IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTATING APPARATUS SOMETIMES STYLED MERRY-GO-ROUNDS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Jackson, of Oldham, in the County of Lancaster,
Licensed Victualler, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTATING
APPARATUS SOMETIMES STYLED MERRY-GO-ROUNDS."
Sealed the 7th April 1876, and dated the 31st January 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Jackson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st January 1876.
RICHARD JACKSON, of Oldham, in the County of Laucaster, Licensed Victualler.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTATING APPARATUS SOMETIMES STYLED MERRY-GO-ROUNDS."
My Invention relates to the merry-go-rounds employed at fairs and other places.
In such apparatus a number of wooden horses and cars are suspended from a frame
which is arranged to be rotated by means of a steam engine.
According to my Invention I substitute boats floating in an annular or nearly
annular canal or tank for the said horses and cars. The said canal or tank is
formed in sections which can be disconnected when the apparatus is to be removed.
The sections are formed with flanched joints fitted to be bolted together, the said
joints being made water-tight by means of an interposed strip of caoutchouc.
I prefer to form one flanch with a projecting rib to cover the joint and protect the
caoutchouc. The boats are connected together, and one or more of them is or are
fitted with a steam engine or with steam engines, which is or are connected by
means of a pipe or of pipes with a steam generator. The said engine or engines
actuate paddle wheels or propellers or apparatus which give motion to the circle of
boats.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Richard Jackson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 31st July
1876.
RICHARD JACKSON, of Oldham, in the County of Lancaster, Licensed Victualler.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTATING APPARATUS SOMETIMES STYLED MERRY-GO-ROUNDS."
My Invention relates to the merry-go-rounds employed at fairs and other places.
In such apparatus a number of wooden horses and cars are suspended from a frame
which is arranged to be rotated by means of a steam engine.
[Price 6d1

page_text: According to my Invention I substitute boats floating in an annular or nearly
annular canal or tank for the said horses and cars. The said canal or tank is
formed in sections which can be disconnected when the apparatus is to be removed.
The sections are formed with flanched joints fitted to be bolted together, the said
joints being made water-tight by means of an interposed strip of caoutchouc.
I prefer to form one flanch with a projecting rib to cover the joint and protect the
caoutchouc. The boats are connected together and one or more of them is
or are fitted with a steam or with steam engines, which is or are connected by
means of a pipe or of pipes with a steam generator. The said engine or engines
actuate paddle wheels or propellers or apparatus which give motion to the circle of
boats.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood I have supplied
a Sheet of Drawings marked with letters of reference to accompany this my
Specification.
Referring to the said Drawings Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation; and Fig. 2 a half
plan illustrative of the improved arrangement.
In the said Figures A is a tank or annular shaped trough; B, B, are boats or
floating vehicles to contain passengers; and C is a boat which is fitted with a
steam engine, and with a screw or with screws or other suitable propelling
apparatus. The said tank is composed of a number of sections, each section being
in the form of a trough open at each end and made with suitably curved sides, so
that when connected together a continuous annular trough is formed. Each
section is made of galvanised sheet iron or of other suitable material, and is suitably
strengthened with angle or tec iron or with rolls or beading, and is provided at
each end with flanches which extend along the sides and bottom of the section, as
indicated in Fig. 3. I prefer to form one Hanch on a section with a projecting rim
which extends over the edge of the flanch on the next section when two sections are
united together, as indicated in Fig. 3. A suitably shaped packing of vulcanised
caoutchouc being interposed between the two flauches, and the two sections being
firmly secured together by means of bolts passing through the said flanches, a water-
tight joint is obtained, the aforesaid projecting rim protecting the packing and
confining the same in position.
If preferred the packing may be further confined by means of an inner projecting
rim, as seen in Fig. 4. The boats B and C are connected together by submerged
rods a, or by rods or connections otherwise arranged, and are also connected by
radius rods b to a ring c which is fitted to revolve upon a fixed central pillar D, the
boats being thereby prevented from coming into contact with the sides of the tank
or trough. Other means may be employed to keep the ring of boats in position, as
for example, horizontal wheels on the boats or on some of them may be arranged to
run on or against a circular rail formed on or attached to the tank. The boat C
may be fitted with a steam generator to supply the propelling engine, or a generator
may be arranged in a central position, and steam be supplied through a pipe to the
said engine, in which case the connection between the said pipe and the generator
would have to be effected by means of a pipe fitted to revolve in a gland situated
in the central axis of motion of the boats.
In another arrangement both the steam generator and the engine would be
transmitted to the ring c, so as to cause the said ring to revolve and to carry
round the boats by means of the radious rods.
Having now fully set forth and indicated the nature of my said Invention, and
the manner in which I carry the same into practical effect, I would have it to be
understood in conclusion that I claim,-
First. The circular or annular canal trough or tank, substantially as and for the
purpose herein-before set forth and indicated.
Secondly. The employment of boats or floating vehicles, substantially as and for
the purpose herein-before set forth and indicated.
And Lastly. The apparatus for recreation and amusement formed, fitted, and

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arranged substantially as set forth and indicated herein-before and in the accom-
panying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Jackson, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
RICHARD JACKSON. (L.S.)