Improvements in Pleasure Apparatus similar to Roundabouts, Carousals and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 6th June, 1898-Accepted, 6th Aug., 1898
Improvements in Pleasure Apparatus similar to Roundabouts,
Carousals and the like.
I, EDWARD INDEPENDENCE BRANNAN, of Richmond, in the County of Henrico,
and State of Virginia, United States of Amenca, Mechanician, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what manner the same 18 to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement.—
This invention relates to improvements in that class of apparatus which includes
roundabouts, flying horses, carousals and the like, and it has for its purpose to
provide an apparatus of this kind having a very sumple and stable constiuction
of such character whereby the ordinary forms of bicycle may be readily made a
part of the same and the sensation of pleasure of regular bicycle riding may
be fully obtained by the novice as well as the expert
Among other objects is the arranging of the several parts in such manner that
the free or unoccupied bicycles or other carriage frames will be held from contact
with the trackway to reduce friction and wear, and also to produce a yielding
Bupport of the carriage or bicycle frames from the centie post so that each bicycle
or carriage fiame will have practically an independent movement, though all are
connected to move together.
The essential features of the invention will be set out in the claims.
In the drawing.
Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of the complete apparatus.
Fig. 2 18 an elevation of a portion thereof
Fig. 3 is a detail plan view illustrating the manner of bracing each frame section
and yieldingly connecting a pair of frame sections.
Fig. 4 is a detail view of the upper end of one of the hanger rods and the con-
necting ring
Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views of the radial arm connections
Fig. 7 18 a detail view of one of the union couplings.
Fig. 8 illustrates the brake device for the turn wheel.
Fig. 9 indicates an ordinary bicycle frame, and,
Fig. 10 a frame or carriage having an animal shape, such as may be employed
to form a part of the complete apparatus.
In the drawing, 1 indicates the central post, which has a turn wheel 2, at the
lower end, held to turn either loosely thereon and supported on a bearing rim 3,
as shown, or connected to a vertically-adjustable bearing collar provided with
adjustable bearings if desired
The wheel 2 has a vertical flange 2, which receives the threaded ends of the
radial arms 4, three of which are used for each bicycle frame or carriage; two
outer ones, which connect with the front and rear axles of the frame 5, by a right
and left union 6 (see Fig 7); and a central one 4*, which connects with the top

page_text: bar of the frame 5, at a point preferably between the ears of the handle post clamp
member 8, it being understood, however, that it can be connected to the uppe
part of the frame at such point and in such manner as may be found most desuable.
The bicycle or carriage frames may be of any suitable construction, but in all
cases they are bent on an arc having the centre post as the axis, so as to suit the
curvature of the track, to bing all the wheels in proper relation to the track to
prevent fiction and wear of the same
The radial aims are made of yielding material-such as spring metal iods-
and the front ends of the lower members of each set are braced by stout ba
spanners 9, having eyes 9, which are slipped over the lower radial aims 4, before
they are connected to the bicycle or carriage frames, they being held to a proper
adjustment by the lock screws 9b, said spanners being placed about 18 inches inside
of the bicycles to provide for a free pedal action of the rider
To provide a continuous connection between the several frames, the several
sections are joined by any yielding material, preferably wire cables 10, having
end eyes 10, whereby they can be readily slipped over the outer ends of the lower
arms 4, they being of such lengths as to take up the distance between the sections
and one or more of such sections have turn buckles 10%, to take up slack on the
cucular line of the spanners.
The inner ends of the arm 4, are longitudinally adjustable in the turn wheel
flange 2, and held to their adjustments by the inner and outer nuts 11-11
The wheel 2, has a base flange 2b, which supports the brake band 12, the ends
of which join with a rock lever 13, one end of which connects with the operating
1od or cable 14 (see Fig. 8) extending under the apparatus within convenient
reach of the operator.
To overcome tangential thrust, the trackway 15, 18 inclined inward to give the
frames 5, the necessary inward inclination and cause them to run the more uni-
formly in their circle path.
To hold the wheels clear of the track when unoccupied and to take up the weight
of the radial arms 4, and throw such weight back on the centre, biace rods 16 are
provided, preferably one for each frame section, the lower ends of which are
apertured, slipped over the inner threaded ends of the central rods 4ª, and made
fast by the same nuts which secures such rod, their upper ends being secured to
a band 17, encircling the upper end of the post 1, held free thereof as shown in
Fig 2, but may be secured therefo, if desired
Intermediate the rods 16, the band 17, has apertures to receive the hooked
ends 18, of stout springs 18, which connect to hanger rods or cables 19, having
yoke hangers 20, provided with eyes 20%, to slip over the ends of the radial arms,
such hangers 20, also having turn buckles 21, as seen in Fig 2
When proper tension is applied to hanger rods 19, they will lift the bicycle
or other frames, when not occupied, from the track, and take up the weight of
the radial arms when such frames are occupied and thereby leave such frames
practically free of any weight to carry, save that of the rider, it being obvious
that the tension of the rods 19 can be quickly regulated by proper adjustment
of the turn buckles 21
While no motive power is shown for operating the apparatus, (as the power may
be entirely supplied by the riders), yet, it should be stated, any special power may
be applied when desired, which may be in the nature of a motor cycle within the
cucle, or suitable gearing connected with the turn wheel, in the practical appli-
cation of this invention a plurality of trackways and carrier frames may be used,
in the nature of animal, bird or other dummies
The construction of radial aims and the vielding connections therefor, serves to
elieve the bicycles of undue strain in any direction and at the same time breaks
the rigidity of the circle and reduces the danger of accidents to a minimum, the
arrangement being such that any wheel can be easily raised from the track by
one hand, from 12 to 15 inches, independent of the other wheels, thereby making
it impossible for one to get more than the force of one bicycle.

page_text: The trussing being over the centre, the weight is taken from the bicycles and
thrown back to the centre.
In practice the flexible wires 10, are so light and the radial arms are so aanged
back and below the bicycle frames, that a person approaching the apparatus will
practically see only the bicycles and the riders, which gives the effect of separate
riders moving in a circular path.
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:-
1 The combination with the turn wheel and a wheeled carriage or bicycle,
of radial arms in series of three, secured at their inner ends to the turn wheel,
the ends of the outer aims being detachably connected with the front and rear axles
of the carnage or frame, the centre one to the top of such fiame, and spanners
connecting the outer arms, as set forth.
2 In an apparatus of the character stated, having an inwardly inclined circular
trackway, a central post and turn wheels, a series of wheeled cairages having
their frames curved on the arc of the trackway, and held vertically inclined inward,
the radial arms connecting the frames and the tuin wheel, and the flexible con-
nections joining the several sections, all being arranged substantially as shown
and described
3 In an apparatus as described, a central post, the top of which is provided with
a support, the base having a tuin wheel rotatably secured thereon; radial arms,
in series, having one of then ends secured to said tuin wheel, then other ends
being attached to vehicles, a detachable spanner connecting the outer arms of
each series; a separate cable connecting the several series, and spring hangeis
attached to the said support at the top of the central post, forming supports for
the said radial arms
4 In an apparatus as described, a central post, an apertured band at the top, the
base of said post having a tuin wheel, radial aims attached to said tuin wheel,
means for supporting said radial aims, consisting of hangers having one of their
ends attached to the said radial arms, their other ends being provided with springs
adapted to be hooked within the said apertures in the said band at the top of the
central post.
5 In an apparatus as described, a central post, the top of which is provided
with a cucular band having apertures, the base of said post having a turn wheel
rotatably mounted thereon, radial arms attached to the said tuin wheel, their
outer ends being attached to suitable vehicles, said indial aims being arranged in
series and provided with detachable braces, cables connecting each of said series
to the other, and hangers having one of their ends secured to said radial arms,
their other ends being provided with a spring adapted to be hooked within the
said supporting band
6. An apparatus as described, consisting of a central post, the top of which is
provided with an annular supporting band having apertures therein, the base of
said post being provided with a turn wheel, radial arms connected to said tuin
wheel, said radial arms being arranged in series of three, detachable braces for
said radial arms, and pendent hangers provided with yoked ends adapted to sup-
port the said radial arms
7 An apparatus as described, consisting of a central post, the top of which
18 provided with an annular band having apertures therein, the base of sard post
being provided with a turn wheel, radial arms connected to said wheel, braces
detachably secured to said radial arms, and hangers having one of then ends
provided with vokes adapted to be attached to the said radial arms, their upper
ends being provided with a spring having a hooked end adapted to be hooked
with the said apertures in the said annular band
8 An apparatus as described, consisting of a central post, having a turn wheel
at its base and a supporting band at its top, said supporting band being provided

page_text: with apertures, radial arms connected to the said turn wheel, said radial arms
being arranged in series of three, a detachable brace for cach series of radial aims,
a yielding cable adapted to connect one series to the other, and pendent hangers,
the upper ends of which are provided with springs adapted to be hooked within
the said apertures in the said supporting band, their lower ends being provided
with yoke hangers adapted to be attached to the outer members of each of said
ladial arms
D
1000