IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANICAL TOYS, APPLICABLE TO AUTOMATON ANIMALS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Garrett Tongue, of the Firm of Tongue and Birkbeck,
Patent Agents and Engineers, of 34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MECHANICAL TOYS, APPLICABLE TO AUTOMATON ANIMALS." A communication
from abroad by Elio André Martin, of Paris, France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Garrett Tongue at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th May 1879.
JOHN GARRETT TONGUE, of the Firm of Tongue and Birkbeck, Patent Agents
and Engineers, of 34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANICAL TOYS, APPLICABLE TO AUTOMATON
ANIMALS."
A communication from abroad by Elie André Martin, of Paris,
France.
This Invention relates to improvements in mechanical toys, applicable to auto-
maton biped and quadruped animals, in order to impart motion thereto, and cause
them to jump, run, and gallop.
This Invention is applicable in particular to birds, frogs, rabbits, cats, dogs, horses,
and other animals.
This improved inechanical contrivance has the particularity that the weight of
the animal is required to set the same in motion. When the animal is kept in the
hand no movement is produced, but as soon as it is put on its legs the weight of the
body forces the latter to be put in motion, and thereby jumps or gallops.
In order that this Invention may be clearly understood I will describe the
Drawings annexed, which show (only as example) the improved mechanical con-
trivance as applied to an automaton frog and a toad.
tf
Figures 1 and 2 show a front and side view of a frog," the mechanical
contrivance contained in it causing the same to spring and to swim.
Figure 3 shows a top view of the improved mechanical contrivance arranged so
as to imitate the jump applicable to a toad.
Figure 4 shows a side view of the same.
Figure 5 represents the toad enclosed in a box.
The mechanism is composed of a barrel (or spring box) acting on a pinion carrying
the crank a; the barrel and pinion are fixed in the central box b. The barrel or
spring box is wound up by means of the key c fixed in the belly of the frog. When
the barrel is wound up it tends to push back the shaft d by means of the crank a
and guide c, but an opposing spiral spring f prevents it from acting.
If the frog is placed on the ground the levers g fixed to the shaft d are pushed
towards the belly of the frog, the opposing action of the spiral spring f is stopped,
and the action of the barrel forces the frog to spring. As soon as, having left the

page_text: ground, the levers g are brought to their former position by the spring f, and a new
jump is only reproduced when the frog falls again on the ground, the levers g being
pressed again by means of the weight of the apparatus.
The motion of the levers is transmitted to the hind legs of the frog by the
guides and the bent levers i.
If the frog is intended to swim the resistance of the water is not sufficient to stop
the force of the spring f, this may be avoided by means of the chain fixed to the
lever arm j of the spring; the chain being unfastened from the projection the
spring is loosened, and the motion of the barrel not being prevented, the levers g
and the hind legs of the frog receive a to and fro motion more regular, rapid, and
free than in the action of jumping.
The covering forming the exterior or body of the frog is made of cork or any
other suitable material; the box containing the barrel is covered with india rubber
to prevent the water from entering; in case of the frog having to swim the axes
are for the same reason provided with small coverings of india rubber.
The mechanical apparatus of the "frog" may be simplified, the frog being simply
adapted for swimming; in that case a nechanical contrivance is provided similar to
the swimming doll or "automaton figure," for which Letters Patent were granted
to me, and dated the 16th August 1877, No. 3127.
The frog may only be caused to jump, and in that case is only put in motion by
the mechanical apparatus hereafter described, and represented in Figures 3 and 4.
applicable to a toad.
In the present modification the levers g, which in stopping the spiral spring f
allows the mechanism to act, are suppressed and replaced by the hind legs a of the
frog or animal; the legs are fixed on the cranks b oscillating round the points or
pins c; these cranks carry the shaft d, and act in that way on the spiral spring
replaced by a band of india rubber c.
This mechanical contrivance is applicable to imitate the movements of all animals
jumping. The levers g of the "frog" may also serve to give motion to the wings of
birds.
Figure 5 represents a toad enclosed in a special box. The front f of this box
opens of itself as soon as the lid g is removed. The toad or jumping animal (having
previously been wound up) springs up by removing the lid g, which previously
prevented his movement.
In the application of the mechanism above described the hind legs only were
mounted on levers, thus causing the animal to jump.
Figures 6 and 7 show a top view and side view of the improved mechanism, in
which the four legs of the animal are movable.
The hind legs are mounted on levers a, put in motion by clockwork b, crank c,
and guide d.
In order to put in motion the fore legs they are mounted on small oscillating
leverse moving round the point f. These two levers are fixed on a small shaft g.
The movement of the hind levers a give motion to the levers c by means of a
guide h. By the above arrangement the four legs of the animal are movable, and
concur simultaneously to the displacement of the animal.
This mechanical contrivance may then be applicable not only to imitate the
movements of jumping animals as previously described, but may also be applied to
imitate the movement of animals which run or gallop, as the horse, the dog, the
rabbit, or other similar animals.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Garrett Tongue in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th
November 1879.
-
JOHN GARRETT TONGUE, of the Firm of Tongue and Birkbeck, Patent Agents
and Engineers, of 34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of

page_text: Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANICAL TOYS, APPLICABLE TO AUTOMATON
ANIMALS." A communication from abroad by Elie André Martin, of Paris,
France.
This Invention relates to improvements in mechanical toys applicable to auto-
maton biped and quadruped animals in order to impart motion thereto, and cause
them to jump, run, and gallop.
This Invention is applicable in particular to bipeds, birds, frogs, rabbits, cats,
dogs, horses, and other animals.
This improved mechanical contrivance has the novel character that the weight of
the animal is required to set the same in motion. When the animal is kept in the
hand no movement is produced, but as soon as it is put on its legs the weight of the
body forces the latter to be put in motion, and thereby jumps or gallops.
In order that this Invention may be clearly understood I will describe the
Drawings annexed, which show (only as examples) the improved mechanical con-
trivance as applied to an automaton frog and a toad.
Figures 1 and 2 show a front and side view of a "frog" (amphibious), which is
so called because the mechanical contrivance contained in it allows the same to
spring and to swim.
Figure 3 shows a top view of the improved mechanical contrivance arranged so
as to imitate the jump applicable to a toad.
Figure 4 shows a side view of the same.
Figure 5 represents the toad enclosed in a box.
The mechanism is composed of a barrel (or spring box) acting on a pinion carrying
the crank a; the barrel and pinion are fixed in the central box b. The barrel or
spring box is wound up by means of the key c fixed in the belly of the frog. When
the barrel is wound up it tends to push back the shaft d by means of the crank a
and guide c, but an opposing spiral spring f prevents it from acting.
If the frog is placed on the ground the levers g fixed to the shaft d are pushed
towards the belly of the frog, the opposing action of the spiral spring f is stopped,
and the action of the barrel forces the frog to spring. As soon as, having left the
ground, the levers g are brought to their former position by the spring f, and a new
jump is only reproduced when the frog falls again on the ground, the levers g being
pressed again by means of the weight of the apparatus.
The motion of the levers g is transmitted to the hind legs of the frog by the
guides and the bent levers i.
If the frog is intended to swim the resistance of the water is not sufficient to stop
the force of the spring f; this may be avoided by means of the chain k fixed to the
lever arm of the spring; the chain being unfastened from the projection 1, the
spring is loosened, and the motion of the barrel not being prevented the levers g
and the hind legs of the frog receive a to and fro motion more regular, rapid, and
free than in the action of jumping.
The covering forming the exterior or body of the frog is made of cork or any
other suitable material; the box containing the barrel is covered with india rubber
to prevent the water from entering in case of the frog having to swim; the axes
are for the same reason provided with small coverings of india rubber.
The mechanical apparatus of the "frog" may be simplified, the frog being simply
adapted for swimming; in that case a mechanical contrivance is provided similar
to the swimining doll or automaton figure, for which Letters Patent were granted
to me, and dated 16th August 1877, No. 3127. The frog may only be caused to jump,
and in that case is only put in motion by the mechanical apparatus hereafter
described, and represented in Figures 3 and 4 applicable to a toad.
In the present modification the levers g which in stopping the spiral spring ƒ
allows the mechanism to act, are suppressed and replaced by the hind legs a of the
frog or animal; the legs are fixed on the cranks b, oscillating round the points or
pins c; these cranks carry the shaft d, and act in that way on the spiral spring,
replaced by a band of india rubber e.

page_text: This mechanical contrivance is applicable to imitate the movements of all animals
jumping. The levers g of the "frog" may also serve to give motion to the wings
of birds.
Figure 5 represents a toad enclosed in a special box. The front f of this box
opens of itself as soon as the lid g is removed. The toad or jumping animal (having
previously been wound up) springs up by removing the lid g which previously
prevented its movement.
In the application of the mechanism above described the hind legs only were
mounted on levers, thus causing the animal to jump.
Figures 6 and 7 show a top view and side view of the improved mechanism in
which the four legs of the animal are movable.
The hind legs are mounted on levers a put in motion by clockwork b, crank c,
and guide d.
In order to put in motion the fore legs they are mounted on small oscillating
levers e moving round the point f. These two levers are fixed on a small shaft g.
The movement of the hind levers a give motion to the levers e by means of a
guide . By the above arrangement the four legs of the animal are moveable, and
concur simultaneously to the displacement of the animal.
This mechanical contrivance may thus be applicable not only to imitate the
movements of jumping animals, as previously described, but may also be applied to
imitate the movement of animals which run or gallop, as the horse, the "dog, the
rabbit, or other similar animals.
The mechanical contrivance previously described may also be applied to the
movement of biped animals; in that case one guide will only be required instead of
two employed for quadruped animals.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner of
carrying the same into practice, I would remark that no claim is made to any of
the parts separately, which are well known and in common use, but what I claim
on behalf of the said Elie André Martin is,―
First. The improved mechanical contrivance applicable to biped and quadruped
animals, in order to impart motion thereto, and cause thom to jump, run, or swim,
arranged to act substantially in the manner herein-before described, and represented
in Figures 1 and 2 of the Drawings hereto annexed.
Secondly. The improved mechanical contrivance arranged so as to imitate the
jump only of the animal, substantially as herein before described, and represented in;
Figures 3 and 4 of the Drawings hereto annexed.
Thirdly. The improved mechanical contrivance arranged to imitate the move-
ment of quadruped animals, substantially as hereinbetore described, and represented
in Figures 6 and 7 of the Drawings hereto annexed.
Fourthly. The improved arrangement and application of the mechanical contri-
vance previously described, so as to imitate the movements of biped animals, by
suppressing one of the guides, substantially as and for the purpose herein before
described.
Fifthly. The improved mechanical arrangement of a special box acting as above,
substantially as hereinbefore described, and represented in Figure 5 of the Drawings
hereto annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Garrett Tongue, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourth day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand night hundred and couranter ins