Improved Apparatus for Recreative and other Purposes.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Mar., 1892
Complete Specification Left. 21st Dec.. 1892-Accepted, 11th Feb., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Recreative and other Purposes.
I, WILLIAM HUTCHINGS, of 81, Manchester Road, Cubit Town, Poplar,
Middlesex, Shipwright, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to a novel arrangement of apparatus designed for
recreative purposes, though it may also be applied to other purposes.
The apparatus embraces two terminal stations, at each of which is erected an
upright frame wherein, at a suitable elevation from the ground, is centred, midway
The beams of the two
of its length, a beam adapted to oscillate about its centre.
stations are adapted to co-act, so that when one thereof is in a vertical position
the other is in a horizontal position, and vice-versa. The upper end of one of the
beams, when occupying a vertical position, is connected to the adjacent end of the
other beam, when occupying a horizontal position, by a wire-rope or the like,
forming an inclined-way adapted to be traversed by a suspended transit-device (or
means of conveying passengers, goods, money or anything whatever required to be
conveyed from place to place,) which is caused to gravitate along the said
inclined-way to the end thereof. To permit of the return journey being effected
in like manner, the connected beams are simultaneously operated (by manual,
mechanical or other suitable means acting at one or both of the terminal stations,
depending upon the dimensions of the apparatus and the power required to operate
the same) so as to reverse the inclination of the travelling-way, the formerly
horizontal beam being caused to assume a vertical position, and the formerly vertical
beam being caused to assume a horizontal position, so that the end of the travelling-
way which was formerly at the base of the incline will be elevated and constitute
the summit of the reversed incline, and vice-versa, so that the transit-device will be
caused to make the return journey by gravitating along the said reversely inclined
way.
As aforesaid, the apparatus has been specially designed for recreative purposes
suitable for places of public resort, and will be hereinafter described as arranged
for such use; but, by suitable modifications, the apparatus can, as aforesaid, be
rendered suitable for conveying passengers, goods, money or anything whatever
required to be conveyed from place to place.
The said transit-device may, with advantage, be made in the form of a boat,
more persons. It is
carriage-body or other suitable receptacle for one or
suspended from the reversible inclined travelling-way by a suitable arrangement of
overhead travelling gear adapted to slide or roll along said travelling-way. Each
end of the transit-device is adapted with means of securing it to the adjacent beam
while the beams are being oscillated and until it is desired to be freed to under-
take its journey; the device can be so freed by a slip-line under the control of an
attendant at the station. Each end of the transit-device is also adapted with
means of braking it at or towards the termination of its descent. Each end of
the travelling-way is also adapted with spring buffers or other suitable means for
aiding in gradually arresting the descent of the transit-device. The transit-device
may also be adapted with means of braking it during any part of its descent; or
the device can be arrested at any part of its course by causing the beams to turn
about one-eighth of a circle, when the travelling-way will assume a horizontal
position.
The terminal stations may be erected any desired distance apart, according to
the desired length of the course, and the beams may be made of any desired
length according to the distance between the stations and the maximum inclination

page_text: desired to be given to the travelling-way. The beams at each station may be
erected in pairs or series connected by transverse connections, so as, if required,
to provide for any required number of such travelling-ways at suitable distances
apart. Each of said upright frames may be constructed of stout timber suitably
shored and stayed to a widely extending base, which would be well anchored to
the ground so as to constitute a rigid structure.
Assuming that the double journey would be considered as the full course to be
travelled, there would if the elevation of the transit-device, when in its lowest
position, so required, be a platform erected at one station, with ascending and
descending staircases as gangways for the accommodation of those availing them-
selves of the means of amusement.
The means of reversing the beams may consist of a jib erected at the one station,
and suitably stayed and shored to the adjacent upright. At the lower end of the
jib would be secured a single purchase winch operated by a chain-wheel and an
endless chain leading from a manually operated chain-wheel, and operating a wire
or chain which passes from the winch over two grooved pulleys mounted in the
upper end of the jib, whence the chain-ends respectively pass to the opposite ends
of the adjacent beam; so that, when the handwheel is rotated in the one direction,
the one end of the beam will be pulled-on, and when it is rotated in the other
direction, the other end of the beam will be pulled-on.
Each end of each beam is fitted with a grooved pulley, and around the series of
pulleys the wire forming the travelling-way is passed, continuing along the length
of each beam, connecting the other ends (than those herein before referred to) of
the beams, and engaging, between such ends, with a tightening device, which may
advantageously consist of a sufficiently ballasted receptacle suspended on such
stretch of the wire, which is further adapted with adjustable stretching and
tightening devices; the ends of the wire being made fast to one of the beams.
By such means, the travelling way is constantly kept taut, irrespective of the
position of the beams. One end of each beam may be adapted with a safety-wire
or chain anchored to any suitable hold-fast and adapted to arrest the beam at each
end or limit of its movement.
Dated this 21st day of March 1892.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Recreative and other Purposes.
1, WILLIAM HUTCHINGS, of 81, Manchester Road, Cubitt Town, Poplar,
Middlesex, Shipwright, do hereby declare the nature of the said 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 novel combination of means especially applicable for
recreative purposes, though it may also be applied to other purposes.
On the accompanying drawings:-
Fig. 1, represents a diagrammatical view illustrative of the principle of the
invention.
Fig. 2, represents a like view illustrating a different position and the method of
operation of the apparatus.
Fig. 3, represents a side elevation of the apparatus at the end where its actuating
details are situated.
Fig. 4, represents an end elevation of Fig. 3.
Fig. 5, represents a side elevation of a modification of the apparatus as applied
to bridging an abyss, ravine or the like, and
Fig. 6, represents a portable arrangement of the apparatus.

page_text: '
The apparatus embraces two terminal stations A, B, at each of which is erected
an upright frame 1, made preferably of iron or of wood and of any suitable and
sufficiently strong construction depending upon the intended use of the apparatus,
and wherein, at a suitable elevation from the ground, is centred midway of its
length a beam 2, adapted to oscillate about its centre 3. The beams 2, of the two
stations A, B, are adapted to co-act, by being connected by a continuous wire rope
or the like 4, so that when one thereof is in a vertical position the other will be in
a horizontal position and vice-rers, cide Figs. 1 and 2.
The wire rope 4, by its connection with the beams 2, and by the oscillation of
the latter is caused to act as an inclined travelling-way adapted to be traversed by
a suspended transit-device 5, (which may consist of any suitable means of con-
veying passengers, goods, money or anything whatever required to be conveyed
from place to place) and which, by the inclination of the travelling way 4, is
automatically caused to gravitate along the inclined way to the lower end thereof.
To permit of the return journey being effected in like manner, the connected
beams 2, are operated (by manual, mechanical, hydraulic or other suitable means 6,
acting at one or both of the terminal stations A, B, depending upon the dimensions
of the apparatus and the power required to operate the same,) so as to reverse
the beams 2, vide Figs. 1 and 2, and the inclination of the travelling way 4, the
formerly horizontal beam being caused to assume a vertical position, and the
formerly vertical beam being caused to assume a horizontal position, so that
the end of the travelling way 4, which was formerly at the base of the incline will
be elevated and constitute the summit of the reversed incline and vice-versa, whereby
the transit-device 5, will be caused to make the return journey by gravitating along
the reversely inclined way.
As aforesaid, the apparatus has been specially designed for recreative purposes
suitable for places of public resort; but, by suitable constructive modifications,
not in any way affecting the principle of the invention the apparatus can, as afore-
Bair, be rendered suitable for conveying passengers, goods, money, building materials,
or anything whatever required to be conveyed from place to place.
The said transit device 5, may, for recreative purposes or the like, be made in
the form of a boat, carriage-body or other suitable receptacle (vide Figs. 1 to 3,)
for one or more persons. It is suspended from the reversible inclined travelling-
way 4, by any suitable arrangement of overhead travelling gear 22, adapted to
slide or roll along said travelling-way. Each end of the transit-device is or may
be adapted with any suitable means 23, vide Fig. 3, of securing it to the adjacent
beam until it is desired to be freed to undertake its journey, when it may be released
by a slip-line 7, or by any other suitable means under the control of an attendant
at the station. Each end of the transit device or of the travelling way or of
both is or may be adapted with spring buffers or with other suitable means of
arresting the transit-device at or towards the termination of its traverse or
during any part of its descent, but in practice I do not find this to be necessary,
as the device 5, can be arrested at any part of its course by causing the beams 2,
to turn about one eighth of a circle (which can be done almost momentarily by
actuating the apparatus 6,) when the travelling-way will assume a horizontal
position, or may be reversely inclined.
The terminal stations A, B, may be erected any desired distance apart according
to the desired length of the course and the beams 2, may be made of any desired
length according to the distance between the stations A, B, and the maximum
inclination desired to be given to the travelling-way. At each station, two or more
beams may be erected in series side by side, and be rigidly connected together, so
as to co-act, by transverse connections, so as, if required, to provide for more than
one of such travelling ways at suitable distances apart.
Each of said upright frames 1, may be constructed of stout timber or of joist-
iron suitably shored and stayed as at 24, to a widely extending base 8, which should
be well anchored to the ground so as to constitute a rigid structure.
Assuming that the double journey would be considered as the full course to be

page_text: travelled for recreative purposes, there would, if the elevation of the transit device
when in its lowest position so required, be a suitable platform 20, erected at one
station (say A,) with ascending and descending staircases or gangways, or a lift or
the like for the accommodation of those availing themselves of the use of the
apparatus.
The means of reversing the beams may consist of a jib 9, erected at the one station
(say A,) and suitably stayed and shored as at 25, to the adjacent upright 1, and to
the base 8, and to the ground. At the lower end of the jib would or might be
secured a single purchase winch 6, operated by gearing 11, from a manually
operated wheel 12, or from any suitable reversible engine 13, (the crank shaft of
which only is represented in Fig. 4) and operating a wire or chain 14, made fast to
the winch, and which passes from the winch over two grooved pulleys 15, mounted
in the upper end of the jib, whence the chain ends respectively pass and are made
fast to the opposite ends of the adjacent beam 2, so that, when the hand-wheel 12,
is rotated or the engine 13, is driven in the one direction, the one end of the beam
will be pulled-on, and when the same is rotated or driven in the other direction the
other end of the beam will be pulled-on.
Each end of each beam is fitted with a grooved pulley 16, and around the series
of pulleys the continuous wire 4, forming the travelling-way or course is passed,
continuing along the length of each beam, the ends of the wire being made fast to
one of the beams as at 17, ride Fig. 1.
The wire 4, engages, between the beams, with one or more tightening devices 21,
which may advantageously consist of a sufficiently ballasted receptacle suspended
on the lower stretch of the wire between the beams, or let into or anchored to the
ground and the wire 4, may also, if required, be further adapted with adjustable
stretching and tightening devices 18, of any ordinary or suitable formation such as
those 18×, represented in Fig. 3, as applied to the guys 24, and 25. By such means,
the travelling-way is constantly kept taut irrespective of the position of the beams.
One end of each beam may be adapted with a safety wire or chain 19, vide Fig. 1,
anchored to any suitable hold-fast and adapted to arrest the beam at each end or to
limit its movements as desired.
The accompanying drawings represent the apparatus in some detail of construc-
tion, but such detail is not essential to the invention and will require to be modified
according to the particular purpose to which the apparatus is applied. As an
example, the apparatus may be rendered portable, ride Fig. 6, by mounting the
base 8, or travelling wheels 25, and by pivotting the uprights 1, and jib 9, to the
base as at 26, 26", substituting a sufficiency of detachable shores and guys for
the rigid shores or stays supporting the uprights so that upon the same being
detached the uprights with their respective beams and the jib may be lowered as
indicated by the dotted lines a, b, Fig. 6, from their normal positions, and supported
in any suitable manner in any suitable lower position.
In Fig. 5, the apparatus is represented as arranged for conveying girders or other
constructive material across a ravine 28, the carrying devices 5, being provided with
raising and lowering tackle 29, and with auxiliary attachments 30, guided by fair-
leaders 31, for securing and releasing the device.
The ravine 28, may also be crossed by workmen in a carrier 5*, suspended on
the lower stretch of the wire 4, spanning the ravine, and which may be drawn from
side to side of the ravine by wire ropes 32.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In combination, for the purposes aforesaid, pivoted beams or levers mounted
at the terminal stations of the course to be traversed, a wire or wires connecting
said levers so as to cause them to co-act, means of oscillating or reversing the
beams or levers as required so as to cause the connecting wire to assume a
downwardly inclined position either in the one direction or in the other and to

page_text: act as a travelling way, means of keeping the connecting wire taut, and a
travelling device adapted to roll or slide along the inclined wire or travelling way
when adapted to co-operate substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. The arrangement of such apparatus hereinbefore described with reference to
Figs. 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.
3. The arrangement of such apparatus hereinbefore described with reference to
Fig. 5 of the drawings.
4. The arrangement of such apparatus hereinbefore described with reference to
Fig. 6 of the drawings.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.