MONOCYCLE, ROUNDABOUTS
Year: 1885

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ELIJAH FRANCIS Mechanic 6 Stone Terrace Storer Street Nottingham, ZARRAH
JETHRO FRANCIS Potters Printer 1 Manchester Street Nottingham do hereby.
declare the nature of our invention for A MONOCYCLE, ROUNDABOUTS, to be as
follows:-
a
A stage cylindrical formed, a small distance from the ground, being supported,
by packing, with bolts, screws, and nuts, the same to be garded, by railes, &
mounted by steps, when fixt, The monocycle to run on said stage, the rider to
sit inside, of monocycle, male or female practizing the driving of same the round-
abouts to be, started, & stopt, by steam, being kept erect by cross bars and forks
projection, on either sides of monocycle; the top to be covered with canvass.)
Dated this 80th day of October 1885.

page_text: We CHARLOTTE FRANCIS administratrix of the late Elijah Francis, Mechanic
of 6 Stone Terrace, Storer Street, Nottingham, and ZARRAH JETHRO FRANCIS,
Potters Printer of 1 Manchester Street Nottingham, 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 consists in the combination of a monocycle or a series thereof
substantially such as described in specification of Letters Patent granted to us and
numbered 4628 A.D. 1885 and in subsequent provisional specifications numbered
respectively 3302. A.D 1886 and 3854 A.D. 1886 with apparatus for keeping
the same erect and causing them to travel around a circular track, the whole
constituting what is commonly known as a "roundabout."
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a monocycle roundabout and Figure 2,
is a vertical section thereof.
Each monocycle consists of a large wheel A connected by spokes A¹ to two
smaller circular rims or wheels A³ arranged concentrically on each side of the large
wheel A at some distance apart, the distance being preserved by means of bars or
stays A. The rim of the wheel A is furnished with an india rubber tyre in the
usual manner. Inside the wheel A is the framing B which carries two driving
wheels C one only of which is visible in the drawing. The rims of these wheels
are grooved and rest on the rims A². The axis of the wheels C carries a chain
wheel C¹ geared by means of a chain C with a second chain wheel C³.supported
in bearings C attached to the frame B. The axis of the wheel C³ is cranked and
provided with pedals C³. The frame B also supports the saddle D the 'handle D¹
to enable the rider to steady himself and the two pairs of guide wheels E and E¹.
F is the engine around the funnel F¹ of which revolve the radial arms G and
from the ends of the arms the monocycles are suspended by means of forked links
or connecting rods H and H¹ which are connected to the monocycles by means of
the axes of the guide wheels E and E¹.
In order to impart rigidity to the connecting rods and prevent the machines
from lagging behind the radial arms a diagonal tie rod H' is connected to the top
of the leading rod H and to the bottom of the following rod H¹.
The radial arms are arranged at such distances apart that suitable spaces are
left between the monocycles which are not attached to each other in any way.
The track around which the monocycles travel consists of a raised circular
platform J fenced in on both sides by railings K suitable openings being left and
step ladders provided to admit the riders. The platform which is constructed of
wood is supported by joists J' resting upon a wood foundation J', the different
parts being securely bolted together. In order that it may be conveniently trans-
ported the track is formed in segments of suitable size which can be readily bolted
together or it may be so constructed as to take to pieces entirely. The platform J
is by preference higher at the outer edge than the inner to allow for the effect of
centrifugal force when the "roundabout" is travelling at a quick speed in which
case if the track were level, the divergence from the vertical position would cause
the machines to leave it entirely and simply "swing" round with the radial arms.

page_text: As a certain amount of divergence is to be expected in roundabouts of this con-
struction the track is made wider than usual and the hinges H* which connect the
rods H and H to the radial arms G are constructed so as to open outwards.
In a roundabout of this description two or more rows of monocycles may be
used and the motive power may be obtained either from a steam engine aided by
the efforts of the riders or the engine may be dispensed with and the propelling
power be supplied by the riders alone.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our, said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that
what we claim is:-
1. The entire apparatus or monocycle "roundabout" consisting of a number of
monocycles such as A supported by radial arms G and resting upon a track or
platform such as J substantially as specified and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
2. In an apparatus such as described the method of supporting monocycles such
as A by connecting rods H and H¹ hinged to radial arms G so as to be capable of
opening outwards and strengthened by tie rods H' substantially as specified and
shown in the accompanying drawings.
3. In an apparatus such as described the combination with monocycles A sup-
ported by rods H and H¹ hinged to radial arms G in such manner as to open
outwards, of an inclined track J in manner and for the purpose substantially as
herein specified and illustrated in the accompanying sheet of drawings.