GB215238A - Improvements in or relating to amusement apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

215,238. Jackson, W. J. Mellersh-, (Maynes Corporation). Aug. 11, 1923. Roundabouts.-A tunnel encloses the cars of a roundabout and moves relatively to the cars, central means being provided to extend and collapse the tunnel. In Figs. 1 and 3, the invention is shown applied to a roundabout in which the cars 2 are propelled along an annular track 1 by means of an electric motor mounted on a car, or by similar means. The collapsable tunnel 3 is carried by extensible arms 15 carrying rollers 21 which run on a track 22 supported within or without the track 1 by pillars 23. The inner ends of the arms 15 are pivotally secured to a turntable 5 connected by a shaft 7 with a lower turntable 6, which is rotated by means of a motor 12. Pinions 24 are secured to the inner, downwardlyprojecting ends of the two arms 15 which support the ends of the tunnel 3 and mesh with pinions 29 and 31, 32 respectively. The pinions 29, 32 mesh with a gear 25 rotatably mounted on the shaft 7, a motor 26 driving the gear 25. The tunnel 3 is formed of heavy fabric in the manner of bellows, so that a rotation of the gear 25 causes the two end arms 15 to move towards each other to collapse the tunnel so that passengers may enter the cars 2, or away from each other to extend the tunnel. In a modification, a further turntable may be provided to drive the cars 2 by means of radial arms. The tracks 1 and 22 may be of undulating form. The tunnel and cars may be provided with pairs of rollers 82 running on the faces of diagonallyarranged rails 83. The cars may be connected together by rods 85, the spherical ends 86 of which are held between blocks 87. In the form of apparatus shown in Fig. 9, the cars 56 are carried by arms 55 pivotally mounted on a rotating platform 54 carried by a truck 44. Inwardly-extending arms 69 of the arms 55 engage a cam-surface 72 inside a stationary member 146 so that the cars 56 follow an undulating course on rotation. Links 74 and pins 75 limit the rocking movement of the cars 56. The tunnel 49 is carried by arms 48 pivotally mounted on a rotatable member 47 driven from the worm 52 through the shaft 46. Rollers 62 on the arms 48 engage an external cam-surface on the member 146 to cause the tunnel to follow an undulating course and links 64 prevent rocking movement of the tunnel. The side walls 76 of the tunnel 49 may be raised by means of cables 77 to afford an entrance to the cars 56.