Improvements in and relating to Roundabouts.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Jan., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 20th Nov., 1890-Accepted, 22nd Jan.. 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Roundabouts.
I EDWIN DUCK of 22 Blythe Road Kensington in the County of Middlesex, Gentle-
man do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object improvements in and relating to roundabouts, more
particularly to what are known as galloping horses or to other objects to which
mechanical motion is imparted during a rotation of the apparatus and my invention
consists in the application of a balance principle in the connecting up of the horses or
figures by which the rise of one and the descent of the other is effected by this balance
principle aided by mechanical motion imparted thereto.
This balance principle therefore allows of an attractive utilisation of this particular
movement, and the manner in which I propose to carry this into effect is to impart
rotatory motion to the ring or gear frame to which the beam carrying the figures are
connected. The figures are coupled up in pairs the one counterbalancing the other
and an arm or equivalent device from the centre of the beam or carriers, extends down-
wards between the standards of the gear ring, having at its end a friction wheel which
runs on a track on the underside and serves to deflect or alternate the position of the
beam.
This impartation of an alternate movement to the figures may obviously be effected
by cams, eccentrics, cranks or levers actuated from the driving shaft instead of by
the specially shaped track as herein before described. This rising and falling admits
of the horses being represented as jumping hurdles placed of course alternately, the
one track being for the outer and the other for the inner.
It will therefore be obvious that there is no mechanism directly under the horse or
other object, but that such mechanism is between and below them so that in effect
owing to this apparent absence of mechanism the appearance in work is very attractive
and affords a novel and amusing recreation.
To the gear frame I can attach a platform and which will rotate with it, and from
this platform the horses can be mounted whilst at the same time it admits of the
attendant collecting his money before or during the time the apparatus is in motion.
A parallel arrangement of leverage can be arranged in conjunction with the beam so
that the vertical position of the horses is not affected when the beam is tilted.
In the application of this principle and as a result of its working, suggestions arise
as to modifications and as a result of my experiments I have found that these improve-
ments can be effected from the side by other means than by the beam referred to, and
that is by cranks arranged radially on the rotating gear frame. These cranks are
arranged thus:-
and it is to the extremities that the figures are mounted so that rotatory motion to
them has the advantage of the counterbalance principle but that an additional attraction
is produced by the figures getting alternately ahead of each other.
The rotation of
the crank would be effected during the rotation of the whole and the simultaneous
rotation of spur, worm, bevel, or chain gearing or a combination thereof. In this
adaptation I do not limit myself to having the figures arranged in pairs tho I find it
advantageous for simplicity to do so.
The cranks need not of necessity make a complete revolution but only partially as
may be found advisable.
The figures would have advantageously, in addition to the crank before referred to,

page_text: an attachment either to another pair of cranks working simultaneously or to hanging
rocking links which swing relatively with the position of the cranks, so that as the
horse for example appears to be taking the hurdle the animal rises and descends after
having passed over whilst the same motion is applied to all the others successively. A
great advantage is that all the mechanism is between and below and does not of
necessity require any overhead motion, but it is obvious that where an overhead motion
is required it can readily be effected and the figures suspended from equivalent
mechanism receiving rotary motion from the engine in the centre. In plan the
guiding track is represented by a corrugated circle alternating in its curves first to
the one side and then to the other of a central or imaginary circle and these form the
basis for the position of the hurdles or apparent obstructions.
Dated January 22nd A.D. 1893.
PHILLIPS & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Roundabouts.
I, EDWIN DUCK, of 22 Blythe Road, Kensington, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, 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 has for its object certain improvements in and relating to round-
abouts more particularly of those types wherein motions representing galloping and the
jumping of obstacles are mechanically imparted to models of horses or other figures or
objects during their rotation with the roundabout around a common centre.
My invention comprises the application of a balance principle in the connecting up
of the horses or figures by which the rise of one and the descent of the other is effected
by means of mechanical devices.
In my arrangement of roundabout a platform in one or in sections is rotated around
a centre by any su.table motor through a shaft, wheel, and gear ring in the usual way,
or by electric energy applied through a suitable motor. Upon or to this rotary plat-
form the beams carrying the figures (hereinafter called horses) are connected. The
horses are coupled up in pairs the one counterbalancing the other, and an arm or
equivalent device for example extends downwards from the centre of the beam between
the standards of the gear ring which arm carries at its lower end a wheel or roller
(hereinafter called "the deflecting wheel ") which runs on or in a track of special
construction and serves to deflect or alternate the position of the beam. This specially
constructed guiding track and the deflecting wheel are the essential features of my
invention, and 1 may obtain many other motions therefrom by modified forms of
mechanism and connections as hereinafter described. The said track may be a flat or
horizontal corrugated circle alternating in its curves first to the one side and then to
the other of a central or imaginary circle, or, it may be a flat, oval or elliptical track
and it may be formed of one rail or two rails.. The deflecting wheel may be arranged
vertically or horizontally or approximately so, and as it runs either upon such a track
or between a pair of such tracks, the undulations or reverse curves or eccentric form
thereof form the basis for the position of the hurdles or other obstacles to be leaped or
passed over by the rotating horses alternately on either side. In connection with the
deflecting wheel or its mounting I arrange the beams which carry the horses and they
may be disposed cither radially transverse to the direction of motion, or longitudinal
therewith or approximately vertical, or otherwise as hereinafter set forth.
:
A parallel arrangement of levers may sometimes be arranged in combination with
the beams so that the vertical positions of the horses is not affected when the beam is
oscillated By the above arrangements there need not necessarily be any mechanism
directly under a horse but all such may be at one or the other side of them, so that
in effect owing to the apparent absence of mechanism or support the appearance in

page_text: work is attractive, and the invention affords a novel and recreative amusement. By
some modified forms however of using my invention I do support the horses on
standards beneath them, and, I may also effect my object by cranks, rockers, and other
appliances all of which are operated by the track and deflecting wheel and which I
fully hereinafter describe in reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate
my invention. The simplest form is illustrated in Figure 1 which is a cross section
showing a transverse arrangement: B is the rotating platform in this case carried on
rollers c c and driven by the motor through gear ring C, a is a radial beam disposed
transversely to the direction of motion of platform B to each end of which the horses
are fixed, it is centred at and oscillates on the fulcrum b in bracket e fixed to platform B:
the beam a has an arm a' forming part thereof on the end of which a deflecting wheel D
is centred, which runs between the rails of the flat serpentine track A fixed to the
base G by which it is alternated from side to side, carrying with it and therefor
oscillating beam a.
Another form is illustrated in Figure 2 which is an elevation and Figure 3 a cross
section showing an arrangement of beams a a longitudinally in the direction of motion:
herein each pair of beams a. a. is fixed to an independent radial or transverse shaft a
supported in bearings 61, on the inner end of each shaft is a quadrant 9 which gears
with bevel wheel d the spindle a of which is mounted in suitable bearings such as
shown above and below the platform B, and connected by crank a² to horizontal
deflecting wheel or roller D running in the flat serpentine track A.; in this case the
platform B is shown carried on wheels c c running on a circular track, but either this
or the means above described in reference to Figure 1 may be indifferently employed.
In operation the "in and out" notion of D imparts through a a¹ and d alternating
reverse part rotations to the quadrants 9 g, and shafts a* ax, and hence the required
alternating rocking of the beams a. a. and horses
I have here illustrated two pairs of horses for the sake of equalizing the strains, but
it is obvious one pair may be operated in the same manner by a deflecting wheel and
serpentine track.
I illustrate two single horses on this principle in Figures 4 and 5 which are respec-
tively a cross section, and an elevation; herein one horse is mounted upon each
independent radial shaft a* and operated as described, and the quadrants and gear are
shown covered in by a guard plate B¹.
This gearing of quadrants and bevel wheels is not actually essential in the above
described motions since the same may be effected by mechanical equivalents, such for
example as a T head on spindle a working in curved slots in plates or pendulum
arms substituted for the quadrants, or by cranks worked in reverse directions.
Reverting to the arrangement described in reference to Figure 1 in order to prevent
any considerable deviation of the horses from the vertical, I find it advantageous to
employ in combination with the beams a a a parallel motion bar a³, see Fig. 6. The
beam a and the bar a² are both pivotted to the bracket e fixed below the platform B,
the latter above the former, and the ends are pivotally connected to the brackets a³ to
which are fixed the horses.
A parallel motion such as above can be applied to the vertical beams supporting the
horses when arranged in the direction of rotation in the usual manner. Such appli-
cation is illustrated in the diagramatic elevation Figure 7. The beams a a connecting
the carrying rollers D. D running on the vertically undulated track A are fulcrumed
in the bracket e fixed below rotary platform B. The standards a³ a³ pivotted to and
carrying the horses are also pivotted to the beams a a as shown, and they are maintained
vertical and parallel by the rods a² a² pivotted to them as well as to the brackets e above
the pivot of beam a a: The relative angles they assume during rotation are shown at
(1) as ascending, (2) as horizontal, (3) as descending. In this case it is not essential
that the rotary platform should have carrying wheels other than the carriers D at the
ends of beams aa: A modified arrangement is illustrated in elevation Figure 9, wherein
platform carrying-wheels E E are shown; they are centred on the bracket on same
horizontal centre as the beams a a and the said centre will always travel on the

page_text: horizontal line x-x, while the carriers D. D oscillate along the vertically undulated
track A which forms part of the base G. In such an arrangement the beams a a may
be extended round forming arcs or inverted rockers and passing through platform B
as shown, and fixed also to vertical rods a³ carrying the horses, and the horses may be
attached direct to the rockers.
Two forms of tracks A are shown in plan at Figures 11 and 12: The former is
serpentine and the latter oval, in both these arrangements the rotation of the deflecting
wheels D connected by cranked arms a² to spindles a¹ as above described in reference
to Figures 2, 3, 4, and would produce two ascents by the exterior, and two descents
by the interior rail A during one complete revolution, during which the fulcrum or
centre line of travel of vertical spindle a' would never depart from the true circle
marked xx, whilst the crank a² would assume the various angles shown: some
operating connections to these spindles a¹ are hereinafter described.
I illustrate in the cross section Figure 13 a method I adopt as a modification for
obtaining a rocking motion for the horses; herein the wheels D D serve both to
carry and deflect, they are connected by axis a which is mounted by a trunnion such
as a or otherwise suitably in the bracket e: a double track A A. is fixed to base G
having vertical and alternate undulations i.e. the highest parts of one track always
come opposite the lowest points of the other track the intermediate vertical curves
being regular and gentle; thus on rotation of the platform B the wheels will rock
as illustrated by the hard and dotted lines, but their central axis or trunnion ax will
always maintain the same horizontal course. I have not shown the connection to the
horses which may be simply arranged either upon the axle a, or the trunnion a*, and
which are presently referred to in modification of this example.
I will now more fully describe the construction of my special horizontal serpentine
track, deflecting wheels and connections.
Figure 14 is a cross section through platform and tracks fully illustrating this part
of my invention.
Figure 15 is a part side elevation showing the hinged bracket and deflecting wheel
and connections.
Figure 16 is a plan showing mechanism as connected to one of the segments of
the roundabout.
Figure 17 is a part plan of the base showing the serpentine rail track and the
construction of the base.
Figure 18 is a perspective view.
B is the rotary platform the mechanism being enclosed by the part B' Figure 18,
it is shown as rotated by engine shaft and pinion driving the ring C, but other driving
may be substituted; the sides of the platform have a foot channel iron which runs on
rollers such as c c centred in fixed base G.
A is the horizontal serpentine track, D is the deflecting wheel flanged to run on
track A, and centred in the bracket a' which is hinged at e to the bracket e which
is fixed to the rotary platform B as illustrated, or in suitable manner.
Thus on rotation the wheel D and bracket a' will rock from side to side. I have
shown the rail A of usual section so that it may be reversed and as the rail lengths
correspond with that of the sections all the rails can be bent to the same template by
which accuracy of curves will be ensured and this is important in work. The carrying
beams a a are fixed to bracket a¹ as illustrated; a² is the parallel motion rod which
as well as the beams aa is coupled to the horse supports or brackets a³ a³ as illustrated;
the rod a² is pivotted at e² to a crank «ª, Figure 15, fixed to end of hinge pin e¹ and
held in position by a square e³ thereon, or by equivalent means: all the parts are
shown in central positions in hard lines, but their limits of oscillation are indicated
by the broken lines in Figure 14. The horses or figures may extend any suitable
distance through and from the sides of the platform B, and any desired degree of
oscillation (i.e. height of jump) may be effected by the pitch of the undulations of
track A.
The construction of the various parts is so clearly illustrated in Figures 14, 15, 16,

page_text: and 17 as to need no further description, and the whole arrangement is illustrated in
the perspective sketch Figure 18 which also gives the relative positions of the
horses and their connections.
I have above alluded in reference to Figure 3 to the means I adopt for balancing
and reversing the movements of the horses by a bevel wheel d and quadrants q but
with the horses at each extremity, and in Figure 9 to a modified arrangement of
beams a a carried through the platform B in bows: I will now further explain this
modification in reference to the drawings. Figure 19 is a longitudinal section,
Figure 20 a cross section, Figure 21 a part plan, Figure 22 a part side elevation
with arms removed. The horses are fixed to the top part of the bows or inverted
rockers a a which are centred on the cross shaft a* working in platform bracket e.
In Figure 20 the bevel wheels or quadrants d² d² are made in one with, or are fixed
to, the bracket a¹ carrying the vertically arranged deflecting wheel D, and they gear
with the quadrants qq on the inner ends of the independent radial shafts a* a* to
which the beams or rockers a a are connected, as described and illustrated previously,
and which are thus (during rotation of the platform B as the wheel D oscillates on
the serpentine and undulated track A) partly rotated first in one direction and then
in the reverse direction, the relative oscillation of which can be determined in the
manner above set forth.
There are various other motions which I am enabled to produce through this
medium and use of my serpentine track and deflecting wheel some of which I will
now refer to. In the cross section Figure 23 the same parts are employed by which
a reversible rocking motion is imparied to the two independent radial cranked
beams a a mounted as shown in bearings ff on the sides of platform B, but I
superpose an additional beam at of a shape corresponding to beam a and also mounted
in similar and suitable bearings 9 g; the ends of both the beams a and a¹ at either
end are swivelled into the horse carrying brackets a³ (one shown dotted) and
thus on rotation the horses get alternately ahead of one another and then fall
back.
The longitudinal section Figure 24 shows in detail the arrangement previously
indicated by diagram Figure 9 which sets forth means whereby I get a galloping
motion for a pair of horses from one deflecting wheel D: it runs in a track A which
is both serpentine in pian and vertically undulated.
The wheel is centred in the swinging bracket a' whose axis el carries the bevel
pinion d which gears with the bevel wheel d¹ centred on the bracket e. The horses
are supported on beams a³ a³ which are fixed to the axis a* and work through the
box B₁ and extend through the platform B: thus an alternate longitudinal oscillation
is given to the horses. To prevent accident I fix a guard m to the standards a
which is a segmental plate struck from axis a* and constantly covers the opening
in B¹.
By my invention also I can effect the usual vertical rising and falling of horses
during their rotation i.e, without any galloping motion: I do this by the mechanism
illustrated in Figures 25 and 26 which are respectively a longitudinal and part cross
sections.
The same letters indicate the operating parts above fully described and the
oscillation of the bracket a¹ also oscillates the spur pinions d on its shaft e¹ on
platform bracket e. This alternately reverses the quadrants and their radial rocking
shafts on which are keyed pinions or gear wheels q q, and the shafts a* on which are
fixed pinious d³ which engage with the racks on the vertical bars a³. These reciprocate
in bearings f. g. as shown fixed to the sides of the platform B and support at their
upper ends the horses; the figures plainly illustrate the arrangement and construction
and there is no side or lateral play whatever in the openings in the surface of the
platform B the mechanism being entirely below the horses; it will be seen that owing
to the supports a³ the horses cannot in this case jump over fixed fences.
Although the horizontal serpentine track and deflecting wheel hereinabove set
forth forms the basis of my invention yet there is a mechanical equivalent which
may well be substituted for the same without altering the character of my invention nor

page_text: departing from its essential features yet effecting the same purpose, viz. the oscillation
of the beams and horses a a at the required periods during rotation. This equivalent
I have illustrated and will now describe. Figure 27 is a cross section and Figure 28
a part side elevation showing the connections. A A are two concentric girders or
rails fixed to base G having flat tops but the curves are alternate and opposite vertical
undulations (the highest point always opposite the lowest as above stated). E' is a
central and truly circular rail track fixed to the base G upon which runs a preferably
flanged carrying wheel E the axle of which is supported in bearings g g in the plat-
form B; upon the undulated flat tracks A A run rollers D D the bearing surfaces
being of a rounded, globular, or spherical form; and it is by the shape of these rollers
that the object is effected. They are hereinafter referred to as "spherical rollers."
They are connected together by a suitable volk which may be as illustrated at
Figure 27 or as hereinafter specified, and it is centered upon a bearing e¹ which may
extend backwards or forwards or both as required from the main bearing bracket e,
see Figure 28. In, through, or from these spherical rollers are mounted or extended
the heams a a.
Above the centre e¹ on the same bracket e is centred the vibrating
parallel working rod a² and both the beams a, a, and the rod a² are coupled
up as herein before described in reference to Figures 6, 27, and 28. By this
arrangement, on rotation of the platform the peculiar and special surface con-
figuration of the rollers D acting upon the track A effects the required oscillation
of the beams a a.
Another method of effecting the required oscillation is illustrated in section
Figure 29, and elevation Figure 30.
Instead of mounting the beams a, a, as extensions of the spherical rollers D D
as described, I mount the rollers D on the end of an axle a pivotted at e² to an
extension of the bearing bracket e as described and illustrated, and having the slotted
extension a' which serves to communicate a rocking motion of the arm H through a
set pin working in a slot in both arins, and by adjusting the set pin in the slots
the degree of oscillation of the rockers H can be adjusted.
The arm H is illustrated as being in one or connected to the transverse rockers
illustrated, but other parts of mechanism such as are above described may be
substituted.
Another motion derivable from a flat serpentine or elliptical track and a deflecting
wheel is illustrated in Figures 31 and 32. This motion is a part vibration or rotation
in either direction through a given are as shown in broken lines Figure 32 Herein
the platform B is carried on wheels c and rotated as described, the axis a¹ operated
as described by the cranked arm a² and deflecting wheel D is carried up in suitable
bearings ff and has at its top a pair of jaws J.
A vertically undulated or cam track A¹ is formed above the platform B, the
beam a a is of the form illustrated or of equivalent shape. Its central part is
secured between the jaws J by a pin or otherwise, and upon it are two rollers RR
which run upon the said track A¹. On rotation the motions of D and the
form of the cam track A¹ impart to the beams a both a reverse alternate part
rotation or intermittent vibration and an alternate vertical oscillation by which the
horses carried at the ends of the beams are caused to rise over the fixed fences
alternately. The working parts above the platform B are enclosed by the casing B¹,
through slots in the walls of which the beauis a project and work.
It is obvious that the same motion of the horses may be obtained by partially
rotating the can track A¹ beneath the beam a.
I am aware that oscillating movements by vertically undulated circular cam paths,
and pitching or galloping motions by the use of undulated ground and vertically
undulated or uneven circular guide courses with regular or irregular curves wherein
the horses sometimes are worked on wheeled carriers, and also spiral races, have
been proposed, also that flat elliptical tracks have been used to produce lateral
movements to rotating horses sliding transversely, also that jumping motions through
cranked connections and gear wheels have been suggested, but in all these cases the
horses have been supported and operated from below, or suspended and operated from

page_text: above; also that galloping motions have been imparted to horses supported from
beneath by means of excentrics, cams, and levers and so forth.
I know also that certain parallel motion bars and "self levelling platforms" have
been suggested, and I lay no claim to any of these alone but
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. In a roundabout the use of a flat or horizontally arranged continuous serpen-
tine track or tracks and a deflecting wheel or wheels or roller running thereon or
therein for the purpose of imparting regular or irregular motions to beams and
figures during rotation of the roundabout substantially as set forth.
2. In a roundabout the use of a flat or horizontal double rail continuous serpentine
track and a horizontally arranged deflecting wheel ruaning therein directly connected
to a radially arranged transverse balance beam carrying the horses for the purpose
of imparting thereto oscillating motion during rotation of the roundabout substantially
as set forth.
3. In a roundabout the use of a flat or horizontal double rail continuous serpentine,
elliptical, or oval track in conjunction with an horizontal deflecting wheel running
therein connected by a crank to a vertical spindle through which and gearing reverse
motions during rotation of the roundabout are imparted through independent radial
shafts to beams or carriers supporting the horses substantially as set forth.
4. In a roundabout the use of a flat or horizontal single rail continuous serpentine
track and a vertically arranged deflecting wheel by which oscillating motion during
rotation of the roundabout is imparted to beams substantially as set forth.
5. The combination with a flat serpentine single or double rail track and deflecting
wheel directly or indirectly operating beams carrying and oscillating the figures
during rotation of the roundabout as above specified. of parallel working bars arranged
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
6. In roundabouts with vertically undulated tracks whereupon wheeled carriers are
rotated the use and application of parallel working bars such as a² for maintaining
vertically parallel the standards a³ substantially as set forth in reference to Figure 7.
7. In roundabouts mounting the horses on bows or arms to which oscillating
motion is imparted during rotation by a serpentine and vertically undulated track
and deflecting wheel through the medium of gearing and independent radial shafts
substantially as set forth in reference to Figures 9, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 24.
8. In roundabouts the combination of a double rail track with alternate
horizontal and vertical undulations, and a pair of connected deflecting wheels
running thereon with a longitudinally arranged trunnion imparting oscillatory
motion during rotation to radial beams carrying the objects such as set forth in
reference to Figure 13.
9. In combination with the essential parts above described and claimed the use of
two or more double cranked radial beams connected and arranged as set forth in
reference to Figure 23, whereby the relative positions of the figures are altered during
rotation or any mere modification thereof.
10. The combination with a flat serpentine and undulated single rail track and
deflecting wheel of the modification or means for effecting vertical reciprocations of
the supports and figures during rotation as set forth in reference to Figures 25
and 26.
11. The arrangement set forth in reference to Figures 27 and 28, subject to the
modification described in reference to Figures 29 and 30, for effecting oscillating
motions for beams or rockers carrying figures consisting in the use of spherical or
globular rollers such as D running on a flat topped double track with alternate
vertical undulations arranged and constructed substantially as set forth.
12. In roundabouts having rotating platforms, or segments thereof: Radial
beams extending from the sides of the said platform or segments and carrying the

page_text: figures and operated by a deflecting wheel or roller and a serpentine track or other
modified form of track substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
13. In a roundabout the means of obtaining both intermittent horizontal vibrations
and alternate vertical oscillations during rotation substantially as set forth in
reference to Figures 31 and 32.
14. The construction and arrangement of the various mechanical parts and con-
nections whereby the required motions herein before described are imparted and
effected from a horizontal serpentine track or tracks or from a vertical undulated
track or from a combination of the two and a deflecting wheel or wheels or roller or
equivalents traversing the same during rotation of the roundabout all substantially
as hereinabove described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 20th day of November 1890.
J. C. CHAPMAN, Fel. Inst. Patent Agents,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.
J. C. CHAPMAN, Fel. Inst. Patent Agents,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.