An Optical Toy.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Feb., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 14th May, 1896-Accepted, 20th June, 1895
An Optical Toy.
I, JOHN THOMAS LAWRENCE, of West Bank, Stamford Hill, County of
London, Fancy Importer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention has for object an apparatus or means for producing illusory or
sight changes of figure.
For the purpose of my said invention, I construct in pasteboard or the like a box
of camera shape with the back fall flap and a lens aperture at front. The back
flap is hinged at the upper part of the box and is in connection by an elastic thread
to the upper front of the box, which thread is put in tension when the flap is folded
down at which position it can be held by a wire or spring.
The reverse of the foregoing would show the body first and the combined body
and skeleton afterwards.
The usual field or object sheet in the back of the camera box is of somewhat
transparent paper or fabric with the appearance of a skeleton on one side and the
représentation of a full or complete body of, say, a man on the other directly
behind..
If the flap be down, only the skeleton will be seen if the lens. tube be looked
through but by releasing the catch, the flap springs up and the transparency of
the fabric will permit of the full figure being seen with the skeleton within it,
à la Rontgen photography pictures.
Dated this 22nd day of February 1896.
H: GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166 Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said John Thomas Lawrence.
1, JOHN THOMAS LAWRENCE, of West Bank, Stamford Hill, County of
London, Fancy Importer, 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 has for object, an apparatus or means for producing, illusory
changes of figure.
For the purpose of my said invention, I.construct in pasteboard or the like, a box
of camera shape with the back fall or a top sliding back and a lense aperture in
front.
If a back flap be pivoted, it is hinged at the upper part. of the box and is in
connection by an elastic thread to the body or upper front of the box, which thread
is put in tension when the flap is folded down or drawn back, at which position it
can be held by a wire or spring.
The usual field or object sheet in the back of the camera box is of somewhat

page_text: transparent paper or fabric with the appearance of a person, or animal, or device
on one side and the representation of a skeleton of such a person, or animal, or
other device on the other side directly behind and coincident therewith.
If the flap be down or slid over the top opening only the representation of a
dressed figure will be seen if the lense tube be looked through but by releasing the
catch the flap springs up or the slider springs back whereby the box is darkened
when the transparency of the fabric will permit of the full figure of the skeleton to
be seen à la Rontgen photography pictures.
My invention is clearly shown on the annexed drawings.
Figure 1 longitudinal section of box with transparent screen in position and
having a spring wire flap.
Figure 2 perspective elevation of same.
Figure 3 front view of transparent screen.
Figure 4 back view of same."
Figure 5 longitudinal section of box with transparent screen on rollers for
changing views purpose and having top slide flap.
Figure 6 perspective elevation of same.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, A, box of square or rectangular shape. B, eye or
sight aperture. C, opening at top back part of box. D, slit and guide lips into
and down which transparent tablets such as shown at Figures 3 and 4 can be
dropped. E, flap or back shutter. F elastic bands or cords affixed to inside of
box A and of flap E, these being put in tension by folding the flap downwards to
cover up the back opening G of box. H, crank catch appliance to hold flap E in
a downward position. I, handle of crank catch which when pushed forwardly forces.
crank catch downwardly to release flap, which then springs over the top of box A
and shuts up the top opening C.
Referring to the modification shown at Figures 5 and 6 the shutter E slides in
side grooves J, J, and is held back by curved catch H, the tongue of which when
pushed upwards releases shutter to slide back under teusion of elastic bands or
cords F to close top opening C.
The transparent body K is here shown on rollers L for change of figure views,.
the general picture being enhanced to vision by reflector M if desired when top is
open as shown.
The rollers L, L, are provided with outside thumb buttons N for effecting the
change of figure pictures such as could be produced to represent human beings or
animals, the skeletons being on the reverse side of the screen and the more
prominently printed, so that it appears through the general figure which becomes
less discernible to view when the back opening of the box is clear of the flap or
shutter and the top opening C closed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what 1
claim is :-
1. An optical toy composed of an open top and open ended camera like box with
spring action flap or shutter and eye or sight tube, said box having picture
transparencies capable of being viewed to show ordinary figure objects and
skeletons, or other devices which are printed on opposite faces and coincident with
each other from a top light or back light respectively as described and constructed
substantially as represented on the drawings.
2. In an optical toy of the kind referred to in Claim 1, the construction of a box
back with slit and guide lips for reception of transparencies, on opposite sides of
which and coincident with each other are printed figure pictures and skeletons
thereof or other devices for illusory purposes by the movement of a flap or shutter,
substantially as described and represented.
3. In an optical toy of the kind referred to in Claim 1 the modified arrangement
of sliding shutter represented at Figures 5 and 6, rollers with transparencies having
pictures and skeletons of same or other devices on opposite sides and coincident

page_text: with each other operable by thumb buttons for illusory changes as specified and
substantially as represented.
TL th day of M 1906
H. GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166 Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said John Thomas Lawrence.