Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Dec, 1894
Complete Snocification Loff 16th Apr
1895-Accepted. 18th May, 1895
I, WALTER DARKER PITT, of 85 Strand, in the County of London, Gentleman,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide a railway of that class used in
connection with exhibitions and such like places of resort for the amusement of
the public.
66
This my invention comprises a tower or the like elevated structure constructed
preferably of iron or steel lattice girder-work. A suitable staging or track
extends radially and pyramidically around the tower from the top to the bottom
thereof. A preferably covered room or chamber, (hereinafter referred to as the
upper station,") is situated at the top of the tower and has its entrance facing
the serpentine or spiral track.
A similar station, (hereinafter referred to as the
"lower station") is situated at the foot of the tower. A lift, of any approve!
construction, is contained within the tower. Railway rails, of any approved
section, extend along the spiral track from station to station, and upon which
suitable cars run from the upper to the lower station. A track, which may be
slightly inclined, extends from the lower station to an entrance at the foot of the
tower. At the point where the railway track meets the earth, it enters a tunnel,
excavated and constructed beneath the surface, and leading and opening out into
the entrance of the lower station.
In operation, the cars, containing passengers, are projected from the lower
The lift is then caused to raise
station onto a platform in the foot of the tower.
the car to the upper station from wheuce it travels along the pyramidical railway
to the lower station; but previously passing through the tunnel aforementioned.
The impetus of the car is stayed by an incline in the track before entering. the
lower station.
-
In an alternative form of this invention, two or more towers may be erected a
suitable distance apart. By this arrangement the impetus of a car descending
from one tower is sufficient to carry it to a point a distance up the pyramidical
track of the other tower where it is automatically caught by an endless and
continuously travelling rope or the like which raises it to the station at the top of
the tower. In this arrangement, the lower station may be dispensed with, and the
tunnel extends between the two towers.
Dated this 10th day of December 1894.
I, WALTER DARKER PITT, of 85 Strand, in the County of London, Gentleman,
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 has reference to that class of railways used for recreation in

page_text: connection with exhibitions and other places of resort for the amusement of the
public.
Reference being had to the accompanying drawings hereunto annexed, Fig. 1, is
an elevation, of my improved railway; Fig. 2, is a sectional plan thereof on the
line of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a plan of the base of the structure shewn in Fig. 1.
The invention comprises a tower or other elevated structure A preferably con-
structed of iron or steel girder or lattice work substantially as shewn in the
drawings. A suitable staging or track B, suitably supported, extends radially and
pyramidically around the structure from the top to bottom thereof.
A pavilion C is situated at the top of the structure and contains refreshment
bars and accommodation. It also contains a central compartment D to accommodate
the lift.
A suitable station E is erected a suitable distance from the pyramidical structure
and is connected with the centre thereof by a line of rails F, at which point a lift,
of any desired construction, is provided to elevate cars and passengers to the
platform G. This platform is provided with a turn-table H, by means of which
the cars as they emerge from the lift over cne of the tracks J, K, can be diverted
onto the spiral and gradient track L whence they descend to the bottom of the
gradient, thence through an artificial tunnel M of increased gradient for a part of
its length, and then rising to the starting point of the cars at the station E.
A staircase N is provided round the lift whereby persons can reach the
pavilion without using the elevator. A pathway O is also provided alongside
the track.
It will be understood that the track can be made single, double or treble
according to circumstances.
Car
In an alternative form of this invention, two or more elevated structures may be
erected a suitable distance apart. By this arrangement, the impetus of a
descending from one tower is sufficient to carry it to a point a distance up the
gradient track of the other tower, at which point it is automatically caught by an
endless cable which is in constant motion and takes the car to the top of the
tower.
In both forms of this invention the gradient track may be made with an
undulating surface if desired without departing from the nature of this invention.
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 is :—
(1) In a railway for recreation, an elevated structure constructed of iron or steel
girder or lattice work, or wood, and having a gradient and spirally arranged
railway track surrounding said structure, substantially as and for the purposes
bereinbefore set forth and illustrated in the drawings hereunto annexed.
(2) In a railway for recreation, an elevated structure constructed of iron or
steel girder or lattice work, or wood, and having a gradient and spirally arranged
railway track surrounding said structure, the combination therewith of an elevator,
substantially as and for the purpose herein before set forth.
21
(3) In a railway for recreation, an elevated structure constructed of iron or
steel girder or lattice work, or wood, and having a gradient and spirally arranged
railway track surrounding said structure, the combination therewith of suitable
cars adapted to travel upon the aforementioned track, a tunnel forming
continuation of said track, means for elevating the cars to the top of the structure
aforesaid and a pavilion at the summit of the structure, all substantially as and for
the purposes hereinbefore set forth and illustrated in the drawings hereunto
annexed.
(4) In a railway for recreation, an elevated structure constructed of iron or
steel girder or lattice work, the combination therewith of a spirally arranged
railway track surrounding the structure and undulating in regular or irregular

page_text: curves, cars adapted to travel upon said track, and means for elevating said cars,.
all substantially as set forth.
(5) A railway for recreation consisting of an elevated structure constructed of
iron or steel girder or lattice work, or wood, and having a gradient and spirally
arranged railway track surrounding said structure, cars adapted to travel upon said
track, an elevator or other means for raising the cars to the summit of the
structure, a tunnel forming a continuation of the railway track, a starting and
stopping station adjacent to the tunnel, and a pavilion at the summit of the
structure, all substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth and
illustrated in the drawings hereunto annexed.
more elevated structures.
(6) A railway for recreation constructed of two or
situated a suitable distance apart, a spirally arranged gradient railway surrounding
the structures and connecting them at the base, and an endless travelling cable
arranged and adapted to elevate cars from any point of the track to the summit
of either structure, all substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore set
forth.