IMPROVE- MENTS IN MUSICAL SPINNING TOPS
Year: 1884

page_text: We, ROBERT HODGES BISHOP, of Gibson Square, Islington, and ELLIS PARR,
of Long Lane, Aldersgate Street in the City of London, both in the County of
Middlesex, Merchants do hereby declare the nature of our invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MUSICAL SPINNING TOPS to be as follows:-
23
This invention relates to the kind of spinning top in which when set in
sufficiently rapid revolution by means of a spring, string, or other device in the
usual way, a musical note is produced and continues so long as the revolution of
the top itself lasts.
Our invention has for its object improvements in musical tops of the kind
described by which instead of a continuous musical note only being produced, a
definite series of such notes or combinations of notes is obtained so as to produce
tunes of more or less complexity; and also so that such tunes can be varied and
changed to any extent and as often as desired very easily and simply.
In order to put our invention in operation we take a spinning top of any of the
kinds ordinarily known and used, for instance a hollow metal top of considerable
diameter but of no great height, such top being ordinarily made of an upper and
lower half united together by a central joint. In one, preferably the upper, half of
such top we fix radially an instrument in which a series of small chambers are
arranged side by side, each having a vibrating tongue giving a different note, and
the series forming an octave, more or less, of musical notes, each of which is
sounded when air is blown through the corresponding chamber.
Supposing a top of the kind described to be divided by a fixed horizontal
diaphragm between its upper and lower halves joined together as above described,
and that upon or in this diaphragm is fitted a set of the vertical chambers con-
taining vibrating musical tongues, the opening at the lower end of each chamber
fitting upon a small corresponding hole in the diaphragm, in which there will
consequently be a radial row of small holes, it is evident that if air under pressure
be forced into the upper half of the top, or what is equivalent if air be withdrawn
from the lower half of the top, then if the small holes in the diaphragm be
uncovered and re-closed in the proper order, at the proper speed, each being kept
open for the required time, a corresponding air or tune will be produced by the
musical vibrating tongues.
In order to produce the required current or pressure of air, we prefer to make
one or more openings in the side of the lower half of the top, through which during
the revolution of the top the internal air is discharged by centrifugal force aided
by the shape of the sides of the openings, whilst one or more openings are also
IDC1

page_text: made at or near the centre of the upper half of the top through which the air
enters and is drawn through either of the chambers which may be opened by the
hole in the diaphragm below it being uncovered.
The opening in the upper half of the top may also be provided with inclined
vanes or blades by which air is forced in when the top revolves.
In order to uncover in the desired manner the holes in the diaphragm, we arrange
below the latter, a flat disc of paper, card or other suitable material, which turns
upon the central vertical spindle of the top and has through it a series of concentric
rings of perforations, each ring corresponding with one of the openings in the
diaphragm and the perforations in it being made of such size and in such position
both in relation to themselves and to the perforations in the other rings, that when
the disc is caused to revolve slowly upon the diaphragm, a tune or air corresponding
with the position of the perforations will be produced.
And in order to cause the slow revolution of the disc, we arrange in the lower
half of the top a coiled spring actuating clock work consisting of toothed wheels,
spindles, and pinions, of the ordinary kind in such manner that when the spring is
wound up it causes the disc to revolve at the proper speed by means of the
intervening clockwork, so long as the elasticity of the spring remains sufficient.
The spring is wound up in the usual way by a key introduced through an
opening in the top, and we prefer to arrange a catch or detent by which the
clockwork can be retained and released at pleasure.
If the spring be wound up, but the clockwork stopped by the detent, and the
top is spun strongly in the usual way, the detent being released just before such
spinning, it is evident that so long as the speed of the top is sufficient to keep up
a sufficient supply of air to the chambers, and the spring has strength sufficient to
keep the perforated disc slowly revolving, a musical air or tune corresponding with
the perforations, will be automatically played by the top, and can be repeated as
often as desired.
We arrange the disc so that by taking off the upper half of the top, it can be.
very readily removed and a fresh one substituted, perforated to produce a different
tune.
It is evident that the details of our invention may be varied more or less. For
instance the chambers provided with vibrating musical tongues may be in the
lower part of the top, and the position of the spring and clock work may also be
varied.
The different parts of the top are so arranged that it is as nearly as possible
balanced.
Ör, instead of a spring being used to cause the perforated disc to revolve, it or
its axis may be provided with one or more vanes exposed to the action of the air,
so that whilst it revolves together with the top and the diaphragm, the resistance
of the air will cause it to do so somewhat more slowly than the latter, and in order
to regulate the diminution of its speed it may be held against the diaphragm with
a pressure variable as desired by a spring or screw.
Instead of the tunes being produced by the action of air upon vibrating tongues,
the latter may be sounded by being struck by pins upon the surface of a barrel as
in an ordinary musical box, the barrel being actuated by a spring and arranged in
the top, preferably vertically round the central axis of the latter. After the spring
bas been wound up the barrel may be held by a detent, which is released only when
the top is spun.
2004

page_text: We, ROBERT HODGES BISHOP, of Gibson Square, in the County of Middlesex
and ELLIS PARR, of Long Lane, in the City of London Manufacturer do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement and accompanying drawing (that is to say) :-
Our invention relates to the kind of spinning top in which when set in sufficiently
rapid rotation by means of a string, spring, or other device in the usual way, a
musical note is produced and continues as long as the revolution of the top itself
lasts.
Tops of the kind described have sometimes been made in which instead of a
single note or chord only being sounded, a series of musical notes have been produced
forming a tune, and our invention has for its object more especially improvements
in such tops, by which any desired tune can readily and easily be produced, and
such tunes can be changed when and as often as may be desired.
In order to put our invention in operation we take a spinning top of any of the
kinds ordinarily known and used, as for instance a hollow metal top of considerable
diameter but of no great height, such top being made of an upper and lower half
united together by a central joint.
In either the upper or lower half of the top we fit and fix radially a musical
instrument consisting of a series of small chambers arranged side by side and each
having a vibrating reed or tongue giving a certain note, and the series of reeds or
tongues forming an octave, more or less, of musical notes, each of which is sounded
when air is blown or drawn through the corresponding chamber.
Supposing such a top to be divided by a fixed horizontal diaphragm between its
upper and lower halves fitted together as above described, and upon this diaphragm
the set of chambers to be fitted each containing its vibrating tongue or reed, the
opening into the end of each chamber fitting over a corresponding opening or hole
in the diaphragm, in which there will consequently be a radial row of such holes ;
it is evident that if air under sufficient pressure be forced into one of the halves of
such top, or (what is equivalent) if air be withdrawn from the other half of the top,
then if the small boles in the diaphragm be uncovered and reclosed in the proper
order and at the proper speed, each being kept open for the required time, a corre-
sponding air or tune will be produced by the musical vibrating tongues or reeds.
In order to produce the required current or pressure of air, we make one or more
openings in the side of the top at or near its largest diameter, through which holes
the internal air is discharged by centrifugal force during the revolution of the top,
the discharge being aided if necessary by the shape of the sides of the holes.
One or more openings are also made at or near the centre of the upper or lower
part of the top, through which the air enters and is drawn through either of the
teed chambers the entrance to which may be open by the corresponding hole in the
diaphragm being uncovered.
The entrance of the air to the top may be assisted by providing inclined vanes
rotating with the top and serving to force the air into the latter.

page_text: In order to uncover in the desired manner and order the holes in the diaphragm,
we arrange against the latter, a flat disc of paper, card, wood, or other suitable
material, which fits upon and turns with a central vertical spindle of the top and
has through it a series of concentric rings of perforations each ring corresponding
with one of the openings in the diaphragm, and the perforations through it in each
ring being made of such size and in such positions both in relation to themselves
and to the perforations through the other rings that when the disc is caused to
revolve at the proper speed against the diaphragm a tune or air corresponding with
the positions of the several perforations will be produced by the passage of air
through the chambers containing the reeds or vibrating tongues.
"
In order to cause such revolution of the perforated disc, we arrange in the top a
coiled spring actuating clockwork of the ordinary kind in such manner that when
the spring is wound up it, causes the perforated disc to revolve at the proper speed
so long as the elasticity of the spring remains sufficient.
:
The spring is wound up in the usual way by a key introduced through an
opening in the top, or preferably by means of a key fitted upon the lower projecting
spindle upon which the top spins, and we prefer to arrange a catch or detent by
which the clockwork can be retained or released at pleasure.
In the accompanying drawing, which is in illustration of our invention, figure 1
represents a vertical section through an improved top of the kind described. a is
the hollow body of the top, consisting of an upper part 6 and a lower part c united
together by a hinge, screw, or other joint at d so that the top can be readily opened.
e, e, e, e¹, e¹, e¹, are chambers arranged radially or diametrically across the top and
containing vibrating tongues or reeds, each of which is sounded when air is made
to pass through its particular chamber. f is a horizontal diaphragm fixed to the
upper half of the top and carrying the reed chambers e, e, e, e¹, e¹, e¹, a small
opening being made through the diaphragm below each chamber, so that there is a
diametrical row of holes across the diaphragm f. A number of holes g are made
round the circumference of the top in its lower half through which air is expelled
by centrifugal force when the top is spinning, such air being drawn through holes
near the centre of the top of the top, and inclined vanes may be also provided at
the top of the top (as shewn in figures 1 and 2) in order to aid in drawing the air
through the holes last described. The sides of the holes g may be of such shape as
to facilitate the expulsion of the air, and they may be provided with inclined or
curved wings for the same purpose.
i is a flat moveable disc fitting upon the upper end k of a central spindle, and
having through it a series of concentric rings of perforations, as shewn in plan in
figure 3 (in which however ouly a few of such perforations are shewn,) each ring
corresponding with one of the openings in the diaphragm f.
A coiled spring at k¹ actuates clock work as shown by which the spindle k and the
disc i are set in slow revolution so that by the movement of the latter the holes
in the diaphragm communicating with the tongues or reeds at e, e, e, e¹, e', e¹, are
uncovered in the proper manner to play the desired tune, and the clockwork is
wound up by means of a key fitted upon the lower end of the spindle at l.
A detent is shown at m by which the clockwork can be held or released as
desired.
If the spring at k¹ be wound up, the clockwork being held by the detent m, and
the top is spun strongly by a string at its upper end in the usual way, the detent m
being released just before the top commences to spin, it is evident that so long as
the speed of the top is sufficient to keep up a supply of air to the chambers e, e¹,
and the spring k² has strength to keep the disc i slowly revolving, a musical air or
tune corresponding with the perforations will be automatically played by the top,
and can be repeated as often as desired.
By our invention as described and shewn, the tunes can be changed whenever
desired with great ease by opening the top, removing the disc i, and substituting
another having different perforations, the set of reeds or vibrating musical tongues

page_text: being arranged in progressive series diametrically across the top, each note corre-
sponding with one of the concentric rings on the disoi.
The chambers e, e, e, el, e¹, e¹, are shewn occupying alternate distances from the
centre of the top, so that in setting out the tune upon the discs i, the succeeding
notes are arranged alternately upon one or other side of the centre of the disc, but
they may be arranged in consequtive order across the top; or they may be radially
only across half the top, instead of diametrically.completely across it.
In figures 4 and 5, a similar top is shewn, but somewhat varied in its method of
construction and arrangement. The chambers e, e, e, e', e¹, el, are shewn fitted
below the diaphragm the openings into them being uncovered so as to allow the
entrance of air into them, instead of to allow the escape of air from them as in
figure 1. The upper part of the top is removeable in the same way as in the first
described arrangement in order to allow the perforated disc i to be changed as
desired.
Instead of a spring being used to cause the perforated disc to revolve, the latter,
or its axis, may be provided with one or more vanes exposed to the air, so that
whilst it revolves together with the top and the diaphragm f the resistance of the
air to the vanes will cause it to move somewhat more slowly than the latter, a
differential motion being thus obtained by which the desired effect is produced, and
in order to regulate the diminution in its speed thus caused it may be held against
the diaphragm with a pressure variable as desired by a spring or screw.
It is evident that the details of our invention may be varied more or less, and
the different parts of the top should be so arranged that it is nearly as possible
balanced, and its outer edge may be weighted in order to ensure its steady and long
rotation.
Instead of the tunes being produced by the action of the air upon reeds or
vibrating tongues the latter may be sounded by being struck by pins upon a
moving revolving surface as in an ordinary musical box, the barrel of which is
actuated by a spring and arranged in the top in a position preferably vertically
round the central axis of the latter.
After the spring has been wound up the barrel may be held by a detent which is
released only when the top is spun.
We are aware that it has been proposed to use automatic musical tops in which
a tune is played whilst such tops are spinning, and we do not claim generally the
construction of such automatic musical tops, but
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is
The musical top, containing operating mechanism by which a properly perforated
disc is made to revolve and to effect the sounding of musical notes in proper order,
such disc being readily removeable and interchangeable for the purpose of producing
different tunes, substantially as described and shewn.
T: 0L 1
1
1007