Improvements in Toys Driven by Momentum Wheels.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Jan., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 25th Oct., 1893-Accepted, 25th Nov., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Toys Driven by Momentum Wheels.
I FREDERICK WILFRID SCOTT STOKES of 32 Victoria Street, London, S. W.
Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Hitherto in toys, which are driven by what are known as momentum wheels, the
necessary speed of rotation is given by means of a string pulled by the operator
over a small pulley. This requires some skill & is not easy for children. I there-
fore construct such momentum wheels provided with a spring or springs of any of
the many convenient forms, one end being fixed preferably to the wheel & the
other to the spindle on which the wheel revolves, or to a spring case loose on the
spindle. The spindle or spring-case is arranged with a stop which engages with a
projection on the framework of the toy in such a manner as to allow of its rotation
only in one direction. Thus by turning the wheel in the contrary direction energy
is stored in the spring which is given up to the wheel as soon as released, & thus
works the toy. Another method is to have a separate spring winder, similar to
those used for spinning tops, which can be wound & set off by pressing a button.
Dated this 24th day of January 1893.
FREDERICK WILFRID SCOTT STOKES.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Toys Driven by Momentum Wheels.
I FREDERICK WILFRID SCOTT STOKES of 32 Victoria Street London S.W.
Civil 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 :-
Hitherto in toys, which are driven by what are known as momentum wheels, the
necessary speed of rotation is given by means of a string pulled by the operator
over a small pulley. This requires some skill, & is not easy for children. I there-
fore construct such momentum wheels provided with a spring or springs of any of
the many convenient forms, one end being fixed preferably to the wheel & the
other to the spindle on which the wheel revolves, or to a spring case loose on the
spindle. The spindle, or spring case, is arranged with a stop which engages with a
pawl carried on the framework of the toy in such a manner as to allow of its
rotating only in one direction. Thus by turning the wheel in the contrary direction,
energy is stored in the spring which is given up to the wheel as soon as released,
& thus works the toy. An alternative method is to employ a separate spring
winder, similar to those used for spinning tops, which can be wound, & the
momentum wheel set in motion by pressing the disengager of the winder.
Referring to the drawing, Figs. 1 & 2 represent a toy, a, a, worked by a
momentum wheel b, with driving wheels c, c, arranged in the usual way, the end of
the spindle d however is bent round so as to form a projection to it at right angles.
When it is desired to work the toy a detachable spring winder (such as is used for
spinning tops) is placed on the end of the spindle d, and the momentum wheel b
being held, the winder spring is wound up. On pressing the disengager f the
spindle is caused rapidly to revolve, & drives the toy in the usual manner.
In cases when heavy momentum wheels are employed, it is preferable to form
the winder case with flats or projections to prevent it slipping in the fingers.
Any form of winder can be employed, but the common one in use is preferable.

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Figs. 3, 4 & 5 shew an alternative method in which the momentum wheel
recessed so as to hold a coiled spring, the other end of which is fixed to the ratchet
wheel h, (fast on the spindle) & which gears with a pawl i. The momentum wheel
is loose on the spindle, & has two or more projections 1, which engage with a second
pawl, m, having an extension, k for disengaging when desired. The end of the
spindle is bent into any convenient shape to form a handle, n.
To wind the gear ready for working, the toy is held upside down, when the
pawls, m &i fall into gear; the handle, n, is turned so as to coil up the spring,
the momentum wheel being prevented from turning by the projections, 1, & the
ratchet wheel maintaining the spring, when wound. To start the toy, it is held
right way up, & the end of the pawl k is pressed down until the pawl is clear of the
projection,, when the momentum wheel is free to revolve, the pawl i falling clear,
& the spindle starting to revolve as soon as the spring is fully unwound.
Many modifications of the above arrangement are obvious; thus the momentum
wheel may be fast on the spindle & be provided with a ratchet wheel & pawl, &
the spring case cover may be loose, & have stops & a pawl to prevent its revolving
when the spring is being wound.
Also, several forms of ratchet wheel, with teeth on the face or edge may be
employed, as well as various forms of springs. A momentum wheel which embodies
the winding principle of the spring-top winder may be used.
The position of the pawls also varied to suit different forms of toys.
One pawl may also be used to engage with both the momentum wheel & ratchet
wheel, in this case a short projection gears with the stop, & the long end with the
ratchet wheel so that the pressure of the stop tends to keep the pawl in gear with
the ratchet.
Having now particularly described & 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. The combination of a momentum wheel & a spring capable of being wound
up, & released in such a manner as to impart its energy to the momentum
wheel.
2. The combination of a spring winder with a momentum wheel by which motion
is imparted to the latter substantially as set forth.
3. The combination of a momentum wheel, spring, ratchet wheel, pawls, & stops,
whereby the momentum wheel is caused to revolve by the release of the pent up
energy of a spring, substantially & for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 24th day of October 1893.
FREDERICK WILFRID SCOTT STOKES.