US3610614A - Rotary observation tower equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

A rotary observation tower. An erected frame has a pair of endless chains wound around chain wheels driven in the same direction at the same speed. Outwardly protruding arms are provided at spaced intervals on the pair of endless chains, and a frame is rotatably mounted on the other end of each arm around a horizontal axis which is parallel with the axis of the chain wheel. A gondola is rotatably suspended from the center of each frame around a perpendicular axis. A guide rail curved so as to constitute a part of a helix is provided on the outside of the erected frame so that the said guide rail will cause the gondola to rotate around its perpendicular axis as it is elevated by means of guiding wheels mounted on the external periphery of the gondola.

Description

United States Patent [72] inventor Seiichl Nlshizawn Toyonaka-shi, Japan [21] Appl. No. 833,425 [22] Filed June 16, 1969 [45] Patented Oct. 5, 1971 [73] Assignee Sanseiyusokl Co., Ltd.

Osaka, Japan [32] Priority Dec. 19, 1968 [33] Japan [31] 43/112387 [54] ROTARY OBSERVATION TOWER EQUIPMENT 3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl. 272/7, 198/158,104/127 [51] Int. Cl A63; 1/06 [50] Field 01 Search 272/6, 7, 36, 38, 33, 34, 43; 104/53, 55, 56, S7, 77, 78, 127; 198/158 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 431,262 7/1890 Henderson 198/158 X 719,751 2/1903 Condon 104/56 X Primary ExaminerAnton O. Oechsle Assistant Examiner-Arnold W. Kramer Attorney-Wenderoth, Lind 8L Ponack ABSTRACT: A rotary observation tower. An erected frame has a pair of endless chains wound around chain wheels driven in the same direction at the same speed. Outwardly protruding arms are provided at spaced intervals on the pair of endless chains, and a frame is rotatably mounted on the other end of each arm around a horizontal axis which is parallel with the axis of the chain wheel. A gondola is rotatably suspended from the center of each frame around a perpendicular axis. A guide rail curved so as to constitute a part of a helix is provided on the outside 01' the erected frame so that the said guide rail will cause the gondola to rotate around its perpendicular axis as it is elevated by means of guiding wheels mounted on the external periphery of the gondola.

PATENTED am 5 I97:

SHEET 1 OF 7 PATENTED OCT 5 I97! SHEET 5 0F 7 PATENTEDOCT 5|97i (1510614 SHEET 7 OF T ROTARY OBSERVATION TOWER EQUIPMENT This invention relates to a rotary observation tower to be provided in a recreation ground of the like, and more particularly it is characterized by the feature that each gondola, or the chairs thereinside, which carries passengers rotates round its own axis as it ascends or descends.

The observation tower of the conventional merry-go-round type is simply elevated by the rotation of the gondola-sustaining frame or chairs, as a result of which the passengers are required to turn their heads around to have a panoramic view from the observation tower.

The object of the invention consists in providing a rotary observation tower in which the foregoing defects of the con ventional merry-go-round type have been removed by a simple device.

With the aim of achieving the said object, the invention provides an apparatus wherein each gondola itself which is fastened to the chains rotates on its own axis as it ascends or descends, or an apparatus wherein, though the gondola itself does not rotate, the chairs provided thereinside rotate so that the same effect is obtained as in the case of the rotary gondola. The preferred embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the annexed drawing. Revisions or modifications as regards the details of the structure are to be included in the claims which will appear hereinafter.

In the drawing:

FIG. I is an elevation showing embodiment no. I of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a lateral view on an enlarged scale of the essential part of the foregoing embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation on an enlarged scale of the gondola of the foregoing embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sectional plan of the foregoing gondola.

FIG. 5 is an elevation showing embodiment no. 2 of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a lateral view on an enlarged scale showing the lower part of foregoing embodiment no. 2.

FIG. 7 is a sectional elevation in part on an enlarged scale of the foregoing gondola.

In embodiment no. 1 illustrated in FIGS. I to 4, the numeral ll designates a frame erected on the ground, 12 designated a pair of endless chains.

The curved portion at the upper end of each of the said chains 12 is wound around a chain wheel 14 of a large diameler fixed to each end of a shaft I3 which is revolvably mounted across the upper end of the frame 11.

The bent portion at the lower end of each chain 12 is wound around a smaller chain wheel 16 which is fixed to each end of a pair of shafts I5 revolvably mounted on each side of the lower part of the frame 11.

The lower chain wheels are made smaller and provided at each side so that the chains 12 will run horizontally and accordingly the gondolas 17 will move horizontally between the two chain wheels 16. A platform 18 for the passengers is provided at this point.

Each of the gondolas I7 is revolvably suspended from a frame 20 fitted on a pair of arms I9 extending outwardly from the chain I2, the arms l9 consisting of two rods arranged in the shape of the letter V. As is clear from FIG. 4, the frame 20 is revolvably fixed to the arms 19 on a horizontal shaft at each end thereof, an upward shaft 22 at the upper end center of each gondola 17 being revolvably and securely fitted into the central bearing 23 of the frame 20 so that each gondola 17 will be revolvable around the shaft 22 which is vertical.

The gondola 17 illustrated has a square cross section a large and round transparent glass window or the like being provided on each of the four walls so as to enable the passengers to enjoy the view all around from the inside. Furthermore, it is so arranged that one of the four walls is an openable door, which of course can be locked up. Inside the gondola there are a plu rality of chairs 25 each provided with a table on which to put coffee or any other beverage.

On each of the four corners of the upper part of the 17 is mounted a revolving wheel 27 which is revolvable on a shaft 26 arranged diagonally, while to each of the four corners on the lower face of the gondola 17 is revolvably mounted a horizontal wheel 29 on a vertical shaft 28.

The numeral 30 designates a channel-shaped perpendicular rail provided on each side of the frame I1 into which the vertically moving part of each chain 12 is fitted, a revolvable wheel 31 which fits into the said rail 30 being provided on both sides of the chain 12, so that the chain 12 will be elevated along the rail 30 in a stabilized state.

A guide rail 32 is provided on one side of the frame 11 with which to guide the wheels 27 of the gondola 17 so as to cause it to rotate as it ascends or descends.

The foregoing guide rail 32, as is clear from FIGS. 2 and 4, is in the shape of a segment which is a quarter part of a helix concentric with shaft 22 and at the same radius as the four wheels 27 the shaft 22 being the axis of rotation of the gondola 17, the said guide rail 32 being fixed to the frame 1] on arms 33 projecting therefrom. The foregoing guide rail 32 consists of two angle pieces arranged in parallel leaving a space therebetween in which to receive the wheels 27 of the gondola 17, the wheels 27 being annularly guided as they pass between the angle pieces of the rail 32 causing the gondola I7 to rotate accordingly. Further, on the platform 18 are provided a pair of parallel guide rails 34 which prevent the rotation of the gondola l7 by guiding the wheels 29 at both sides of the lower part of the gondola 17, an arcuate guide rail 35 being likewise fastened to the upper end of the frame II so as to prevent the rotation of the gondola 17 by guiding the wheels 29 on both sides of the lower part of the gondola 17 which moves together with the revolving chain I2, being suspended in the space between the chain wheels I4.

Furthermore, slip rings 36 are provided at the upper end of the foregoing shaft 22 to supply power to electric lights or the like inside the gondola 17, a feeding brush 37 inside the frame 20 being brought into contact with the said slip rings 36, slip rings with which to supply power to the brush 37 being also provided at the end of the shaft 21 of the frame 20, a feeding brush 39 which is provided on the arm 19 being brought into contact with the said slip rings 38, power collectors 41 being provided on the arm 19 to supply power collected from power wire 40 to the brush 39 by being in contact with the power wire 40 to the brush 39 by being in contact with the power wire 40 provided on the outside of the frame 11.

In the foregoing embodiment no. is if all or any of the chain wheels I4 and 16 is driven in the direction indicated by the arrows by means of an appropriate driving means having a motor, each of the chains revolves in the said direction at a given speed, the gondolas fixed to the chains 12 descending on the right side and those on the left side ascending as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1. At the same time, each gondola 17 rotates with its wheels 27 guided by the rail 32, the chairs 2S inside the gondola I7 also moving together with the gondola l7, enabling the passengers seated in the chairs 25 to enjoy comfortably a panoramic view without the necessity of turning their heads to the right or left unlike the case of the conventional merry-go-round.

ln embodiment no. 2 illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7, the numeral 51 designates a frame erected on the ground, 52 designating a pair of endless chains. The curved portion at the upper end of each chain 52 is wound around a pair of chain wheels 54 respectively which are fixed to each end of a shaft 53 horizontally mounted on the upper end of the frame 51.

The bent portion at the lower end of each chain 52 is wound around a chain wheel 56 at each end of a shaft 55 revolvably fixed to each side of the lower part of the frame 51.

The lower chain wheels 56 are provided on both sides so that the chain 52 will be horizontal between the said two wheels 56 thus enabling the gondolas 57 to move horizontally, a platform 58 being provided at the said part for the convenience of boarding and alighting of the passengers.

The gondola 57 is revolvably suspended around a horizontal shaft 60 mounted in a pair of arms 59 mounted at spaced intervals on the chain 52, the said arms 59 consisting of two rods arranged in the shape of the letter V.

On each side of the foregoing frame 51 a pair of longitudinal channel rails 61 are provided so that the insides thereof face each other, wheels 62 fixed to both sides of the chain 52 being fitted into the said rail 61 so as to enable the chain 52 to move up and down along the rail 61 in a stabilized state.

Each gondola 57 is provided with a plurality of transparent glass windows 63 on all sides thereof so as to enable the passengers to command a panoramic view from the inside. A doorway 64 is provided on one of the walls, which can be securely locked.

A post 65 provided at the internal center of the gondola 57, and to the upper end thereof is fixed the center of a table 66 which is round or of the like shape. On the floor of the gondola S7 is provided a turntable 67 which is revolvable around on the post 65 as the axis of rotation, a plurality of wheels 68 provided around the said turntable 67 being placed on an annular rail 71 provided on the floor 69 of the gondola 57 so as to sustain the load placed on the turntable 67.

A plurality of chairs 70 are fixed on the foregoing turntable 67 so that the passengers sitting in the chairs 70 can take food and drink placed on the table 66.

In the foregoing embodiment no. 2 also, if all or any of the chain wheels 54 and 56 is driven in the direction indicated by the arrows by means of an appropriate driving means having a motor, each chain 52 revolves in the said direction at a given speed, the gondolas 57 fixed to the chain 52 descending on the right side and ascending on the left side as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 5. Between the chain wheels 56 at the lower part the gondolas 57 move horizontally along the platform 58 enabling the passengers to get in or out of the gondolas 57 through the open door 64.

lnside each gondola 57 a table 66 is provided with chairs 70 arranged therearound enabling the passengers to take drink, such as coffee and the like, or food. Moreover, since the chairs 70 are placed on the turntable 67 the passengers can move their chairs 70 around the table 66 by manually pushing on the periphery of the table 66. Since the chairs 70 inside the gon dola 57 are thus revolvable with the passengers sitting thereon, the passengers are enabled to enjoy a panoramic view comfortably without the trouble of turning their heads to the right or left.

In both of the foregoing two embodiments, food and drink are to be carried into each gondola 57 before the passengers go on board, but automatic vendors of food and drink may be provided in each gondola 57.

In embodiment no. 2 also, supply of power for the electric lights inside the gondolas is necessary, but the means for providing the power supply is omitted because there is not much difference from the case of embodiment no. t in this respect.

In embodiment no. 2 the turntable 67 may be so arranged that it will revolve automatically at a slow speed by providing a driving means having a motor inside the gondola 57. Or, revolving chairs may be mounted on the floor 69 by omitting the turntable 67. Or, accommodations may be appropriately interchanged between embodiment no. 1 and embodiment no. 2 for example, by providing the gondola of embodiment no. 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 with the tables 66, the turntables 67, the chairs 70 thereon and the like as shown in embodiment no. 2

As described heretofore, the rotary observation tower of the invention is not restricted to the elevation of the gondolas, but each gondola itself or the chairs thereinside rotate, thus enabling the passengers to enjoy a panoramic view comfortably and moreover to take food and drink freely sitting inside the gondola.

The invention has further advantages in that the rotation of the gondolas can be effected with ease taking advantage of the elevating movement and the spiral guide rail and the revolution of the turntable inside the gondola can also be effected with ease by hand or a simple driving means having a motor.

What is claimed is:

l. A rotary observation tower comprising a vertically extending frame, chain wheels rotatably mounted on the uglper part and the lower part of the said rame, a pair of en ess chains wound around said chain wheels, driving means coupled to at least one of said chain wheels for driving said one chain wheel, outwardly protruding arms mounted on the said pair of endless chains at spaced intervals, horizontal support means rotatably mounted on the external end of each arm centering and rotatably around a horizontal axis which is parallel with the axis of the chain wheels, a gondola having the upper end rotatably mounted on said support means for rotation around a perpendicular axis, a guide rail on said frame so curved as to constitute a part of a helix, and guide wheels on the outside of the gondola engageable with said guide rail during movement of said chains to cause the gondola to rotate around said perpendicular axis as it is moved along said guide rail on said chains.

2. A rotary observation tower as claimed in claim I further comprising a table in the center of said gondola, and chairs mounted in said gondola for movement around said table as a center.

3. A rotary observation tower as claimed in claim 2, in which a rotary turntable is provided in each of the gondolas movable around said table as a center, said chairs being provided on the said turntable.

Claims (3)

1. A rotary observation tower comprising a vertically extending frame, chain wheels rotatably mounted on the upper part and the lower part of the said frame, a pair of endless chains wound around said chain wheels, driving means coupled to at least one of said chain wheels for driving said one chain wheel, outwardly protruding arms mounted on the said pair of endless chains at spaced intervals, horizontal support means rotatably mounted on the external end of each arm centering and rotatably around a horizontal axis which is parallel with the axis of the chain wheels, a gondola having the upper end rotatably mounted on said support means for rotation around a perpendicular axis, a guide rail on said frame so curved as to constitute a part of a helix, and guide wheels on the outside of the gondola engageable with said guide rail during movement of said chains to cause the gondola to rotate around said perpendicular axis as it is moved along said guide rail on said chains.

2. A rotary observation tower as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a table in the center of said gondola, and chairs mounted in said gondola for movement around said table as a center.

3. A rotary observation tower as claimed in claim 2, in which a rotary turntable is provided in each of the gondolas movable around said table as a center, said chairs being provided on the said turntable.

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