US870146A - Toy. - Google Patents

Description

'PATE-NTBD NOV. 5, 1907;

P. A. WEBB.

TOY.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 24, 1907.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

POWHATAN A. WEBB, OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO J. B. OLELAND, OF

, NEW YORK, N. Y.

TOY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 5, 1907.

Application filed June 24:. 1907- Serial No. 380.602

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, POWHATAN A. WEBB, a citizen of the United States, residing at Atlanta, Fulton county, State of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Toys, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is a combined top spinner, wheel ejector and flip staff. It relates to the class of devices which include a frame or holder for retaining a top or spinning wheel while it is being wound with the operating cord and while it is being set in motion by a pull on that cord.

Its object is to improve the construction of such devices whereby they can be more conveniently handled and operated, and whereby the top or wheel can be more accurately and quickly released in any desired position in playing various games with the top or wheel. A further object is to adapt the device for use as a staff for a flip or bean shooter.

In the accompanying drawingsFigure l is a perspective view of the holder having the top or wheel in position to be operated; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the holder having the wheel removed and having the flip or bean shooter attached to the two arms of the holder in position for use.

The frame is made up of the two arms 1 and 2, hinged together at one end by the pivot pin 3 and having at the other end depressions 4 to receive the pointed ends 5 and 6 of the wheel or top 7. A pin 8 is rigidly attached to one of the arms and abuts against the other arm so as to limit their approach to each other. Around this pin is placed the coiled spring 9 which tends to throw the arms apart on the pivot. A short distance below the end of the arms which support the top is placed a wire 10 pivoted at 11 to one arm, and having at its other end a hooked portion at substantially right angles which fits over the other arm and normally prevents the separation of the arms. The middle of this wire hook is bent into a circle 13 in the same plane as the arms so that this circular portion may serve as a thumb rest when the device is used as a flip staff.

The flip is made up of strings 14 and 15 attached to the two arms just below their ends and to these strings are attached the usual elastic sections 16 and 17, to which is attached the leather portion 18. It will be noticed that the shape of the frame is such that it can be easily and conveniently grasped by the hand and can be used I as an ordinary flip staff with the thumb resting upon the circular portion 13. The flip attached to this frame does not interfere in any way with the use of the device as a top spinner, since the flexible portion of the flip may be drawn down parallel with the arms of the frame.

The operation of the device as a top spinner and wheel ejector is as follows: The Wheel or top is placed in position with its ends held in the depressions 4, and a string 19 is wound around the stem of the wheel and is given a pull which sets the wheel into rapid rotation. The wheel may then be released by pressure of the thumb 12 from the arm 1. It is to be noted that as soon as the arm 1 is released the two arms fly apart under the influ ence of the spring 9, and thus the top is quickly and accurately released in any desired position. It may be released with the end of its spindle in vertical position, when the Wheel Will spin like a top, or it may be released in a horizontal or inclined position, when the rim of the wheel 7 will strike the floor and the wheel will roll either in a straight line or in a curve, according to the position it has when it reaches the floor. ,This accurate release is useful in playing games with the wheel, such as ten pins. I-n playing this game the wheel is used in place of the ball ordinarily used in the game of ten pins.

I prefer to make the top in the form of a rather thin metal wheel which has considerable weight, and which has a shaft or axis with pointed ends, attached rigidly to the wheel.

hat I claim is:

1. A frame for spinning wheels, comprising two members pivoted together at one end, means at the other end for receiving and holding the wheel, a spring between the two members tending to force them apart, and releasable means for preventing the separation of the members.

2. A frame for spinning wheels, comprising two members pivoted together at one end, means at the other end for receiving and holding the wheel, a spring between the two members tending to force them apart, and :1 connecting piece pivoted to one member and having its other end bent so as to releasably engage and hold the other member.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

POVHATAN A. \VEBB,

Witnesses E. C. Lns'rnn, L. O. WHITEHEAD.

upon the connecting wire 10 which releases the hook'

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