Improvements in Toy Spinning Tops.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 25th June, 1895-Accepted, 27th July, 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Toy Spinning Tops.
I, RICHARD BOWDEN WATERS, of 28 Hanlon Street, Deptford, in the County
of London, England, Blacksmith, 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 relates more especially to whip and also humining or musical tops
and the like, and my object is to facilitate the spinning of same.
In carrying out the invention, I arrange a spring round a drum within the top,
one end of this spring connects with the drum aforesaid, whilst the other end is.
attached to the body of the top, so that when the spring is wound up and then
suddenly released, a quick rotating movement is imparted to the top, which causes
it to spin.
But in order that the invention may be clearly understood reference is made to
the accompanying sheet of drawings in which
Figure 1, is a sectional view of a whip top, shewing the various parts in
position, and
Figure 2, shews the application of the invention to a humming or musical top.
In constructing a top as illustrated in Figure 1, the wooden body (A), is
hollowed out to form a cavity (B), to receive the drum (C), around which is
coiled a spring (D), one end of this spring connects with said drum, whilst the
other end is attached to the body of the top, the thumb-piece (E) for winding the
spring may be formed either in one piece with the drum, or rigidly connected to a
short spindle secured in the drum. The top is provided with the usual metal
peg (F), the shank (G), of which, projects into the cavity (B) and forms a
bearing for the drum (C), so that it can rotate freely.
After said drum has been placed in the cavity and the spring properly secured,
a cap (H), which may be made in two halves so that it can embrace the neck of
the thumb-piece, is firmly secured over the cavity to keep the drum in position.
In applying the invention to humming or musical tops and the like, the drum (C),
may be suitably secured to the stem (I), and the spring arranged as previously
described. In this instance however it is unnecessary to have a cap, as the stem (I),
and the drum (C), are placed in position before the upper and lower portions of
the top are put together, and are retained at one end by the peg (F), and at the
other by the thumb-piece (E) or equivalent for winding the spring.
It will be readily understood that the invention can be applied to tops of
various construction so long as the drum (C) and spring (D) can be suitably
arranged within the top.
I do not confine myself to the use of a spiral spring, although this form of
spring is preferable and more durable, as an india-rubber or other elastic spring
may be employed with almost equal effect.
To spin the top by the use of this invention, it is necessary to hold the top in,
say, one hand and with the other wind the spring up sufficiently tight by means
of the thumb-piece or equivalent, then, after placing the top with the peg resting
on any flat surface, release the body of the top, and almost simultaneously the
thumb-piece. The effect is that when the body of the top is released it allows the
spring to uncoil, and this being connected with said body, causes it to revolve
quickly, but before the spring has finished uncoiling, the thumb-piece must also be
released.

page_text: 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 :-
Firstly. In combination with toy spinning tops, the drum (C) and spring (D)
or equivalent, arranged in the manner and for the purposes as herein described and
as illustrated.
Secondly. In toy spinning tops, the drum (C), spring (D), and thumb-piece (E),
all combined and (arranged for the purposes as herein fully explained and as
illustrated.
Dated this: 25th day of. June 1895.
W. D. ROWLINGSON,
172 Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.