US1636481A - And jitliits m - Google Patents

Description

L NEWSBAUM ET AL July o RACING AMUSEMENT DEVICE lFiled May 11, 1926 3 SheetsSheet Al and;

(in No,v

July 19 1927 F.. J. NEWSBAUM ET AL,

RACNG AMUS EMENT DEVI C E Filed May 3,1, 1.926 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 19, 1927.

F. J. NEWSBAUM E1' AL RACING AMUS EMENT DEVI CE Filed May 1l, 1926 .'5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented July 19, 1927.

"UNITED stares rares `@FillCll.

FRANK J. NEWSBAU'M, GF DETROIT. MICHIGAN, AND EULIS IVI. LONN, OF LA PORTE,

INDIANA, ASSIGNORS T0 INTERNATIONAL AMUSEMENT CORPORATION, OF DE- TROI'JI7 MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF IWIOHIGAN.

RACING AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

Application :Filed May 11,

'lhe present invention is an amusement device suitable ior use in public parks, auditoriums, and the like, having;I vehicles or objects to be ridden by persons which are caused to travel by a power means in such a manner as to stimulate raci y; contest between various ot `groups ot riders; anch in arryinn the invention a step turther, it is contemplated to provide For competitive racing between groups of riders by the, independent propulsion et each group ot vehicles in addition to the power means.

(lne oilv the objects oit the present invention is the provision ot an airujisement device, ot the above stated character havingy a simple and economical construction rendering it Vpractical andl etlicieut in operation and dei void of? objective slots openings, obstructions and the like, in which the toot, leg7 or other portions ot the body may be caught.

Another object oit this invention is the provision ot a, device ot the above stated character. which in one of its torres has the carriage. vehicle or other objectto be ridden moved in its course by a movingv platform upon which the persons may stand, while the plattorm is moving.

lith these and other objects in view.y the invention turther resides in sundry details ot construction combination and arrangement ot parts7 hereinafter more 'fully described and pointed out in the appended claims.

ln the specifica-tion and the annexed drawines.y the invention is disclosed in the form in which it is considered to be the best, but the invention is not limited to such form? because it is capable ot beine; embodied in. other toi-ins; and it is to be understood that in and by the claims following' the descrip tion herein, it is intended to cover the invention in whatever term `it may embody within the scope thereof. i

In the drawings, which `show the embodiment ot the invention as at present devisedz Figure l, is a plan View ot the amusement device ot' the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view ot one section or unit oli the course shown in `Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 ot' Figure. Q and lookingl in the direction ot' the arrows;

Figure @is a sectional View taken sub- 1926. Serial N0. 108,293.

stantially on line /lml ot Figure 2 and lookine' in the direction ot the arrows;

Figure 5 isan enlarged plan view ot' one of the drivingunits :for the movable plattorm sections;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view of the driving` unit taken substantially on line (3 6 ot Figure 5 and positioned with relation to the platiorn'i structure; and

Figure 7 is ay longitudinal sectional. view ot the drivino unit taken substantially on line *i1-fi'` et l* igure 5 and showing the same positioned with relation to theY platform structure. i

Throughout the specification and drawings like characters denote like and similar parts of the invention, wherever referred to.

',lhe amusement according` to the present invention broadly contemplates the provision oi'i a platform having;v vehicles or objects to be ridden mounted and resting; thereon and connected with ino-vingelements in such a manner that the vehicles or objects to be ridden are moved over the platform in delined courses and, further, preferably'i in a manner to stinuilate racing excitement `between the riders, there being .no slots spaces7 or obstruction by which persons walking` over the plattorn'i may become injared.

@ne torni ot the device ot this invention has platifornfi having sections movable in 'the plane ot the platform in rectilineah elli'tical or circular course with no sp ces, slots or obstructions between the movable sections and the stationary sections in which the tootD leg, or other portion ot the body may be caught?, the movable platforms being ot such widths would conveniently permit one or more persons to stand thereupon as the sectionis beine' moved; and, further, has a plurality ot vehicles mounted on the ard- `iacent or contiguous stationary platform sections to be moved by the movement of the movable sections, there being suitable connection tor this purpose between the vehicle and the moving;v sections, which maintains the vehicles in position on its course and lirmly supports it in position against side-wise movement. The vehicles are, preferably, but not necessarily, adapted to be additionally propelled in" order that their speed may be increased in addition to the speed normally imparted by the moving platform sections.

It is, of course, to be understood that the platform need not be arranged in one plane and that the different moving sections may be arranged in different planes, as, for instance, tor one example, Where the platform is dislied or bowl-shaped, and, as, for instance tor another example, Where the plat# form may be Wave-like. `It is also to be understood that the moving platform sections are not limited to concentric sections, as shown in the drawings, because it is contemplated to arrange these sections eccentrically or elliptically and to effect other arrangevments Where the sections will move relative to each other.

ln cari'yinijr,this invention into practice, in its present i'orin, the platiioini comprises :'i pliiirality o'lI sections l, 2,13, 4l, 5, (i, 7, 8,

rand 9 arranged side by side and (for the purpose oli this illustiation)` are shown as providing a. continuous unbroken plat-'torni over ivbi'cli persons may itreely walk. The section 9 inay ie in the lorni oit an annulus or may l'e one circular section, as desired. 'i'lie ions are constructed to be alternativelyr stationary and movable, the outer section lbei'ng preferably stationary'and cach alternate section. namely` 2. fat, (3, and 8, being' movable. .ln the present slunviiig.;` 'tour movable sections are illustrated. jlouievei', any nuniber of sections may be eiiip'ioyed.

Mounted on the stationary sectionsfl. 3, 5S, and 7, respectively, are 'veliiicles 'l0 ol any desired type or design Ito niove over and to traverse the course delined by said station.-

' arv sections. lut, it irelierable to eniolov that type of vehicle capable ot being propelled by the Voccupant or rider, and in this conneetio-iifand 'tor the purpose of the present illustration, it is preferred to use bicycles Vable il) the Ordinar"Y type and construction, be-

vcause it is calculated that the bicycle will 'be' understood that the Ainvenliion is not l ed to theiise ot such as power driven rebiclrs iii'ay be also used or substituted for occupent propelled vehicles.

The piatto'ri'ri construction l), us above described. iniiybe'o't any suitable material; 'however'. y.it is found. at tl'ie present time,

th sheet vinetil is most desirable for this purpose. The stationary sections l, 3, 5, 7

Var'dff), o' the plattform l?, are shown, partie ularlfv in Figure 3, as supported by a suit- ,i'iie'ivcrk VF, resting?,Y upon abutments piers l suitablyy arranged on the ground or jlloertoelevate the traine Work :Ff Each et the inevable 'platform sections 2, 4. (l, end 8 have secured to their lindersides, two track rails, ot suitable construction, coextensive with the track and each arranged adjacent opposite side edge thereof, respectively,as

clearly shown in Figures 3 and (j. These rails il rest upon and are vadapted to inove in position under the track in any desired manner, which will sustain the movable plat` 'toi-m .se tions in their position.

The design ot the invention.v as shoivn in Figure l, beingy circular, is coi'uposed'oil .i6

sections or units, illustrated in Figui-'e il.

Since it is the purpose to drive the movable iilattorni sections by motive power. in this lorin oft the invention, it is 'found desirable to iuoiuit-drive shafts radially unler the ilattorin at equal distances apart, there llieingv three of said drive shafts illustratedin'"` the present showing. The porter transmitted lroin any suitable source, such aslioni the motors to the drive shafts 13thA 'h suitable dii-ive connections.

or sprocket chain ll.

Liiosely journalled Von each ot the. drive shafts are a plurality ot driving` ai'iiis l5 adapted 'to nieve independently ot the shi L, there l'ieingg; one arin disposed under each ot' such/as by a belt i' the movableplatform sections P. One end ot each oi.' the drivingr arms l5 is bifiircate,

as illustrated in Figure 5. andhas journalled in saidbifurcation, a driving wheel i6, also lli() in the torni of the flanged ivlieel,\vliicli` are`v each, respectively, driven by a sprocket chain' 'i8 troni a sprocket 17 'last on the shaft-13. rllre wheel 16 on each drive arin is positioned to ,engage one. oiu the tracls 1l' oi" its re.J

Y tive An'iovable platform section, as clearly indieated in Figures 8 and t3, and'is held intric-` ff tional engagement therewith ,by a yielding pressure, as for example by the spring 19 carried in the frame. stii'riig) il() v'and liiavingY one end beari'i'iv' against the under side ol' the arm 15.'. The pressure oil'i each spring' 179 may*h ne regulated by the bolt 2l threaded through Y.

the stiirup and. held in adjustedpc l ions by the lock-nut 22.

in order to `irive-.additional support-'to the moving' platt'oi'n'i sections adjacent the point ot' drive, each shaftt li) has loosely mounted thereon supporting Wheels ,lny'one arranged unrfler each movable plat-torni section to engre. with the tracks 1 lV thereof oppositetliat cne'ag'ed the driving fivheel 16. Ot course,`i u', is te be understood thatr it is within the purview of this invention to provide two drive 'Wheels le to engagethe opposite tracks ll et each inov` ble lplatform section.V

Freni the above construction it "is .obvious `means 1G, thus enabling the said sections to be movable independently of the drive means or .in conjunction with and in addition to thc drive means; llfowcver, in some forms of the invcn ion we do not irish lo bc limited to this frictimial drive. Also, it 'is to be undel stood that the ratio ol' drive between the various platform sections 2, 'l, l, and 8 may he varied as desired. 'When the shafts l are driven, it will thus be seen that these movable platform sections are driven in a uniform direction by the drive Wheels lt.

The vehicles l are positioned on the stationary platform sections l, 3, 5, 7, and 9 to move ou the saine and over the course delined thereby, which course is coextensive and in parallelism with the course defined by the movable sections 2, 4t, (i, and 8. rlhe 'vehicles on the stationary platform sections are positively connected with alternate and adjacent movable sections. Thus, the vehicles on the stationary section l are connected with the movable section 2, those on the stationary section 3 are connected With the alternate and vits adjacent .movable section il, those on the section 5 are connected with tl section 6,. and those on `the sta.`

l ionary section 7 are connected with the movable section 8. The vehicles, hovever, are preferably connected with ltheir respective movable platforms at equally space-d vdistances apart, as shown in the drawings.

Thev bicycles, which are shown herein as the vehicles above referred to, are attached to the movable platform sections by three supporting braces 23, 24, and 25, each having` one end portion secured to the top surface of the movablevplatforin section and their other ends connected, respectively, to the front axle of the Wheel, one at the forkcrown and the other at the frame-cluster"7 at the rear of the Wheel, as illustrated in Figure Il. These rods hold the bicycles in a lined position, Whether there is a rider or not, and make the bicycles track and opcrate on their respective fixed stationary platforms. By reason of the brace rods 23 the front Wheel is held againststeering,` and maintained to its course.

In the operation of the amusement of this invention, it is optional with the vrider to coast or ride with the bicycle or other device) or to pedal the same in addition to its normal movement and thereby accelerate the speed of the moving platform section to which it is connected, which is occasioned by virtue of the fact that the movable sections are mounted to move independently of the drive means at all. times, one form of constrmtion for accomplishing this operation being herein shown. Obviously, personal exertion on the part of the riders Will increase the speed .of their respective movable section, and it is inthis that the contest and amusement element of this invention resldes ent revolutions per minute, the rider on dif Y ferent courses constantly pass each other. This added feature of personal exertion to increase the speeds of the rider is calculated to add `to the attractiveness of the contest.

The construction of the device of this invention is such that parents or attendants may accompany small children during1 the ride or cont-est and may .stand upon the movable sections at or near the vehicles or bicycles ridden by the child. Also, if for any reason, persons are not able to ride the `vehicle but desire to stand on the platform the present construction has anticipated this Want. It is also to be borne in mind that there are no .sl-ots, cracks, or openings by which the foot or other portions of the body may be injured.

The construction of the present device also admits quick assembly, detachment and access to an y of its parts notable among which is that the movable platform sections may be `readily removed or lifted from their po sillon and the bicycle may be quickly dcl'achcd. However, when in operative posi tion are held in fixed position, free from wabbliire` or other movements which are found objectionable and hazardous to the persons and an impediment to a satisfactory operation of the amusement device.

that is claimed is:

1.111 anamusement device a platform comprising' a stationary floor section and a movable floor section, said sections defining parallel courses, drive mea-ns for moving said movable section, a vehicle mounted on the stationary sect-ion to move thereover, and

connecting` means secured to the said movable section and to said vehicle, so that the latter may travel over said stationary section and the spaces bet-Ween the floor sec tions reduced to a minimum.

2. In' an amusement device, a platform .comprising a stationary floor section and a movable section arranged to provide a continuous upper surface, said sections defining` parallel courses, a propellable vehicle mounted on the stationary section ,and connected with the movable section whereby the vehicle is moved over the course of said stationary section, drive means, and connection between the movable iloor section and said drive means permitting acceleration of the movement of said n'iovable floor section by means of said vehicle. i

3.111 an amusementdevice, a platform compristineI a stationary vl'loor section and a movable floor section, saidfmovable section defining a course of travel and drive means for moving said movable section and a propellable 4vehicle `mounted on the stationary kso ` others being movable with respect to the 'sta-V to more thereovei', and connecting irace-y members secured to the top surface oi said niovable section and to said vehicle, whereby the latter may be 'moved over stationary section,v drive means, and connections between the movable floor section and the drive means permitting acceleration ot the movement ol said movable i'ioor section by means of said vehicles.

5. In an amusement device, a platform comprising a plurality of contiguoustloor sections, forming a continuous surface, cer,-

tain oifsaid sections heilig stationary and others being movable with respect to the stationary sections anddefining a coursefoi' travel, A'drive means for vactuating said movable sections, and vehicles mounted on said stationary sections to move thereover, and a eonnectionbetwe'en each of saidvehicles and an adjacent movable iioor section, whereby the vehicle is moved therewith and heldin 'position to travel over its stationary HoorV section in a course delined by the movable floor section.

6. In yan amusement device, a platform comprising a' plurality oi'I contiguous floor sections 'forming a continuoussurface, certain oi saidY sections being stationary rand ltiio'naryL section and ldefining a course of t "avel, drive meansl for actuating said lmovable sections, an'd propellable vehicles mounted on'said stationary 'sections to move thereover, and a connection between each oi" said propellable vehicles and an adjacent movable door section whereby the propellable vehicle is moved therewith and heldin positionto travellover its stationary floor sectionin'a course defined by the movable floor section, said movable floor sections being mounted to be moved indeljiendently of and fin conjunctionwith saiddrive means, when their respective vehicles are propelled, whereby the speed of each movable section land its respective vehicle is increased in addition to theV speed ot the drive means. Y

7. In an amusement device, a platform comprising a plurality of continuous floor sections arrangedside by side and about a common axis, said sections being alternately stationary and rmovable, with respect'to each other, bicycles mounted on and supported by said-stationary. sections toV move thereover, and brace rods connectingeach bicycle to an adjacent movable floor section, Whereby the bicycles are moved with the movement of said sections and maintained invertical position to travel in a course defined byk the movable floor sections, drive means for said movable floor sections having afree trictional contact therewith whereby Vthe speed of the bicycles' connected with each movable section mayk be increased by the propulsion of said bicycles.

8. In anV amusement device, a platform comprising a plurality of annular concentric and contiguous sections forming an unn broken :door surface, alternate sections being stationary and movable, annular track rails yon the underside of the movable sections,

supporting wheels upon which' said rails rest, bicycles mounted on said stationary sections to move thcreover, and a connection between each ot said bicycles and an adjacent movable Viioor section for maintaining the bicycles in vertical position and moving same with the movement of said Amovable sections to travel in a course dened by the movable iioor sections, a drive wheel for each movable section and in Yfrictional engagement with aV track thereof, whereby the speed of the bicycles connected with each movable section may be increased by the propulsion of said bicycles. s

V,9., In an amusement device, a movable member defining a continuous course of travel, a drive means for said movable memberv comprising adrive wheel, a pivoted bracket'arm arranged under said 'movable member in which said drive wheel A,is mounted to friction-ally contact'fwith the under surfaceof said movable section, spring mea-ns normally urging said bracket arm to-V ward said movable member to move the drive' wheel in yielding ,contact lwith said member, a drive shaft, and an operative connection between saiddrive shaft and said drive wheel. Y f 10. In an amusement'device, a plurality of continuous moving members definingdefinite courses of tra-vel and arranged in proximity of each other, a common drive'shaft extending under said movable, members. Y L

spring-pressed bracketL arms loosely journalled on said drive shaft one arranged adjacent each movable member, a drive wheel mounted in each of said bracketarms andV normally heldl in yielding contact withv said moving members, and Aan foperative drive connection between each drive-wheel and said shaft. v n f 11.l In an kamusement device, afplurality of movable floor sections defining courses ofY travel and `arrangedin proximity of each'V other, track surfacesv on the under side of said io'or' sections, "supporting rrollers ar- `ranged throughout the lengths ot said courses and on which said tracks engage, a common drive shaft extending transversely under said Hoor section. spring` pressed bracket arms loosely jota-nailed on said drive shaft and arranged one under each Hoor section; a drive Wheel journalled in each of said arms and normally held in yieldingi contact with one of said track sur` laces, and idler supporting rollers journailed on the shaft to engage the other tracks oi? 'their adjacent floor sections` and an operative drive connection between drive wheel and said shaft.

l2. In an an'iusement device, a plurality oi movable floor sections d eiining courses olf travel and arranged in proximity ot each other, track surfaces on the under side of said lioor sections, supporting rollers arranged throughout the length ol said courses and on which said tracks engage, a common drive shaft extending transversely under said licor sections, bracket arms loosely pivoted at one end portion to said shalt and, arranged one under each floor section; drive Wheels, one journalled in the other end portion of each arm, sprockets :tast with each drive Wheel; sprockets fast on said shaft and arranged one adjacent each of said arms,

sprocket chains connecting; said sprockets on the shaft` with the drive Wheels, and means Yfor moving each of said drive Wheels in yielding friction-al contact with one ol` the tracks of their adjacent floor sections 13. In an amusement device a platform comprising a stationary Hoor section and a movable Hoor section, said sections defining parallel courses, drive means for moving said movable section, a. vehicle mounted on the stationary section to move thereover, and connecting means secured to the top surface of said movable section and to said vehicle, so that the latter may `travel over flitationary section and the spaces betweeny the door ver tion reduced to a minimum.

14. In an amusement device, a platform, vehicles disposed on the platform and capable of moving tliereover7 movable mem bers arranged to move in delinite courses and to each of which certain ot the vehicles are rigidly connected to be guided and sustained on corresponding tours-es on the platform, and propelling means it'or actuating said member, the speed of said vehicles being acceleratable at the will oli' the occupants independently ot said propelling means.

l5. In an al'nusen'ient device, a platform, vehicles, disposed on the platforn'i and c pable oli n'iovingg` thereover, movable mem-- bers arranged to move in definite courses and to each ci which certain ol" the vehicles are rigidly connected to be guided and sustained on corresponding` courses on lthe platform, and driving` means for actuating;` said members, said vehicles being independently propellable, and the comiection between said members and actuating means being such as to permit acceleration ot' the driven speed oit the respective moving' members, at the will of the occupant, when their vehicles are so independently propelled.

In testilnony whereof We have hereunto er; our hands.

FRANK J. NEWSBAUM. JULIUS M. LONN.

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