An Improved Roundabout, Rising and Falling on a Central Tower or Column.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd June, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Mar., 1890-Accepted, 17th May, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Roundabout, Rising and Falling on a Central Tower or
Column.
I HENRY WILLIAM ROBINSON of 25 S. Georges Avenue Northampton in the
County of Northampton Dairy-Farmer &c. do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved roundabout and is intended more espically to
represent a captive balloon, or balloons, the cars having a rotary action from a
central tower or column-also rising and falling on the said tower-thus producing
to the occupants of the cars the sensation of a voyage in mid-air without the amount
of danger and expense of such voyage.
In carrying out my invention I proceed as follows, I form a central tower or
column of wood, iron, or any combination of matrial suitable, the same being braced
Where
or fixed together in any maner calculated to give strength to the structure.
the tower is intended as a fixture, or to remain for a season the base or foundations
are well fixed in the ground-But where manufactured on a small scale to travel
from place to place-the base of the tower would sometimes consist of the engine
trolly-side-supports or wire or other stays being used where necessary or convenient
in either case. I then form a collar the shape of the outside of the tower or column
provided with wheels to run on the same-this collar has fixed to it, a small circular
platform. 1 then form a second collar to move round the first, having wheels to run
on the platform and wheels or rollers between the two collars-to this second or
outer collar I fix the rafters or spars, being somewhat similar in shape to a bicycle
wheel placed horizontally, at the edge of which are placed the cars, the rafters can be
covered like-unto an ordinary roundabout tilt, or small inflated bags or other means to
represent a balloon placed over each car, and the rafters left bare.
In the centre of the tower I place a weight about equal to the weight of the
balloons, cars, and occupants. The collars and the said weight being connected by
chains or cables passing over wheels at the top and bottom of the tower, the chains
passing over the lower wheels should be ladder chains the wheels being shaped to
correspond thereto.
The engine or other motive power is placed at the base of the tower and on causing
the lower wheels to revolve the balloons travel up and down the said tower. The
rotary action is obtained by an extra chain or cable working on a spindle with cogs
and circular ratchet at the collars. Brakes, or other means of controlling the speed
can be used if required.
The cars on being loaded, are caused to revolve round the tower, and as the balloons
ascend, the weight in the centre of the said tower decends, and on the balloons
decending the weight ascends thus equalizing the strain on the engine. A seperate
motive power can be used at the collars to cause the rotary action if electric power
is used, or if desirable, the weight can also be used as a lift to ascend the top of the
tower.
1000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Roundabout, Rising and Falling on a Central Tower or
Column.
I, HENRY WILLIAM ROBINSON of 25 S. George's Avenue, Northampton in the
County of Northampton Dairy Farmer &c. do hereby declare the nature of this
CD11

page_text: 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 an Improved Roundabout, and is intended more especially
to represent a captive balloon or balloons.
The cars having a rotary action from a central tower or pillar; also rising and
falling on the said tower; thus producing to the occupants of the cars, the sensation
of a voyage in mid-air, without that amount of danger and expense accompanying
such voyage.
In carrying out my Invention I proceed as follows,—
I form a central tower or column of wood iron, or any combination of material
suitable, the same being braced or fixed together in any manner calculated to give
strength to the structure.
Where the tower is intended as a fixture, or to remain for a season, the base or
foundations are well fixed in the ground, but where manufactured on a small scale to
travel from place to place, the base of the tower would sometimes consist of the
engine trolly, side supports or wire or other stays being used where necessary or
convenient in either case. I then form a collar the shape of the outside of the
tower or column provided with wheels to run on the same, this collar has fixed to it
a small circular platform. I then form a second collar to move round the first
having wheels to run on the platform and wheels or rollers between the two collars.
To this second or outer collar I fix the rafters or spars being somewhat similar io
shape to a bicycle wheel placed horizontally at the edge of which are placed the cars.
The rafters can be covered like unto an ordinary roundabout tilt; or small inflated
bags or other means to represent a balloon placed over each car and the rafters left
bare.
In the centre of the tower I place a weight, about equal to the weight of the
balloons, cars, and occupants, the collars and the said weight being connected by
chains or cables passing over wheels at the top and the bottom of the tower.
The chains passing over the lower wheels should be ladder chains the said wheels
being shaped to correspond with the chains.
The engine or other motive power is placed at the bottom or base of the tower.
The rotary action is obtained by an extra chain or cable, working on a spindle with
cogs and circular ratchet at the collar. Brakes or other means of controlling the
speed &c. can be used if required.
The cars on being loaded are caused to revolve round the tower and as the balloons
ascend, the weight descends in the said tower, and on the balloons descending
the said weight ascends; thus equalising the strain on the engine or other motive
power.
Where electricity is used the motive power can be placed on the collar, for the
purpose of causing the rotary action; or other independent motive power can be used
at this point if desirable.
The weight in the tower can be used as a lift to ascend the top of the same.
I would point out that although the machine can be made for travelling purposes
on a small scale, yet it is more desirable to construct it as a fixture or with the various
parts so formed as to be removeable after a season from place to place. The central
tower can be constructed of sufficient strength and substance to stand independent, or
auxiliary erections or towers can be placed at convenient distance from the central
tower and connected with the same at the top by a substantial bridge or other
means.
These auxiliary erections like the main tower can be in a perpendicular or if thought
advisable can lean towards each other.
If two are used, they, with the tower are best set in a triangular form. It will at
once be seen that this method is most desirable in those used for travelling purposes;
giving the required stability where the ground is not allowed to be broken. The
roundabout is used on the principal tower or column the auxiliary ones being used to
ascend to the top or for other purposes. If desirable all can be constructed alike, having
roundabouts of a smaller circumference to each.

page_text: The first collar follows the shape of the tower, be the same square or otherwise.
The tower is provided with perpendicular rails or slides, both inside and outside
to give free movement to the collars on the outside also to the balance weight
inside.
The said collar and weight can have wheels to run on rails or slide at option.
Whatever the shape of the first collar there is fixed to the same so as to become
part of it a circle and small circular. platform; between this circle and the square,
room is allowed to place machinery for causing the rotary action also room for the
attendant to walk therein. A second collar moves round the first carrying with it
the rafters, cars, &c. The machinery for causing the collars to travel up and down
and the cars to rotate is shewn in the drawings Fig. 3. Other means or machinery can
be employed to give effect to the 'upward and downward movement, and rotary or
other movement if desired. The cars need not necessarily represent. balloons, other
representations can be employed at will, care being taken in all cases to provide for
the comfort and safety of the occupants, neither is it at all necessary to have a rotary
movement in conjunction with the up and down movement. The cars can be made
to swing by the occupants of each car pulling a rope attached to the spars independent
of each other similar to that used in swing boats.
In order to enable my invention to be more fully understood, I will now proceed
to describe the same by reference to the accompanying drawings; similar letters in
all the figures represent similar parts.
Fig. 1. Sheet 1. is a view of the tower constructed without auxiliary supports.
Fig. 2. Sheet 2. shews the same supported by two.auxiliary erections in the form of
towers and connected at the top by substantial bridges.
Fig. 3 Sheet 3. shews the working parts in cross section and the tower in.
longitudinal section, want of space prevents shewing the cars and centre part.of
tower in this figure, but it will be.readily understood that these are the same as in
figures 1. & 2.

page_text: ✗ are wheels between the two collars to prevent friction and to ensure steadiness.
V are the upper wheels of the tower.
Fig. 5 Sheet 4 shews a plan view of the collars with the tower in cross_section,
this figure more clearly illustrates the circular ratchet and the space marked H before
refered to. The various parts denoted by the letters are the same as described in
the previous figures.
The engine driver has control of the upward and downward movement, by
reversing his engine and the rotary movement can either be obtained by working an
extra chain over the spindle M or as shewn in the drawing with an electric motor
or other independent power placed at this point and in charge of a driver who would
travel up and down with the collars and have control of the brakes. Brakes can be
placed to regulate the speed either on the wheels or chains or in any manner or part
to ensure safety.
Fig. 5. A. Sheet 4. is a plan view of a corner of the tower when constructed of iron,
steel, or similar material. In this figure the corner upright forms the perpendicular
rail for the inner and outer wheels of the collars to run on marked respectively
S & Y.
Having now particularly ascertained and described my said Invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed; I declare that what I claim is
1st. The manufacture and use of an improved roundabout rising and falling on a
centre tower or column and having a rotary or other movement in conjunction with
the said rising and falling action. The tower or column standing independently or
supported by auxiliary erections. The roundabout representing balloons or other
representations.
2nd. The improved roundabout being substantially, as and for the purpose
herein and herinto before described, and also represented by the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 21st day of March 1890.
HENRY WILLIAM ROBINSON.