Improvements in or relating to Roundabouts.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Sept., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 5th June, 1889-Accepted, 13th July, 1889
Improvements in or relating to Roundabouts.
We, FRANK WILLIAM ALLCHIN, of 7 Western Terrace, Northampton in the County
of Northampton, engineer, and ROBERT SMITH, of 9 Prince's Street, Perth, North
Britain, Fruit Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention has for its object certain improvements in roundabouts, and such
improvements comprise
:-
Firstly. The rigid connection, in a roundabout having a revolving platform, of the
divisions or segments of the platform together so as to form a rigid revolving
platform or disc, instead of simply hinging or linking and bolting the divisions
together so as to retain them connected as is commonly done. A convenient method
of performing this part of the invention is to carry out certain of the bars or sections
of the framing of each segment or division beyond one or both ends thereof,
and firmly bolt the same to the framing of one or both the adjacent divisions; or
detachable bars may be bolted to the two adjacent divisions at each joint, either in
lieu of or in combination with the bars above described fixed in the manner
described; and such detachable bars, or some of them, may be formed of a cranked
shape to pass below and assist in carrying. the steps by which the platform is
reached.
Secondly. Fixing upon the rigid platform described in the last preceding paragraph
an engine and boiler, or an electro motor, or other motor, by means of which such
platform is caused to travel or revolve together with such engine or motor. For this
purpose the engine or other motor is geared with a wheel or wheels running upon a
circular track and to ensure the necessary hold or friction such wheel, or each of.
such wheels, or one of them, may have a V-d or grooved rim or tyre and run upon
a V-d or grooved rail.
Thirdly. Carrying an organ upon the revolving platform of a roundabout so as to
travel therewith. The organ is, preferably, mounted upon india-rubber or other
springs to lessen the effect thereon of the vibration of the platform.
Fourthly. Forming the roof as a ring or annulus corresponding with and immediately
over the platform, instead of carrying it out from the centre or pole to the circumi-
ference of the roundabout as is usually done. Such ring or annulus may be formed
in segments each of which is supported from a corresponding segment of the platform,
so that each segment of the platform together with the part of the roof carried thereby
forms a complete covered trolley, when disconnected from the other segments for
conveyance from place to place.
DL: 42L
1000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Roundabouts.
We, FRANK WILLIAM ALLCHIN, of 7 Western Terrace, Northampton, in the County
of Northampton, engineer, and ROBERT SMITH, of 9 Prince's Street, Perth, North
Britain, Fruit Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in wbat
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This invention has for its object certain improvements in roundabouts; and such
improvements comprise :-
Firstly-The rigid connection, in a roundabout having a revolving platform, of

page_text: .
the divisions or segments of the platform together so as to form a thoroughly rigid
revolving platform which is self-supporting at any point or part thereof instead of
simply hinging or linking and bolting the divisions together so as to retain them
connected as is commonly done.
Secondly-Fixing upon one of the divisions or segments of the rigid platform
referred to in the last preceding paragraph an engine and boiler, or an electro-motor,
or other motor, and gearing the same with a wheel which runs upon a single
circular rail, by which means such platform is caused to travel or revolve together
with such engine or motor.
Thirdly
Carrying an organ upon the revolving platform of a roundabout so as
to travel therewith.
Fourthly :—Forming the roof as a ring or annulus corresponding with and
immediately over the platform, instead of carrying it out from the centre or pole to
the circumference of the roundabout as is usually done.
A convenient method of performing the first part of this invention will be clearly
understood on reference to figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings herewith, of which
figure 1 is a plan of one main division of a revolving platform of a roundabout, with
apparatus and gearing shewn applied thereto for carrying and operating a set of
three horses. The particular apparatus and gearing shewn form part of the subject
matter of a prior application for patent by the said Frank William Allchin, such
application being No. 5450 of 1888, and we do not limit ourselves thereto, as any
other convenient apparatus and gearing for operating horses, or corresponding parts
which carry riders, may be employed. Figure 2 is a section taken on line a a of
figure 1; and figure 3 is a section taken on line y y of figure 1. The same letters of
reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the views. It will be seen that
the main division of the platform is made up of a straight-ended segment A A and
of a V-d part B. The chief object of this construction is that, upon the removal
of the V-d making-up pieces B around the platform, the segments A A may each
be of convenient shape for use as a separate trolley, for the purpose of carrying riders
as set forth in the specification filed in pursuance of the said former application, or
for the purpose merely of moving them from place to place, and when so used the
segments are of course provided with shafts or other suitable means for enabling
them to be drawn about. Each division may, however, be formed at each end to
include one half of the part lettered B. Angle bars & running longitudinally of each
segment, are rigidly bolted together by means of metal straps 6 and angle bars 66
so as to form all the segments into one rigid platform; and the angles formed by the
meeting of the middle bars are stiffly tied by angle iron diagonal bars or ties 6.
The angle bars are cranked down to pass under the steps K¹. When the segments
are to be taken apart the straps 63 ties and cranked bars are, of course,
unbolted and removed. The outer bars project beyond their respective segments
sufficiently only to give a bearing to the making-up pieces B.
A convenient method of performing the second part of this invention is illustrated
by figures 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings. herewith, of which figure 4 is a plan of a
segment of the platform of a roundabout upon which is mounted an engine and boiler
which runs upon a circular rail and thus causes the platform to travel round.
Figure 5 is a section on line aa of figure 4, and figure 6 is a section on line y y
of figure 4. The engine and boiler shewn is of the ordinary portable type,
and is mounted on the framing of the segment. When the engine segment
is fixed with the other segments to form the platform of the roundabout, the
weight of the engine segment, with the engine thereon, is carried by means
of a wheel C running upon the circular rail E, and this wheel is driven from the
crank axle H of the engine through the medium of a pitched chain passing around
the wheels d' d' on the crank axle H and on the axle I of the wheel C, respectively.
A plair pulley d³ is mounted upon a stud d' capable of being moved along and fixed
in any position within a slot in a bracket d fixed to the smoke box of the engine,
and the chain is passed around such pulley, and is tightened up when slack by moving
the stud d' outwards.

page_text: Whilst the engine is used for driving the platform the road wheels F1 F1 or the
inner of such wheels are, of course, removed. The hinder wheels F¹ project above
the level of the platform, as shewn, and are boxed over with boxings which are
capable of being opened at the outside to admit of the ready removal of the wheels.
The forward end of the locomotive segment is fitted with a fore-carriage K, as shewn,
to which are connected shafts for enabling the segment to be moved about from place
to place. Between the hinder end of the locomotive segment and of the segment
adjoining is placed a making-up piece B, as between two of the ordinary segments;
but between the forward end of the locomotive segment and the next adjoining
segment it is preferred to employ a narrower making-up piece B' as it is convenient
to form the forward end of the locomotive segment somewhat slanting, as shewn, 50
as to allow of the mounting of the organ thereon also, as hereinafter described.
An electro-motor, or other motor, may be employed in lieu of the engine and boiler,
as will be readily understood.
The method of performing the third part of this invention will be readily under-
stood on reference to figures 4 and 5. A rectangular wooden frame L is mounted
upon the forward end of the locomotive segment and extends partly also across the
making-up piece B'. On the corners of this frame are fixed metal shoes e', and the
feet of the organ rest upon india-rubber balls within the shoes so as to give an
elastic bed for the organ to rest upon and thus reduce the jarring effect which the
travel of the platform would otherwise have upon the organ. India-rubber tennis
balls may be conveniently used as the balls f'. The organ is securely held from tilting
by the aid of cords passing through metal staples or loops fixed to the organ and to
the platform. The supplementary engine for working the organ is mounted upon the
platform, as shewn in outline in plan at M, figure 4, and the power may be conveyed
from the engine to the organ by means of a belt passing over the pulleys g² and g
fixed on the engine shaft and the organ spindle, respectively. The steam for the
supplementary engine is obtained from the boiler of the locomotive. The organ may,
however, be operated in any convenient manner, such as from an axle of the round-
about, or by hand.
The organ may be conveyed from place to place upon the engine segment, but it
may be mounted upon a separate segment, if desired, that is upon a segment of such
a size as will permit of its being conveniently mounted thereon; but in any case
the organ may, of course, be moved from place to place upon its own segment.
The application of the fourth part of this invention is shewn by figure 3.
Standards, spaced apart at intervals around the outer and inner circumference of
the platform, support frames h² ²² which carry canvas or other roofing, and such
roofing thus forms an annulus corresponding to the annulus of the platform itself.
The standards are slipped into sockets from which they can be readily drawn out, and
the framing is put together and upon the standards by socketed or other convenient
connections which will enable the parts to be readily taken to pieces and put together.
The roof may be formed in segments corresponding to the segments of the plat-
form, so that each segment of the platform together with the part of the roof carried
thereby may form a complete covered trolley when disconnected from the other segments.
The mutual relation of the different parts of this invention will be readily under-
stood on reference to figure 7, which is a general plan of the entire machine except
that a portion thereof is broken away for convenience of illustration. In this figure
a portion of the platform is shewn as covered by the roof, and one of the segments is
shewn in skeleton so as to illustrate its method of connection with an adjoining
segment. are tubes for carrying; the eaves of the roof, and is a tube forming
the ridge. are the inside and outside handrails. A suitable facia board, of the
usual character, may be carried around the outer eave of the roof to give it a finish.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. An annular platform of a roundabout made up of separate divisions so rigidly

page_text: connected together as to form a continuous thoroughly rigid platform, substantially as
described.
2. A platform of a roundabout made up of separate divisions fixed together by
means of a continuous rigid framing, substantially as described and shewn.
3. In a roundabout the combination with the divisions which make up the platform,
of the bars and of the parts 63646 which join said bars together, whereby a
continuous rigid framing which fixes said divisions together is formed, substantially
as described and shewn.
4. In a roundabout having an annular platform made up of separate divisions, a
locomotive engine, electro-motor or other motor, mounted upon one of such divisions
so that it may be conveyed from place to place thereupon, and geared so that when
forming part of the complete platform it drives itself and the revolving platform
by means of a wheel running upon a single circular rail, substantially as described.
5. In combination with the revolving platform of a roundabout, a locomotive,
electro-motor or other motor, the weight of which is supported upon a single circular
rail V-shaped in section, and which drives itself and the platform by the aid of a
grooved wheel running upon such rail, substantially as described.
6. The means, substantially as described and shewn, by which a locomotive is
utilized or adapted in its construction to drive a revolving, annular platform of a
roundabout.
7. An organ mounted upon the revolving platform of a roundabout so as to travel
therewith, substantially as described.
8. The means by which an organ is mounted upon a division of a revolving annular
platform of a roundabout, substantially as described and shewn.
9. An annular roof or cover carried upon supports from an annular revolving plat-
form of a roundabout, substantially as described and shewn.
Dated this 4th day of Tune 1880
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton and Walsall, Agent for the Applicants.