US898674A - Amusement device. - Google Patents

Description

L. ODONNELL. AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. a1, 1908.

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Patented Sept. 15, 1908.

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L. O'DONNELL. AMUSEMENT DEVICE. APPLIOATION FILED JAN, 31, 1908.

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LAWRENCE ODONNELL, OF SGRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE Application filed January 31, 1908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LAWRENCE ODoN- NELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Scranton, in the county of Lackawanna and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Amusement Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to amusement devices, of that class forming a permanent attraction at amusement parks etc., and the object of the invention is to provide a device adapted to be propelled by an operator around a continuous track provided within the park; the device comprising a substantial chariot having sprockets connected with the axle of the chariot and adapted to be propelled by pedals connected with the s rockets, the chariot is also provided with igures representing horses, which are rovided with mechanism to simulate the gal oping or trotting movement of the horses as the device is propelled.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an inclosure representing the Roman arena, and having a series of circular tracks, each of which are provided with chariots and horses and means for propelling the same, whereby an imitation of a chariot race by a number of persons, each of which occupy and propel one of the chariots and horses attached thereto, is produced.

To these ends the invention resides in the novel construction of elements and their arrangement in operative combination, hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a chariot and figure of horses attached thereto, constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section through the chariot. Fig. 3 is a detail sectional View, illustrating the manner of adjusting the seat provided by the chariot. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the figures of the horses, illustrating their position upon the tracks. Fig. 5 is a central transverse section upon the line 55 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view upon the line 66 of Fig. 2, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

In the accompanying drawin s, the numeral 1 designates a portion of a circular track employed with my invention. Positioned upon the track 1 is a chariot 2. The chariot is preferably constructed of light sheet steel, and has its body constructed in Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 15, 1908.

Serial No. 413,605.

the usual formation of a Roman chariot. The chariot is provided with a transverse axle 3, upon which is positioned, on each side of the chariot, pneumatic tired wheels 4. Centrally positioned upon the axle 3, and located within the body of the chariot is a sprocket wheel 6, having an endless chain 7 secured to a larger sprocket 8. A suitable housing 9 is provided for the sprockets 6 and 8, and the axle of the sprocket 8 is adapted to extend outwardly from the side walls of the housing. The projecting portions of the axle are provided with suitable pedals 10,

, whereby the wheels 4 of the chariot may be propelled through the medium of the chain 7 and the sprocket 6 attached to the axle 3. Positioned upon each side of the casing 9, and at a point suitably in the rear of the pedals 10, are boxings 11, adapted for the reception of the arms of a bifurcated seat post 12, upon which is provided a suitable seat 13.

The arms 14 of the bifurcated seat post are provided with teeth 15, and adapted to en-' gage with these teeth is a spring dog 16, having bifurcated arms, each of which being adapted to engage with the bifurcated arms of the seat post. The body portion of the dog 16 is pivotally secured to the top of the casing 9 by a bolt or nut 10. The inner front portion of the chariot 2 is provided with a transverse handle 17, by which the operator occupying the seat 13, and propelling the device, may support himself in the operation.

The under side of the chariot is provided with an outwardly projecting tongue 18, having a bifurcated head 19, the ears of which are provided with perforations adapted for the reception of a coupling pin, by which the frame 20, supporting the figures of the horses is attached to the chariot. This frame 20, is preferably constructed of bicycle tubing and is rectangular in formation, ex-

tending entirely around the figures of the animals. The longitudinal arms of the frame 20 are provided at suitable points with downwardly extending brackets 21, having eyes 22, adapted for the reception .of a transverse shaft 23, upon which is secured a pair of flanged wheels 24, adapted for engagement with the track 1. Also positioned upon the longitudinal arms of the frame 20, are upwardly extending brace rods or brackets 25, having an eye 26, preferably positioned in a vertical line above the eye 22 of the bracket 21. The figures of the horses employed with my device, are hollow in formation, and preferably constructed of tin, papier mach or any other suitable light material, and are preferably three in number, having their feet spread to assume the posi tion of trotting or galloping. The bodies of the horses 27, are provided with suitable per forations upon their sides, at a desired location, and these perforations are adapted for the reception of a transverse shaft 28, having its ends journaled within the eyes 26 of the brackets 25. The shaft 23 provided for the wheels 24, has a series of offsets 29, each of which is formed at a different angle in relation to the position of the other offsets. Upon each of these offsets 29 is pivotally secured a strap 30, having its opposite free end connected to one of the rear legs of the horses. With this construction and arrangement of parts, it will be seen that when the chariot 2 is propelled, motion is imparted to the wheels 24 of the frame 20, causing the shaft 23 to revolve, which in turn revolves the offsets and reciprocates the straps 30, causing the figures of the horses to simulate a trotting or galloping motion. The chariot 2 may be provided with a goose neck 31 to the eye of which may be attached flexible traces 32, connected to the frame 25, or to the figures of the horses whereby the figures may be given the appearance of being attached by harness to the chariot. An eye 33 may also be provided upon the chariot 2, and which is adapted to receive the ends of reins 34, attached to the bridles of the horses, and held in position upon the horses by a suitable bracket provided with loops for the reception of the reins and positioned upon the transverse shaft 28. The chariot 2 may be. also provided with stop plates 35, located upon the bottom. of the chariot near the ends thereof. These stop plates 35 are of the usual construction employed with devices of a like character, and are for the purpose of contacting with a stop board provided upon the tracks and adapted to be operated by an attendant when the chariot is to be stopped after its circuit of the track.

From the above description it will be noteil that I have provided a simple, eflective and comparatively cheap amusement device whereby a chariot race may be effectively simulated, one which is operated by the occupant of the chariot, and in which the propulsion of the chariot imparts a life-like movement to the figures of the horses attached to the chariot. It will be also seen that a hinged connection is maintained between the chariot and the frame of the horses, and a flexible connection is provided between the harness connections and the chariot, whereby the wheels of the frame may be free to follow the curvature of the track without the interference of the wheels of the chariot.

Having thus fully described the invention what is claimed as new is:

1. In an amusement device, a chariot, a frame supporting figures of horses pivotally secured to the frame, an axle upon the chariot, wheels upon the axle, means provided by sprockets for rotating the wheels, pedals upon the axle of one ofthe sprockets, boxings upon the chariot, a bifurcated seat support carrying a seat, within said boxings, teeth upon the arms of the support, a spring dog engaging the teeth, and a handle for the support of the operator.

2. In an amusement device, a chariot, a tongue provided by said chariot, a frame pivotally connected with said tongue, brackets upon said frame, an axle within said brackets, offsets upon said axle, wheels upon said axle, bracesupon said frame, eyes upon the braces, a transverse shaft connecting the eyes, figures of horses upon the shaft, and links connecting one of the legs of each horse with one of the offsets of the axle.

3. In an amusement device, a chariot provided with wheels and means for revolving the wheels and an adjustable seat for the operator of the chariot, a tongue upon the chariot, a frame connected with the tongue, wheels upon the frame, a transverse axle upon the wheels having ofi sets, a brace upon the frame having a shaft, figures of horses upon the shaft, links connecting one of the legs of each horse with one of the offsets of the axle, traces upon the figures connected with a goose neck provided by the chariot, reins upon the figures supported in brackets provided by the shaft and connected with an eye provided by the chariot.

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

LAWRENCE ODONN ELL.

Witnesses:

O. MARoERoN, K. ALLEN.

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