Improvements in the Construction of Jointed Working Toy Figures.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Nov., 1896-Accepted, 9th Jan., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Jointed Working Toy
Figures.
I, GEORGE FREDERICK LÜTTICKE of Luisenufer, Berlin, Germany, Manu-
facturer, 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 has for object the simplification and cheapening of production
of moving figures which are composed of a number of flat parts of metal or other
suitable material, and are movable in such a way that the action of the limbs or
members takes place in a natural way; further the means for communicating said
action is out of sight whereby the effect is enhanced. The spectator sees a figure
with limbs or members moving in a natural way without being able to perceive
how the movements are effected. The whole figure is made up of small stamped
out pieces of sheet metal and the peculiar method of their production, joining
together and combination forms the essential feature of this invention. The single
metal plates which may form parts of a head or of a figure are partly attached
either fixedly or so as to be capable of turning, to a stationary metal plate or
frame, and are partly in jointed connection with one another by means of sinall
studs; one, or it may also be, several parts are provided with a hidden handle;
and further in the several members or also in the stationary metal plate or frame
there are arranged apertures, pivots, or the like which limit the movements of the
several metal parts.
In the accompanying drawing which illustrates the invention Figs. 1 and 2 shew
respectively in elevation and in vertical section a head built up by placing together
the corresponding metal parts.
a is the stationary metal plate or frame with a projecting lower side on which
the metal piece d is mounted to turn on stud e said piece d again being by means
of the stud e in jointed connection with the metal piece frepresenting the lower
jaw of the head, and finally piece f by means of the stud g with the metal piece h
representing the skull, to which is attached the handle i the shank of the same
passing through the aperture k of the plate a. o is a tongue visible only when the
mouth is opened.
The action is effected from the handle i which like the aperture k is out of sight
of the spectator. If now perfect freedom of movement were allowed to the parts.
these would severally place themselves without any order relatively to one another
and it would not be possible to display a figure with the parts moving in a natural
way, therefore the movements of these are so regulated and confined by stops or
projections of different kinds formed on, attached to, or cut in the same, that a
figure moving life like is represented, thus in the head shewn in Fig. 1 the move-
ment of the handle is limited at top by the edge of the aperture k and below by
the projection on the piece f. The movement of the piece h relatively to the
piece is limited by a projection m and that of the piece d by studs n, n.
Fig. 3 is a back view of a similarly constructed figure with the stationary plate
or frame left out. Here the metal pieces 1, 2, 3, 4, are in jointed connection with
one another through bolts or studs 5, 6, 7. Piece 1 has a stud 8 which engages
in an aperture 9 of piece 2, said aperture being concealed by piece 1 and allowing
stud 8 so much freedom of movement as is required for the natural movements of

page_text: the piece I representing a hat. To the part 2 is attached a handle 10, shewn in
section, engaging in the aperture 11 of piece 3. The pieces 2 and 3 turn on the
bolt 6. The apertures here limit the movements of the metal pieces. Instead of
actuating the figure from a handle, a rod 12 may be fitted on the stud 8 and
extending down to a spring 14 where it is provided with a projection 13. Said
spring is fixed to the stationary plate or frame and springs the rod 12 upwards,
then the rod is drawn down by hand and in this way the movements of the figure
are brought about. The piece 1 representing a hat may be firmly fixed to, or
mounted to be movable on, the rod 12. 15 is a tongue on the lower head piece and
visible only when the mouth is opened.
Fig. 4 shews a body and arms composed of metal pieces. The projections or
studs y; y, y, here determine the strokes of the members .c. w is the handle or a
disc and the concealed aperture in the plate v through the handle projects.
A number of handles may be provided for the purpose of varying the
movements.
By this method of placing together and forming the stamped out metal pieces a
peculiar game is simply and cheaply provided. A figure or head may be exhibited
to the spectator without any of the moving mechanism being observable by him,
as the motion of the finger placed in the handle is concealed, and the figure appears
to be held still in the hand of the operator. Instead of the handle, rods or the
like may be used. Such an arrangement is shewn in Figs. 5 and 6. A is the
stationary plate or frame between which and the plate part C is formel a space
within which the slides B, B', may be moved from the rods E, E. A slot or
aperture D permits the connection of the slides B, B1, with the figures G, G'.
F, F, are the stops which limit the movements of the slides B, B. The
members of the figure can be held in their normal position by springs, and moved
tberefrom by hand.
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. Movable figures having limbs or members consisting of flat metal parts
jointed to one another, the movements of which are limited by obstacles in the
form of studs, apertures or the like, and which are produced by cutting or stamping,
substantially as described and shewn.
2. A figure representing the natural forms, speech, and movements, composed
of flat metal parts in jointed connection with one another and having their move-
ments limited by obstacles of the kind referred to in Claim 1, substantially as
described and shewn.
3. In a figure of the kind referred to in Claim 2, composed of flat metal parts
in jointed connection with one another, the arrangement of a tongue on the lower
head piece, which tongue is only visible when the mouth is opened, substantially
as described and shewn.
4. In a figure of the kind referred to in Claims 1 and 2, having limbs or
members, the arrangement, in a casing, frame, or the like for setting in movement
suitably mounted figures, of means invisible to the spectator, said means consisting
of covering plates or screens, concealed apertures, studs, rods, springs or the like,
substantially as described and shewn.
5. The improvements herein described and shewn in the drawing.
Dated this 7th do
1
CAPITAINE & VON HERTLING,
89 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.