Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Sept., 1886.
Complete Left, 30th June, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 13th Sept., 1887.
Dre
1, JOHN ETESON ROBINSON of 44 Hazelwood Road Northampton in the County of
Northamptonshire Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My inventions consist of three new methods of causing the boats horses or other
animals of Merry-go-rounds to rise and fall as they rotate round the central support.
My plans are 1st to hang the boats, horses or other animals to the ends of rocking
levers which are acted upon while revolving round the centre, either, by a fixed cam
attached to the central support, or, by a crank or eccentric caused to revolve by being.
attached to a cog wheel which gears into a fixed cog wheel attached to the central
support 2nd By attaching a roller or other suitable connection to the side of the rod
on which is suspended the boat, horse or other animal, which roller or connection is
made to traverse up & down an inclined slot by giving the inclined slot a horizontal
movement which results in the rod carrying the horse having a vertical movement,
this being the only direction in which it is free to move.
3rd By causing the swifts or spars radiating from the centre and carrying the
horses, &c. to travel round at its outer extremity on a rail having vertical undulations,
the spars or swifts being hinged at their inner extremity.
D

page_text: Improvements in Merry-go-rounds or Roundabouts.
I, JOHN ETESON ROBINSON, of the firm of Frank Allchin, Linnell and Company
of Weston Street, Northampton in the County of Northampton Engineers 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,
reference being had to the accompanying drawings and the letters of reference
marked thereon (that is to say) :—
This invention consists in certain improvements in the method of imparting
movement to the horses, boats or other parts of merry-go-rounds or roundabouts,
which directly carry the riders, in addition to the movement of such horses, boats or
other parts, around their common axis, whereby greater simplicity and convenience of
construction and of stripping for packing and transport, and subsequent re-crection,
and greater durability, are secured, and the apparatus rendered less heavy, than in
the case of the merry-go-rounds usually constructed in which movements are
imparted to the parts directly carrying the riders, in addition to their movement
around a common axis.
The main feature of this invention consists in means whereby a rising-and-falling
movement is imparted to the horses, boats, or other parts, aforesaid, as they rotate
around a common axis.
In one method employed, according to this invention, for this purpose, the horses,
boats, or other parts, aforesaid, are suspended by means of rods of the usual character
from the ends of rocking levers which are acted upon by radiating rods operated by
suitable mechanism around the axis of the roundabout.
According to a second modification, the rods which carry the horses, boats, or other
parts, aforesaid, are connected with bars which are capable of a vertical movement in
suitable guides and have a rising-and-falling-movement imparted to them by means of
radiating bars having inclined slots therein with which studs upon the rods engage,
such radiating bars being operated in an endway direction by means of central
mechanism.
which
carry
According to a third modification, the radiating swifts or spars
the
horses, boats, or other parts, aforesaid, are hinged at their inner ends, and are
provided with rollers at their outer ends which travel upon a rail having vertical
undulations.
The central mechanism for operating the radiating rods which actuate the rocking
levers or for operating the radiating slotted bars, aforesaid, may consist of a fixed
central cam with undulations formed around its horizontal edge, or with a vertical
edge formed around its periphery and with undulations formed on such edge, such
cam acting in combination with rollers carried by sliding pieces which convey their
movement to the radiating rods or slotted bars, aforesaid; or, in lieu of such cam and
rollers, a fixed horizontal central spur wheel may be employed giving a revolving
motion to pinions carried around with the swifts and imparting movement to the
radiating rods, aforesaid, or to rods connected with the slotted bars, by means of
crank pins, eccentrics or cams, fixed to such pinions.
This invention comprises, also, certain minor improvements which will be herein-
after fully described.

page_text: In order that the invention may be clearly understood I will proceed to describe it
with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which figure 1 shews, in elevation,
the modification of this invention in which the rising-and-falling movement is
imparted through the medium of rocking levers to the horses, boats, or other parts,
aforesaid, the modification being shewn as applied to a set of horses, boats, or other
parts, aforesaid, suspended from one swift or radiating arm, and shews also, in vertical
section, the modification in which a centrally fixed cam, having an undulating
horizontal edge, operates in combination with rollers carried by sliding bars to
impart end way movement to the several sets of rocking levers employed; figure 2 is
a plan of figure 1, and shews also a set of radius bars, hereinafter described, and
means by which they are supported, for giving a passing movement to the horses,
boats, or other parts, aforesaid, in relation to one another, when such is required;
figure 3 is a transverse section through one of the swifts or radiating arins, shewing
also the upper part of one of the rods by means of which one of the horses, boats, or
other parts, aforesaid, is suspended and shewing also, in side elevation, one of the
radius bars for producing the passing movement, and also the means by which the
same is supported; and figure 4 is a detached enlarged detail plan which will be
referred to more fully presently. The same letters of reference occurring upon two or
more of these views indicate corresponding parts. A is the chimney or other central
support around which the horses (boats or other parts, aforesaid) are made to rotate.
B is one of the swifts. C is a spur ring of the usual character, fixed to the framing
carrying the swifts, and is itself driven by means of a suitable pinion in the usual
manner, so as to revolve around the central axis and carry with it the swifts and the
parts which they support. A double-armed lever a a² is carried in a bracket b at the
outer extremity of the swift, and a treble-armed lever c c c¹ is carried in a bracket in
an intermediate position along the swift, the vertical arm a¹ of the double-armed
lever, and the vertical arm c¹ of the treble-armed lever, are connected together by a
rod, and the three horses (boats, or other parts, aforesaid) of a set, are suspended,
respectively, from the end of the horizontal arm a of the double-armed lever, and
from the ends of the horizontal arms c c of the treble-armed lever, by means of
rods d d¹ d². A rising-and-falling movement is imparted to such horses (boats, or
other parts, aforesaid) by a rocking movement imparted to the double and treble-
armed levers. It will be seen that the weight of the horses (boats, or other parts,
aforesaid) on the rods d and d³, being greater than the weight of the single horse
(boat, or corresponding part) on the rod d', tends to move the vertical arms a¹ c¹ of
the double and treble-armed levers inwards, and the rocking of the levers may there-
fore be effected by such heavier weight in a direction to the right, and by a movement
imparted to the rod 6' in a direction to the left, but if four horses (boats, or other
parts, aforesaid) are suspended from one swift, or the weights of a set otherwise
balance each other, the rocking movement in each direction must be first imparted to
the rod b¹. A cam D fixed to the chimney or central support A has an undulating
edge, as shewn at figure 2, and for operating each rod 61 in the manner described
a bar e is mounted to slide endways in bearings el e¹ carried upon a part which
revolves around the central axis, and a roller f is carried upon a vertical stud
upon such bar in position to be constantly pressed against the edge of the cam D
by the weight of the horses (boats, or other parts aforesaid) upon the rods d
and acting through the medium of the rocking levers and rod b. The rod b¹ is
connected for this purpose with one end of the bar e, by means of a rod 2. As the
roller revolves around the cam it follows the contour of the cam, and the rods d d² d²
have, consequently, a rising-and-falling-movement imparted to them. In order,
however, to ensure that the roller shall follow into the hollows of the cam in
case the weight of the horses (boats, or other parts aforesaid) does not act with
sufficient rapidity, a flange f¹ is formed or fixed under the edge of the cam and
a secondary roller f is carried upon a stud fixed to a sleeve 9 capable of sliding
upon the bar e, such roller f being in position to bear against the inside of the
flange The rollers and f², and part of the bar e, are shewn detached, in
plan, by figure 4, from which it will be seen that the sliding sleeve y is connected

page_text: by means of springs g¹ g₁ to lugs upon the bar e so that any movement of the
sleeve away from the roller will distend the springs and tend to draw the
bar endways to bring the roller f nearer again to the roller f". Thus if the
roller is not kept up to the periphery of the cam D by the reacting weights,
such roller will be drawn towards the periphery by means of the roller f³, sleeve 9,
and springs g gl. The roller might, of course, be carried upon a stud fixed
rigidly to the bar e, especially if it is desired to give a positive action in both
directions to the bar e, as when the weights of the horses (boats or other parts,
aforesaid) of a set balance each other, but the arrangement shewn gives an easier
and smoother action. Referring specially to figures 2 and 3, transomes E E E
are fixed at right angles to each swift B, and brackets are fixed to such transomes,
and between each of such brackets and one of the rods d d¹ d³, respectively, are
connected radius bars for the purpose of giving a vibrating movement to such
rods as they rise and fall, and thus producing a passing or to-and-fro movement
to the horses (boats or other parts, aforesaid) in relation to one another. By
carrying these radius bars overhead, as shewn, and thus near to the points of
suspension, of the rods d d d, a moderate vibration of the radius bars causes a
considerable to-and-fro movement of the horses (boats or other parts, aforesaid).
For the purpose of preventing the horses (boats or other parts, aforesaid) from
knocking against one another as they swing round, the rods d d d are coupled
together at their lower ends, as shewn. For the purpose of controlling the outward
swing of the horses (boats or other parts, aforesaid) due to the centrifugal force, an
arrangement is employed consisting of a downward lever i fulcrumed to a bracket
fixed to the swift B, and of a connecting-rod connecting the lower end of such
lever with the central rod d¹ and provided with a suitable bow to pass around and
allow of the movement and vibration of the rod 2, and consisting also of a spring
buffer connected at one end with the swift B and at the other with the downward
lever i. This buffer is, preferably, constructed with two springs j and ; the
spring prevents the rods d d' d² from swinging too far outwards, and the spring j
is, preferably, somewhat compressed in the normal position of the parts so as to
give a slight initial outward inclination to the rods d d d, and acts also to
steady the rods as they fall inwards. The spring ♬ may, of course, be used
without employing also the spring j³, and vice versa; and any suitable stop may
be employed to the outward inclination of the downward lever i, in substitution
for the spring buffer, but it is preferred that such stop shall act as a spring so as
to reduce the shocks.
Figure 5 is a corresponding view to figure 1, but with the central mechanism
omitted, and illustrates the modification of this invention in which the rods which
carry the horses (boats, or other parts, aforesaid) are connected with bars which are
capable of a vertical movement in suitable guides, and have a rising-and-falling-
movement imparted to them by means of radiating bars having inclined slots
therein. Figure 6 is a vertical section of the upper part of figure 5 taken on
line xx.
The parts corresponding to those shown by figure 1 are correspondingly
lettered. The rods d d d supporting the horses (boats, or other parts, aforesaid) are
suspended from vertical barsk k¹ capable of vertical movement in guides 11 etc. fixed
to the swift B, and studs etc. upon such bars engaged with slots m m m formed
within a horizontally-sliding bar m carried in guides m² m² etc. A rising-and-falling
movement is imparted to the rods d d d by the movement of the bar min an end-
way direction, and such bar may be operated in the manner described with reference
to the rod 6, figure 1. The rods d d¹ d² may be fitted with radius bars as and for the
purpose described for the previous modification, and shewn by figure 3. Figure
shews, in plan, means whereby the lower ends of the rods d d d may be steadied in
relation to one another, and at the same time their passing or to-and-fro movement be
allowed for; and this arrangement is shewn also, in elevation, by figure 5. For this
purpose a frame nn is suspended by rods i o from the swift B, and sluices n' n' n¹
are formed in such frame, and slides n' n² n² are fitted to slide in the sluices and are
provided with central bosses through which the rods d d' d' pass with sufficient play
7

page_text: to allow for their vibration. The rods d d dare thus free to move vertically
within the slides n², and the slides n² permit of the vibration or to-and-fro movement of
the rods and at the same time keep them properly distanced from one another. This
arrangement is in some respects preferable for the purpose to that shewn by figure 1,
as in the latter arrangement the vibration of the coupling rods at the bottom of the
rods d d' d' causes a slight movement of such rods towards and from one another.
In lieu of forming the inclined stop in the bar m¹ to gear with studs on the
bars, the slots may be formed in such bars and the studs be carried by the
bar m¹.
A spring buffer may be employed, as shewn, in connection with the arrangement
shewn by figures 5 and 7, corresponding to and for a similar purpose as the spring
buffer previously described.
The arrangement for distancing apart and steadying the rods d d' d' shewn by
figures 5 and 7 may be employed also for the previous modification described, and the
couplings shewn for such previous modification may be employed for the modification
shewn by figures 5 and 7.
Figures 8 and 9 illustrate, respectively, a sectional elevation and plan of an alterna-
tive modification for operating the rod b₁ or the bar m' employed, respectively, to give
movement to the rocking levers a a¹ and c c c', and to the vertical bars kkk³ carry-
ing the rods d d d, already described. A spur wheel F is fixed to the chimney or
central support A, and a pinion F1, carried upon a stud fixed to a part which revolves
around the central axis, gears with the wheel F and is provided with a crank pin o¹ by
which it transmits an endway motion through a rod to the rod b¹ or bar m', as the
case may be. An eccentric or cam may, of course, be fixed upon the pinion F¹in lieu
of the stud o', and the rod 6' be connected therewith by ordinary eccentric straps.
Figure 10 is a further alternative arrangement, shewn in vertical section, for giving
the end way movement to the rod b' or the bar m'.
In this case,
in lieu of the horizontal
undulating edge of the cam D shewn by figures 1 and 2, such cam is provided with a
vertical edge D¹ with the undulations formed therein and a roller, carried in the
lower end of a bar e sliding in vertical guides supported by the swift or other part
revolving around the central axis, bears upon the undulating edge of the cam, and the
bar e is connected, through the medium of a rod q, double armed lever 7' 7' and
rod 63, with the rod 6 or the bar m', as the case may be. In this arrangement also a
check roller corresponding to the roller ƒ³, figures 1 and 2, may be employed, if desired,
by suitably modifying the parts.
Figure 11 is a corresponding view to figure 1 and illustrates the modification of
this invention in which the radiating swifts or spars which carry the horses (boats, or
other parts, aforesaid) are hinged at their inner ends, and are provided with rollers at
their outer ends which travel upon a rail having vertical undulations. Each swift B
is hinged, as shewn, at s, to a part connected with the spur ring which is driven
round the chimney or central axis A, and is provided at its outer end with a roller s
which runs upon a fixed undulating rail t. A short length of this rail is shewn in
side elevation by figure 12. As the swifts are driven round, their outer ends are
constantly raised and depressed as their rollers run up and down the inclines of the rail,
and thus the horses (boats, or other parts, aforesaid) carried by the rods d d d have
a rising-and-falling movement imparted to them. In this modification the rods are
not arranged to swing outwards with a centrifugal force, or to have a to-and-fro
movement imparted to them, but are steadied in their rising-and-falling movement by
means of a frame formed of the bars t¹ t¹t through the horizontal bar t' of which
they pass.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim in
respect of merry-go-rounds or roundabouts, is :—
1. The means for imparting a rising-and-falling movement to a set of horses, boats,
or other parts, aforesaid, suspended from a swift or radiating spar, that is to say (1) by
the aid of rocking levers coupled together by a horizontal rod to which an endway

page_text: reciprocating movement is imparted, and (2) alternatively, by the aid of a horizontal
slotted bar gearing with studs on vertically moving bars to which the rods carrying
the horses, boats, or other parts, aforesaid, are suspended, and to which slotted bar is
imparted an end way reciprocating movement (or by the alternative arrangement in
which slots are formed in the vertically moving bars and studs are carried by the
horizontal bar), substantially as described.
2. The means by which an endway movement is imparted to a horizontal rod or bar
travelling with a swift or radiating spar and which transfers its endway movement
through the aid of rocking levers or other mechanism to the rods which carry the
horses, boats, or other parts, aforesaid, that is to say (1) by the aid of a fixed horizontal
cam operating, through the medium of a roller, and preferably also of a secondary
roller, a horizontal bar which travels with the swift or spar, and is connected with the
inner end of the horizontal rod or bar which transfers its. end way movement to the
rods carrying the horses, boats, or other parts, aforesaid, and (2) alternatively, by the
aid of a fixed cam having a vertical undulating edge operating, through the medium
of a roller, a vertical bar which travels with the swift or spar and is connected by rods
and double-armed lever with the inner end of the horizontal rod or bar which transfers
its end way movement to the rods carrying the horses, boats, or other parts, aforesaid,
and (3) also alternatively, by the aid of a fixed spur wheel operating a pinion carried
upon a stud travelling with the swift or spar and provided with a crank-pin, eccentric,
or cam, connected by means of a rod with the inner end of the horizontal rod or har
which transfers its end way movement to the rods carrying the horses, boats, or other
parts, aforesaid, substantially as described for the purpose set forth.
3. The overhead radius bars in combination with the rods carrying the horses boats
or other parts aforesaid, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.
4. A spring or elastic buffer constructed and fixed to prevent the rods carrying a
set of horses, boats, or other parts, aforesaid, from swinging out too far laterally by
the centrifugal force, substantially as described.
5. The employment of a spring by which an initial outward inclination is given to
the rods supporting a set of horses, boats, or other parts, aforesaid, substantially as
described, and by which such rods are steadied as they fall inwards.
6. In combination with the buffer referred to in claim 4, or with the spring referred to
in claim 5, or with such buffer and spring combined as described, a downwardly projecting
rod through which such buffer or spring, or combined buffer and spring, acts, and a
rod connecting such downwardly projecting rod with a set of the rods carrying the
horses, boats, or other parts aforesaid, substantially as described and shewn, for the
purpose set forth.
7. The means, substantially as described with reference to figure 5 and 7, by which
the rods carrying a set of horses, boats, or other parts, aforesaid, and having a rising
and falling movement and also a passing movement in relation to each other, are
maintained at their proper relative distance apart sideways.
8. The combination of the roller upon the bar e with the roller carried upon a
sliding sleeve g upon such bar, with a spring connection endways between such roller f
and such bar, substantially as described and shewn in detail by figure 4, for the]
purpose
set forth.
9. Swifts or radiating spars which carry the horses, boats, or other parts, aforesaid,
hinged at their inner ends and provided with rollers on their outer ends running upon
a fixed undulating rail, substantially as and for the purpose described.
DLL tre nichth 1...
1007
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton and Walsall,
Agent for the Applicant.