Improvements in Inolined Railways and Water Tobogganing Apparatus.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Aug., 1896-Accepted, 14th Nov., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Inolined Railways and Water Tobogganing
Apparatus.
I, STEPHEN EDWARD JAOKMAN, Inventor, of 3 Kenoza Avenue, Haverhill,
in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts, United States of America, do
hereby declare the nature of my 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 the invention is to provide a new and improved inclined railway
and water tobogganing apparatus, arranged to enable persons to enjoy a continuous
ride over an inclined or switch-back road, through a tunnel, and down a toboggan
elide into a lake or like body of water, and over the same back to the starting
point or station, without being cbliged to leave the vehicle.
The invention consists principally of a continuous course formed by an inclined
railway and toboggan slide, and a water basin beginning at the lower ond of the
said slide, and leading to the lower end or, beginning of the said inclined railway.
The invention further consists of a vehicle adapted to travel over a continuous
track, as a car, sled and boat.
The invention also consists of certain parts and details and combinations of
the same, as will be fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the
claims.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this
specification, in which similar obaracters of reference indicate corresponding parts
in all the figures.
Figure 1 is a plan view of the arrangement with the track rails omitted;
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same;
Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of part of the water basin and
part of the inclined railway;
Figure 4 is a plan view of the same;
Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional side elevation. of part of the inclined
railway;
Figure 6 is a plan view of the same;
Figure 7 is a side elevation of the upper part of the inclined railway, tunnel and
wator toboggan slide;
Figure 8 is a cross section of the tunnel ;
Figure 9 is an enlarged side elevation of the end of the tunnel, the' toboggan
slide, and the water-basin;
Figure 10 is a perspective view of the junction of the inclined railway and the
slide;
Figure 11 is an enlarged cross section of the inclined railway with the vehicle
on the track;
Figure 12 is a sectional side elevation of the same;
Figure 13 is an eularged sectional sido elevation of the stern of the vehicle and
mechanism for raising and lowering the catch;
Figure 14 is an end elevation of the same;
Figure 15 is an enlarged side elevation of the propelling chain for the vehicle on
the inclined railway;

page_text: Figure 16 is a like view of the same at the junction of the first incline and
station portion of the inclined railway; and
Figure 17 an enlarged cross section of the toboggan slide and vehicle.
thereon.
The improved apparatus, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, is provided with a
continuous course formed by an inclined railway A provided with a station B and
leading at its upper end through a tunuel C to a water toboggan slide D,
terminating at its lower end in a water basin E whose rounded eud formis a kind
of guide to direct a boat or the like froin the foot of the toboggan to the lower
end of the inclined railway A, as will be readily understood by referenco to
Figures 1 and 2. Thus, a vehicle F (Figure 12), in the shape of a flat bottomed
boat and formed with wheels F' and with runners F, is adapted to travel over the
said continuous track from the station B back to the latter, without the persons
seated in the vehicle once leaving the same.
The inclined railway A is preferably provided with a lower section A
extending at its lower end into the water contained in the basin E, so that the
boat can readily travel over the surface of the water upon the said section A', to
be then carried upward by the propelling mechanism on the inclined railway, as
hereinafter inore fully described. The upper and of the section A' is just above
the water level as indicated in Figure 3, to terminate in the station section A' on
which the station B is located, and the end of this station section A' connects by
a switch A with the steep incline A', preferably provided with two tracks and
termiunting at its upper end in the tunnel C, which is inclined downward slightly,
to the upper end of the chuto D.
The wheels F' of the vehiclo Fare adapted to travel ou single track rails G of
the sections A and A' of the inclined railway A, to then pass over the switch
rails G to either of the track rails G or G on the steep inclined portion A' of
the inclined railway, see Figures 5 and 6. Either of the track rails G' or G'
Carries the vehicle to the rails H or H' respectively, located in the parla D'
and D of the chute D, likewise made double, so as to accommodate a largo
number of vehicles.
It is understood that the runners F' un cach vehicle F pass upon the rails H
or H whenever the wheels F leave the track rails G' or G at the end of the
tunnel C, so that the vehicle, instead of travelling on its wheels, as it did up the
inclined railway, now slides, by means of its runners F, on the rails H, H' down
the chute D into the water contained in the basin E.
The vehicle F is provided in its flat bottom at the front and at the rear with
catches I, ace Figures 15 and 16, each pivoted on a bracket 1 scoured to the flat
bottom, so that the catch hanga vertically and is adapted to engage one of a series
of lugs J on endless chains forming part of the inclined railway, as hereinafter
more fully described.
In order to guide each catch I, I provide a segmental arm I projecting from
the bracket and passing through an aperture in the catch, and a spring lis
coiled on the said arm land presses on the catch I to positively hold the same in
a vertical position, but at the same time permit the catch to swing rearwardly, as
indicated at the left in Figuro 15, to pasa over the lug J to the front thereof,
so that the Jug J engages the rear of the catch, to pull the vohicle forward.
The forward swinging motion of the catch I is limited by a stop I on the
bracket I'
The propelling device for engaging the catches I on each vehicle consists of a
chain J arranged in the lower incline A', and this chain J¹ passes at its lower end
over a sprocket wheel J, located near the bottom of the basin E, so that the lower
part of this chain J is completely submerged in the water, see Figure 3. The
upper end of the chiniu passes over a sprocket wheel J secured on a transverse
shaft J and arranged a short distance above the level of the water at the upper
end of the first incline A. The shaft J carries a second sprocket wheel J, sea
Figures 3 and 4, over which passes a sprocket chain J extending along the

page_text: station section A', and arranged slightly in an inclined direction forwardly and
downwardly, the rear end of the chain passing over a sprocket wheel J' secured
on a shaft J. On this shaft. Je is seoured a sprocket wheel J over which passes
a sprocket chain J10, extending outside of the trestle-work and tracks along the
switch section A', see Figures 5 and 6, to pass over a sprocket wheel J" secured
on a shaft J, extending transversely at the lower end of the steep inclined
section A, as is plainly shown in Figures 5 and 6.
On the shaft J" are secured two sprocket wheels J", one for each of the
tracks G and G, and each sprocket wheel J" is connected by a chaiu J with
a sprocket wheel J", secured on a transverse shaft J carrying sprocket wheels J",
one for each track G' and G. Over each of the sprocket wheels J" passes a
sprocket chain J18 extending upwardly in the steep inclined sections to pass at its
upper end at the entrance of the tunnel C over a sprocket wheel J, secured on &
transverse shaft Jo, see Figure 7. On this shaft J is fastened a pulloy J", over
which passes the belt J" also passing over a pulley J" secured on a shaft J.
rotated from an engine or other suitable motor located in the engine house K, as
indicated in the said Figure 7.
It will be seen that when the shaft J" is rotated, a travelling motion is imparted
to the several sprocket chains J, J, J10, J and J', so that the vehicle F passing
on the chain J' is carried upward on the inclined railway section A', to finally pass
into the station section A³, to bring the vehicle to the station B for passengers to
got out and other passengers to get in. By reference to Figure 16 it will be
seen that two catches are necessary to bring the vehicle F from the first
section A onto the second section A, as the Eaid catch I on the forward eud of
the vehicle after leaving the chain J' does not come in contact with the chain Je
as the latter is not in alignment with the chain J, and consequently the rear
catch 1 is necessary to push the vehicle F completely upon the second section A'.
When this is done both catches I are out of engagement with the chain, and in
order to propel the vehicle forward, the attendant in the boat throws down another.
catch L to engage the lug J on the chain J. This catch L. is shown in detail in
Figures 13 and 14 and is arranged as follows:-
The catch L is pivoted at its upper end on a slide L' fitted to slide vertically in
suitable guideways L' attached to the rear end of the vehicle F, and the said slide
is engaged by the lower, threaded end L' of a rack L in mesh with a gear
wheel L' secured on a shaft Le journaled in suitable bearings on the top of the end
of the boat. A handle L' is fastened to tho shaft L' and is under the control of
the attendant of the vehicle, stationed in the stern.
It will be seen that the catch L when in its uppermost position as shown in
Figure 13, is above the chains, and when the vehicle F passes onto the station
section A', then the attendant by moving the haudle L' upward, causes the down-
ward movement of the rack L, slide L' and catch L to bring the latter in
engagement with one of the projections of the traveling chain J. The vehicle F
is now propelled forward to the station by the chain J and when at or near the
station B the attendant moves the handle I back into its uppermost position,
shown in Figure 13, to withdraw the catch L from the lug J of the chain J. The
vehicle now comes to a standstill to permit passengers to get out and to take on
other passengers, after which the attendant again throws the catch L down, to
cause the chain Jo to move the vehicle forward to the switch G on which the
vehicle is transferred to either of the tracks G or G, it being understood that the
momentum of the vehicle is sufficient to carry it from the end of the chain Je to
either of the chains J. The vehicle now travels up the inclined railway
section A, the propelling being done by the chain J18 engaging the catch L.
When the vehicle arrives and passes over the upper end of the section A* it
passes onto the track rails G and G' in the tunnel C, aud as the said track rails
are inclined downward, the vehicle, by its own momentum shoots through the
tunnel C to finally pass upon the corresponding section D' or D' of the chute D.

page_text: In doing so, the wheels F pass out of action and the runners F³ pass on the rails H
or H¹.
In order to enable the attendant to control the vehicle F, a suitable mechanism
is provided likewise under the control of the attendant. Throughout the course
of the inclined railway at the station B in the tunnel C and chuto D and on
both sides thereof, are arranged the guard rails N, see Figure 11, adapted to
be engaged by wheels F (Figure 12) on the sides of the vehicle F, to reduce
the friction incident to the vehicle swaying from one side to the other, and the
wheels striking the said rails N. The rails are also adapted to be engaged hy
brake shoes O, fitted to slide transversely in suitable bearings attached to the
vehicle F, see Figures 11 and 12, and pivotally connected on their brake rods O
by links with a nut 0 screwing on
ณ screw rod O mounted to turn in
bearings O secured to the rear end of the vehicle F.
On the upper end of the screw rod O is arranged a hand wheel O under
the control of the attendant, so that the latter by turning the said hand wheel
and screw rod O' causes the nut O' to move downward to force the links O'
outward, and consequently the brake shoes O in ongagement with the rails N, to
bring the vehicle to a stop whenever necessary, especially at the station B.
The vehicle F is provided with suitable seats for the passengers and with
hand rails F extending longitudinally, for enabling the passengers to hold on
while passing over the course. On the silos of the vehicle F are dash-boards F
(Figure 17) for preventing the water from passing upon the occupants of the
vehicle at the time the latter strikes the water in the basin. The tunnel C is
preferably covered with glass C', as indicated in Figure 8, and is illuminated by
electric or other lamps (
The chute D has its bottom preferably made of plates D' (Figure 10) of colored
glass with lamps below, so that the water when passing down the said chute is
illuminated to the color of the said bottom, owing to the reflection of the light
through the glass. In the ohute D are secured transversely extending and alter-
nately arranged arms D, so that the water passing down the chute is broken up to
form ripples so as to heighten the effect.
The water is taken from the basin by a pipe P lending to a pump P' in the
engine house K, to be then pumped up through a perforated and transverse pipe P
arranged in the upper end of the chute D, see Figures 7 and 10. The water
passing out of this perforated pipe P flows down the chute D and over the arms D'
to cause the ripples, as previously explained it being, however, understood that the
water is not sufficiently deep in the chute to strike the bottom of the boat. The
lower end of the chute D is curved as at D (Figure 9) so that the vehicle Fin
travelling down, strikes the water gently, to retain as much momentum in the
vehicle as possible, to cause the latter to float over the water in the basin E from
the lower end of the chute back to the lower end of the section A¹ of the inclined
railway. The vehicle, while travelling over the water in the basin E is readily
steered by the attendant either leaning to one side of the boat, or by a special
paddle or rudder not shown. The vehicle thus passes readily into the lowermost
end of the section A', it being understood that in doing so the forward catches I
ou the vehicle F engage one of the lugs J of the chain J' to propel the vehiolo up
the section A' onto the station section A' along which the attendant manipulates
the cutch L to bring the vehicle finally to the station.
By having the switch G and the two tracks G and G' as well as the two
sections in the chute D, I am enabled to send a large number of vehicles over the
course at one time, it being understood that the vehicles are then alternately sent
by the switch G' to either of the tracks G or G. The safety beams on the
under side of the vehicle F prevent displacement of the vehicle while going down
the chute D, and in case the boat should go too fast through the tunnel or one of
the chains should break, the attendant can apply the brake mechanism and
reduce the speed of the vehicle and securely hold it in position.

page_text: By the arrangement described a continuous course is formed, and passengers-
getting in the vehicle at the station B are taken around the entire course without
once alighting, and if a second ride is desired, they remain in the vehicle, to again.
go over the course as above described. It is understood that for each ride over the
course, a toll is paid at the station B.
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 1
claim is,
:
1. An apparatus of the class described, provided with a continuous course
comprising an inclined railway, a toboggan slide and a water basin into which leads
the said slide and which extends to the beginning of the inclined railway, said water
basin having a rounded form at its end arranged to guide a boat from one end of the
inclined railway to the other, substautially as shown and described.
2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a vehicle in the
form of a boat and having track wheels and runners, of a continuous course over
which is adapted to pass tho said vehicle, the said course comprising an inclined
railway, a toboggan slide, a water basin into which leads the said slide and which
extends to the beginning of the said inclined railway, so that the vehicle coming
down the slide passes over the water in the basin to and up the said inclined
railway, and a tunnel interposed between the upper end of the inclined railway and.
the upper end of the said toboggan slide, the tunnel being inclined downwardly
from the railway to the toboggan slide, substantially as shown and described.
.
3. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a vehicle in the
form of a boat and having track wheels and runners, of a continuous course over
which is adapted to pass the said vehicle, the said course comprising an inclined
railway, a toboggan slide, and a water basin into which leads the said slide and
which extends to the beginning of the said inclined railway, so that the vehicle
coming down the slide passes over the water in the basin to and up the said
inclined railway, the said inclined railway being made in sections, of which tho
lower section extends from the water in the basin to above the level of the water,.
to terminate in a station section for the passengers to get on or off the vehiole,.
substantially as shown and described.
4. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a vehicle in the
form of a boat and having track wheels and runners, of a continuous course over
which is adapted to pass the said vehicle, the said course comprising an inclined.
railway, a toboggan slide, a water basin into which leads the said slide and which
extends to the beginning of the said inclined railway, so that the vehicle coming
down the slide passes over the water in the basin to and up the said inclined
railway, the said inclined railway being made in sections, of which the lower
section extends from the water in the basin to above the level of the water,.
to terminate in a station section for the passengers to get on or off the vehicle, and
a switch for connecting the station section with the steep inclined section of the
Baid railway, as set forth.
6. An apparatus of the class described, provided with a water chute having its
bottom made of translucent material, and lamps for illuminating the under side of
the said bottom, substantially as shown and described.
6. An apparatus of the class described, provided with an inclined railway having
propelling chains with lugs and a vehicle adapted to travel on the said railway and
having a catch under the control of the attendant, and adapted to be thrown in or
out of engagement with the lugs on the said chain, substantially as shown and
described.
7. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a vehicle in the
form of a boat and having track wheels and runners, of a continuous course
comprising an inclined railway having propelling chains and rails for the said
vehicle, a toboggan slide having rails adapted to be engaged by the said runners of
the vehicle, a water basin into which leads the lower curved end of the said slide and.

page_text: which extends to the beginning of the said inclined railway, and a brake mechanism
on the said vehicle, and adapted to engage guard rails on the inclined railway,
substantially as shown and described.
8. An apparatus of the character described provided with a continuous course
comprising au inclined railway, an inclined slide and a water basin at the foot of
said incline, substantially as shown and described.
9. An apparatus of the character described having a continuous course
comprising an inclined railway, provided with double tracks, a water basin
arranged at the foot of the inclined railway and adapted to receive a boat or
the like passing over the course, and a station section arranged to receive such
boat or the like from said basin, and deliver the same to the ascending tracks,
substantially as specified.
10. An apparatus of the character described having a continuous course
comprising an inclined railway provided with double tracks, a water basin at
the foot of the railway adapted to receive a boat or the like passing over the
course, and a single track station section arranged to receive such boat or the like
from the basin and deliver the same to either one of the ascending tracks,
substantially as specified.
11. An apparatus of the character described having a course comprising an
inclined ascending track, a slide and a water basin to receive a boat or the like
passing down the slide, means to propel a boat or the like up the same, a station
track section at the foot of the ascending track and arranged to deliver to the
Bame, and means for propelling the boat or the like to the station section, said
station section having its end adjacent to the foot of the ascending track inclined
downward, substantially as specified.
12. An apparatus of the character described having a course comprising double
ascending tracks, means to propel a boat or the like up the same, a station section
having a single track arranged to deliver a boat or the like to the lower end
of either of the ascending tracks, a switch between the ascending tracks and the
station section, and means for propelling a boat or the like on the station section,
,said station section having its end adjacent to the switch inclined downward,
aubstantially as specified.
Dated this 18th day of August 1896.
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
53 Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.