US1380915A - Runner device - Google Patents

Description

H. C. LONG.

'RUNNEFLDEVICL APPLICATION F|LED MAY 8,1920- '1,380,91 5. Patented June 7, 1921.

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HILLARY 0. LONG, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

RUNNER DEVICE.

Application filed May a, 1920. Serial no. 379,741.

To aZZ @071 am it may concern:

Be it known that I, HILLARY C. Lone, a citizen of the United States, and residing at New York, in thecounty of New York and" State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Runner Devices, of which the following is a specification, such as will enable those skilled in the art to which it'appertains to make and use the same. v p

This invention relates to runner devices and particularly to a device of this class adapted to be used by an acrobat or per former in performing a head balance on an inclined cable, and the object of the invention is to provide a runner device of the class and for the purpose specified which may be quickly and easily attached to the head of a performer, and which is so constructed as to provide a positive guide on a cable and which is provided with means for permitting of the free and steady movement of the device on the cable without jerking or' jarring the performer which would cause the loss of his balance; another object of the invention is to provide means for producing a steady brake action of the device when descending on a cable to retard the progress of the device thereon said means being constructed of such material as to take up the wear, and particularly the wear and strain on the cable; and with these and other objects in view the invention consists in a device of the class and for the purpose specified which is simple in construction and operation and efficient in use, and which is constructed and operated as hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawing forms a part, in which the separate parts of my improvement are des ignated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and in which: I

Figure 1 is a small diagrammatic view indicating the method of using the runner device;

Fig. 2 a partial longitudinal sectlon through the device and indicating its relative position on a cable and in an inverted position;

Fig. 3 a plan view of the runner device with a part of the construction shown 1n F ig. 2 omitted; and,

Fig. 4 a partial section on the line l4l of Fig. 2.

My improved runner device consists of a frame member 5 which, in the form of construction shown, is composed of a sheet metal plate of an approximately elliptical form as shown in Fig. 3, and secured to one face of the frame member 5 adjacent to one 7 end portion thereof are two L-shaped members 6, the parts 7 of which extend at right angles to the member 5 and are spaced apart as shown in F ig, 3. An anti-friction roller 8 is mounted between the parts .7 of

the plate 6 and rotatable on a pin 9 mounted therein. 7

A guide and alinement member 10 is secured to and extends longitudinally of the frame member 5 and is in common alinement withthe anti-friction shown in Fig. 3. The inner end portion. of said member is bent into hook-shaped form as shown at 11 and the sides of said member are bent upwardly to form an outwardly directed channel portion 12 on the member 10 betweenthe hook-shaped end portion 11 and the outer end portion thereof. A fibrous bearing pad 13 is mounted in the channel 12 at the outer end portion ofthe member 10 and is held in place by wire loops 14:, and said pad is provided with a longitudinal concave outer face 15 in which the cable 16, in connection with which the device is used, is adapted to operate. I

Secured to the other face of the fram member 5 is a cushion ring 17, known in the profession as a Drumette, and in the form of construction shown, is composed of a core 18 made of twisted rope covered by a casing of tape 19 around which is a felt casing 20. An elastic strap 21 is secured to the cushion ring 17 and is adapted to be passed beneath the chin of the wearer and serves to hold the runner device in position on'the head.

I also provide a hood 22 which incloses, or partially incloses the frame member 5 and is so constructed as to firmly tit and conform with the head of the wearer when the runner device is in position for use, and said hood may be composed of elastic material or of fibrous material provided with elastic inserts in the usual manner.

lVhen it is desired to use the device the same is placed upon the head of the performer or acrobat with that end of the frame member with which the anti-friction roller is connected at the front or forehead of the user, and the strap 21 is placed beneath the chin as is diagrammatically illustrated in roller 8 as clearly Fig. 1, and the performer or acrobat balances himself upon the top. of the inclined wire, and when properly balanced descends on such wire in the manner indicated in- Fig. 1. In this operation, the anti-friction roller 8 takes the greater part of the thrust uponythe cable and permits of a free and even action of the device whilethe bearing pad serves to break or act in the manner of adrag, on thecable, to govern the speed at whichthe performer or acrobat descends upon the cable, but this breaking or drag gingaction by: reason of the fibrous pad 13, which is preferably composed of leather, is very even and will regardless of the condition of the'cable permit of a smooth and steady movement of the runner device on such cable. It has been experienced inmaking such performances, and when merely a channeled metallicmember was employed as a "runner device, that under various condltions or in the presence of moisture, grease, etc. on the cable, a jerking or irregular action of the runner-device will be produced thus causing the performer or acrobat to losehis balance and sometimesfatally injure himself, but with my improved construction 3 theseconditions are obviated.

. It will be apparent that when the bearing pad 13 is worn out anew pad may be readily substituted without any material cost, thus materially extending the life of the device.

- It will beunderstood that while I have shown certain details of construction 1 for carrying myinvention into effect, I am not necessarily llmited to these details, and vanous changes therein and modifications thereof maybe made, within the scope of theap 'erate upon said cable, and an elongated channel-shapeddrag and brake device on said frame-andadapted'to cooperate with said cable. c

A device of the class described comprising a frame, a roller mounted in connection with said frame, a drag or brake device on said frame, a cushion member mounted in connection with said frame, and means for securing the device in connection with the head of a user. I

y 3. A device of the class described comprising a suitable frame, a grooved roller rotatably mounted in connection with the frame, a channel-shaped member on said frame and in line with said grooved roller, and a fibrous bearing pad on said member.

4. A device of the class described comprising a suitable frame, a grooved roller rotatably mounted in connection with the frame, a channel-shaped member on said frame and in line with said grooved roller, a fibrous bearing pad on said member, and a hood mounted in connection with said frame.

5. A device of the class described com'pris ing a suitable frame, a grooved roller rotatably mounted in connection with the frame,

a channel-shaped member on said frame and in l ne wlth said grooved roller, a fibrous bearing pad on said member, a hood mounted in connection with said frame and a cush-- ion ring on said frame.

6. A device of the class described comprising a suitable frame, a grooved roller rotatably mounted in connection with the frame, a channel-shaped member on said frame and in line with said grooved roller,'a fibrous bearing pad on said member, a hood mounted in. connection with said frame, a cushion ring on said frame, and a strap for securing the device to the head of a user. i

' 7. A runner device of the class described for use in performing acrobatic feats on a cable, said device comprising a suitable frame, means on said frame for permitting of the free action of the device on a cable, means on said device for controlling and regulating the movement of the device on the cable, and means whereby the device may be firmlyheld in engagement with the head of the performer." I i g In testimony that I claim the foregoing-as my invention 1 have signed my name in presence of the subscribing witnesses this 7th day of May, 1920. y

7 HILLARY C. LONG. Witnesses: e

C. E. MULREANY,

H. ETHOMPSON.

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