US1007745A - Appliance for public amusement. - Google Patents

Description

A. G. SNBLL.

APPLIANGB PoR PUBLIC AMUSBMENT.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 12, 1910.

Patented N 0V. '7, 1`911.

COLUMBIA PLANQGHMH Co., wAsmNn'roN, D. c.

UNITED STATES` PATENTI OFFICE.

ALFRED CANNAN SNELL, 0F LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO WILLIAM RIGI-ITER COMINGS, OF WHARNCLIFFE, WIMBLEDON PARK, SURREY, ENGLAND.

APPLIANCE FOR PUBLIC AMUSEMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 12, 1910.

Patented Nov. 7, 1911. Serial No. 592,085.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED CANNAN SNELL, a subject of the King of England, residing at London, in the county of Middlesex, England, have invented certain new and useful VImprovements in Appliances for Public Amusement, of which the following is a specication.

This invention relates to amusement appliances in the shape of horizontal roundabouts for use at places of public resort, such as exhibitions and fairs, and is intended to introduce more interesting features therein, and to provide a competitive element.

In many cases hitherto, rotation has been given to a series of suspended cars, or modelsof horses, accompanied often by vertical oscillation: or to passenger accommodation vessels free to swing laterally in response to centrifugal force. The sensation of motion is the principal source of enjoyment in such public amusements.

It has been proposed to employ a rotatable smooth level platform and a non-rotating landing in close juxtaposition thereto, and to assemble the passengers aboutl the center of the platform, which has means provided for rotating same in a manner to develop centrifugal force sufficient to expel the occupants therefrom. They then are projected into the surrounding non-rotating landing.

In my invention I accommodate the passengers in seats at the circumference of the rotating platform, whereby a passenger, if so inclined, may remain merely a spectator (subject to, and therefore understanding, the forces opposed to those who enter into a competition) and therefore able to enjoy the scene and sensation without being compelled to resist a liability to be expelled from the initial position.

In order to create amusement I offer a prize or honor to the rst person to attain a given object. This is so arranged as to involve a voluntary movement, in opposition to centrifugal force, from a position where the restraining force is a maximum and equally affecting all, in accordance with natural laws.

rIhe better to explain my meaning reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is a section of one form of my invention, and Fig. 2 is a section of a modilied form of the same.

smooth circular track D below. The seating E extends around the circumference whereby the sitters are placed facing inwardly, the back being inclined forward to make a comfortable posture when centrifugal force obtains. By this arrangement the resultant of the vertical force of gravity and the horizontal centrifugal force is, as shown by the arrows in Fig. 1, directed longitudinally through the body of the sitter. IVith an upright seat, or an outwardly inclining back, the head would be forced uncomfortably in the case of passengers wearing headgear. The seating is wide at the base F so that the sitters heels cannot be drawn under him, thus adding to the difculty of rising'. Access to the seating can be obtained through a doorway in a suitable break in the continuity of the seating.

Rotation of the platform may be effected conveniently by an electric motor G bolted to the platform and driving a worm wheel H, which gears with the wheel I rigidly attached to the fixed shaft B. Current is supplied by wires G1 feding from circular contact rails G2 carried by supports G3 below the platform. This method of producing rotary motion may be varied in numerous ways according to the character of power available and is vonly illustrated for clearness of explanation, as any well known method of attaining rotation may be used.

The object of competition for which a prize is given may be the grasping and detachment of a ball J, but while suflicient speed of rotation is maintained the passenger is almost helpless in his seat, as the centrifugal force is acting against his efforts to attain the necessary posture or position. To give equal chance to all passengers the ball may be made to travel around with the platform, but at a slower speed, so that it lags behind and is apparently traveling in the reverse direction to the platform. This may be readily effected by a standard K carrying (free to rotate) a pair of united sprocket wheels L and M, the wheel L receiving motion by chain gearing from the ...un un. v.

jby an inclined cone shaped platform Q, up which the passengers must walk in order `to grasp said ball.

"ports the'arm on a circular track P.

sprocket wheel N inY the rigid center post (to which it is keyed), and this motion is 4finally conveyed to the loose sleeve O carmany other modifications will suggest themselves.

1 In Fig. 2 I have shown a slightly modied construction, wherein the ball J is mounted centrally and vertically, and is surrounded In 'each case it willL be seen that a prize is .offered which is in such a position that centrifugal force acts against the efforts of the passenger to attain it thereby creating much amusement and allowing an interesting com- -*petition to 'accompany the pleasure of the ride.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention ,and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is 5.21.0l

rotating platform, inwardly facing seats l. An amusement appliance, embodying a disposed near the edge of said platform and jrotatable therewith, and an object to be grasped disposed inside of the path of rotation of said seats and beyond the reach of a passenger when seated thereon.

2. An amusement appliance, embodying a 'rotating platform, inwardly facing seats dis- 4. An amusement appliance, embodying a 1 'rotating platform, a seat disposed near the edge of said platform, and -a base for said seat wider at its bottom than said seat to prevent the feet of the occupant from being v drawn under said seat.

5. An amusement appliance, embodying a rotating platform, an inwardly facing seat disposed near the edge of saidplatform, and a back for said seat inclined inward toward its top.

6. -An amusement appliance, embodying a rotating platform, a seat disposed near the edge of said platform, a base for said seat wider at its bottom than said seat to prevent the feet of the occupant from bein drawn under said seat, and a back for sai seat inclined inward toward its top.

In testimony whereof I aiiiX my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

ALFRED CANNAN SNELL.

Witnesses:

R. WEsTAooTT, C. SCOTT SNELL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

'Washington, D. C.

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