Improvements in Cycle Roundabouts.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Feb., 1895-Accepted, 23rd Mar., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cycle Roundabouts.
I EDWARD INDEPENDENCE BRANNAN, of 302 West Cary Street, Richmond
in the County of Henrico, and State of Virginia, United States of America, Police
Officer 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 that class of apparatus, which includes " merry-go-
rounds," "flying horses and the like, used at fairs, picnic grounds, excursion
resorts &c., and it has for its object to provide an apparatus of this character,
simple and cheap in its construction, by which the rider can obtain all the advantages
of ordinary bicycle riding, without the danger of accidents, usually incident to this
class of amusement apparatus.
It has also for its object to provide an apparatus of this kind formed of sections
detachably connected in such a manner that the same can be quickly taken apart,
and stored up in a small compass for transportation from one point to another.
With other minor objects in view all of which will hereinafter appear, my
invention consists in the peculiar combination of parts and details of construction,
hereinafter fully described in the Specification and particularly pointed out in the
claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing in which:
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of my improved apparatus.
Figure 2 is a plan view of one of the sections, a portion of the track or bed, and
the turn post.
Figure 3 is a vertical section of the same on the line 3-3 Figure 2.
Figure 4 is an end elevation of one section.
Figure 5 is a detail view of one of the end supports or frames and
Figures 6 and 7 are detail views hereinafter referred to.
By referring to Figure 1 of the drawing it will be noticed my improved cycle
consists of a number of sections joined at their inner ends on a common axis or
central turn post, while their outer ends carry a plurality of yokes or supporting
frames, three being shown in the drawing, it being obvious however that a lesser or
greater number may be employed.
Each section A consists of the rods a a a', which radiate from a segment or
securing block B, dovetail in horizontal section which seats in a dovetail recess c in
the centre or turn post C, and such blocks are held in their seats by a removable
cap plate (1
The supporting frames D, one of which is shown in detail in Figure 5 are formed
each of a pair of parallel bars D* D* bent down at their ends as at d, in which
ends are hell clip blocks d', and intermediate of such ends are formed journal
bearing sockets dx which receive the axles of the bicycle wheels E E.
It should be stated, a pair of bicycle wheels are supported in each frame D, one
in advance of the other, the forward one E, being adapted for lady riders, while
the rear one is intended for gentlemen riders, such rear ones having the usual seat e,
crank axle and pedals e² as shown.
While I have not shown any special means for driving the front or ladies wheels,
I desire it understood, that in practice I may employ any of the ordinary means
for propelling such wheels, such as chain and sprocket devices. In some instances
instead of arranging the seats over the ladies wheels in the usual manner, the same
can be secured at a point between the pair of front wheels, in which case they
serve to form rests for children or inexperienced riders.

page_text: It will be observed by reference to Figure 3, that the central rod al projects out
in a horizontal plane from the turn post, and passes through the central portion of
the frame D, while the outer rods a a of each section A, project downward and
connect through the medium of an adjustable clip or nut G with the blocks d' in
the ends of the said frame D. By this construction it will be observed that at a
point between the front of the ladies wheel of one section and rear of the gents
wheel of the next section, a depression is forined by the bent end of the frame D
upon which is held a platform board H, which forms a low and convenient step
from which the riders can quickly vault onto the reats.
To provide means whereby the frames D can be quickly adjusted radially to and
from the turn post so as to keep the several sections in proper alignment, the ends
of the rods a a¹ are threaded, the rod a¹ passing through smooth apertures in the
centre of the frame D whereby such frame is adapted to be slid on such rod, it
being held to its adjusted position by the jamb nuts as a³. Any other means for the
same purpose, may however be employed, as for instance, the rod a¹ may be smooth,
and slidable collars movably held thereon by set screws may be used (see Figure 2).
By connecting the ends of the rod a to the swivel block G (see Fig. 6) and
connecting with it, the clip blocks d¹ but a single bolt need be used for securing
the adjacent ends of the sections together. The adjustment of the clip G on the
threaded rod is readily accomplished by withdrawing the bolts d', which secure the
clips in the ends of the frames D, and when drawn permit the block G and
the clip to turn about the rod.
The track J which may be a number of annular rings placed upon the ground or
a series of sections joined together, has its upper face tapered downward and inward
as at j, whereby a bevel track way is formed, which serves to hold the wheels from
an undue outward throw when the riders are on.
It will also be noticed in Fig. 3, that the sizes of the wheels decrease proportionally
to their relation to the turn post, the outer wheels being the largest and the inner
ones the smallest, the decline in size being indicated by the broken line in Fig. 3.
This construction has two advantages, first it provides for an equal rotation of
all the wheels at each complete revolution about the turn post, and secondly
provides irregular sizes to accommodate different sized riders.
Each of the wheels E E is journaled upon spring bearings L held in the
sockets (see Fig. 7) of the frames D, which serve to normally hold the wheels
to a very light contact with track, they being practically supported on the rods a a¹,
such arrangement serving to hold the empty wheels from frictional contact with
the track during the operation of the machine. To render the riding easy and to
allow for the use of cheaply constructed wheels having non yielding rims the
trackways have a yielding contact face M. The rods a a' are formed of sections
connected by turn buckles a³.
From the foregoing description taken in connection with the drawings the
advantages of my improved apparatus will readily appear, the same is exceedingly
simple, and effective and means are provided for connecting, disconnecting and
adjusting the several parts.
The riders can easily reach the seats on the wheels, great speed can be attained,
and all the wheels, large and small, making the same number of revolutions,
whereby an even momentum is maintained, and by inclining the track way as shown
the outward or tangential motion is largely overcome.
It is manifest that when necessary other power than foot power may be used, and
that the cycle can be constructed of as many sections as desired.
When ordinary bicycles, such as are now in general use are employed in
connection with the carrier devices, the downward extending arms a a are preferably
nade to engage the framing at or near the axles of the forward and rear wheels
and the central arm extending horizontally outward may engage the framing of
such bicycles at or near the handle bar.
I also desire it understood that when so desired, the seats can be placed on horse
or other animal dummies or frames supported by the cross frames D and made

page_text: hollow of stamped metal or other light material, with the under (or belly) portion
left open so that they may be readily placed over the wheels E E, thereby forming
seats for the riders, covering for the wheels and at the same time not interfering
with the treadles, chains, etc.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In combination, in an apparatus as described, the turn post, the circular track
way, the radiating supporting sections, including the frame D, the supporting
wheels, having a yielding bearing on such frame, whereby they are normally held
from contact with the track ways, as and for the purpose described.
2. In combination in an apparatus as described, the circular track way, having
yielding bearing face, the turn post, the radial supporting frames connected thereto,
and the wheels mounted in such frames for engagement with such track way, all
substantially as and for the purpose described.
3. In an apparatus as described, the combination with the circular track way
and the central turn post, of the radiating rods, arranged in sections, each con-
sisting of a central horizontal member a' and outer downwardly inclined members a a
the frame D centrally supported on the rod a¹ its ends bent downward and supported
on the rods a a, the wheels E E' journaled in such frames, and the platform H
supported on the downwardly bent ends of the frames D, all substantially as and
for the purpose described.
4. In an apparatus substantially as described, the combination with the circular
track way and the central turn post, of the radial rods a a¹ a, the wheel carrying
frames D, formed of a central portion adjustably supported on the rod a' said
frames consisting of parallel members bent down at their ends, clip blocks held in
such ends, the blocks G adjustably held on the ends of the rods a a and means for
connecting the clip blocks and the blocks G, all substantially as shown and
described.
5. In an apparatus as described, in combination, a circular track way having a
yielding bearing face, the turn post, the radial supports or frames projected
therefrom, the supporting wheels having non-yielding bearing faces mounted in the
supporting frames normally held from contact with the yielding faces of the
trackway, substantially as and for the purpose described.
6. In an apparatus substantially as described, the combination of the turn post,
the circular track way and the radial arms projected from the turn post and the
wheel supporting frames mounted on the said radial arns, each formed of a plurality
of concentrically arranged sections, each having yielding bearings, and the
supporting wheels arranged in a series in radial alignment and independently
journaled in such frame sections, whereby as one wheel of each series is depressed
by the weight of the rider, the remaining wheels in such section will be held
from light frictional contact with the track way, all as and for the purposes
described.
1 Th 1
1000
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.