US889268A - Apparatus for supporting roller-skaters in rinks. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED JUNE 2, 1908.

A C. SPOONER. APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING RoLLRR SKATERS IN RINKS.

APPLIOATIOH FILED AUG. 22, 1907. v

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.0. A. SPOONER. I APPARATUS son surromme ROLLER SKATERS IN ums.

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CHARLES A. SPOONER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING ROLLER-SKATERS IN RINKS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 2, 1908.

Application filed August 22, 1907. Serial No. 389,660.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES A. SPOONER,

a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Supporting Roller- Skaters in Rinks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has relation to an apparatus for supporting roller skaters in rinks; and in such connection it relates more particularly to the construction and arrangement of the supporting means for skaters in rinks.

The principal objects of my invention are first, to provide an apparatus to permit persons to learn with ease, without any danger to body or limb the art of roller-skating; second, to provide for this purpose a framework and a shaft carrying the same, which supports the skaters and is set in rotation by the same; third to provide means suspended from the frame-work and arranged so as to normally hold said means above the heads of persons and to permit of an easy reaching and lowering of said means for being used by skaters; fourth, to provide thesuspended supporting means with devices to permit of ready engagement by the hands of the skaters or of direct connection of the supporting means by straps with the body of the skater; fifth, to provide means to hold the suspended supporting means separated from each other to prevent collision of skaters with each other; and siXth, to provide the shaft of said frame-work with driving means to actuate a musical instrument by the rotation of said shaft.

The nature and scope of my present invention will be more fully understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in which Figure 1 is a view, illustrating partly in side elevation and partly in section, a framework supported by a shaft, a series of supporting means for persons suspended from each of the arms of said frame-work and of means connected with said shaft for actuating a musical instrument. Fig. 2 is a detail view, enlarged, illustrating partly in section and partly in elevation, a spring controlled drum for automatically elevating the suspended supporting means; and Fig. 3 is a top or plan view of the apparatus, partly in section.

Referring to the drawings 4, is a shaft rotatably supported at its lower end by a bearing 5, secured to the floor 7, of a building (not shown), and at its upper end is engaged and held in a vertical position, by a bearing 6, suitably connected with the ceiling or other portion of the building. To the shaft 4, is secured a bracket 8, adapted to support in conjunction with rods 10, arms 9, in a horizontal position. The rods 10, are preferably, connected with a collar 11, secured to the shaft 4, and to sleeves 12, secured to the outer free ends of the arms 9. Rods 14, connecting the arms 9, with each other at their free ends, serve in connection with the rods 10, to form a unitary structure 13, which is held supported in a certain position from the floor 7, by the shaft 4. To each of the arms 9, are secured and suspended therefrom, a series of supporting means 15, each, consisting of a housing or holder 16, in which is rotatably arranged on a shaft 18 thereof, a

drum 19, connected with the shaft 18, by a spiral spring 20, as shown in Fig. 2, The drum 19, serves to support a chain 21, which is normally held wound upon the same, by the spiral spring 20, and is thus for a certain length concealed in the housing 16, for the purpose of normally holding rings 22, belts 23 or bars 24, in such a position above the floor 7, as to clear the heads of skaters orother persons passing beneath the same. The height in which the rings 22, and belts 23, or bars 24, are held is such as to be in easy reach of the hands of persons, by taking hold of the rings 22 or bars 24, to lower the same by unwinding the chain 21, against the tension of the spring 20, from the drum 19, forv a proper length. Persons desirous of learning the art of roller skating, by means of the supporting means 15, will be prevented from falling on the floor 7, of the skating rink, when losing balance on the roller skates and thus will be protected against injury. Moreover, the suspended supporting means 15, being steady will more or less support the skater during this time of acquiring the necessary proficiency to skate, without the aid of the apparatus. In order to permit of the free use of the hands during skating, the person can be connected with the chain 21, by means of the belt 23, which is applied to the body and connected with the chain 21, preferably by means of straps 24. To prevent collision of skaters with each other, the supporting means 15, suspended from the same rod 9, of the framework are held a certain distance apart, preferably by means of rods 26. The skaters in their forward movement by the supporting means 15, will set the frame-work 13, and by the same the shaft 4, into rotation, which by means of a bevel-gear 28, secured to the shaft 4, and a bevel-gear 29, secured to a musical instrument 30, is utilized to actuate the instrument, as a piano, organ or the like.

Having thus described the nature and objects of my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an apparatus of the character described, a framework, a shaft supporting the frame-work, a series of supporting means suspended from the frame-work, each of said suspended means having a drum, a chain carried by the drum, and means for rotating said drum in one direction to automatically wind said chain on said drum.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, a frame-work, a shaft supporting said frame-work, a series of supporting means suspended from said frame-work, each of said suspended means having a housing, a

drum located in said housing, a chain carried a spring carried by said drum and adapted to automatically wind said chain thereon to hold said handholds in a certain position with respect to said frame-work.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, a frame-work, a shaft supporting said frame-Work, a series of supporting means suspended from said frame-work, each of said suspended means having a housing, a drum located in said housing, a chain carried by said drum and extending beyond said housing, handholds carried by said chain, and a spring carried by said drum and adapted to automatically wind said chain thereon to hold said handholds in a certain position with respect to said frame-work, and means for holding adjoining suspended means apart by engaging the chains thereof.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. 4

CHARLES A. SPOONER.

Witnesses:

THOMAS M. SMITH, WILHELM VoGT.

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