GB172557A - An improved gyroscopic toy - Google Patents

Abstract

172,557. Ewest, H., and Bomborn, B. Feb. 17, 1921. Machanical toys; tops.-Relates to a toy of the type which, when rolled along the ground, travels a certain distance and then returns to the starting point. The invention consists in providing means whereby the casing of the toy, after rolling for a predetermined distance, is coupled to a rotating fly-wheel and either continues to run on at a higher speed or stops and then runs backwards. The toy may be used as a top, as a driv. ing-wheel for toy vehicles, or as a device for playing games. The toy, as shown in cross-section in Fig. 1, comprises a casing 1 having conical - projections 15, 16 in which is housed an axle 4. The projection 16 is partly cut away, as shown at 17, to permit a cord to be wound on a hub 19 to which a fly-wheel or heavy disc 3 is secured by means of a metal ring 18. A weighted pendulum 12, Figs. 1 and 4, loosely mounted on the axle 4 is provided with a tooth 14 which engages the teeth of a gear wheel 9 secured to a shaft 10. This shaft has an arm 11 which engages, when in the position shown, a stop 7 that is connected to the fly-wheel 3 by a coil spring 21. One end of the spring is secured to a sleeve 5 from which the stop 7 projects, while the other end of the spring bears frictionally against the inner surface of the ring 18. In use, the shaft 10 is turned by a knob 10<1> until the arm 11 takes up a predetermined position 11<1> or 11<11>, Fig. 4, and the wheel 3 is spun by a cord wound on the hub 19. If the casing now be rolled along the ground, the pendulum 12 will keep the tooth 14 upright and the wheel 9 will be rotated until the arm 11 strikes a stop 22. The stop 7 now strikes the arm 11 and the fly-wheel 3 is connected with the casing, which either travels forward at a higher speed or runs backwards, according to the direction of rotation of the wheel 3. The frictional connection between the spring 21 and the rim 18 diminishes shock when the stop 7 contacts with the arm 11. In a modification, the pendulum rotates with the casing but has a limited oscillation about its pivot. In a further modification, the wheel 9 is rotated by a spring, the pendulum being arranged to act as an escapement. A gap 23, Fig. 4, in the teeth of the wheel 9 enables the casing to be rolled along the ground without connecting with the wheel 3. The toy may be spun on the points of the projections 15, 16 like an ordinary top, on it may be used as a wheel for toy vehicles. When rolled along the ground it can be used for playing skittles.