An Improved Steam Toy.
Year: 1896

page_text: An Improved Steam Toy.
I, HARRY SIDNEY GRANT of 30 Romberg Road, Upper Tooting, Engineer do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention refers to a minature round-a-bout or series of horses boats
bicycles or the like revolving upon a platform. In the centre of the toy is a small
steam boiler, heated by a lamp. A vertical steam pipe which descends low.
down into the boiler conveys steam against the steps cr rays of a vertical fan
or succession of radial louvres and thus rotates the frame to which the revolving
horses or other devices are attached. The heated air ascending from the lamp
also assists in rotating the frame. The usual canopy is placed above and may be
perforated to allow passage of steam.
Dated this 13th day of July 1896.
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97 Newgate Street, Loudon, Agent for Applicant.
I, HARRY SIDNEY GRANT, of 30, Romberg Road, Upper Tooting, Engineer,
do bereby 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 refers to a miniature round-a-bout or series of horses, boats,
bicycles or the like revolving upon or above a platform.
In the centre of the toy is a small steam boiler, heated by a lamp. A vertical
steam pipe which ascends from the boiler to convey steam against the steps or rays
of a vertical fan or succession of radial louvres and thus rotates the frame to which
the revolving horses or other devices are attached, and the boiler may have a tube
passing through it for directing the hot air upon the louvres or the boiler may be
jacketed.
The platform may contain a pan to hold water so that suspended boats may
travel in their appropriate element. Or if preferred, the platform may have
undulations and tiny cars or other devices mounted on wheels may be caused to
ascend and descend these inequalities, due provision being made by means of
suspension rods rising and falling in sockets or eyes, for the up and down motion
of the devices.
In the costlier forms of the toy a model boiler fitted with a working cylinder,
valves, cocks and other fittings to resemble a real steam boiler, may be employed.
I will now describe the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings
in which :-
:
Fig. 1 shows an elevation of a toy round-a-bout or merry-go-round, balls being
shown suspended from the cover or canopy; these may be replaced, if preferred,

page_text: by birds, boats, animals or the like. The platform or base is shown half in section
to show the lamp.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the underside of the canopy, to which the birds or the
like are attached, and shows the vanes or louvres against which the steam or hot
air is directed, a portion of the steam pipe also being shown.
Fig. 3 shows two of the vanes or louvres in section.
Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a round-a-bout, the platform or base of
which is undulated for affording additional amusement.
a is the boiler, the water inside which is heated by a lamp 6 placed underneath
same. c, c, are legs to support the boiler; d is a steam or steam and hot air pipe,
which carries the steam or steam and hot air up to and against the louvres e in
the underside of the canopy f
The steam pipe d is preferably flattened at the escape end to cause the steam to
issue with increased velocity.
'
g is a central support or pivot for the canopy f to turn upon. This support as
shown may be enclosed so as to resemble the exhaust funnel of an ordinary
engine.
h is the hot air escape pipe; k is the platform or base shown in Fig. 1 which
may be decorated in some suitable manner;
is the undulated platform the undulations of which cause the cars or the like
to rise and fall. To allow of this rising and falling movement the upper ends of
the rods, to which the cars are attached, should slide up and down in a suitable
slotted socket (not shown) in the canopy.
To afford further amusement my invention can be combined with a musical box,
drum or the like. In this case, the box would preferably be placed above the
boiler, and the pivot of the canopy be made to pass through and thus playing the
musical box or striking the drum as it revolves. In this case the canopy is fastened
to the pivot.
In special cases I also reserve the right to place the fan wheel underneath or at
the side of the toy, the steam in this case being conducted down from the boiler.
When placed at the side the fan wheel would be connected so as to revolve the
canopy, by some suitable form of gearing.
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
1. A miniature round-a-bout, giant stride or rotating series of cars, animals,
boats or other devices operated by steam, formed in a small boiler heated by a
lamp, said steam being caused to impinge on the rays or steps of a small fan
shaped motor, near the outer edges of which, or from the edge of a canopy or the
like, driven by said fan shaped motor, the said devices are suspended with or
without a musical accompaniment, as herein described and set forth.
2. A miniature round-a-bout having a platform or stand, either flat, undulated,
or filled with liquid, whereupon suspended devices are caused to rotate by the
power of steam, as herein described and set forth.
3. The combination of steam with heated air for the purpose of operating a
rotating fan carrying or driving suspended devices, as herein described and set
forth.
Dated this 27th day of Novemba 1000
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, E.C., Patent Agent.