Improvements in Round-abouts or Merry-go-rounds, the Carriages or Cars of which are caused to Alternately Ascend and Descend during their Circular Travel.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 81st Jan., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 31st Oct., 1899-Accepted, 2nd Dec., 1893
PROVISIONAL
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Round-abouts or Merry-go-rounds, the Carriages or
Cars of which are caused to Alternately Ascend and Descend
during their Circular Travel.
•
I, ALFRED HERBERT DAVIES, of 179 Strand Osmaston Road, in the Town and
County of the Town of Derby Civil and Consulting Engineer do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to construct a round-about or merry-go-round (as
such machines are generally called) in such manner that the carriages or cars or
´other suitably shaped vehical carrying the passengers shall in succession be made
to ascend to a given altitude and then descend during their circnlar travel; this up-
and-down motion resembling in some manner the beam of an ordinary beam-engine,
though in this instance a number of beams are employed and arranged to alternately
ascend and descend in a oiroular path of convenient diameter.
In carrying my invention into effect I employ a central shaft or column the
bottom of which is free to move in a foot pedestal, immediately above, and secured
to the platform of the machine proper is a long bearing for same. This central
shaft or column is continued to a suitable altitude and terminates in what I will
term the head. This head is of greater diameter than the central shaft and is
provided with a suitable number of radial slots each of which receives one end of a
beam, the pins connecting these beams in the slots act as fulcrums to said beams
and each pin is arranged concentric to the central shaft.
The beams are made of suitable length or radii: the outer ends carrying down
rods to which are attached the passenger cars-hereinafter more fully described.
At a convenient distance from the fulcrum pins of the said beams and fixed to each
beam is a hook or ring which receives one end of a wire rope (preferably steal).
These wire ropes are intermediates for raising and lowering the beams which is
effected from rocking-levers to which the other ends of the wire ropes are fixed in
the following manner.
To the floor of the slightly raised platform-which is a fixeture-is secured a
large bevil wheel or wheels concentric to the central revolving shaft. Other bevil
wheels of a lesser diameter gear in theso fixed ones at right angles, the vertical
wheels are free to move on their own axles, the axles are secured to brackets fixed
to an outer-casing which is connected to the head of the central rovolving shaft,
and consequently revolving with it. The base of the said outer-casing rides upon
runners on the fixed platform or upon balls placed between the base-ring of said
casing and a correspondingly grooved ring fixed to said platform. It will thus be
seen that as the central shaft revolves-which is obtained from gearing fixed on the
under side of platform and immediately above the foot pedestal-that the outer case
or vertical supports fixed to the head of central shaft will carry with it the vertical
bevil wheels, which will roll round the fixed horizontal bevil wheels giving a rotary
motion to the said vertical wheels.
Now these said vertical wheels are each provided with a crank-pin which receives
one end of a connecting rod while the other end is attached to a rocking lever
secured to a rocking shaft passing at right angles across the axis of the central
shaft and two of the ends of the wire rope aforementioned are secured-one to each
of the extremities of such double rocking lever, will cause the two of the beams
which are diametrically opposite to alternately rise and fall like an ordinary beam
As the machine is moved round.
Each set of two opposite beams being similarily treated, but from independant
vertical wheels, counecting rods and rocking levers, The rocking shafts of which

page_text: pass the central axis at different angles to the afore described rocking shaft. Thus
a series of two four six eight or more beams may be similarily treated each one
ascending and descending in its circular path.
The steel wire rope which connects from the rocking levers to the beams passes
over a grooved guide pulley fixed above the fileram of each beam.
To the down rods herein before mentioned as being connected to the outer ends
of the beams by means of a pin is attached the carriages or cars for the passengers.
These may take various designs as for instance that of balloons with cars below for
passengers, or, eagles with the carriages or cars suspended from their talons or other
suitable attractive design.
Where the balloon design is employed a recessed flange is secured to the upper
part of the rod-near the end of beam-strips of steel or iron bent to the shape of
a balloon and having turned-down ends to take into the recess of top flange form
the skeleton of same while the lower ends are sprung into a recess contained in a
lower flange and thoro made securo. This skeleton is then covered by canvas or
other fabric to represent the complete balloon: the car below is suitably secured to
the lower end of the down-rod. Platforms for lamps or electric accumulators or
other illuminant can be fixed to part of said rod passing through balloon.
Similar means would be employed for the eagles or other attractive design.
Anothor part of this invention consists of a means of balancing the outer ends of
any two opposite beams that is to say, the weight carrying ends of the beams which
are diametrically opposite and at the same time support or tie the said onds. This
consists in the employment of a steel wire rope for each set as a tie-rod, one end of
this wire rope is fastened to a ring or hook at or near the end of a beam, it is then
passed once or more times round a grooved guide or swinging pulley fixed to an
extension of the centre shaft and the other end brought to fasten to the end of the
opposite beam. This rope being taut it will be understood that the opposite ends of
the beams are stiffened thereby that the beams assist each other and that assistance is
also given to the rocking levers and first connections. This arrangement applies to
all the sets of beams employed.
The centre shaft is driven from a small bevil wheel gearing with a larger one
fixed near to the foot of same as afore mentioned. The small driving wheel being
fixed to a shaft passing underneath and outside the platform to the engine or
motor.
A platform for an electric accumulator and lamp or other light can be fixed at
the top extremity of the central shaft.
Dated this 30th day of January 1893.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Round-abouts or Merry-go-rounds, the Carriages
or Cars of which are caused to Alternately Ascend and Descend
during their Circular Travel.
I, ALFRED Herbert Davies, of 179 Straud Osmaston Road, in the Town
and County of the Town of Derby, Civil and Consulting Engineer, do hereby
declaro the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly desoribed and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
The object of this invention is to construct a roundabout or merry-go-round (as
such machines are generally called) in such manner that the carriages or cars.or
other suitably shaped vehicle carrying the passengers shall in succession be made to
ascend to a given altitude and then descend during their circular travel this
up-and-down motion resembling in some measure that of the beam of an ordinary.
beam engine though in this instance a number of beams are employed and arranged
to alternately ascend and descend in a circular path of a convenient diameter.
'

page_text: In carrying my invention into effect I employ a central shaft or column the
bottom of which is free to move in a foot pedestal; immediately above and secured
to the platform of the inchine proper is a long bearing for same. This central
shaft or column is continued to a suitable altitude and terminatos in what I will
term the head. This head is of greater diameter than the central shaft and is
provided with a number of radial slots each of which receives one end of a beam
the pins connecting these beams in the slots act as fulorums to said beams and cach
pin is arranged concentric to the central shaft. The beams are made of suitable
length or radii the outer ends carrying down rods to which are attached the
passenger cars (hereinafter more fully described). At a convenient distance from
the fulcrum pins of the said beams and fixed to cach beam is a hook or ring which
receives one end of a wire rope (preferably steel). These wire ropes are inter-
mediates for raising and lowering the beams which is effected from rocking levers
to which the other ends of the wire ropes are fixed in the following manner :-To
the floor of the slightly raised platform which is a fixture, is secured a large bevel
wheel or wheels concentric to the central revolving shaft, other bevel wheels of a lesser
diameter gear in these fixed ones at right angles the vertical wheels are free to
move on their own axles, the axles are secured to brackets fixed to an outer casing
which is connected to the head of the central revolving shaft and consequently
revolving with it. The base of the said outer casing rides upon runners on the
fixed platform or upon balls placed between the base ring of said casing and a
correspondingly grooved ring fixed to said platform. It will thus be seen that as
the central shaft revolves (which is obtained from gearing fixed on the under side
of platform and immediately above the foot pedestal) that the outer case or
vertical supports fixed to the head of the central shaft will carry with it the vertical
bevel wheels which will roll round the fixed horizontal bevel wheels giving a rotary
motion to the said vortical wheels.
Now these said vertical wheels are each provided with a crank pin which receives
one end of a connecting rod while the other end is attached to a rocking.lever
secured to a rooking shaft passing at right angles across the axis of the central
shaft and two of the ends of the wire rope aforementioned are secured one to each
of the extremities of such double rocking lever will cause the two of the beams
which are diametrically opposite to alternately rise and fall like an ordinary beam
as the machine is moved round.
Each set of two opposite beams being similarly treated but from independent
vertical wheels connecting rods and rocking levers. The rocking shafts of which
pass the central axis at different angles to the afore described rocking shaft. Thus
a series of two, four, six, eight or more beams may be similarly treated each one
ascending and descending in its circular path.
The steel wire rope which connects from the rocking levers to the beams passes
over a grooved guide pulley fixed above the fulorum of each beam. To the down
roda hereinbefore mentioned as being connected to the onter ends of the beams by
means of a pin is attached the carriages or cars for the passengers. These may
tako various designs as for instance that of balloons with cars below for passengers,
or eagles with the carriages or cars suspended from their talons or other suitable
attractive design.
Where the balloon design is employed a recessed flange is secured to the upper
part of the rod near the end of beam, strips of steel or iron bent to the shape of a
balloon and having turned down ends to take into the recess of top flange form the
skeleton of same while the lower ends are sprung into a recess contained in a lower
flange and there made secure. This skeleton is then covered by canvas or other
fabric to represent the complete balloon. The car below is suitably secured to the
lower end of the down rod. Platforms for lamps or electric accumulators or other
illuminant can be fixed to part of said rod passing through balloon.
Similar means would be employed for the eagles or other attractive design.
Another part of this invention consists of a means for balancing the outer ends
of any two opposite beams that is to say the weight carrying ends of the beams

page_text: which are diametrically opposite and at the same time support or tie the said ends.
This consists in the employment of a steel wire rope for each set as a tie rod. One
end of this wire rope is fastened to a ring or hook at or near the end of a beam it
is then passed once or more times round a grooved guide or swinging pulley fixed
to an extension of the centre shaft and the other end brought to fasten to the end
of the opposite beam. This rope being taut it will be understood that the opposite
ends of the beams are stiffened thereby that the beams assist each other and that
assistance is also given to the rocking levers and first connections. This arrange-
ment applies to all the sets of beams employed. The centre shaft is driven from
a small bevel wheel gearing with a larger wheel fixed near to the foot of same as
aforementioned. The small driving wheel being fixed to a shaft passing under-
Death and outside the platform to the engine or motor.
A platform for an electric accumulator and lamp or other light can be fixed at
the top extremity of the central shaft.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a part sectional elevation shewing the general arrangement.
Figure 2 is a general plan many parts being omitted.
Figure 3 is a sectional plan on the line A B Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a detached plan showing the rocking shafts.
Figure 5 an inverted plan of tho octagonal head which receives the ends of
vertical girders and the rocking shafts.
Figure 6 is a diagram showing a modification.
The same reference letters indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.
A is the central column or shaft to the lower end of which is keyed the bevel
wheel B driven by the boyel pinion C keyed to the first motion shaft c.
The end of the central column A. is received in the foot pedestal D and a
bearing is provided for the same in the sleeves of the fixed base bevel
wheels E, F, G.
The shaft A is continued to the octagonal head H (an inverted plan of which is
shown in Figure 5) this is provided with a number of radial slots hh, hh, hh, hh,
each of which receives the end of one of the eight beams 1'-1'.
An octagonal ring J (also shewn at Figure 5) receives the upper ends of the
vertical girders K which are continued downwards to the revolving base ring L and
ure secured thereto by means of angle brackets l. A ball race is provided on the
under side of the ring L corresponding with the race m in the fixed base ring M
which is secured to the platform of the machine. A number of brackets also
secured to the platform and provided with small runners N are conveniently
arranged to ride upon the top face of the revolving base ring and prevent any
tendency of the outer frame to rock.
It will thus far be seen that as the central colmina A revolves it carries with it
the octagonal head H, the beams II the vertical girders K and the revolving
base ring M and that the balls in the ball race m form an extended base for the
whole.
The stationary base beval wheels EF and G are suitably scoured to the platform
of the machine. Gearing with these wheels are the vertical bevel wheels OPQR
(see also Figure 3) the axles of these are supported by brackets O'PIQ'R'
(Figure 3) each fixed to a vertical girder. The vertical wheels OPQR are
provided with crank pins S'S'S'S which are connected by rods T'T' 'Ï³T' to
arms U'U' uu (Figure 4) fixed to the rocking shafts VVV and V
These shafts also have other arms U'U' U³ Ûª U* Uª fixed to them and to the
end of each arm U'U' U³Ù³ Û³Ù³Ù³ U is fixed the end of a cable which is
continued upwards and passes over a loose or swinging pulley fixed above the
fulcrum pin of the beam it is to raise and lower. As all these motions are similar

page_text: I will describe the action of the two beams I'1' in the front of Figure 1 which are
worked from the rooking shaft Vi and levers U'U'. The cables W' and W' are
continued from tho ends of the rocking lovers U U over the swinging pulleys X¹
and and the other ends are secured to the rings or hooks Y and Y' of the
beams I and I'.
Now as the machine is revolving it will be seen that the vertical bevel
wheels OPQR which are free to move on their axles will roll in the teeth of the
fixed wheels EFG thus giving the vertical wheels rotary motion at right angles
to the direction of the machine and a rocking motion to the shafts V-V the
motion being communicated through the connecting rods T-T and cables W-W
to the beams I-1 which consequently ascend and descend.
Provision is made for the stiffening of the weight carrying ends of the beams by
means of the cables Z one end of each of which is fastened to the hook or ring Z
on one of the beams is then passed one or more times round the swinging pulley X
and is then secured to the hook or ring 7 at the outor end of the diametrically
opposite beam thus giving rigidity to the beams and assisting the first connections.
In the modification shown at Figuro 6 the cables WW aro replaced by
connecting rods - whose upper ends are pivotted to bell crank levers i'—?ª³.
mounted on the same pivots as the beams II' and connected to the beains by
short rods j¹-j³.
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. The combination with a vertical central revolving column and beams pivotted
to it of tensional ropes or rods attached to the top of the beams and serving to
Bupport and operate them substantially as described.
2. Operating the ropes or rods referred to in the preceding claim from crank pins
carried by vertical toothed whools rolling upon fixed horizontal toothed wheels
substantially as described.
3. The combination of a vertical central revolving column, beams pivotted to it,
vertical toothed wheels carried by it and rolling on fixed horizontal toothed wheels,
crank pins on the vertical wheels connected by rods to arms fixed to rocking shafts
and ropes or rods connecting arms on the rocking shafts to the beams substantially
as described.
4. Arranging the pivots of the beams in two or more horizontal planes so that
they can be brought closer to the vertical column than if they were in one plane.
substantially as described.
5. Connecting in pairs the outer ends of the beams by moans of ropes so that as
one beam falls the other beam is raised substantially as described.
6. The combination of a vertical central revolving column and an extended
base plate or ring connected to it and running on balls or rollors substantially as
described.
7. The combination of a vertical central revolving column, a head fixed to the
same, a ring supported by balls or rollers at the foot of the column and vertical
girders connecting the ring to the head substantially as described.
8. Roundabouts or merry-go-rounds substantially as described with reference to
Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings.
9. Roundabouts or merry-go-rounds substantially as described with reference to
Figure 6 of the drawings.
Dated this 28th day of October 1893.