US2345855A - Amusement apparatus - Google Patents

Description

E. MECCHI AMUSEMENT APPARATUS April 4, 1944.

3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dec. 12, 1941 -Z: Mecckz',

INVENTOR.

ATTOKNEYS April 1944- E. MECCHI 2,345,855

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Dec. 12, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Iii: x

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INVENTOR.

A TTOENEXS E MECCHI AMUSEMENT APPARATUS April 4, 1944.

Filed Dec. 12, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 .ECMecchi,

INVENTOR.

A T T OENE Y5 v Patented Apr. 4, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Edmondo Mecchi, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application December 12, 1941, Serial No. 422,749

9 Claims.

The device forming the subject matter of this application is an amusement machine in which passenger baskets are carried around in an orbit by a rotor. The invention aims to provide novel means for swinging the baskets in and out as they move in an orbit, and to provide novel means for rotating the baskets, about substantially vertical axes, as they move in an orbit. A further object of the invention is to supply novel means for stopping the rotation of the baskets about substantially vertical axes, when a basketgate is opened.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the present invention appertains.

With the above and other objectsv in View, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 shows in vertical transverse section, a device constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan wherein parts are broken away;

Fig. 3 is a top plan showing a portion of the frame of the rotor;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of one of the baskets, parts being broken away;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 55 of Fig. '7, the gate being closed;

Fig. 6 is a similar view, the gate being opened;

Fig. '7 is a section on the line '|--I of Fig. 5.

In carrying out the invention, there is provided a support, including a base I; on which are mounted vertical, braced posts 2, anti-friction wheels 3 being supported for rotation on the upper ends of the posts. A foot bearing 4 is carried by the base I and is located within an upstanding bearing frame 5, secured to the base. A vertical main shaft 6 is mounted to rotate in the bearing frame 5, the lower end of the shaft being carried by the foot bearing 4. Within the contour of the bearing frame, a large beveled gear I is secured to the shaft 6, the gear meshing with a small beveled pinion 8, secured to the shaft of an electric motor 9, carried by. the base i. The motor 9 maybe referred to as a first motor.

The numeral Ill marks a fixed platform provided with an opening II in which is located a rotor R. The framework of the rotor R includes a central hub 12, radial arms l4 extending from the hub, a rim I5 joined to the outer ends of the arms, rigid ties l6 joining adjacent arms and disposed close to the rim, and inclined braces l'l connecting the hub l2 with the arms M. The rim l5 rides on the wheels 3. The upper end of the main shaft 6 is squared as shown at 18, the squared part of the shaft fitting in a correspondingly shaped opening in the hub i2. A nut I9 is threaded on the extreme upper end of the shaft 6 and holds down the hub l2 on the squared part l8 of the shaft. A turntable 25 is secured to the framework of the rotor R.

A slide S is mounted for vertical reciprocation in the rotor R and on the main shaft 6. The slide S includes a foot 2!, slidable on the shaft 6, a head 22 disposed above the turntable 20, and rigid connections 23 joining the head and the foot. The connections 23 are vertically slidable through the hub l2. The inner ends of rigid, radial links 24 are pivoted to the foot 2|.

A stage 25 is secured to the main shaft 6, above the frame 5. On the stage 25 is mounted an electrical motor 26, which may be called a second motor. The circuit for the motor 26 is designated by the numeral 21. A standard 28 is mounted on the upper end of the frame 5 and carries brushes 29, engaging collector rings 30, secured to the shaft 6 but insulated therefrom. The collector rings 30 are interposed in the motor circuit 21. Any substitute structure may be provided whereby current may be supplied to the second motor 26, which moves around in a horizontal orbit, when the shaft 6 is rotated.

The shaft of the motor 25 carries a pulley 3!, about which is engaged a belt 32, engaging a large pulley 33 on a shaft 34 mounted to turn in a bracket 35 on the stage 25. The shaft 34 has oppositely projecting crank arms 36 and 31.

A housing 38 is secured to the turntable 26 of the rotor R, an upstanding frame 39 being secured to the turntable, within the housing. Pulleys 40 and GI are supported for rotation on the upper part of the frame 39, side by side, and a pulley 42 is journaled on the frame, in offset relation with respect to the pulleys 49 and 4|. One end of a flexible element 43 is connected to the crank arm 36. The flexible element 43 extends upwardly, and downwardly, about the pulley 40, the flexible element being secured at 44 to the head 22 of the slide s. A flexible element 45 is secured to the crank arm 31 and extends upwardly and horizontally over the pulley 4!. Thence, the flexible element extends downwardly about the pulley 42, and upwardly about a sheave 46, carried by a bracket 4'! on the stage 25. The flexible element 45 is attached at &8 to the foot 2| of the slide S.

Baskets B are disposed above the rotor R, and there may be as many or as few of the baskets as is desired. The baskets B may be constructed as desired. They are shown as comprising, each, an upper rail 49,'a base 50, a hub 5| secured to the lower surface of the base, and spokes 52 connecting the base with the upper rail. The base has a cavity 53 which is closed by the hub 5E. The base 55) has a groove 54 extended partway therearound. At one end, the groove 5 is enlarged to form an inwardly extended recess 55. A passage 55 connects the cavity 53 with the recess 55.

The letter G marks a gate, constituting a'closure'forthe otherwise open portion of the basket B. The gate G includes a top rail, a curved bottom rail 57, and spokes 58 connecting the rails. Near one vertical edge, the gate G is connected with a basket B by hinges 59. At its hinged end,

the bottom rail '51 of the gate has an enlargement 6!], in which is located a curved slot 6!. A guide rod 62 is mounted in the base 5!! of the basket and extends vertically across the recess 55, the guide rod bein'g received in the slot 6i of the gate. The slotfii and the guide rod 62 cooperate to take strain off the hinged mounting 59 of the gate. p

When the gate G is closed, the bottom rail 5? is received in the groove 54 of the base, the enlargement 60 being received in the recess 55, and the gate being held closed by a latch 63, adapted to engage keepers 64 on the gate and on one of the spokes 52 of the basket body,- as Fig. 4 shows.

Each basket B is carried by an upright lever 65, which is fulcrumed intermediate its ends on the ties I6 of the frame of the rotor R, the levers extending upwardly through holes 61 in the turntable 20. The outer ends of the links 24 are pivoted to the lower ends of the levers 65, which have in and out swinging movement, radially of the rotor R. Ball bearings 68 mount each basket B for rotation on the upper endof the corresponding lever 65. Incidentally, ball bearings may be used wherever desired, throughout the structure.

Apulley 69 is secured to the upper end of each lever and is 'located in the cavity 53 of the basket base 53. About the pulley 69 is trained a flexible element 70, having one end anchored at H on the base 59 of the basket B, a pull spring i2 being connected'to the opposite end of the flexible element, and to an outstanding finger 13 on the enlargement 60 of the gate, the spring passing through the opening 56.

When the gate G is opened, as in Fig. 6, the spring 72 ti htens the flexible element it about the pulley 69, rotation of thebasket upon the lever 65 being prevented. The spring 12 also serves as a means for closing the gate G, and when the gate is closed, as'in Fig. 5, the pull of thesprlng i2 is lessened to such an-extent'thatthe flexible element 'ifl'no longer acts as a brake strap, relatively free rotation ofthe basket with respect to the lever '65 being then'possible.

Since'the spring "l 2-tends to'close the gate G,

a'meansis provided for keeping the gate open.

That means embodies a lever 'ld fulcrtuned interr necilate-itsends, at 75, on the'base 55 of the 'basket'B. The inner endof' the lever Wis-pivoted to a latch pin 16, mounted to slide vertically in the base 50 of the basket. When the latch pin it is lowered by means of the lever M, the latch pin engages one edge of the bottom rail 51 of the gate G, when the gate is open, and the gate cannot close under the pull of the spring 12. If the latch pin 16 is raised by means of the lever 74, the gate G closes, under the action of the spring 12, and the lower end of the latch pin then rests on top of the enlargement 653 of the gate, as shown in Fig. 5.

A means is provided whereby rotation may be. imparted to each basket, relatively to the corresponding lever 65. The means referred to includes a slide ll, best shown in Fig. 2. The slide 7'! is mounted on the platform Iii (which is fixed) by means of guides 18 On the platform. At its inner end, the slide 11 is supplied with an angularl disposed finger 79, having some resiliency, the finger being adapted to wipe along the edge of the base 50 of eachbasket, as the basket moves around in an orbit. The slide Tl and the finger Z9 constitutes a wiper.

Let it be supposed that the motors 9 and 26 are idle, the slide l! being advanced, so that its finger i5 is in the path'of the bases 50 of the baskets B as they subsequently move in an orbit, and the baskets being in the vertical positions of Fig. 1. The motor 9 has a high speed and a low speed. It is started at low speed, and rotation is imparted to the rotor R by a train of parts including the pinion 8, the gear wheel 1 and the shaft 6.

The baskets B are caused to rotate on an axis represented by the levers 65, which are then vertical, the base 50 of each basket coming into contact with the finger 79 of the slide Tl. The rotation of the baskets on independent axes continues, until the slide 17 has been retracted, to withdraw the finger 19 out of the orbit described by the bases of the baskets. The levers 65 maintain a vertical position, because the motor 26 is at rest, and does not actuate the means whereby the baskets are caused to swing in and outyon the fulcra 66.

The operator starts the motor 26, the pulleys 3! and 33 and the belt 32'actu'ate the shaft 34, the crank 36 and the flexible element 43 raising the slide S, and the crank 3'! and the flexible element 45 drawing it down. When the slide S moves downwardly, the links 24 and the levers 65 swing the baskets B outwardly, and when'the slide moves upwardly, the link and the levers swing the baskets inwardly.

When the motor 26 is stopped, the baskets no longer swing radially of the rotor 'R, on the fulcra 66. When the motorS is set at high speed, the rotor R turns at correspondingly increased speed fora period'of such duration as the operator desires. When the motor 9 is let downto slow speed, and the motor 26 is started and kept working, the baskets B are erected, as shown in Fig. 1. When both motors 9 and 26 are stopped, the rotor R ceases to'carry the baskets B in an orbit, and thetransit is at an end. I

The levers 65'S8IVe also as shafts andbasket supports, since the baskets B are mounted to rotate upon them.

The finger T9 constitutes fixed means engageable with the basket B to impart rotation thereto when the rotor R is rotated. The fixed means 79 is of such extent, circumferentially ofthe rotor B, as to impart rotation to the basket B whilst the rotor rotates through a limited arc,

'thebasket thereafter rotating by'inertia. When swinging movement is imparted to the lever 65, the center of mass of the basket B and the passenger therein is shifted, after the basket has cleared the fixed means 19, and irregularity in the rotation of the basket is produced. It is beyond the limit of probability that the center of mass of the passenger and the basket B will coincide with the axis of rotation of the basket. In an extreme, illustrative instance, the passenger may be 1eaning outwardly over the edge of the basket. The basket will rotate with a jerk, the rotation ultimately ceasing, and an oscillation of the basket in an are taking place, perhaps until the basket again encounters the fixed means 19. Recalling that, broadly stated, amusement is the end desired, the operation last above set forth has utility.

Although a preferred method of operation has been set forth, the structure is such that the operator is left free to use his own ingenuity and judgment as to giving the passengers a rough ride or an easy one.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In an amusement apparatus, a fixed platform, a rotor supported for rotation with respect to the platform and in a substantially horizontal plane, a passenger basket, means for mounting the basket on the rotor for travel, with the rotor, in an orbit, and for rotation about an individual, upright axis, a wiper, and means for mounting the wiper on the platform, for adjustment at the will of an operator, out of engagement with the periphery of the basket, and into engagement therewith thereby to impart rotation to the basket about said individual axis.

2. In an amusement apparatus, a rotor mounted for rotation in a substantially horizontal plane, an upright lever fulcrumed intermediate its ends on the rotor, a basket carried by the upper portion of the lever, a slide mounted for up and down reciprocation on the rotor, means connecting the slide with the lever for imparting movement to the lever, and mechanism for raising the slide; said mechanism including a motor and means for mounting the motor for movement in an orbit, along with the rotor.

3. In an amusement apparatus, a substantially vertical shaft supported for rotation, a rotor carried by the shaft, an upright lever fulcrumed intermediate its ends on the rotor, a passenger basket carried by the upper portion of the lever, a slide mounted for up and down reciprocation on the rotor, means for connecting the slide with the lever for imparting movement to the lever,

a stage carried by the shaft and disposed below the rotor, a motor on the stage, a speed reduction device on the stage and driven by the motor and including a shaft having crank arms, flexible elements each connected at one end to one crank arm, the opposite end of one flexible element being connected to the upper portion of the slide, the corresponding end of the other flexible element being connected to the lower portion of the slide, direction-changing upper idlers over which the flexible elements pass, the upper idlers being supported above the rotor, and a lower idler over which another flexible element passes upwardly to the lower portion of the slide, the lower idler being mounted on the stage.

4. In an amusement apparatus, a rotor supill ported for rotation, a passenger basket disposed in offset relation to the axis of rotation of the rotor, means for mounting the basket on the rotor for rotation about an individual axis, an entrance and exit gate for the basket and carried thereby, brake mechanism cooperating with the basket to control the rotation thereof, and a connection between the brake mechanism and the gate, the connection constituting means for setting the brake mechanism when the gate is open, and releasing the brake mechanism when the gate is closed.

5. An amusement apparatus constructed as set forth in claim 4, and wherein the connection includes a retractile spring constituting means for closing the gate.

6. In an amusement apparatus, a rotor supported for rotation in a substantially horizontal plane, a shaft mounted on the rotor in offset relation to the axis of rotation of the rotor, a passenger basket mounted to rotate on the shaft and having an entrance and exit gate, a brake drum secured to the shaft, and a brake strap extended about the drum, one end of the brake strap being anchored upon the basket, and the opposite end of the brake strap being attached to the gate.

'7. In an amusement apparatus, a passenger basket including a base having a cavity in its lower surface, the base having a circumferentially extended peripheral groove, and having a passage communicating with the cavity, and with the groove at one end thereof, a hub removably secured to the base and closing the cavity, a support Whereon the hub is journaled, a brake drum secured to the support and housed in the cavity, an entrance and exit gate hinged to the basket and including a bottom rail shaped to enter the groove when the gate is closed, a flexible brake strap having one end anchored on the basket, the opposite end of the strap being attached to the bottom rail, the strap including a retractile spring disposed in the passage, and a part extended about the brake drum, a rotor, means for supporting the rotor for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, means for rotating the rotor, and means for mounting the support on the rotor, in offset relation to said axis.

8. An amusement apparatus constructed as set forth in claim 7, in combination with releasable means under the control of an operator for holding the gate open, against the closing impulse of the retractile spring.

9. In an amusement device, a rotor supported for rotation in a substantially horizontal plane, means for rotating the rotor, an upright lever fulcrumed on the rotor, a passenger basket mounted to rotate freely on the lever and located above the rotor, fixed means engageable with the basket to impart rotation thereto when the rotor is rotated, the fixed means being of such extent, circumferentially of the rotor, as to impart rotation to the basket whilst the rotor rotates through a limited arc, the basket thereafter rotating by inertia, and means for imparting swinging movement to the lever, thereby to shift the center of mass of the basket and the passenger therein, after the basket has cleared the fixed means, and to produce irregularity in th rotation of the basket.

EDMONDO MECCHI.

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