Improvements in Railways for Recreation.
Year: 1895

page_text: Improvements in Railways for Recreation.
I, WALTER DARKER PITT, of 14 Victoria Street, Westminster, in the County
of London, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to that class of railway used for recreation at exhibitions,
fairs and such like places of resort, but more especially to those railways of this
class which consist of a pyramidical or other suitably shaped structure in which a
car is raised by a lift, or otherwise elevated to the summit thereof and then allowed
to descend, by gravitation to the base.
The object of the invention is to construct a railway of this class which will be
capable of being readily erected and taken down for removal to other resorts when
required.
In carrying out my invention I provide suitable stanchions which are either let
into the earth or are made to fit metal or other sockets. These stanchions may be
made either of the required lengths or may be made in shorter lengths more suitable
for removal, and be united and extended in any suitable way, such as by sockets
fixed to the end of one' to receive the end of the other one.
The stanchions are arranged around a common centre in such manner that a
spiral platform or track may be formed upon them.
Suitable beams are horizontally arranged at increasing distances up the stanchions
and radiate outwards from the centre of the structure. These beams are made
capable of being easily fixed to or removed from the stanchions by being mortised
and secured by removeable bolts, wedges, or the like, or, in order that neither the
stanchion nor the beams should be weakened, a ferrule-shaped casting may
surround the stanchion and have a horizontally projecting socket to receive
the end of the horizontal beam which is secured therein by a vertically inserted pin or
the like.
Suitable sleepers are arranged transversely upon the horizontal beams which
are preferably formed with cross grooves to receive them. If desired, the
sleepers and the grooves for their reception may be lined with metal to ensure a
perfect, fit and prevent wear and swelling of the joints by moisture. The
junction of the parts may be further strengthened by a removable bolt or pin passed
through them.
Suitable rails are secured to the sleepers by removable bolts, or may be
permanently secured to cross-ties which are secured to the sleepers laid in sections
as will be understood.
By the aforementioned method of construction an elevated structure is made
having a spiral and gradient track surrounding it, which if desired, can radiate
outwards towards the base to form a pyramidically-shaped railway having a gradient
track.
At the base the track may enter a tunnel which, like the remainder of the
structure is built of stanchions and cross-beams, all of which are united
substantially as aforedescribed to render them capable of being easily erectel and
taken apart. The tunnel, thus constructed, is preferably covered with galvanized
iron, zinc or the like.
The structure may be surmounted by a pavilion for refreshments etc.; and this

page_text: also is constructed in parts which are capable of being united substantially as
herein before described. In some cases, however, a tower, made in removable
sections, may be substituted for the pavilion.
A suitable station for the stopping and starting of the cars is provided and is
made in sections to render the same portable as will be understood.
The structure may be surmounted by a suitable awning or covering as a protection
in wet weather.
A staircase may be substituted for the lift aforementioned, or the structure may
be provided with both a staircase and lift if desired.
In operation, the cars are started from the station and run down a gradient to the
centre of the structure onto a portable lift by which they are raised to the summit
from whence they descend to the base, and emerging from the tunnel, arrive at the
starting station aforementioned.
Although the foregoing description relates to railways for recreation made
principally of wood, yet it will be understood that, by a slight modification, the same
method of construction applies also to like structures made of metal.
I am aware that railways in which cars descend by gravitation have heretofore
been constructed; and I do not claim such as my invention; but I am not aware
that railways of circular, spiral, or pyramidical form have been heretofore made
portable as herein described.
Dated this 26th day of November 1895.
I, WALTER DARKER PITT, of 14 Victoria Street, Westminster, in the County
of London, Gentleman, 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 :-
This invention relates to that class of railways used for recreation at exhibitions,
fairs, and such like places of resort; but more especially to those railways which
consist of a pyramidical or other suitably shaped structure, in which a car is raised
by a litt, or otherwise elevated to the summit thereof, and then allowed to descend
by gravitation to the base.
The object of the present invention is to construct a railway of this class which
will be capable of being readily erected and taken down for removal to other resorts
when required.
Reference being had to the drawings,
Fig. 1 is a half sectional elevation of a railway constructed in accordance with my
present invention.
Fig. 2 is a detail view shewing an alternative method of construction.
A railway for recreation made in accordance with this invention comprises 6, 8,
or more stanchions A which preferably fit into sockets B which may be let into the
ground or formed with depending flanges b which enter the ground and prevent
movement of the stanchions. The stanchions may be of the required length, or
may be made in shorter lengths more suitable for transport, and be united and
extended in any suitable way, such as by sockets C fixed to one length and made
to receive the other as shewn. That part of each length which enters the socket
is preferably fitted with a metal end-piece a which is formed so as to engage the
corresponding end of the other part of the stanchion as shewn. The sockets secured
by bolts c' to the stanchions A, are formed with side sockets c which engage the ends
of beams or tie bars D which are secured in said sockets by bolts, pins, or the
like. The upper ends of the stanchions A are fitted with castings E having

page_text: extensions & through which bolts are passed to secure them to the platform F.
The castings are also formed with sockets f, f¹.
Inclined struts or stanchions G extend around the stanchions A and have their
upper ends engaged by the sockets and their lower ends by the sockets. B' similar
to the sockets B. The struts G may be of any convenient length and be united by
castings in the same manner as described with reference to the stanchions A. The
castings on struts G are formed with sockets g₁ to engage the ends of suitable
struts H, the other ends of which enter sockets h forming part of the lower
castings C¹.
Castings I are secured by bolts i to the struts G and have sockets ', . The
sockets engage the inner ends of beams J, secured therein by bolts or the like 3,
and have their outer ends fitted with castings K which are formed with sockets k, k¹.
The sockets engage the ends of struts L, the other ends of which enter the
sockets and are held by bolts . The sockets 2, engage the lower ends of posts M
through which pass rods m to form a railing.
If desired, the struts L may be dispensed with and the beams J be extended and
fitted with castings N (Fig. 2) to receive the posts M, the ends of beams J and the
upper ends of posts M entering sockets in the casting K which is shaped as shewn
to suit the alternative construction.
Sleepers O are supported by the beams J which are cut out to receive them, and
to form a continuous track which extends spirally around the structure from the
top to the base. A portable railway of well known form, consisting of metal ties R
to which rails S are bolted, is laid upon and bolted to the sleepers O to form a
suitable way for the cars.
Upon the platform F a suitable portable pavilion is erected and is preferably
composed of stanchions T fitted into sockets U braced by cross pieces V and having
the sides W bolted thereto; the whole being surmounted by a roof made in sections
and bolted together.
The track, at its base, enters a tunnel. Y, which is made in sections so as to
portable, the whole of the parts being similar and bolted together substantially as
described with reference to the pavilion.
A portable station at which the cars are started and arrested is also provided,
and is constructed in sections bolted together as will be readily understood.
The structure may be provided with both a staircase and lift if desired.
The structure may be surmounted by a suitable awning or cover as a protection in
wet weather.
Although I have described and illustrated the construction having its parts
united by metal castings, yet these may be dispensed with and the parts suitably
mortised together. Nevertheless the construction described is preferable inasmuch
as the wood is apt to swell in damp weather and the parts rendered difficult to fit
together.
Although the foregoing description relates to railways for recreation made
principally of wood, yet it will be understood that by a slight modification,
the same method of construction applies also to like structures made of metal.
By the aforementioned method of construction, an elevated structure is made
having a spiral and gradient track surrounding it, which, if desired, can radiate
outwards towards the base to form a pyramidically shaped railway having a gradient
track, although I do not confine myself to the particular design of the construction
shewn.
In operation the cars are started from the station and run down a gradient to the
centre of the structure, onto a portable lift, of any well known construction, by
which they are raised to the platform F from whence they descend to the base, and
emerging from the tunnel arrive at the starting station afore mentioned.
I am aware that railways in which cars descend by gravitation have heretofore
been constructed, and I do not herein claim such as my invention; but I am not
aware that railways of circular, spiral, or pyramidical form have heretofore been
made portable substantially as herein described.

page_text: 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: -
-
(1.) A pyramidical railway for recreation constructed of parts of a size con-
venient for removal from place to place and said parts being adapted to be easily
combined to form the complete structure, and to be readily taken apart for removal,
all substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the drawings hereunto
annexed.
(2.) A portable railway for recreation of that class hereinbefore referred to,
consisting of a series of stanchions suitably braced, a gradient track encircling the
stanchions, a portable pavilion or the like surmounting the structure, a portable
tunnel at the foot of the track, and a portable station, the whole of the parts of the
railway, the pavilion, the tunnel, and the station being made of separate parts
easily united to form the complete structure, all substantially as and for the
purpose herein before set forth.
(3.) A portable railway for recreation constructed substantially as and for the
purposes herein before described and illustrated in the drawings hereunto annexed.
Dated this 26th day of September 1896.
PERCY R. J. WILLIS,
Applicant's Agent.