Mechanism for Producing Composite Rotary Motion for Spectacular or Amusement Purposes.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Oct., 1898-Accepted, 14th Jan., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Mechanism for Producing Composite Rotary Motion for Spectacular
or Amusement Purposes.
I, CHARLES M. HOLLINGSWORTH, a citizen of the United States, and a resident
of Newburgh, in the County of Orange, in the State of New York, 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 structures and mechanisms by which a large troup or
assemblage of figures of human form or figures representing animals or other
objects, may be caused to execute composite or involved rotary movements for
spectacular effects or by which human beings themselves may be carried around
in composite rotation, thus not only presenting a novel spectacle to onlookers, but
also exciting novel and pleasing sensations in those that are thus carried. It
relates further to the arrangement relative to each other of the various co-operating
parts, both as a means of producing the composite rotary movement and as giving
the most effective arrangement of the figures or other objects to be carried.
I am aware that mechanisms have been constructed by which artificial figures
of human form are given a whirling or waltzing movement. But such devices
have hitherto been confined to the production of comparatively simple movements
by a small number of figures, and, consequently, have afforded but very limited
spectacular effects which tend to become quickly tiresome from lack of variety.
By my invention such effects are greatly enhanced and varied, not only by
using a great number of figures, but by arranging them in several sets on a
general platform, which is itself made to rotate. This both adds to the movement
and constantly brings directly before the spectator in succession new sets of the
figures, which may be made to greatly differ from each other in character and
rate of rotation. Thus the spectacle is constantly changing as in a varied pro-
cession, and monotony of effect is avoided. It will readily be seen that where an
assemblage of artificial figures is given mechanical movement, which for each
individual figure is primarily nearly uniform, secondary and more general move-
ments, in which the relative positions of the figures are constantly changing before
the eye, must play a very important part in securing a pleasing and varying
effect. And this end I endeavor to attain in the fullest manner by the means
herein described.
The moving mechanism shown in the drawings are adapted for equipment with
doll figures for use as a parlor "y, or for equipment with large figures
that are essentially artistic, or figures that represent varied types of
character or caricature, in which case the invention may be used as a prominent
attraction in a museum, show, or other place of amusement.
Referring to the drawings. Fig. 1, shows a plan, and Fig. 2, a section of the
same on the line ; Fig. 3, one modification in plan, and Fig. 4, a section on
the line ww; Fig. 5, another modification, and Fig. 6, a section of the same on
the line y y; Fig. 7, shows an auxiliary assemblage of figures to be moved by the

page_text: mechanism shown in Fig. 6. Similar letters refer so far as possible, to similar
parts in the different drawings.
In Fig. 1, A, is the main platform which revolves about a central axis and sup-
ports and carries around with it a number of secondary platforms B, B, B, etc.
These secondary platforms, in addition to being carried around by the main platform 5
have also a rotation of their own, shown in the figure as produced by belts. 1, 1,
which run in grooves cut in their periphery. The number of these secondary plat-
forms may be any whatever. I have shown five outer ones and one smaller
secondary platform in the centre, which turns by friction of its circumference on the
circumferences of the larger secondary platforms. In 'case the, number of
secondary platforms was chosen as seven, they would all be about the same size. The
secondary platforms are provided with apertures and into these apertures are set
pedestals, C, C, C, etc., which support figures and give them also a rotary motion
of their own around the axis b. Fixed to the main platform A and beneath and
supporting the secondary platforms B, B, etc., are circular -base pieces, shaving"
bevelled upper edges against which the pedestals carrying the figures rest, their
edges being correspondingly bevelled. H, shows one means for rotating both the
main and the secondary platforms.
...
.:
In Fig. 2, we have a section of the apparatus on the linear, of Fig. 1.. In
this figure A is the main platform, turned by the belt 1, B, B, are the secondary
platforms, having grooves d, on the circumference for receiving the turning belt,
1, 1, D, D, D, are the fixed circular base pieces, bevelled at their, upper edge,
as shown at F. C, C, are the pedestals for holding the revolving figures f, having
bevelled edges E, E. Beneath the secondary bases, B, and attached thereto by
posts C, is a ring a, a, which serves to support the axes b, b, about which the figures
, rotate. 4, 4, are the axes of rotation of the secondary platforms B, B. 2, 2,
shows one method of rotating the central secondary platform by friction of rubber
tube filling the groove on. the circumference of the secondary plat-
forms. At I have shown a means for mounting the figures on the
rotating pedestals. I prepare some plastic material into which I set the figures
when the material is soft, and when it has hardened I reduce it to size and press it
firmly into the circular hole made into top portion of the pedestals C, C, or the
figures can be originally cast with the bases attached. The figures being thus
removable, I am able to change them at will, and give an endless variety to the
effect produced by the whole apparatus. A pair of figures, say two people waltzing
together, can be mounted by the same means on the same pedestal. J, is the axis
about which the whole composite mechanism revolves.
.
When the
The operation of the mechanism will now be easily understood.
double driving-sheave H, is rotated, the belt working in the grooves of the main
and secondary platforms will cause them to revolve, the direction being shown by
the arrows in Fig. 1. As the secondary platforms revolve the pedestals C, carry-
ing the figures f, will revolve by friction of the bevelled edges E, E, against the
bevelled edges F, of the fixed base pieces D.
By varying the diameter of the fixed base pieces D, around which the rotary
pedestals travel so as to make the distance from the centre of the pedestal to the
point of its contact with the base piece greater or less, the speed of rotation of the
figures can be varied for the different sets. It can also be done by varying the
radial distances of the pedestals from the centre of the secondary bases. Different
individuals of the same set may thus be made to rotate at different rates. By
detaching from the driving-sheave the belt which rotates the secondary platforms
B, B, and fastening it to the stationary uprights, I, I, by the slots 3, 3, or other
means, the figures on the rotating pedestals are given a motion different from that
when the belt revolves on the driving-sheave H.
With the two belts shown, operated by a two-groove sheave on the same axis,
the part operating the secondary platforms being larger than the part operating
the main platform, the figures on the outer parts of the secondary platform are

page_text: given a rapid forward. motion before the spectator, the tangential motion of the
secondary platform being added to that of the main platform. By taking the belt
that works on the secondary platforms off the driving-sheave and attaching its ends
to the posts I, I, by the pins 3, 3, it becomes a fixed belt, in which the secondary
platforms. turn or roll round when the main platform is turned. This gives a
similar general effect, but with this difference, that the figures when next the
spectator are held approximately stationary as regards forward movement, the
whirling movement of all the figures being the same as before, as also the pro-
gressive carrying around of the secondary platforms.
The combinations of parts shown in Fig. 2, could be used for a merry-go-round
but would be modified as follows: The small secondary platform in the centre
would be omitted and the rotary pedestals C, C, would be replaced by seats fixed
on the secondary platforms, and the ring a, under the secondary platform, which
supports the journals of the rotary pedestals would be dispensed with. The differ-
ence between this form of merry-go-round and that shown in Fig. 4, presently to
be described; would be that all the secondary platforms turn in the same directions
and the paths of the seats would not intersect.
Fig. 3, shows a form of my invention which can be used for carrying artificial
figures, but which is more particularly adapted for a merry-go-round. The sup
ports at the outer parts of the secondary platforms have in this case no individual
rotary motion the turning pedestals being replaced by seats h' ', that are fixed
on the secondary platforms..
Fig. 3, shows a modification of my invention, which may be used for carrying
figures, or, by substituting seats as shown h¹, h, for the rotary pedestals of Fig. 2,
as a merry-go-round. The distinctive feature of this modification is the fact that
the adjacent secondary platforms B, B', B, B', rotate in opposite directions and
that the paths of the arms h, h, intersect each other. The number of secondary
platforms may be varied, but it must in all cases be an even number. The number
of arms carried by each secondary platform can be any whatever, the only limita-
tion being that they shall not be so numerous that the movements of the person's
or figures may interfere with each other. In Fig. 3, B, B¹, are the secondary
platforms, A, the main platform, and m, the motor, which by gear-wheels, pinions
and shafts produces the rotation of the secondary platforms and the revolution of
the main platform A.
Fig. 3, shows a plan view and Fig. 4, a vertical section on the lines w, w¹. The
main platform is supported upon circular carrying beams 5, 5, which run
upon sheaves 20, 20, or in any other suitable and convenient manner.
One method of supporting the secondary platforms is shown at the
extreme right of Fig. 3. On the main platform is fastened a circular
track, 19, on which run
the rollers, 18, attached to and supporting the
secondary platforms. The whole is supported by the frame 17, 17. Motion is
imparted to the composite mechanism as follows: The motor, m, communicates its
rotation to the pinion 10, which meshes with the cog-wheel 7, and also with the
pinion 11, which, in turn, meshes with the cog-wheel 28, thus giving the two
cog-wheels 7 and 28 motion in opposite directions. Motion in opposite directions
is thus communicated to the shafts 13, 131. Each of these shafts carries a pinion
14, which meshing with the circular rack 9, turns the main platform A. Attached
to the shafts 13, 131, are also pinions 15, 16, which, working into the cog-wheels
6, 61, produce the rotation of the secondary platforms. In order that the platforms
turned respectively by the pinions 15, 16, may rotate in opposite directions, the
pinion 16, gears with the cog-wheel 6, from below, while pinion 15 gears with the
cog-wheel 61, from above. This will be readily understood from Fig. 4. Motion
is communicated to the other secondary platforms by auxiliary shafts and pinions
shown in Fig. 3. The pinions 14, 14, 14, etc., all gear into the rack 9, and all
turn in the same direction. In order that the secondary platforms that are ad-
jacent to each other may move in opposite directions and thus admit of the inter-
section of the paths of motion of the persons carried thereon, the pinions 16, 16, 16,

page_text: .
gear into the cog-wheels 6, 6, 6, etc. from below, while 15, 15, 15, gear into the
cog-wheels, 61, 61, 61, from above. Thus by the opposite directions of rotation of
alternate secondary platforms the paths of the figures or persons cross each other's
lines of motion without interference.
Fig. 5, shows in plan, and Fig. 6, in section, on the line y, y¹, a. modification of
the mechanism of Figs. 3 and 4. In this we have the main platform A, and the
secondary platforms rotated in the same manner as in Fig. 3. But in this modi-
fication we have a series of supplementary pedestals carrying figures or persons,
which supplementary pedestals have a separate rotation of their own. As before,
B, B, B, B, etc., designate the secondary platforms rotating in opposite directions,
and the paths of their projecting points intersecting. m, is the motor. K, K,
are the supplementary rotating pedestals. These pedestals rotate about axes which
turn in the frame of the secondary platforms. The rollers 18, which support the
secondary platforms, have connected to them a shaft 25, supported in bearings, 30,
which is furnished at its outer extremity with a bevel wheel 26. This bevel wheel
abuts against the bevelled base 31, of the supplemental pedestals K, and causes
them to rotate as shown by the arrows.
This modification is adapted to carry
artificial figures which have a waltzing movement, instead of being used as a
merry-go-round.
Figure 7, represents a revolvable overhead mechanism, that may be combined
with Figs. 3 or 5. This overhead portion may consist of a series of revolving
pictures or it may consist of a number of rapidly revolving figures or images L, L.
whose paths of revolution may intersect. In Fig. 7. have shown a series of
artistic figures, supported at the ends of a series of arms 33, 33, etc., which rotate
about an axis 23, which may extend downward to connect with the mechanism of
a rotating platform below, see Fig. 8. The method of operation will be under-
stood by referring back to Fig. 6. The shafts 23, pass through the hollow centre
of the journals of the secondary axes 24, and are fixedly connected with. cog-wheels
22 and 221, into which mesh pinions 21 and 211, attached to the general shaft 13.
In order to produce the intersection of the paths of rotation of the artistic figures
L, L. Fig. 7, the relative positions of the pinion and rack are alternately changed,
2s in Fig. 3. As a means of doing this, the reversing pinion 32 is used in con-
nection with the cog-wheel 221. The effect of the overhead revolving figures
would naturally require that they should move more rapidly than do the secondary
platforms B, B¹, of Fig. 5. This is easily attained by varying the relative sizes of
the cog-wheels 22 and 221, and pinion 21 and 211. By this method of combining a
set of overhead supports capable of composite rotation, with a corresponding set
of secondary platforms below, the same motor and general driving mechanism
simultaneously operate both combinations. Any necessary braces or stays would
be provided to steady the movement of these overhead frames.
Of course, the overhead combination can be operated separately by a light
mechanism adapted for it, similar in construction to the one described for the
platform combination, in which case it will be preferably placed above the figures.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. In mechanisms for imparting composite rotary motion to artistic figures or
other objects, a main rotary platform, secondary rotary platforms mounted on
the main platform. removable rotary pedestals having bevelled lower ends arranged
on journals carried by the secondary platforms, fixed bases for the secondary platform3
having bevelled upper edges, rings fastened to the secondary platforms and sup-
porting the journals of the rotary pedestals, and means for simultaneously rotating
the main platform, the secondary platforms and the pedestals.
2. In mechanisms for imparting composite rotary motion to artistic figures or
other objects, the combination of a main platform, a series of rotary secondary
platforms, rotary pedestals, means for supporting said platforms and pedestals,

page_text: and means for rotating the main platform, the secondary platforms and the rotary
pedestals.
3. In mechanisms for imparting composite rotary motion to artistic figures or
other objects, a series of circular platforms whose axes are arranged on a circle,
a common belt for giving rotary motion to said platforms, in combination with a
circular central platform in rotary frictional contact with the surrounding plat-
forms, substantially as set forth.
4. In mechanisms for imparting composite rotary motion to artistic figures or
other objects, the combination of a base, a platform supported upon said base,
circular apertures in said platform, a circular ring depending from the platform,
carrying journals in said circular apertures, and pedestals resting upon the
base and rotating about the said journals.
5. In mechanisms for giving composite rotary motion to artistic figures or other
objects, the combination of a circular base having a bevelled upper edge, a rotary
platform, rotary pedestals having bevelled lower ends resting against the bevelled
edge of the base, and means for revolving the rotary platform.
6. In mechanisms for producing composite motion, a rotary pedestal for carry-
ing artistic figures or other objects having its under side bevelled, and its upper.
surface provided with a depression, adapted to receive and securely hold the said
figures.
7. In mechanisms for giving rotary motion to artistic figures or other objects,
the combination of a rotary pedestal bevelled at its lower side and having a
depression on its upper side, and an artistic figure provided with a base or sup-
port adapted to fit removably in the recess of the pedestal.
8. In a platform adapted for imparting composite rotary motion to artistic
figures or other objects, the combination of a series of apertures, and a depending
ring having journals attached thereto and central in the said apertures, said
journal being adapted to receive a series of rotary pedestals.
9. In mechanisms for giving composite rotary motion to artistic figures or
other objects, the combination of a main platform, a series of secondary rotary
platforms, a movable helt for imparting motion to the main platform, a fixed belt
passing around the series of secondary platforms, and means for actuating the belt
of the main platform.
10. In mechanisms for imparting composite rotary motion to artistic figures or
other objects, the combination of a rotary main platform, a series of secondary
platforms having projecting arms, supports for the main and secondary platforms,
and means for imparting rotary motion in opposite directions to the alternate
secondary platforms, simultaneously with the rotation of the main and secondary
platforms around a common centre.
11. In mechanisms for imparting composite rotary motion to artistic figures or
other objects, the combination of a rotary main platform, and a series of rotary
secondary platforms, the alternate members of which rotate in opposite directions.
12. In mechanisms for imparting composite rotary motion to artistic figures or
other objects, the combination of a main rotary platform, a pair of secondary
platforms, supports for the main and secondary platforms, a motor, a pair of
pinions a pair of cog-wheels, shafts centred on and rotating with said
to
wheels, auxiliary pinions attached said shafts, and circular
racks attached to the main and secondary platforms, all arranged to produce
rotation in opposite directions of the secondary platforms at the ends of said
shafts, simultaneously with the rotation of the main platform.
cog
13. In mechanisms for imparting composite rotary motion to artistic figures or
other objects, the combination of a main rotary platform, a circular rack con-
centric therewith, a series of secondary platforms, means for directly rotating the
main platform and a pair of secondary platforms, and auxiliary shafts and pinions
which gear in the circular rack and in cog-wheels attached severally to the other
secondary platforms, in a manner to cause alternate members of the series to
rotate in opposite directions.

page_text: 30%
14. In mechanisms for giving composite rotary motion to artistic figures or
other objects, the combination of a main platform, a series of secondary platforms
having projecting arms; the alternate members of which series rotate in opposite
directions, a series of rotary pedestals attached to and rotating at the ends of said
arms, and means for producing the simultaneous composite rotation of the main
platform, of the secondary platforms and of the pedestals.
"
15. In mechanisms for imparting composite rotary motion to artistic figures or other
objects, the combination of a main platform, a series of secondary platforms hav-
ing projecting arms and supported on wheels attached to their under parts, means
for rotating in opposite directions the alternate members of said series, rotary
pedestals bevelled on the under side and resting on bevelled wheels attached to
radial shafts connected with the supporting wheels of the secondary platforms.
*
16. In composite rotary mechanisms, the combination of a motor; a pinion at-
tached to the axis of said motor, a second pinion meshing with the first, cog-wheels
into which said pinions gear in opposite rotation, shafts attached to said cog-wheels
on opposite sides, pinions attached to the ends of and rotating with
said shafts, cog-wheels attached to two of the secondary platforms, and
meshing with the pinions attached to said shafts from above and below respectively,
all combined and operating to rotate the secondary platforms at the outer ends of
the two shafts in opposite directions.
17. In mechanisms for imparting rotary composite motion to artistic figures or
other objects, the combination of a main rotary platform, a series of secondary
rotary platforms, and a corresponding series of sets of artistic figures supported
above said platforms and operated by the same mechanism.
18.. In mechanisms for giving composite rotary motion to artistic figures or
other objects, the combination of a rotary main platform, a series of rotary
secondary platforms, shafts for turning the main and secondary platforms, a pinion
attached to said shafts, cog-wheels attached to rods passing through the centre of
the axis of the secondary platforms and gearing with the said pinions, a series of
"sets of artistic figures supported at the upper end of said rods, and means for
imparting rotary motion to the combination, substantially as set forth.
19.A series of rotary frames for mounting and carrying artistic figures, each
consisting of supporting arms radiating from a central hub or shaft, artistic figures
attached to the outer ends of said arms, said frames being so grouped that the
figures on adjacent frames intersect each others' paths of rotation, and means for
rotating alternate members of the series in opposite directions about their re-
spective centres, and for simultaneously rotating the system as a whole.
20. A series of rotary frames for mounting and carrying artistic figures, each
consisting of supporting arms radiating from a central hub or shaft, artistic figures
attached to the outer ends of said arms, said frames being so grouped that the
figures on adjacent frames intersect each others' paths of rotation, and means for
rotating alternate members of the series in opposite directions about their respective
centres.
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.