination with a cover, as and for the purpose
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Ninth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
W. ROB. LAKE. (L.S.)