CONST THE ARRANG IN DETAIL
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Dec., 1896-Accepted, 20th Feb., 1897
MAIN CONSTITUENTS (Figures 1, 2 and 3).
These consist of (1) the support frame a, (2) the exercising field 6 with the
figures e and the mechanism f setting the latter in movement, and (3) the covering
frame with slides or scenes c.
II. THE ARRANGEMENT IN DETAIL.
The support frame a consists of a foot frame with four upright corner columns
which have runners at their upper end. These runners form a movable support
for the exercising field b. The latter is formed of a thin board or table which has
twice the length and breadth of the rectangle marked out by the supporting
rollers. In the centre of the exercising field there is a circular slot. The disc d
filling this is revoluble on fixed flanges connected with the plate, and carries above,
the groups of figures, and below, the mechanism (see Figure 4).
On a bar m fastened under the disc & rest upright spindles g. These are guided
by the disc d, have at top the figures, and are provided below the bar, with cranks,
which are connected by means of a connecting rod 1, and inay be set in rotation
together with the figures by the handle of the connecting rod.
A sleeve is placed over each spindle g, and has an independent rotation, and
bears under the disc d with a small toothed wheel i on a collar of the spindle. On
the upper part of the sleeve which is prolonged into the figures there is a lug k,
which, according to the direction of rotation of the sleeves moves backwards or
forwards the legs of the figures, which are hung on a joint, by engaging a pin
projecting therefrom.
Round the toothed wheels and a driving wheel p mounted in a slide on the
lower surface of the table b, an endless link chain is passed, the stretching of
which is effected by means of a spring o pulling on the slide and driving wheel.
By a guider arranged at a suitable point, the chain g is caused in its altered plan
position under the revoluble disc d to always engage the wheels i, and surrounds
these latter sometimes on 2 sides and sometimes on one (see Figure 5).
The cover frame c, Figures 1, 2 and 3, which rests on four feet and is covered

page_text: with canvas, contains in its centre a slot through which the exercising field of the
jlate b, which is movable beneath in all directions, is visible, and contains on the
rear longitudinal side a vertical slide piece representing the front of a barracks.
The size of the cover frame corresponds to the surface in which the movements of
the plate b with its exercising field can take place.
The size of the cover frame corresponds to the surface in which the movements of
the plate b with its exercising field can take place.
III. WORKING.
The following movements of the groups of figures singly or together may be
executed with the bereinbefore described toy theatre,
1. Any sort of marching movement by moving the plate 6 resting on the
rollers:
2. Wheeling by rotating the disc d.
3. Facing round by revolving the spindles g.
4. Marching or other movements of the legs of the figures by setting the
sleeves in action.
The left hand of the person placed in concealment behind the slide or scene c
carries out the necessary rotations for the turning movements by means of the
handle of the connecting rod 1, and the wheeling movements by rotating the
disc d' on the fixed bar m; the right hand operates the driving disc p by means of
a bandle attached to the same; and the chain q being carried with it and acting on
the wheels of the sleeves h, revolves these latter independently of the rotation
of the spindles g in an opposite. direction, and thereby produces. the movements
of the legs of the figures.
The necessary adjustments of the plates 6 for moving forward the groups of
figures may be carried out independently of the action of both hands and without
affecting, the working of the mechanism. by means of suitable movements of the
arms.
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:-
1. An improved toy theatre with exercising soldiers or similar figures,
characterized by a plate (b) movable in either direction under the slot of a
cover frame. (c), the part (d) of said plate which receives the figures being itself
revoluble and also..provided with devices for rotating the figures, so that the
latter can share both in the movements of the whole plate (6) and in the rotation
of the part (d) of said plate and can also rotate relatively to the latter; substan-
tially as hereinbefore set forth.
2: A form of construction of the toy theatre herein described, in which the
legs of the figures receive a marching movement by means of sleevesh with.
catches or lugs (k), which are placed on the spindles (g) of the figures, and are
adapted to be rotated by means of chain wheels (ip) and chain (9) substantially.
as described.
3. The general construction and combination of parts taken as a whole, forming
the improved toy, substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated this 23rd day of December 1896.
W... P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.