Improvements in or relating to Toys.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Toys.
I, ALFRED EDWIN HITCHCOCK of North Mills, Leicester, Miller, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a new or improved toy, which when trolled or rolled
in one direction will thereby accumulate sufficient force or power to cause it to
return and to alternately roll or move in opposite directions an increasingly
shorter distance until the force is expended and the toy brought to a standstill.
A toy constructed in accordance with this invention may comprise two discs or
circular ends each having on its inner face an axial hook or equivalent between
which an endless (preferably elastic) band is stretched.
A weight may be loosely hung from the said axial hooks so that it does
not revolve with the toy but always maintains the same position, and projecting
upwardly from the weight may be a spike or arm or equivalent which passes
between the two strands of the endless band.
Upon the toy being trolled away from the person so that it moves or rolls on
the discs before mentioned the counterweighted spike or arm which constantly
maintains its vertical position causes the endless band to become twisted and when
the toy reaches the limit of its travel in one direction the endless band in untwist-
ing causes it to move in the return direction and alternately to and fro shorter
distances in opposite directions until the toy becomes quiescent.
The working parts before mentioned may be enclosed in a cylindrical or other
chamber the exterior of which may be decorated as desired.
Dated this 3rd day of October 1896
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.
I, ALFRED EDWIN HITCHCOCK of North Mills, Leicester, Miller, 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:-
This invention relates to a new or improved toy, which when trolled or rolled
in one direction will thereby accumulate sufficient force or power to cause it to
return and to alternately roll or move in opposite directions an increasingly
[D... OJ

page_text: and the toy brought to a stanustin,
and becomes quiescent at a point approximating that from which it started.
The invention will be fully understood from the following further description
in reference to the accompanying drawings in which,
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved toy.
Figure 2 is a sectional view taken through the major axis or axis of rotation of
the toy:
Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of the actuating-weight.
Figure 4 is a sectional view similar to Figure 2, showing the principle applied
to an elastic rubber ball.
Similar numerals of reference désignate corresponding parts in the several figures
of the drawings.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, 1 designates a hollow case or shell of
substantially cylindrical shape, having rounded or semi-spherical ends 2. This
case or shell is divided into two separate sections at a point intermediate its ends,
and the adjacent edges of such sections are provided with flaring and over-lapping
flanges 3, by means of which the said sections may be securely fastened together.
Each of the shell sections is also provided with an annular rim or tread 4, which is
preferably semi-circular, or substantially so, in cross-section, and when the shell-
sections are connected these rims or treads are disposed in such a manner and at
such distance apart as to form a broad bearing for the toy, enabling the same to
be rolled without danger of upsetting the same. The toy when rolled along the
floor will thus be constrained to revolve upon its major axis.:
Within each shell-section and at the pole thereof is secured an inwardly-pro-
jecting 'hook 5, the shank of which is extended sufficiently.to form a bearing and
support for a pendent weight 6. This weight is formed in substantially semi-
cylindrical or semi-ellipsoidal shape and 'is provided at its end with upwardly-
proiecting stems 7, having at their upper ends, eyes 8, which embrace and have
their bearing on the shanks of the hooks 5. The weight 6 is also provided adjacent
to its centre with a pin 9, which rests between the two parallel portions of an
ordinary endless rubber or elastic band 10, having its looped portions engaged
cver the hooks 5.
To operate the toy, it is rolled across the floor or ground, and as the weight hangs
pendent within the shell the latter will be caused to revolve. around the weight,
thus twisting the elastic band 10 upon each side of the pin of the weight,, said
pin being always preserved in substantially vertical position. When the impetus
given to the toy has been expended, the said toy will immediately reverse-its motion
and start backward by reason of the weight having assumed a position in rear of
the axis of the device. This is caused by the tendency of the twisted elastic band
to lift the pendent weight, and the shell will, naturally roll forward that side upon
which the major portion of the weight is located. The spaced annular treads keep
the shell, from tipping over, insure the rotation of the shell upon its major axis,
and preserve the proper poise or balance of the weight.
In Figure 4 I have shown how a rubber shell or hollow elastic ball may be
substituted for the cylindrical case or shell hereinabove described. This rubber
ball (indicated at 12) may be given any desired degree of resiliency, and in lieu of
the axially-disposed elastic band 10 of the first-described toy, parallel flexible cords
13 may be employed and these arranged upon opposite sides of the pin 9 of the
weight. Otherwise the construction may be the same as in Figure 2. Upon the
rotation of the rubber ball the parallel-cords 13 will be twisted upon either side of
the pin 9 and will have the effect of drawing inward the opposite poles of the ball.
When the impetus given to the ball has been expended, the resiliency of the rubber
boll adjacent to its poles will serve to untwist: the cords, thereby causing a reverse
motion of the ball.
Th
A very simple, inexpensive, and attractive self-propelling toy is thus obtained,
and by reason of the particular construction described, the liability of the working
parts thereof getting out of order is practically overcome, while at the same time

page_text: the elastic band or cord is left free to twist and untwist itself, thus securing the
full torsional action of the band or cord without the necessity of suspending the
weight thereon.
Changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be
resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages
of this invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
1. A rolling body having rigid axial projections, in combination with a spring
extending through the axial centre of said body, and a weight freely suspended
directly on said projections and engaging said spring, substantially as described.
2. The herein-described toy, comprising a hollow rolling body having inwardly-
extending rigid axial projections, a resilient strip extending through the axial
centre of said body, and a pendent weight freely suspended in said body and having
arms journaled directly on said axial projections, whereby said weight is prevented
from coming in contact with the rolling body, said weight also having an indepen-
dent engagement with the resilient strip, substantially as described.
Dated this 2nd day of Tuly 1807
ALFRED EDWIN HITCHCOCK,
Boult & Wade,
Agents for the Applicant.
Witness:-
E. N. LEWIS,
ALFRED EDWIN HITCHCOCK,
Berridge Street Chambers, Leicester.
Boult & Wade,
Agents for the Applicant.