US797223A - Swimming apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

No. 797,223. PATENTED AUG. 15, 1905. G. P. RANDOLPH. SWIMMING APPARATUS.

APPLIGATION FILED NOV. 27, 1903.

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gm [mas WW 1 ii /dam No. 79%223. PATENTED AUG. 15, 1905 O. P. RANDOLPH.

SWIMMING APPARATUS.

PILIGATIOT FILED Nov. 27 1903. A L a SHEETS-SHEET a.

I l/YVE/VTUF IV/T/Yfddfd' 62455 0? E P417001 P 52% ii 3a \wm ITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OF OCEANPARK, CALIFORNIA.

$WIMWIING APPARATUS Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 15, 1905.

Application file-1 November 27, 1903. Serial No. 182,766.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLABEoRN P. RAN- DOLPII, a citizen of the United States, resid ing at Oceanpark, in the county of Los An geles and State of California, have invented a new and useful Swimming Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an apparatus designed for aquatic amusements, instruction in swimming, or hygienic purposes which will support and draw persons through the water.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described which. may be employed by those learning to swim, but which is also a pleasure-seeking apparatus adapted to be enjoyed not only by swimmers or persons learning to swim, but by others who are physically incapacitated to support or propel themselves through the water or who wish to enjoy being drawn through the water either as a pastime or for the hygienic effect produced.

Another object is to provide a new and improved propelling means adapted for the purposes set forth which may be arranged to have various paths of travel.

The generic nature of the invention. provides for the apparatus being erected to secure a travel in a straight, tortuous, 01' curved path, rectangular, oval, circular, or other delined circuit.

The invention. embraces a traveling conveying means which carries a series of pendants, which pendants may or may not be equipped with devices for securing them to the swimmers body and another object of the invention is to provide a novel form of pendant which when released from use automaticallymoves itself out of the way above the water.

Other objects are to produce an apparatus of the class described which is simple in construction, effective in operation, and safe.

Another object is to provide means which are within the ready control of the swimmer, which. will allow the swimmer to remain sus pended, and yet permit the swimmer to advance by his own efforts, even though he does not swim as fast as the propelling-conveyor, and which will allow the swimmer when he desires to cause the pendant to which he is attached to be propelled by the conveyer.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention.

Referring to the drawings, Figure I is a plan view of the apparatus, showing an engine connected by a belt with the apparatus for driving the same. Fig. II is a vertical longitudinal section through the apparatus, taken on. line II II of F ig. I. Fig. III is a detail of a post, its brackets for supporting the track and driving gear, the track-rail being shown in section. Fig. IV is a detail of a portion of the track, driving-chains, pendantframe, and pendant. Fig. Vis adctailshowing the construction of a pendantframe and means of attaching the pendant-frame to the propelling-chain. Fig. V1 is a vertical longitudinal section through another form of the apparatus, showing a construction which allows the swimmer to propel himself at his own speed or remain stationary in suspension or to be drawn through the water by the conveying means at his option. Fig. VII is a detail of the supporting-brackets and adjacent mechanism used in the form shown in Fig. VII. Fig. VIII is a detail view showing the clutch for the pendant.

I11 the drawings I have illustrated the invention as erected to give a path of travel in a rectangular circuit.

1 designates the walls of a tank, which may be of masonry, concrete, or other material and which is filled with water 2. Around the border of the tank is a series of trackstandards l, which are provided with brackets 5, upon which rests a rail 6, the rail being secured. to the brackets by means of bolts, as shown. Certain of the track-standards a are longer than the rest and are provided with brackets 7, which. lie above the track-brack ets 5 and have ournals 8.

9 designates a propelling-chain which consists of center links 10 and side links 11 and which is supported at suitable intervals by means of hangers 12. The shank of a hanger passes through and forms a pin which joins the two side links with a center link. Each hanger is supported by a wheel 13, which rides upon the track 6. In order to guide the propelling-ehain, idlers 14; are employed. at each corner of the tank. Each idler may comprise a sheave supported upon a shaft 15, the shaft 15 being rotatably mounted on an arm 70. I prefer to employ at least two idlers at each corner of the tank, so that the turn of the chain at the corners will not be too abrupt. In order to propel the chain, a

sprocket 16, mounted 011 a shaft 17, which revolves in a ournal 8, IS provided, there being fast and loose pulleys 18 and 19, respectively, mounted upon the shaft 17. An en gine 20 may be connected by a belt 21 with the pulleys 18 and 19, the belt 21 for convenience of illustration being shown as passing over idlers 22.

23 designates pendant-frames each of which comprises a horizontal arm 24 and uprights 25 and 26, each upright being joined to the chain by passing through two side links and a center link, as shown in detail in V. One end of the pendant-hanger is provided with a pulley 27, which supports a pendant 28. One end of the pendant 28 is preferably provided with a weight 29 and at an intermediate point is provided with a stop 30 and at its lower end is provided with a hook 31. A chain 32, suspended bya wheel 33,is fastened to the pendant 28 at an intermediate point. The chain 32 may be in two sections, one of which is provided with a hook 34, which may be hooked into any link of the chain, whereby its length may be regulated as desired. The wheel 33 rests upon the horizontal bar 24 and is free to be moved along the same.

In operation the chain 9 is driven by the sprocket 16, and the pendant-frames 23 are propelled around the tank, carrying with them their attached pendants. A pendant which is not being used will assume the posi tion shown in the illustration of the pendant at the right of Fig. II, in which the weight 29 has descended until the stop 30 lies against the pulley 27, the weight in falling having caused the wheel 33 to be moved adjacent to the pulley, as shown, thus raising the lower end of the pendant away from the water, so that it is out of the way.

In order to be propelled through the water, a person may grasp the lower end of the pendant 28, which keeps the head of the person above the water, and it absolutely prevents drowning, and the position assumed by the person when being drawn through the water is maintained near the horizontal, and the position assumed by the pendant will be that of the middle pendant in Fig. II, in which the chain has been moved to the rear of the pendant-hanger. If the swimmer propels himself to an extent sufficient to exceed the speed of the chain 9, the weight 29 will drop somewhat to take up the slack in the pendant, whereupon the chain 32 will move forward, and the pendant and its accessories will have the position illustrated at the left of Fig. II. This pendant is shown taut; but it should be understood that the weight 29 always keeps the pendant taut even though the person in the water is not being propelled by the device.

I have shown and described the apparatus as erected over an artificial body of water". but the invention is of especial adaptability for seaside resorts and could easily be constructed over a bay or directly on the ocean,

although it is preferable to build it over wa ter not too rough.

In Fig. VI the track 6 is supported as before described, and the traveling conveyer comprises a series of bars 60, which are joined together and supported by hangers 61, each hanger having a pin 62, which passes through the lapped ends of the bars 60. The hangers 61 are supported from the chain in a manner similar to the pendant-frame hangers 23.

63 is a hanger supported by a wheel 64, which rests upon the bars 60.

65 is a clamping-bar pivoted to the hanger 63, and a spring 66 serves to tilt the clampingb ar normally out of engagement with the rod 60.

67 is a controlling-rope attached to the clamping-bar and which extends down the pendant, being guided through eyelets 68, so that its lower end is within reach of the swimmer. The lower end of the rope 67 has a hook 69, which may be hooked into an eye on the pendant.

If the person wishes to be drawn along by the traveling conveyer, he pulls upon the rope 67, which throws the clamping-bar close to the rod 60 and attaches the hook 69, so that the clamping-bar is held up against the rod. The resulting friction draws along the hanger 63 and tilts it, which causes the hanger to be securely clamped to the rod 60 and drawn along thereby. When the person desires to remain stationary in the water, he un hooks the hook 69, and the spring 66 throws down the clamping-bar, and. the rods 60 move under the wheel 64, the latter freely turning. This allows the person to propel himself at the speed he desires and is especially applicable for young swimmers, as it supports them, yet does not interfere with their imperfect strokes. Thus by the device the person has the option of being drawn along or allowed to remain free, and the control is at his immediate command.

hat I claim is- 1. In a swimming apparatus, a traveling conveyer, pendant-frame hangers attached thereto, and traveling pendants on the pendant-frame hangers and freely movable there- 2. In a swimming apparatus, a traveling conveyer, pendant-frame hangers attached thereto, and pendants automatically adjust able on the pendant-frame hangers.

3. In a swimming apparatus, a traveling conveyer, a pendant-frame hanger comprising a horizontal bar, vertical rods connecting the bar with the conveyer, a pulley near one end of the horizontal rod, a pendant running over the pulley and a weight on the pendant.

4. In a swimming apparatus, a traveling conveyer, a pendant-frame hanger comprising a horizontal bar, vertical rods connecting the bar with the conveyer, a pulley near one end of the horizontal rod, a pendant ruiming over the pulley, a weight on the pendant, a wheel on the horizontal rod, and a flexible connection from the pendant to the wheel.

5. In a swimming apparatus, a traveling conveyer, a pendant-frame hanger compris ing a horizontal bar, vertical rods connecting the bar with the conveyer, a pulley near one end of the horizontal rod, a pendant running over the pulley, a weight on the pendant, a wheel on the horizontal rod, and an extensible, flexible connection from the pendant to the wheel.

In a swimming apparatus, a traveling conveyer comprising a chain, a pendantlrame hanger comprising a horizontal bar, vertical. rods connected to the horizontal bar and forming pins for links in the chain.

7. In a swimming apparatus, a stationary track, a chain, wheels on the track, hangers from the wheels forming pins for links of the chain, and a pendantdrame hangerconnected to the chain.

8. In a swimming apparatus, a stationary track, pendant-hangers supported thereby, a flexible traveling conveyer for propelling the pendant-hangers, and pendants rolling on the hangers.

9. In a swimming apparatus, a flexible traveling conveyer, pendant hangers connected therewith, pendants adapted to travel on the hangers, and means for propelling the conveyer. I

10. In a swimming apparatus, a traveling conveyer comprising a chain, pendant-hang ers attached to the chain, idlers supportin the chain, and pendants adapted to play a 011g the hangers.

11. In a swimming apparatus, posts, brackets thereon, an endless track on the brackets, an endless traveling conveyer mounted on the track, pendant-hangers attached to the conveyer, pendants adapted to play along the hangers, and means for driving the conveyer.

12. In a swimming apparatus, posts, brackets thereon, an endless track supported by the brackets, wheels on the track, an endless chain, rods forming pins for links of the chain. and connected to the wheels, pendant-fra1ne hangers connected to the chain, and pendants connected. to the hangers.

13. In aswimming apparatus, posts, brackets thereon, an endless track supported by the brackets, wheels on the track, an endless chain, rods fori'ning pins for links of the chain and connected to the wheels, pendant-frame hangers connected to the chain, pendants adjustably connected to the hangers, and stops on the pendants.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, at Los Angeles, in the county of LosAngeles and State of California, this 19th day of November, 1903.

CLABEORN I RANDOLPH.

Witnesses:

GEORGE T. IIAGKLEY, JULIA TOWNSEND.

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