Apparatus for Converting Descent of a Frame by Gravity into Rotation of the Frame, applicable to Merry-go-rounds and the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 21st July, 1896-Accepted, 29th Aug., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by JOSEPH ANDREW JEFFREY, of Columbus,
Franklin County, United States of America, Manufacturer.]
Apparatus for Converting Descent of a Frame by Gravity into
Rotation of the Frame, applicable to Merry-go-rounds and
the like.
I, OLIVER IMRAY, of No. 28, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the
County of London, Chartered Patent Agent, 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 a construction of a frame and appliances connected
therewith, in such a manner, that its descent by gravity causes it to rotate, this
movement being applicable for a merry-go-round or the like.
1 shall describe the invention referring to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly in section.
Fig. 2 shews a part to an enlarged scale.
Fig. 3 is an elevation shewing two of the apparatus connected.
a is a fixed column or standard having at a a screw thread of ratchet form
terminating at its lower end in a collar a³, and having at its upper end above the
track a socket cap holding antifriction balls b'.
hare arms extending radially from a ring h¹ with socket containing
balls ³.
cc are upper radial arms secured to a ring c¹, having an aperture large enough
to let it pass the screw thrend a'. i are brackets connecting the lower ring to
the arms c.
As shewn in Fig. 3, the arms h have their outer ends supported by
links or hangers from the upper arms c.
are brackets extending up from the arms c to a ring c³, fitting loosely around
the upper part 6 of the column.
dare wheels which ride on the screw thread a'. They are inclined and have
their shafts d' mounted in supports d, which are pivotted to ring c.
fare levers, pivotted at to hangers e, and having arms
the supports d. fare weights at the lower end of the levers f.
projecting towards
is a cylinder fitted to slide on the column a. along the guide n.
k' is a flange
at the upper end of the cylinder k. n' indicates one of several antifriction rollers
interposed between the cylinder and the column. k is a collar which is a stop for
the cylinder k³. m is a rack secured to and extending down from the cylinder
and engaged by a pinion k¹ which can be turned by a crank handle.
When the arms are in their lowest position the ring resting upon the
balls b', and the wheels d' resting on a', the lower ring h' is a short distance above
cylinder .
When the apparatus is to be put into operation, the pinion k' is turned pushing
up the rack m, and the cylinder 3, till the cylinder meets the ring h'; by continuing
the upward movement of the cylinder the arms h and c are raised till the wheels d
reach the upper end of the thread a'. The cylinder is then lowered leaving the
arms free to descend. As they descend they are caused to rotate by the wheels d,
travelling on the screw thread; the balls are centrifugally thrown out and their
arms fpress against the supports d thereby retaining the wheels on the screw
threads.

page_text: When the wheels d², reach the plate a' the descending movement stops, but the
rotation is continued by the momentum acquired, and at the same time the balls
receive the pressure of the ring e. When the arms are raised, the pivotted
supports permit the wheels to move freely over the ratchet threads of the
screw.
As shewn in Fig. 3 sets of the apparatus are connected by a rope o, passing
over pulleys o at the upper ends of the columu so that as the arms of the one
descend they elevate those of the other.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. Apparatus for converting descent of a frame by gravity into rotation of the
frame, comprising a column having a helical ratchet track for inclined wheels
mounted on the frame, means of raising the frame and its wheels which escape the
threads of the ratchet track as they ascend, but are held engaged with them as
they descend, substantially as described.
2. In combination with the support of each inclined wheel pivotted to the frame,
a lever, also pivotted to the frame, carrying a weight, and having an arm projecting
towards the wheel support, so that, as the frame rotates in its descent, the arm is
caused by centrifugal force to press on the wheel support and thus keep the wheel
on the helical track, substantially as described.
3. For raising the frame the combination of a cylinder guided to slide on the
column, a rack attached to the cylinder and a pinion and crank handle, substantially
as described.
Dated this 21st day of July 1896.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.