US857338A - Amusement apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

No. 857,338. v PATBNTED JUNE 18; 1907.

A. S. FITCH.

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS. f APPLICATION FILED SEPT.'13, 1904. RENEWED IO'VZBI, 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

THE NORRIS PETERS co.. wAsl-uuzrou, a. c.

APPLICATION i'ILED SEPT. 13, 1904. RENEWED NOV.21, 1906.

V PATENTED JUNE 18, 1907. s. IE'ITGH. AMU$BMENT APPARATUS.

'2 sums-sum 2.

d Z 7 3 a 6% |EE w m l "I 9 A in y W 3 3 01 0 WITNESSES:

1H5 NORRIS PETERS ca. wAsnmarqu, n. c.

ARDEN FITCH, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 18, 1907.

Application filed September 13, 1904. Renewed November 21, 1906. Serial No. 344,499.

To aZZ whom it ncty concern.-

Be it known that I, ARDEN S. FIToH, of the borough of Manhattan, city of New York, county and State of New York, a citizen of the United States, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Amusement Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

My invention relates to an apparatus for the amusement and recreation of people at seaside resorts or rural parks and similar places; and my invention consists, primarily, in a parachute-structure, means carried thereby to receive and sustain a weight, means to elevate the parachute and its weight-receptacle to a given height and means to guide the same in the descent thereof; whereby a person, or persons, sustained by the said weight-receptacle, may be raised to a desired height above the ground and, when the parachute and its said receptacle are released from the action of the elevatingmeans, may therein descend by gravity to the place on the ground from which the elevation was effected; and my invention comprises a parachute-structure, means carried thereby to receive and sustain a weight, means to elevate the parachute and its said receptacle to a given height, means to guide the same in the descent thereof by gravity when released from the action of the elevating-means, and means to retard the movement of the parachute and its said receptacle during the latter portion of the descent thereof; whereby, while the parachute and its said receptacle may approach the ground during the earlier and major portion of the descent at a speed which will cause excitement in the person or persons sustained in said parachute-receptacle, contact thereof with the ground may be effected with safety and without discomfort to such person, or persons; and my invention further comprises a para chutestructure and weight-receptacle carried thereby, a fixed support of a determined height, means, operative on said support, to elevate the parachute and its said receptacle thereon and to release the same from the ac tion of said elevating-means, and means carried by said support to guide the parachute and its receptacle in the descent thereof; and my invention also includes a series of similar parachute-structures and their respective severally attached weight-receptacles, a fixed support of a determined height common to the several parachutes of the series thereof, means, operative on said support, to elevate said several parachutes and their said receptacles, and means carried by said support to severally guide the respective parachutes and their receptacles in their descent; and my invention further comprises the devices and their combinations hereinafter described and more particularly recited in the claims, whereby the operation of effecting the successive elevation and descent of the parachutes and their said attached receptacles may be carried on with celerity, economy and safety.

In the drawings Figure 1 is an elevation of an apparatus containing my invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view, in detail, of the outward end of one of the support-arms illus trated in Fig. 1 and showing a desirable manner of operatively mounting thereon the parachute elevating-cables and of attaching to said arm the guide-rope for said parachute; Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional elevation of a desirable form of parachute-structure and the weight-sustaining receptacle thereof and showing in detail some further features of the invention; Fig.4: is a sectional plan taken through the upward part of the desirable form of common support shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the devices shown in Fig. 4 on the line :r, :10, thereof; and Fig. 6 is an enlarged, vertical,

central section of the counter-weight and attached clutch-devices desirably employed in connection with the elevating-cable of a parachute.

A is a parachute-structure preferably composed of a frame consisting of ribs, a, usually curved, attached to and severally extending radially and downwardly from a central or axial support, B, and braces, a severally extending radially and upwardly from said support, B, to about midway of said respective ribs, together with a bag or cover, a mounted distendedly upon the radial ribs, a,'while a band, 0, usually circular, is desirably attached in common to and unites the outward or downward ends of the ribs, a. The frame, a, a, a of the parachute is desirably of metal with rigid connections between the ribs and braces and between them and the central support and circumferential band, so that the parachute will be fixedly and permanently open or extended; and it is also desirable that the bag or cover, a be constituted of a textile material, as sail-cloth, and that the same be spreader mounted on the under or inward side of the parachute-frame, as indicated in Fig. 3, for that said bag or cover thus has the support of the entire length of each frame-rib, a, during a descending movement of the parachute and hence is not liable to be forced or torn from the frame by the air-pressure upon it during such movement. Means to receive and sustain a body or weight is carried by said parachute, desirably in the form of a receptacle 0, composed of a platform, 0, supported by rods, connected, preferably rigidly, to the central support, B, of the parachute-frame, as by a horizontal support 0 which may be annular, to which the upward ends of the platform-rods,

' c are united and arms 0 radiall extended downwardly from said central support, B, to said horizontal support, 0 while cords or ropes, 0 may severally extend from the band, (L to said horizontal support, as indicated in Fig. 3. The platform, 0, is intended to be adapted to sustain one or two persons in an erect attitude, and is desirably provided with an inclosing guard-railing, 0 preferably of light net-work, and provided with gates, 0 to permit the ingress and egress to and from the platform of the person or persons to be sustained thereby. Hand-loops, or holdingstraps, 0, may be attached to the rods, 0 to be conveniently grasped by the occupants of the platform.

Means to elevate the parachute, A, and its attached receptacle, C, to a given height is provided, and desirably comprises a hoistingcable, D, attachable to the parachute and operatively mounted on a fixed support, E, e, as by pulleys, e 6 and controlled by a drum, e actuated by a motor, indicated at, e and it is desirable that the said cable be attachable to the parachute by a clutch-device, carried by said cable, comprising levers, as F, F respectively provided with jaws f,

f, to engage an annular flange, l), on the upward end of the central support, B, of the parachute, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 6.

Means to guide the parachute, A, and its receptacle, C, in a descent thereof, when released from the action of the elevatingmeans, may consist in a wire-rope, G, passing longitudinally through the central support, B, of the parachute, which for this purpose may be in' the form of a tube, or sleeve, as shown in Figs. 3 and 6, with the upward end of said rope, G, secured to the support, e, as illustrated at 9, Fig. 2, and with its opposite or lower end fixed onthe ground, as by a screw-link, g therein anchored, as illustrated at the bottom of Fig. 3, whereby said rope may be kept taut and the parachute and its receptacle, C, may be caused to return, in a descent thereof, to the same location on the ground from which it rose when elevated. As it is desirable, in the operation of this apparatus, to detach and wholly release the parachute from the elevating-cable at the conclusion of an ascent, thus permitting a descent to be made entirely by gravity; and as it is also desirable, in order that the apparatus may be operated with economy and celerity to effect successive ascents and descents of the parachute and its said recepta cle a stop, g may be provided, in the form of a collar, keyed to or otherwise fixedly mounted on the upward part of the guiderope, G, to be engaged by crank-arms,f f respectively provided on the clutch-levers, F, F when the cable, D, has elevated the parachute to the desired limit of an ascent, and thus swing said levers to withdraw their jaws f, f, from engagement with the flange, b, on the parachute-support, B; and the cable, D, may be provided with a counterweight, D to effect a following-descent of said cable to the parachute, after release, and which is centrally apertured, as at, d, to permit the passage through it of the said rope G, as well as to guide the movements of said weight, and is also slotted or recessed as at al to receive said levers, F, F which are desirably provided with respective controllingsprings, f'flwhile the said lever-jaws may have the exterior curved or beveled faces, f and the flange, b, may be given the downward and outward bevel 12 on its upward face, as shown in Figs. 3 and 6. By means of the described devices the parachute may be automatically attached to and detached and released from the hoistingcable, D, at the conclusion respectively of successive descents and ascents thereof. It is furthermore desirable that the parachute and its receptacle be enabled to move at a greater speed during the earlier portion than during the latter portion of its descent, and that the contact thereof with the ground at the conclusion of a descent be made without a blow or jar; and to this end the tubular support or sleeve, B, of the parachute-frame may extend downwardly through the receptacle, C, and its platform, 0, as shown in Fig. 3; and, also, the upward end of said sleeve may be constricted to give an aperture, 5 of but slightly greater area than is required for the play of the rope, G, therein, while a pistonpiece, If, may be rigidly fixed on said rope, at a determined location thereon near its lower or ground end, to enter the lower, open end of said sleeve, B, as by a flaringbell-mouth, 5 shown in Fig. 3; whereby the resistance or cushion of the air in the sleeve, B, as it gradually escapes therefrom by the aperture, 19 by the action of the piston, 6 will retard the movement of the parachute during the latter portion of its descent on the guide-rope, G, and will effect the contact thereof with the ground, or the landing of the parachute and its receptacle, gently and without shock or jar. A springamass platform, D may be provided on the ground at the landing-place, and within the area of which the guiderope, G, is anchored, if ole sired, as indicated in Fig. 3, to receive the impact of the platform, 0, as it lands, and thus further minimize the liability to any concusslon.

In carrying out this invention it is intended to provide a series of the parachutes, A, and their receptacles, C, each preferably having individual and independent means, substantially as set forth, to effect successive elevations and descents thereof upon and from a fixed common support, Which may comprise a central tower, E, of a determined height, and radial arms, 6, mounted thereon, from which, respectively, the several parachutes of the series thereof are operated, as indicated in Fig. 1.

Any other known or equivalent means than those herein particularly described, to elevate the parachutes, or to guide them in their ascent and descent, or to effect theirautomatic attachment to and release from said elevating-means and to retard their rate of movement during the latter portion of a descent thereof, may be employed, Without departure from the essential features of the invention as herein set forth.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is: I

1. In an amusement apparatus, the combination of a parachute-structure and means carried thereby to receive and sustain a weight, with means to elevate the parachute and its weight-sustaining means to a given height, and means to guide the same during a descent thereof.

2. In an amusement apparatus, the Com-.

bination of a permanently and fixedly open or distended parachute-structure and means carried thereby to receive and sustain a weight, with means to elevate the parachute and its Weight-sustaining means to a given height, and means to guide the same during a descent thereof.

3. In an amusement apparatus the combination of an elevatable parachute-struc ture provided With means to receive and sustain a Weight and'releasable to the action of gravity When elevated, with means to guide said parachute and .its weight-sustaining means during a descent thereof, and means to retard the movement of the same during thelatter part of said descent.

4. In an amusement apparatus, the combination of a parachute-structure and means carried thereby to receive and sustain a Weight, with a fixed support of a determined height, means, operative on said support, to elevate the parachute and its weight-sustaining means, and means, carried by said support to guide the parachute and its Weightsustaining means in a descent thereof.

5. In an amusement apparatus, the combination of a permanently and fixedly distended parachute-structure and means for receiving and sustaining a weight, with a centrally located support, common to said parachute and its weight-sustaining means and upon which the same are respectively rigidly mounted.

6. In an amusement apparatus, the combination of a permanently and fixedly distended parachute-structure having a central support on which it is rigidly mounted, with means to receive and sustain a weight, comprising a platform, rods to support the same, a support, below said parachute, to which said rods are connected, and arms to rigidly unite said rod-support to said central support of said parachute.

7. In an amusement apparatus, the combination of a parachute-structure and means carried thereby to receive and sustain a weight, a fixed support of a determined height, a hoisting-cable, operatively mounted on said support and provided with means to engage said parachute to elevate the same and its weight-sustaining means on said support, and to release them from it at the conclusion of an ascent thereof, and means carried by said support, common to and to guide said parachute and hoisting-cable in the operative movements thereof.

8. In an amusement apparatus, the combination of a parachute-structure comprising a centrally supporting longitudinally ex tended sleeve and means carried by said parachute to receive and sustain a weight, with means to elevate said parachute and its Weight-sustaining means to a given height,

and a fixedly mounted guide-rope to play in said parachute-sleeve to guide said parachute and its weight-sustaining means in the operative movements thereof.

9. In an amusement apparatus, the combination of a parachute-structure comprising a centrally supporting longitudinally extended sleeve and means earned by said parachute to receive and sustain a Wei ht, a

fixed su port of a determined height, a oisting-cab e operatively mounted on said support, an ap'ertured counter-weight and means, carried by said cable, to detachably engage said parachute to elevate the same and its weight-sustaining means, a fixedly mounted guide-rope, carried by said support, to play in said parachute-sleeve and counter-weight to guide the same in their operative movements, and means to disengage said cableengaging means from said parachute at the conclusion of an ascent thereof.

10. In an amusement apparatus, the com bination of a parachute-structure comprising a central support and means carried by said support for receiving and sustaining a Weight, there being a flange on the upper end of said central support, a hoisting-cable operatively mounted to elevate said parachute and its ITO- Weight-sustaining means, a counter-weight, on said cable, a clutch-device carried by said counter-weight to detachably engage the flange on said parachute central support, and means to disengage said clutch-device from said flange at the conclusion of an ascent of said parachute.

1]. In an amusement apparatus, the combination of a parachute-structure com )rising a central support and means carried t ereby to receive and sustain a weight, with a hoisting-cable operatively mounted to elevate said parachute and its weight-sustaining means, a counter-weight carried by said cable, a clutch-device carried by said counter-weight to detachably engage said central support of the parachute, and a fixedly mounted guide-rope common toand to guide said parachute and said cable counter-weight in the operative movements thereof, together with a stop carried by said guide-rope to release said clutch-device from said parachutesup port at the conclusion of an ascent by said parachute.

12. In an amusement apparatus, the combination of a parachute-structure comprising a central supporting-sleeve with a constricted opening at its upward end, and means carried by said parachute to receive and sustain a weigh t, with a fixedly mounted guide-rope to playin said sleeve and guide said parachute in its operative movements, and a pistonpiece rigidly mounted on said guide-rope to enter and work in said sleeve, at the lower end thereof, to compress the air therein.

1.3. In an amusement apparatus, the combination of a parachute-structure comprising a central supporting-sleeve and means carried thereby to receive and sustain a weight, with a fixed support of a determined height, and a guide-rope to play in said parachute causes supporting-sleeve to guide said parachute in its operative movements, said rope being securedv at one end to said fixed support and at the opposite or lower end anchored to the ground.

14. In an amusement apparatus the combination of a parachute-structure and means to receive and sustain a Weight, with a fixed support of a determined height, carrying o erative means 'to elevate said parachute t ereon, and a guide-rope to guide said parachute in its operative movements, rigidly connected at one end to said fixed support and at the opposite or lower end to a screwlink anchored in the ground.

15. In an amusement apparatus, the combination of a parachutastructure and. means to receive and sustain a weight, with a fixedly mounted guide-rope to guide said parachute in its operative movements and a spring-platform located on the ground about the anchorage ofsaid guide-rope therein.

16. An amusement apparatus comprising a series of parachute-structures each carrying means to receive and sustain a Weight, a fixed support of a determined height common to all the parachutes of the serles thereof, means, operatively mounted on said support, to severally elevate the parachutes thereon, means, carried by said support, to individually guide each parachute of the series thereof during its descent when released from the action ofsaid elevating means, and means severally operative to individually retard the movement of each said parachute during the latter part of its said descent.

ARDEN S. FITCH.

Witnesses:

O. WJBENJAMIN, A. G. WINTER.

Images