Improvements in Roundabouts and similar Apparatus for Public Recreation.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Jan., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 20th Oct., 1891-Accepted, 21st Nov., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Roundabouts and similar Apparatus for Public
Recreation.
I, EDWARD WILLIAM BARRATT, of 30 Shepherdess Walk, in the County of
Middlesex, Confectioner, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
:-
66
"roundabouts" or
My invention relates to apparatus commonly known as
merry-go-rounds," and to similar apparatus for public recreation.
One feature of my said invention is the construction of the apparatus in such a
manner as to increase the apparent speed of the platform or of the series of horses
or other animals or of boats, balloons, carriages or other objects on or in which the
persons using the apparatus ride, by causing them to revolve in the reverse direction
to that in which the top or cover or other part of the apparatus is rotated and thus
obtaining a high relative speed. Or I so construct the apparatus that one or more
series of the horses, boats, carriages or the like will revolve in one direction whilst
another or other series thereof revolve in the reverse direction.
Another feature of my said invention is the construction of the apparatus in such
a manner that, whilst all the series of horses, boats, carriages or the like revolve in
the same direction, one or more of the said series will move at a higher velocity
than another or other series thereof.
The said horses, boats, carriages or the like may, if desired have an oscillating
or other motion imparted to them during their revolution around the common axis.
I sometimes employ a series of boats or cther objects and suitable means whereby,
in their revolution around the common axis, they will have imparted to them a
gyratory motion or angular oscillation, or a rolling and pitching motion like that
of a ship at sea.
In one form of my improved apparatus, I provide a rotating main platform on
which a number of smaller platforms or of boats, balloons or the like are so
mounted that, in the rotation of the whole about the axis of the main platform, a
gyratory motion or angular oscillation will be imparted to each of the said smaller
platforms boats or balloons that is to say:-Each of the smaller platforms, boats
or balloons is arranged. to be moved in the manner described in the Specification of
former Letters Patent dated 20th October A.D. 1888 No. 15126; and the apparatus
is so constructed that such movement is imparted to the said smaller platforms,
boats, or balloons in and by the rotation of the larger platform on which they are
mounted.
I find it advantageous in this form of my apparatus to so arrange each of the
smaller platforms, boats or balloons that it will move upon a suitable circular path
secured to the main platform, or will turn about a ball-and-socket or other universal
joint whereby it is connected with the said main platform; and to provide overhead
devices which are carried by a suitable awning or covering arranged to rotate with
the main platform, and which operate during the rotation of the said main platform,
to impart the desired movement to the smaller platforms, boats or balloons. I can
however, arrange devices beneath the main platform for operating the said smaller
platforms, boats or balloons.
In another form or modification of my said apparatus I make the main platform
stationary and provide suitable means whereby the smaller platforms, boats,
balloons or the like will have the desired motion imparted to them simultaneously...
The said awning or covering may if desired be made stationary, or it may be
arranged to revolve in the reverse direction to that of the said platforms, boats
balloons or the like.

page_text: Gyratory motion or angular oscillation may be imparted to all of the said
platforms, boats or balloons in the same direction or such motion may be imparted
to some of them in one direction and to others in the reverse direction.
In another form or modification of my improved apparatus, I mount the said
gyrating platforms, boats, balloons or the like on wheels, which are rotated by
suitable gearing from a motor in the centre of the apparatus, or in any other
convenient manner, and which are, in some instances, arranged to impart the
required gyratory motion to the said platforms, boats, balloons or the like.
Dated this 20th day of January 1891.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Roundabouts and similar Apparatus for Public
Recreation.
I, EDWARD WILLIAM BARRATT, of Grove Lodge, West Moulsey, in the
County of Surrey, Gentleman, 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 relates to improvements in roundabouts and similar apparatus for
public recreation.
In carrying my said invention into practice I provide a main rotating platform
on which are mounted a series of smaller platforms, boats, balloons or other objects
and I provide also suitable means whereby, in their revolution around a common
axis with the main platform the said smaller platforms, boats, balloons or the like
will have imparted to them a vibratory motion or oscillation or a rolling and
pitching motion like that of a ship at sea.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a plan partly in section and
Figure 2 is a side elevation showing one form or modification of my improved
apparatus.
Figure 3 is a vertical half-section to an enlarged scale, and showing details of
construction, some of the parts being left in elevation.
Figure 4 is a side elevation showing another form or modification hereinafter
described.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A is the main platform, A' is the awning or covering thereof which latter is
supported upon a framing A²; B is the motor; C C are the smaller or auxiliary
platforms.
Each of the said smaller or auxiliary platforms is surrounded with a railing or
wall a having an entrance gate or aperture a¹ or two or more such gates as may be
required. are flagstaffs having thereon flags b¹. One or more of the flagstaffs b
are provided with lanterns c intended for any suitable description of light. On the
underside of each of the platforms is provided a circular casting d, having a
surface d' adapted to bear and roll upon the bevelled path or way e provided upon
the upper part of a box or frame secured to the main platform A. Each
platform C is morcover connected to the corresponding box or frame f by means
of an universal joint g. h is a shaft firmly fixed to the platform C perpendicular to
the same, and connected by an universal joint at i to a bracket firmly attached
to or forming part of a disc or wheel k so as to retain the said. platform C at a
suitable angle. The disc or wheel k is firmly keyed or otherwise secured upon a
vertical shaft which is supported and free to rotate in a suitable bearing in the
main platform A. The disc or wheel kis rotated by means of a worm wheel m

page_text: keyed or otherwise secured upon the shaft and with which gears a worm n keyed
or otherwise secured upon a shaft or axle o carried in suitable bearings p in
brackets p¹ secured to the underside of the main platform A. 99 are flanged
wheels mounted upon the axles o and adapted to run upon a circular track or line of
rails r arranged beneath the main platform A.
s is a shaft driven in any suitable manner from the motor B, and having at its
upper extremity a pinion t adapted to gear with an internally toothed wheel u firmly
secured to the framing A2 of the awning or covering A¹. A' A³ are stays or
uprights connecting the said framing A' with the main platform A. By means of
the shafts, pinion t and toothed wheel u the said awning or covering and platform A
are moved or rotated during the operation of the motor B, the smaller or
supplementary platforms C being also carried around the centre of the roundabout
and having vibrations or oscillations imparted thereto through the flanged wheels
(which run upon the circular track r) axles o worms n worm wheels m', shafts
discs k, and the shafts h. The vibratory motion or oscillation imparted to the said
smaller or supplementary platforms is of the character popularly termed "rolling
as distinguished from " see-saw" motion but it should be clearly understood that
the said smaller or supplementary platforms have no movement of rotation about
the axes coincident with the shafts h..
"
When in use care should be taken that the roundabout is stopped to discharge or
take in passengers only when the gates or apertures a are in their lowest position.
Figure 4 shows a modification of my said invention, wherein the smaller or
auxiliary platforms are driven by overhead gearing. In this case I provide outside
the wheel a stationary bevel toothed ring u¹ secured to framing carried by the
motor B and the shafts h are extended in an upward direction and pass through
sockets or holes provided in brackets secured to or formed on bevel toothed
wheels w rotatably supported in brackets or hangers attached to the framing A³
of the awning or covering A'. The toothed wheels to are geared with and driven
from the toothed ring u' by means of bevel pinions yy. The said bevel pinions y y³,
are keyed or otherwise secured upon shafts y' rotatably supported in brackets or
hangers z also secured to the framing A' which rotates with the wheel u.
rotation of the framing A³ the bevel pinions y receive rotation by being rolled over
the stationary toothed ring w'.
In the
It is obvious that the smaller or auxiliary platforms, instead of being formed
circular, may be of any other suitable shape, as for instance, in the form of boats
or the like, and in place of the universal joints g ball and socket joints may be
employed.
Moreover, vibratory, motion or oscillation may be imparted to all of the said
platforms, boats or other objects in the same direction, or such motion may be
imparted to some of them in one direction and to others in the reverse direction, by
arrangement of suitable gearing in a manner that will be readily understood.
The toothed ring u herein before referred to as stationary may be rotated by
suitable gearing if desired in order to effect rotation of the pulleys y.
The awning or roof may be arranged to revolve in the reverse direction to that
of the main platform to produce the impression of high speed upon the users of the
apparatus, by reason of the high relative speed of the awning or roof and platform.
This I effect by using a portion of the engine chimney as a rotatable hollow shaft
from which the awning or roof is suspended and driving it from the shaft s or other
gearing driven by the motor 30 that the said portion of the chimney and the awning
or roof revolve in the reverse direction to that in which the main platform is
driven.
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
First. A round-about.” 66
OP marky round" haring a main notation wh

page_text: main platform and to which, in the rotation of the said main platform, a vibratory
motion is imparted of the character substantially as herein described.
Second. For imparting vibratory motion or oscillation to the smaller platforms,
boats or the like in the rotation of the main platform, the employment of wheels,
the axles of which support the main platform and are connected by gearing with
vertical shafts giving movement to the inclined shafts of the smaller platforms,
boats or other objects substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1, 2
and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
Third. For imparting vibratory motion or oscillation to the smaller platforms,
boats or the like in the rotation of the main platform, the provision of bevel or
other gear wheels rotatable in a horizontal or approximately horizontal plane and
provided with brackets which engage with shafts or spindles secured to the said
smaller platforms, boats or the like substantially as herein described with reference
to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.
Fourth. In roundabouts or merry-go-rounds a roof or cover driven in the opposite
direction to that of the motion of the main platform in a manner substantially as
herein described and for the purpose specified.
Fifth. The roundabout or merry-go-round substantially as described with
reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
Sixth. The roundabout or merry-go-round substantially as described with:
reference to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 20th day of October 1891.
EDWARD WILLIAM BARRATT,
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.