IMPROVED APPARATUS TO DE EMPLOYED IN THEATRICAL OR GYMNASTIC PERFORMANCES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Giullermo Antonio Farini, of Westminster, for the
Invention of "IMPROVED APPARATUS TO DE EMPLOYED IN THEATRICAL OR
GYMNASTIC PERFORMANCES."
ETUIP
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Giullermo Antonio Farini at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th December 1877.
GIULLERMO ANTONIO FARINI, of Westminster. "IMPROVED APPARATUS TO BE
EMPLOYED IN THEATRICAL OR GYMNASTIC PERFORMANCES."
The first part of my Invention relates to a novel apparatus for projecting a
gymnast or other performer through the air to any desired height, being an im-
provement upon the first part of the Invention, for which Letters Patent were
granted to me, bearing date the 30th May, 1870, No. 1572.
It consists in dispensing with the long central guiding stem therein described
and in the employment of an inner platform working between two guiding pillars
or rods on each side, and connected with the upper framework of the apparatus by
india-rubber or other springs by which it is actuated in such a manner that when
brought into its lowest position the springs are extended, and the platform is then
locked or secured in that position by a bolt and trigger catch or other device.
Upon releasing the catch the reaction of the springs causes the platform to rise
suddenly and project the gymnast or other performer upwards.
The second part of my Invention relates to improvements on the Invention for
which Letters Patent were granted to William Leonard Hunt, bearing date the 18th
December, 1875, No. 4404, and consists in combining the framework, inner platform,
and springs above described with the cylindrical casing or chamber of a cannon or
gun, and with a tube or cylinder containing a sufficient quantity of powder, and
placed in such manner and position with relation to an improved catch or lock for
retaining the inner platform and extended springs so that when the powder is
ignited or discharged by means of a match, percussion, or electricity, the catch or
lock will be opened so as to release the platform and springs, which will then propel

page_text: the performer from the cannon, and at the same time give a loud report, thereby
creating a belief that a real cannon is employed and the motive power is powder.
The third part of my Invention consists in dispensing with springs, and in
substituting for the tube or cylinder containing the powder, as described in the
second part of my Invention, a telescopic sliding tube or barrel, one end of which is 5
screwed into the under side of the inner platform, and the other end into a con-
venient part of the lower framework in such a manner that when the inner platform
is in its lowest position the telescopic tube or barrel is closed or shortened to its
minimum extent, and being charged with powder the latter is ignited or discharged
by means of a match, percussion, or electricity, and acting upon a piston on the end
of the inner length of the telescopic tube or barrel propels the inner platform
towards the mouth of the cannon, and projects the performer therefrom as if
projected from a real cannon. Or in lieu of charging the lower portion of the
telescopic tube or barrel with powder the tube or cylinder described in the second
part of this Invention may be retained, and being charged with powder is
discharged by means of a match, percussion, or electricity into the telescopic
barrel. Or in lieu of powder a spiral spring or springs may be employed as the
motive power.
The fourth part of my Invention consists in the application of steam or com-
pressed air for propelling the inner platform towards the mouth of a cannon or gun
in lieu of using powder or springs.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood, I shall now pro-
ceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to the
accompanying Sheet of Drawings, the same letters of reference indicating corres-
ponding parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1 represents a sectional elevation of the apparatus comprised under the
first part of my Invention, and Fig. 2 a plan thereof.
A is the inner platform, on which stands the gymnast or other performer, to be
projected upwards through the stage, trap, or opening B. This platform is shown
in its lowest position ready for action, and there locked by two hinged jaws or
levers a, a, the hooked ends of which grip or take into two bevilled recesses or slots
formed on the sides of a stud or head b attached to the under side of the platform
A; when in this position they are prevented from spreading apart on their hinges
by the sides of an open socket piece c secured vertically to the lower part of the
framework C. The jaws or levers a, a, are hinged to the arms of a Y or other
shaped connecting piece d, which is connected at its lower end with the short arm
of a lever e, the long arm of which passes out to the side of the framework C, whero
it rests (when the platform A is in its lowest position, as shewn) upon a rod or bolt
f, which is inserted into the upright standard 1 of the framework C, and is formed
with a handle for removing it therefrom when required. The platform A is
secured to or carried at its under side by a bar D, each end of which passes between
the two upright pillars or rods 22 and 33 respectively on each side of the framework
C, where it is provided with rollers g, g, mounted in suitable frames h, h and
working against the said rods 22 and 33, so as to act as guides to the bar D and
platform A in their ascent. On the upper ends of the pillars or rods 22 and 33 are
rubber or other buffers h¹ for deadening the shock occasioned by the rapid ascent of
the platform A, as hereafter described. The bar D terminates at each end outside
the upright pillars or rods 22 and 33 with a curved-shaped bar i carrying pins j, j,
immediately over which are similar curved bars i, i, secured to the under side of the
top portion of the framework C, and carrying pins j', j. Between the pins ; and
the india-rubber or other springs E are stretched or extended, and the whole
apparatus is ready for use.
The gymnast or other performer being stationed on the platform A, and it being
desired to project him or her upwards, the bolt f is withdrawn by means of its
handle from the upright standard 1 of the framework C, and from underneath the
long arm of the lever e, which, being now free to move the tension of the extended
springs E, acting upon the stud or head b, on the under side of the platform A, pulls

page_text: up the jaws or levers a, a, out of the socket c, and the said levers spreading open
on their hinges release the platform A, which instantly flys upwards in obedience
to the action of the springs E and projects the gymnast or other performer as
desired.
Figure 3 is a sido sectional elevation of the apparatus above described adapted to
a cannon or gun according to the second part of my Invention, and Fig. 4 a section
on line x, x, in Figure 3.
In this arrangement the entire apparatus, which is similar to that described in
Figures 1 and 2 (except that the locking bolt f is dispensed with), is enclosed in the
cylindrical chamber or casing o of the cannon or gun F, which is suspended from
the roof or other convenient part of the place of exhibition at any desired angle by
rods or chains, as shewn. On the end of the long arm of lever e (as seen, Fig. 1) is
hinged a short arm p, which, when the platform A is in its lowest position, as
shewn, is turned down vertically with the lever c, so that its end bears hard upon
the lower portion of the framework C, thereby preventing the tension of the
springs E from forcing down the long arm of lever e, and so releasing the platform
A. On one side of the arm p, near its lower end, is fixed a cup-shaped piece q,
which, when the arm p is in the position described, is in contact with the mouth of
a short tube or cylinder G, which is carried by a bracket secured to the lower portion
of the framework C and charged with powder.
A gymnast or other performer having assumed an inclined position inside the
chamber o of the cannon or gun F with his (or her) feet bearing against the inner
platforin A, and it being desired to project him (or her) from the gun, the powder
contained in the tube or cylinder G is ignited by a match, or fuse, or by percussion,
or electricity, and the arm p of the lever e being driven away from the mouth of
the tube or cylinder G by the gases generated releases the long arm of lever e and
platform A, which instantly flys outwards towards the mouth of the cannon or
gun F, and the gymnast or other performer is thereby projected from the cannon into
the air as desired.
In case the powder does not act, owing to dampness or other unexplained cause,
provision is made for igniting it by means of electricity acting along wires in
connection with the tube or cylinder G, a spark being thereby caused which ignites
a quantity of fine dry powder in communication with that contained in tho tube or
cylinder G, and which is rapidly discharged thereby.
is
Figure 5 shows a method of actuating the inner platform A when applied to a
cannon or gun F (as in Figs. 3 and 4) without the aid of the springs E, powder
alone being used as the motive power. In lieu of the tube or cylinder G releasing
the lever e and platform A, as previously described, I employ a telescopic tube or
barrel H, made in two or more pieces, the outer tube y being screwed at its lower end
into the lower 'portion of the framework O and the inner tube z at its upper ond
into the under side of the platform A. The lower end of the inner tube
provided with a ring or piston a formed of two metal rings, between which a ring
of rubber or felt is pressed out against the inner surface of the outer tube y by a
nut or other device, or a metal or any other kind of packing may be used in
lieu of that described as found most suitable to prevent windage. The inner plat-
form A being in its lowest position, as shown, and the telescopic tube closed or
shortened to its minimum length the piston s will be near the bottom of the outer
length of tube y, and air-tight therewith. The space left between the piston 8 and
the bottom of the outer tubo y is then charged with powder, and being ignited by
a match, percussion, or electricity, the gas generated acting against the piston & drives
it with the inner tube and platform A out to the full extent allowed by the outer
tube y, and the gymnast or other performer is projected from the cannon in a
similar manner as if projected from a cannon fired in the ordinary manner.
If desired, in lieu of charging the space at the lower end of the outer tube y
with powder the tube or cylinder G, described in Figs. 3 and 4, may be used, in
which case it is screwed into the lower end of the outer tube y or into the lower

page_text: portion of the framework C, and in communication with the tube y, as shown. Orin
lieu of using powder as the motive power one or more spiral springs may be inserted
into the outer tube y, in which case the end of the inner tube or rod is formed
with a stud or head similar to that described in the first and second parts of my
Invention, on the under side of the platform A (Figs. 1 and 3); it is then inserted
within the spiral spring, and drawn down with the platform A by means of a long
screw passing up the interior of the spiral spring and working through a plate on
the under side of the framework C. Its upper end terminates in a hook which
catches in the said stud or head or in a pin or bolt thereon, and the screw being
then operated from below draws down the platform A and compresses the spiral
spring until brought into the lowest position, when the platform is there locked in n
similar manner to that described in the first part of my Invention, and the screw
being detached or withdrawn from the stud or head and from the interior of the
spring the apparatus is ready for use (not shown on the Drawing).
According to the fourth part of my Invention, in lieu of using powder or springs
as tho motive power for propelling the platform A towards the mouth of the cannon
I arrange a pipe P (seen in dotted lines, Fig. 5), which is connected at one end with
the space or chamber immediately below the piston s, and at the other end with a
steam boiler or compressed air reservoir (not shown on Drawing), as the case may
bc. In this pipe P is a cock Q, on oponing which the steam or compressed air is
admitted to the space or chamber beneath the pistons, and acting suddenly upon
the latter propels it with the inner tube and platform A towards the mouth of
the cannon until the piston 8 has reached the limit of its stroke, when it uncovers
a passage in the side of the outer tube y, through which the steam (the cock Q
being first closed by hand or by rod and lever from the moving platform) is allowed
to escape, either into the atmosphere surrounding the gun or through an exhaust
pipe P (seo dotted lines, Fig. 5) leading away as desired. The pipes P, P¹, may
form tho guy rods to the cannon or gun; or the admission and exhaustion of the
steam may be effected in any other manner that may be found most convenient.
A tube or pistol charged with powder and fired by a trigger actuated by the
moving platform A or by match, percussion, or electricity, may be used in com-
bination with the steam or compressed air so as to give a loud report at the time of
starting the platform A; or this report may be given by any description of
explosive or detonating signals.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider as novel and original, and
therofore claim as my Invention, is,―
1. The application and use of a platform actuated by springs in combination with
locking and releasing apparatus, and with a stage trap, substantially as and for the
purpose herein-before described and illustrated by Figures 1 and 2 on the
accompanying Drawing.
2. The application and use of a platform actuated by springs and enclosed within
the chamber of a cannon or gun in combination with locking apparatus, and with a
tube or cylinder charged with powder, substantially as and for the purpose
herein before described and illustrated by Figs. 3 and 4 on the accompanying
Drawing.
3. The application and use of a platform enclosed within the chamber of a cannon
or gun in combination with a telescopic tube or barrel charged with powder in lieu
of springs and locking apparatus, or in combination with a tube or cylinder charged
with powder (in lieu of charging the telescopic tube or barrel), substantially as and
for the purpose herein-before described and illustrated by Fig. 5 on the accompanying
Drawing.
4. The application and use of spiral springs enclosed within the telescopic tube or
barrel in lieu of charging the same with powder, substantially as and for the
purpose herein-before described.

page_text: 5. The application and use of steam or compressed air for propelling the inner
platform towards the mouth of a cannon in lieu of powder or springs, and in com-
bination (or not) with a pistol or other explosive signal, substantially as and for
the purpose herein-before described and partly illustrated by Fig. 5 on the
5 accompanying Drawing
In witness whereof, I, the said Giullermo Antonio Farini, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
Witness,
E. T. HUGHES,
Patent Agent,
123, Chancery Lane,
London.
GIULLERMO ANTONIO FARINI. (L.S.)