Improvements in the Construction of Articles or Toys by means of which Color Effects are Produced.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd May, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Mar.. 1891-Accepted, 11th Apr., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Articles or Toys by means of
which Color Effects are Produced.
We, JOHN WIGGINS, of 23, Gower Street, Lozells, Aston, in the County of
Warwick, Birmingham, Jeweller, & JAMES CYPRIAN WIGGINS, of 23, Gower
Street, Lozells, Aston, in the County of Warwick, Birmingham, Jeweller, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to produce by means of a rapidly rotating disc a
continuous series of automatic color changes on the face or front of disc; the
principle of which is applicable as a toy, or as a means of advertisement, show, or
attraction.
In order to effect this, the said invention consists of a disc, preferably of card-
board, fixed to a spindle passing centrally through the disc & projecting some
distance from face or front of disc so as to form a central pin or pivot.
That part
of spindle at back of disc to be sufficiently long to pass through bearings and also
to carry a small wheel. These bearings are to be firmly attached to a piece of
shaped wood or handle, or to a frame, in such manner that power applied to the
spindle will cause the disc to rapidly rotate. The rotation of the disc may be
effected by hand, by means of a large wheel, which we call the driving wheel. This
driving wheel must also be fixed to a spindle working in bearings and fitted to the
handle or frame in such manner as to form a connection, or allow of being connected
with small wheel on spindle to which disc is fixed. The driving wheel must be
provided with a handle to allow of being turned. The disc may also be caused to
rotate by means of springs, electricity, steam, or other convenient power in con-
nection with the spindle carrying disc.
The color changes are produced by means of pieces of colored cardboard placed
across the face of disc, the top or outer card being black, and free to rotate round
central pin, a hole being pierced through the centre of each card to allow of pin
passing through.
To obtain the best effects, a certain pressure must be applied to the cards; this
may be done by means of a spiral spring round the central pin, pressure being
regulated by a small nut screwed on end of pin. Pressure may also be obtained by
a small piece of india rubber or any other substance or means of an elastic or spring
like nature.
During rotation the colored cards gradually change position forming a continuous
variety & combination of color changes.
It is advantageous to enclose the disc, especially when of large size, in a case
having a glass front, through which the color changes may be seen; this prevents
undue friction with the air; giving greater steadiness of rotation & requiring less
power.
JOHN WIGGINS.
JAMES CYPRIAN WIGGINS.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Articles or Toys by means of
which Color Effects are Produced.
We, Jous WIGGINS, 23, (lower Street, Lozells, Birmingham, Jeweller,
JAMES CYPRIAN Wineiss, 23, Gower Street, Lozells, Birmingham, Jeweller, 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:—
We first take a dise, preferably of cardboard, which we fix to a spindle passing
centrally through the dise & projecting some distance from face or front of disc so
as to form a central pin or pivot. The cardboard disc is fixed to the spindle by
first soldering to the spindle a small metal dise, having a hole pierced through the
centre & the centre part raised. Near the edge of this metal disc, at equal distances,
four pieces are parily cut out & raised so AN to form four projections. The
cardboard disc is then placed on the small metal dise, the spindle passing through
the central hole & the four projecting pieces through four corresponding holes in
the cardboard. The four projecting pieces are then turned down & pressed,
clipping the cardboard & firmly securing disc to spindle. That part of spindle
at back of disc is to run in bearings. The bearings being attached to a handle or
frame in such manner that power applied to the spindle will cause the disc to
rapidly rotate. The dise may be caused to rotate by hand, or by means of springs,
electricity, or other convenient power. The bearings may be most advantageously
constructed from a flat piece of metal, the sides being turned down at right angles,
as shown at A, B, Fig. 1.
A spindle hole C, Fig. 1, and nail holes z, r, Fig. 1, being pierced through each
side. Two semicircular pieces are also partly cut out & raised, as shown at D,
Fig. 1, the two raised pieces being pierced so as to form bearings for a wheel
spindle. These bearings are to be fastened to a handle A, Fig. 3.
For this purpose we take a flat piece of wood of sufficient length & thickness
to be conveniently held in the hand & wide enough to fit in between the sides
of the bearings. The bearings must be fastened to the handle by means of small
nails driven through the nail holes & into the sides of the handle. The bearings
must be fixed so that the spindle holes C, Fig. 1 project a short distance beyond
the end of the handle. This allows of the spindle being passed from one side to
the other. The spindle must be of suflicient length when passed through the
bearings to admit of a small grooved wheel being fitted on the end, as shown at B,
Fig. 3.
The cardboard disc is made to rapidly rotate by means of a large grooved wheel C,
Fig. 3, fixed in a line with the small grooved wheel. The large & small wheel
being connected together by an india rubber ring or band, D, Fig. 3.
The spindle of the large grooved wheel passes through the raised bearings E„F,
Fig. 3 and the end is flattened to keep it in place.
The colour changes are effected by coloured cards A, A, A, A, Fig. 2, placed on
the face of dise, of different sizes & which may be variously shaped, the top or
outer card being black. The edges of the cards are shown at G, Fig. 3, a hole
being pierced through the centre of each card to allow the spindle to pass through.
The large grooved wheel is turned by means of the handle, shown at J. Fig. 3.
A certain pressure must be applied to the cards during rotation. This may be
effected by means of a small spiral spring H, Fig. 3, round the central pin. The
cards & spring are kept in place & the pressure regulated by a small leather
washer I, Fig. 3, fitting tightly on pin.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, & in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
First. For obtaining colour changes on the face of a continuously rotating disc,
which can either be fixed or conveniently held in the hand & worked in any
position.
Second. For obtaining a rapid rotation of the disc by means of the large &
small wheel & rubber ring connection.
Third. For the method of securing cardboard disc to spindle.
Fourth. In the method of shaping and fixing the metal bearings to handle.
Fifth. In the method of applying and regulating the pressure on cards by means
of the small spiral spring & leather washer as herein described & set forth in the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 2nd day of March 1891.