US547614A - Merry-go-round - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

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"H. S; MOORE.

- MERRY G0-RoUND.

Patented 001;. 8,1895.

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H. s. MOORE. MERRY-GO-ROUND.

No. 547,614, Patented Oct. 8, 1895.

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AO- v I mom a UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY S. MOORE, OF ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY.

MERRY-GQ=ROUND.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 547,614, dated October 8, 1895.

' Application filed May 4. 1894- Serial No. 510,092. (No model.)

' To all whom it may concern.-

useful Improvements in Merry-Go-Bounds;

and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention is an improvement in merrygo-rounds of the class described in my former patent, No. 504,886, granted September 12, 1893; and it consists in certain novel features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one form in which I have contemplated embodying my invention,and said invention is fully .disclosed in the following description and claims. The merry-go-round described and shown in my former patent is one in which a continuous rotary motion is imparted to the frame and at the same time the frame may be swung laterally first to one side and then to the other while revolving by mechanical means. The device is so arranged that the mechanism for producing the lateral vibrations of the frame may be thrown out of gear and the device operated like an ordinary merry-go-round.

My present invention contemplates the use of devices for enabling a change to be made from the simple rotary motion of the frame to a rotary and laterally-vibrating motion, and vice versa, without stopping the machine and without jar or strain upon the parts of the machine or any inconvenience to the passengers.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of the machine, showing portions of the framing sufficient for a clear understanding of the invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the mechanism for imparting rotary and rotary and vibratory motions to the frame and the devices for changing from one form of motion to the other. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the central portion of the machine, taken on a'plane at right angles to the plane of section in Fig. 1. Fig. 4: is an enlarged view of one of the friction-brakes for engaging the interior of the friction-band. Fig. 4" represents ahorizontal section on line :10 5c of Fig. 4. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of one of thefriction-clutches for engaging the exterior of the friction-band. Fig. 5 represents a horizontal section on the line .y y of Fig. 5. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view of the operating mechanism for the friction brakes and clutches. Fig. 7 represents an enlarged sectional view on line 7 7 of Fig. 1. Figs. 8 and 9 are respectively a plan view and sectional view of a modified form of crank for use in the machine.

In the drawings, A represents a central supporting pole or standard, which bears the weight of the whole apparatus and which is supported by stays and braces in any desired manner. At a suitable point on the pole or standard A a sleeve B, having its bottom edge provided with a flange b, is secured to the pole and preferably rests upon squared portions a of the pole, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3.

Upon the sleeve B is mounted the large gear-wheel 0, provided with teeth upon its periphery and having an elongated hub engaging said sleeve and resting upon the flange 1). Motion is imparted to this gear-wheel B by means of a driving-pinion d on the driving-shaft D, which is operated from an engine orother suitable source of power in any desired manner. Above the gear-wheel O is a smaller gear-wheel E, having its hub engaging the sleeve B and resting upon a ring e, which separates it from the large gear-wheel 0. Above the gear-wheel E is a collar 1), which 'is secured to the sleeve by means of screws 1) passing through the collar and tapped into said sleeve, as shown best in Fig. 3. In order to keep the sleeve B from turning upon the pole or standard A, I provide the collar b with two or more vertically-dis posed flanges b curved so as to fit the pole A and secured thereto bylag-screws, as shown. Above the large gear-wheel O is a ring or open frame F, towhich the inner ends of the horizontal arms H H of the merry-go-round frame are secured as in my former patent. The outer ends of these arms are secured by means of inclined supporting-rods f f to a plate G, supported at the top of the pole. I prefer to secure the upper ends of the rods f to the plate G, as shown in Fig. 1. In these figures the plate is shown as provided with a vertical aperture for each rod f, and the end of the rodis bent over and downwardly into a hook form to engage the aperture in the plate, and it is secured therein by a nut on the end of the rod below the plate. This makes a very secure fastening, for even if one of the nuts should work loose the hook form of the rod would enable it to retain its hold on the plate. In order to adapt the plate G to the rotary and vibratory motions of the merry-go-round frame, I prefer to provide the plate with a stem g, which may be cast integrally with said plate or secured thereto and is provided with a hemispherical portion engaginga hemispherical socket g, capped upon the top of the pole or standard. As the weight of the entire merry-go-round comes directly upon this hearing, it is very important that it should be strong, yet susceptible of adapting itself to the various movements of the device, and I have just described the most suitable for the purpose. In order to allow the upper end of the pole or standard A to be supported, I'provide the plate Gand stem 9 with a vertical passage g through which is passed a steel pin G of considerably less diameter than the said passage. The said pin is inserted and secured in the top of the pole in any desired way, and to its upper end are secured suitable guy-wires G2 G2 to support 1 the pole, or if the lnachineis placed within a l building the said pin G may be rigidly sccured to a part of the building by guy-wires, or in any other suitable manner. A short distance above the large gear-wheel C,I secure a flanged collar K to the pole or standard, which collarsupports a revoluble ring 70, j which is connected rigidly by a series of inclined rods to the largegear-wheel O, adja- I cent to its periphery, thus coupling the two parts together and forminga long hub, which steadies the motion of the large gear C.

The rotary motion is imparted to the frame of the tnerrygo-round from the large gear 0 by means of links 0' 0, (shown in Fig. 2,) which connect the gear 0 and the ring F, and these links engage at each end swiveled devices secured to the ring and gear, respectively, in order to accommodate the vibratory movements of the frame, as in my former patent.

The lateral vibratory movements are imparted to the frame of the machine by means of cranks l, secured to gears or pinions L, which are mounted on studs secured to the large gear-wheel O and operatively engage the gear-wheel E, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. These cranks are situated diametrically opposite to each other and are operated simultaneously, and said cranks are each connected to one of the arms 11 of the merry-goround frame by a rod or link Z, as shown in Figs. 1

and 2. In order to securea gentle movement at the beginning of the thrust of the cranks in either direction, I provide each link Z with a cushioning device, as shown in Figs. 1 and 7. Castings h are secured to two opposite arms II, each casting being provided with a central vertical aperture or recess to receive the swivel-pin 1*, provided with an annular ingM.

groove, which is engaged by a set-screw l passing through the casting 7e, and thus secures the pin Z in position. The pin 1 1s provided with a pair of perforated ears Z Z between which is held the swiveled block Z by means of set-screws Z Z. (See Fig. 7.) The block Z is perforated, and through it passes the rod Z from one of the cranks Z. A cushioning device comprising, preferably, a spiral spring FF is placed on said rod Z on each side of the block l and said springs engage the adjustable screw-threaded nuts or collars Z on said rod l, as shown in Fig. 1. This construction insures an easy lateral movement of the frame in either direction of the same under the thrust orpull of the cranks and prevents unpleasant jar to the passengers, and also allows for all the movement of the frame with respect to the actuating mechanism. I may employ blocks of rubber or other elastic devices instead of the springs,iffonnd desirable. It will now be seen, especially by reference to Fig. 2, that if the gear-wheel E, which drives the laterally-vibrating device, is allowed to revolve about the pole or standard with the large gear 0 the cranks Z will not be operated and the device will be given simply a rotary motion. If, however, the gear E be stopped the cranks will be instantly thrown into operation and the machine will be given both the rotary and vibratory movements.

In order to hold the gear-wheel E stationary I provide friction brakes. (Shown best in Figs. 1, 4, and M.) The gearE is provided adjacent to its periphery with a vertical friction band or flange E. Upon aprojecting flange formed integrally with the collar 1) is secured a cast- (See Figs. 4 and 4 The castinghas its central portion cut away, and in this cutaway portion is pivoted the operating-lever M. having a downwardly-extending arm for engaging a brake-shoe M and an arm m, extending inwardly toward the pole or stand ard A. The brake-shoe M is formed with a curved face corresponding to the curve of the friction-band E, and has at each end a rearwardly-extending portion m to engage one side of the casting M, so as to guide the shoe and hold it in proper position. The shoe M is supported by means of two or more guide rods or bolts m which are tapped into the rear face of the shoe and engage loosely guiding apertures m in the casting M. In order to provide a suitable friction-surface, the outer face of the shoe M is provided with a series of recesses m commu nicatin g by means of apertures m of smaller diameter with the rear face of the shoe. In these recesses m is placed a series of wooden plugs m, which project slightly beyond the face of the shoe and engage the friction-band when the arm m of the operating-lever M is drawn down,and thus act as a friction-brake for the flange E and tend to stop the movement of the friction band or flange and the gear E. I prefer to provide two of these frictionbrakes, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and it will gear E will be brought to a full stop and will be held stationary by the brakes during the vibratory movements of the frame.

In order to discontinue the lateral vibra' tory motion and return to a simple rotary motion, I provide a pair of friction devices constructed similar to the form of friction-brake shown in detail, Figs. 4 and 4, but which I denominate friction clutches to distinguish them from the friction brakes. These clutches are shown in detail in Figs. 3, 5, and 5 N represents a casting secured to the large gear-wheel 0, having a central recess to receive the pivoted operating-lever N and having its front face curved inwardly, as shown in Fig. 5 to conform to the curve of the friction band or flange E. The operating-lever N has a downwardlyextending arm for engaging the shoe N of the clutch and an arm n, which extends toward the pole A. The shoe N is curved inwardly and is provided with the rearwardly-extending flanges n n, which engage the sides of the casting N. The shoe is sustained in operative position by the guide rods or bolts 17?, loosely engaging apertures 01 in the casting N, as described with reference to the brake-shoes, and the ShOQ'lS also provided with recesses n apertures m and wooden plugs w like the similar constructions in the brake-shoes M When it is desired to remove one of the shoes M or N to renew the wooden plugs, the guiding rods or bolts will be unscrewed and the shoe lifted vertically until it is disengaged from between its casting and the frictionflange, when the plugs may be knocked out by inserting a punch or other tool in the apertures m or 01 as will be clearly understood, and replaced by new plugs.

When it is desired to change from the r0- tary and vibratory motions to simple rotary motion, it is only necessary to release the brakes m previously described, and apply the clutches N to the friction-band. This will cause the gear-wheel E to begin to move gradually with the large gear 0, and thus slowly arrest the movement of the cranks until, when the clutches have locked the gear E, so as to revolve with the gear 0, the cranks will remain stationary and the machine will receive only the simple rotary motion. It is desirable to always look the gear-wheel E to the gear-wheel 0 when the cranks are in an intermediate position and the merry-go-round frame is horizontal, as otherwise if there were more people on one side of the frame than the other it might be held in an: inclined position by the extra weight on one side. To accomplish this I provide each of the frictionclutches with a locking device which engages a notch or recess in the gear-wheel E and looks it in the required position after the clutches have been applied and the gearwheel E is beginning to revolve with the gear- Wheel 0. As shown in Figs. 5 and 5 this locking device consists of a horizontal locking-lever N pivoted at n in the casting N and having an upwardly-extending arm n to engage a shoulder of the clutch-operating lever N, so that as the said lever is moved in a direction to apply the shoe N the locking-lever will be lowered into engagement with the gear-wheel E and when the clutch .is released the locking-lever will be lifted.

N represents a spring, which is secured to the casting N and engages the arm n of the locking-lever to force the locking-lever down into operative position; and in order to allow for adjustment between the arm n and the operating-lever N, I provide the arm n with a set-screw n provided with a jam-nut n as shown. The gear-wheel E is provided at two opposite points with sockets E to receive the locking-levers N when the cranks are brought into the position shown in Fig. 2 or a similar position one-half revolution farther around.

I provide means for operating the friction brakes, friction-clutches, and the locking-levers by a single hand wheel or crank located near the ground within convenient reach of the operator, so that the change from rotary to rotary and vibratory motions can be quickly and easily eifected.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 6, I provide the lower portion of the pole A with a plate 0, secured rigidly to the pole and provided on its upper edge with bearings fora horizontal shaft 0, upon which are rigidly secured horizontal arms 0, having yokes on their outer ends. On one side of the pole A the shaft 0 is provided with vertical arm 0 (see Fig. 6,) which may be formed integrally with the arm 0, as shown, if desired, the said arm 0 being also provided with a yoke 0 at its outer end. The yoke 0 engages a square nut or threaded collar 0 provided with flanges at each end and having a central threaded aperture engaging a horizontal screw-shaft O, mounted in suitable bearings provided on the plate 0 and having a hand wheel or crank O for turning the same. It will thus be seen that by turning the crank O the nut or collar 0 will be moved along the shaft 0', carrying withit the arm 0 and thus moving the horizontal arms 0' up or down.

P P represent vertically-sliding rods, having their lower ends guided in bearings p p, secured to the pole A, and their upper ends passing through vertical passages formed through the sleeve B and ring I), as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.. At their lower ends the said rods P P are provided with flanges pp', (5360 IIS Fig. 6,) for engaging the yoke in the end of one of the arms 0, so that the rods may be moved vertically by means of the screw-shaft 0. At their upper ends the rods P P engage a flanged collar P and are rigidly secured thereto in any desired way. This collar'P is guided in its vertical movements and held against rotation by vertical guides 29*, secured to the ring or collar 1) at their lower ends, and at their upper ends to the collar K, which they support. In the groove formed between the flanges of the collar P is held a revolving ring P provided at two opposite points with ears 12 The inner ends of the operating-arms n for the friction-clutches N N are slotted and are secured to these ears p by pins or bolts, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, so that as the ring P is moved up and down the clutches will be applied or removed, as the case may be. The rods P P are also provided with flanges to engage yokes on the ends of the operating-levers m in for the friction-brakes M M as shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 4:. By reference to Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 5 it will be seen that when the rods P P are moved upwardly the friction-clutches N N will be simultaneously applied and the locking-levers N N will be allowed to engage the gear-wheel E and that the friction-brakes M M will be released. When the rods P P are moved downwardly, the friction-clutches will be released, the locking-levers will be lifted out of their locking-recesses E in the gear-wheel E, and the friction-brakes will be simultaneously applied to the friction-band E. This enables the mechanism to be accu rately and positively controlled by an operator from a point adjacent to the ground, and the change from rotary to rotary and vibratory motion, or vice versa, may be made quickly and easily without any jar or strain upon the apparatus. The screw-shaft 0' will also hold the devices in any position to which they may be moved.

The operation of my improved machine is as follows: When the machine is started, it will ordinarily be arranged for simple rotary motion, in which case the rods P P will be intheir highest positions, the friction-brakes on the collar 1) will be thrown out of engagement with the flange E, and the ring P will be in its highest position. The friction-clutches N N will therefore clamp the friction-band, and the locking-levers N will have locked the gears O and E together. When it is desired to change to laterally vibratory and rotary motion, the crank O is turned, so as to lower the rods P P and ring P. This will immediately release lockinglevers N N and the clutches N N, which connect the gears O and E, and will apply the friction-brakes M M to the flange thus retarding the motion of the gear-wheel E and gradually causing the cranks to revolve. This causes the swinging or vibrating motion to be applied very gradually, avoiding any shock or jar to the passengers and avoiding strain on the machine. As the pressure continues to be applied to the brakes, the flange E and gear E will be brought to a stationary position and held until the movement of the rods P P is reversed by the crank and worm-shaft to raise the ring P. This will at once throw off the friction-brakes and throw the frictionclutches carried by the gear-wheel 0 into operation. The gear-wheel E will then gradually begin to move, and as it moves the cranks will gradually slow up, and the vibratory movement of the frame will gradually cease. As the frame comes to a horizontal position each of the locking-levers N N 3 will enter the single notch E prepared for it, thus locking the gears O and E together with the frame in a horizontal position. I may also provide means for varying the throw of the cranks to change the extent of lateral vibration imparted to the machine. For this purpose I propose to employ the form of crank shown in Figs. 8 and 9, in which R represents the crank-arm provided with a pair of longitudinal slots 0* 'r, the upper face of said crank being preferably provided with serrations r, as indicated in the drawings. R represents a boss provided with a flanged base r having its lower face serrated to engage the serrations of the crank-arm R and provided with bolt holes to receive bolts *1, which pass through said holes and through the slots 1' r of the crank-arm, so that the boss may be set at any desired distance from the axis of the crank-arm. The boss R is provided with a vertical aperture which receives a pin R provided with ears 1* 1", through which a bolt passes which secures the crank-rod to the crank. To secure the pin R in position I provide it with an annular groove, which is engaged by a set-screw T. It will thus be seen that the boss R may be set to different positions, so that the throw of the crank can be very considerably varied. By using cranks constructed in this manner the ride can be changed daily, and this will add to the attractiveness of the machine as an amusement.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a merry-go-round the combination with the supporting standard, of a frame supported from the same, mechanism for imparting rotary motion to the said frame, separate mechanism for imparting a lateral vibrating movement to said frame, and devices for gradually throwing said vibrating mechanism into and out of operation, substantially as described.

2. In a merry-go-round the combination with the supporting standard, of a frame supported from the same,mechanism for imparting rotary motion to-the said frame, separate mechanism for imparting a lateral vibrating movement to said frame and mechanism including friction devices for gradually throwing said vibrating mechanism into and out of operation, substantially as described.

3. In a merry-go-round the combination with the standard, and the rotary and swinging frame supported thereby, of operating mechanism for rotating said frame including a frame operating wheel journaled upon said standard, cranks for giving a lateral vibratory motion to said frame carried by said frame operating wheel, a crank operating wheel journaled also on said standard and provided with a friction surface, a friction shoe for holding said crank operating wheel stationary and means for actuating said shoe including a part moving within the periphery of the j ournal of said wheels, substantially as described.

4. In a merry-go-round the combination with the standard having a sleeve secured thereto and the rotary and swinging frame supported by said standard, of a frame actuating wheel journaled upon said sleeve, cranks carried by said wheel for giving a vibratory motion to said frame, acrank operating Wheel having a friction surface also mounted to revolve on saidsleeve, friction devices supported by said sleeve for holding said crank actuating wheel stationary and means for actuating said friction devices including a rod sliding within the periphery of said sleeve, substantially as described.

5. In a merry-go-round the combination with the supporting standard and the frame supported thereby, of mechanism for imparting rotary motion to said frame including rotating parts, cranks carried by said rotating parts for imparting a lateral vibratory motion to said frame, a crank operating wheel, friction devices for stopping said wheel, and hold-- ing it stationary, a friction device and a lever for actuating the same carried by said rotating parts for coupling said crank operating wheel therewith, substantially as described.

6. In a merry-go-round the combination with the supporting standard and the frame supported thereby, of mechanism for imparting rotary motion to said frame including rotating parts, crank mechanism for imparting a lateral vibrating motion to said frame, a crank operating wheel, friction devices for s'toppin g said wheel and holding it stationary,

a friction device for coupling the crank operating wheel therewith and operative lever therefor carried by said rotating parts, and devices for simultaneously throwing the stopping devices into and the coupling devices out of operation and vice versa, substantially as described.

7. In a merrygo-round the combination with the supporting standard, and the frame supported thereby, of a driven wheel for imparting rotary motion to said frame, cranks carried by said wheel for imparting a lateral vibrating motion to said frame, an independent crank operating Wheel provided with a friction flange, stationary friction devices for engaging one side of said flange to stop said wheel and hold it stationary, and friction devices carried by said driven wheel for engaging the opposite side of said friction flange for connecting said driven wheel and crank operating wheel for joint movement, substantially as described.

8. In a merry-goronnd, the combination with the supporting standard and the frame supported thereby, of mechanism for imparting rotary motion to said frame including rotating parts, gears carried by said rotating parts provided with cranks for imparting a lateral vibrating motion to said frame, a crank actuating gear wheel provided with a friction surface, the friction shoe for engaging said surface carried by said rotating parts, the operating lever for said shoe, the rotary ring connected with said lever, and means for moving said ring to actuate said lever and shoe substantially as described.

9. In a merry-go-round the combination with the supporting standard and the frame supported thereby, of means for rotating said frame including rotating parts, cranks for giving a lateral vibratory motion to said frame, an actuating gear wheel for said cranks provided with two friction surfaces, two friction shoes for engaging said surfaces, one of said shoes being stationary and the other carried by the rotating parts, levers for actuating said shoes and a rod sliding longitudinally of the standard connected with said levers whereby the movement of the said rod effects complementary movements of said levers and shoes, substantially as described.

10. In a merry-go-round the combination with the standard and the frame supported thereby, of mechanism for imparting a rotary motion to said frame, cranks for giving the said frame a lateral vibratory motion, friction devices for starting and stopping the motion of said cranks and a lock for holding said cranks in a position to hold the said frame horizontal, substantially as described.

11. In a merry-go-round the combination with the standard and the frame supported thereby, of mechanism for imparting a rotary motion to the said frame, cranks for giving the said frame a lateral vibratory motion, a crank operating wheel, a friction device for gradually engaging the crank actuating wheel to cause it to move in unison with the rotary mechanism, anda locking device to engage said wheel and hold the cranks in an intermediate position, substantially as described.

12. In a merry-go-round the combination with the supporting standard and a revoluble frame, of a socket secured to the top of the standard, a plate provided with a hollow stem having a hemispherical portion engaging said socket, a pin engaging said socket and pass ing through said hollow stem and supports for the standard secured to said pin, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HARRY S. MOORE. Witnesses:

O. W. PAYRAN, G. A. BOURGEOIS.

ICC

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