US2659601A - Roundabout amusement device - Google Patents

Description

N 17, 1953 E. c. SIVERTS 2,659,601

ROUNDABOUT AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Jan. 17, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor Edward 6! .Siverfs 4 By Mm N man #4409 3M5? Nov. 17, 1953 E. c. swam-s 2,659,601

ROUNDABOUT AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Jan. 17, 1951 4 Sheets-Sh e 2 k0 is;

Q N O Inventor Edward G Siverts Attorneys Nov. 17, 1953 E. c. SIVERTS 2,659,601

ROUNDABOUT AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Jan. 17, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventor Edward 6. Siverfs B,- gmH-Mm 1953 1:. c. SIVERTS 2,659,601

ROUNDABOUT AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Jan. 17, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inventor Edward 0. Siverfs A Home Patented Nov. 17, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Y 2,659,601 I BOUNDABOUT AMUSEMENT DEVICE Edward Siverts, Glendive, Mont. I Application January 17, 1951, Serial No. 206,329 6 Claims. (01. 272-36) The present invention relates to improvements in amusement devicespand more particularly to a roundabout. p

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved roundabout wherein the radially extending arms carrying the buckets are supported. at intermediate portions thereon by means of rollers engaged with a circular track.

A further object of the present invention provides an improved roundabout wherein the circular track is of undulated construction whereby the buckets will be substantially vertically reciprocated upon rotation of the central frame means to which the radially extending arms are connected.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a means for oscillating the buckets about an axis lying in a horizontal plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the arms.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a pair of buckets on the ends of each of the arms and wherein each of the buckets is oscillatable about a common axis and adapted to oscillate oppositely to the second bucket whereby the two buckets on each arm are oscillating in opposite directions while rotating about the central axis of the roundabout.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a positive means for efiecting relatively opposite oscillatory movement to each of the pairs of buckets.

Various other objects and advantages will become apparent from the detailed description to follow. The best form in which I have contemplated applying my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of theentire roundabout with parts broken away;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the roundabout of Figure 1 with the buckets secured to the outer end of an arm shown in various oscillat-ed and vertically displaced positions by dotted lines;

Figure 3 is a top plan view, enlarged from Figure 1 showing the details of the means for oscillating the buckets;

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially along the. plane of line 4--4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of a portion of the roundabout showing the details of the means for efiecting reversing movement of the cable which is in turn adapted to efiect oscillation of the buckets; and J Figure 6 is a detail elevational view showing one of the arms supporting a bucket with the roller on the arm being disposed on the circular track. l

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout, thernumeral l0 designates generally the central frame means upon which the drive means i2 is mounted and which rotatably supports rotating structure of the roundabout, the numeral Hi designates generally the rotating censtral frame means to which the plurality .of radially extending arms I6 are secured for rotation therewith. The numeral l8 designates generally the circular track, the numeral .20 designates generally the pair of buckets supported on the other end of each of the arms Iii, the numeral 13% designates generally the cable means for effect ing oscillating movement of the buckets 2t and the numeral 25 designates generally the means for effecting reversing movement of the cable means I30, the means 24 being mounted on the rotating central frame means i4. I

The central frame means I6 is comprised of a plurality of vertically disposed bars 26 which are disposed in parallel spaced relation and joined by the non-circular elements 28 and 30. A plurality of radially disposed bars 65 extend inwardly from the elements and have a bearing ring 63 supported thereon for rotatably receiving the sleeve 62. V i i A bearing support 32 is supported within the supporting frame [0 by means of a plurality of inclined rods 34 which have their upper ends secured to the non-circular ring 28 while: their lowermost ends are suitably secured to the enlarged head 36 of the bearing shaft 38.

The drive for the roundabout includes the drive shaft 40 which is connected to the power reduction and gearing arrangement 42 which has a pinion 44 secured to the upper end of the driven shaft 46.

The circular track 18 is comprised of a substantially circular bar 48 and an upper bar 50 of undulated configuration, the bars 48 and 50 being joined by a plurality of upwardly and out- 50. The lower bar 48 has a plurality of down-- wardly extending supporting standards 56 ex-* tending therefrom for supporting the entire roundabout on a ground surface. A plurality of interconnecting bars 58 are provided for securing the circular frame it to the supporting frame It, the inner ends of the bars 58 being secured to the non-circular ring 28 while the outer ends of the bars 58 are secured to the lower ring 48 by means of the brackets 60. Additional bracing struts are provided for interconnecting the lower angle iron ring 30 with the lower rings 48 whereby the circular track I8 and central supporting frame will be fixedly positioned with respect to each other to form a single unit.

The rotating central frame means I4 is comprised of a bearing sleeve 62 which is rotatably disposed on the bearing shaft 38 and has a plurality of radially extending and downwardly inclined supporting bars 64 connected therewith. The outer ends of the bars 64 are fixedly secured to the polygonal member 66 to which the plurality of arms 60 are connected. A pluralityofhorizontally disposed and radially extendingrods I 66 interconnect the polygonal element with die H3 and vice versa.

The means 22 for effecting opposite oscillating movement of the pair of buckets on the other end of each of the arms I6 includes the spindles H2 and H3 supported by the individual shafts H and III rotatably received within the bearing sleeve 93. An endless cable I30 is engaged over the central portions of the spindles H2 and H3 and a sheave I32 is supported between the rod portions 96 and the lower rods SI of the arms I6 whereby the cable I30 may travel from one of the spindles II2 to the other spin- The cable I30 extends inwardly to the attaching means 80 and is rotatably disposed over the pair of sheaves I36 the sleeve 62 and an internal gear 10 -is supported by the bars 68, as shown best in Figure 4.

U'shaped rods 12 overlie the rods 68. and have their leg portions extending through the internal gear 10 with nuts I4 threaded on theirsends. An. enlarged nut 161s threadedly engaged on the upper end of the gearing shaft 36 for retaining the rotating central frame means from vertical displacement.

The means for securing the arms I6 to the central rotating frame It is best shown in Figure 3 as comprising the attaching means 80. The attaching means 80 includes a bar 82 which is maintained in spaced relation to the flat face 84 of the polygonal member 66 by means of the plurality of attaching ears 86, 88, 90 and 92. I Each of the arms I6 is comprised of a pair of outwardly extending converging rods 9| which have their outer ends joined together by means of the sleeve 93. A pair of upper rods 84- are angulated at their central portions so that their outermost portions 96 are substantially joined together while-their inner portions diverge for connection to the bar 82 and outer portions thereof. A plurality of rigidifying bars I00 connect intermediate portions of the rods 94 and 9| to provide rigid individual units. The Outer ends of the upper rods 94 are also integrally connected to the sleeve 63. It will thus be seenthat as the central frame is rotated, the attaching means 80 will effect rotation ofthe arms I6therewith. I I

The means for supporting the arms I6 on the circular track I8 is comprised ofa pair of bearing brackets I02 and I04 in which is rotatably disposed a roller or wheel I06 which'is adapted to be engaged on the upper surface of the track 50.

Rotatably supported in the bearing sleeve 93 are a pair of rocker shafts IIO. Each of the rocker shafts III! has a spindle H2 secured thereon for rotation therewith and a bucket II4 provided with an attaching member H6 is secured to the outer end of each of the bucket shafts H0 and spindles II2 by means of the screws H8 and nuts I20. The attaching member H6 is fixedly secured to the inner wall I22 of the bucket II4.

Each of the buckets H4 is formed of a body portion I24 having an access opening I26 and a screen covering I28 thereover. Of course, suitable means may be provided within the bucket for. comfortably seating occupants and for strapping the occupants therein, as is conventional in amusement devices of the present type.

. and I38, the sheaves I36 and I38 being rotatably supported by'the attaching ears 88 and 90. "The; means, for effecting reversing movement of the cable I30 is best disclosed in Figures 3; 4 and 5 and includes as a driving power the electric motor supported on the platform I40 which is in turn fixedly secured to the radially extending rods 64 of the central frame means I4. A second platform I42 is supported on the rods 64 at intermediate portions thereof and has as heave- I44 rotatably disposed thereon whereby the rotating drive of the motor may be converted to a rotating drive of the vertical shaft I46. -The shaft I46 is supported in the bearing element I41 and has its lower end supporting the disk I40 forrotation in a horizontal plane and above the Plane of the rotating non-circular member 66.

Figure 5 shows an oscillating frame comprised of a plurality of radially extending shafts I50 having their innermost ends connected by the bearing sleeve I52 and having their outermost ends integrally connected together by means ofthe joinder rods I54. 'Ihe'sleeve' I52 is rotatably disposed about the bearing sleeve 62 and is held in vertical support by means of the bearing ring I56. An intermediate portion of the radially extending rod I50 is provided with an upwardly'projecting pin I58. The lower surface of the disk I48 is formed with an eccentric groove I which is adapted to receive the pin I58. It will thus be seen that when the motor is actuated, the disk I48 will be rotatedit will effect operating movement'of the oscillating'frarne with respect to the central rotating frame I4.

The outer ends of the rods I50 are formed with downwardly extending portions I62 which are clampingly engaged withthe cable I 30. by means of the complementary brackets I64 and I66.

In view of the foregoing description of the construction of the roundabout of the present invention, it is believed that one skilled in the art'will readily understand the operation thereof. When. thedrive shaft 40 is actuated, rotating movement is imparted to the internal gear 10 and the central rotating frame I4 to a suit ble dnc iqe seer rran eme a 2- na much as the plurality of arms I6 are fixedlysecured to the central rotating, frame I4, the arms will rotate therewith. ,At the. same time that thearms I6 are. rotating, intermediate; portions thereof are supported by the circular track. I8 and a vertical pivoting movement is imparted to the arms because of the undulated configuration of the upper track rod. When it is desired to effect oscillating movement to the buckets 20, a pair of buckets being provided on the outer en f h of he arm Hi. h o r M sa tuated, thereby effecting rotating movement of the disk I48. The oscillating frame will thereby he oscillated with respect to the central rotating frame M by means of the cooperation between the pin I58 and the groove I60 on the disk I48 inasmuch as the oscillating frame is connected to the cable I30, reciprocation of the cable will be effected. It Will further be seen that inasmuch as the individual buckets of the pair of buckets on each of the arms l6 are separately supported on individual shafts H0 and III, opposite rotation of the spindles H2 and I I3 will be produced by reciprocation ofthe cable I30, thereby imparting opposite oscillating movement to the buckets on each arm.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. A roundabout comprising a central frame means mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, a plurality of radially extending arms connected to said central frame means for rotation therewith, a stationary track concentrically disposed about said central frame means and underlying intermediate portions of said arms, rollers carried on said arms at said intermediate portions thereof for engagement with said track, and each of said arms having a pair of buckets oscillatable about a common axis and oscillatably carried by their respective arm, said buckets being oscillatable about a horizontal axis perpendicular to said arms, and means for effecting relatively opposite oscillatory movement of the buckets of each pair of buckets, said last named means including a power rotated disk mounted on said central frame means, endless cable means mounted on each of said arms and connected to said buckets for effecting oscillating movement thereof upon reversing movement of said cable means, and means interconnecting said disk with said cable whereby rotation of said disk will effect reciprocation of said cable:

2. A roundabout comprising a central frame means mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, a plurality of radially extending arms connected to said central frame means for rotation therewith, a stationary track concentrically disposed about said central frame means and underlying intermediate portions of said arms, rollers carried on said arms at said intermediate portions thereof for engagement with said track, and each of said arms having a pair of buckets oscillatable about a common axis and oscillatably carried by their respective arm, said buckets being oscillatable about a horizontal axis perpendicular to said arms, and means for effecting relatively opposite oscillatory movement of the buckets of each pair of buckets, said last named means including a power rotated disk mounted on said central frame means, endless cable means mounted on each of said arms and connected to said buckets for effecting oscillating movement thereof upon reversing movement of said cable means, an eccentric groove in one face of said disk, a rocker frame oscillatably mounted on said central frame means for rotation therewith, a pin connected to said rocker framemeans and engaged in said groove whereby rotation of said disk will effect oscillating movement of said rocker frame with respect to said central frame means, said rocker frame having outwardly extending fingers connected to said cable means for reciprocating the same.

3. A roundabout comprising a central frame means mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, a plurality of radially extending arms con- 6. nected to said central frame means for rotation therewith, a stationary track concentrically disposed about said central frame means and underlying intermediate portions of said arms, rollers carried on said arms at said intermediate portions thereof for engagement with'said track, and each of said arms having a pair of buckets oscillatable about a common axis and oscillatably carried by their respective arm, said buckets being oscillatable about a horizontal axis perpendicular to said arms, and means for effecting relatively opposite oscillatory movement of the buckets of each pair of buckets, said last named means including a power rotated disk mounted on said central frame means, endless cable means mounted on each of said arms and connected to said buckets for effecting oscillating movement thereof upon reversing movement of said cable means, an eccentric groove in one face of said disk, a rocker frame oscillatably mounted on said central frame means for rotation therewith, a pin connected to said rocker frame means and engaged in said groove whereby rotation of said disk will effect oscillating movement of said rocker frame with respect to said central frame means, said rocker frame having outwardly extending fingers connected to said cable means for reciprocating the same, said cable means being comprised of an endless cable supported on a plurality of sheaves secured to said arms.

4. In a roundabout having a central frame means mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, a plurality of radially extending arms connected to said central frame means for rotation therewith, a stationary track concentrically disposed about said central frame means and underlying intermediate portions of said arms, rollers carried on said arms at said intermediate portions thereof for engagement with said track, and buckets for supporting passengers, said buckets being oscillatably connected to said arms; the improvement comprising the connecting of said buckets in pairs on each of said radially extending arms, said buckets being separately rotatably mounted on shafts carried by the outer ends of said arms, means for effecting opposite oscillatory movement of the buckets of each pair, said means being responsive to movement of an oscillatable frame carried by said central frame means for rotation therewith, and means for oscillating said oscillatable frame.

5. In a roundabout having a central frame means mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, a plurality of radially extending arms connected to said central frame means for rotation therewith, a stationary track concentrically disposed about said central frame means and underlying intermediate portions of said arms, rollers carried on said arms at said intermediate portions thereof, for engagement with said track, and each of said arms having a pair of buckets oscillatable about a common shaft and oscillatably carried by their respective arm; the improvement comprising means for effecting opposite oscillatory movement to the buckets of each pair, said means including a power rotated disk mounted on said central frame means, an endless cable mounted on each of said arms and connected to said buckets for effecting oscillating movement thereof upon reversing movement of said cable, and an oscillatable frame carried by said central frame means interconnecting said disk with said cables whereby rotation of the disk will efifect reciprocation of said cables.

6. A roundabout comprising a central frame means mounted for rotation about a vertical axis; a. plurality of radially extending arms connected to said central frame means for rotation therewith, a stationary track concentrically disposed about said central frame means and underlying intermediate portions of said arms, rollers carried on said arms at said intermediate portions thereof for engagement with said track, and each of said arms having a pair of buckets oscillatable about a common axis and oscillatably carried by their respective arm, said buckets being oscillatable about a horizontal axis perpendicular to said arms, means for efiecting relatively opposite oscillatory movement of the buckets of each pair of buckets, said means being responsive to movement of an oscillatable frame carried by said central frame means, and means for oscillating said oscillatable frame, said track being of undulated construction whereby said buckets will be reciprocated in a substantially vertical direction 5 upon rotation of said central frame means.

EDWARD C. SIVERTS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,346,576 Welch July 13, 1920 2,101,274 Stanzel Dec. 7, 1937 2,412,060 Pasaila Dec. 3, 1946 Restall Dec. 21, 1948

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