US2428607A - Amusement ride - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 7, 19 47.

N. BARTLETT AMUSEMENT RIDE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I: FIG. J

T F 1 5 P I 67- cc. '75 73 8 68 Jfgse 47 1o 0 7| M 494" I n i-n 54 53' 6O 1 4s 'e F165 62 5 [Ni EN TOR. NORMAN BARTLETT Oct. 7, 1947. N. BAI RTLETT 2,428,607

' AMUSEMENT RIDE I Filed July 13, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

NORMAN BARTLETT Oct. 7, 1947. N. BARTLETT 2,423,607

' AMUSEMENT RIDE Filed July 13, 1944 5 Shuts-Sheet s mmvron Nozgwm BARTLETT Ot. 7, 947. N. BARTLETT 2,423,607

AMUSEMENT RIDE Filed July 1:5, 1944 5 Sheets-SheetA 1N VEN TOR. NglsMAN BARTLETT Patented Oct. 7, 1947 AMUSEMENT RIDE Norman Bartlett, North Tonawanda, N. Y., as-

signor of one-half to M Tonawanda, N. Y.

arjorie Bartlett, North Application July 13, 1944, Serial No. 544,731

17 Claims.

This invention relates to amusement rides and particularly to a ride of the general type where one or more passenger carriers pursue a continuous circular course.

In its fundamental aspect of novelty the pres ent invention provides a circular trackway which is normally stationary but which is mounted for guided upward movement upon any rotational movement of the trackway from its normal position. Further, means are provided for imparting forces to the trackway tending to rotate the same on an axis substantially coincident with the axis of the circle defining the trackway.

In one form of the invention shown herein by Way of example the rotational forces referred to above are imparted to the trackway by utilizing the momentum of one or more passenger cars supported by the trackway, such momentum being arranged to produce track-rotating forces by acceleration and deceleration of the car or cars. In another form illustrated and described in the present specification the trackway itself is swung directly by suitable drive means and in such form the swinging of the trackway may serve as the means of locomotion of a passenger car or cars supported by the trackway.

A clearer understanding of the novel underlying principles of the present invention will be had from a study of the embodiments thereof described in detail hereinafter and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the examples set forth are merely illustrative and that many modifications and variations may be introduced without departing from the teachings of this invention, the spirit and scope of which is limited only as defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of one form of the amusement ride of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view through the right hand side of the generally annular frame work of Fig, 1 on an enlarged scale and with portions broken away;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional View of the car and track means viewed as in Fig. 2 but on a still further enlarged scale and taken through a selfpropelling car;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a passenger carrying car;

Fig, 5 is a partly schematic top plan View of a car of the apparatus of Figs. 1 through 4, which is self-propelling and may be employed for propelling the cars connected therewith;

Fig. 6 is a view taken similarly to Fig, 2 of another form of the ride of the present invention; and

Fig. '7 is a diagrammatic top plan view of the central drive portion of the ride of Fig. 6.

Throughout the several figures of the drawings like characters of reference denote like parts and the numeral 10 designates generally a rigid triangular frame element or truss which is one of a series of similar circularly arranged frame elements, each disposed in a vertical radial plane, with respect to the general axis of the apparatus. Each truss or frame element l0 comprises inner and outer uprights l l and I2 rigidly secured at their upper ends, as by Welding, and a lower connecting element l3, likewise secured as a rigid part of the truss or frame element.

The several radially disposed and annularly arranged frame elements are connected by detachable circumferentially extending braces I4, I 5 and I6 and suitable diagonal braces are indicated at IT and I8 in Figs. 1 and 2, The specific forms of the detachable connections of the braces l4 through I 8 are well known to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

Each frame element l0 rigidly supports an arm 20 which projects radially outwardly therefrom in the vicinity of the upper end of the frame element. Each arm 20, in turn, supports a pair of spaced coaxial bearings 2i and 22, the purpose of which will presently appear. In Fig. 2 the numeral 25 designates generally a rigid triangular frame element which depends from a projecting arm 20 and is adapted to be swung about the bearings 2| and 22. Each of the swinging frames 25 comprises a pair of uprights 26 and 27 and a top cross member 28, all welded or otherwise rigidly secured into a unitary whole. The frames 25 may be reinforced with suitable cross and diagonal bracing as indicated in Fig. 2.

At its upper end each frame 25 has pivotal connection with the bearings 2| and 22 by means of bearings 29 and 30 which are rigidly secured to each frame 25. Each frame 25 is thus arranged to sWing in a plane generally tangent to a common circle. Actually, because of the inclination of the pivot axis, the line described by the lower end of each swinging frame is curved as viewed in plan, and such path accordingly more closely follows the general common circle,

A rigid annular trackway is designated generally 3| and is supported at various points thereabout by the swinging frames 25. To this end each frame 25 has a radially projecting member trated in Figs. 6 and n b 32 which terminates in a bearing 33. The trackway 3| may comprise a rigid annulus of any desired form. As shown indetail in Fig. 3 the trackway is of inverted box section and has rigidly secured therein a bearing 34 which accommodates a vertical journal 35. The journal 35 has a pair of spaced depending bearing brackets 35.

A pair of links 31 connect pivotally between the lower ends of brackets 35 and bearing 33, the former connection being lowermost whereby the entire annular trackway and its everal depending brackets 33 automatically center themselves with respect to the ride framework under the force of gravity, It is to be understood that the several frames 25 must swing in unison and that such swinging in effect raises and lowers the entire trackway without disturbing its condition of concentricity. The manner in which the swinging of the arms is produced may vary and several 'ways of swinging the arms are disclosed herein. In any event, the synchronous swinging of the several arms results in successive raising and lowering of the trackway.

Any number of cars may be mounted for movement about the trackway. In the illustrated instance a continuous series of articulated cars is indicated schematically at 40 in Fig. 1. A unit car of such series is shown'in elevation at Al in Fig. 4.

The passenger carrying cars all have freely rotat'able wheels M for engagement with spaced parallel rails 45 which extend about the annular trackway 3|. In the form of the present invention illustrated in Figs. '1 through the prime mover means is associated with one or more of the cars on the trackway, while in the form illus- 7 the prime mover means is stationary and acts to directly swing the track supporting arms. Referring to Figs. 3 and 5, the numeral 46 designates a power operated car which in the illustrated instance is remotely controlled and need not be employed for the carrying of passengers.

Each power ca 45 has a driving axle -i'| having wheels 48 fixed thereto for engagement with the rails 55 and, in addition, has fixed thereto a driving sprocket 59. The driving sprocket 49 is in meshing engagement with a stationary rack or spur track 50 which is secured to and extends about the trackway 3|. While various forms of rack or spur track may be employed, the one illustrated comprises merely a circularly extending channel having appropriately pitched pins extending transversely through its flanges for meshin engagement'between the teeth of the sprocket 49.

Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view of a driving car 46. It will be seen from Fi 5 that the driving axle 41 is driven from a countershaft 53 by a chain and sprocket connection 54 and the countershaft 53 is in turn connected to the crankshaft 55 of an internal combustion engine 55 by a Chain and sprocket connection 51.

During normal operation of the ride of Figs. 1 through 5 it is desired that the engine 55 operate at a fairly constant speed to avoid the necessity for sudden acceleration. For this reason it is necessary to provide a throttle control having only two operating positions, an idling position and a running position. Cessation of engine op eration may obviously be effected by cutting the engine ignition circuit. In Fig. 5 the numeral 35 designate an intake manifold having the usually butterfly throttle valve 6| and a valve arm 62. The numeral 63 designates an electromagnet whose armature 64 is connected with arm 32 whereby energization of electromagnet 63 opens the throttle valve 5| to running position. The valve is normally urged to its illustrated-idling position by a compression coil spring 65.

The countershaf-t 53 has interposed therein a centrifugal clutch 61 and a vacuum controlled clutch 58. Countershaft 53 is also provided with a brake 'iil which may be of conventional construction and provided with an electromagnet 1| for applying braking force. The vacuum clutch 68 is engageable by the application of subatmospheric pressure thereto and to this end a conduit 13 extends to the intake manifold 60 of engine A solenoid valve 15 controls energization of clutch 68 by selective electrical energization of the solenoid valve winding. The centrifugal clutch 61, vacuum operated clutch 68, and the brake 18 are all conventional commercially available units and their detailed constructions 'accordingly do not need to trated. 1

Provision is made for controlling the move ments of car 46, and accordingly controlling the movements of all of the cars 40, on the trackway 3|, from a remote point. In this way it is not necessary for an operator to be the cars during operation. Referring to Fig, 3, four current carrying conductors designated 8| through extend in circular spaced concentric arrangement about the rails 45. The four conductors are insulated from the supporting trackway 3| and from each other by an annular support member 85 of insulating material. The power car or cars 46 carry conducting brushes, one for continuous engagement with each 'of the conductors 8| through 84, and the brush in contact with conductor 84 is indicated fragmentarily at 83in Fig. 3. V

The brush (not shown) of conductor 8| may be electrically connected, inany desired manner, to the throttle electromagnetfili. The brush (not shown) of conductor '82 may be electrically connected in any desired manner to the clutch controlling electromagnet T5. The brush (not shown) of conductor 83 may be electrically connected, in any desired manner, to the brake setting electromagnet H. The return conductors from all three of the foregoing electromagnets may lead to brush 85, whereby conductor 84 comprises a common ground conductor.

The operation of the structure of Figs. 1 through 5 will now be described. The centrifugal clutch 61 may be of any conventional kind and is adjusted to be engaged whenever the engine 56 is operating at or above a predeterrmined speed. This permits the engine to accelerate freely until the predetermined engagement speed of the centrifugal clutch is reached. It is to be understood that normally, at the commencement of operation, engagement of the cen trifugal clutch 6'! is merely a preliminary step in operation since the vacuum controlled clutch 68 is normally disengaged. I

Through the remote manual switch means, heretofore referred to, the operator of the ride may selectively engage and disengage the vac uum-controlled clutch 58 and the solenoid operated brake 10. Assuming a relatively gradual engagement of clutch "l0 and a consequent relatively gradual acceleration of the chain and 46 and the connected passenger cars 40 would be described or illusaboard any of trackway 3| between the merely revolve about the trackway 3| at a gradually accelerating rate of speed.

If, then, the operator energizes the solenoid 1| to apply brake I0, simultaneously or preliminarily disconnecting the engine 56 by releasing vacuum-controlled clutch 68, the relatively abrupt deceleration causes the cars 40 and 46 to tend to and, in fact, to actually carry the trackway 3| forwardly with them. This causes all of the frames 26 to swing forwardly in unison, simultaneously raising the trackway 3| without afiecting its concentricity. When the swinging reaches its forward crest the operator may release the brake and backward swinging may be augmented by simultaneously engaging the clutch 68 to rapidly accelerate the cars, since the reaction of the trackway to such acceleration applies a rear- Ward swinging force to the frames 25.

When the backward swing of frames 25 has reached a peak, the operator may add to the amplitude and Velocity of swinging :by releasing the clutch and reapplying the brake, whereby the momentum of the car may augment the full forward swing of the frames. The foregoing accelerating and braking actions may be applied intermittently during swinging cycles of the frames, as for instance during only the beginning and end of each swing, to permit the cars to maintain a more constant normal velocity in general.

Repetition of the foregoing deceleration and acceleration of the cars in successive swinging cycles of the frames will build up the amplitude of such swinging and, being accompanied as it is by forward movement of the cars on the trackway at varying speeds, there is produced a. rolling or undulating generally forward motion which is of a highly novel character.

The degree to which the amplitude of springing may be built up is not precisely limited. As in the case of an ordinary childs swing the limiting factor would be considerations of safety. As a practical matter the compensating means including links 31 will be effective only between certain extreme limits which will determine the maximum possible amplitude of swing.

In the form of the present ride shown in Figs. 6 and 7 the several cars are not themselves power driven and their rotation on the trackway is attained indirectly by imparting a positive driving oscillation to the supporting frames. A better understanding of the mode of causing propulsion of the passenger cars on the annular trackway in the construction of Figs. 6 and 7 will be had after a perusal of the ensuing description of the details of construction and operation. So far as the construction is the same as in the previously described modification, the following description will, for simplicity, be merely in general terms.

As appears clearly in Fig. 6, an annular framework is provided which is composed of rigid triangular frame elements IIIU, each disposed in a radial plane with respect to the main vertical axis of the ride as a whole and interconnected and braced as in the case of Figs. 1 and 2. A swinging frame IIII is supported by each frame element I as in the preceding embodiment but in Fig. 6, the frame IIII has a rock shaft I02 rigid therewith and extending into bearings I04 and I carried by the associated frame element I00. The rock shaft I02 may be forcibly oscillated in any desired manner to swing the frame II.

In the ride of the embodiment now being described it is basically only necessary that one of the several frames IOI have a rockshaft I02 for positive oscillation. The other swinging frames may be freely pivotally suspended as in Fig. 2-. Since a rigid annular trackway I06 is connected to the several frames I 0| in the same manner as described in connection with Figs. 1 through 5, such trackway will serve as a driver for the freely pivoted frames IIJI and cause all of them to swing synchronously with the driven frame. However, to better distribute the various stresses and the driving force, I presently propose positively and synchronously driving two diametrically opposite frames IIII, the remainder being swung synchronously therewith through the intervention of the trackway I06.

While various alternative means may be employed, one suitable driving arrangement for the frame I III is illustrated more or less fragmentarily in Figs. 6 and 7. This arrangement comprises a reversible electric motor IIII, an automotive change-speed transmission III, and a reducing gear box I I2 of conventional form for materially reducing the relatively high motor speed, even as modified by the transmission.

The final drive from the reducing gear is through a bevel gear II 4 which meshes at opposite sides with a pair of coaxial bevel gears H5 and I I6 to rotate them in directions opposite to each other. The gears H5 and II 6 are fixed to shafts III and II 8 journaled in bearings M9 and I20 supported on a common base element I2I which supports all of the foregoing driving instrumentalities.

The shafts II 1 and H8 extend radially outwardly, have flexible couplings I23 and, I 24 interposed therein, and terminate in universal joints, the universal joint for shaft I I8 being designated I25 in Fig. 6. The two frame elements I00 which have bearings I04 and I05 for the rock shaft I02 also have lower bearings I28 and I29 which receive a shaft I36, the latter being engaged with the universal joint I25 for being driven from shaft H8 in the case of Fig. 6. The shafts I02 and I36 are connected by a chain and sprocket drive I3I.

It will be seen from the foregoing that an operator may, by energizing motor I III and periodically reversing its direction, cause the frames IIlI to swing in any desired degree of amplitude, the swinging of the frames and the trackway I06 being of the same fundamental character as that produced in the form of ride shown in Figs. 1 through 5.

In Fig. 6 a passenger car I35 is shown schematically and has a dead axle I36 secured against rotation. Wheels I31 mounted on axle I36 embody free-wheeling clutch means of any desired conventional form, the details of which are not illustrated and many optional forms will occur readily to those skilled in the art. Sufiice it to say that the wheels I31 are free to rotate on axle I36 in a forward direction, which may be away from the observer as viewed in Fig. 6, but are not susceptible of rotation in the opposite direction on axle I36.

In the ride of Figs. 6 and 7 the pasengercars I35 are merely mounted on rails I40 secured to the trackway I66, with no further driving connections and without the necessity for a pulling or propelling car or other equivalent means. Movement of cars I35 about the trackway is produced solely through inertia or momentum forces derived from the swinging of frames IIII which is produced through alternate reverse rotation of the driving motor -I I0.

When the frames IIII and the trackway I06 7 swing forwardly, direction of movementof *car's I35 'o'n the'trackway, the cars are carried therewith owing. to the inability of the wheels T3! to rotate reversely. The cars are thus given However, as the forward swinging of frames Ifll slows and ceases, the cars continue to roll forward 'freely under the momentum which they have acquired.

Reverse swinging of the .frames NH thus has no effect on the forward movement of cars 135., which merely lower and raise during. such reverse swinging, wherebyt'h'ey have thesame rollin forward movement as in the first "described embodiment. The next successiveforw'ard swing of the frames H31 will rea'ccelerate the cars 135, assuming they havedecreas'ed speed due tofr ictional losses, and, if the velocity or -the swinging be accelerated, will further accelerate the cars. The forward speed of cars I35 is thus dependent upon the speed and amplitude of swinging or the frames fill which in turn is directly under the control of the ride operator, who may vary the intervals of reversal of 'motor I f0, and who may also shift the transmission III to a higher speed ratio as faster, wider-amplitude operation is feasible.

What is claimed is:

V 1. In an amusement ride, a circular tra'ckway,

a plurality of eircumferentially spaced depending supports arranged for swinging movements in planes generally following the circular extent of said trackway, said circular trackway being supported by the lower portions of the depending supports whereby synchronous swinging of the several supports alternately raises and lowers the trackway, and car means mounted for movement along the trackway.

2. In an amusement ride, a circular trackway, a plurality of circur nferentially spaced depending supports arranged for swinging movements in planes generally following the circular extent of said trackway, said circular trackway being supported by the lower portions of the depending supports whereby synchronous swinging of the several supports alternately raises and lowers the'trackway, and car means mounted for movement along the trackway, and power means for swinging said supports whereby said car means is alternatelyraised and lowered during movement about the trackway.

3. In an amusement ride, a circular track'way, a plurality of circumferentially spaced depending supports arranged for swinging movements in planes generally following the circular extent of said trackway, said circular trackw ay being supported by the lower portions oi the depending supports whereby synchronous swinging of the several supports alternately raises and lowers the trackway, and car means mounted for movement along the trackway, power means for swinging said supports to alternately raise and lower the trackway and said car means, and a uni-directional driving connection between said trackway and said car means whereby swinging of said supports causes the car means to rotate about the trackway in one direction.

4. In an amusement ride, a circular 'trackway, a plurality of 'circumferentially spaced depending supports arranged for swinging movements in planes generally following the circular extent of said trackway, said circular trackway being supported by the lower portions of the depending supports whereby synchronous swinging of the several supports alternately raises and lowers the with respect to the desired a forward acceleration.

8 trackway, and drive means for variably propelling the car means onsa-id trackway wherebyalternate positive and negative. acceleration thereof cau'sesaswinging of said supports through the momentum of the car means. '5. In an amusement ride, an elevated support comprising a plurality of bearings having their.

axes radiating from-a common center, arm means depending from said bearings for swingingv move-v ment whereby the lower portions of the several arm means swing in paths lying generally along a common circumference, a circular trackway concentric with such circumference and supported by the lower portions of the arm means, whereby synchronous swinging movement of the several arm means alternately raises and lowers "the trackway, and apassenger car mounted formovee ment along the trackway.

6. In an amusement ride, an elevated support comprising a plurality of bearings having their axes radiating from a common center, arm means depending from said bearings for swinging movement whereby the lower portions of the several arm means swing in paths lying generally along a common circumference, a circular trackway. concentric with such circumference and supported by the lower portions of the arm means; whereby synchronous swinging movement of the several arm means alternately raises and lowers the trackway, a passenger car mounted for movement along the trackway, and power means for swingingsaid arm means whereby said car is alternately raised and lowered during movement about the trackway.

7. In an amusement ride, an elevated support comprising a plurality of bearings having their axes radiating from a common center, arm means depending from said bearings for swinging move ment whereby the lower portions of the several arm means swing in paths lying generally along a common circumference, a circular trackway concentric with such circumference and supported by the lower portions of the arm means, whereby synchronous swinging mo'vementof the several arm means alternately raises and lowers the trackway, power means for swinging said arm means to alternately raise and lower said trackway and said car, and a uni-directional driving connection'between said trackway and said car whereby swinging of said arm means causes the car to rotate about the trackway in onedirection.

'8. In an amusement ride, an elevated support comprising a plurality of bearings having their axes radiating from a common center, arm means dependingfrom'said bearings for swinging movement whereby the lower portions of the several arm means swing in pathslying generally along a common circumference, a circular trackway concentric with such circumference and supported by the lower portionso'f the armineans, whereby synchronous swinging movement of the several arm means alternately raises and lowers the track'way, a passenger car mounted for movement along the trackwa'y, and drive'means for variably propelling the car means on said trackway whereby alternate positive and negative acceleration thereof causes swinging of said arm means through momentum force's.v

9. In an amusement ride, a circular trackwa'y, oar means, and means mounting the car means for movement guidedly about the trackway, said trackway being mounted for oscillation about its central substantially vertical axis, drive means for so oscillating the trackway, and uni-directi'onal wheel means associated with said a car mounting means, whereby oscillation of said trackway causes the car means to rotate about the trackway substantially continuously in one direction.

10. In an amusement ride, a circular trackway, car means, and means mounting the car means for movement about the trackway, said trackway being mounted for oscillation about its central substantially vertical axis, and drive means for variably propelling the car means on said trackway whereby alternate positive and negative ac-, celeration of said car means causes oscillation of the trackway through the momentum of the car means.

11. In an amusement ride, a circular trackway, car means, and means mounting the car means for movement guidedly about the trackway, said trackway being mounted for oscillating movement about its central substantially vertical axis, said mounting means including traction wheels, means providing for rotative movement of said car means in but one direction on and relative to said trackway, and motive means for selectively and variably effecting one of said movements whereby the other movement is concomitantly produced through inertia forces.

12. In an amusement ride, a circular trackway, a plurality of circumferentially spaced depending supports arrangedfor swinging movements in planes generally following the circular extent of said trackway, a circular trackway concentric with such circumference and supported by the lower portions of the depending supports whereby synchronous swinging of the several supports alternately raises and lowers the trackway, prime mover means associated with said car means, clutch and brake means therefor, and clutch and brake control means whereby an operator may selectively accelerate said car means positively and negatively to swing said supports.

13. In an amusement ride, a circular trackway, a plurality of circumferentially spaced depending supports arranged for swinging movements in planes generally following the circular extent of said trackway, a circular trackway concentric with such circumference and supported by the lower portions of the depending supports whereby synchronous swinging of the several supports alternately raises and lowers the trackway, prime mover means associated with said car means, clutch and brake means therefor, and clutch and brake control means disposed remotely from said car means whereby an operator removed from the car means and trackway may selectively accelerate said car means positively and negatively to swing said supports.

14. In an amusement ride, a circular trackway, means for supporting said trackway in a predetermined normal position and for guiding the same to move upwardly upon rotation thereof from normal position, and car means movable on said trackway and operable to move said track.- way rotatably upwardly by change of velocity of the car means reacting on said trackway.

15. In an amusement ride, a circular trackway, means for supporting said trackway in a predetermined normal position and for guiding the same to move upwardly upon rotation thereof from normal position, car means movable about said trackway, and drive means for intermittently applying rotational forces to said trackway to cause the car means to raise and lower during movement thereof along said trackway.

16. In an amusement ride, a circular trackway, a plurality of circumferentially spaced depending supports arranged for swinging movements in planes generally following the circular extent of said trackway, a circular trackway concentric with such cincumference and supported by the lower portions of the depending supports whereby synchronous swinging of the several supports alternately raises and lowers the trackway, and reversible motor means operatively engaging one of said supports for selectively applying variable swinging forces thereto.

17. In an amusement ride, a circular trackway, a plurality of circumferentially spaced depending supports arranged for swinging movements in planes generally following the circular extent of said trackway, a circular trackway concentric with such circumference and supported by the lower portions of the depending supports whereby synchronous swinging of the several supports alternately raises and lowers the trackway, and a uni-directional driving connection between said trackway and said car means whereby swinging of said supports causes the car means to rotate about the trackway in one direction.

NORMAN BARTLETT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,044,391 Jones Nov. 12, 1912 496,759 Timby May 2, 1893 739,691 Manig Sept. 22,1903

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