Year: 1887

page_text: WO SAMUEL KEETON, Albion Terrace, Gentleman, and JAMES WILLIAM DANBY,
Osmaston Villa, Lace Manufacturer, both of New Lenton, Nottingham, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
:-
The first modification of our improvements consists of two circular tracks, one
within the other running parallel to each other, each having one or more ascending
and descending inclines, between the tracks, at a lower level is a third circular
horizontal track, upon which a number of wheels run, each revolving on an axle
secured to the underside of a circular framing, from the upper side of which vertical
rods or pillars project, the upper ends of which are secured to a circular framing
carried by arms radiating from a boss or collar which is caused to revolve on a central
pillar by toothed gearing, or its equivalent driven by steam power. The vertical rods
or pillars are arranged in pairs, each pair being provided with a suitable shaped
carriage, boat or other object, the front of each carries an axle on which a grooved
truck revolves, at the back of which the front rod or pillar of one pair passes and
forces the carriage or other object forward as the circular framing revolves, the back
end or pillar of the pair lies in a slot in the back of the carriage or other object and
prevents it leaving the tracks, each carriage or other object on its underside is provided
with two pair of flanged wheels, the flanges of which run between the parallel tracks
before named. At one or more level parts of the tracks the sides are elevated so as to
appear as if the carriage or other object passed through a cutting or tunnel.
Our second modification is the same as before described without the central lower
track, and each carriage or other object is hinged at the front and back to vertical
rods, each of which slide in a pipe projecting from the upper ring or framing each pipe
being stayed by a plain or ornamental bracket, at the front and back secured to the
framing.
Dated this Theant third day of Namamba. 1007

page_text: We, SAMUEL KEETON, Albion Terrace, Gentleman, and JAMES WILLIAM DANBY,
Osmaston Villa, Lace Manufacturer, both of New Lenton, in the Borough of Notting-
ham, 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:
The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying sheets of
drawings in which Fig. 1 is an elevation of a segment of the roundabout, Fig. 2
is a plan, Fig. 3, is a side elevation, and Fig. 4 a side elevation of a modification
thereof.
In carrying out this invention two concentric circular tracks or platforms A and B
are used, one of which A, is placed within and runs parallel to the outer one B, each
having one or more ascending and descending inclines. Between these two tracks or
platforms A and B and at a lower level is a third circular horizontal platform C con-
necting the platforms A and B provided with a metal track D upon which a number
of wheels E run, each wheel revolving on an axis secured to and supporting a circular
rotating framing F. From the upper side of the rotating framing F vertical rods G
project, the upper ends of which are secured to an upper circular framing H carried
by arms I radiating from an inner circular framing H supported by arms I¹ radiating
from a boss or collar J which revolves on a central pillar K and may be driven by a
steam engine placed in a convenient position within the platforms A and B and con-
nected by the vertical shaft L and toothed wheel L'. Instead of the central pillar K
the chimney of a portable engine may be utilized or the pillar K used for both purposes.
The platforms A and B may be provided with rails M and the carriages or boats N
provided with flanged wheels N¹ adapted to run on them; each carriage, boat or other
vehicle N is arranged to run between two of the vertical rods G by which they are
driven. The fore part of each vehicle N is secured to one of the rods G by means of
three flanged wheels one of which O is pivotted on a bracket secured to the framing
of the vehicle; this wheel O is held up to the rod G by two wheels O' on the opposite
side of the rod G running on pins having bearings in a triangular framing P which
is pivotted on the same pin as the wheel O and by this means the vehicle N is free to
rise and fall on the rod G when it is at any angle. To prevent the vehicles N from
leaving the rails M a guide or projecting fork having two arms is secured to the
back of each, one of each arms of the fork Q passing on each side of the second
vertical rod G¹.
As the upper framing H revolves carrying with it the lower circular framing F to
which it is attached and supported by means of the vertical rods G and diagonal stays
which may be inserted where there are no vehicles the vehicles N are driven round
the platforms A and B and are free to rise and fall as the height of the platform
varies.

page_text: In a modification shown in figure 4 the lower central platform C, track D, and
circular framing F may be dispensed with and instead of two, one solid platform A
may be used provided with rails M for the vehicle N to run on; in this case they are
driven by vertical rods G hinged to each end passing through and sliding freely in
vertical pipes or slides R rigidly attached to the circular framing H and supported by
stays S; if preferred the pipes or slides R may be provided with friction rollers. To
prevent the rods G from jamming when the vehicles are on an incline, one of them is
hinged on a boss or slide T sliding freely on a pin or pins T¹ preferably secured at the
back of the vehicles N.
The platforms are preferably constructed of wood and may be made in sections
supported and joined together by timber in any well known manner. A suitable
guard or railing U is provided running round inside and outside with openings at
which steps are fixed so as to admit of ready access to the vehicles.
If preferred any portion of the platform may be covered over so as to form a tunnel
a narrow opening being left at the top to allow of the passage of the rods G.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In a roundabout the combination with two concentric circular platforms or tracks
such as A and B to carry the vehicles, each track having one or more ascending and
descending inclines of a plane central track such as C to carry the moving framework
the whole constructed and operating substantially as and for the purpose described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. The lower circular framing F supported by wheels E running on a track C and
connected to and supporting the upper framing H by means of vertical rods G sub-
stantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
3. In a roundabout the means of connecting the vehicle N with the rod G consisting
substantially of the triangular framing P and wheels O O¹ of which O and P are
pivotted upon the vehicle for the purpose of permitting the vehicle to rise and fall
with the track substantially as described and illustrated in figures 1, 2 and 3 of the
accompanying drawings.
4. In a roundabout the combination with the vehicle of a fork such as Q embracing
the rod G¹ for the purpose of keeping the vehicle from excessive lateral movement
substantially as described and illustrated in figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying
drawings.
5. In a roundabout the means for driving the vehicles N consisting of vertical
rods such as G jointed to the ends of the vehicles and sliding in vertical pipes or guides
secured to the rotating framing substantially as and for the purpose described and
illustrated in figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 23rd day of August 1888.