Improvements in and relating to Scientific Toys or Pictures.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Scientific Toys or Pictures.
I, JOHN LAMBERT, of 77, South Portland Street, in the County of the City of
Glasgow, Bookkeeper, do hereby declare the nature of my invention to be as
follows:-
-
This invention has reference to improvements in and relating to scientific
toys or pictures for the amusement of children or even for grown up people.
It consists of a circular disc composed of cardboard or any other suitable
material. The circle is divided into eight or any other number of equal sections,
and a radial slot is cut through the centre of each section at a convenient
distance between the centre and the circumference of the disc.
There is a metal eyelet at the centre to minimise the wear caused by the
motion of the disc while revolving on a pin or other centre.
There is a design or picture drawn in each section, and while the figures con-
tained in each section are the same or approximately the same, they at the same
time preferably differ from each other in regard to position. This alteration
in position in any one or more figures in each section, when viewed through the
slots of the revolving disc at the reflection in a mirror has the effect of making
the figures to appear in motion.
Similar parts or figures that occupy exactly the same position in each section,
when viewed through the slots at the reflection in the mirror, produces the effect
of these similar parts or figures remaining stationary while the disc is revolving.
Therefore when looking through the revolving disc all parts or figures that
appear stationary are those which occupy the same position in each section;
and all parts or figures that are in motion are those whose positions are differently
placed in each section.
When used in the evening, the best method is to stand about three feet or so
in front of a mirror, having a light placed between yourself and the mirror, so
that the light will strike well on the picture. Revolve the disc and look through
the slots at the reflection in the mirror, when the design or picture will be seen
all in motion.
When used during the day, hang or place a mirror in the window at a suitable
height so that the reflection will be straight in front of you. The daylight will
then fall full upon the picture and will be seen to great advantage.
Two or more of these picture discs could be mounted to rotate on the same
axis at spaced distances apart, and the axis be rotated by crank or other gear.
The same system, but on a larger scale may be used in music halls or other
places of entertainment.
1
1
P
1009

page_text: Improvements in and relating to Scientific Toys or Pictures.
I, JOHN LAMBERT, of 77, South Portland Street, in the County of the City of
Glasgow, Bookkeeper, do hereby declare the nature of my invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement, that is to say: -
This invention has reference to improvements in and relating to scientific
toys or pictures for the amusement of children or even for grown up people.
And in order that my said invention and the manner of carrying same into
practice may be properly understood, I have hereunto appended an explanatory
diagram drawing illustrating the application of my improvements.
Referring to said drawing:-
-
The improvements consist of a circular disc composed of cardboard or any
other suitable material. The circle is divided into eight or any other number
of equal sections A B B A and a radial slot C is cut through the centre of each
section at a convenient distance between the centre and the circumference of the
disc.
There is a metal eyelet at the centre A to minimise the wear caused by the
motion of the disc while revolving on a pin or other centre.
There is a design or picture drawn in each section, and while the figures con-
tained in each section are the same or approximately the same, they at the same
time preferably differ from each other in regard to position. This alteration
in position in any one or more figures in each section, when viewed through
the slots C of the revolving disc at the reflection in a mirror has the effect of
making the figures to appear in motion.
For example the stars 1) owing to the difference in position they occupy in
each section, produce the effect of a circular motion in the direction of
arrow D¹ D².
For the same reason the wheel E revolves in the direction of E¹ E³.
In like manner the balls F have a circular motion as indicated by F¹ F2 and
the wheel G revolves in the direction of G¹ G².
Also the circular bands H converge towards and vanish at the centres of the
stars D.
Similar parts or figures that occupy exactly the same position in each section
when viewed through the slots C at the reflection in the mirror, produces the
effect of these similar parts or figures remaining stationary while the disc is
revolving.
For example the design M forming the border and also the diamonds K on
account of their occupying exactly the same position in each section appear
absolutely stationary when the reflection is viewed through the slots C of the
revolving disc.
Therefore when looking through the slots C in the revolving disc all parts
or figures that appear stationary are those which occupy the same position in
each section, and all parts or figures that are in motion are those whose positions
are differently placed in each section.
When used in the evening, the best method is to stand about three feet or so
in front of a mirror, having a light placed between yourself and the mirror, so
that the light will strike well on the picture. Revolve the disc and look through
the slots C at the reflection in the mirror, when the design or picture will be
seen all in motion.
When used during the day, hang or place a mirror in the window at a suit-

page_text: able height so that the reflection will be straight in front of you. The daylight
will then fall full upon the picture and will be seen to great advantage.
Two or more of these picture discs could be mounted to rotate on the same
axis at spaced distances apart, and the axis be rotated by ordinary crank or
other gear.
The same system, but on a larger scale may be used in music halls or other
places of amusement.
The different figures would all be shaded in different colours to produce a
more pleasing effect.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that
what I claim is :-
First. Pictures or scientific toys formed and acting in the manner herein set
forth.
Second. Pictures or scientific toys in combination with mirrors substantially
as herein set forth.
T..l.. 1000
W. R. M. THOMSON & Co.,
96, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Agents.
W. R. M. THOMSON & Co.,
96, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Agents.