Improvements in Automaton Figures and Appliances for Operating the same.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Nov., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 6th May, 1889-Accepted, 22nd June, 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automaton Figures and Appliances for
Operating the same.
I, JOHN LAW GARSED of 2 Barum Top Halifax in the County of York Solicitor,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improved, construction, and combination of figures or
models and mechanism for operating the same, such as figures of men, horses or
other like models designed mainly for amusement and healthful exercise of children.
The following are examples of practical applications of the invention.
I connect two wheels by means of a double cranked shaft or axle behind which is
a third but smaller wheel, the frame or clip extending from the axis employed for
supporting the rear wheel and upright stay rods from the axis support a seat on
which is the figure or rider, and to which or near thereto the lower end of a handle
or pusher rod is attached such rod (preferably) being hinged so as to readily adapt
itself to suitable angle for varying height of children.
The figure or rider is secured on the soat, and provided with a T shaped rod as
hand rest and in imitation of a steering bar, the legs of the figure are jointed at the
hips & knees whilst the feet rest upon the cranks of the axle, the propulsion of the
appliance through the rotation of the two wheels drives the cranks and the latter
impart life like motions to the lower limbs of the figure in imitation of a tricycle or
bicycle rider.
In some cases I employ a large wheel at the front and two smaller wheels behind
in which case the cranks are formed on opposite sides of the axle of the front wheel
and the figure rider is seated over the front wheel, on a stay rod of the framing,
similar to the backbone of a bicycle.
When four footed animals such as horses are to be mounted and operated, I employ
four wheels there being double cranks formed on each axle, and the two axles are
connected, and correctly spaced from each other by means of side stay rods from the
latter are upright stays, which support the body of the horse or other animal whilst
its feet are attached to the four cranks, and the legs being hinged receive through
the rotation of the wheel and cranks a life like movement when propelled by the
pusher handle, as described in relation to the figures set forth. Mounted on the
horse may be a rider or figure stationary or moveable.
In one arrangement 1 mount the horse upon three or more wheels and by a huge
pin through the front legs and shoulders form a pivot on which the body of the
horse is carried and through the action of a crank or cranks is caused to tilt up and
down representing a kicking or other motion or the connecting pin may be at other
convenient position. The horse may obtain its motion through the wheels operated
by the handle or pusher or by a spinning wheel or the horse may be secured by its
huge pin to the shafts of a cart or trolly the wheels of which receive rotation from
frictional contact of the axle of a spinner wheel, or wheel caused to rotate rapidly
through the action of a length of twine coiled round the axle being rapidly withdrawn
therefrom as is well understood or through a handle or pusher such as described, in
the latter case the horse may be mounted upon one or more wheels.
Dated this 12th day of November 1888.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automaton Figures and Appliances for
Operating the same.
I JOHN LAW GARSED of 2 Barum Top Halifax in the County of York Solicitor
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 relates to improved construction, and combination of figures or
models and mechanism for operating the same, such as figures of men, horses, or
other like models designed, mainly for amusement and healthful exercise of children.
The following are examples of practical applications of the invention.
I connect two wheels by means of a double cranked shaft or axle behind which is
a third but smaller wheel, the frame or clip extending from the axis employed for
supporting the rear wheel are upright stay rods which support a seat on which is the
figure or rider, and to which or near thereto the lower end of a handle or pusher rod
is attached, such rod (preferably) being hinged so as to readily adapt itself to suitable
angle for varying height of children.
The figure or rider is secured on the seat and provided with a T shaped rod as
hand rest and in imitation of a steering bar, the legs of the figure are jointed at the
hips and knees whilst the feet rest upon the cranks of the axle. The propulsion of
the appliance causes the wheels to rotate and drives the cranks and the latter impart
life like motions to the lower limbs of the figure in imitation of a tricycle or bicycle
rider.
In some cases I employ a large wheel at the front and two smaller wheels behind
in which case the cranks are formed on opposite sides of the axle of the front wheel
and the figure rider is seated over the front wheel on a stay rod of the framing,
similar to the backbone of a bicycle.
When four footed animals such as horses are to be mounted and operated, I employ
four wheels there being a crank formed on one or both axlos. Through the rotation
of the wheel and cranks a lifelike movement when propelled by the pusher handle, as
described in relation to the figures set forth is given to the horse or to a rider or
figure mounted on the same.
Such being the nature and object of this my said invention, the following is a
complete description of same reference being had to the accompanying drawings in
which,
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a model tricycle on which is mounted an automaton
figure of a rider.
Fig. 1 is a modification of fig. 1 shewing variation in detail of framework.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of fig. I with the automaton figure removed.
Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a model of a one wheeled cycle on which is mounted
an automaton figure of a rider.
.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation partly in section of a model horse mounted thereon being
the automaton figure of a rider.
Referring now to figs. 1 and 1ª according to this my said invention I employ one,
two or more wheels 1 and on the axle 2 of one of the wheels 1 is formed a crank
or cranks 3. A fork 4 extends from the axle 2 of the wheels 1 to the top of which
fork 4 is attached the cross piece 5 which forms a seat for the rider 6, which is an
automaton figure preferably of a human being, the legs 7, of which are jointed or
hinged at the hips and knees by the pins 8-8, the feet of the rider being attached to
the cranks 3-3. The socket 9 of the pusher rod 9 is attached to the cross piece 5,
the top of which rod 9 terminates in the handlo 10. A rod 11 with a cross or T head 12
forms a hand rest in imitation of a steering bar.
When the wheels 1 are propelled by the pusher rod 9 they revolve, and also
the cranks 3 carrying round with them and imparting a lifelike motion to the legs 7
of the rider 6. The automaton figures can be mounted on one or more wheels 1 or
two or more figures may be mounted.

page_text: In fig. 3, at 1 is the wheel, 2 the axle, 3 the crank 4 is a fork and 4° a like fork
from the axle 2 and supporting the seat 5 of the rider 6. At 9 is the pusher rod
fixed in the socket 9 and 10 a handle, 11 is a rod carrying the hand or steering
bar 12.
In fig. 4 is shewn a model of a horse on which is a rider 6, actuated and caused
to rise and fall in imitation of riding by the rod 13 on which the figure 6 is mounted,
the rod 13 passes through a hole 14 formed in the body of the horse, the lower end
of the rod 13 is attached to one end of a lever 15 mounted on the fulcrum stud 16
the other end being attached by a wire or cord 17 to the crank 3 so that as the
wheels 1 and crank 3 revolve the lever 15 rocks on its fulcrum stud 16 and the rod 13
and rider are alternately raised and lowered as in riding.
The pusher rod 9 can be secured directly to the Horse or may be dispensed with
and a string or cord employed for pulling the horse.
The pusher rods 9 can be secured to the figures or axles or may be attached
thereto by hinges so that the handle 10 will accommodate itself to varying height of
children or operators. The fork 4 in fig. 3 and the rod 11ª in Fig. 1 serve to give
rigidity but are not indispensable.
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 :-
1st. The wheels 1-1 cranks 3-3 fork 4 and pusher 9 all in combination with and
for operating the figure 6 as herein described and illustrated by fig. 1 of annexed
drawings.
2nd. The wheel 1 cranks 3 fork 4* and pusher rod 9 all in combination with and
actuating the figure 6 substantially as herein described and illustrated by figure 3 of
the accompanying drawings.
3rd. The wheels 1 crank 3 rocking lever 15 connection 17 for operating the upright
rod 13 and figure 6 all in combination and put in operation through the pusher rod 9
or a draw-string or cord substantially as described and illustrated by fig. 4 of the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this Fourth day of May 1889.
WALTER BRIERLEY,
Agent for the Applicant.