Improvements in Roundabouts.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd July, 1894-Accepted, 4th Aug., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Roundabouts.
We, JAMES ARMITAGE, ALLAN HERSCHELL and GEORGE CHRISTY
HERSCHELL, all of North Tonawanda, in the County of Niagara and State of
New York, in the United States of America, Manufacturers, 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 :-
This invention relates to certain improvements in that class of machines commonly
known as roundabouts or merry-go-rounds, and which consists essentially of a
revolving frame provided with seats and figures of animals on which persons are
seated and whirled around for amusement.
The object of our invention is to improve the construction of these machines so
that they are stronger and safer in use; to construct the various parts of the
machine so that they can be readily taken apart for convenience in transportation ;
to provide the machine with mechanism of simple construction, whereby a
rocking motion is imparted to the wooden horses, and to improve the machine in
several other respects.
In the accompanying drawings :
Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of our improved machine.
Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of the machine, on an enlarged
scale.
Figure 3 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, on line 3-3, Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of the connection between the
bracket, of the rocking figures and the actuating rod.
Figure 5 is a sectional perspective view showing the means of supporting the
sections of the outer platform.
Figure 6 is a sectional elevation of the device for steadying the cable.
Figure 7 is a vertical cross section of the rock shaft bearing, on an enlarged
scale, the section being taken on line 7-7, Figure 2.
Figure 8 is a fragmentary side elevation of the hub of the machine and connecting
parts.
Figure 9 is a horizontal section on line 9-9, Figure 8.
Figure 10 is a top plan view of one section of the hub.
Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.
A represents a vertical post secured with its lower end in the ground and forming
a pivot or centre support for the machine.
B represents two semi-circular clamping plates or bands which are clamped
against opposite sides of the post by means of bolts & passing through perforated
lugs formed on the ends of the clamping bands. C represents brace rods whereby
the lower portion of the post is steadied. Each of these rods is connected with its
inner end to an eye on one of the clamping bands and with its outer end to a stake c
driven into the ground. Each brace rod is preferably composed of two sections
connected by a turn buckle, Figures 2, 8 and 9.
D represents a sleeve which surrounds the post and rests upon the clamping
bands B. The sleeve D is provided with annular flanges or collars d d' at its
upper and lower ends, respectively. The lower flange of the sleeve is provided on
diametrically opposite sides with depending eyes 2 which are arranged between
the ends of the clamping bands and receive the same bolts which connect the lugs
of the clamping bands thereby preventing the sleeve from turning or moving
lengthwise on the post, Figure 2.
E represents a hub which turns on the sleeve D between the flanges of the

page_text: latter, and composed of two like sections which are placed on opposite sides of the
sleeve and secured together by bolts e passing through lugs el formed on the adjacent
portions of the hub sections. The marginal portions of the hub sections are
provided with an annular row of upwardly projecting lugs forming a row of
radial sockets f' between the lugs. The upper ends of these sockets are closed
by two semi-circular plates secured to the top of the lugs by bolts f³, the joints
between the plates being preferably arranged on a different line from the joint
between the hub sections.
Grepresents radial arms or sweeps arranged with their inner ends in the sockets
of the hub and secured therein by pins a passing through the plates, sweeps and
the hub sections. As the machine rotates the centrifugal force has a tendency to
throw the passengers out of balance, and in order to avoid this the sweeps are
inclined upwardly from their inner to their outer ends, which causes the effect of
the centrifugal action upon the passengers to be counteracted, Figure 1.
H represents wheels running on a circular horizontal track I and supporting the
sweeps near their outer ends, each wheel being mounted on a radial axle h which is
journalled in bearings arranged upon the lower end of a leg h² depending from
one of the sweeps. In order to cause the supporting wheels to run true without
tending to run off the track the face of each wheel is bevelled from a point located
at the intersection of the axes of the wheel and the rotary frame, Figures 2-3.
The track consists of metallic sections secured upon a sectional wooden bed i.
The joint between the sections of the track are oblique so that the wheels in rolling
over the track will bear partly upon the succeeding section before entirely leaving
the preceding section thereby preventing jarring of the machine. The opposing
ends of two bed sections overlap each other and are connected by two channel
shaped fish plates i arranged on opposite sides of the joint and connected by a bolt
which passes through the joint Figures 2-3.
J represents a horizontal rock shaft arranged lengthwise of the sweeps and
journalled with its ends in bearings secured to one of the sweeps. The inner
bearing of each rock shaft completely encloses the shaft, while the outer bearing is
U-shaped and only embraces the lower portion of the shaft which enables the shaft
to be removed without removing the bearings.
represents wooden horses or other figures supported upon the rock shaft J
by brackets 3 secured to the undersides of the figures and rigidly secured to the
shaft, Figures 1, 2, 3.
K is an eccentric disc secured to the outer end of each axle of the supporting
wheels H, and k is an eccentric rod which is connected at its lower end with an
eccentric strap on the eccentric disc K and at its upper end to the bracket, whereby
a rocking movement is given to the figures as the wheels H revolve on the
track 1. The upper end of the eccentric rod is provided with an eye k¹ and the
bracket is provided with a tapering or conical wrist pin which is inserted
through the eye of the eccentric rod. The eye of the eccentric rod is constantly
pressed toward the larger end of the wrist pin by a spring surrounding said pin
and bearing against said eye, and a pin inserted through the wrist pin thereby
taking up the wear between these parts automatically and preventing the same
from rattling, Figure 3.
Each of the sweeps G may be provided with a rock shaft J
upon which a
pair of wooden horses are mounted and which are operated by an eccentric
rod connecting each pair of horses with the axle of the wheels below
the sweep.
L represents seats secured to the sweeps which are not provided with horses
or figures. The seats L are preferably secured rigidly to the sweeps but if
desired the seats L may be attached to the rock shaft J and a rocking movement
may be given to the seats in the same manner in which the wooden horses are set
in motion.
M represents an annular cable rim arranged below the outer portions of the
sweeps adjacent to the supporting wheels and supported by hangers m formed on

page_text: This
the outer bearings of the wheel axles. This rim is provided in its outer edge with
a groove which receives an endless driving cable m', connected with the driving
pulley of an engine whereby motion is imparted to the rotary frame of the machine.
One portion of the cable extending from the cable rim to the engine, passes around
a guide pulley N arranged underneath the outer portion of the sweeps.
pulley is mounted on a vertical spindle supported at its lower end on a base board n.
n' represents a guide frame whereby the guide pulley N is retained in its proper
relative position with reference to the cable rim. The guide frame consists
essentially of two bars resting on the ground and secured with their outer ends to
the base board of the guide pulley while their inner ends are secured to a divided
collar n which embraces the centre post. This connection between the guide
pulley and the centre post causes the pulley to move concentric with the cable rim
if the pulley is shifted by the strain of the cable. n³ represents a brace rod whereby
the guide pulley is restrained against movement in the direction in which it is pulled
by the cable, Figure 1. This brace rod is secured with its ends to the base board
and a stake driven in the ground and is preferably composed of two sections
connected by a turn buckle to permit of taking up slack in the cable. By
arranging the cable rim M close to the supporting wheels and below the outer
portions of the sweeps, the cable is not liable to cause injury to the passengers or
mischievous persons by coming in contact therewith. The portion of the cable
which extends from the cable rim and the guide pulley N outwardly and
below the outer ends of the sweeps is protected by a hood or guard box o,
Figure 2.
Qrepresents a base resting upon the ground midway between the engine and the
machine and provided with two standards q, arranged on opposite sides of the cable.
represent upper and lower steadying rollers arranged, one above the other
and bearing respectively against the upper side of one portion of the cable and
the lower side of the other portion of the cable, as shown in Figure 6, whereby the
cable is guided and steadied. ' is an intermediate steadying roller arranged between
the two portions of the cable in front of the upper and lower steadying rollers.
The intermediate roller is pivoted at the outer ends of two links q' which latter
are pivoted with their inner ends upon the standards.
R represents a circular platform arranged on the inner sides of the figures and
seats and composed of sections which rest with their ends upon the sweeps. The
ends of two adjacent sections resting upon a sweep abut against each other and are
held down upon the sweep by clips rr, Figure 2.
S represents angle braces or steps arranged between the sweeps and resting upon
annular cleats s secured to opposite sides of the legs 2, the ends of the braces
arranged on opposite sides of the legs are removably held against the cleats by
turn buttons si pivoted on the outer sides of the legs.
T represents a guard rim arranged below the outer ends of the sweeps and
suspended therefrom by hangers t.
U represents supporting boards arranged radially midway between the outer
portions of the sweeps and resting with their outer ends upon the guard rim while
their inner ends are supported by hanging loops secured to the angular braces S,
Figures 3 and 5.
V represents an annular sectional platform arranged between the steps S and
Each section of the
the guard rim on opposite sides of the supporting boards.
platform V is supported at its inner end upon a seat secured to the supporting
board and a seat formed on the outer bearing of the adjacent axle, and at its
outer end upon the guard rim T, Figures 2 and 3.
W represents an annular row of posts arranged within the upper platform R
and removably seated with their lower ends in brackets w secured to the sweeps
while their upper ends are connected by a hand rope wol, Figures 1 and 2.
represents an organ or similar musical instrument mounted upon the sweeps
inside of the hand rope and provided with a driving shaft z' whereby it is operated.

page_text: is a belt which passes around a pulley a³ on the organ shaft and a pulley *1
on an extension of one of the wheel axles whereby the organ is operated by the
rotation of the machine, Figure 2.
y represents a sectional drum arranged upon the inner portions of the sweeps
around the centre post, the sections being provided on their outer sides with pictures
or other attractions. The drum sections are detachably connected with each other
by hasps y and seated with their lower ends upon base sections y² to which latter the
drum sections are likewise secured by hasps y³. The base sections are removably
secured to the sweeps by clips in the same manner as the inner platform R.
Upon releasing the fastenings of the several parts the machine can be readily
taken apart and packed compactly for transportation.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that, what
we claim is :-
1. The combination with the central post, of a sleeve mounted on the post and
provided with an upper and lower flange, a divided hub embracing the sleeve
between its flanges and provided with radial sockets, sweeps secured with their
inner ends in said sockets, a horizontal circular track, legs secured to said sweeps
Dear their outer ends and provided with supporting wheels running on said track,
a grooved rim secured to said legs between the outer ends of the sweeps, and the
central post, and an endless driving belt or cable engaging with said grooved rim,
substantially as set forth.
2. The combination with the central post, of a sectional hub arranged on said
post and provided with an annular row of radial sockets, sweeps secured with their
inner ends in said sockets, a horizontal circular track, legs secured to said sweeps
near their outer ends, and provided with supporting wheels running on said track,
seats or figures mounted on rocking supports secured to said sweeps, eccentrics
mounted on the axles of the supporting wheels and connected with the seats or
figures, whereby a rocking motion is imparted to the seats or figures by the rotation
of the supporting wheels, a grooved rim secured to an arm or extension formed on
said legs adjacent to the supporting wheels, and an endless cable engaging with said
grooved rim, substantially as set forth.
3. In a merry-go-round or roundabout, the combination with the centre post, the
rotary frame pivoted on said post, and a wheel supporting the outer portion of said
frame of an eccentric secured to the axle of the supporting wheel, a rock shaft
removably journalled in fixed bearings secured to said frame, a seat or figures
secured to said rock shaft and a rod connecting the seat or figures with the
eccentric, whereby a rocking motion is imparted to the seat or figure by the
rotation of the supporting wheel, substantially as set forth.
4. The combination with the centre post, of a sectional hub arranged upon said
post and provided with an annular row of upwardly projecting lugs forming open
sockets between the lugs, plates secured to the tops of the lugs and closing the
upper ends of the sockets and sweeps secured in said sockets, substantially as
set forth.
5. The combination with the centre post and the sweeps, of a sleeve arranged
on the post and provided with a depending lug, a hub arranged on the sleeve and
carrying the sweeps, a divided clamping band embracing the post on opposite sides
of said lug, and a bolt connecting the ends of the clamping band and passing through
the lug of the sleeve, substantially as set forth.
6. The combination with the centre post and the rotary frame pivoted on said
post and provided with a cable rim, of a guide frame pivoted with its inner end on
said post, a guide pulley arranged on the outer end of the guide frame, and a cable
passing around said rim and a guide pulley.stantially as set forth.
7. The combination with the centre post and the rotary frame pivoted on said
post and provided with an annular platform and with depending legs, of supporting

page_text: wheels journalled on said legs, a cable rim secured to said legs and arranged
underneath the platform and a cable passing around said rim, substantiallygas
set forth.
8. The combination with the centre post and the rotary frame pivoted on said
post and provided with a grooved rim, of a guide frame pivoted with its inner end
to the post by a divided collar and provided at its outer end with a vertical spindle,
a guide pulley journalled on said spindle and a cable passing around the rim and
guide pulley, substantially as set forth.
9. The combination with the central post and a horizontal circular track, of a
divided hub arranged on the post and provided with radial sockets, sweeps secured
with their inner ends in said sockets and their outer ends extending over and above
said track, legs secured to said sweeps and provided with supporting wheels running
on said tracks, a grooved rim secured to said legs, an endless driving belt engaging
with said grooved rim, a guard rim secured to the outer ends of said sweeps and
arranged outside of the grooved rim, a sectional platform supported by the guard rim,
and extending inwardly over the grooved rim, seats or figures mounted on rocking
supports secured to the sweeps above said platform and connected with the axles
of the supporting wheels, and a sectional platform detachably secured to the
sweeps between the rocking figures and the central post, substantially as
forth.
Dated this 3rd day of July 1891
set
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.