Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Nov., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 20th Feb., 1889
Complete Specification Accepted, 6th Apr., 1889

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mechanical Toy Four-legged Walking Figures.
I, GEORGE FREDERICK LUTTICKE, of 50, Cromwell Road, West Brighton, in the
County of Sussex, Merchant, 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:→
My invention relates to mechanical toy walking figures in which the legs are
actuated through their contact with the ground by means of cranks and guides, the
object being to adapt this method of actuation to a four-legged walking toy-figure.
In order to enable my invention to be fully understood I will describe how it can
be carried into practice by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of a four-legged walking toy figure
constructed according to my invention, the actuating mechanism being shewn in
elevation, and
Figure 2 is a horizontal section through the body of the figure, the remaining parts
being shewn in plan.
Similar letters in both the figures indicate similar parts.
a is a weighted fly wheel, the axle 6 of which bears upon the periphery of the
travelling wheels c of a cart d in order to move the walking figure forward, the said
axle being provided with a reel e upon which a cord can be wound to rapidly rotate
the fly wheel. This is a well known arrangement for propelling mechanical toys and
no claim is here made to the same, it being understood that any other suitable inotor,
such as clockwork, can be employed for the purpose of moving the figure.
The body of the figure is fixed by pins a¹, a' to the shafts g of the cart d and is
made hollow so as to contain the mechanism for operating the legs h, h¹, h², h³.
The fore legs h, h' of the figure are suspended upon a double throw crank i revolving
at, in the sides of the frame k, k. The legs are formed with slots l, I working upon
a pin m fixed in the frame k. The crank i serves to alternately raise the front legs
from and lower them into contact with the ground as the figure is moved forward by
the motor, and the slots and pin m serve to guide the legs in their backward and
forward and upward and downward movements. The feet of the fore legs are provided
with points or serrations n, n to prevent them slipping whilst in contact with the
ground and thus ensure their proper alternate action.
The hind legs h2, h3 of the figure are loosely suspended upon a pin o so that the feet
thereof are just clear of the ground or only just touch or graze the ground alternately
when moving, and the said feet therefore have no points or serrations. Motion is
communicated from the fore legs to the hind legs by means of rods p, p jointed to
upward extensions q, q, on the fore and hind legs so as to cause the latter to swing
backwards and forwards alternately upon their pin o. As in the drawing where the
figure represented is that of a horse, I find it advantageous to cross the said rods, as
by this means I cause the legs of the figure to move in the order which is natural to
such an animal.

page_text: It will be obvious that I can employ cranks and guide slots for the hind legs, where
they do not touch the ground, as well as for the fore-legs but I do not advise this
arrangement. Also the hind legs could be arranged to touch the ground and com-
municate motion to the fore legs instead of employing the reverse action hereinbefore
described and shown in the drawing.
I wish it to be understood that I do not limit my invention to the use of the precise
arrangement of guides hereinbefore described and shewn in the drawing, as I can
employ any other suitable guides in combination with the crank for actuating the legs.
It will be obvious that the horse or other four-legged figure may be moved by a
suitable motor, so that either the hind or fore legs are in contact with the ground, the
other legs moving in the air, the object being to produce circus figures.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
(1.) A mechanical toy four-legged figure supported by the fore legs or the hind legs
alone, which supporting legs are roughened or serrated and actuated by means of
cranks and guides.
(2.) A mechanical toy four-legged walking figure rigidly fixed to the shafts of a
vehicle and supported by the fore legs or the hind legs alone, which supporting legs
are caused to alternately move backwards and forwards at the same time that they
alternately rise and fall by means of suitable cranks and guides substantially as herein-
before described.
(3.) In a mechanical toy four-legged walking figure having one pair or both
pairs of legs actuated by means of cranks and guides, the use for the purpose of
transmitting motion to the other pair of legs of rods jointed to the upper parts or
extensions or other suitable parts of the legs, substantially as hereinbefore described.
(4.) In a mechanical toy four-legged walking figure having one pair of legs
actuated through contact with the ground, by means of cranks and guides, suspending
the other pair of legs on a pin so that they just clear, graze, or touch the ground
alternately, substantially as herein before described.
(5.) The improved mechanical toy four-legged figure hereinbefore described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
Dated the 19th day of February 1889.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London,
Agents for the Applicant.