Improvements in Roundabouts, Merry-go-rounds, and the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Mar., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 4th Dec., 1896-Accepted, 23rd Jan., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Roundabouts, Merry-go-rounds, and the like.
I, JOHN HENRY BLYTH of Elm Tree Avenue, West Bridgford, Nottinghim,
Manager, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to form roundabouts or merry-go-rounds so as to
represent a circular railway train running in a circular track, and to impart a novel
motion to the carriages in their travel.
For this purpose I have two circular platforms or rings superimposed one above
the other; the bottom platform or ring is stationary, and forins the bed or
foundation of the roundabout. It is fitted with one or more circular tracks of
rails, upon which run the carrying wheels supporting the upper platform or ring,
which is fitted radially with a number of carriages having travelling wheels on the
underside to allow the carriages to move on the platform-to and from the centre
of the same, as it revolves; this radial action being imparted to the carriages
by an irregular, multiple cam-like, or waving circular groove or guide on the
bottom platform, and in which ruu friction pulleys depending from and attached
in a suitable manner to the carriages on the upper platform. To the front
carriage I attach a locomotive, which may either serve to turn the upper platform
or ring on the lower one; or serve as a "dummy" locomotive when this upper
platform or ring is caused to revolve by other motive power placed either in the
centre of the ring, or in any other suitable place.
In addition to the train above described, I may fix other cars or seats, which
are caused to partially rotate backwards and forwards on their axles-as they
revolve with the upper platform-by a lever or levers attached to the lower end
or ends of these axles underneath, and having at the other end of the lever one
or more friction rollers running in the irregular grooves or guides on the bottom
platform.
The upper platform in revolving may be arranged to raise and lower signals,
lights and other contrivances; and the whole may be covered with a suitable
awning or roof.
Dated this 6th day of March 1896.
H. WALKER-HILL,
2 Church Gate, Nottingham, Agent for the Applicant.
I, JOHN HENRY BLYTH of Elm Tree Avenue, West Bridgford, Nottingham,
Manager, 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 :-
The object of my invention is to form roundabouts or merry-go-rounds so as to
represent a circular railway train running on a circular track, and to impart a novel
motion to the carriages in their travel.

page_text: For this purpose I have two circular platforms. or rings superposed one above
the other; the bottom platform or ring is stationary, and forms the bed or
foundation of the roundabout. It is fitted with one or more circular tracks of
rails upon which run the carrying wheels supporting the upper platform or ring,
which is fitted radially with, a number of carriages having travelling wheels on the
under side to allow the carriage to move on the platform-to and from the centre
of the same as it revolves; this radial action being imparted to the carriages by
an irregular multiple cam-like or waving circular groove or guide on the bottom
platform, and in which run friction pulleys depending. from and attached in a
suitable manner to the carriages on the upper platform. To the front carriage
I attach a locomotive, which may either serve to turn the upper platform or ring
on the lower one; or serve as a "dummy "locomotive when this upper platform or
ring is caused to revolve by other motive power placed either in the centre of the
ring, or in any other suitable place.
In addition to the train above described, I may fix other cars or seats, which
are caused to partially rotate backwards and forwards on their axles-as they
revolve with the upper platform-by a lever or levers attached to the lower end
or ends of these axles underneath, and having at the other end of the lever one or
more friction rollers running in the irregular grooves or guides on the bottom
platform.
The upper platform in revolving may be arranged to raise and lower signals,
lights and other contrivances; and the whole may be covered with a suitable
awning or roof.
And in order that the said invention may be fully understood and more readily
carried out and into effect, I shall now proceed more particularly to describe the
same; and for that purpose shall refer to the several figures on the annexed sheet
of drawings, wherein the same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in
all the figures.
Fig. 1 is an elevation of one of my improved roundabouts, partly in section;
and showing two cars only-one in front elevation, and the other in side elevation.
Fig. 2 is a plan of the same roundabout showing all complete.
In these views A is the bottom or stationary circular platform, forming the bed!
or foundation of the roundabout. I prefer to make this in sections-as shown-
suitably connected together; and to carry each section on two pairs of travelling
wheels C C for convenience in transit from place to place; a pair of shafts being
also fitted to each section. The platform A is fitted with the circular tracks of
rails B, B', upon which run the travelling wheels D, D-the axles of which run
in suitable bearings E, E attached to the upper platform F; which I also prefer
to make in sections-as shown-aud suitably connected together for convenience in
transit. Platform F is fitted with two or more carriages G, G' which have each
two pairs of travelling wheels H. H on their underside to allow the carriages to
move radially-to and from the centre of the roundabout-on the rails I, I fixed
on the upper side of platform F.
This radial action is given to the carriages, by having attached to the underside
of each carriage one or more friction rollers J, J, which revolve on an axle
suitably fixed to a bracket fixed underneath each carriage.
The friction rollers or pulleys J, J run in the irregular or waving track or
groové K, K attached to the bottom platform A.
To the front carriage G, 1 attach a locomotive L, which is fitted with the
wheels L', L, L³ placed radially as shewn, for the purpose of drawing the platform F
and the carriages G, G₁ thereon, along the circular track B, B. The wheels of
the locomotive run on the same circular track B, B as the wheels D D carrying
platform F.
By this means a novel and radial action is given to the carriages G, G¹, as well
as a circular action.
In some cases I may have one or more circular or other shaped cars GB which
partially rotate backwards and forwards on the axle M fixed suitably on the

page_text: platform F. A lever N is attached to the bottom of car G³, having one or more
friction rollers J8 turning on an axle fixed on the outer end N of lever N. This
roller Js runs in the irregular track K, K on platform A; and by this imparts a
backwards and forwards action to the car G³.
The platform F in revolving may-by means of a suitable irregular track on its
inner side-be arranged to raise and lower the signal arms S on the posts S¹, by
means of the rods P having roller P' running on the irregular track on platform F.
In place of signals, the same arrangemeut may be used for raising and lowering.
flags, lights and other contrivances.
The whole arrangement is covered by the awning R supported by the pillars. T,.
which may in turn be carried from the steps W by which passengers ascend to the
platform and cars.
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:-
1st. In roundabouts and merry-go-rounds the combination of two circular-
platforms A and F, the former stationary and the latter revolving on A and
carrying the cars G, G₁ moving radially on the rails I I, with the irregular
track K attached to platform A and friction rollers J fixed to the cars G, G¹ for-
the purposes mentioned, and substantially as herein before described and shewn in
the drawings herewith.
2nd. In roundabouts and merry-go-rounds the combination of the irregular
track K and the circular, platform A with the friction rollers J. J, cars G, Gand
platform F all for the purposes named and substantially as herein set forth and.
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
3rd. In roundabouts and the like the combination of cars G, G¹ and radial
rails I, I with the revolving platform F and irregular track K on platform A.
substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
4th. The arrangement and combination of parts herein before described and
shewn in Figures 1 and 2 here with for the purposes mentioned and substantially as.
hereinbefore described and set forth.
Dated this 2nd day of December 1896
H. WALKER-HILL,
2 Church Gate, Nottingham, Agent for the Applicant.