Improvements in Spinning Tops.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Dec., 1894-Accepted, 12th Jan., 1895
Improvements in Spinning Tops.
I, STEPHAN ERHARD, of No. 2 Bradford Avenue, Red Cross Street, London,
in the County of Middlesex, Merchant, 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 improvements in spinning tops which are maintained in
a vertical position, and to which can be imparted a rotatory motion for any length
of time by any child.
Heretofore the top had to be set spinning by a string which required a certain
amount of skill and could not be done by a child alone, so preventing the latter
from playing with the top. This invention removes these difficulties, and a child
can spin the top with only an insignificant force.
Such being the nature and object of my said invention, the following is a
complete description of same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, in
which :-
Fig. 1 is a front sectional elevation through the case or stand for maintaining
the top in the vertical position, the top being shewn in elevation.
Fig. 2 is a horizontal cross-section of the case or stand.
Fig. 3 shews an end elevation of the top and stand or case, the latter being
provided with a handle.
Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the stand and the top, a figure of a dancing or
skipping girl being on the top.
The top a is carried on a long pin b, moving in the sockets c and d and resting on
a footstep e in the transverse bar f, and prevented from running up by a little
collar g. On the axle b within the case is a worm h, in which a worm-wheel i
gears. The worm-wheel i is fixed on an axle k (mounted in the case) on which is
a crank and handle. The worm is preferably double or treble threaded, in
order to obtain a high rate of speed of the top, though the child is only turning
the handle slowly.
By this apparatus musical tops are more amusing, as the rotation may be
a continuous one, and the sound slightly altered by varying the speed of rotation
of the top. By applying coloured discs to the top, and varying the speed of
rotation, different shades of colour can be produced. Figures and divers objects
may be put upon the top (Fig. 4). By applying a handle w to the bottom of
the case s. of the top, the latter may be held in hand, and so be played
with (Fig. 3).
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: :-
(1.) A top held vertically in a case by its lengthened pin b, obtaining its motion
from a worm and worm-wheel in the said case, as herein fully described, and as
illustrated by the annexed drawings.
(2.) The combination of a top with coloured discs or figures on a case, the top
being moved by a worm and worm-wheel as herein fully described and as
illustrated by the annexed drawings.

page_text: (3.) The combination of the top driven by worm and worm-wheel, with a handle
in a case held by a handle, as herein fully described, and as illustrated by Fig. 3 of
the annexed drawings.
Dated this 11th day of December 1894.
BRIERLEY & HOWARD,
Penny Bank Chambers, Halifax, Agents for the Applicant.