Improvements in Rowing Boat and Pleasure Car Roundabouts, and in Machinery for Working the same.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Sept., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 23rd June, 1890-Accepted. 26th July, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rowing Boat and Pleasure Car Roundabouts, and
in Machinery for Working the same.
I, WILLIAM HENRY DUNCAN, of Coalbrookdale, in the County of Shropshire, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN ROWING
BOAT AND PLEASURE CAR ROUNDABOUTS, AND IN MACHINERY FOR WORKING THE
SAME to be as follows:-
My invention relates to roundabouts, suitable for the development and improvement
of bodily strength and grace, and for pleasure or recreation; and consists of arrange-
ments of boats or cars, connected to the circumference of a horizontal rotating platform,
on which may be worked, rocking horses actuated by the revolving machinery, and
the said platform may be furnished with seats, swans, and the like.
The power required to work this machine, is obtained from a part of the number of
riders, using the same, and the action is an imitation of the action of rowing with
oars.
This rowing action is applicable also to the working of cars, or boats, which have
undulating, as well as rotating motion, as described in my patent No. 12923 of 1888.
I will first describe this invention in detail, consisting of the rotating horizontal
platform, and its working, and then show how the same action is applied, to work the
arrangements described in my former patent.
A base, formed of wood or other suitable material, has a central plate, bolted to its
upper side. This plate is provided with a footstep, which may be fitted with balls to
form a ball bearing for the lower end of a vertical shaft. The said plate is made
adjustable to set the shaft vertical, should the base rest, on slightly sloping ground.
Fixed in suitable positions on this plate are a set of three, or more columns to the top
of which is connected a toothed bevil wheel. This wheel is provided with a central
boss, through which the vertical shaft passes. The hole through the boss of the said.
wheel may be fitied as a ball bearing, to reduce the friction of the machine. In
convenient position near the latter ball bearing, the said vertical shaft is fitted with a
driving casting. This casting is arranged to carry a number of toothed pinion wheels,
and to keep the same in proper gear, with the said bevil wheel. The top of this
driving casting, is plate-like in form, and is provided with a set of bolts, or studs in
proper positions for connecting to it the beams of the platform. The shafts carrying
the said pinions, pass through holes in the driving casting, and are placed to radiate
with the central shaft. These shafts are prolonged to near the periphery of the plat-
form, and their ends are provided with cranks, carried by cross beams, connected to
the framing. These radiating shafts are generally worked under the platform. The
central shaft of the machine is carried above the surface of the platform, to a convenient
height to support the inner ends of trussing rods for strengthening the machine.
These trussing rods are connected to a casting fitted on the top of the shaft, and their
outer ends, are made fast to the beams of the platform. The said casting is provided
with a tablo of suitable size for carrying an organ, which is played by a cord, or belt
worked by a pulley on one of the radiating shafts.
Round this platform, the boats or cars, are placed, and are carried by the trussed
beams, by projections made fast to the boat ends.
Each boat is fitted with a lever-like oar, the inner end of which, is hinged to the
framing and near the outer end, is an eye, or link and connecting rod, arranged to
operate the cranks, on the ends of the said radiating shafts. The said oars, are made
to work in grooves attached to the boats, for the purpose of neutralizing the angularity
of the said connecting rods. The boats are provided with seats placed in convenient
position for the oars being used by the riders, when seated in the boats. These oars

page_text: may be used in one or in both directions. When the pulling action only is preferred
the momentum of the revolving platform, and the boats carried thereby, causes the
return stroke of the oar, to be easily performed.
This arrangement is shown by the drawing on sheet No. 1, in which Fig. 1 is a
sectional elevation, and Fig. 2 is a sectional plan.
The letters of reference are alike in both views, and the arrangement is such, that
by describing the parts, in connection with one of the series of boats, the whole will
be understood, because all the boats in the ring-are worked alike.
A. in every case of the reference letters, is the boat. B. is the beam forming a
portion of the framing of the platform C. D, and D' are triangular pieces of timber
bolted to the ends of the framing beams B. for the purpose of causing the framing to
fit the ends E. and E' of the boats A. F is the rowing seat of the boat A. and
opposite to this seat F. is another seat F situated at the opposite end. The seat F. is
placed in convenient position for the our G. to be used by a person seated on the
seat F:
The oar G. is pivoted to the framing beam B. at the point B' and after
passing under the adjoining beam of the framing, has its end guided in nearly a
horizontal plane, by working in a slot, formed in the tie beam H. which connects the
beams together, that compose the framing of the platform, and are in succession lied,
by similar H beams. The beams H are also used to carry plummer blocks. I. which
form the bearings, near the outer ends of the crank shafts J. The cranks J are fitted
with crank pins L. to which one end of a connecting rod M. is fitted, and the opposite
end of the connecting rod M is fitted to the oar link N. The connecting rod M is
furnished at each end with an universal joint, to admit of the crank L rotating in a
vertical plane, while the oar link N. in its stroke, forms, the arc of a circle, by being
pivoted at the point B. The inner end of the crank shaft J is carried by pro-
jections O. and which are made fast, to the driving casting. The crank shaft, at
this part, is fitted with a pinion wheel Q. which gears into a fixed wheel R. This fixed
wheel R. is carried, either by pillars S. S¹ and S² which are bolted to the base plate T.
or the wheel R. may be carried by a central pillar, connected to the centre of the base
plate T. A toe or foot bearing U carries the bottom end of a vertical central shaft V.
This shaft V passes through the boss of the fixel wheel R. and through the centre of
the driving casting P. to which latter the shaft V is keyed. The said central shaft, V.
is continued upwards, a convenient distance to form a support for a set of trussing
rods, W. the inner ends of which are connected to a casting X. fitted on the top of
the shaft. V. These trussing rods, W. have their outer ends marie fast to near the
outer ends of the beams B. for strengthening the platform. The casting X is made
flat on the top, for the purpose of carrying an organ, or other musical instrument.
This organ Z is played by a belt Z' which is driven by a pulley Z keyed on one of
the crank shafts J. The base plate T is bolted to a timber cross piece Z which rests
on the ground.
The action of the machine is as follows. The platform C. and ring of boats A are
rotated slightly by one or more persons, standing on the ground and moving same
with their hands (if the cranks should happen to stop in line with the connecting rods).
A pull or push is then given by those soated in the boats, to the oars which produce
the required movement, by rotating the ranks J and crank shafts J. which give
motion to the pinion wheels Q. gearing into the fixed wheel R. The shafts of all the
pinion wheels give a side force to the driving casting by which it is transmitted to the
.platform, and rotates the ring of boats, and the rowers therein.
The said rowing action may be applied to work the boats and cars having undulating,
as well as rotating motion as described in my former patent (referred to in this
specification) by providing universal joints at that part of the radiating shafts, where
the said shafts approach the driving casting which carries the bevel pinion wheels,
and also providing hinged bearings, pivoted to the sides. of the boats. The cranks in
this case have two arms being double bent, and are pivoted at the end of the shaft, so
that the boats may remain level, while the shafts incline.
The undulations of the overhead frame, are given by two cranks driven by spur
gearing, the driving pinion being keyed on the radiating shaft at the universal

page_text: joint, near to the driving casting. The oars are worked in grooves or slots with
rounded edges, to admit of the rising and falling of the boats as they are carried
round by the rotating of the overhead frame, while it oscillates on the globe as
described in my former specification referred previously to.
This arrangement is shown by the accompanying drawing on sheet No. 2, in
which Fig. 1. is a sectional elevation, and Fig. 2. is a sectional plan.
The letters and figures of reference are alike in both views, and the arrange-
meni is such that by describing the parts in connection with one boat in the
series, the whole will be understood, because all the boats or cars are worked by
the same action of rowing alike.
Referring to Sheet No 2. A in every case is the car, boat, or other vehicle in which
the riders are seated. B is the rowing seat, and at the opposite end of the boat,
is another seat B. C is the oar. The oar works in a groove formed on the
side of the boat, and shown at D. The guiding groove for the oar C. has rounded
edges as stated which admit of the boat rising and falling while the onr is sliding
in the groove. The inner end of the oar ( has an universal joint which connects
it to the centre portion of the machine, and admits of its being moved backwards
and forwards and rising and falling at its outer end, at same time. At the point E.
of the oar C. is a connecting rod F. with universal joint at each end, and that
end of the rod F opposite to the oar is attached to the crank G. formed in the
crank shaft G'. The outer end of the crank shaft G is worked in a pivoted
bearing G connected to the side of the boat. This bearing admits of the rising
and falling while the crank and shaft is revolving in a horizontal or in a slanting
position. The inner end of the crank shaft G is fitted with an universal joint H.
The half of this joint is fitted on a short shaft G and is worked in the driving
casting and provided with a pinion wheel gearing with the fixed wheel K.
The wheel K is carried by the pillars L. L1 and L. These pillars are made
fast to the base plate M. This plate is bolted to the cross timbers N. and N¹
forming the base of the machine: which rests on the ground. At the ends of the
These tie rods are
cross timbers N. and N' are four tie rods 0. 0' 0° and 0.
made fast to the base, at their outer ends, and the inner ends of the said rods
are connected to the top of the pillars L. L L and L for the purpose of steadying
the machine, when working. At the centre of the base plate M is a toe bearing, P.
This bearing P carries the bottom end of the vertical shaft which passes through,
and works loose in the centre boss of the fixed wheel K. and passes through and
is keyed fast to the lower driving casting and upper driver l' and terminates
in a ball at the top; which ball is fitted by a socket 1 connected to the
overhead frame R. The ball socket 13 is provided with a trussing central
support to the upper end of which, the trussing rods S. S to S7 are connected.
The outer ends of the trussing rods are made fast to the beans of the overhead
frame R, at points in connection with the suspending links T. and suspending
rods T which connect the cars to the revolving and oscillating overhead frame R.
A spur pinion wheel U is fitted on two of the universal joints which give motion
to the bevel pinion wheels J. The spur pinion wheels are situated at right angles
to each other, on lines crossing the centre of the ball 1. The spur pinions give
motion to two spur wheels V. which drive two cranks V and V. These cranks
are fitted with connecting rods and V (which latter is not shown in the
sectional elevation, being situated in that part cut off by the section). The upper.
ends of the connecting rod Vs is fitted with an universal joint V and attached to
the beam of the overhead frame R. the pull and push of the two connecting
rods V and V acting at the same time, as the overhead frame R is driven round
by the driving castings I and 'cause the cars to revolve and to oscillate, pro-
ducing a motion like the motion of a switch-back railway.
To prevent centrifugal motion causing the train of cars to swing out of level,
cords W and Ware attached to near the ends of each car and inde fast to the
centre part of the revolving machine or the boats may be connected together by
a hoop.

page_text: The action of this machine is as follows.
The train is moved slightly round by hand, should the cranks happen to stop
in line with the connecting rods. The oars are then worked which gives motion
to the vertical shaft Q by the pinions gearing with the fixed wheel K, this causes
the overhead frame to revolve by the driver acting on the beams which take with
them the train of cars and at same time the spur pinions giving motion to the
spur wheels V and crank V the overhead frame is made to oscillate, and the
combination of the two motions, oscillating and revolving, give to the cars and
riders therein, the switch-back effect.
Dated this 23rd day of September 1889.
WILLIAM HENRY DUNCAN.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rowing Boat and Pleasure Car Roundabouts, and
in Machinery for Working the same.
I, WILLIAM HENRY DUNCAN, of Coalbrookdale, in the County of Salop, Civil
Engineer, 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 roundabouts, suitable for the development, and improve-
ment of bodily strength and grace, and for pleasure, or recreation.
The said invention consists of arrangements of boats, or cars, connected to the
circumference of a circular horizontal, or oscillating frame. The said frame may be
either covered, on its upper surface, with boarding or left open to expose the
machinery situated below it.
In addition to the set of boats, this frame may be furnished with rocking horses,
actuated by the machinery; and it may also be furnished with seats, swans, and the
like, and may be covered with an awning.
41.
The said frame, with its set of boats &c. is made to revolve round on a centre, by
the action of rowing in the boats, and it is also made to oscillate on a globe centre, by
the same action of rowing, so as to cause its boats to rise and fall, the same as boats
do, when they are being rowed over the waves of the sea.
The latter action, which causes the boats to rise and fall, when being rowed round,
is similar to the movement used to cause undulations in my steam roundabouts and
is described in my patent No. 12923 of 1888.
I will first describe my present invention in detail, as applied to imitate the
rowing of pleasure boats, on smooth water, and then show how the same rowing
action is applied to represent the motion of boats rowed on the sea waves.
A base made of wood or other suitable material, has a centre casting bolted on its
upper side.
The said casting is adjustable in a vertical direction, by resting on a curved central
surface of the base, so that it can be fixed upright, and secured by bolts, should the
supporting base rest on sloping ground.
This central casting is made of suitable form to receive a vertical shaft, which
works in a deep socket, provided with proper toe bearing.
Near the upper end of the said casting, is a flange, to which is fixed the rim of a
bevel toothed wheel, in suitable position to gear with a set of bevel toothed pinion
wheels, which are driven by shafts from the set of boats. These pinion wheels are
kept in proper gear, with the fixed wheel, by a suitable formed casting, keyed on the
vertical shaft. The said casting is also arranged, to connect together, the inner ends
of the beams of the framing; it also forms a brake wheel for arresting the motion of
the machine when required.
The said pinion shafts are furnished with a crank at the outer end, situated near
to the boats, and are carried by cross beams connected to the framing:
The centre shaft of this machine extends above the surface of the frame to a

page_text: convenient height, to support the inner ends of trussing rods, for strengthening the
machine. The said rods are connected to a top casting fitted on the upper end of the
vertical shaft, and their outer ends are made fast to the outer portion of the beams,
forming the framing.
The said top casting is provided with a table, of suitable size, for carrying an organ,
or other musical instrument which is played by a cord or belt, worked by a pulley,
on one of the driving shafts.
Round this circular frame, the set of boats are placed, and securely connected to
the trussed beams.
Each boat is fitted with seats, and with a lever-like oar, placed in convenient
position to be used by one or more of the persons seated in the boats.
The inner end of this oar is pivoted to the framing, and near the outer end is an
eye-bolt, and connecting rod, suitably arranged to operate the crank on the end of the
said driving shaft.
The said oars are worked in grooves attached to the framing, for the purpose of
neutralizing the angularity of the said connecting rods.
The said oars may be used in one or in both directions, when the pulling action
only is preferred, the momentum of the moving frame, causes the return stroke of the
oar, to be easily performed.
Near the periphery of the machine a pedestal and hand wheel are fixed. The said
hand wheel works a vertical shaft, which is carried by the said pedestal. At the lower
end of this shaft, is a mitre wheel which gears with a similar wheel, fixed on the end
of a horizontal shaft. This latter shaft is carried in a suitable plummer block, fitted
on the pedestal, and is continued below the boats to near the centre of the machine,
where its end is formed into a screw, and carried by a box, on the lower end of a
vertical lever, whose upper end is furnished with a segment of wood, or other suitable
material, which is pressed against the casting carrying the pinion wheels, and arrests
the motion of the machine when required.
I will now describe the movement, secured to me by my steam roundabout patent
No. 12923 of 1888, in its application to this hand worked rowing machine to produce
wave-like oscillations in the set of boats.
°
The frame of this wave machine, is carried by a globe, formed on the top of the
vertical shaft. The boats are pivoted at their ends, and the driving shafts are
furnished with universal joints which admit of the said boats rising and falling with
only slight alterations in their transverse level, while they vary longitudinally with
the motion of the machine.
Oscillation is given to the frame, and set of boats by two cranks, carried round by
the casting keyed on the central shaft.
The said cranks are placed in positions at right angles to the centre of the machine,
and are fixed on their respective shafts, at right angles to each other. Both these
shafts are fitted with bevel pinion wheels which gear into a second fixed wheel, which
is bolted lower down the central casting of the machine.
Two connecting rods, fitted with universal joints, transmit the motions of these
cranks, to the frame carrying the boats, and in combination with the rotative move-
ment, give to the boats the wave-like effect.
A band wheel brake, similar to that before described, is placed in convenient
position, to arrest the motion of the machine, as often as required.
Referring to my drawings, sheet No. 1 shows my improved rowing roundabout,
immitating smooth water rowing.
Fig. 1, is a sectional elevation and Fig. 2 is a sectional plan.
The letters of reference are alike in both views, and, the arrangements are such,
that by describing the parts in connection with one of the boats, the whole will be
understood. because all the boats in the set are alike.
A in overy case of the reference letters, is the boat. B is a beam forming part of
the framing. C is the boarding or covering for the said frame.
D and Dare
triangular pieces of timber bolted to the frame B, for the purpose of causing the
framing to fit properly to the boat ends E and E¹. F is the rowing seat of the

page_text: boat A, and opposite to the sent F is another seat F, situated at the other end of the
boat. The seat F. is placed in convenient position, for the oar G. to be used by a
person seated on the sent. The said oar is pivoted at its inner end to the beam of
the frame, at the point B, and after passing under the adjoining beam, it is guided
in nearly a horizontal plane, by working in a slot or groove, formed in the beam E,
which ties the framing together.
The beam H is also used to carry a plummer block I, which carries the outer end
of the crank shaft. J. The crank J' is fitted with a crank pin L, which is operated
by the connecting rod M. from the oar link N. The connecting rod M. is furnished
with an universal joint to admit of the pin L rotating in a nearly vertical plane, while
the oar link N, in its stroke, forms the are of a circle, by the oar being pivoted at the
point B. The inner end of the crank shaft J. is carried by the casting O. The shaft
at this part, is fitted with the pinion P, which gears into the fixed wheel R, carried by
the central casting S. A toe bearing T. carries the vertical shaft U. which is continued
upwards a convenient distance to form a support for a set of trussing rods V. the ends
of which are connected to a top casting W. These trussing rots have their outer
ends made fast to near the outer ends of the beams B. for strengthening the frame,
which carries the set of boats.
The top casting W. has a suitable table for carrying the organ Y. which is played
by the cord Z. from the pulley Z. The entire machine is carried by the timber
base Z³ which rests on the ground. Z is the arresting brake.
The action of the machine is as follows.
The frame B and train of boats A. are rotated slightly by the attendant, standing
on the ground, and moving the frame with his hands, (should the machine happen to
stop with the cranks in line with the connecting rods) or one of the cranks may be
set at right angles to the others. A pull or push is then given to the oars, by the
persons seated in the boats, which produces the required movement of the machine,
by the connecting rods M. rotating the cranks J which give motion through the
shafts to the pinions P. The pinion wheels P gear with the fixed wheel R. When
working the shafts, all the pinions give a side force to the casting O. which causes
the frame of the machine to rotate, and give to the boats a gliding motion, as on
Smooth water.
Referring to my drawings sheet No. 2, which illustrates the action of boats rowed
over the waves of the sea,
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation, and fig. 2 is a plan, part in section.
The letters and figures are alike in both views.
A is the boat. B is the frame. O the covering for same. D is the boats' end
pivot. D is the hearing for the pivot. F and F the boat seats. G is the oar. H is
the tee beam of the frame. J is the crank shaft. J the crank, which in the wave
machine is formed with two arms. L is a pivoted bearing, connected to the boat to
carry the end of the crank shaft, in which the crank not only rotates, but slides
slightly endways, as the boats rise and fall. M is the connecting rod, attached to the
oar by the link N. O is the casting carrying the pinions P; the oscillating cranks O*
and & also forming the brake wheel. 03 and 0 are the connecting rods, fitted
with universal joints to transmit the motions of the two cranks, with their proper
relative proportions of throw, to the frame B. P is the pinion wheel, gearing into the
fixed wheel R, which is bolted on the central casting S. This casting is also fitted
with a second fixed wheel R', for rotating the oscillating cranks 0 and 0, by gearing
with the pinions P¹. An adjustable toe bearing T. is fitted in the bottoin of the
central casting S. to admit of the shaft U being raised when worn at end, so that the
wheels may be kept working right depth in gear. The said shaft U. is furnished at
the top with a globe U¹, on which the frame B oscillates, in all directions in obedience
to the motion of the cranks 0 and 0. The crank shafts J. are furnished with
universal joints situated close to the casting O, which admit of the boats rising and
falling: That portion of the shaft, which passes through the pinion P. is carried by
the two bearings P³ and P U is a casting arranged to unite together the inner
ends of the beams B. and this casting is furnished with a hollow globular centre, the

page_text: interior portion of which, fits on the globe, formed on the top of the vertical shaft U.
which admits of the frame oscillating in all directions as required. U is a plate, used
to assist in securing the ends of the framing beams, to the casting U. Z is the
brake, fitted with suitable hand wheel Z, communicating motion to the segment of
wood Z, through the screw on the end of the horizontal shuft Z and vertical
lever Z*.
The action of the machine is as follows.
The frame B and boats, A are set in motion as before described, in respect to the
smooth water rowing machine, and at same time, the two cranks 0 and 0' receive motion
by their shafts being carried round with the pinions P¹ gearing with the wheel R.
The said cranks act on the frame, through the connecting rods 0 and 0, and cause it
to rise and fall continuously in all directions, which motions in combination with the
rotating movement produce the wave-like effect on the set of boats as required.
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 is
First. I claim in respect to roundabouts, the use of an oar, or lever, furnished with
a connecting rod, fitted with universal joints, suitably arranged to work a crank to
communicate motion by the means of a straight or jointed shaft, to a toothed wheel,
gearing with a fixed wheel, for the purpose of driving a frame, with a sot of boats, or
cars, placed in connection, with the said frame.
Second. In a roundabout the use of a set of boats, fitted with lever-like oars,
suitably arranged to be moved, to and fro, by persons seated in the said boats,
for the purpose of propelling the same round, in a circular plane, or in an undulating
course.
Third. In a roundabout, the use of a table, formed on the top of a vertical central
rotating shaft, for the purpose of carrying a musical instrument, arranged to he
played by the action of rowing, as described and illustrated.
Fourth. In a roundabout, the use of a brake, for arresting the motion of the
machine, with the means of operating the same, placed in convenient position, outside
the circumference of the machine.
Fifth. In a hand worked roundabout the means described for setting the frame, in
an horizontal plane, when the base is fixed on sloping ground.
Sixth. In a hand worked roundabout, the use of an undulating frame, oscillating on
a globular centre, the said frame being fitted with a train of boats, or cars, pivoted at
their ends, for the purpose of producing wave-like movements, in the set of boats,
when the said boats, are put in motion, by the action of rowing, with oars, sub-
stantially as illustrated, and described.
Seventh. In a hand worked roundabout the use of two cranks, set at right angles to
the centre of the machine, and fixed on their respective shafts, at right angles to each
other; the said cranks being fitted with suitably jointed rods, to convey to the frame
and boats, their motions, in combination with the rotative motion before described;
the entire movement being produced by the action of rowing.
Eighth. In a hand worked roundabout, the means illustrated and described, for
working a set of boats round in a horizontal plane; also for rotating and oscillating
the said boats, for the purpose of producing a smooth gliding, or a rough wave-like
movement in the said boats.
Ninth. The general construction, arrangement, and combination of parts, forming
my improved rowing, or hand worked roundabont, applied and operating, substantially
as described, and shown on the drawings, and for the purposes set forth.
Dated this 21st day of June 1890.
WILLIAM HENRY DUNCAN.