A New or Improved Pedestal for Equilibrium and Trick Performances.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 26th May, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 17th June, 1891-Accepted, 15th Aug., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Pedestal for Equilibrium and Trick
Performances.
I, ALBERT SMITH, performing as "Letta" of 88, Mayfield Road, Dalston in
the County of Middlesex, Equilibrist do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a new or improved construction of pole or support for
gymnastic or acrobatic performances the object being to provide an upright
standing pole with steps thereon and means for support at the upper end such as a
disc or small platform upon which a performer may find resting place whilst
executing gymnastic or acrobatic performances or tricks of dexterity, but the said
pole or support may be readily portable and can be erected ready for use from
place to place in open spaces such as at recreation grounds, fairs or upon the
platform or stage of places of amusement such as music halls and so forth.
The pole or central columnar support may be made in lengths or sections and to
telescope into one another or not according to the height from the ground at which
the performance has to take place. Around the lower portion or base portion of the
pole or column to a collar is to be pinned or jointed curved legs the curve whereof
is to be a downward inward sweeping curve for about one fourth of the length or
distance from the ground, and then a reverse curve outward and to the ground
terminating in claws or feet-say four of such legs standing around the central
columnar support which terminates in a disc or shoc at the ground and rests there
supported by the aid of the legs. Cross bars standing across between and pinned
to the legs opposite to each other, will substantially complete the means of
upholding the pole when set up for the purpose of performance.
Upon ring pieces or standing out from the pole or column are cars to which are
hinged shoes or plates standing out radially from the pole these said shoes or plates
being capable of folding upwards, upon their hinge pins, when not in use or during
transport but forming steps standing out from the pole whereby the performer may
reach the disc or platform upon the head of the pole.
When the device is intended to be used the legs and tie pieces will be unfolded
and extended and the steps be turned down into their outstanding position, the
pole, when made telescopic being held in its extended condition by clamping screws
or collars.
When the pole is removed from place to place the parts will be folded together
into comparatively small space.
Tanted thin och 1
HUGHES, ELI & HUGHES,
76, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Pedestal for Equilibrium and Trick
Performances.
I, ALBERT SMITH performing as Letta of 88 Mayfield Road, Dalston, in the
County of Middlesex, Equilibrist, 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 a new or improved construction of pedestal, pole or

page_text: support for gymnastic or acrobatic performances, the object being to provide an
upright standing pedestal with steps thereon and means for support at the upper
end, such as a disc or small platform upon which a performer may find resting place
whilst executing gymnastic or acrobatic performances or tricks of dexterity, but the
said pole or support may be readily portable and can be erected ready for use
from place to place in open spaces such as at recreation grounds, fairs or upon the
platform or stage of places of amusement such as music-halls and so forth.
The pole or central column or support may be made in lengths or sections and to
telescope into one another or not according to the height from the ground at which
the performance has to take place.
The construction of the parts forming the pedestal and the means of supporting
the pole and adjusting the pedestal to inequalities of the grounds or platform upon
which the same may be set up, together with the folding means for securing
portability will be particularly ascertained by the following description, reference
being had to the accompanying drawings wherein
Figure 1 represents the pedestal erected and the dotted lines in said figure
indicate the positions occupied by the parts when folded for packing or transport.
Figure 1 shews the adjustable foot of the pole in detached view partially in
section.
Figure 2 represents in plan the ring clips and shoes or plates constituting the
steps for mounting the pole and Figure 3 is a side view of saine.
a is the pole or central column or support shewn here with the telescoping upper
portion a'. The base plate or foot a² of the pole is adjustable by means of a male
and female screw or socket such as is shewn at a³ in Figure 14. is a collar
capable of sliding and being fixed in position upon pole a, by a tightening screw, to
which collar are articulated the upper ends of the specially curved legs c, said
upper portion of the legs being formed of a downward and inward sweeping curved
portion for about one fourth of the distance from the ground and then the reversely
outward curved portion terminates in feet or plates e¹.
It will be seen that the spread of the legs will be regulated by the position of the
collar upon the pole and there are provided cross bars d jointed to the legs at one
end at c² and at the other extremity to a movable collar e..
The legs, represented here as four, standing out opposite to each other around
the central column or support, will adjust themselves to any inequalities of the
platform or stage upon which the device is erected aided by the foot plate a³, so
substantially completing the means of upholding the pole when set up for the
purpose of performance.
When the pedestal is to be taken down, the joint pins at e² will be removed and
the bars d will fold down and the legs can fold up against the pole a as indicated
by the dotted lines in Figure 1.
The plate fat the summit of the pole may be as required. The step fittings for
the pole are shewn in detail in Figures 2 and 3, g being spring straps fitting loosely
upon the pole a but capable of being clamped thereto at any required height or
distance apart, by the screw pins / which said pins also serve as joint pins for the
hinged step-plates i. which said step plates may be folded up against the pole when
packed but will stand out radially from the pole in horizontal position by the
bearing of the tail piece i¹ against the pole a when same is erected for use.
The pole a when made telescopic will be held in its extended condition by
clamping screws or collars or cross pin inserted in poles as at a*.
Having thus 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
1. The pedestal for gymnastic and trick performances having the column or
pole a. a a² with collar and legs c, with adjustable stay bars and supports
and e, as and for the purpose herein set forth.
d

page_text: 2. The pedestal a. a' a² b. c. d. and their connections with steps g. h. i. capable of
adjustment, as and for the purpose herein specified.
Dated this 17th day of June 1891.
HUGHES, ELI & HUGHES,
76, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.