Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Nov., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 10th Aug., 1894-Accepted, 15th Sept., 1894
I, ANDREW FERGUSON, of Bates Street, Birch Lane, Longsight, Manchester,
in the County of Lancaster, Cashier, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
:-
This invention is designed to produce a toy representing a free kick in.a game of
football.
It. consists essentially of a plate or base to represent the ground or field, upright,
posts to represent the goal posts, a figure representing a player standing between
or in front of them, a second figure standing fronting the goal posts with a movable
leg controlled by a spring and catch and a loose ball placed in front of the second
figure so that when the leg is released it will strike or kick the ball .and propel it.
forward past the first figure and between the goal posts.
In carrying out the invention I construct a base plate of wood, tin or other
suitable material with uprights at one end of similar material and preferably
a row of small flags or the like round it to represent a foot ball field and goal
posts.
Upon the base plate I place two, three or more figures representing players
which are made of tin or other material. The two principal figures I place one.
between and the other fronting the goal posts and a loose ball is provided toibe
placed in front of the second figure.
The figure placed close to the goal posts is preferably constructed with movable
arms and hands actuated by a spring which when a catch or other holding device
is released spring upwards. They may be connected to a spring weight or other.
device which will cause them to rise when desired.
'
The second figure is attached to the base plate by one leg and the other leg is
loose (as may also be the arms) and pivoted so as to have a forward motion. A
spring of any convenient form is attached to it to cause it to jerk forward when
released. I prefer at present to employ a coiled spring one end attached to the fast
leg and the other end to the movable 'leg.
A small catch or trigger is placed in the base plate with which the heel.or foot
of the movable leg engages to hold it against the spring.and which when drawn away
releases the leg which moves quickly forward and strikes or kicks the loose.ball
which is thereby propelled forward through the goal posts.
The trigger or catch is also connected to the loose arms of the other figure
to cause them at the same time to 'be raised as if in the action of trying to stop
the ball.
Any other number of figures may be attached to the plate to represent players
in other attitudes or two figures only may be-represented. On the base plate may
be inscribed any, descriptive words or legend such as "The Penalty Kick.'
Dated this 9th day of November 1893.

page_text: Fig. 4, elevation partly in section of one of the playing ngures.
Fig. 3, elevation of the other figure.
The several parts of the toy are fitted on a base plate A of sheet metal, wood
or other material preferably painted to represent a foot ball field in addition to
which it may be ornamented with a row of small flags or a wire or the like to
represent a rope round it.
Upon the base A at one end I place goal posts B and between the goal posts B
I place a figure C representing a player. The figure C is mounted loosely so as to
be movable in a backward direction and is supported or held upright by a light
spring placed at the back. The figure C is preferably hinged or pivoted
by a strap or strip a of metal passing round a rod or pin c placed between the
two feet.
When the figure is struck by the ball D it is moved backwards. The
figure may be hinged at the arms instead of at the feet but I prefer the arrangment
shown.
The second figure E is fixed to the base A so as to stand upright. It is fixed
by one leg or foot and the other lege is loose and pivoted so as to be capable of a
forward movement. At the joint of the loose lege I place a small coiled spring F
one end of which is attached to or rests against the body and the other against the
lege a slot being provided for the purpose. The spring is so placed that when
the leg e is at rest it hangs straight down, when however it is drawn back it
compresses or puts in tension the spring F by which it is jerked forward when
released.
A small catch or trigger G is attached to the base A with which the heel or
foot of the movable leg e of the figure E engages to hold it against the spring
and which when drawn away releases the leg which moves quickly forward and
strikes or kicks the loose ball D which is thereby propelled forward in the direction
of the goal posts B.
Any other number of figures may be attached to the plate to represent players
in other attitudes or the two figures C and E only may be represented. On the
base plate may be inscribed any descriptive words or legend such as "The Penalty
Kick."
A certain amount of skill is required in so placing the ball D that the movement
of the foot e of the figure E shall project it between the goal posts without striking
the figure C. Should it strike the figure C it may be propelled back again or it
may carry the figure over with it against the spring c sufficiently far to still let it
pass through between the posts.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a toy representing foot ball players the combination with the base A and
goal posts B of the movable figure C placed between the goal posts and supported
e actuated by the
in upright position by the spring c the figure E with loose leg
spring F the trigger G and the ball D substantially as described.
2. A toy representing foot ball players having the several parts constructed and
arranged in combination substantially as described and shown.
Deted this 9th dow of August 1894
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Manchester, Liverpool, and London, Patent Agents.