Means and Apparatus for Moving Persons by Gravitation as a Pastime, Applicable also for Goods if Desired.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 14th June, 1887
Complete Left, 14th Mar., 1888
Complete Accepted, 20th Apr., 1888
Means and Apparatus for Moving Persons by Gravitation as a
Pastime, Applicable also for Goods if Desired.
I, JAMES WALTER STANSFIELD of Wellington Terrace, Todmorden, Yorks
Contractor do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is means and apparatus for moving persons by
gravitation as a pastime, applicable also for goods if desired.
For the purpose of my invention I fix rails, ropes or equivalent appliances,
preferably in pairs at fixed distances apart by braces or stays over head or other as an
undulating roadway or track between and upon which a car or travelling vehicle can
be arranged to roll or move, the vehicle being below the level of the rails for
balancing purposes and to assist its travel in proportion to its own weight and that of
the persons or load carried.
The undulations may be regular or irregular and where the invention is adapted
for recreation or pastime only, a series of rises and falls in the track can be providod
for buck jumping exercise or it may be for uniform jumping motion and instead of
having two lines as a single track, a single line may be constructed the load being
suspended.
H. GARDNER,
166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said J. W. Stansfield.

page_text: Means and Apparatus for Moving Persons by Gravitation as a
Pastime, Applicable also for Goods if Desired.
"
I JAMES WALTER STANSFIELD of Wellington Terrace, Todmorden, Yorks,
Contractor do hereby declare the nature of my said invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :—
The object of this invention is means and apparatus for moving persons by
gravitation as a pastime, applicable also for goods, if desired.
For the purpose of my invention I fix rails, ropes or equivalent appliances,
preferably in pairs, at fixed distances apart by braces or stays overhead or other as an
undulating roadway or track between and upon which a car or travelling vehicle can
be arranged to roll or move, the vehicle being below the level of the rails for
balancing purposes and to assist its travel in proportion to its own weight and that of
the persons or load carried.
The undulations may be regular or irregular and where the invention is adapted
for recreation or pastime only a serios of rises and falls in the track can be provided
for buck jumping exercise, or it may be for uniform jumping motion and instead of
having two lines as a single track a single line may be constructed the load being
suspended.
The several drawings annexed hereto illustrate the manner in which I carry my
invention into effect.
Figure 1, sheet 1 is a general perspective view of an inclined track A and car B
with the starting and finishing platforms C, D, erected in accordance with my
invention, Figure 2 being an elevation on a larger scale of the starting end of the
structure and Figure 8 a plan of same.
In these views I show the general arrangement of apparatus consisting of a car B
travelling by gravity whilst suspended by wheels E, E, from a steel wire or other
rope or track A double as at Figure 1 or single as at Figure 2 said track A being
suspended from two points at varying levels and at a greater or less distance apart.
In the arrangement shown in Figure 1 the empty car B¹ would be brought back to
the starting point C by the weight of the descending car and its passengers, the two
cars travelling up and down parallel ropes or tracks and connected to each other by
a light rope or chain F which is made to travel first under one grooved pulley G, see
Figure 4, sheet 2, fixed vertically to revolve in direction parallel to the track and
thence over a second similar pulley G' fixed at right angles to the pulley G, tho rope
being thus made to proceed in a direction at right angles to its original direction, a
similar set of two pulleys G, G¹, fixed over the track on the opposite side causes the
rope F again to resume a direction parallel to and slightly above track.
F
In place of the before mentioned method a simpler arrangement than that,
whereby the rope F, instead of passing over or under four pulleys set vertically, is

page_text: simply passed round two pulleys G², G2, Figure 5 sheet 2, set horizontally one over
the end of each track A.
As an alternative to the arrangement of pulleys and connecting rope just described
I have the following; the loaded car on its arrival at the end of descent is locked
fast by a method to be described and then hoisted up with or without the passengers
but with that end of the track upon which it rests to such a height as may be required
to enable it to arrive, when again set at liberty, to travel by gravitation, to either the
same platform from which it is started on the outward journey or to another one at
lower level to be used as departure platform.
This raising or lowering of the ends of the track may be effected by any ordinary
and well known application of power supplied by steam, gas or other motor, or by
hand.
Or, instead of raising one end of the track very high to secure the return of the
car the starting end for the time being may be raised part of the distance required
and the opposite end lowered the amount of balance of distance required.
For preventing the cars receding after arrival at either end I apply to the rope F
connecting the two cars or to the pulleys G, G, G³, over which it runs, any ordinary
arrangement of brake, catch, clip or hook and to give greater brake power I cause
the rope F to pass entirely round one or both of the grooved pulleys and apply the
brake to the rim, side or groove of the pulleys as may be desired.
In addition to the method thus described for moderating the speed of cars and for
stopping and holding them fast at any point on the track that.may be desired I fix at
each end C, D of track A a toothed rack H (see Figures 6 and 7 Sheet 3) suspended
over the track with hinged joint 1 (for up andes J of the car wheels K would raise
down movement) at the fixed end so
that as the cars complete their journey
up the rack H but owing to the shape of the teeth or projections L upon it
immediately the car comes to a standstill or commences a retrograde movement it
would be held fast by the said rack a series of levers or rods, chain or ropes M. M
being used to lift up or to pull down the free end of this rack when desired to
release the car.
The better to secure perfect action on the part of this rack or catch H I connect it
by a light and elastic spring N of rubber or metal to the track A so that the rack H
is kept at all times about parallel to the track A and is thus always ready to take
possession of the car wheel axle J when the same passes under it. To neutralize to
some extent the downward tension of this spring N I fix at the opposite end of the
rack H a spring N¹ similar to N but fixed so as to exert its tension upwards.
A reversible catch is arranged as at Figures 8 and 9 sheet 3) to grip the track
immediately the car should commence a retrograde movement without such being
desired. I fix on the axle J of the car wheel K a catch P, which catch P is caused
to reverse either by the direct attention of an attendant or automatically by a light
spring or other projection so fixed that on the car commencing each journey the
catch P comes in contact with Q (the spring projection) and by its resistance the
catch P is caused to reverse.
This catch is fixed on both wheels K of the car, when two wheels are used and on
the first and last one when the car has more than two wheels.
The grooved edges of this catch P I make so as to grip the track where the latter
is of wire or other rope not simply as a round surface but so shaped as to fit more or
less to the line of twist of the rope and thus catch in or upon the slight depressions
between the strands.
Buffers In order to prevent the too sudden stoppage of the car I arrange buffers
at the lower or both ends of each track. These buffers are fixed either on the
insides or outsides of the racks H Figures 6 and 7 and in the form of long spiral
springs so arranged that either the axle J of car wheel K or a projection fixed upon
it comes in contact with the springs and either extends or compresses them according
to the position in which they are fixed.
As an additional preventative of a too sudden stoppage, I so arrange the arrival
platform that the base of the car B begins to rub upon or by aid of small wheels

page_text: or rollers R, R, fixed either upon the floor S (Figure 1) or on the base of the car B
(Figures 10 and 11) to roll upon said platform floor S and by this means be almost
robbed of its momentum ere it arrives at the extreme end D of its track.
As a further protection I use any ordinary and well known form of spring,
rubber or air compressing buffer fixed at the extreme end D of track for the car B
to bang against if its momentum be not previously exhausted.
As a modification of or in addition to one or other of the foregoing methods of
stopping the momentum of the car, I so arrange the track A that a portion of the
final length of run of car shall be on a slightly ascending gradient and by this means
reduce the velocity towards the end of run. This result where track is, a wire or
other rope being gained by simply allowing it to hang rather slack instead of being
tightly stretched from end to end.
Cars. The cars B 'may be arranged to travel suspended from one, two, or more
wheels K grooved or otherwise, according to the track chosen for them to run upon.
I give preference to two wheels in line as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 11 causing the
car to be parallel with the track whilst descending, or ascending instead of continuing
horizontal as would be the case if swung from one wheel.
I prefer in all cases whether one or more wheels are used from which to suspend
the car, that the connection T (Figure 11) between the car B and wheel or wheels K
shall not be rigid but be by chains, ropes, or hinged bars or rods as shown in
Figure 11 so that the car B may accommodate itself to the requirements of gravity
and velocity without the wheels K or wheel being caused to leave the track.
In all cases except where one wheel only is used the latter arrangement is essential
to the proper and safe working of my invention.
I make the cars to carry one, two, or more persons.
Figure 12 Sheet 3 shows back view of a single passenger arrangement where a
passenger may hang suspended from axle J of the wheel K and thus takes as it
were a flying leap through the air from the higher to the lower platform or to ground
level.
Figure 13 is side view of same. When desired I couple together a number of
these single passenger arrangements by vertically hinged rods and by this means
several persons may take the leap together.
I suspend a footboard from the axle of wheel upon which the passenger may
stand or sit.
In order to remove these cars easily from the track the points of the hooks U, U,
are made to spring so that the cross bar V may be easily lifted up and removed thus
allowing the wheel K to be lifted off the track A. Any ordinary arrangement to
serve this purpose (easy removal) may be applied in place of this, which I do not
claim as novel.
Brakes. Figure 14 sheet 2 is a side view of a hand brake to be applied by the
passenger or attendant in the car. W W are cords carried down into the car and
may be fixed to a small drum X as shown in Figure 11. Y, Y, are levers, to the
short ends of which are fixed (pivotted) brake blocks, Z, Z, which may be shod with
leather to give greater friction when applied. The said levers work on pius at a, a,
as fulcrums, is a spring to cause the brake blocks Z, Z, to be withdrawn when
power is not applied to them through the ropes W, W.
Figure 15 shows a single form of the same kind of brake.
Figure 16 shows a brake to act automatically in the event of the rope F breaking
which connects the two cars. The bar has a loop at d to which is coupled the
rope F.
At the opposite end is a scotch block e heavily weighted. The bar e works
easily on the axle J of the car wheel K as a centre, e being the heaviest end drops
into the track A immediately the strain is taken off d by the breaking of the rope F.
The point g of the block e at once rests upon the track Å and the block e is caused to
slide along the slot until it is firmly wedged between the wheel K and the track A,
the friction being increased by the V groove in e gripping both sides of the track A.
The wheel K is prevented from leaving the track A and passing over block e by
the cross bar shown in Figure 10.

page_text: The dotted line shows the block in position for acting on the track A.
Figure 17 shows a similar arrangement but with the block e replaced by a V shaped
extension of the bars
C.
Figure 18 is another form of hand brake to be applied by a person in the car
where by pulling a rope W the lever J is made to bring the block k into contact with
the track A. Immediately this is done the wheel K being in motion the block k
will be dragged against the underside of the track A.
To prevent this brake stopping the car too suddenly I fix between & and the
vertical bar a short piece of chain m to limit the frictional power of k by preventing
it dragging too far behind.
I fix a small spring as shown at n Figure 18 or as shown at n in Figure 11 to
prevent the accidental application of the brake block k by oscillation or otherwise.
I prefer that the block should have a V or other shaped groove in its upper
surface to increase friction.
Figure 19 shows an end view of this brake.
Figure 20 shows an arrangement for regulating speed of cars by retarding the
motion of the pulleys around which the small connecting rope F is passed, by a
strap p or other brake acting upon either a part of pulley itself or as shown by
acting upon an additional pulley 7 fixed to the one carrying the rope.
When desirable to increase the speed of the cars (without increasing the incline
of the track) above that obtained by gravitation I connect the shaft of this or another
of the pulleys to any ordinary motive power and by the aid of the latter relieve the
descending car of the weight of the ascending one.
If the speed thus gained be not sufficient I fix one, two or more pulleys G³, G,
Figure 21 at the bottom end of tracks in a similar manner to that already described
for the top end and passing from the free end of one car a second small rope F¹
around these pulleys and up to the free end of the other car thus as it were completing
the circuit of the small rope first mentioned as connecting the two back ends of the
cars with the pulleys at the top end of track. By this means with the aid of motive
power at I am able to get any speed desired; limited only by the amount of power
available.
Figures 10 and 11 show one type of car I propose to use having two grooved
wheels K K' connected by bars c c.
On wheel K is shown automatic brake e with rope F attached. On wheel K' is
fixed the hand brake k.
Dependent from axles J, J, are bars s, s, s, s, with hinged joints as shown.
To the bars T T is fixed the body of the car B having seats as shown. On the
'bottom of the car is fixed four small wheels r, r, r, r.
To prevent the wheels K K¹ by any possibility leaving the track I fix cross bars
at as shown in Figure 10.
t, is an awning,
I sometimes make my car, wheels with roller bearings to minimise friction.
When I desire to give to the cars an undulatory motion (Switchback style) I fix
strong upright posts u, u, in the ground or upon it as shown in Figures 22 and 23
(being elevation and plan respectively) at some distance apart according to the
arrangement of the curves so that there shall be at least one post to each hollow and
one to each hill.
To these posts I fix projecting arms_vv. From one to another of these arms v v
along the right hand side of the posts I carry a steel wire or other cable or a steel or
other metal or wooden rail A cut or bent to the desired curve, and similarly back
along the other side of post to form the return track.
When I use a rope track I arrange the outer end of projecting and supporting
arms with a clip so that the rope may be laid in a groove prepared for it and the
clip be then screwed or bolted or otherwise fastened up tight to it, thus to prevent all
or any of the rope being by the weight of car and its load drawn into one hollow or
between one pair of posts.
The clip or arm at each hill I make as in Figure 24 with a projecting arm w to

page_text: right and left of grooved spring steel so that the rope track may rest in the groove
and by its being of slightly flexible nature and curved as described will prevent the
rope forming an angular bend at oach support.
The clip at each valley I arrange so as to grip the rope and hold it down in place
as shown.
The curved grooved spring to right and left on these arms being bent to a concave
line instead of as for hills to a convex line.
In order to make the structure more rigid if necessary I brace the tops of the
posts one to another by bars of wood or metal.
Switch arrangement. In order to transfer the cars (more especially those to carry'
more than one person) from the end of one track after completing a journey onto the
starting end of the other track, I fix to an arm a piece of rigid track (see
Figure 23) and iron or wood rail sufficiently long to hold both, or if more than two,.
all the wheels from which the car is suspended.
The arm is made to project from but to work round upon a central post fixed
midway between the two tracks.
The car on finishing a journey is run onto this short length of track and the whole,--
car, track, and projecting arm revolved half round until the piece of track forms an
extension of what was the opposite track and the car is again ready for another
journey down opposite track.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is,
The several arrangements of mechanism or apparatus for enabling persons (or
goods) to move by gravitation above the level of the ground by means of inclined
track from which cars are suspended by wheels, said wheels being fitted with
automatic or hand brakes for arresting or regulating the speed of travel as described
with reference to the annexed drawings, also the arrangement of undulating track
whereby the car or carrier with its load is caused to travel over a series of ascents
and descents, also the means of transferring the car from one line of track to
another as described.