IMPROVEMENTS IN ROUNDABOUTS "J OR CAROUSALS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Griffith Brewer of 33 Chancery Lane in the
County of Middlesex for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROUNDABOUTS
"J
OR CAROUSALS communicated to him from abroad by Sylvain Joseph Mignot
and Jean Baptiste Franchelli both of Paris France
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Griffith Brewer
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th June 1883.
"
EDWARD GRIFFITH BREWER of 33 Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ROUNDABOUTS OR CAROUSALS (A Communication to me
from abroad by Sylvain Joseph Mignot and Jean Baptisto Franchelli both of
Paris France)
9
The new kind of roundabout or carousal forming the subject matter of this
invention known as roundabouts or carousals having double or single tracks is
essentially distinguished from the different systems of analogous roundabouts or
carousals. It comprises any number of flat or echelon tracks being able to turn
independently the one of the other and arranged so as to be driven simultaneously
by means of a suitable motor afterwards allowed to go by their own momentum
until definitely stopped as now takes place in the apparatus known as race games
and such like. Each of these tracks can also carry any convenient number of
horses or animals in wood or analogous cars or similar to those generally in use.
This mobility and this independence of the revolving tracks constitutes the
essential and characteristic feature of this invention. It will be understood that
the relative arrangements may be flat or in echelon as well as the means employed
to support them and to put them in motion simultaneously as well as independently
the one of the other as above stated. The apparatus is composed of a strong
central spindle supporting the whole structure and resting for this purpose on a
socket or bed plate secured to a strong block of stone or wood; this axis is
maintained at its upper part by a strong metal collar fitted to the frame of the
apparatus and to which the different parts are firmly coupled. The different
independent platforms fitted with horses or cars or other appliances are supported

page_text: by a number of arms fitted with metal cross pieces and mounted on metal collars
being able to turn freely on the central axis provided for this purpose with brackets
on which the collars rest; on the axis and at the bottom of each series of arios
are keyed arms or circular plates on which pawls abut jointed on the arms; the
plates carry round their circumference a sufficient number of mortises in order
that the pawls come into operation almost as soon as the central shaft is put in
motion by a toothed wheel keyed to its lower part and which is operated by a
crank handle or any other suitable arrangement. The platform which occupies
-the-centre-of-the-tracks remains immovable during the operation of the mechanism
and for this purpose this part is hung from the socket or tube fixed-to-the-upper
part of frame; this part of the apparatus is utilized to receive flowers or any other
kind of decoration.
According to one arrangement the independent platforms are arranged on the
same level and the apparatus by reason of the necessary height for the arm is
partially placed in an opening made in the ground, this is a very suitable arrange-
ment for fixed apparatus but cannot perhaps be employed for use at different
places or for frequently removing from place to place. In this latter case the
platforms are preferably arranged in echelon, the fitting up of the apparatus does
not otherwise vary and the form and arrangements of the arms and the mechanism
remains the same with the exception that the apparatus is then placed at the
ground level,
•
In either of the two arrangements the right is reserved of arranging in the cross
bars a supporting arm with canvas or fabric or blades forming sails and intended to
regulate the stoppage of all the movable tracks so that the duration of the
rotation after they have been left to themselves is, or may be, regulated. Suitable
steps may be applied to the sides of the apparatus for ascending and descending
which may be ornamented decorated and lighted as desired.
The form and arrangements of the different parts composing this apparatus may
be varied as well as the means employed for regulating the duration of the rotation
of the tracks when left to themselves as well as the placing guiding rollers around
the circumference of the largo track of the apparatus.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Edward Griffith Brewer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
20th December 1883
"
EDWARD GRIFFITH BREWER of 33 Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ROUNDABOUTS OR CAROUSALS' (A communication to mo
from abroad by Sylvain Joseph Mignot and Jean Baptiste Franchelli bɔth of Paris
France)
The new kind of roundabout or carousal forming the subject matter of this
invention known as roundabouts or carousals having double or single tracks is
essentially distinguished from the different systems of analogous roundabouts or
carousals. It comprises any number of flat or echelon tracks being able to turn
independently the one of the other and arranged so as to be driven simultaneously
by means of a suitable motor afterwards allowed to go by their own momentum
until definitely stopped as now takes place in the apparatus known as race games
and such like. Each of these tracks can also carry any convenient number of
horses or animals in wood, or cars, analogous or similar to those generally in use.
This mobility and this independence of the revolving tracks constitute the ossential
and characteristic features of this invention. It will be understood that the
relative arrangements may be flat or in echelon as well as the means employed to
support them and to put them in motion simultaneously as well as independently
the one of the other as above stated.
This invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the accompanying
drawings in which Figures 1 and 2 represent in vertical cross section two forms of
apparatus constructed according to this invention; Figure 2ª being a detail
detached viow of portion of ratchet and pawl; Figures 3 and 4 show in.vertical
-section two methods of gearing the various stages or platforms, and Figure 4* shows
a detail view of ratchet and pawl.
As seen in the annexed drawing the apparatus is composed of a strong central
spindle or axis A supporting the whole structure and resting for this purpose on a
socket or bedplate B secured to a strong block of stone or wood; this axis is
maintained at its upper part by a strong metal collar G fitted to the frame D of
the apparatus and to which the different parts are firmly coupled as shown in the
drawing. The different independent platforms E fitted with horses or cars or
other appliances are supported by a number of arms F fitted with metal cross-pieces
ns seen in the drawing and mounted on metal collars G, these collars being able to
turn freely on the central axis A provided for this purpose with shoulders on which
the collars G rest.
On the axis A and at the bottom of each series of arms F are keyed arms or
circular plates L on which the pawls Habut jointed on the arms F best seen in
detail at Figure 2*; the plates L carry round their circumference a sufficient
number of mortices in order that the pawls H come into operation almost as soon
as the central shaft A is put in motion by the toothed wheel I keyed to its
lower part and which is operated by a cranked handle or any other suitable
arrangement.
The platform J which occupies the centre of the tracks remains immovable
during the operation of the mechanisın and for this purpose this part is hung from
the socket or tube G fixed to the upper part of the frame D; this part of the
apparatus is utilized to receive flowers or any other kind of decoration.
According to one arrangement shown at Figure 1, the independent platforms E
are arranged on the same level and the apparatus by reason of the necessary height

page_text: for the arm F is partially placed in an opening made in the ground, this is a very
suitable arrangement for fixed apparatus but cannot perhaps be employed for use
at different places or for frequently removing from place to place. In this latter
case the platforms are preferably arranged in echelon as shown at Figure 2, tho
fitting up of the apparatus does not otherwise vary, and the form and arrange-
ments of the arms and the mechanism remain the same with the exception that the
apparatus is then placed at the ground level.
and 2
In either of the two arrangements shown in the drawings at Figures
the right is reserved of arranging in the cross bars or supporting arm F canvas or
fabric or blades formning sails-and-intended-to-regulate-the-stoppage-of-all-the-
movable tracks so that the duration of the rotation after they have been left to
themselves is or may be regulated. Suitable steps may be applied to the side of
the apparatus for ascending and descending which may be ornamented decorated
and lighted as desired.
The form and arrangements of the different parts composing this apparatus may
be varied as well as the means employed for regulating the duration of the
rotation of the tracks when left to themselves as well as the placing guiding
rollers around the circumference of large track of the apparatus.
In the arrangement shown at Figure 3 Sheet 2 the central shaft A is fixed and
the different stages are mounted on cast iron collars free to revolve on the shaft.
Each of the four concentric platforms which comprises the game represented in the
drawing, is mounted as will be hereafter described on iron arms I I¹ I¹¹ I¹¹ adapted
to the cast iron platforms F, F', F", F provided with sockets free to revolve ou
the central axis A, these arms are more firmly connected to the platforms which
support them by means of metal discs E E E E arranged as shown in the
drawing.
which
Besides in order to give to the friction surfaces of the platforms-which-carry the
revolving platforms of the game sufficient space there are provided on the
projections or journals of the shaft A a series of metal collars J, J, J, J
constitute the solid points of support on which the revolving platforms rest. The
motion is transmitted to the different concentric platforms in the following
manner. The motor drives a horizontal shaft B carrying a bevel wheel C gearing
with another wheel or circular rack D fixed to or formed with the lower part of the
platform F on which the external platform is mounted and which thus directly
receives the rotary motion. The arm I which supports this first platform is
further secured or mounted at its upper side onto a circular disc E provided with
ratchet teeth G, the circumference of the lower disc F1 of the second platform
carries a pawl gearing with the ratchet teeth G.
It will be understood that in this manner the movement of the first platform is
transmitted to the second and that by means of a series of toothed cogs or ratchet
teeth G and G" and of pawls Hand H" this movement is transmitted to the
upper or interior platforms, each of thein resting independently of the platform
which precedes it at the time when the stopping takes place the pawls H H'H"
can move freely on the toothed cogs or ratchet teeth G G G in the opposite
direction to the direction of their points on the three respective roads or ways.
In the arrangement shown at Figure 4 the concentric platforms or roads turn
in opposite directions; for this purpose the motor operates a horizontal axis b
carrying a pinion c which transmits motion to an upper and lower pinion e and d
respectively the lower pinion d is keyed by means of a key j onto the vertical
axis which occupies the centre of the roundabout or machine and to which the
upper platform m is secured. The pinion c as before stated also drives the upper
pinione which is formed in a pieco with or onto which the collar of the inter-
incdiate platform is keyed. The pinion e in its turn puts in motion a pinion f
which is also in gear with the pinion d and which communicates motion to the
horizontal axis g and the wheel 'h driving a toothed wheel or rack i fixed under
the lower platform k. It is sufficient to follow attentively the direction of rotation
of the platforms to notice that two platforms turn in the samo direction and that

page_text: the one platform turns in the contrary direction it will then be the same for the
three platforms applied to the three plates. It will be besides understood that by
multiplying the number of the concentric collars on the shaft a that this system
of rotation may be adopted in alternate directions for any number whatever of
concentric platforins. Should it be desired to render completely independent of
one another the rotary movements of the tracks or platforms of the apparatus it is
only necessary to make the platforms which support them independent of the
collars which receive the movement of the motor and to hold these collars and
these platforms simply by means of catches and toothed cogs in the manner shown
in the previous Figures. The diameters of the driving pinions of the collars of the
platform may be varied in size so as to impart different speeds to them and so to
give greater speed to the tracks the nearest to the axis of the apparatus the
diameter of which is materially less than that of the external tracks.
Having now described the nature of the said invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed I declare that I claim.
First-The new kind of wood horse game called carousal or roundabout with
multiple independent tracks or platforms the system being essentially characterized
by the mobility and independence of a certain number of concentric flat or echelon
tracks or platforms turning freely round a central axis and put in motion by any
suitable means and more particularly by the system of pawls and above described
plates with notches or ratchet teeth arranged and acting substantially as before
described and as shown with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 2ª of the accompanying
drawings.
Second-The employment of metallic cross bars for the support of the revolving
tracks or platforms and the mode above indicated for guiding the collar of the
central axis the collar also acting as support at the fixed central part of the
platform.
Third The arrangement above indicated and shown at Figure 3, whereby the
central shaft of the roundabout or apparatus is a fixture each track driving the
following track by means of pawls and toothed cogs.
Fourth-The system above described and represented at Figure 4 of the
drawing for driving in contrary directions two successive tracks of the apparatus,
the said tracks or platforms being either solid or independent of one another-
according as the collars are driven by the motor by means of pinions themselves in..
a piece with the platforms carrying the tracks or connected only to these platforms
by means of pawls and toothed cog wheels all substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof I the said Edward Griffith Brewer have hereunto set my
hand and seal this twentieth day of December in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
EC BREVER (ra)