A Mechanical Toy.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Feb.,
1894
Complete Specification Left, 16th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 22nd Dec., 1994
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Mechanical Toy.
I, FRANCIS AUGUSTUS MILLS, Junior, of Roseville, Lismore, in the County
Waterford, Ireland, Estate Office Clerk, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object the production of a new or improved mechanical
toy, whereby certain figures are caused to move marbles, or other rolling bodies
automatically from one position to another, by means of shovels, or spoons, so long
as motion is imparted to the apparatus.
The apparatus consists in the first instance of a suitable bench or platform on
which is mounted the figures of men, or other figures, each of these figures when
representing men have a solid leg, and a leg formed of hollow tube.
Within the body of these figures is mounted a small cogged wheel on a horizontal
spindle (from back to chest) the front or chest end of which projects to a certain
extent, and is curved to a suitable angle, and provided at its extremity with a shovel
or spoon, which is capable of being swung vertically round from side to side of the
platform as hereinafter described.
A ratchet gears with a small cogged wheel in the body of the figure, the shank
of which passes downwards, through the tubular leg of the figure, and is connected
to a frame oscillating vertically in guides underneath the platform. This frame is
actuated by an eccentric disc rotating on a horizontal spindle, or shaft running
through the box of the toy whereby an up and down motion is imparted to the
ratchet rods working in the tubular legs of the figures. On the outside extremity
of this main spindle is fixed clock-work mechanism whereby motion is imparted to
the apparatus, or the same may be provided with a lever handle, and worked by
hand or other motive force.
Over the bench or platform, and partly running round same are erected two
troughs (one for each figure) or open channels having a slight descent from one end
(the starting end) to the other, or terminal end.
At the latter is arranged a harbour (for the marbles) the outlet of which is
guarded by a movable block provided with a rod which passes down through a
small hole which acts as a guide to the block when moving up and down as
it acts in releasing and impounding the marbles.
These blocks are raised by small springs or weights to a height above the level
of the bench or platform, and in such a position that they will close the open end of
their respective troughs or channels.
They are depressed by means of the weight of shovels or spoons coming down
on them, and pressing them down to the level of the bench or platform.
The action of the apparatus just described is as follows:-
Having placed a number of marbles in their respective harbours or stopping
places at the ends of troughs or channels, and arranged the spoon of the shovel on
the movable block at the outlet of the harbour, motion is imparted to the main
spindle, whereupon the shovels press down the movable blocks to the level of
the bench or platform, then one of the marbles from the harbour runs out on to the
spoon of the shovel, this shovel is then raised by means of the machinery working
beneath the bench or platform. When this shovel is rising with marble on it, the
eccentric beneath the figure will be pressing the movable frame downwards, whereby
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page_text: the shovel will be caused to swing round vertically from its normal position to a
position over the starting end of the inclined troughs or channels into which the
marble drops, and rolling down the incline finds its way back to the harbour, while
meantime the spoon of shovel returns to its former position, where it finds a marble
waiting, and the movements are repeated as long as the machinery beneath the
figures is kept in motion.
It should be understood that while the shovel is passing from its second position,
the outlet of the harbour is guarded by the elevation of the movable block which
is worked up to the height, desired, by a small spring or weight beneath.
The movable blocks work independently of the main driving spindle.
It is obvious that more than two figures may be mounted on the bench or
platform, and each caused to work separately, or, in succession, or simultaneously
by multiplying the necessary eccentric movements.
The arms for the figures may be made of elastic or other suitable material, which
are only for appearance sake, and are not capable of working the shovels, they
simply follow the movements of the handle of the shovel.
Motion may also be imparted to the heads of the figures so as to cause the faces
to follow the movements of the shovel, or, otherwise, by mounting same (the head)
on a suitable swivel operated on by a cord connected with the top of the ratchet,
when this ratchet is moved up and down it will cause the head to turn as
desired.
Dated the 15th day of February 1894.
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
9, Westland Row, Dublin, Agents for Applicant.
A Mechanical Toy.
1, FRANCIS AUGUSTUS MILLS, Junior, of Roseville, Lismore, in the County
Waterford, Ireland, Estate Office Clerk, 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 has for its object the production of a new or improved mechanical
toy, whereby certain figures are caused to move marbles, or other rolling
bodies automatically from one position to another by means of shovels or spoons so
long as motion is imparted to the apparatus.
The apparatus consists in the first instance of a suitable bench or platform on
which is mounted the figure or figures of men, or other figures. Each of these
figures when representing men-have a solid leg, and a leg formed of hollow
tube, and within the body is mounted a pinion on a horizontal spindle (from back
to chest) the front or chest end of which projects, and is curved to a suitable angle,
and provided at its extremity with a shovel or spoon which is capable of being
swung vertically round from side to side as hereinafter described. A vertical
ratchet gears with this pinion, the shank of which passes downward through the
tubular leg of the figure, and is connected to a frame underneath. This frame is
actuated by a cam or eccentric disc rotating on a horizontal shaft, whereby an up
and down motion is imparted to the ratchet.
Rotation may be imparted to the shaft by clock-work mechanism; or motion may
be produced by a lever handle and worked by hand.
Over the bench or platform, and partly running round same, are erected troughs
or open channels-one for each figure-having a slight descent from one end-the
starting end-to the terminal end.
At the latter end is arranged a harbour (for the marbles) the outlet of which is
guarded by a movable block, supported by a spring which retains the block in an

page_text: elevated position so as to impound the marbles in the harbour until the block is
depressed by the weight of the shovel to the level of the bench or platform, where--
upon the marbles are released and roll into the shovel or spoon as presently
described.
Motion may also be imparted to the heads of the figures so as to cause the faces.
to follow the movements of the shovel, by mounting the head on a vertical spiral
screw turning in suitable bearings and embraced by a suitable horizontal slot carried
on the prolonged end of the vertical ratchet.
In order that my improved mechanical toy may be more fully understood, and
carried into practice, I will describe the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1, represents a side elevation of toy complete for working two figures;
Fig. 2, is a plan view; Fig. 3, a cross-section about midway between the ends of the
apparatus; and
Figs. 4 and 5 shew in detail the pinion and ratchet arrangement in the body of
figures for working the shovels, and also for turning the heads.
The figures A and B, on the platform are hollow-one leg may be solid-the
other being tubular, through which slides the vertical ratchet a, provided with a.
frame b, at its base, and gearing with the pinion c, fixed in suitable bearings in the
back and chest of the figure.
The spindle of this pinion projects in front and carries the shovel d, so that the
up and down movement of the ratchet imparts an alternate swinging movement to
the shovel. This movement is accomplished by the cam or eccentric disc f,
rotating on the horizontal shaft g, carried in the standards h, h.
The vertical motion of the movable frame b, is maintained by the guide
pillars i, i.
Rotation is imparted to the shaft g, by means of the lever handle k; or motion
may be produced by clockwork mechanism, or other suitable means.
The head of each figure is mounted on a spiral screw l-Figs. 4 and 5-turning
in horizontal bearings p. p. and embraced by a clutch r, fixed on the top of the
ratchet a, so that as the ratchet moves up and down the head is caused to turn
alternately to the right and left, and is so arranged as to appear to follow the
movements of the shovel when in the act of transferring the marbles from one
position to the other.
3. 8. (Figs. 2 and 3) are the movable blocks arranged in apertures in the platform,
and supported by flat springs 8¹.
These blocks are grooved to facilitate the scooping up of the marbles by the shovels,
and are provided with a shoulder s³, for the purpose of assisting in impounding the
marbles in the harbour s, when it (the block) is elevated by the spring upon being
released from pressure of the shovel.
t, t, are the troughs or open channels, the starting end t¹ being arranged at a
higher level than the terminal end 3, to enable the marbles to roll freely from end
to end.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-
Having placed a number of marbles in the harbours at the terminal ends of the
open channels, and arranged the cams or eccentric discs so that one shovel, say that
carried by figure A will press on its respective movable block, while the second
shovel (carried by figure B,) is in the air, and vice versa, motion is imparted to the
driving shaft whereupon the first described shovel having received a marble from
the harbour will lift same, and automatically swing it round vertically to a position
over the starting end of the inclined channel, when the marble drops, and rolling
down the incline finds its way back to its original position, while imeanwhile the
shovel also is swung back to its first position, where it finds another marble, and the
movement is repeated.
Simultaneous with this movement of figure A, is being accomplished a similar
corresponding movement by figure B, but in the reverse direction, i.e., while
figure A is casting marbles from right to left, figure B will cast from left to
right.

page_text: It should be understood that while one marble is being lifted the outlet to the
other marbles is guarded by the elevation of the movable block, which rises
immediately the pressure of the shovel is removed.
It is obvious that more than two figures may be mounted on the platform, and
cach caused to work separately or in succession, by multiplying and arranging the
eccentric gear accordingly.
The arms of the figures, which are only introduced for appearance, may be
made of elastic or other suitable material, they simply follow the movement of the
shovel handle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would have it
understood that what I claim is :-
A mechanical toy whereby figures are caused to automatically lift marbles or
other rolling bodies from one position to another, and whereby this movement may
be carried on so long as motion is imparted to the mechanism, constructed, arranged,
and operating in the manner substantially as herein specified and set forth.
Dated the 14th day of November 1894.
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
9, Westland Row, Dublin, Agents for Applicant.