Improvements in Self-propelling Hobby-horses.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Aug., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 8th Dec., 1890-Accepted, 7th Feb., 1891
Improvements in Self-propelling Hobby-horses.
I, HERBERT JOHN ALLISON, of 52, Chancery Lane, London, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which
has been communicated to me from abroad by Martin Bohlig, of St. Paul,
Minnesota, United States of America, Gentleman) to be as follows:-
This invention relates to self propelling hobby horses, and consists in the novel
construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter shown and
described.
In the accompanying drawings, making a part of this Specification:
Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation.
Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the invention complete.
Figures 3 and 4 are side views illustrating slight modifications in the
construction.
A represents the base or platform mounted on forward wheels B¹ and rear
wheels B², the latter rigidly attached to the shaft or axle B³, so that the wheels and
axle turn together.
In the modifications shown in Figs. 1 and 2 a sloping board D is hinged by its
lower or forward end at a to the base A, and supported at its rear or upper end by
a spring E, and also carrying the seat F¹ and foot board F.
In the modifications shown in Fig. 3 the sloping board D and spring E are
arranged as in Figs. 1 and 2, but with an additional horizontal board M hinged to
it at a and supported by another spring E', while in the modification shown in
Fig. 4 two sloping boards are arranged between the horizontal boards A and M.
and with three springs E E E², but the mode of operation and the construction is
substantially the same in all the modifications.
The seat F is arranged slightly different in the modifications shown in Figs. 3
and 4, but the functions are the same.
The sides G will preferably be made to represent horses, to give a more life like
and attractive appearance to the device.
Upon the axle B³ at or near its center is secured a dish or collar H having
ratchet teeth in its rim and enclosed by a casing H³ loose upon the axle B³, and
having pawls H³ engaging with the teeth of the ratchet, as shown in Fig. 1.
A strap K connects the rear of the scat F¹ to the casing H2, while a spring L is
wound around the axle B³ and connected by its ends to some part of the base A, or
its attachments, and to the casing H2, as shown in Fig. 2.
The spring L is so arranged that its force is expended upon the casing to revolve
it backward while the spring E or E2 E by forcing the board upward causes
the strap K to keep the casing H2 in its upward position and thus counteract the
influence of the spring L.
The operation is very simple, and is as follows,
When the child in the seat exerts its force in jumping, it will compress the
spring E, or E1 and E2, and permit the spring L to revolve the casing H2 over the
ratchets and thus wind up the strap K around its outer surface as a drum, and then
when the child throws itself forward the reaction of the spring will unwind the
strap and revolve the casing, and the latter being connected by the pawls and
ratchets to the shaft B³, the latter will be revolved forward and thus move the
platform with it and cause the vehicle to move forward in a series of leaps, the more

page_text: rapid and vigorous the motions of the child the longer and more rapid will be the
movement of the device.
Dated this 1st day of Aron 1900
ALLISON BROS..
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Self-propelling Hobby-horses.
I, HERBERT JOHN ALLISON, of 52, Chancery Lane, London, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which
has been communicated to me from abroad by Martin Bollig, of St. Paul,
Minnesota, United States of America, Gentleman) and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
This invention relates to self propelling hobby horses, and consists in the novel
construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter shown and
described.
In the drawings filed with the Provisional Specification :-
Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation.
Figure 2 is a rear elevation, of the invention complete.
Figures 3 and 4 are side views illustrating slight modifications in the
construction.
A. represents the base or platform mounted on forward wheels B₁ and rear
wheels B², the latter rigidly attached to the shaft or axle B³, so that the wheels
and axle turn together.
In the modification shown in Figs. 1 and 2 a sloping board D is hinged by its
lower or forward end at a to the base A, and supported at its rear or upper
end by a spring E, and also carrying the seat F and foot board F.
In the modification shown in Fig. 3 the sloping board D and spring E are
arranged as in Figs. 1 and 2, but with an additional horizontal board M hinged
to it at a and supported by another spring E¹, while in the modification shown
in Fig. 4 two sloping boards are arranged between the horizontal boards A. and M
and with three springs E, E, E², but the mode of operation and the construction is
substantially the same in all the modifications.
The seat is arranged slightly different in the modifications shown in Figs. 3
and 4, but the functions are the same.
The sides G will preferably be made to represent horses, to give a more life like
and attractive appearance to the device.
Upon the axle B³ at or near its center is secured a dish or collar H having
ratchet teeth in its rim and enclosed by a casing H2 loose upon the axle B³, and
having pawls H³ engaging with the teeth of the ratchet, as shown in Fig. 1.
A. strap K connects the rear of the seat F to the casing H2, while a spring L is
wound around the axle 13 and connected by its ends to some part of the base A., or
its attachments, and to the casing H, as shown in Fig. 2.
The spring is so arranged that its force is expended upon the casing to revolve
it backward, while the spring E¹ or E, E, by forcing the board upward causes the
strap K to keep the casing H in its upward position, and thus counteract the
influence of the spring L.
The operation is very simple, and is as follows,
When the child in the seat exerts its force in jumping, it will compress the
spring E, or E1 and E2, and permit the spring L to revolve the casing H2
over the ratchets and thus wind up the strap K around its outer surface as a
drum, and then when the child throws itself forward the reaction of the spring
will unwind the strap and revolve the casing, and the latter being connected
by the pawls and ratchets to the shaft B³, the latter will be revolved forward and

page_text: thus move the platform with it and cause the vehicle to move forward in a series of
leaps, the more rapid and vigorous the motions of the child the longer and more
rapid will be the movements of the device.
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 :-
A self propelling hobby horse consisting of a base A mounted upon carrier
wheels, boards D or M-supporting a seat and hinged to said base, a spring E or
springs E', E, interposed between said boards and the base, a clutch upon one of
the axles of said carrier wheels, a spring connecting said clutch and said base, and
a strap connecting said boards or seats and said clutch, whereby motion imparted
to said boards causes said base and its attachments to be moved forward in successive
movements, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 8th day of December 1890.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.