Improved Circular Swing or Roundabout.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Sept., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 4th June, 1889-Accepted, 13th July, 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Circular Swing or Roundabout.
1, WILLIAM HENRY DUNCAN, of Coalbrookdale, in the County of Shropshire,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
My invention relates to a machine, suitable for pleasure or recreation. This
machine, is arranged to give to ring-like trains of Cars, Boats, wooden Horses, and
the like, an undulating, swinging motion, in a circular direction, so that, when the
machine is swinging the said trains through the air, their direction of motion may be
compared to ascending hills, and descending valleys, somewhat like the track of a
switch-back railway, except that, the motion caused by this machine is circular,.
instead of straight, in plan.
The machine has an over-head frame, made of trussed beams, which radiate from
a centre piece, to which they are bolted. This centre piece is formed hollow, and is
arranged to oscillate, on a globular ended support.
A part of the said centre, extending below the globe, is formed as an hollow cone,
and admits of the over-head frame, oscillating freely, in all directions, at the same
time, that it is revolving round, along with, and balanced on, its revolving support.
This support has a projecting bracket, fixed to it, near its upper end; and above
the bracket, is a curved driver, or arm, inade fast to the support, for the purpose of
pushing round, the overhead frame, and the trains attached thereto. On the side of
one of the radiating beams, of the over-head frame, is a roller, which receives the
pushing force, given by the driver, and admits of the frame, oscillating, and revolving,
at same time.
The said bracket has two arms, set at right angles to each other. These arms are
fitted with plummer blocks, connected to their underside. The said plummer blocks,
form bearings for two shafts, fitted with bevil wheels, at one end, and with cranks at
the other, which latter work at right angles to the centre of the over-head frame. At
an angle of 45 degrees from the said shafts, a third shaft is worked, in suitable
plummer blocks, set to radiate from the central support. This radiating shaft is
fitted with two bevil wheels, one on each end. The outer wheel gears with, and
drives the two wheels in connection with the said cranks, and the wheel on the inner
end of the radiating shaft, gears into a stationary wheel, connected to the base of the
machine. Through the centre of the stationary wheel, the globular ended support or
central shaft, is made to pass, and the wheel center is bushed, to form a bearing for
the revolving shaft. The said bush is provided with oil cup, at its top end, and with
a stuffing box for retaining the oil, at the bottom.
A spur, or other wheel, is keyed on the central shaft below the bearing, formed by
the fixed wheel, the said spur or other wheel is driven by spur, bevel, or worm
gearing in connection with a steam or gas engine, fixed in convenient position for
driving the machine.
The bottom end of the central shaft works in a foot step, provided with suitable
oiling arrangements. The said foot-step is fixed on the base of the machine, which
latter is of triangular form, and rests on the ground. The motion of one, or of both
the cranks before described, is carried to the overhead frame by connecting rods the
bottom end of which fits the crank pins, and the upper end fits an universal joint
attached to the radiating arms of the said frame. The said cranks are fixed on three
respective shafts at right angles to each other, and their motions are imparted to the
overhead frame, at points situated at right angles to its centre, as these positions
correspond with the positions of the said cranks, so that when the portion of the
frame in connection with one crank is at the extreme of its travel, the other is half
way, and so agrees with the half throw of the other crank. The motions of these two

page_text: cranks cause the overhead frame to oscillate in all directions while it is revolving
round. If one of the said cranks' pins is fixed at, or near, the centre of the crank,
the part of the overhead frame in connection with it, has the oscillating motion
reduced or wholly removed, so that this, and the opposite side of the said overhead
frame, revolves in a plane, or nearly so.
The beams of the overhead frame are fitted with trussing rods, and the centre of
the said frame, is extended- upwards. To the upper end of this extended centre, the
said trussing rods are made fast, for the purpose of strengthening the said frame. At
the lower end of the said trussing rods an universal joint is provided and from these
joints suspending rods are made to pass down, and are bent in opposite directions and
made fast to cars, boats wooden horses or the like as may be required. These cars &c.
are connected together by cords or rods, so as to form a ring-like train.
To prevent, or to reduce pendulous motion, in the suspended cars, I make a hoop-like
ring, the diameter of the inside of the ring of vehicles. This hoop I suspend from
The cords
the overhead frame at an height equal to the ring of cars at their centre.
or chains used to suspend this hoop pass over pulleys connected to the overhead
framing, and are carried diagonally to the hoop, at opposite sides of the machine.
Two such diagonal suspending cords are generally used, and to the four ends of which
the hoop is connected at four equally distant parts of its circumference. The over-
head parts of the cords are furnished with a friction brake which prevents undue
pendulous action in the hoop as it hangs suspended by the cords. Each vehicle is
connected at its centre to the hoop in such a manner that lateral motion is prevented
but the vehicle is free to maintain its level position while the hoop, during certain
portions of its travel is inclined in both directions. This connection consists of a
loop, made fast to the said car. Each of the radial beams of the overhead frame, has
a car suspended from it, by an universal joint and rods carried from it to the car ends.
This arrangement causes the cars to bang level or nearly so while they are being
carried round by the revolving frame and ascending and descending in a circular
undulating course, and are being controlled and steadied by the hoop before described.
If preferred a hoop may be used to surround the outer side of the circle of cars, in
addition to that in connection with the inside of the said cars' circle.
One or more trains of cars may be worked by the machine, and the undulations
of all the trains, may be increased, or reduced, by altering the travel of the said
crank pins.
These machines may be made portable, or stationary, and they may be driven in
any convenient manner.
Referring to my drawing, Fig. 1, is an elevation, part in section; Fig. 2. is a plan.
The letters of referrence are alike in both. A is the base plate. B the globular ended
support, or central shaft, on which the overhead frame oscillates. D, and D¹, are
pillars, three of such are used, to carry the stationary wheel E, through which the
central shaft is passed. This stationary wheel is bushed and fitted with an oil cup E¹
also with stuffing box to. prevent the oil running out at the bottom of bush, which
wheel
arrangement forms a bearing for the rotating central support. F is the spur
driven by the pinion G, on the vertical shaft H. This shaft is driven by the bevil
wheel I and this wheel is driven by the bevil pinion J on the shaft K which shaft is
driven by the engine, or by any other convenient power. The lower end of the
vertical shaft H, and one end of the horizontal shaft K, is carried by the bracket L,
connected to one of the vertical pillars D, or D M is a strong bracket, keyed on
the central driving shaft, and carrying round the bevil pinions N. N1 N2 and N³ on
the shafts N No and No. O and 0 are cranks keyed on the shafts set at right
P is the curved
angles to each other, and operating the connecting rods V and V.
driver which may be formed suitably for acting on four or more of the beams, of the
overhead frame, if preferred. This driver is made fast to the central shaft, below its
globular end, and forces round the overhead frame and the train of suspended
cars Q, Q¹ &c. R. is one of the trussing rods made fast to the top of the extended
centre S. T is the hoop or ring for steadying the train of cars. This hoop is
connected to the side of each car, by the leather loop U. The connecting rods →V

page_text: and V carry the motion of the cranks to the overhead frame, through the universal
joint shown at X. Y is one of the tie rods used to tie the beams of the overhead
frame to each other.
The action of the machine is as follows. Motion is given by a steam, or gas
engine, or by manual power to the shaft K. This shaft gives motion to the bevel
pinion wheel J and through it to the bevel wheel I. The vertical shaft H carries the
motion to the spur pinion G and this drives the spur wheel F which turns the central
shaft B, on the top of which is the globular ended supporting, for the overhead frame.
This central shaft gives motion to the bracket M fitted with the four bevel
wheels N. N¹ N2 & N³ and fitted also with the shafts N4 N5 and No. The
shafts N & N give inotion to the two cranks O and 0. As the teeth of the bevil
wheel N are in gear with the teeth of the stationary wheel E, as the former is carried
round by the bracket, the wheels, shafts, and cranks, carried by the said bracket, are
caused to rotate, while being carried round, and the motions of the said cranks
being transmitted through the connecting rods to the overhead frame, cause the
frame, to oscillate as it is made to revolve, by being forced round by the said driver,
and the combination of the two motions, revolving and oscillating, causes a serpentine,
or switch-back motion, in a circular direction, to be given to the train of cars.
Dated this 6th day of September 1888.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Circular Swing or Roundabout.
I, WILLIAM HENRY DUNCAN of Coalbrookdale, in the County of Shropshire,
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 :-
My invention relates to a machine, suitable for pleasure, or recreation.
This machine is arranged to give to ring-like trains of Cars, boats, wooden horses,
and the like, an undulating swinging motion, in a circular direction, so that, when
this machine, is swinging the said trains, through. the air, their direction of motion,
may be compared, to ascending hills, and descending valley's, somewhat like the track,
of a switch back railway, except that the motion caused by this machine is circular
instead of straight in plan; also, the vibration, inseparable from cars, running on
wheels, is got rid of by, suspending the trains from an oscillating and revolving
overhead frame, working on a central pivot, so that the said trains move smoothly
onward, alternately ascending, and descending the undulations of their course.
The said overhead frame, is made of trussed beams, of wood or metal, which radiate
from a central casting to which they are bolted. The said central casting, is formed
hollow, and made suitable to oscillate, on a globular ended support. The said support
bears the weight of the overhead frame, and the cars, boats, or horses, suspended
thereto, and this support is made to revolve, and is fitted with driving arms, in con-
nection with the overhead frame; the support carries the frame; and its train of cars,
round with it, while the said frame, is made to oscillate by means provided, and yet
to be described.
A part of the said centre casting, extending below the globular portion, is formed
as a hollow cone, and admits of the overhead frame freely oscillating, to a limited
extent, but the conical part, by coming into contact with that part of the support,
immediately below the globular end, confines the oscillating movement, within certain
bounds.
The said driving arms are made fast, to the central support, in convenient position,
below the globular top, and gear into projections, formed on the centre casting, to
which the beams of the overhead frame, are bolted. These arms are curved in
elevation, to agree with the curved direction of motion of the centre, casting, when
rocking, on the globular support, and the projections on the centre casting, in connec-
tion with the said arms, have their sides curved, to properly work with the arms. By

page_text: these means, the overhead frame, and the horses, boats, or cars, attached thereto, are
.made to revolve, and are free to oscillate at the same time.
The said support is placed, at the centre of the machine, and is provided, with a
projecting bracket, keyed to it, below the said driving arms. This bracket is fitted
with six plummer blocks, which are bolted to its underside.. Four of these plummer
blocks, carry shafts, working at right angles to each other, and the remaining two,
carry a shaft, set at an angle, of 45 degrees, to the other shafts. This latter shaft is
fitted with two bevil wheels, and the former shafts, have a bevil wheel at one end, and
a crank at the other. The shaft, set to work, at an angle of 45 degrees, is driven by
one of its wheels gearing into a fixed wheel, bolted on columns, or by other means,
connected to the base of the machine. The driving motion is obtained by the revolving
support carrying the bracket, and its shafts and wheels round with it, while the said
bevil wheel, is in gear with the fixed wheel, which movement rotates the shaft, and the
wheel on its opposite end gives motion to the two hevil wheels, keyed on the shafts,
fitted with the cranks. The motion of these cranks, is carried to the overhead frame,
by rods, fitted with universal joints, attached to the overhead beams, and the cranks,
. are so keyed on their respective shafts, that one is at the end of its travel, when the
other is half way. These motions are transmitted to the overhead frame, and cause it,
and the train of cars, suspended to its beams, to oscillate, while being driven round,
by the rotation of the said central support.
:
'
Through the centre of the said stationary wheel, the globular ended support, or
central shaft of the machine, is made to pass, and the wheel is bushed with brass, or
steel, to form a bearing for the revolving shaft.
The said bush is provided with an oil cup, at its upper end, and with a stuffing box,
for retaining the oil at the bottom.
A spur, or worm wheel, is keyed on the central shaft, below the bearing, formed by
the boss of the fixed wheel, and the said spur, or worm wheel is driven by spur, or
worm gearing, or by bevil gearing, from a steam, or other engine, or by any suitable
power.
The bottom end of the central shaft, works in a foot step, provided on the base of
the machine, which latter, has extended arms, for distributing the weight on. the
ground, and for connecting stays to the fixed wheel, for steadying the machine. The
said stays, extend diagonally from near the end of the spreading arm, to the fixed
wheel, in machines intended for travelling, or if preferred, the machine may be fixed
on the top of a traction engine boiler, and the engine used to work the machine, but
when the arrangement is not intended for travelling, the spreading arms, may be
dispensed with, and the base, made fast to the ground.
When travelling niachines, are to be used, on sloping ground; the footstep base, is
made adjustable, so that the machine, may stand vertical when the part, resting on
the ground, is slightly slanting.
The crank pin of one of the cranks, used to oscillate the overhead frame, may be
.fixed, further off, or nearer to, the centre of the shaft, than the pin in connection with
the other crank, by which means, the overhead frame, at the part in connection with
the rod, from this crank, will have more or less oscillating motion given to it, or the
oscillation at that part, and at the opposite side, may be wholly removed.
The beams of the overhead frame, are provided with a set of trussing rods, con-
nected to the centre, of the frame, which is extended upwards, a few feet, to the
required height, to receive the inner end of the rods, and the opposite end of the
said trussing rods, are made fast to the beams, by the bolts used to attach the suspended
cars to the said. rods, and to the beams.
The suspending rod in connection with each car, has an eye formed at its upper
part, which is linked to the beam, and leaves the latter. free to tilt in any direction,
while the car maintains its proper level position or nearly so, when undulating, and
revolving, with the frame, along its course. The suspending rods, are bent in opposite
"directions and made fast to the ends of the cars.
To prevent centrifugal motion in the swinging cars, I connect each car, to a ring,
or hoop, placed inside the circular train. The said hoop, is connected to each car,

page_text: and steadies its motion, and prevents it coming into colission with the next car, oy
equalizing the distance between them.
This ring, is made, in segments, and is carried round, by the cars, and being con-
nected to the cars, at the centre of their length, the said cars maintain their level,
while the ring slopes, in all directions while passing round the course.
Each of the overhead beams has a car, or other appliance, for carrying one or
more passengers, which car hangs therefrom, nearly level, while being carried round
by the revolving frame and ascending and descending in a circular undulating course,
and all are controlled and steadied by the hoop before named.
One or more trains of cars may be worked by this machine.
These machines may be made portable, or stationary, and may be driven by any
suitable power.
Referring to the annexed drawings. Fig. 1. is an elevation, part in section.
Fig. 2. is a sectional plan. The letters of reference are alike in both.
A and A' are the base plates, the latter is adjustable by screws, or by other
convenient means, for the purpose of setting the central shaft vertical, on sloping
ground. B is the globular ended support or central shaft on which the overhead
frame Coscillates by the socket (moving on the globular end of the supporting
shaft. D. D and D are columns used for carrying the stationary wheel E,
through which the revolving shaft B is passed. This wheel is bushed, and fitted
with an oil cup E' also with stuffing box E2 to prevent the oil escaping out at the
bottom of the bush which forms a vertical bearing for the central shaft. F is the
spur wheel, keyed on the shaft B and driven by the pinion G, keyed on the vertical
shaft H. This shaft is driven by the bevil wheel I, which is driven by the bevil
pinion wheel J keyed on the shaft K. The shaft K is fitted with a coupling box L
in connection with the engine or other motive power. M is a bracket keyed on
the central driving shaft, and carrying round the bevil pinion wheel N which gears
into the stationary wheel E, and the said bracket M also carries the three bevil
O and are the two
wheels N N2 and N³ keyed on the shafts N N and No.
cranks. The said cranks are keyed on the shafts N° and N6 in such positions that
the one crank is at the end of its travel when the other is half way. The motion
of the cranks is carried to the overhead frame by the connecting rods P and P¹
through the universal joints R and R¹. S. is the curved driver which moves
round the overhead frame by its arms gearing into projections cast on the frame's
centre C to which its beams are bolted. The driver being keyed on the revolving
shaft B forces round the overhead frame and its train of cars V. V1 V2 V3 &c.
Wis one of the trussing rods made fast to the extended centre X. Y is the ring
or hoop for preventing centrifugal motion in the train of cars, and for steadying
the train. Z. ZZZ &c. are the suspending rods for attaching the cars to the
overhead frame. D3 is a ring used to connect the ends of the beams of the
overhead frame.
The action of this machine is as follows.
:
Motion is given to the shaft K which turns the bevil pinion wheel J and bevil
wheel I. This wheel drives the shaft H. and spur pinion G. The pinion wheel G
gears into the spur wheel F. keyed on the central shaft, which has the globular
end and carries the weight of the overhead frame and its train of cars and the
occupants. The central shaft B gives motion to the bracket M. and driver S. and
the latter moves round the said overhead frame. When the bracket M is being
carried round by the revolving shaft B. motion is given to the bevil pinion wheel N
by it being made to gear into the teeth of the fixed wheel E. The motion of this
wheel turns the shaft N and the bevil wheel N which drives the bevil wheels N'
and N and their shafts N' and N°. These shafts turn the cranks O. and O' and
the cranks give motion to the connecting rods P and P¹ which motion is transmitted
through the universal joints R and R' to the said overhead frame C, which oscillates in
obedience to the upward and downward motions of the rods while revolving in its
globular ended supporting shaft B. The combination of these two motions, revolving
and oscillating, given to the overhead frame, causes a switch-back, or serpentine motion

page_text: "o be given to the swinging train of cars, as they are carried round by the central
shaft of the machine.
When it is preferred to support the machine on, or over the boiler of a traction
engine; the action is the same, in effect, as when the machine is placed on the ground.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do
not confine myself to exact details, as these may be varied, without departing from the
nature, of the invention, but I declare that what I claim, is,
First. A machine substantially as described in this specification, and as shown on
the annexed drawing, that will oscillate or tilt an overhead frame in one, or more
directions, at the same time, that it causes the said frame to rotate, or revolve round,
and to carry with it, cars, boats, wooden horses, and the like in a circular switch-back,
or serpentine course.
Second. I claim, in a roundabout, the use of the combination of the globular ended
shaft B, the socket C¹, rocking on the globe, and oscillating the overhead frame C.
while being driven round by the driver S. substantially as described and as shown on
the drawing.
Third. I claim, in a roundabout, the use of the combination of the universal joint R.
and R', and the overhead frame the said joint connecting the said frame to the crank
through the rods P and P¹, and admitting of the frame oscillating, while revolving,
substantially as shown and described.
Fourth. I claim, in a roundabout the use of a ring or hoop Y. in combination with
the switch-back motion, the said ring being used to steady the train and to keep the
cars level, by preventing centrifugal movement, while undulating and revolving,
rapidly round the course.
Fifth. I claim, in a roundabout, the combination of the cranks, and the oscillating
overhead frame, the former driven by bevil gearing, and acting on the frame so as to
produce the tilting effect as described and shown on the drawing.
Sixth. I claim, in a roundabout, the use of an overhead frame that will tilt, or how,
in one, or more directions while revolving, and which may be covered, and ornemented
and its motion used to attract attention to the machine, and also, to displays of any
suitable kind.
Seventh. I claim in a roundabout, the use of the adjustable base plate, for the
purpose of setting the machine vertically on sloping ground, substantially as described
and as shown on the drawing.
Eight. I claim, the general construction, arrangement, and combination of parts, of
all, or of two or more of the said parts, forming my improved roundabout; applied,
and operating substantially as described in this Specification and as shown on the
drawing.
D
01
WILLIAM HENRY DUNCAN.