GB189916A - Improvements in or relating to amusement appliances - Google Patents

Abstract

189,916. Walker, J. R. Sept. 27, 1921. Roundabouts.-Relates to amusement apparatus of the type in which one or more passenger-carrying devices or cars are connected to a rotatable structure by flexible members adapted to cause secondary movement of the car, and comprises arranging the flexible members in open loops encircling one or more stationary members disposed eccentrically to the rotatable structure, or connecting the flexible members to a closed flexible loop encircling two or more stationary members disposed eccentrically to the structure. A number of cars 7, Fig. 2, adapted to run on a fixed platform 8 are connected by cables 1 to a rotatable disc 2. Each cable passes from a car over a pulley 5, forms a loop encircling two stationary pulleys 4 and is secured at a point 3 on the periphery of the disc 2. As the disc rotates the length of cable taken up in each loop varies, causing the cars alternately to accelerate and retard. The extent of this secondary motion may be varied by adjusting the distance between the pulleys 4, or by changing the point of attachment 3 of the cable, while the periodicity may be increased by increasing the number of pulleys 4. Pulleys 5<a> may be provided to limit the outward radial movement of the cars. The cars may be given a rotary motion by passing the free end of the cable round a central fixed pulley on the car, and attaching' it to the periphery of the disc 2. Each car may be provided with a steering wheel to change its point of attachment to the cable. In a modification, the disc 2 is elevated and the cars are suspended on the cables, the secondary motion being in a vertical direction. In a further modification, the cars are carried on pivoted arms 25, Fig. 9, and the cables pass over pulleys 29, mounted on a circular track 30, and connect the arms with a flexible band 31, Fig. 10, encircling stationary pulleys 4. The standard 27 carrying the pulleys 4 may be raised or lowered by a rack and pinion 32 to allow passengers to enter and alight from the cars.