Improvements in Roundabouts.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Nov., 1891
.
Complete Specification Left, 5th Sept., 1892-Accepted, 15th Oct., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Roundabouts.
I WILLIAM PARKER Cart & Wagon Sheet Manufacturer 24 King Street
Bury Lancashire do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to apparatus for purposes of amusement at summer resorts
& the like & commonly called roundabouts.
The object of my invention is as follows,
First, to provide means or appliances for supporting by means of ball bearings,
roller bearings or any other convenient method for rotating, a platform of circular
or any other desired shape, & open in the centre to allow for oscillation, with seats
for the accommodation of patrons.
Second, to provide a method of oscillating the above platform in any direction
whatever, by means of stays.
Third, an improved method of rotating the platform by means of bevel wheels,
actuated by a chain & ships wheel, which is turned by hand.
Fourth an improved method of stopping the machine & securing same to the
outside stage during the process of loading & unloading for the convenience of
passengers.
The whole of my invention consists of an apparatus for amusement, & designated
a roundabout, arranged, constructed & operated as hereinafter described.
The nature & principle features of my invention will be more fully understood
from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying sheet of
drawings.
Similar letters refer to similar parts in each view.
Fig. 1 is a general view or side elevation of the apparatus.
Fig. 2. is an enlarged sectional elevation of top part of apparatus.
Fig. 3 is a view of top part of apparatus showing the method of working same by
haud.
In Fig. 1. a is the vertical pillar of iron or wood (as may be required) with the
necessary stays a¹ & base a" upon the end of the vertical pillar a, is fixed a circular
disc having a groove, Fig. 2 for the reception of the balls c, resting upon the
balls c is another circular disc d, having a corresponding groove to the disc d
revolves easily upon the balls c passing through the centre of the disc d, is a
projection from the disc to prevent the disc d from slipping off the balls c but
not in actual contact with b, cast to the outer edges of the disc d are flanges;
through which are secured strong hook bolts e having nuts e¹ to secure same to
Hange on disc d, attached to the hook bolts e, are the stays f, which may be
constructed of ropes, chains, iron rods, or wood, (if of wood they would require'
an iron shackle at each end) these are made secure to the underside of the
platform g. Fig. 1. As the disc d is caused to revolve by means of the ships
wheel Fig. 3 through the chains i & bevel wheels ; & the platform g is caused to
revolve through the stays thus giving the revolving motion.
The oscillating motion is obtained by securing ropes to the platform Fig. 1
which are pulled down by men, as the structure & platform revolves, this also
assists in causing the structure to revolve & at the same time oscillate.
The method of stopping the machine & securing same to the outside stage k
Fig. 1 (which may be either one, two, three or four in number is as follows.
Secured to the stage k is a post on the platform g is a corresponding post,
through the side of the platform g, is a hole fitted with a hawspipe m through
which passes a rope, or hawser n upon the end of which is formed a loop n'.

page_text: When required to stop the machine the speed is reduced the loop n' is thrown
over the post on the stage & then lapped round the post on the platform g
which bring the gangways o, o, to the position shown in dotted lines, the rope n is
then made secure round the post on the platform g, by means of their being
similar arrangements at opposite sides & all the ropes », being made fast at once,
the platform g is made secure from any movement either sideways up or down
during the process of loading & unloading.
Dated this 10th day of Novomhan 1901
WILLIAM PARKER.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Roundabouts.
I WILLIAM PARKER Cart & Waggon Sheet Manufacturer 24 King Street
Bury Lancashire 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 :—
My invention relates to apparatus for purposes of amusement at summer resorts
and the like and commonly called roundabouts.
The object of my invention is as follows,
First. To provide means or appliances for supporting by means of ball bearings,
.roller bearings, or any other convenient method, for rotating, a platform, of circular
or any other desired shape, and open in the centre to allow for oscillation with seats
for the accommodation of patrons.
Second. To provide a method of oscillating the above platform in any direction
whatever by means of stays, at the same time that it is revolving.
Third. An improved method of rotating the platform by means of bevil wheels
actuated by a chain and ship's wheel which is turned by hand or steam power,
which is shown fixed on the top Fig. 3. this motion may be brought to the bottom
and in order to do so I would use a revolving vertical pillar (instead of the fixed
one as shown in Fig. 1A) this pillar revolves through suitable bearings or supports,
secured to the struts or stays, a¹ and rests in a footstep, fixed on the base a", to the
upper end of this pillar is secured a disc to which are fixed the hooks e which carry
the stays, when the revolving vertical pillar is used, the ball or roller bearings
are dispensed with, but preference is given to the method shown in the drawing.
Fourth. An improved method of stopping the machine & securing same to the
ontside stage during the process of loading and unloading for the convenience of
passengers.
The whole of my invention consists of an apparatus, for amusement and
designated a roundabout arranged constructed & operated as hereinafter described
& specified in the claims.
The nature and principle features of my invention will be more fully understood
from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying sheet of
drawings left with Provisional Specification.
Similar letters refer to similar parts in each view.
Fig. 1. is a general view or side elevation of the apparatus.
Fig. 2. is an enlarged sectional elevation of top part of apparatus,
Fig. 3. is a view of top part of apparatus showing the method of working same
by hand.
In Fig. 1. a is the vertical pillar of iron or wood (as may be required) with the
necessary stays a¹ & base all upon the end of the vertical pillar a is fixed a circular
disc having a groove 1 (Fig. 2) for the reception of the balls c, resting upon the
balls c is another circular disc d having a corresponding groove to b the disc d
revolves easily upon the balls c passing through the centre of the disc d is a pro-
jection from the disc to prevent the disc d from slipping off the balls c, cast to
the outer edges of the disc d are flanges through which are secured strong hooks e
C

page_text: having nuts e¹ to secure same to flange, attached to the hooks e are the stays f
which may be constructed of ropes, chain iron rods or wood (if of wood they would
require an iron shackle at each end) to allow the platform to oscillate these are
made, secure to the underside of the platform g Fig. 1 as the disc d is caused to
revolve by means of the ship's wheel (Fig. 3) through the chain & bevel
wheel & the platform g is caused to revolve through the stays thus giving the
revolving motion. The oscillating motion is obtained by securing ropes to the
platform g (Fig. 1) which are pulled down by men as the structure revolves, this
also assists in causing the structure or platform to revolve, and at the same time
oscillate.
The method of stopping the machine and securing same to outside stage k. which
may be either one, two, three, or four, in number as required, is as follows,
secured to the stage k. (Fig. 1) is a post on the platform g is a corresponding
post through the side of the platform g is a hole fitted with a haws pipe m
through which passes a rope or hawser n upon the end of which is formed a
loop n¹.
9
When required to stop the machine the speed is reduced the loop n' is thrown
over the post on the stage k and then lapped round the post on the platform g
and gradually slackened off through the haws pipe m which brings the platform up,
the rope is then gradually drawn in on the platform which bring the gangways o, o,
to the position shown in dotted lines, the rope n is then made secure, round the
post on the platform g, by means of there being similar arrangements at opposite
sides and all the ropes n being made secure at once the platform is made secure
from any movement either sideways, up, or down, during the process of loading and
unloading.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim as :-
1st. The combination and application of discs for the application of ball or roller
bearings to the rotary motion substantially and for the purposes set forth.
2nd. The combination & application of looks and stays, for obtaining the
Oscillating motion substantially and for the purposes set forth.
3rd. The combination and application of a ships wheel in connection with any
other suitable arrangement for producing the rotary motion substantially and as for
the purposes set forth.
4th. The combination and application of a hawspipe, rope, or hawser and the
stage and posts, for stopping and securing the machine during the process of
loading and unloading substantially and as for the purposes set forth.
5th. The combination and application of a revolving vertical pillar substantially
and as for the purposes set forth.
Dated this 26th day of duo 1905
WILLIAM PARKER.