Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Mar., 1890-Accepted, 19th Apr., 1890
I, GEORGES CARETTE of Nuremberg, in the Empire of Germany, Manufacturer,
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:-
The toy which forms the subject of this invention represents a human figure
carrying in its hands a balancing pole and immitates the movements of a rope-
dancer as it walks down on an inclined plane, continually swinging to and fro. A
special motive power is not needed for producing these movements, its own weight
and the weight of the balancing pole being utilized for the purpose.
In the accompanying drawing,
Figure 1 is a side view and
Figure 2 a front view of the improved toy.
Figures 3 to 7 represent several positions of the legs of the figure during two
steps.
Figures 8 and 9 show the device for attaching the legs.
Figures 10 and 11 show special positions of the legs.
In the lower part of the trunk of the Figure which is denoted by A in the drawing
is soldered a frame (Figures 8 and 9). This frame is divided into two com-
partments separated from each other by a partition, and it is traversed by a pin c.
From the pin are suspended the two legs a and a', the said pin being passed
through a loop formed by the piece of sheet metal of which one half of each leg
consists. A sure guide is thus obtained for the legs, which can turn backwards and
forwards but cannot pass laterally from their position. The soles of the feet d, d'
of the figure form arcs of a circle, the centre of which coincides with the pivot
for the legs. These feet are soldered in the lower part of the legs so that they
are covered on their sides (Figure 1) and have the appearance of ordinary feet.
The figure carries in its hands a balancing pole e made of wire and bent down-
wards so as to form a large arch, the pole being of such length that the centre
of gravity of the whole will be at a certain distance below the figure. This pole
cannot be displaced in the hands, and it imparts to the figure a swinging movement
if pulled to one side.
The inclined plane on which the figure walks down is formed by the plate of
the frame B. The feet 9 of this frame are pivoted to the board and can be folded
underneath the latter so as to enable the whole frame to be easily packed.
In order to cause the figure to walk it is so placed upon the inclined plane that
it has its face turned downwards, and the balancing pole is drawn a little to one
side. This however is, not necessary in most cases, as extremely small oscillations
of the balancing pole which take place of themselves will set the figure in motion.
The figure then swings from one side to the other, puts one foot alternately before
the other and steps slowly forward.
The several positions which the legs then occupy are shown in Figures 3 to 7,
Figure
shows the legs at the beginning of a step. The figure stands upright
and is about to incline to the right hand side. The centre of gravity i of the
trunk is vertically below the pin c. The legs also stand upright; the right foot, d
touches the plane at a point of the heel, the left foot d¹ touches it at the toe.
When the figure inclines to the right hand side the foot d' is raised a little and
the foot d bears the whole weight of the figure. As the soles of the two feet
constitute arcs of a circle which has for its centre the pin c and as the weight of
the trunk of the figure and of the balancing pole rests upon this pin the foot d
rolls forward while the foot d¹ falls forward. In these movements the trunk always
Price 617

page_text: EF'.
remains in an upright position and the centre of gravity moves with the pivot for
the legs downwards parallel with the inclined plane.
When the figure has inclined to its extreme position on the right hand side the
legs occupy approximately the position indicated in Figure 4. The foot d touches
the inclined plane with its middle part, and the foot d hangs vertically by the side.
In the further movement the legs will then pass to the position shown in Figure 5
inasmuch as the foot d continues to roll and the foot continues to fall to the
vertical position. The new position is the converse of that shown in Figure 3; the
foot d stands with the toe upon the inclined plane, and the foot d' with the heel.
A step has then been completed and the figure now begins the same movement to
the other side in order to return to the first position (Figure 7).
This play is repeated until the figure has arrived at the lower part of the inclined
plane, because under the action of the balancing pole it will swing to and fro for
a comparatively long time. In case the figure is well made the movements, owing
to the balancing pole, will be sufficiently regular. The velocity can be regulated by
changing the inclination of the plate, only a very slight inclination being required
for causing the figure to advance slowly.
In order that the steps shall not be longer than corresponds to the reality the
legs and the frame b are made of such form that the legs will come in contact
with the frame after they have turned through a suitable distance. If the figure is
caused to oscillate through a long distance it can, during the forward movement,
occupy for example the position shown in Figure 11, wherein the upper part of the
leg a has touched behind, and the upper part of the leg a' in front, and wherein
the centre of gravity of the figure, which now constitutes with the leg a, a whole,
with the leg a is not vertically below the pin c but vertically below the point or toe
of the foot d.
By providing a stop for the legs the figure is prevented from falling either quite
to the front or quite to the rear. If the figure is, for example, put up in such a
manner that both feet are side by side, it will occupy the position indicated in
Figure 10.
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. 1
claim is
A toy consisting of a figure which is provided with pivoted legs a a¹ and an
immovable balancing rod, and the soles of whose feet d d form arcs of a circle the
centre of which coincides with the pivot c¹ for the legs, so that the figure when
placed upon an inclined plane will walk down on the same.
Dated this 1st day of March 1890.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.