Improvements in Toys Actuated by Momentum Wheels.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Apr., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Aug. 1894-Accepted, 29th Sept., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Toys Actuated by Momentum Wheels.
FREDERICK WILFRID SCOTT STOKES 32 Victoria Street Westminster S.W.
Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:--
My improvements relate to the arrangement of parts in toys driven by
momentum wheels in such a way as that, while the momentum wheel is in
motion, the direction of the imparted rotation may be changed or arrested at
pleasure.
There are several methods by which this object inay with advantage be
attained.
(a) The driven axle of the toy is provided with a wheel having a somewhat
broad flat flange, and the momentum wheel is mounted with its axis vertical,
or nearly so, in one plane, & is capable of being canted over, to the right or left
in the other.
The lower end of the momentum wheel spindle is flat or nearly so, & rests upon
the flange of the driven wheel.
A lever of any convenient form is arranged on the framework of the toy so as to
control the position of the momentum wheel viz. :-canted to the right or left, or
upright.
Thus when canted to the right, the right edge of the spindle end bears on the
drum imparting motion; while when it is canted to the left, the left edge comes
into action, causing a reversal of direction of the driven drum.
When the spindle is upright no motion is imparted.
When it is desired to impart varying speeds, the spindle end is made somewhat
convex.
(b) In this case, the spindle & wheel are mounted vertical, & the driven drum is
formed with either a V groove, or with a rounded face.
The driven axle is arranged to slide sideways by any convenient means, so as
to bring either side of the V groove or rounded face of the drum under the
axle end, which consequently bears on that edge & imparts motion as described
above.
(c) Another form of reversing gear consists in providing the lower portion of the
momentum wheel spindle with an enlarged end, resting on the rim of the driven
wheel, which is capable of side motion as in case (b).
Thus, when the wheel is directly under the axis of the momentum wheel no
motion is imparted, the direction & speed varying with the amount & direction of
divergence from this position.
(d) Where the axis of the driving and driven wheels are parallel or nearly
so, the driven wheel is a disc with the momentum wheel spindle resting near
its edge, & the reversal of motion is obtained by the methods (a), (b), (c), the
driven wheel being respectively flat, grooved, or cup shaped to receive the
spindle end.
My improvements also relate to forming the said momentum wheels with a
cavity, or cavities in such a manner that as they revolve a whistling or humming
noise is produced after the manner of a humming top.
The momentum wheel is set in motion either by a string in the usual manner, or
by a pent up spring, as described in my Specification No. 1640–1893.
Dated this the 24th day of April 1894.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Toys Actuated by Momentum Wheels.
FREDERICK WILFRID SCOTT STOKES 32 Victoria Street Westminster 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 :-
My improvements relate to the arrangement of parts in toys driven by
momentum wheels in such a way as that, while the momentum wheel is in
motion the direction of the imparted rotation may be changed or arrested at
pleasure.
There are several methods by which this object may with advantage be
attained.
(a) The driven axle a Fig. 1. of the toy is provided with a wheel b having
a somewhat broad flat (or slightly rounded, as in dotted lines) flange, and the
momentum wheel c is mounted with its axis vertical, or nearly so, in one plane,
& is capable of being canted over, to the right or left in the other by the lever d.
The lower end of the momentum wheel spindle e is flat or nearly so & rests upon
the flange of the driven wheel b.
A lever of any convenient form d is arranged on the framework of the toy,
so as to control the position of the momentum wheel, viz. :-canted to the right or
left or upright.
Thus when canted to the right, the right edge of the spindle end e bears on the
drum imparting motion; while when it is canted to the left, the left edge comes into
action, causing a reversal of direction of the driven drum b.
When the spindle e is upright, no motion is imparted.
When it is desired to impart varying speeds, the spindle end is made somewhat
convex as shewn in the enlarged view Fig. 5.
(b) In this case Fig. 2 the spindle & wheel e are mounted vertical, & the
driven drum 6 is formed with either a V groove, or with a rounded face as shewn
in dotted lines.
The driven axle a is arranged to slide sideways by any convenient means, so as to
bring either side of the V groove or rounded face of the drum under the axle
end e, which consequently, bears on that edge, & imparts motion as described
above.
(c) Another form of reversing gear Fig. 3, consists in providing the lower.
portion of the momentum wheel spindle e with an enlarged end e, resting on
the rim of the driven wheel b, which is capable of side motion as in case (b).
Thus, when the wheel is directly under the axis of the momentum wheel c no
motion is imparted, the direction & speed varying with the amount & direction of
divergence from this position.
.
(d) Where the axis of the driving and driven wheels are parallel or nearly so, as
in Fig. 4, the driven wheel b is a disc with the momentum wheel spindle e resting
near its edge, & the reversal of motion is obtained by the methods (a), (b), (c), the
driven wheel being respectively flat X, grooved Y, or cup shaped Z to receive
the spindle end.
My improvements also relate to forming the said momentum wheels with a cavity,
or cavities, in such a manner that as they revolve a whistling or humming noise is
produced after the manner of a humming top.
The momentum wheel is set in motion either by a string in the usual manuer, or
by a pent up spring, as described in my Specification No. 1640-1893.
The reversing motions as above described are applicable to all sorts of toys &
the like, in which a reversal or cessation of motion is of advantage, such as for
instance locomotives, cranes, road rollers, tram cars, &c. &c.j

page_text: 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 :-
1st. The methods of imparting motion to toys or the like by means of a
momentum wheel, & a driven wheel or drum, in such a manner as that the direction
& speed may be varied at pleasure, by canting the axle of the momentum wheel
substantially as set forth.
2nd. The method of imparting motion to toys or the like by means of a
momentum wheel the axle of which bears upon the driven wheel or drum formed in
such a way as that its sideways movement brings either edge of the driving axle to
bear, thus causing a reversal or cessation of motion of the wheel or drum substantially
as set forth.
3rd. The combination of a momentum wheel, a driven wheel or drum, an
actuating lever or its equivalent substantially as described & set forth in
Figs. 1 to 5.
4th. The formation of a momentum wheel either in combination as above, or as
heretofore applied, with a cavity or cavities so that when in motion it produces a
whistling or humming sound substantially as set forth.
Dated this the 22nd day of August 1894.
FREDERICK WILFRID SCOTT STOKES.