Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 9th June, 1886.
Complete Left, 18th Feb., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 1st Apr., 1887.
JAMES HENRY SAMBROOK 165 Lower Moss Lane, Huline, Manchester, in the
County of Lancaster, Agent do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention consists of making improvements in or on an ordinary Musical,
Humming, or other playing Top so that one or a series of games of chance, skill, or
amusement such as, Bagatelle, Roulette, Dice, Fortune-telling &c. can be played.
One form of carrying out my invention is to make the top similar to what is now
in use but on the upper part or cover of the shell, I have certain divisions marked
and numbered, such divisions and numbers I stamp on the shell itself, or attach a
paper with them printed on, To the bobbin which works on the spindle I secure a
finger or pointer so that when the top has finished spinning and is at rest the finger
or pointer will indicate the number of marks the player has scored.
Another form of my invention is to make the top part or cover of the shell open
with the edge of the side curved towards the spindle. On the side I print or stamp
divisions and numbers as before. Whilst the top is spinning a small block or ball of
wood, clay, or other suitable material is dropped into the shell, and when the top is
at rest the block or ball will indicate the number scored.
Another form will have a shell similar to the last, but in addition I fix at the bottom
of the inner space a certain number of pins, so that after the top has done spinning
the block or ball will either be held by two of the pins and opposite a number, or it
will have passed between other two pins and not have scored anything. In this form
the spindle is not carried through but works loose on the lower part of the shell and
on the spindle I fasten the usual flat pattern Top for the purpose of spinning.
I also adapt my invention to the Whipping Top by a cavity in the centre and placeing
a glass cover on the top. I then adjust a finger or pointer made to any suitable shape
or form and arranged to work loose on a pivot fixed in the centre of the cavity. The
top part or outside portion of the shell can have the numbers printed or stamped as
herein before mentioned.
L J
100
WM. LANGLEY,
1, Virgil Street, City Road, Manchester,
Agent.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Musical, Humming, or other Playing Tops.
JAMES HENRY SAMBROOK 168 Lower Moss Lane, Hulme, Manchester, in the
County of Lancaster, Agent 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 consists of making improvements on or in ordinary Musical,
humming, or other playing Tops, so that one or a series of games of chance, skill,
or amusement, such as miniature Bagatelle, Dice, Fortune-telling &c. can be played.
One form of carrying out my invention is to make the Top similar to the common
pattern of Musical Tops but I form an open chamber by leaving the top portion of the
upper half of the shell open with the edge curved slightly towards the spindle in the
interior of the lower part which I call hereafter the Musical part of the shell I fasten
a flat cover which is then also the bottom of the open chamber. On the curved edge
I stamp or emboss certain numbers and divisions or I cement a slip of paper with them
printed thereon.
To play a game I use a block or ball of wood, clay, or other suitable material which
is dropped or thrown into the said open chamber whilst the top is revolving, when
the latter has done spinning the marble will be opposite one of the numbers or divisions,
thus shewing the player his score.
Another form of my invention is similar to the last but the open chamber is
narrower in diameter and has several holes punched or cut through. On the cover of
the Musical part at equal distances from but near to the spindle are fastened two
metal clips.
To play an amusing game a pictorial slip of cardboard or thick
paper on
each side of which is printed a portion of a comical figure or picture is paced in the
clips, as the top revolves there appears to be a complete figure or picture on the slip.
Another pattern will have the open chamber similar to the last but in addition to the
clips I fix at irregular distances a certain number of pins so that after the top has
done spinning the block or ball will either be held by two of the pins and opposite a
number or it will have passed between other two pins and not have scored anything.
The spindle is not carried through but works loose under the bottom of the open
chamber, on the spindle I fasten the usual flat pattern top for the purpose of
spinning.
I also adapt my invention to the Whipping Top by boring a cavity in the centre and
placing a small block or ball therein, I then cement a glass cover over the cavity. The
top part or outside portion will have the numbers stamped or printed thereon.
To play a game of Fortune-telling it is necessary to have printed forms of questions
and replies the latter having corresponding numbers to those marked on the top. The
marble denotes the reply.
Referring to the annexed sheet of drawings Fig. 1. is a view of my invention
shewing the formation of the open chamber A with the numbers and divisions marked
thereon, B is the block or ball shewn therein, Cis the lower portion of an ordinary

page_text: metal top with the common Musical arrangements, it is spun in the usual manner from
a string wound on the bobbin D, such bobbin being fastened to the spindle E, the
handle F, works loose on the spindle.
Fig. 2. is showing the side of the open chamber A, with the holes or slots G, H is
the clips for holding the pictorial slip I. The side of the open chamber A, is shewn
broken on this illustration for a better view of the slip and clips. The sketch on the
slip being shewn merely as an example, as a variety of figures or pictures may be used.
The top is spun in the same way as in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3. is another plan of Fig. 2. shewing the manner in which the pictorial slip I,
is held by the clips H.
Fig. 4. is similar to Fig. 2. in the upper part of shell. G is the holes or slots, His
the clips. The spindle E, runs through a flat top N, and has a large head which works
loose in the box K, such box is secured to the bottom of the open chamber A.
When this top is to be used the open chamber or shell A, is held by one hand
and acts as a handle whilst the other hand spins the top from a string on the
bobbin D.
Fig. 5. is another plan of Fig. 4. showing the pins, J, and the clips H, also the
block or ball B.
Fig. 6. is shewing the Whipping Top with the glass cover L, cemented or other-
wise secured to the top and over the cavity M, B is the block or ball.
Having now particularly described my invention and the manner in which the
same is to be carried into effect I declare that what I claim as secured to me herein is,
1st. The upper open part or chamber A as illustrated in Fig. 1, 2 & 4 and in con-
nection therewith the use of a loose block or ball, for the purposes substantially described
and illustrated above.
2nd. A. glass cover over a hollow part of a top.
3rd. The pictorial slip and clips substantially as horeinbefore described.