GB469278A - Improvements in and relating to motor-propelled vehicles or the like for amusement purposes - Google Patents

Abstract

469,278. Amusement apparatus. TAYLOR, A. June 10, 1936, No. 16232. [Class 132 (i)] In motor driven vehicles simulating animals, e.g. a horse or a horse-drawn vehicle, guided and controlled by the usual reins, each leg of the animal is driven by a crank to simulate natural movement and the head of the animal is turned relatively to the body to actuate the steering mechanism. An electric motor 7 mounted on the chassis 5 surrounded by a guard rail 6 drives through worm 9 and wormwheel 10 a shaft 14 connected to the rubber tyred driving track wheel 11 through a clutch 12 adapted to slip at sudden changes in the load thereon. A sprocket 15 fixed to shaft 14 drives through a chain and sprocket 15b the forward shaft A. The shaft A drives cranks 16<a> and through chains 17 and sprocket wheels 15<c>, 15<a> drives cranks 16 freely mounted on shaft 14. The animal representation is supported by connecting rods 18, 18<a> pivoted thereto at 24, 24<a> and to the cranks 16, 16<a>. Arms 19 move with the rods 18, 18<a>, their free ends 20 embracing rods 21 secured to the animal framework 22, and moving along the rods 21 in opposition to springs 23. One or more seats 25 are provided with side projecting bars 26 to be gripped by the knees of the riders. Steering mechanism. The head 28 when rotated relative to the body by the reins 27 rotates a shaft 29 connected by a universal joint 30 to a shaft 31 splined to a bent arm 32 connected by a universal joint 33 to a shaft 34 which turns the carrier 35 of the steering wheel 37, the splined connection 31, 32<a>, providing for the movements of the animal body relative to the chassis 5. Further track wheels 50 are provided. Starting and stopping. The bit comprises shafts 38, Figs. 3, 4, and the reins 27 are connected to the lower ends of lugs 39 depending from these shafts. By pulling lightly on both reins the shafts 38 are rotated and cam levers 40 are raised to elevate a bar 41 against the action of a light spring 42 whereby a crank 45 is rocked about bearing 44 and tilts a mercury switch 47 carried thereby to start the motor 7, which is fed in known manner from the electrified floor and ceiling. To stop the motor the reins are released when the mercury switch resumes the horizontal position and opens the circuit, or the reins are pulled harder to compress a stiffer spring 48 when the mercury switch is returned to the horizontal by abutting against a stop 49, a stop bar (not shown) being provided to return the switch to the horizontal when it reaches its lowest position on release of the reins.