Improvements in Mechanism for Imitating the Movements of Horses and other Animals.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 13th May, 1896-Accepted, 8th Aug., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mechanism for Imitating the Movements of
Horses and other Animals.
I, PROSPER BALTHAZAR LEROY, of 24, Rue Beaurepaire, Paris, in the
Republic of France, 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 invention has for its object the imitation of the mechanical and automatic
movements of furred or haired quadrupeds or of feathered or winged animals by
means of mechanism operated by an electric or other motor or by spiral springs,
or by a person mounted upon the animal and operating the mechanism either with
the feet or with the hands.
I will now proceed to describe the mechanical and automatic operation of a horse
reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of the device.
Figures 2 and 3 show cross sections of the same
Figure 4 is a plan and
Figures 5 and 6 show details thereof.
As shown in the drawings the imitation of the movements of the animal is
effected by mechanism which is actuated by a spiral spring e, Figure 5.
This apparatus comprises a main frame A; a second movable frame B, upon
which frames all the operative and the other parts of the apparatus are
constructed.
The movable frame B is fixed to the frame A by two axial pins C and C which
enable it to turn either to the right or to the left.
The apparatus also comprises a movable shaft D upon which is wound the
spiral spring e fixed by its outer extremity to the barrel u; upon the shaft D is
secured a ratchet wheel F for keeping the spiral spring e wound up by the
ratchet T fixed to the barrel u; to this barrel is fixed a main toothed wheel G
which serves to transmit to the whole mechanism the action of the driving spring.
The mechanism for moving the fore legs consists of the main toothed wheel G
which transmits the movement to the intermediate toothed wheel H. This
wheel H transmits the rotary movement to the toothed wheel I fixed upon the
shaft J. Upon this shaft are fixed two crank discs K and K for imparting
alternating movement to the legs L and L. Two cams P and P₁ are provided
for imparting rectilinear movements to the cages E and E' supporting the legs L
and L.
The two legs L and L' are adapted to move upon the two axes m m² supported
by the cages E and E' which carry the said legs, the connecting rods of the
knee pivots S and S', those of the fetlock-joints M and M', and of the feet N
and N and of the parts forming the legs and feet.
The two connecting rods h and h, are centred at one end upon axes t and t¹
fixed in the frame B, and at the other end in the knee pivots S and S¹ upon
axes i and fixed to the shins fand f.
The two other connecting rods a and a' are centred at one end upon the axes ✗
and X fixed at the knees S and S', and at the other end in the fetlock-joints M
and M' upon the axes .z and r¹ of the feet N and N¹.
The mechanism for effecting the movement of the hind legs is constructed in a
somewhat similar manner being likewise composed of the main toothed wheel G
which transmits the motion to the intermediate toothed wheel H¹. This toothed

page_text: wheel in turn transmits its movement to the toothed wheel I' fixed upon a shaft J'.
Upon the shaft are fixed two crank dises K and K for imparting alternating
movement to the hind legs L' and L³.
Two cams P2 and P3 impart rectilineal movement to the cages E' and E³
supporting the legs L2 and L³.
The two hind legs L2 and L are adapted to move about two axes m² m³
supported by the cages E and E and the two connecting rods H2 and H are
centred at one end upon the axes and 3 fixed upon the frame A, at the other
end in the fetlock joints M2 and M³ upon the axes of the feet N2 and N³ and
carrying the parts forming the legs and feet.
The operation of the fore legs and feet and of the hind legs and feet is as
follows:-
The mechanism is actuated by the motive spring e fixed in the barrel which
transmits the circular movement to the main toothed wheel G. This toothed wheel
transmits the rotary movement to the intermediate toothed wheels H and H'.
The latter toothed wheels transmit their movement to the toothed wheels I and [1
mounted on the shafts J and J upon which are also fixed the cams P, P1, P2
and P³, and also the crank discs K, K', K2 and K³ which transmit all the move-
ments to the legs the operation taking place in the following manner:
When imitating the walking of a horse, the left leg L is caused to move at
the same time as the right hind leg L.
The right leg L' moves with the left hind leg L*.
The feet are raised from the points 1, 2, 3, 4 in order to be put down again in
front at the points 8, 6, 5, 7, and so on in the following manner :
Take the position of the right fore leg L which is at the rear, where foot N¹
is at the point 2, then the left hind leg L which is also at the rear and the foot N³
at the point 3; these legs are at the near end of their movement as indicated by
the position of the crank discs K and K.
As the cams P1 and P turn they raise the cages E' and E' with the rocking
levers of the legs L' and L' carried thereby from the point d to the point d'. The
right fore leg L on rising leaves the ground; in this movement the knee S¹ is
bent and the shin f¹ which is articulated in the knee is oblique, while the foot N'
which is likewise articulated in the fetlock joint is closed.
The movement of the kuce S' and of the shin is produced by the connecting
rod h¹ centred at one end upon an axis i fixed to the shin and at the other end
at to the frame B so that when the leg rises this connecting rod which does not
rise causes the shin to describe an arc of a circle about the knee, so as to be
inclined to the upper part of the leg as shown at b b.
The movement of the foot N¹ articulated in the fetlock joint M¹ is caused by
the connecting rod a' centred at one end upon a fixed axis X' in the knee S¹ and
at the other end centred in the fetlock joint 1 upon an axis fixed to the foot
so that as the shin is inclined this connecting rod causes the foot to describe an
are of a circle about the fetlock joint, closing to the position !!.
The left hand hind leg L' on rising leaves the ground; in this movement the
foot N which is articulated in the fetlock joint M² is closed.
This movement is produced by the connecting rod H centred at one end upon
an axis fixed to the frame A, and at the other end in the fetlock joint M2 upon an
axis fixed to the foot so that when the leg rises this connecting rod causes the
foot to describe an are of a circle about the fetlock joint closing to the position.
These movements being effected the cams P' and P' in their rotation retain
the right fore leg L' and the left hind leg L in their raised position above the
ground.
The crank discs K' and K' perform at the same time their rotation and move
the right fore leg L' and the left bind leg L2 forward; at the same time the
cams and P2 cause the downward movement of the cages E' and E supporting
the legs, and as they descend the connecting rods actuate the knee and fetlock
joints reversely to the manner before described so that the shin is again placed

page_text: vertically, and the feet return to their first position, the right fore foot N' resting
upon the ground at the point 6, and the left hind foot N' likewise resting upon the
ground at the point 5 and the horse has advanced one step.
Thus it will be seen that the right fore leg L' resting in front on the ground is
in the position corresponding to that of the left hind leg L'.
While the left fore leg resting upon the ground is likewise in the position
corresponding to that of the right hind leg L.
The device having made one step in advance the left fore leg L and the right
hind leg L are at the rear at the ends of their movements, and are in the same
position in which the right fore leg L' and the left-hind leg L' are shown in
Figure 1 that is, at the extremities of their movement. In order to cause the legs
to reach the ends of their movement the crank dises K and K have made a half
revolution, and the cams P and P³ then raise the cages E and E³ with the rocking
levers of the legs L and L from the point d to the point d'.
The left fore leg L on rising leaves the ground; in this movement the leg is
bent at the knee S and the shin f which is articulated in the knee assumes an
oblique position, while the foot N which is similarly articulated in the fetlock joint
is closed.
The movement of the knee S and of the shin fis effected by the connecting
rod h centred at one end upon an axis t fixed to the frame B, and at the other end
in the knee upon an axis i fixed to the shin, so that when the leg rises this con-
necting rod causes the shin to describe an arc of a circle about the knee, and
assume an oblique position.
The movement of the foot N articulated in the fetlock-joint M is caused by the
connecting rod a centred at one end upon a fixed axis in the knee S and at the
other end in the fetlock joint M upon an axis z fixed to the foot so that when
the shin is inclined this connecting rod causes the foot to describe an arc of a circle
about the fetlock joint until it reaches the closed position..
The right hind leg L'on rising leaves the ground; in this movement the foot N*
which is articulated in the fetlock joint M³ is closed.
This closing movement is effected by the connecting rod H centred at one end
upon an axis 3 fixed to the frame A, and at the other end in the fetlock joint M³
upon an axis a fixed to the foot so that when the leg rises this connecting rod
causes the foot to describe an arc of a circle about the fetlock-joint moving thus to
its closed position.
These movements being effected the cams P and Ps in their rotation maintain
the left fore leg L and the right hind leg L above the ground. The crank
discs K and K at the same time perform their rotary movement and move the
left fore leg L and the right hind leg L³ forward; while the cams P and P³ cause
the downward movement of the cages E and E3 which carry the legs so that the
connecting rods operate reversely to the manner when raising the legs and feet and
the shin is again placed vertically and the feet return to their original position
relative to the legs. The left fore foot N now rests upon the ground at the
point 8 the right hind foot N likewise resting upon the ground at the point 7, the
machine has advanced another step and the legs are again in their original position
relatively to the body and so on.
The mechanism for effecting the movement of the bead and neck comprises:
A lug V upon the cage E carrying a tappet. An ear with a tappet M movable
upon the axis of the ear: two rocking levers q aud q' movable upon the axis n
upon which are mounted the neck and head of the horse; a spiral spring r tending
to keep the head and neck in their highest position; and a disengaging lever L
and connecting rod N fixed to the ear with a tappet.
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The operation takes place by the rectilineal movement of the cage E carrying a
movable ear with a tappet which engages the lower part of the rocking lever and
when moving upwards pushes the rocking lever and lowers the neck and head to
the position a be; when the cage moves down again the head and neck are returned
to their original position by the spring r,r.

page_text: When it is desired to stop this operation I push the lever L forwards upon the
neck of the horse. The ear with a tappet is displaced to the rear and no longer
touches the end of the working lever.
The mechanism for moving the enrs is composed of two cams g and gl fixed upon
the hubs of the cams P and P¹; two rocking levers E and E movable upon the
axis n carrying at the upper extremity each a rod A and A'; two vertical
shafts B and B upon which the ears are fixed; each shaft carries a crank G¹
and G2 with axes z and 2' movable in the cranks G and G2; these axes carry at
their extremities each a fork for receiving the end of the connecting rods A
and A'; and a spring E' for the rocking levers.
The operation takes place by the movement of the cams g and g¹ which in their
rotation raise at one end the rocking levers E and E, which are lowered at the
other end and cause the cranks, fixed upon the vertical shafts carrying the ears, to
describe an are of a circle; the rucking levers on being lowered bear upon the
springs E, and when the cams have effected their movement these springs push
the rocking levers back to their original position.
The mechanism for effecting the movement of the tail is composed of a tappet D¹
fixed to the cage E; a shaft Fi carrying a cam o fixed hereto and at the extremity
a crank which serves to fix the tail; a disengaging lever p; a spring is also
provided for keeping the tail vertical.
The operation takes place by the tappet D' fixed to the cage E' which when
moving upwards and downwards imparts a circular movement to the cam o fixed
upon the shaft F which transmits the movement to the tail and the spring moves it
back to the vertical position again. When it is desired to stop this movement
I push the lever p towards the head, the shaft slides towards the tail and the cam o
is displaced and is no longer in front of the tappet D.
The stoppage of the horse in motion takes place by a brake fixed to the
frame A, this brake being applied to the circumference of the barrel and of the
toothed wheel G, by the movement of a lever S₁ which is drawn to the rear.
The horse walks mechanically and automatically as set forth; it can turn to
the right or left by means of the frame B movable upon axes C. This frame
carries all the movements in front, the neck is flexible, the head can move, the feet
have articulations so as to rest freely upon the ground. The horse may be guided
like living horses by reins exteuding from the mouth, and may have the same
harness and equipment.
The horse may be put to any carriage which can transmit motive power to it.
I may also use several horses, either one by the side of the other, operating
together, or they may also be one in front of the other. The motor may be placed
in the body of the horse and transmit the movement or it may be placed on the top
or between several horses.
I may also place any motor in a carriage to which the before described horses
are put, such carriage transmitting the movement to them.
They may also operate either by drawing or by pushing them.
The horse may also be mounted by a rider who may with his feet impart motive
power to cranks transmitting the movement to the driving shaft of the main
toothed wheel as in the case of a velocipede. The horse may be mounted by
several riders who may with their feet impart the motive power. I may also
impart the motive power with the hands either by levers or cranks. In like
manner may put several horses by the side of each other and cuple them,
mounted by one or more riders.
I may also put these horses to a gin either one before the other or one by the
side of the other, and couple them as above set forth.
I may also use them independently of each other.
They may be mounted by riders which impart the motive power to them or by a
motor. I may also place any motor in the centre of the gin or exteriorly, which
will transmit to them the motive power for the operation of the movements. The
mechanical and automatic movement for the walking of the horse or of any other

page_text: quadrupeds or animals with hair, wool, feathers and wings, such as the ostrich,
may receive the same application as the horse.
I do not limit the invention in any way either to the dimensions or the form of
the animals.
I may here observe that all the parts composing the apparatus for imitating of
the movements of any animals may be made of any suitable materials. I do not
desire to limit myself either as regards their form or their dimensions or the
material employed.
I may also effect the movement of the knee, shin and foot as shown in Fig. 6 by
a movable cage E receiving the movement by cams P4 P5 (Figure 6) operating
like the cages E E' E' E³.
This movement takes place by means of the cam P which causes the connecting
rods to move downwards again, or cause them to describe in the knee and in the
fetlock joint arcs of circles, inclining the shin and closing the foot.
The same movement is obtained for the hind leg with the exception of the
oblique movement.
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 :-
The combination of the mechanism by which the imitation of the movement of
any quadruped or other animal is mechanically and automatically effected by any
suitable motive power either by walking riding or the like, the whole substantially
as hereinbefore described and represented in the drawings.
Dated this 12th day of Mon 1806
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.