An Improved Spinning Top
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Dec., 1887
Complete Left, 15th May, 1888
Complete Accepted, 13th July, 1888
ALEXANDER HARRIS VALDA, 70, Devonshire Road Chiswick in the County of
Middlesex Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This Invention relates to further improvements on An Invention titled An Improved
Spinning Top, for which Provisional Protections were granted me numbered respec-
tively 1284 dated 27 day of January & 7544 dated 25 May 1887.
The object of this Invention is a Spinning Top of novel construction that shall
discharge or uncover a spring jack or a fairy or any suitable object or objects while
spinning. These Improvements being further modifications of the same Invention I
humbly pray that a new Patent may be granted me which shall cover the herein
mentioned modifications.
The Top may be constructed of wood tin or any other suitable material.
The exterior of the top is made of two separate parts a bottom or base and a
cover or lid, in the base is fitted a loose plate or disk in this said disk is fixed the
spindle on which the top spins. In the centre of the base is a perferation through
which the spindle projects, on the top side of this said disk is fastened the spring jack
or figure. The two parts of the top are locked together by means of corresponding
projections and recesses formed so that by pressing the two parts of the top together
and giving one a slight turn, the projections are made to lap one over the other.
On the bottom of the base of the top are short legs or studs, on the cover or lid is
fixed the spindle by which the top is spun, this is a short spindle rising from the neck
or apex, the top being spun as the ordinary humming tops are.
The action of the
top is as follows, the top when spun remains spinning until in a state of vacillation,
when the legs or studs on the bottom of the top strike the ground, which causes the
necessary turn required to unlock the two parts of the top. Immediately this takes
place the spring throws the cover or lid off and the base of the top falls or drops on
Between the disk and
its legs, the spring jack is now left standing erect on the disk.
the base is one or more springs to help the action of the base to drop on its legs,
when it is required to substitute several objects such as toy animals or sweet meats
etc., the bottom spindle can be a fixture to the base of the top, the disk connected with

page_text: the spindle would not be required, the spring required to throw the cover would be
fixed in the top.
The cover or lid can be thrown by means of a lever in combination with one or
more spring catches, the catches being worked by means of the lever being turned
by striking the ground when the top is in a state of vacillation.
The cover can also have the desired turn given it, by means of a lever working on
a fulcrum projecting on any desired part of the top, to unlock the two parts, it is
preferable that the lever should work on the base of the top the manubrium part of
the lever being turned downwards which can answer for one of the legs, the leverage
being directed against the bottom edge of the cover or lid.
Dated this 5th day of December 1887.

page_text: I, ALEXANDER HARRIS VALDA of 70 Devonshire Road, Chiswick 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:—
My invention relates to an improvement in spinning tops and the object of my
invention is to discharge or uncover any suitable figure or figures, or object or objects
while spinning.
The top may be constructed of wood, tin, or any other suitable material. The
exterior of the top is made of two separate parts, a base and a cover or lid. In the
base is fitted a loose plate or disc, in which is fixed the spindle on which the top spins.
In the centre of the base is a perforation through which the spindle projects. On
the top side of this said disc or plate may be fastened the spring-jack or other figure.
The two parts of the top can be locked together by means of corresponding projec-
tions and recesses formed so that by pressing the two parts together and giving one a
slight turn, the projections are made to lap one over the other. On the bottom of the
base are short legs or studs. On the cover or lid is fixed the spindle by which the
top is spun, this is a short spindle the bottom of which may be rivetted in the centre
of a plate which is fixed in the cover, the spindle passing through the apex or bobbin
to receive the loose handle. The top of the spindle may be flanged to prevent the
handle from coming off. The top is spun as the ordinary humming-top. In this
construction the cover should he heavier than the base. The action of this arrange-
ment of the top is as follows:- The top when spun remains spinning until in a state
of vacillation, when the legs or studs on the bottom of the top strike the ground
which arrests the gyration of the base, which causes the necessary turn of the cover
required to unlock the two parts of the top. Immediately this takes place the spring
throws the cover or lid off, and the base of the top drops on its legs, and the figure
or figures remain exposed to view. Between the disc and the base is a spring to help
the action of the base io drop on its legs. A modification of my improved top
consists in unlocking the two parts of the top by means of a lever which can work
either on the base or on the cover, but preferably working on a pin projecting from
the bottom of the base, the leverage being directed against one of the projections or
pins on the bottom of the cover. The outer extremity of the lever is bent downwards
so as to strike the ground when the top is in the last stages of vacillation. The lever
is prevented from going beyond the desired distance by a short projection on the
bottom of the base, and the spindle. The falling or dropping base admits of the
adaptation of moving figures or objects of various forms. A simple means of
imparting motion to the figures or objects to be uncovered or expelled, is by fastening
the figure or object to the base, the plate with the spindle working inside. On the
head or top of the figure or object is a rotating cross bar; this said bar and the top
of the spindle or the centre of the plate, are connected by an elastic connection
which passes through a perforation in the top of the figure or object. On the side

page_text: of the plate or spindle is fastened a piece of moderately flexible material which
projects so that the end touches the side of the figure or object, to answer as a
ratchet. When the two portions of the top are locked together, the bottom spindle
is turned a number of times with the thumb and finger, this causes a number of twists
in the elastic connection which unwinds directly the bar is released by the cover being
thrown off, thus rotating the bar. The object on which the cross bar works can be
a model lut or tent or any other suitable thing. A figure or animal may be
suspended from each end of the bar and by forming the figures with loose limbs, to
strike against the projections formed on the base, the legs of the moving figures give
them the appearance of running.
Another modification of my improved top is as follows:-The body of the top is
formed with a receptacle which is preferably done by means of a lining, which is
fitted in the body of the top, this receptacle is fitted with a lid, on which is a bobbin
with the spindle running through it. There should be sufficient frictional contact
between the lid and the lining to prevent the lid from slipping whilst being spun.
The lining may be formed of any convenient shape the lid being made to fit it, and
the bottom spindle may be a fixture. In the receptacle is a spiral spring which is
held in its place by a plate made to fit the receptacle. This spring is held and released
by means of a lever in combination with a catch which hangs down from the centre
of the plate, the bottom end of this catch is turned at right angles, to form a ledge,
in addition to this said catch is a guide which hangs obliquely down from the plate in
front of the ledge on the catch. The lever is cranked and works on a pin which is
rivetted on the bottom of the top and runs through the bottom of the receptacle, the
point or end working between the catch and the guide, the outer extreme edge being
turned downwards so as to strike the ground when in the last stages of vacillation.
To keep the plate in proper position, projections are formed on the edge, which work
in vertical grooves formed in the lining. The lining with the plate is prevented
from coming out by means of the metal being turned over at the top.
In order my invention may be fully understood I append drawings illustrating my
invention, throughout the several views similar parts are marked with like letters of
reference.
Figure 1 Sheet No. 1 is a plan of my improved top showing the base with the
dise and the pins or projections on the cover in dotted lines. The two portions are
shown locked P, P etc., designate the pins or projections on the cover, a, a etc. the
legs, R, R, etc. the recesses, and S, S etc. the stops to keep the pins in their places.
Figure 2. Sheet No. 1, is a vertical section through line a, . Figure 1. M desig-
nates the cover, d, the base, P, P etc. the pins or projections, K a ring of metal fixed
round the bottom of the cover for balancing purposes, N the disc or plate, L the
spindle on which the top spins, D the figure, E the spring with the dress of the
figure attached, F the spring under the disc, G the plate in which is rivetted the top
spindle C, H the handie, T the bobbin, I a collar round the spindle to prevent its
coming out of the base. Figure 3 Sheet No. 1 is a vertical section through the base
with the disc and spindle, and showing the spring in elevation with the cover off.
Figure Sheet No. 2 is a plan of the base and Figure 5 Sheet No. 2 is an elevation
of the base showing the figure and the spring in dotted lines. R, R etc. designate the
recesses, and S, S etc. the stops. Figure 6. Sheet No. 3. is a plan of a top with a
lever to unlock the two portions of the same. The base with the lever and the pins
on the cover are shown in dotted lines. The two portions of the top are shown
locked, the lever being in proper position to unlock the same, R R etc. designate
the recesses, P, P etc., the pins or projections on the cover, O the lever, J the pin on
which the lever works, a, a etc. the legs, and S the stop to confine the lever in its
proper place. Figure 7 Sheet No. 3. is a vertical section on line y, y Figure 6.
d designates the base, O the lever, J the pin on which it works, F the spring between
the disc and the base, N the disc, D the doll, E the spring, a, a etc. the legs, K the
ring of metal round the cover for balancing purposes, T, the bobbin, C the top spindle,
and H the handle. Figure 8. Sheet No. 3. is an elevation of the base in part section
on line,, Figure 6. designates a ring of metal on the base for the disc to rest

page_text: on, to keep the spindle vertical, F the spring under the disc, N the disc, O the lever,
a, a etc. the legs, E the spring in the figure. Figure 9. Sheet No. 3. is a plan of a
top formed with a receptacle which is fitted with a lid. The lever receptacle catch
and guide are shown in dotted lines, O designates the lever, J the pin on which the
lever works, B the catch and G the guide. Figure 10. Sheet No. 3. is a vertical
section on line v, v Figure 9. Q designates the lid on which is the bobbin T, the
spindle C, and the loose handle H, U designates the lining which forms the receptacle,
N the plate, B the catch, E the spring under the plate, O the lever, J the pin on
which the lever works, and .L the spindle on which the top spins, Figure 11.
Sheet No. 3. is a vertical section on line w, w, Figure 9. N designates the plate,
B the catch, G the guide, O the lever, E the spring, Figure 12. Sheet No. 3. is a
horizontal section on line *, *, Figure 11. U designates the lining showing the
grooves. In the bottom of the top is, an aperture through which the lever enters,
and is sufficiently wide to allow the lever to work. The top as illustrated has the
catch and lever locked, ready for going off, or expelling the object or objects to be
placed in the receptacle. The top is set or locked by pressing the plate down its full
extent.
It will be readily seen that the top can be modified both as regards its external
design and its internal construction. For instance, the top can be made in the design
of an egg, expelling, say a gosling. The body of the top would be formed with a
base, and a cover; the cover being the heavier of the two, and both being formed with
recesses and projections. The base would be fitted with a combined plate and spindle,
in this modification the spring between the plate and the base could expell the gosling,
and instead of having legs on the base, the plate could have projecting pins which
would work through apertures in the base and in the same manner as the spindle.
The combined spindle, loose handle, and bobbin, would not be a fixture to the cover,
they would be detachable, the bottom of the spindle would be flattened or formed an
angular shape. In the top of the cover would be an aperture corresponding in shape
to the angular or flattened bottom of the spindle. In this modification after the top
has expelled the object, no spindles or projections on the exterior are.seen.. Again,
by having the.expelling mechanism more delicate the spring could be released by
touching a projecting pin or lever with the end of a penhandle while the top is
spinning in full vigour. The top would then remain_spinning for a time after the
figure was expelled. Again, the cover or object need not be expelled till after the top
has fallen down, by altering the.expelling mechanism to work from the side of the
top instead of from the bottom, the top falling on its side and rolling would give the
necessary push or turn to the lever or pin.
Again, the cover or lid can be a fixture the object or objects being expelled through
one or more apertures formed in the top.
Again, the dropping or falling base admits of a the adaptation of a game of chance.
In this modification instead of the bottom spindle being connected with a plate or
disc, it is connected to the bottom of a circular shallow box which is fitted with a
glass cover or face. This said box works in just the same way as the disc or plate
hereinbefore referred to a spring working between the box and the base. The inside
of the box is fitted with symbolic or numbered divisions. In the box is a small block,
or ball, which travels or moves about the bottom of the box. This modification
requires a shallow cover, and the same spring that helps the action of the base to
drop on its legs, can throw the cover off.
I wish it thoroughly understood that as this said spinning top admits of such
devious modification without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention,
that I do not confine myself to the precise details herein 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:-
1. A spinning top constructed arranged and operating as and for the purpose set
forth

page_text: 2. In a spinning top, the body of which is made in two parts capable of division,
the combination of the collapsible figure, the locking device to keep the two parts of
the body of the top together, and the legs or studs for disconnecting the two parts
of the body of the top and releasing the figure or object contained therein as set
forth.
3. In a spinning top forming the body of the top in two or more parts held
together by devices capable of releasing the parts the one from the other, when one
or more parts are rotated with respect to the other, and enclosing in the said body of
the top a figure or object as and for the purpose set forth.
4. In a spinning top mounting the spindle on which the top rotates in such a
manner that it has a vertical movement with respect to the base or bottom of the top
as and for the purpose set forth..
5. In a spinning top, forming the body of the top in two parts one of which carries
the spinning spindle and the other attached thereto by a suitable locking device
capable of being released by an arm or stud carried by a lever operating the said
device, enclosing within the body of the top a spring to throw off the detachable
portion when the locking device is operated and arranging the detachable portion to
hold or contain some suitable object or figure as set forth.
6. In a top the combination of the cover M, the base d, the legs or studs a, a, the
pins or projections P, P etc., the recesses R, R etc., the stops S, S etc., the ring K,
the disc or plate N, the spring F, the spindle L the collar I, the figure D mounted
on the spring E, the plate G carrying the spindle C, the handle HL and the bobbin T
all combined arranged and operating as and for the purpose set forth.
7. In a top the combination of the cover M, the base d, the lever O carrying the
arms or studs a, a, the pins or projections P P etc. the recesses R, R etc., the
stops S, S etc., the ring K, the disc or plate N, the spring F, the spindle L the figure D
mounted on the spring E, the plate G carrying the spindle C, the handle H and the
bobbin T, all combined arranged and operating as and for the purpose set forth.
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