A Motor for Toys and Light Mechanism and its Application to a Toy in Imitation of a Race.
Year: 1887

page_text: A Motor for Toys and Light Mechanism and its Application to a
Toy in Imitation of a Race.
I JAMES YATE JOHNSON of 47 Lincolns Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex
Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this Invention which has been com-
municated to me from abroad by Josiah Taylor Marean of Brooklyn in the County
of Kings and State of New York in the United States of America Barrister and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
One object of this Invention is to provide a simple mechanism for the production
by gravity of circular motion capable of being utilized for driving toys or light
machinery affording a cheap substitute for clockwork; and another object of the
Invention is the application of such mechanism to a toy imitating a race.
According to this Invention there is provided a vertically arranged helix of metal wire
or other suitable material with an open core and of any length desired and preferably of
about one eighth to three sixteenths of an inch in diameter and with about two complete
turns of the helix to the linear inch. The helix is either made rigidly fast at one or both
ends to a frame or support or is so arranged as to be held by such frame or support in a
vertical position and to turn freely upon its axis. There is also provided an appliance
which I will call a "carriage" consisting of a short piece of wire or rod or the like which
I will call a "retainer" fitting loosely the core of the helix and of an arm or arms
of considerable length and weight projecting from it in such wise that if the retainer
be inserted into the core of the helix at the top the arm or arms will extend across
and rest upon the upper surface of the inclined curve of the helix.
The arm or arms may be either fastened to the retainer or formed by a bent
continuation of it. The carriage has its centre of gravity in or near the retainer.
The operation of this device is as follows
--
The carriage is set upon the helix at the top, the retainer projecting downward into
the core and the arm or arms resting across the upper surface of the inclined curve of
the helix and when the carriage is released it will by gravity slide down the helix
revolving as it goes if the helix be made fast or if the helix be so arranged as to
turn the helix itself is caused to revolve whilst the carriage is prevented from turning

page_text: thus producing in either case a circular motion capable of being applied and utilized
for driving toys or light machinery where circular inotion is required.
If the helix instead of the carriage be caused to revolve steadiness and persistency
of motion may be given it by attaching to it weights in such wise that they will
as it revolves describe a circle of considerable diameter in their revolution.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates a helix and a carriage as herein-
before explained. Figure 2 shews an arrangement wherein the helix is fixed and
the carriage revolves taking round with it the arm F. Figure 3 shews an arrangement
wherein the helix revolves and a stop is provided to prevent the revolution of the
carriage.
A is the helix shewn as being fastened rigidly in Figure 2 at the points
a a to the
frame or support E and in Figure 3 shewn as being held at those points so that it can
turn freely. B is the "retainer" and CC are the arms of the "carriage."
Fin Figure 3 represents the motion receiving part of the toy or light machinery
to be driven, illustrating one method of utilizing and applying the motion produced.
G in Figure 3 represents a stop to the revolution of the carriage; H in Figure 3
represents a fly wheel attached to the helix wire at the point for the purpose of giving
steadiness to its motion.
Figures 4 and 5 represent the application of the invention to the toy imitating
a race.
Figure 4 is a perspective view thereof and Figure 5 shews some of the parts
separately as hereinafter described.
"
N is a box preferably made of tin or zinc and flat at top E is a cross piece extending
across the bottom of this box. In the centre of the top of the box there is a circular
opening R and surrounding it is an annular slot forming a track P. The disc inside
such track is supported by arches o made fast at one of their ends to the box N outside
the track and extending over the track and secured to the disc at their other end. a² is
a vertical post fastened to the cross piece E at the centre of the box. Into the end of
this post is fixed the lower end of the helix A hereinbefore described, its upper end
being carried by the support 12 fastened to the sides of the box and extending above
and across the box as shewn. B is the retainer and C the arms of the "carriage
as hereinbefore described. M M are racing figures which may be horses carrying
riders or any other figures desired, each attached to one end of the carrying arms LL
which are turned up into the track P so that the figures are above the said track. The
said arms are wound around or connected so as to be capable of turning upon the
post a the said arms then extending vertically upward and the upper ends are looped
around or connected so as to be capable of turning upon the upper part of the helix A.
The portion of each arm L in line with the helix is either straight as in figure 4 or
bent into corrugations or provided with projections and recesses as shewn in figure 5.
The armis L are situated in the same radial plane the dimensions being so far different
that each arm is inside or outside the other or others and parallel thereto so that each
swings without touching the other or others and so that the figures when the carrying
arms are thus set stand side by side on the open track and may pass each other
without interference when the arms are in motion. As many arms and figures as are
desired can thus be used. The corrugations or the like in the arms if they be used
are preferably so arranged as to be at different heights in the several arms. Without
however using the corrugations or the like a race is still well imitated, the corruga-
tions or the like serving only to exaggerate the diversity of motion in the carrying
arms and racing figures.
The operation is as follows:-
The box is set upon a level surface and the carriage is placed in the helix at the
top, the retainer part B projecting into the open core and the arm or arms Cresting
across the inclined curve of the helix and one of the said arms standing across that
portion of the carrying arms L parallel to the helix.
On being released the carriage descends by force of gravity and revolves as it
descends that arm C of the carriage which bears on the arms L driving before it the
said arms which are thus made to rotate and if the corrugations be used (and to some

page_text: extent even in their absence) thrusting first one and then another arm ahead and
causing the racing figures to move correspondingly around the open track in imitation
of a race until the carriage has descended and is stopped by the stop S and received
on the rest S the said carriage being thrown out of the line of travel of the figures
and arms L when the figures continue to swing by force of the momentum acquired
until they finally come to rest.
The foregoing serves to illustrate a practical application of the motor described but
the Invention as shewn by Figures 1, 2 and 3 may of course be applied in other
cases to which it is or may be applicable.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this Invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
First A motor for driving toys or other light machinery consisting of a helix
having a straight open core in combination with a carriage arranged to travel by
force of gravity upon the said helix, the said carriage consisting of a part travelling
in the core of the helix and of an arm or arms projecting from, fastened to, or formed
by a bent continuation of, the said part and resting across the upper surfaces of the
inclined curve of the helix the carriage being free to travel along the said helix by
force of gravity so that rotary motion is imparted to the carriage or to the helix
substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
Second A toy imitating a race and consisting of a helix and carriage arranged
and operating substantially as herein before described and claimed in combination with
figures so located as to move in concentric circles and to pass each other without
interference each figure being mounted upon an independent arm operated from the
said carriage substantially as herein before described, whether the parts L L operated
upon by the carriage be plain or corrugated or furnished with projections and recesses
as and for the purpose described.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agents.