Improvements in and Connected with Humming Tops.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Dec., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Sept., 1889-Accepted, 2nd Nov., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Connected with Humming Tops.
I, JAMES DUFF of Chester Terrace Putney Road, Enfield Wash, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is to produce a cheap and simple humming top, con-
structed in such a manner that when spinning, it may be held between the finger.
and thumb by means of a special holding device.
The top is constructed with an inner disc placed horizontally half way between
the top and bottom of the top. This disc is provided with any suitable number of
holes. The outer casing of the top is provided with a slot so placed as to cause the
air which may issue therefrom to impinge against half the edge of one of the per-
forations in the horizontal inner disc.
The vertical axis of the top terminates in a peg at each end, the bottom peg
being provided with a disc for winding, the said winding disc being weighted so as
to keep the top vertical when spinning.
The device for holding the top when spinning consists of two metal or partly metal
pieces each provided with a suitable recess, or bush for the reception of the peg.
Each metal piece is curved to the shape of the finger and fits thereon by means of
an elastic band or similar attachment.
When it is required to spin the top, one holding device is placed upon the thumb,
and another upon the finger, the pegs of the top are then inserted in the bushes, and
the top spun in the ordinary manner.
Dated this 27th day of December 1888
"
CASTLE SMITH,
Invention" Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Connected with Humming Tops.
I, JAMES DUFF, of Chester Terrace, Putney Road, Enfield Wash, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer, 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 :-
:-
The object of this invention is to produce a cheap and simple humming top, con-
structed in such a manner that when spinning it may be held between the finger
and thumb by means of a special holding device.
The invention will be well understood by referring to the accompanying drawings
which are furnished in illustration of this invention. Similar letters of reference are
used to indicate corresponding parts in all the Figures. Figure 1 is a vertical section
of a humming top constructed according to this invention; Figure 2 is a plan of the
horizontal disc A (Fig. 1); Figures 3 and 4 are respectively front and side elevations
and Figure 5 is a perspective view of the holding device; Figure 6 shews in per-
spective a top ready for spinning between the finger and thumb.
The shell B of the top is preferably blocked up or otherwise formed from sheet
metal into the shape shewn in Figure 1, with a winding bobbin or reel C at each end
and formed in one with the shell so that the top may be spun with either end up. The
shell is preferably formed of two sections united by the horizontal metal disc A,
soldered, brazed, or otherwise rigidly affixed to the junction of the two sections. The
shell of the top may if desired be made from gutta percha or similar material with

page_text: bobbins C and a horizontal metal disc A affixed thereto, but I prefer to block the shell
from sheet metal, and form the bobbins in one with the shell as previously stated.
The disc A which is placed midway between the top and bottom of the shell is pro-
vided with any suitable number of holes or perforations D through and across which
plays the air admitted through the slot E' in the shell. This slot E is so placed as to
cause the air passing there through to impinge against half the edge of one of the
perforations D in the horizontal disc A and thus cause the humming sound.
The vertical axis F of the top terminates in a point or peg G at each end, and these
points or pegs are placed in recesses or bushes H made for their reception in the
finger and thumb pieces J. For holding the top when spinning two of these
pieces J are supplied one to be placed on the thumb, and the other on the finger of
the operator. They are constructed preferably of metal bushes H and are curved to
the shape of the underside of the finger and thumb as shewn in Figures 4, 5 and 6.
An india rubber or similarly elastic band K adjustable in length by slots L in the
pieces J, serves to keep the said pieces in position on the finger and thumb as shewn
in Figure 6. The pieces J with the bearings H and slots L, may be cast in one.
When it is required to spin the top one holding device is placed upon the thumb,
and another upon the finger. The string is now wound upon the bobbin C and the
points or pegs G of the top are then inserted in the recesses or bushes H and the top
spun in the ordinary manner.
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) The construction and use of the curved pieces J with recesses or bushes H and
elastic attachments K to be fitted over the finger and thumb for holding a top during
the act of spinning, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in
Figures 3 to 6.
(2) In combination with the holding device as set forth in the first claim, the top
constructed substantially as bereinbefore described and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.
Dated this 23rd day of September 1889.
"
CASTLE SMITH,
Per F. W. Golby,
Invention" Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.