Improvements in Roundabouts.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 29th Dec., 1894
Improvements in Roundabouts.
I, ARNOLD GOODWIN, of 56 Sumner Street, Southwark, in the County of
Surrey, Engineer, 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 object to provide a roundabout of simple and portable
construction, specially suitable for the use of children in gardens, playrooms and
other like places, and capable of being driven by the riders themselves.
A roundabout according to this invention, comprises a circular track of wood or
other suitable material adapted to be laid upon the ground, as for example upon
a lawn, a central pivot or pintle, and one or more cycles mounted to run upon the
said track and connected by one or more radius 1ods or cross-bars to the central
pivot or pintle, the arrangement being such that the cycle or cycles can be driven
at full speed by the rider or riders, the radius rod or rods, or cross bar or bars,
serving to maintain the cycle or cycles at the proper radial distance from central
pivot so as to cause it or them to run in a circular direction on the said track.
The radius rod or cross bar, or each of them when there are two or more, may
be provided with one or more seats to carry additional children.
The accompanying drawing is a perspective view showing a roundabout
constructed according to this invention.
1 is an annular track formed of wood or other suitable material and conveniently
of about ten feet in diameter. 2, 2 are cross stays for maintaining the rigidity of
the track and for carrying a central pivot 3, that is bolted centrally to the cross
stays and the upper end of which serves as a centre and is provided with a
shoulder 3º. 4 is a cross bar provided at the middle of its length with an eye or
socket 4 which is fitted over the upper end of the said pivot 3 sc as to be capable
of turning about the same as a centre, and which is partly supported by the
shoulder 3. 5, 5 are bicycles secured one at each end of the pivoted cross bar;
they may be of any desired type and their wheels, which bear upon the annular
track, are arranged relatively to each other in such a manner that the bicycles
have no tendency when driven to leave the track. The handle bar of each bicycle
may be fixed or movable, but in the latter case is so arranged as to have no turning
or steering action on either wheel so that the bicycle shall not be subjected to
undue strain. 6, 6 are stays extending from the cross bar to the frame of each
bicycle. 7, 7 are seats mounted on the cross bar to accommodate additional riders.
The central pivot may if desired be extended upward for the purpose of
carrying a tent or covering to protect the riders against the action of sun or rain.
Although I have shewn two cycles and one cross bar having an additional seat
towards each end thereof, it is obvious that a single cycle and a radius rod, with or
without an additional seat may be used. I consider it more advantageous
however, to use one or more pairs of cycles, connected by a cross bar or bars as in
this case the centrifugal force of the whole apparatus with riders becomes
balanced.
More than two seats may be mounted on each cross bar if desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. A roundabout comprising a circular track, a central pivot or pintle, and one

page_text: or more cycles that are adapted to be propelled by the rider or riders, are arranged
to run in a circular direction upon the said track, and are directly connected by
one or more radius rods or cross bars to the said pivot or pintle so as to be capable
of turning about the same as a centre, substantially as herein described with
reference to the drawing.
or more cycles that are adapted to be propelled by the rider or riders, are arranged
to run in a circular direction upon the said track, and are directly connected by
one or more radius rods or cross bars to the said pivot or pintle so as to be capable
of turning about the same as a centre, substantially as herein described with
reference to the drawing.
2. The improved roundaì
but constructed
Pated this 28th day of November 1894
4Q
described
For the Applicant,
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.