Improvements in Spinning Tops.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 16th July, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 19th Apr., 1892-Accepted, 11th June, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Spinning Tops.
I, JAMES LOCKHART BROWN of 14 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, in the County
of Lanark, North Britain, Draughtsman, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention which relates to improvements in spinning tops has for its chief
object the production of spinning tops which shall present two special features of
novelty as follows-
First. After having been spun by means of a suitable holder or handle and by
a suitably wound cord or cords, the tops, after that they have continued spinning
for some time with a speed continually lessened, have their spinning at length stopped
and then have their spinning started again in the direction opposite to that of the
spinning which has been stopped and have that reversed spinning, for sometime
thereafter, continuously accelerated in that opposite direction.
Second. During one part of the tops performance after that it has been spun as
heroinbefore indicated, the natural precession of the axis of the top, whose spinning
is to be stopped and reversed, is prevented, and a movement of the axis of that top
Aimilar to precession is caused to take place in a direction contrary to that of the
precession which is during that part of the tops performance being prevented. And
in addition to these two special features of novelty, tops suitably constructed with
my improvements present also the following novel features.
Though after having been wound and spun as herein before indicated the spinning
of that top whose spinning is to be or has been stopped and reversed be repeatedly
stopped by hand or otherwise, yet it shall, if left upright after each such stopping
for a limited number of times, have its spinning renewed or repeated. Also that
though the same top be repeatedly seized after that the reversal of its spinning
caused by my improvements has taken place, and be twirled or spun by hand or
otherwise backwards or contrary wise to its then direction of spinning, it shall have
that hand or otherwise given, spinning each time it is given, for a limited number of
times, reversed back again to that direction of spinning which was interfered with
when it was twirled or spun backwards by hand or otherwise.
Also that when suitably constructed and spun, as hereinbefore indicated, upon as
soft cloth or like surface the top hereinbefore referred to as that one whose
spinning is to be stopped and reversed shall have its spinning slowed and stopped
and without thereafter having its spinning reversed, shall stand or balance upright
without any apparent spinning.
Also that the same hereinbefore referred to top shall be capable, when suitably
constructed, of being seized whilst spinning and on being turned and stood upside
down shall have its spinning renewed in that position. Also that when of suitable
form and construction, if spun as hereinbefore indicated, and then placed on a
smooth level surface and resting on the periphery of the shell of the same herein-
before referred to top, the whole top shall roll along or around on that surface like
a wheel.
The means for carrying out my invention refer to the employment of a heavy
top, preferably made the inner top, in combination with a light top so that the two
cau be spun and can continue to spin independently of each other in the same or in
opposite directions save for the friction of their mutual bearings and of the air
enclosed or passing between them. And this heavy top I apply in combination
with the light top, as a means of storing up, whilst the operator is spinning it, that
energy which I afterwards employ to produce the two special features of novelty

page_text: hereinbefore described as being presented and also to produce all of those additional
features of novelty hereinbefore specified.
The means for carrying out my invention also refers to winding two cords in
contrary directions, one on the spindle of the inner top and one on the spindle of the
outer top and in pulling them off simultaneously. And further in winding one
cord only and in winding the two parts or ends of that one cord with the assistance
of a peg or pegs in the stems of both tops or in the stem of one of the tops alone in
such a manner that the pulling off of the cord leaves the two tops spinning in
opposite directions either by simultaneous and reverse spinning of each individual
top or otherwise.
The means for carrying out my invention also refers to the applying in
combination with the outer and inner tops and with the reverse winding of the two
parts or ends of the cord, means whereby the two tops are or can be connected
together and disconnected at the proper moments respectively during the pulling
off of the spinning cord, and in the utilizing of centrifugal force when convenient,
to accomplish disconnection of the two tops at the proper instant when the top is
being spun.
The said means being mounted externally or internally or being partly external
and partly internal and being arranged in such wise that though the one top drags
or drives the other around during the whole former part of the pulling off of the
cord, yet still during the whole pulling off of the latter and reverse wound
part of the cord the two tops are left free the one to continue spinning as already
spun by that part of the cord just pulled off, and the other to be spun in the opposite
direction by that part of the cord which is yet to be pulled off.
In the practical carrying out of my invention I mount a heavy top which I make
preferably the inner top in suitable bearings within an outer light top whose
winding stem is tubular and carries externally near its lower or its upper end one
or more pegs. The winding spindle of the inner top projects for a convenient
length beyond the tubular winding stem of the outer top and carries near the lower
or upper end of its projecting length one or more pegs, and on the upper end of it
I mount a loose knob or holder and the diameter of that projecting length of the
inner spindle whereon the cord is wound. I may make the same as the diameter of
the winding stem of the outer top, or greater or less as may be convenient. In
winding and spinning this top I may engage a knot on the end of a cord with the
peg or pegs on the projecting spindle of inner top and wind and spin that top say
right handed: After which I engage the knot of the cord with the peg or pegs on
the outer top's spindle and wind and spin that top left handed so as to leave the
two tops spinning in contrary directions. But preferably 1 proceed as follows.
Either I employ two cords and after winding the oue one way on the outer top's stein
and the other the opposite way on the inner top's stem I seize the ends of the two
cords in one hand and pull them off simultaneously thus leaving the two tops
spinning in opposite directions, or else. I employ only one cord; and in winding the
two parts or ends of that one cord I engage a knot at one extremity of the cord
with the peg or pegs in the stem, say of the outer top and wind that part or end of
the cord, say right handed on that stem. Then I engage a knot formed at the
other extremity of the cord with the peg or pegs on the projecting spindle of the
inner top and wind the other part or end of the cord left handed on that spindle.
The cord is of such a length as to leave, after winding as described, a loop or bight
by which it can be pulled off so as to leave the two tops spinning at about the same
speed in opposite directions. When they are left so spinning then the inner top on
account of its superior weight and therefore greater stored up energy does by
means of its pivot or axle friction and by friction of the air between the two tops,
assist the friction of the outer air and of the outer top's pivot in slowing the
spinning of the outer top until that top is by these means stopped.
After which the inner top, still rapidly spinning, does by means of its pivot or
axle friction and by means of the friction of the air between the tops, cause the
outer top to begin spinning in the same direction as itself and does accelerate its

page_text: spinning in that direction for some time. All of which is accomplished without
danger of the external top's falling down since the inner top is all the while stable
in the plane of its own continuous spinning.
Further during that part of the top's performance which precedes reversal of the
outer top, the-precession of the axis of the heavy inner top prevents that precession
which is then natural to the axis of the light outer top from taking place and
causes a movement of that axis similar to precession, to take place in a direction
contrary to that of the precession which is being prevented.
That the reverse winding of the cord may be more easily accomplished I fix near
the upper end of the stem of the outer top in addition to the peg or pegs near its.
lower end, a cord reversing peg.
I then wind as follows:-
I engage a knot formed at one extremity of the cord with the peg or pegs at the
lower end of the outer top's stem and wind that part or end of the cord say
right handed up the said.stem. On reaching the cord reversing peg I turn the
cord half way around that peg and continue winding the other end or part left handed
on the projecting spindle of the inner top so that though during the former part of
the pull off of the cord the two tops are spun together in the same direction yet
still after that the cord has slipped from off the cord reversing peg the outer top is
thereafter left free to be spun contrary to the inner top by the latter and reverse
wound part of the cord. In order to obtain a shorter winding stem so that the top
may the better spin when turned upside down I cut down the projecting spindle of
the inner top so as to leave merely a collar beyond the spindle of the outer top.
In that collar I fix a peg in addition to the pegs already referred to as fixed in the
stem of the outer top as last described. I then wind the former part of the cord as
last described but besides turning the cord by means of the reversing peg in the
outer tops stem I bring the peg in the aforementioned collar to be right above the
reversing peg in the outer top's stem and turn the cord over both pegs and then
continue winding the latter part of the cord downwards again on the stem of the
outer top in a direction contrary to that of the winding of the former part of
the cord.
Instead of fixing a peg in the short projecting part or collar of the spindle of
the inner top I may roughen or V groove that collar or may jacket it with india-
rubber or other suitable material so that one or two turns of the cord on it shall
grip it and drag it around without a peg being fixed in it. Or I may make the
said collar with a flat side or sides on it or of any cross section other than circular
with the same object in view.
And I may still further shorten the spindle of the inner top so that it shall be
entirely within the shell of the outer top in which case I provide and utilize means
as aforementioned whereby the two tops are or can be connected and disconnected
at the proper times, and in which case also I wind entirely on the stem of the outer
top with the assistance of a knot detaining peg or pegs and a cord reversing peg
or pega.
My means of accomplishing connection and disconnection of the two tops in this
case consists of a pin or pins or of a clutch or friction washer or other suitable
agent mounted internally at the middle or at any convenient part of the upper or
lower part of the shell of the outer top. The said upper or lower part of said
shell is made elastic so as that pressure of the hand on the bolder of the outer top
deflects that upper part and forces the pin or pins or clutch or friction washer etc.
into gear with a like pin or pins or clutch or washer etc. mounted internally on the
upper or lower side of the inner top. End play is allowed in the upper bearing
of the inner top's spindle or else the upper or lower centre is formed in a plunger
sliding within either the stem or the lower pivot of the outer top and having in
either case a spiral spring fitted to prevent end shake so that the elastic shell can
be deflected while the former part of the cord is being pulled off, and thus the
inner top be spun by means of the outer one. When the cord reaches the reversing

page_text: peg the operator ceases to press down and thus allows the pin or pins or clutch or
friction washer etc. to be sprung out of gear and leaves the outer top free to be.
reverse spun by the latter and reverse wound part of the cord.
In employing the means of connecting just described as actuating by pressure
on the holder I may make the whole shell of the outer top or any part thereof
elastic and may accomplish connection between said outer shell and the inner top
either by gripping the inner top by means of the outer at any part or parts of
the same or otherwise. Also I may employ a rigid outer shell and arrange either
the lower pivot or the winding stem of said shell or both together with the aid of
a spring or springs so as to be capable of being pushed plungerwise in through
the said shell and so establishing under pressure connection between the two tops
and of being pushed out again by the spring or springs when pressure is relaxed so
as then to leave the two tops disconnected.
My other means of accomplishing connection of the two tops are as follows.
By hooks and loops, the hook or hooks being fixed to either top as desired and
Bo also the loop or loops of cord, wire or other suitable material.
By frictional pawl or pawls fixed to either top as desired.
By single acting pawl and ratchet wheel, the pawl fixed to either top as
desired and so also the ratchet wheel. By double acting pawl-and ratchet wheel,
the pawl by preference fixed to iuuer top & the ratchet wheel to the outer one.
By ball and pocket either in the internal or external top, the ball frictionally
connecting the two tops during the former part of the pull off of the cord, and
centrifugal force being utilized to send it to the other end of the pocket and out
of gear when the reverse spinning by the cord begins.
By pendulum arm or arins and clutch, the arm or arms being preferably mounted
so as to hang down and swing freely from their points of attachment to the inner
top, & the clutch being preferably fixed within the outer top. And in employing
these said means to connect the two tops I utilize also centrifugal force as a means
of accomplishing disconnection at the proper moment when my improved top is
being spun. Besides which I may employ any other already well-known mechanical
self-acting device for driving or dragging in one direction only, or any well-known
device for driving or dragging in either direction which admits of being thrown
out of gear at the proper time by the utilization of centrifugal force or otherwise.
Besides which I may provide another means consisting of a plunger or pin sliding
through a hole or bush in the stem of the outer top across the grooved outer end
of which plunger the cord is wound so that a suitably formed part of the spindle
of the inner top is gripped by the suitably formed inner end of the plunger, off
from whose outer end the cord is unwound near the end of the former part of the
pull off of the same and half a turn or thereby previous to its slipping off from
the reversing peg, so that the plunger being then thrown out of gear by a spring
or otherwise, as for instance by the cord, the two tops are disconnected immediately
previous to the reverse spinning of the outer top by means of the lattor part of
the pull off of the cord.
Instead of employing a plunger I may saw or otherwise cut the stem of the.
outer top so that a portion of it may be deflected inwards by pressure of the
cord when wound over a suitable knob or other projection on the cut and deflectable
part of the stem. Or I may cut a hole in the outer top's stem and slip over that
part of the stem where the hole is a length of india rubber or other clastic
tubing which shall be pressed by the cord against a suitable friction wheel or other
device fixed on the spindle of the inner top. Further, in order that I may, if
preferred, dispense with reverse winding of the two parts of the cord I
the connection between the two tops by means of suitable toothed or frictional
gearing conveniently mounted in the holder or in the body of the top so that with
ordinary winding of the cord on the outer or the inner top's spindle the outer or
the inner top may, on being spun, spin the inner or the outer top simultaneously in
the opposite direction to itself. And I may arrange the said gearing so as either
may
take

page_text: to leave or not to leave the two tops disconnected when the holder is not pressed
down or is let go and also so as to be in gear when the top is hanging from tho
hand by the holder and out of gear when the weight of the top is resting on its
main spinning pivot. Besides making the heavy top the inner one I may make it
the outer one and place the light top within it. Or I may arrange both tops as
outer tops, that is I may place either one wholly above the other longitudinally of
their common axes. Also I may arrange the two tops so that their axes do not
coincide as is necessary when it is desired that the top shall run truly and steadily.
Also I may construct preforably my inner top with a heavy side and a shifting
counter balancing sector by which the external top may drive or drag it around
so that when wound and spun in one way the top shall be in balance and behave
well, but when wound and spun in an opposite manner it shall be greatly out of
balance and refuse to spin well.
Or I may make my outer top with a heavy side and my inner top with a heavy
side for the purpose of producing a top intended not to reverse but merely to
refuse to spin woll except in one direction.
In any of the top hereinbefore described as having the inner top entirely
within the outer one I may when possible, if desired, extend the spindle of the
inner top beyond the stem of the outer one and mount it if preferred with 'a
holder. And when I so extend the spindle of the inuer top and employ pressure
on the holder to connect the two tops, I may so mount the spindle of the inner
top in its bearings as that it can be pressed downwards to connect the two tops:
And in any top I may, when expedient, if desired also extend the lower pivot
of the inner top through and beyond the outer top or its lower pivot. Further I
may so arrange the two tops when one or both ends of the inner top's spindle
are left projecting so that the tops shall be connected when hanging from the
hand by the holder but disconnected when the weight of the top rests on its main
spinning pivot.
Also I may construct any top with its outer or main spinning pivot above the
centre of gravity of the top and provide a stand whereon to spin it..
And I may mount in or on my heavy top a frictional connecting piece which
shall be thrown outwards on spinning the top and thereafter be slowly drawn
towards the centre as the speed of the heavy top diminishes and which shall during
such its return come in contact with one or more frictional belts or zones in the
inner surface of the outer top, the said outer top being provided with external
vanes or with such a pivot that thereby its spinning shall be quickly stopped and
itself held stationary except when driven by contact. of the frictional connector
with the frictional zone or zones in its passage towards the centre of the top.
And I may cut any openings in either the inner or outer top and print or paint
or otherwise impress on either of them any-suitable figures, devices or arrange-
ments of colours for the purpose of producing chromatic effect or optical illusion
whilst the inner and outer tops are spinning at the same or different speeds in
opposite directions or at different speeds in the same direction. Also I may
construct either of the tops, or any part of the top of any suitable material and
in any convenient way and I may give to either top any form whatever, circular,
three cornered, square or otherwise.
It is to be understood that I do not confine myself to those windings of the
spinning cord hereinbefore described and which are suitable to enable the top
when spun to exhibit slowing, stopping and reverse spinning but I may wind the
cord also in other ways in such a manner that the top when thus spun shall behave
differently as for instance shall spin and continuo spinning like a common 'top
without reversing unless interfered with and twirled backwards so that my invon-
tion produces also tops whose performance varies according as the spinning cord is
differently wound.
Also I may dispense with a cord reversing peg or pegs and after having wound
the former part of the cord may simply double the cord backwards and then after
reverse winding a coil or coils, over the coils already wound, or over the bend of

page_text: the doubling or over both may continue the said reverse winding up or down the
winding stem as required.
Dated this 15th day of July 1801
JOHNSONS,
115, St. Vincent 'Street, Glasgow, Petitioner's Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Spinning Tops.
I, JAMES LOCKHART BROWN of 14 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, in the County
of Lanark, North Britain, Draughtsman, 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 which relates to improvements in spinning tops, has for its chief
object the production of tops whose special features of novelty are that besides
being capable of spinning in one direction with a speed continually lessened, as a
common top spins, they are in addition through the operation of my improvements.
capable of being spun so as not only to remain upright instead of falling down when
that spinning is about to cease, and also when it has stopped, but also to have their
spinning immediately thereafter renewed and for some time accelerated in the
opposite direction to that in which they spun previous to the aforesaid stopping.
In carrying out my said invention I employ a fly wheel, or I employ as a fly
wheel a heavy rimmed solid or hollow top, and in the simplest form which my
improvements take I combine this fly wheel or heavy rimmed top with a light
hollow or solid top as hereinafter described and illustrated by the drawings annexed
in such a way that each of the two can be left spinning oppositely to the other by -
the pulling off of a cord suitably wound about the stem, and can thereafter spin
independently each of the other save for friction.
But in order that my said invention may be more readily understood and easily
carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the same with reference- to the
annexed drawings throughout which the same reference letters denote similar parts.
Figures 1 to 5 inclusive illustrate the simplest way in which I carry out my
improvements, and of these Figures 1 and 2 are sectional elevation and plan
And
respectively showing the combination of the fly wheel and light top.
Figures 3, 4 and 5 are part elevations showing various methods of winding the
spinning cord.
Figure 6 is a sectional elevation of a modification of the stem and holder knob,
.and
Figure 7 is an elevation of same showing the method of leading the cord in
winding.
Figure 8 is an elevation showing a further modification of the holder and stem
and the winding of the cord.
Figures 9 and 10 are sectional elevations showing a modification whereby the fly
and its spindle are contained entirely within the light top. And
Figure 11 is a plan of a detail of same.
Figure 12 isa sectional elevation of a modification of the arrangement shown-in
Figures 9 and 10, and
Figure 13 is a plan of the fly of Figure 12..
Figure 14 is a sectional elevation showing a modification of the arrangement
illustrated by Figures 12 and 13.whereby spinning is more easily accomplished.
Figure 15 is a part sectional elevation of the stem of Figure 14.
'
Figure 16 is an elevation of the same showing the winding and the position of
the parts at beginning of the pull of the cord.
Figure 17 is a part sectional elevation showing two further methods of effecting
connection and disconnection of the fly and light top. This figure also shows in
dotted lines the fly wheel arranged outside the light top. And

page_text: Figure 17 18.8 section elevation
Figure 18 is a plan of a detail of Figure 17.
Figures 19 and 20 are a sectional elevation and plan of anothor method of
connection and disconnection.
Figure 21 is a part sectional elevation of Figure 19.
Figures 22 and 23 are sectional elevation and plan showing a method of connection
by hook and loop, and
Figure 24 is a sectional plan showing a detail thereof.
Figures 25 and 26 are part sectional elevation and sectional plan showing a
modification of hook and loop connection.
Figures 27 and 28 are sectional elevation and part plan showing my improvements
applied to a light solid top.
Figure 30 is a sectional elevation showing a method of connecting the light top
and fly by pendulum arms and clutch, and
Figures 31, 314, 31, and 31°, plans of various forms of clutch for same.
Figure 32 is a sectional elevation showing two separate methods of connecting
and disconnecting the fly and light top.
Figure 33 is a plan of same with the cover off, and
Figure 34 is a sectional plan of a detail.
Figure 35 is an elevation of the stem of same, showing the winding for one of
the methods of connection.
Figures 36, 36ª, and 36B are sectional detail plans elucidating the action of the
cord when wound as in Figure 35.
Figure 37 is a part sectional elevation of a modification whereby reverse winding
of the spinning cord is dispensed with.
Figure 37 is a sectional edge view of the upper part, and
Figures 37 and 37° are plans of details of same.
1
Figure 38 is a sectional elevation showing out of gear another arrangement for
utilising ordinary winding.
Figure 384, is a part sectional view of same and showing the arrangement in
gear.
Figure 38B is a plan of a detail of Figure 38, and Figure 39 is a part sectional
elevation illustrating two modifications of the said gearing.
Figure 40 is a part sectional elevation of a modification in which optical illusions
and chromatic effects are produced.
Referring to Figures 1 to 5 inclusive I employ a fly wheel A, and I mount
this fly wheel on a spindle a having a female or a male centre at its lower end,
and I combine this fly wheel with a light hollow top B made in two or more
parts joined as shown or otherwise. provide the said light top B with a
pivot 6 carrying a male or female centre c and also with a tubular winding
stem C having a drilled and flanged plug d in its upper end as a bearing for
spindle a. On to that end of the fly spindle a which projects beyond d, I mount
another winding stem D which I plug at its upper end with a drilled plug E.
1 also provide a holder knob or handle e having a staple F forced into it, and
which works easy in E and has a tight collar f formed or fixed on its lower
end. The fly spindle a works in the plug d and on the centre c, and the whole
combination has 'for its pivot the pivot b. So that the fly A and the light top B
can be spun and can continue to spin independently each of the other save for
friction. In order to set the above described combination spinning so that the
fly A may sustain the light top B when B's spinning has with the Hy's assistance
been stopped and thereafter cause it to spin oppositely to its direction of spinning
previous to the said stopping. I engage, see Figure 3, a bead or a knot on
the end of a cord G with a cord detaining peg g fixed in the winding stem of the
fly A and wind that cord say left handed as shown. I then take hold of the
holder or of B and pull off the cord G, thus spinning A left handed. Immediately
thereafter I engage and wind the same cord but lettered G' right handed, as
shown, on the atem of B, with the help of the pegg, and I then allow the

page_text: 1
whole arrangement to hang by the holder or stand on the pivot b, and steadying
it by I pull off the cord G and so leave the fly A spinning left handed within
the light top B, and B spinning right handed upon the pivot b, each at about
the same speed. When the fly A and the light top B are thus left spinning
oppositely to each other then the fly A on account of its superior weight, and
therefore greater stored up energy does by means of its pivot friction at c, and its
axle friction at d, and by means of the friction due to the air enclosed or passing
between itself and the light top assist the friction of the pivot b and the friction
of the air around the light top B in slowing the right handed spinuing of the said
light top B until that right handed spinning is. by these means stopped. After
which the fly A still rapidly spinning left handed does by its pivot and axle
friction and by the friction of the air between itself and B cause B to begin
spinning in the same direction as itself, that is, for the present description, left
handed, and does accelerate B's spinning in that direction for some time. All of
which is done without any danger of the light top falling down, since it is sustained
by the spindle a of the fly A which fly is all the while stable in the plane of its own
continuous rapid spinning.
In order that optical illusion and. chromatic effects may be produced while the
above described performance is proceeding I cut one or more openings in the
upper side of B, and I paint any suitable device or arrangement of colours on
the upper side of the fly A or I mount thereon a coloured card h¹ which may be
changed at will.
paint the upper surface of B in this case preferably black, and
I apply the colour more widely and deeply as 1 approach the circumference of the
card. While A and B are spinning at different speeds in the same direction
or at the same or different speeds in opposite directions then the coloured device
or varied colouring on the fly A or on the card 7' on the fly A appears through
the revolving opening or openings h of the top B in such a way as to produce
in some cases apparent change of colour of the top or chromatic effect and in
some cases apparent change of device or apparent repeated and capricious reversal
or standing still of the top which is optical illusion. I may also place the coloured
card in the bottom of B so that it can appear through one or more openings in
the fly A and light top B. Instead of winding as hereinbefore described. I may
wind the cord G'as before mentioned on (see Figure 3), and another cord G
on D contrary to the cord Gland spin by pulling both ends off at once.
Preferably I use one cord alone and wind the two parts or ends as in Figure 3
and spin according to the arrows by pulling off that cord by the bend or bight
shown in dotted lines. As a modification of the method of winding two parts of
the same cord in contrary directions I may wind as shown in Figure 4 when I fix
another peg 9 (which I call a cord reversing peg) in C as shown. I then engage
the knot on the cord as shown with peg g' in Figure 4, and wind a part of the cord
say right handed till I reach peg g³, I then turn the cord half way around.g' and
keeping it tight I proceed to wind another part of the cord left handed around D
neglecting the peg 9 in D thus obtaining an easier method of winding.
When the cord as thus wound is pulled per the straight arrow the former part
of it coiled about D spins both the fly A and the light top. B as per the curved
arrow until or nearly until the cord reversing peg g³ is reached.
Then the cord slips from off that said pegg and the latter part of the cord
coiled about C spins the light top B alone oppositely to the now freely spinning
fly A so that after the cord is all pulled off, the fly A and the light top B
are left spinning oppositely and independently of each other save for friction.
As another modification than that last described I proceed, as shown in
Figure 5 so that instead of the cord on the stem D of the fly A dragging
around the light top during the former part of the pull off, the cord on the
stem of the light top B. drags the fly. A around during that part of the pull
off thus making it possible to dispense with a great part of the stem D. above the
peg y as shown in Figures 6 and 7 to be hereafter described.
In Figure 5 the cord is shown engaged with the. peg and a part is wound'

page_text: right handed till the peg is reached, the peg g is then brought above the peg 9³
and the cord is strained tight over both pegs as shown and then after being
brought down below g² again another part is wound left handed over the part
already wound right handed on C. The straining of the cord over the pegs g
and effects a temporary connection between the fly A and the light top B.
When the cord thus wound is pulled as per the straight arrow the light top B
drags the fly around as per the curved arrow until or nearly until the peg 9
reached immediately after which the cord slips from both pegs and the remaining
and reverse wound part of the cord then sping the light top B alone oppositely
to the spinning of the fly A, so that the fly A and the light top B are loft
spinning as before described in opposite directions:
ig
It remains to be mentioned that in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5 J is a loose slightly
projecting washer between D and C, to prevent the cord from falling or being
dragged into the gap between D and C. Also in Figure 1 j is a loose washer to
minimise the end play of the fly spindle a so that if the top be spun while-hanging
from the hand by the holder, the joint at J shall not open so as to let the cord
slip into it. In order to obtain a shorter winding stem so that the top may spin more
steadily, I cut down the stem D of Figure 5 until it remains as a mere collar
carrying a peg as shown in Figures 6 and 7 where D is the said remaining collar
and 9 is the cord reversing peg which it carries. The said collar D is telescoped
over the end of the stem C to prevent jamming of the cord and flanged above to
prevent the cord from being dragged into the gap between itself and the holder e
which is mounted loosely on the projecting end of the fly spindle.a and furnished
with a female centre K let into it and in which runs a male centre formed on the
upper end of a so as to diminish friction on the pin if the top be held
down while the cord is being pulled. The pin inserted through the holder
has its point engaged in a groove in the spindle a in order that the top
The collar D
may be spun while hanging from the hand by the holder e:
is fixed to the spindle a so as to drive it around and the remaining parts are sub-
stantially the same as in Figure 1. Figure 7 shows the leading of the cord when
winding and the method and its results are the same as described for Figure 5.
order still more to shorten the winding stem with the object before mentioned I may
employ the further modifications of winding stem shown in Figure 8 by adopting
which I dispense with the pegg and collar D of Figures 6 and 7.
In
The internal parts not shown in Figure 8 are shown in Figure 9, in this modi-
fication I place the spindle a of the fly A entirely within the winding stem C of the
light top B.
The upper end of spindle a has a male centre formed on it and works in a drilled
and female centred plunger L sliding freely inside of C which is plugged at its
upper end with a flanged plug d having formed on it or fixed to it the holder
staple F. Between d and L is interposed a spiral spring strong enough to prevent
end shake of spindle a without creating such friction at the upper and lower centres
of a as to interfero with the independent contrary spinning of A and B after the
cord has been pulled off. I make the holder staple F project through the holder e
and allow the holder e to rest on the plug d and retain it on e by the pink.
In Figure 8 only the pegs g' and are required and one part of the cord is
wound from gl in one direction up to 2, it is then turned half around 9' and another
part wound oppositely down the stem C again as shown.
When the stem is long as shown in Figure 9 then in addition to the pegs g¹.
and I place another peg 93 near g' so that the cord knot may, if preferred, be
engaged by and g. Or the cord may be reversed over g' and ' as shown. In
order that the greatly shortened stem obtained by the modification shown in
Figure 8 may be used I provide means whereby the light top and the fly can be
connected and disconnected at the proper moment while pulling the cord and
Figures 9 and 10 illustrate this said means in carrying out which I make the
roof of the light top B to be elastic so that it can be deflected by pressure on
the holder e as shown in Figure 10 until the serrated annular face cat the lower

page_text: end of the light top's spindle C indents and grips an india-rubber or other
suitable washer M made fast to the fly A. When this is done and the cord is
wound either as per Figure 8. or 10 and pulled as per straight arrow, then
on the holdere being maintained, the light top B drags around the fly A as per
pressure
curved arrow. This pressure being smartly relaxed, as by lifting the top when
the cord is seen to be near the reversing peg or pegs, the result is that the top B
is disconnected from the fly A and left free to be reversely spun independently of
it as per curved arrow by the remaining part of the cord.
Figure 11 shows the washer M in detail having arms m and m' which are bent
down between the arms of the. fly A as clearly shown in Figures 9 and 10 and
thereafter bound to the hub of the fly A below the arms by strong thread or thin
wire, in addition to which I may use any suitable cement. The remainder of
Figures 9 and 10 are substantially the same as parts already described. Instead
of the serrated lower end of C and the washer M I may employ a pin clutch or a
grooved and tongued clutch such as are shown in Figure 12.
Figures 12 and 13 show a modification of the method of connecting and dis-
connecting which has for its object to obviate the necessity of making the roof of B
elastic, and so diminish the amount of pressure necessary on the holder e, thus
producing a stiffer and stronger light top B in which the winding stem C is less
likely to be bent out of truth by use.
e
In carrying out this said nodification I construct the light top B with a rigid
roof and I make the winding stem C tubular and furnish it with the mountings d,
F, g, g, h, L and 1, the same as detailed in describing Figure 9. But instead
of fixing C rigidly to B, I arrange it to slide under pressure on the holder e,
through a short flanged tube m' fixed to the roof of B, and I utilize the spring l
to return C when that pressure is relaxed.
On the lower end of C I fix a short flanged or lugged tubular piece N and in
the flange of one or both of the lugs of N I fix a pin or pins or a screw n whose
head engages with the projecting tail of the pin or pins or screw n' in the flange
of m³, across the lower annular face of the flange piece N I sink suitable recesses
or grooves or a groove as is clearly shown in Figure 12, and on the upper face of
the hub of the fly AI form tongues or a tongue n' to engage with the aforesaid groove.
In the stem in addition to the peg I provide another peg g' at a suitable
distance from gl. The holder e is substantially the same as that in Figure 9. The
cord being engaged by means of its knot with the pegs g¹ and ga it is wound as in
Figure 8. Pressure being put one the stem C descends until the groove in N is
either in gear with the tongue nor till N's descent be stopped by the tongue n².
The cord being then pulled the piece N if not yet engaged with a slips around till
its recesses engage with the tongue n² in the fly A and at the same time the pin n'
being out of gear with the pin n the stein C by its clutch N drives around the
fly A without the light top B being at the same time positively dragged around.
may also adopt this arrangement when I desire to apply my improvements to a
light solid top by making the fly in the form of a heavy rimmed hollow top and
placing the light solid top within it as hereinafter explained. On seeing that the
cord has been pulled off to within a coil or two of the cord reversing peg 9³ the
operator smartly relaxes pressure or lifts the top while still steadily pulling. By
this relaxing pressure or lifting he causes the clutch N to take up the position in
which it is shown in Figure 12 and as soon as the cord has slipped from off g² he
by the remaining and contrary coiled part of the cord spins the light top B
oppositely to A. When after thus spinning the holder e is let go, the spring l
keeps the clutch N as shown in Figure 12 and A and B are thus left spinning
oppositely and independently save for friction. The other parts in Figure 12 not
mentioned are the same as parts previously described. In all the arrangements as
yet described I would have it understood that the knot on the end of the cord may
be placed at option at either side of the peg g' or in this case ³ and g³ so that the
light top may be made to reverse either from right hand spinning to left hand, or
vice versu. To obviate the necessity of the skill required to relax pressure on the

page_text: holder at the right moment, i moduу the arrangement just described as per
Figures 14, 15 and 16.
In this modification the parts d, L, 1, n, and n¹ of the modification shown in
Figure 12 are not used. The fly spindle projects beyond C and the holder runs
loose on its projecting end as before shown in Figure 6. The cord knot and
reversing pegs are located on C inversely to those in Figure 12. C is bushed at
its ends as shown in Figure 15.
The clutches N and are of the ordinary clawed form. A pin P in the
stem C works in a slot P¹ formed in the sleeve m in which C turns freely. In
winding the cord as shown wound at Figure 16, the top is held in the left hand and
when the cord is turned over' peg g' utilize the pull to turn the pin P towards
the position it has in Figure 16 so that on account of the form of the slot P¹ the
clutches N and n² are brought into or nearly into gear. When the cord is pulled
to spin the top as in Figure 16 then the clutches are put fully into gear by the
pull of the cord forcing P to the position shown in Figure 16. Immediately after
the cord has slipped from the reversing pin as in Figure 14, C and its pin Paro
dragged around by the reverse coiled part of the cord so that P is jerked to the
position shown in Figure 14 and on account of the form of the slot P³ the stem C
is thereby raised and lifts the clutch N out of gear with n* and B is left free to be
spun oppositely to A. That the friction of the fly spindle running in its bushes
in C may not turn C and the pin P from its position in Figure 14 back to its
position in Figure 16, that end of the slot where the pin is shown in Figure 14
droops suitably as clearly shown, Pª being the highest part of the leading edge of
the slot.
The top might be damaged by being spun with wrong reverse winding of the
cord therefore I bevel the cord reversing peg 9' as shown in Figure 24. And in
all cases in which this peg is bevelled I preferably locate it on the stem so that
the knot cannot be engaged with it, ns by means of the said pegg' and an adjacent
flange (see Figure 8) by mistake as this would defeat the object of the bevelling.
I may employ a claw formed clutch instead of the friction clutch in the top shown
in Figures 9 and 10 or in that of Figure 12.
In any top herein described I may dispense with the lower pivot of the hollow
outer top B and I illustrate this modification by Figure 17. Further modifications
are also shown. In the modification now under notico I employ pressure and
release of pressure on the holder. The construction of the top in Figure 17 is
the same as that in Figures 9 and 10 only that the light top B has no lower pivot
and that instead of employing a central clutch and elastic roof I fix a pin p in the
fly A and attach a flat spring Q hent if necessary as shown in plan in Figure 18 to
the underside of B's rigid roof and adopt preferably the short stem as in Figure 8
but with the cord pegs inversely located. The spindle a of the fly A projects
Pressure
and works through a central hole or a bearing fixed in B's lower side.
being given on the holder e the light top B descends until the spring is fully.
closed, and the spring Q is in a position to engage with the pin p, though perhaps
deflected at one end by p. I make p to be still clear of B's roof when is thus
fully closed. On the cord now being pulled Q slips off from p if it has been
resting thereon and drives round the fly A by p.. The location given to the knot
peg and cord reversing peg in this top I adopt preferably in all tops requiring
pressure on the holder during a former part of the pull of the cord while spinning
them and relaxation of such pressure or lifting of the top immediately previous
to the beginning of a latter part of the said pull in order that this top
and such tops may be wound so that the cord by its uncoiling can be taken
to indicate to the operator the end of the period for downward pressure has
arrived. And in this top and tops requiring pressure on the holder during
a former part of the pull of the cord while spinning them and relaxation
of that pressure previous to the beginning of a latter part of the said pull, I
wind the cord so that it shall on being pulled to spin the top uncoil, during a
former part of the said pull downwards of the stem, and I adopt this method of

page_text: winding in the case of this top, and such tops as a means of facilitating the suitable
lifting up of them or relaxation of pressure as before mentioned as follows. I
employ the cord to be taken to indicate to the operator by its near approach to the
end of its downward uncoiling that the end of the period for downward pressure
has arrived so that the operator may the more suddenly relax pressure by smartly
lifting the top. In this case I make the pin g* long enough to engage in a wide
groove in the fly spindle a as indicated in Figure 17 and so prevent the fly A from
falling to the bottom of B when B is lifted. Pressure on the holder e being
relaxed the light top B is returned by the spring to the position shown and thus
left free to be spun oppositely to A. I may fit the spring and the peg p in the
top of Figures 9 and 10 as a means of driving A and I may attach Q to the piece N
in the top shown in Figure 12 and dispense with the grooves in N and I may also
fit pin p to the same top's fly A and dispense with the tongue n'. In the top shown
in Figure 14 I may substitute the same spring and pin for the central clutches of
that top.
That I may utilize the weight of the fly in connecting B with A. I drill a hole or
holes in the bottom of B suitably located for engagement with the pin p¹ fixed in
the underside of A's rim.
In this modification I place the knot peg and reversing peg as in Figure 8 and
wind as in Figure 8, and the spring and bush L may be dispensed with, and
spindle a made longer so as to work in the dotted female centre in plug d.
In spinning this top the operator lets it hang from his hand by the holder e and
I thus utilize the weight of the fly in effecting connection of B with A since the
fly then falls and enables pin p' to engage one of the holes in the lower side
of B.
I adopt the location given to the knot peg and cord reversing peg in this top and
which may be adopted in all tops requiring to be held during a former part of the
pull of the cord while spinning them and to be set down previous to the beginning
of a latter part of said pull in order that this top and such tops may be wound so
that the cord by its uncoiling can be taken to indicate to the operator that the end
of the period for holding up the top has arrived. I wind the cord so that it shall
on being pulled to spin the top uncoil during a former part of the said pull,
upwards of the stem, and, during a latter part of said pull downwards of the stem,
and I adopt this method of winding in the case of this top and such tops as a means
of facilitating the suitable setting down of them as aforementioned as follows.
I employ the cord as a means for indication to the operator by its near approach to
the end of its upward uncoiling that the end of the period for holding up of the top
has arrived. I may furnish the lower end of spindle a as shown in Figure 17ª with
a loose pivot b retained on a. The top can then be lifted by the loose pivot b¹
without stopping the fly A.
€
In carrying out my method of effecting connection by holding the top up, and
disconnection by setting it down, I further adopt the modification shown in
Figures 19 and 20 in which the weight of the fly is utilised to assist in effecting
disconnection when the top is set down. I drill or punch a hole or holes in the
roof of B and drive pins or a pin of the form shown at p' in the rim of A to engage
with these holes . When the top is lifted by means of the holder which runs
loose on the upper or projecting end of a the light top B slides down till it stops on
the pins or pin p' or till it stops on the fly A with pl engaged in a hole as shown
in Figure 20. When the top is set down near the end of the former part of the
pull of the cord, no sooner has the pivot of the outer top touched the surface
whereon the top is to spin than the weight of the fly A assists the operator in
effecting the disengagement of the pin pl from the hole 6. In this modification
I fit B with a pivot the same as shown in Figure 17. The pivot shown in Figure 19.
belongs to the next modification. 1 locate the knot peg as described in connection
with the last modification and for the object there set forth, also 'I, wind and
employ the cord as there described.
As a modification I may dispense with any assistance from the fly's weight and

page_text: effect connection of A with B by pressing the fly A downwards as also shown by
Figures 19, 20 and 21. I fit the pivot b with a sufficiently stiff spring I, and a
plunger L, and I employ pins or a pin p of the form, shown, but fixed on the
underside of A near or in its rim.
I fix the spring Q to the inner surface of B's lower side. I make the pin p of
such a length that when the plunger L is closed against the pivot b as shown in
Figure 21 the pin p is clear of the bottom of B, and yet in a position to be driven
by Q. That the top may be lifted in effecting disconnection of A. and B; I' may
utilise the inward end of one of the cord pegs by engaging with a groove in a of
such width that the fly cannot be lifted so as to rub against B's roof. I locate_
the knot peg and cord reversing peg described. in connection with my first
description of Figure 17 and wind and employ that winding for the purposes there
explained.
In order to obtain a means of connection between A and B wholly internal and
then produce a top externally resembling an ordinary top aud not requiring the
manual skill required to spin tops hereinbefore described as having their means of
connection within the light top, I adopt the modification shown in Figures 22 and 23.
In carrying out this modification the construction throughout is the same as that
shown in Figure 9 except that I fix only one cord reversing peg in the stem C and
that I dispense with any elasticity in the roof of B, the washer M, and the serration
of the lower aunular face of the stem C. I also leave more space between the fly
wheel periphery and the light top so that there is room left for the necessary
movement of a wire loop R which I place within the light top as shown securing it
by reversing its ends through two or three small holes drilled in the light top as
indicated at R'. In the rim of the fly A1 drive a hook or hooks as shown
more clearly in the plan Figure 23. The loop is preferably made of thin piano
wire and is so adjusted that when at rest it presses lightly on the periphery of the
fly A.
r
When the former part of the cord is begun to bo pulled off so as to spin B as
per outer arrow in plan, then R catches in one of the hooks ras shown and drags A
around. And when the cord has slipped from the peg 9' and the contrary spinning
of B the loop R is disengaged from the hook and thrown out against the light
top's side by centrifugal force, thus leaving B free to be spun contrary to A. As
the speed of B becomes reduced the end of loop R returns if made sufficiently
clastic, into the path of the hooks r, previous to the stoppage of B. The hooks
then rub past the loop end or strike it in their passage, and thus the loop R and
hooks 7", assist in producing stopping, reversal and acceleration in that reversed
direction of the spinning of the light top B.
As the loop R might be damaged by the top being spun with the cord wound' and
reverse wound with the knot at the wrong side of the knot peg g¹ I bevel away one
side of the cord reversing peg g³ as shewn in Figure 24 so that the cord can only
be held by when properly wound. The peg g may also be thus bevelled, but is
not so treated when I desire that the operator may spin the light top B, contrary
to the outer arrow in plan, by nonreversed winding if he chooses. I may employ
two or more loops R as well as any number of hooks r.
As a modification of the method just described I may attach the loops R to the
fly A instead of to the light top B, as shown in Figures 25 and 26, and I may
arrange two sets of hooks r and loops R so that it shall be immaterial to which
side of the knot peg g¹ the knot is placed when the cord is to be reversely wound.
In carrying out this modification 1. make the fly A with a deep rim. Inside of
that rim attach an upper loop or loops R so as to engage with the upper hook or
hooks fixed in the drum S carried by the light top B and partly situated' within
the rim of A.
In this drum S I further fix a lower hook or hooks pointing oppositely to the
hooks as seen clearly in Figure 26, and in the rim of A, I fix a loop or loops R³
oppositely disposed to the loops R so that the loops R³ may engage with the
hooks. I also locate the upper loop or set of loops R relatively to the lower

page_text: .
"
loop or set of loops R' on the inner side of the rim of A in such a way that when.
the loop or set of loops R is engaged with the hook or set of hooks ras in Figure 26
then the loop or set of loops R' is clear of the hook or set of hooks "r" and
vice versa.
The drum S is fixed to or may be part of the light top B, whose construction is
otherwise the same as that of the light top B in Figure 22, except that the winding
stem C is as in Figure 8. The ends of the wire forming the loops are shown in
dotted lines, and are reoved through small holes in the rim at R'. And, I close the
.soft metal of the fly upon them, or I may otherwise attach them.
On the light top B being spun as per arrow 1 in Figures 25 and 26 the hook r
drags the fly A around by the loop R, while centrifugal force lays the loop R³
against the inner surface of the fly's rim as shown. When the reverse wound part
of the cord begins to spin B às per arrow 2, the hook is disengaged from the
loop R which then is likewise taken out of the way of the hook and the light
top B is thus left free to be spun oppositely to A. I may make my loop or loops
of any degree of stiffness so that they shall return into the path of the hook or
hooks earlier or later during the top's performance according as they are made
stiffer or less stiff.
I place the hooks at a lower level than the loops R in order that they may
never damage the loops R when the light top B is spun as per arrow 2 and the
hooks are at a higher level than the loops R for a like reason.
"
In this modification. I may omit either the upper or the lower hook and loop
arrangement, in which case I suitably bevel one side of my knot peg or cord
reversing pegg
39².
It is to be understood that in these last modifications I do not limit myself to
thus applying my improvements to solid tops but that I may also. thus apply my
improvements to any suitable hollow top as that in the figure.
"
When my improvements are applied to a solid top, I proceed as shown in Figures 27
and 28, in which B represents the solid top being merely a disc of metal though it
may have any other suitable form. A is the fly in the form of a heavy rimmed top
made in two or more pieces. I plug the hollow spindle a of the fly A with a
drilled plug E and in that plug I fix the holder staple F which is furnished with a
loose holder e as hereinbefore described. In the lower end of FI form a female
centre and between that centre and the female centre in the fly pivot a¹, I place
the solid-stem C of the solid top B on the upper side of which I provide a pin p¹
which is caught by the hook of the springs which is fixed inside of A as shown
and is provided with a wire bridges to keep it from being dragged out of form
when A is dragging B around by the pin pl.
I paint the upper surface of B in any way suitable to produce optical illusion and
chromatic effect as for instance as shown in strips whose boundaries are involute
curves and whose colours I make for instance alternatively red and blue. I make
the whole top as light as possible because the fly A has to be reverse spun as
per arrow 2 on plan after that it has spun the light solid top as per arrow 1, and
when a heavy fly is necessary I may adopt the means of connection and discon-
nection shown by Figures 12 and 13 as hereinbefore described. When it is thus
reverse spun as per arrow then the springs is carried out of the path of pin pl
and kept out of the way of such till long after B has been reverse spun by the
friction at the centres of C and the air friction. As the hook of might be
damaged by wrong reverse winding and spinning I bevel off the proper side of the
cord reversing peg and make the flange of E so small that 2 cannot be used by
mistake for a knot peg gl. Though this modification is specially designed to meet
the requirements of solid tops yet I may in the same way apply my improvements
to any suitable hollow top.
In order to utilize gravitation to secure connection by means wholly internal in
addition to utilizing centrifugal force as a means of securing sudden disconnection,
I adopt the modification shown in Figure 30 and in which I drill two holes near the
hub of the fly A. one at each end of a diametral line.

page_text: .
Through each hole I drop a loose fitting pin or pendulum arm T which I restrain
from falling out whon the top is inverted by grooving it at t and spring a small
wire ring into the said groove. Each pin Thas a head as shown so that it
cannot fall through the hole in which it works. The pin holes are widened
outwards below to allow the pendulum arms T to swing out to their dotted
positions.
The pivot of the top B is fixed in the example shown, directly to the body of
the top B and on the inward continuation of the pivot wherein the female centre
for the spindle a is formed. I fit a clutch N shewn in plan in Figure 31. The
fly A being at rest, if the top B be spun as per arrow 1, then the clutch N will
engage with the arms T which are then hanging as in full lines and the fly A will
be driven around by the top B. When reverse spinning as per arrow 2 is begun,
N will release the arms which are then instantly flung out to their dotted positions
by centrifugal force, thus leaving B free to be spun opposite to A.
Besides the form of clutch shewn in Figures 30 and 311 may employ any one
of the clutches shewn in Figures 314, 31, and 31°. Figure 31 is a one way
driving clutch and in using it I bevel one side of the reversing peg. Figure 31º 18
a two way driving clutch and its object is to diminish the shock which can be given
to the arms by anyone jerking the outer top around backwards and forwards in
trying to guess how it is worked, and Figure 31" is a two way driving clutch and
its object is to assist centrifugal force by means of its eccentric back tending to
throw the arms T out of gear should there be any danger of their becoming
stiff from dust or other cause. This object is also an object of the clutch
Figure 31.
When it is desired that my improvements shall be applied to a solid top, I may
proceed as shown in Figure 17, in which if the outline of the top B in Figure 17
be taken as the outline of a solid top, then I fix a tubular stem C to that top and
dispense with the plunger L and spring. I drill if necessary an axial hole right
through the solid top or utilize such a hole if there be one, by making the spindle a
of the fly A (see dotted fly) an easy working fit in that hole or in a bush or bushes
therein fixed. I make a long enough to reach to and work in the female centre in
the plug d and I retain it in position by the inward end of the peg g³ engaging-in a
groove in it. In the underside of B I drive a pin formed like the pins in the fly
of Figure 19. On the upper surface of the fly A' I mount a hooked spring
which seen in plan is like that in Figure 28 and I provide a wire bridge over the
spring at s¹ and s* to keep the spring from being dragged out of form by the pin på
in spinning.
.
When B is spun so that the pin p³ catches the hooks of the spring, then B
drags A around with it. On B being reverse spun p¹ lets go the hook of the
spring which is then carried out of the way of pin p by centrifugal force, and
thus B is left free to be spun oppositely to A. Otherwise I may retain in the
stem C the spring and the plunger L and allow the centre on spindle to work in
the plunger L and fix the spring Q to the fly A', in lieu of the hooked spring s²,
so that connection shall be made between A and B by pressure one, or the spring Q
may be fixed to the underside of B and the pin p² driven into the rim of the fly A'.
As a modification I may place the ly above the solid top in which case A¹ is the
solid top as adapted to this arrangement and B may be taken to represent the fly.
with a hollow spindle and the other necessary mountings. afore described. In
either of these modifications I may employ a heavy rimmed hollow top as a fly
wheel.
I may also when the fly is underneath, fit the pivot thereof with that shewn in
Figuro 174.
In order to utilize the strain that is put on the spinning cord as it is coiled around
the stem C, for the purpose of accomplishing connection of the top B with the fly A,
I adopt the modification shewn in Figure 32 and further illustrated by Figures 33
to 36 inclusive. In carrying out this modification I groove the plug d of the stem C
shown in Figure 34, which is a sectional plan of the stem C, in the plane of

page_text: '
section coinciding with the axis of the screw t¹. Down through the groove I pass
a straight wire t to serve as a spring and I secure it by the screw which is screwed
through the thimble U, which I use in order to obtain a good hold for the screw
thread and also because it keeps the mouth of C from being bulged by the driving
of the plug d, and I secure the plug d still further from turning, and carrying the
groove and wire t away from the point of the screw by driving into it the knot
peg g'. I drill and female centre the plug d, and make to work in it the upper end
of the fly spindle a. Outside of the top B.and near to the foot of C before fixing
on the flanged piece u, I solder on a small round hub . I then drill a hole through
this hub and through C, and after filing away the lower half of the hub, I drive on
the flange right up against it, thus obtaining a half round passage for the half
round plunger V. to slide in without turning. I notch the outer end of. V, to
receive the winding cord, and I notch the inner end of it as shown in Figures 36, 364
and 36 to catch hold of one or other of the tooth like ridges v left in the fly
spindle a opposite the plunger by filing out between them or otherwise. In order
that the fly spindle a may not slip from the grip of the notch in V by deflection, 1
fit the lower end of the tube C with a bush and 1 slot this bush where the wire
spring has to pass and drill it where the plunger has to pass. To secure this bush
from turning drive into it the cord reversing peg 02, and to prevent the plunger V
from leaving the passago it works in, I drive a small pin into the flange of C as
seen in Figure 35. The notch in the inner end of the pin or plunger V is made
deep enough not only to grip the fly spindle ridges or teeth but also to accommodate
the end of the spring as shown in Figure 36.
•
This top may be reverse wound either way and the method of winding is shown
in Figure 35, where the cord is shown right handed down C, then half turned round
the peg g, then strained tight across the end of the plunger V, thus forcing it into
the position shown in Figure 36, so as to grip the fly spindle and finally the
remaining part of the cord is wound left hand upwards on C. When the cord thus
wound is pulled then C turns as per arrow 1 in Figure 36, and the top B drags the
fly A around with itself. By referring to Figures 364 and 36B in connection with
Figure 35 it will be seen that the spinning cord releases the plunger V and so
disconnects A and B, about one half of a turn of C, previous to the cords slipping
from the reversing peg g' so that if the cord be properly wound, reverse spinning
of B cannot be begun by the cord until B is disconnected from A.
Figure 36 represents a position about a sixth of a turn of C, after the release
of V, and Figure 36" shows the immediately succeeding position when the cord slips
from off the reversing peg and passes to and pulls from the opposite side of C,
RO as to revolve C as per arrow 2, and independently of the fly A, whose
spindle a is as shown free from the grip of the plunger and spinning as per small
arrow.
Into
In Figures 32 and 33, I also illustrate a modification whereby a ratchet wheel
fixed to B drives the fly A by acting on the pawl w' which is mounted on a suitable
joint pin 10³, screwed or driven into the fly A, in the rim of which I drive a pin w³,
to prevent the pawl to from being flung so far back as to rack the spring 10.
the hub of the pawl tol I drive a pin which stops against the rim of the fly as
shown in the plan so that the driving point of the pawl when the top is being put
together cannot get nearer to the axis of the top than the radius at the bottom of
the ratchet teeth. And I further chamfer the under side of the ratchet wheel rim,
80' that a tooth striking the pawl in putting the top together pushes the pawl aside.
By these means I secure that the upper part of B can quite easily be fitted on to
the lower part in making the top. The ratchet wheel X has a drilled hub.and is
secured to the stem C by the hub being forced therein and pinned with the knot
peg g', which I place at the bottom of C in this case. The parts shown in
Figure. 32, and not mentioned in this description are not required in carrying out
this modification.
The spindle a passes easy through the drilled hub of the ratchet wheel X and
works above in the plug d as shown. In this case I bevel one side of the cord

page_text: reversing peg which I now place near the upper end of C. I make the flange of d
so small that g cannot be used by mistake for a knot peg. In order that the
simultaneous opposite spinning of A & B obtained by the reverse winding of two
ends or parts of the spinning cord, as described with reference to Figures 1 to 5
inclusive, which has the fly's spindle a projecting beyond B's stem may be accom-
plished without the trouble of such reverse winding, adopt a modification of that
top as illustrated in Figures 37, 37, 37B and 37. Instead of winding one end of
the cord on a tubular stem fixed to the projecting part of the spindle of the fly A.
I utilize that projecting part to carry a straddle or forked bracket, turning easily
on it, and carrying the bevel pinions and which run free on the Y' & Y'
secured by the screws y¹ and y passing through holes in the ends of the
pins Y and Y. In the upper end of C I fix a bevel wheel and in the lower end
a bush, as clearly shown, and the spindle a runs free in these and is restrained
from end shake by the bush . and its bearing in pivot b. The bevel wheel ** is
secured fast on a by the screw y or otherwise. The upper end of the bracket a is
plugged with a tapped plug Y through which I pass a tight fitting knurled headed
screw Z having a hardened point and a female centre therein. The plug Y is
prevented from slipping out of its place by a small pin or screw y³, Figure 37. The
upper male centre of the spindle a works in the female centre of the screw Z, 80
that by working the sorew Z through the plug Y the adjustment of the bracket z is
affected so that the bevel wheels r¹ and shall not be too deep in gear with the
bevel wheel, and so also that when the berel wheel is in easy working gear
with the bevels and it shall yet be clear of the bracket at Z' as shown.
When these conditions are fulfilled and the screw y is set up tight then, though the
top be firmly held down to steady it, while spinning it, yet the gearing works with
minimum of friction since all the pressure is sustained by the centres of the spindle
and by the scrow Z and the pivot b, no downward pressure being transmitted to the
body of the light top B, nor to the gearing. Over the stem CI fit a vulcanite or
other light sleeve C, to increase the diameter of the stem, and I restrain C¹ from
turning by driving through it into the stem C the knot peg g'. As may be seen in
Figure 37° I utilize the inward ends of the pins Y¹ & Y, whereon the bevels &
run, to assist in steadying the bracket by fitting them as bearings on the spindle a.
At the upper end of the shank of the bracket I fix a light fitting ring y* of light
wood or other material. I then take a light short tube closed at the upper end
and notched at the bottom so as to engage with the screw heads y' and y³, and be by
them restrained from descending too low and from slipping around on the bracket.
I slip this tube on the ring and push it down till its notches engage the screw-
heads aforesaid and utilize it, both as a dust cover to the gearing, and as a holder
for the top, and further as an alternative means of spinning the top, and as its
behaviour is a feature of interest while the top is spinning, I place a star or other
device on its upper end so that its behaviour may be more easily observed. When
the top B is spun as per arrow 1, the holder y' and bracket being at the same
time restrained from turning by being held in the hand, then the fly A is simul-
taneously spun oppositely to B by the bevel gearing. When the cord has been
pulled off and the holder let go, then A and B continue spinning oppositely. The
holder y is at first then a feature of interest, as on being let go instead of at once
being spun around with the top B, it is caused by the gearing to begin slowly to
turn contrary to B and has its speed increased in that direction as B has its speed
diminished.
20
As a modification I may dispense with the screwy and in lieu thereof fix a spline
or key y in the spindle a and slot a passage Figure 37 for it in the bevel wheel a
so as to enable to slide freely on a. I then fix a pin y' so that its point_shall
engage with a groove y' turned in a, wide enough to allow the spring y, which I now
place inside the shank of bracket to lift the bracket and the gearing carried by it
out of gear with bevel, when after pulling off the cord from C¹ the holder y is
let go. I thus ensure that A and B shall be connected while the top is being held
down during tlie pull of the cord, but entirely disconnected save at their bearings

page_text: after the holder is let go thus reducing the wear of the gearing. When this is done
the holder if left to itself no longer behaves during the tops performance as
previously described. I employ three screws like that shown at 6 to hold the two
parts of B together, but I may adopt any other convenient means. I may omit
one of the bevels r' or ', as in leaving its pin Y¹ to assist in steadying the bracket.c
and thus simplify the gearing. I may combine both the modifications just described,
in one top so as that by pushing down the holder y and setting up the screw y the
gearing shall always remain in gear and the top be then inverted, while by slackening
the screw y the gearing shall be out of gear except when the holder is pressed down.
With the object of dispensing with the reverse winding of two parts of the cord
when the fly and its spindle are entirely within the, top B, and also in order to
obtain simpler gearing more ensy of construction, I adopt the modification shown in
Figures 38, 38 and 38. In carrying out this modification I provide a light stiff
alicet metal bridge 7 secured diametrally across the lower part of B as shown by
screws or otherwise. At the centre of this bridge 7, I fix a drilled bearing piece 8
and arrange the fly spindle a to run therein and also in the lower centre of pivot b.
On the upper end of a which projects above 8 I fix a spur pinion 9 of suitable
diameter..
Through the stem C of the upper part of B, I pass a strong, stiff, preferably
steel, wire F of a suitable length beyond the stem to the outside and to the inside of
the top B and having that part of it which projects inside B straight but set at an
angle with the top's axis by bending the said set end of the wire or holder staple.
Ficarries a pinion 10 working free on it and having a long-hub. Over the long hub
of 10 force the close coiled part of a spiral spring 11, and secure it to the said
hub by solder or otherwise. That part of the spring 11 which does not surround
the hub is open coiled, as shown, and has at its end an eye formed as seen in
Figure 38 through which I pass a small screw and secure that end of the spring to
the top as shown. Over the outward end of the wire FI slip a short light spring 12
and above the spring an adjustable collar 13 and finally I fix the holder koobe tight
on to the remaining part of the wire F. When the parts described are properly
adjusted and in the position shown in Figure 38, then A and B are disconnected
save for their bearings. When pressure is put on e to steady the top during the
pull of the cord, then the inward portion of the wire F descending pushes the
pinion 10, as per arrow 14, into gear with the pinion 9, as shown in Figure 38ª,
without in so doing appreciably extending the spring 11.
When the pinious have thus been put sufficiently in gear the stop collar 13
prevents further descent of the holder e and the wire F. On the cord now being
pulled so as to spin B, as per arrow 15, then the wire F being restrained from
turning by the hand which grasps the holder e, the top by means of the spring 11
revolves the pinion 10 about the wire F in the same direction as itself and therefore
the pinion 9 and the fly A are oppositely spun to B. On the holder e being let go
when the cord has been all pulled off, the spring 12 returns the wire F upwards and
the pinion 10 is taken out of gear in the direction contrary to the arrow 14,
and A and B are disconnected and left free to spin oppositely and independently
Bave for friction.
In order to dispense with the spring 12 I adopt the modification shown in
Figure 39, and in which I drill the hub of pinion 10 only partly through and form
the end of the wire on which the pinion 10 works to be a male centre as seen in dot
lines, and as aforesaid, I omit the return spring 12 but retain the stop collar 13.
Pressure on the holder e in this case puts the pinion 10 into gear with pinion 9,
by extending the spring 11 and carrying the pinion 10 downwards, as per arrow 16,
to its dotted position. When the holder e is let go the spring 11 contracts and
restores pinion 10 to the position shown in full lines.
As a further modification I arrange the parts so that the pinions 10 and 9 are at
all times in gear and I explain this modification with the assistance of Figure 39
as follows.
.
I groove the wire F. as shown at H,,in dot lines, and restrain it from sliding.

page_text: through C by engaging the inner point of the knot peg g' to work free in that
groove. I fix the collar 13 on the wire F as per dot liues so as to assist the point
of gin the groove when the top is held down and I adjust the pinion 9 on the fly
wheel spindle as shown in dot lines, so that when the two parts of the top B are
put together, the pinion 9 is sufficiently in gear with the pinion 10.
I retain in this modification the male centre on the end of wire F working in the
hub of the pinion 10 as shown.
The behaviour of the holder e now becomes a feature of interest during the tops
performance as hereinbefore described.
As a modification of my hereinbefore described method of producing optical
illusion and chromatic effect, I may proceed as illustrated by Figure 40, which is a
part sectional elevation of the top shown in Figure 12, but in Figure 40, I wish B
to be understood not only as a light top, when A. then will be understood as a fly,
but also B to be alternatively understood as being a heavy rimmed hollow top or
fly, when A. then will be a light top. In carrying out this modification 1 cut an
opening or openings in B and I colour or paint the rim of B any suitable colour
or colours or black. I also paint or colour a segment 17 or successive segments of
the rim of A black or with any suitable colour or colours alternate, or different
paints or colours being applied to successive segments. When A and B are spinning
at different speeds in the same direction or at the same speed or different speeds in
opposite directions, then if the rim be viewed optical illusions and chromatic effects
are produced by these means as described.
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,
1st. In spinning tops the arrangement and combination of an outer light top and
an inner heavy top substantially as liereinbefore described and shown in drawings.
2nd. In spinning tops the arrangement and combination of an outer heavy top
and an inner light top substantially as hereinbefore described and shown in the
drawings.
3rd. In spinning tops the general arrangement and combination respectively of.
an outer or inner light top or fly wheel, with an inner or outer heavy top or fly
wheel, suitably connected each to the other during the whole or a part of the
pulling off of the spinning cord, whereby the light top is slowed, stopped and
sustained upright and then immediately caused to spin with increasing speed in the
reverse direction to that of the spinning which terminated in the aforementioned
stoppage, as described and shown.
4th. The arrangement and combination in connection with a knot on the cord,
of a detaining peg or pegs whereby the winding of the cord is facilitated and the
spinning action of the cord utilized as fully as possible by the coils being prevented
from slipping around on the stem, as described and shown.
5th. The arrangement and combination, with the spinning cord, of a cord
reversing peg or pegs whereby the light or heavy top, as the case may be, can
be wound so that the pulling off of the cord shall spin the said light or heavy top in
one direction, during one part of the said pull off, and in the reverse direction during
the latter part thereof, as described and shown.
6th. The various methods of winding the spinning cord for the purposes described
and shown.
7th. The arrangement and construction of the winding stem with cord retaining
and reversing pegs, and holder or handle, for the purposes described and shown in
Figures 1 to 5 inclusive.
8th. The arrangement and construction of the pegged tubular stem, having
flanged collar and cord peg fixed therein, for the purposes described and shown in
Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings.
9th. In spinning tops, having a light and heavy top, or a light top and fly wheel,
the arrangement and combination of the friction washer and springy upper part of

page_text: light top with downward pressure, as described and shown in Figures 9, 10 and 11,
of the drawings.
10th. The construction, arrangement, and combination of the clutch and sliding
tubular spindle actuated by pressure on holder as shown in Figures 12 and 13, of
the drawings.
11th. The construction,, arrangement and combination of cord actuated clutch
and sliding tubular spindle, as shown in Figures 14, 15 and 16, of the drawings.
12th. The arrangement and combination of the driving pin and spring or driving
piece arrangements as described and shown in Figures 17, 18, 19 and 21, of the
drawings.
13th. The arrangement and combination of the driving pin and holes or slots in
outer top.ns described and shown in Figures 17, 19, 20 and 21, of the drawings.
14th. The arrangement and combination of the hook and loop arrangement shown
in Figures 22 and 23 and of the hooked spring and pin arrangement shown in
Figures 25 and 26 for the purposes described and shown.
loth. The general arrangement and construction of the spinning top shown in
Figures 27 and 28 of the drawings.
16th. The pendulum or governor arm and clutch arrangement as shown in
Figure 30, also the modified forms of clutch shown in Figures 31, 31, 31º, and 31º,
of the drawings.
17th. The arrangement and combination of the ratchet and pawl arrangement as
described and shown in Figures 32 and 33 of the drawings.
18th. The arrangement and combination of the cord actuated arrangement as
shown in Figures 32 to 36³, inclusive of the drawings.
19th. The construction, arrangement and combination of the holder and bevel
gearing, or modification of same, for the purposes described and shown in
Figures 37 to 37, of the drawings.
20th. The construction, arrangement and combination of the gearing shown in
Figures 38, 38 and 38, for the purposes described.
21st. The use and application of a spiral. spring in combination with a suitable
wire as a means whereby connection and disconnection of an inner and outer top
may be accomplished, as described and shown in Figures 38, 38 and 38³, of the
drawings.
22nd. The general arrangement combination and construction of the various parts
constituting my improvements in spinning tops, all substantially as, and for the
purposes, described and shown.
Dated this 15th de 1900
JOHNSONS,
115, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agents..