US3633904A - Rotary elevator observation tower - Google Patents

Abstract

A rotary elevator observation tower. A tower body has an elevator body mounted on the outside thereof for vertical movement on the tower body. An annular observation room is mounted on the elevator body and rotatable therearound at an inclination to the horizon. An annular platform is provided at the bottom of the tower which is also inclined at the same angle, and surrounds the observation room when the observation room is at its lowest position.

Description

United States Patent 0,611,682 10/1898 Engel 272/7 1,465,012 8/1923 Kohler 272/50 3,125,189 3/1964 Grahams" 52/65 3,246,431 4/1966 Faerber 52/65 FOREIGN PATENTS 404,168 6/1966 Switzerland 52/65 Primary ExaminerRichard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-R. T. Stouffer An0rneyWenderoth, Lind and Ponack ABSTRACT: A rotary elevator observation tower. A tower body has an elevator body mounted on the outside thereof for vertical movement on the tower body. An annular observation room is mounted on the elevator body and rotatable therearound at an inclination to the horizon. An annular platform is provided at the bottom of the tower which is also inclined at the same angle, and surrounds the observation room when the observation room is at its lowest position.

PATENTED JAM I 19-72 SHEET 3 OF 5 PATENTED JAN] 1 I972 v SHEET '4 [IF 5 a FIGA.

If I

PATENTEU JAN] 1 I972 SHEET 5 BF 5 ROTARY ELEVATOR OBSERVATION TOWER This invention relates to a rotary elevator observation tower to be provided at a tourist resort.

In case of the conventional tower of this kind, an observation room was simply provided at the top thereof or the observation room was rotated at best, involving inconvenience of having to make use of a staircase to climb up and down the tower.

The first object of the invention is to remove the inconvenience of having to climb up and down the tower making use of a staircase by providing an observation room which climbs up and down along the tower, thereby obviating the defects of the conventional tower.

The second object of the invention is to enable those who are inside the observation room to observe the surrounding scenery as they sit by arranging the said observation room in an ahnular shape, the said observation room itself climbing up and down along the tower.

The third object of the invention is to incline the rotary surface of the observation room against the horizon so that the scenery seen from the observation room may be inclined at various angles according to the rotation of the observation room, thereby giving those inside the room an impression as if they were enjoying scenery from an airplane, which is different from the view seen from an observation room which is either stationary or rotating horizontally.

The fourth object of the invention is to give the observation room a doughnut shape so as to obtain an observation room of an extremely novel appearance as if it were a space station.

The foregoing objects are attainable by the combination and operation of each part constituting the invention, and the embodiment thereof will be made clear by the detailed description set forth hereinunder and in reference to the annexed drawing, of which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the observation tower of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinally sectional elevation of the essential part of the observation tower of the invention with omission in part.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinally sectional elevation on a magnified scale of the elevator part of the observation tower of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinally sectional view on a magnified scale of the observation room of the observation tower of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view on a magnified scale showing the driving apparatus mechanism at the base of the tower.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional elevation of the upper machinery room of the observation tower of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view on a magnified scale of the tower body of the observation tower of the invention.

The invention consists of a cylindrical hollow tower body 1 l erected on the ground; anelevator body 12 climbing up-and down along the outside of the said tower; an annular observation room orenclosure 13 rotatably fitted to the outside of the said elevator body; and a driving apparatus for those parts.

Thetower body 11, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is erected in the center of the area enclosed by cylindricalcircumferential wall 14 provided on the ground.

The upper edge of the foregoingcircumferential wall 14 is inclined, anannular platform 15 being provided on the said inclinedcircumferential wall 14. The lower part of the saidplatform 15 is communicated with anintermediate stage 16, astaircase 17 being provided on one side of theintermediate stage 16, anoperation room 18 being provided on the saidstage 16.

Furthermore,handrails 19 are provided along the external peripheries of theforegoing platform 15 and theintermediate stage 16 as well as on both sides of thestaircase 17.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, theelevator body 12, consisting of globular external walls provided with an annular opening which is loosely and vertically fitted to thetower body 11, is arranged on the outside of anelevator frame 20 which is elevatably fitted to thetower body 11, the said external walls consisting of semiglobular upper and lower walls 21, 22 fixed to theelevator frame 20 and anannular wall 23 revolvably fitted between the said walls 21, 22.

Theforegoing elevator frame 20 is composed by fixing the upper and lower ends of a plurality ofstays 24 arranged in parallel with thetower body 11 to-upper and lowerannular frames 25, 26 surrounding thetower body 11, anupper bracket 27 and alower bracket 28 being fixed to the outside of eachstay 24, each of thebrackets 27, 28 being formed in different sizes, a plurality ofwheels 29, 30 being appropriately fitted by means of bearings to the lower external end of eachupper bracket 27 and the upper external end of eachlower bracket 28 in such a manner that the saidwheels 29, 30 will revolve at an incline against the horizon and along the circum ference surrounding thetower body 11.

Thenumeral 31 designates a rotary frame,annular rails 32, 33 provided on the upper and lower outside thereof being in contact with thewheels 29, 30, annular rail 34 on the internal periphery of therotary frame 31 is borne by a wheel 35 revolvably fitted to theframe 20 so as to be located at the inner end between thebrackets 27, 28.

At the lower part of the foregoingrotary frame 31 is fixed aninternal gear 36 surrounding thetower body 11, the saidinternal gear 36 and each of theforegoing rails 32, 33, 34 being concentrical.

The numeral 37 designates a machinery chassis fixed to a part of theframe 20, it being so arranged that the revolution of anelectromotor 38 provided on the chassis 37 is transmitted after reduced by aspeed reducer 39 to agear 40 engaging with the said internal gear 37.

As shown in FIG. 4, the observation room orenclosure 13 is in the shape of a doughnut, comprising a lower half 41 made of steelplate or the like having a semicircular cross section and has an equatorial division line through its major annular dimension constituting a generally medial orientation plane above which there is anupper half 42 made of transparent material, such as transparent synthetic resin and the like, having semicircular cross section,floorboard 43 being provided on the'floor inside the lower half 41, a plurality ofseats 44 being appropriately spaced thereon.

Furthermore, theupper half 42 is radially split into a plurality of divisions which are openable by the sliding system or the like. A plurality ofarms 45 protruded from the foregoingrotary frame 31 are fixed to the lower half 41 so that theobservation room 13 will rotate together with therotary frame 31.

On both sides of the external periphery of thetower body 11 are provided a pair ofperpendicular guide rails 46,wheels 47 pivoted on the inside of the upper and lowerannular frames 25 of the foregoing frame 20being brought in contact with both sides and the inside of the saidrails 46, so as to guide theframe 20 by the contact between therails 46 and thewheels 47.

Adjacent thewheels 47 fitting parts of theannular frame 25 at the upper end of theforegoing frame 20 are fixed the lower ends of a plurality ofwire ropes 48 respectively, theropes 48 being wound round a pair ofmultigrooved wheels 50 inside amachinery room 49 provided at the upper end of thetower body 11.

As shown in FIG. 6, thegrooved wheels 50 are revolvably pivoted bybearings 54 on thefloorboard 51 of themachinery room 50, on the said floorboardSl'being provided a pair ofopenings 52 through which to loosely pass thewire ropes 48 perpendicularly rising from theelevator frame 20 and another pair ofopenings 53 through which to lower inside thetower body 11 theropes 48 which are guided downward after passing through the saidopenings 52 and travelling round thegrooved wheel 50.

From the lower end of thewire rope 48 hung down inside thetower body 11 is suspended themain counterweight 55 which climbs up and down inside thetower body 11.

Thenumeral 56 in FIG. 2 designates an elevator driving apparatus, the mechanism of which is as shown in FIG. 5.

chassis 57, the input axis of the saidreducer 63 being connected with the axis ofanelectromotor 64.

To the other axis of theelectromotor 64 is fixed a V-pulley 65, the said V-pulley 65 being linked with another V-pulley 67 fixed to the axis of an emergency diesel engine provided on thechassis 56 by means of a V-belt 68, so that thegrooved wheel 59 can be driven by thediesel engine 66 in case of emergency, such as power stoppage and the like, it being so arranged that the axis of thediesel engine 66 is disconnected from the V-pulley 67 by providing a clutch at the part of the V-pulley 67.

Theforegoing chassis 57, as shown in FIG. 2, is provided at one side of the lower end of thetower body 11, two groovedwheels 69, 70 which are in parallel with the foregoinggrooved wheel 59 being revolvably pivoted on amachinery frame 71 fixed inside the bottom of thetower body 11.

Under theforegoing counterweight 55 are fixed the upper ends of a plurality ofwire ropes 72, the saidwire ropes 72 being lowered perpendicularly as shown in FIG. 2, passed round thegrooved wheel 69, then passed from under the saidgrooved wheel 69 on to the outside of thegrooved wheel 59 from the upper side of the saidwheel 59 through anopening 73 provided at one side of the bottom of thetower body 11, thesaid wire ropes 72 thus reversed being passed under thegrooved wheel 69 from the lower side of thegrooved wheel 59 through theopening 73, passed to the outside of thegrooved wheel 70 from the lower side thereof, then guided upward along the inside of thetower body 11.

Thewire ropes 72 thus guided upward is passed into themachinery room 49 through anopening 73 provided on thefloorboard 51 of themachinery room 49, then passed round a pair ofgrooved wheels 75 revolvably pivoted bybearings 74 on thefloorboard 51, thewire ropes 72 thus reversed by the respectivegrooved wheels 75 being guided again inside thetower body 11 through a pair of openings provided on thefloorboard 51, from the lower end thereof being suspended asecondary counterweight 77 which climbs up and down inside thetower body 11.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, each threewheels 78 provided at both ends of themain counterweight 55 are maintained in contact withrails 79 provided inside thetower body 11, so that the saidmain counterweight 55 can climb up and down along therails 79, guide grooves on both sides of thesecondary counterweight 77 being slidably fitted to guide rails 80 provided on themain counterweight 55.

To theelevator frame 20 are concentrically fixed a plurality of power-supplyingsliprings 81 which are concentrical with therails 32, a plurality of sliding electrodes 82 (FIG. 3) provided on therotary frame 31 being made to slide on theforegoing sliprings 81, the saidelectrodes 81 being connected with illuminating equipment or the like provided inside theobservation room 13. Furthermore, cab tire cables for transmitting power to thesliprings 81 and themotor 38 are so distributed between theelevator frame 20 and the inside of thetower body 11 as will not interfere the elevation of theelevator frame 20, though particular description thereof is omitted here.

A plurality ofposts 83 of different heights are erected on the Outside of the lower part of thetower body 11,buffer springs 84 bearing the lower side of theelevator body 12 being provided on top of therespective posts 83.

It is further so arranged that the angle of inclination of theobservation room 13 and that of theplatform 15 be identical so that embarkation onto theobservation room 13 is possible at any position of theplatform 15.

The structure of the observation tower of the invention is as described heretofore. When thegrooved wheel 59 is driven by themotor 64 as illustrated in FIG. through thereducer 63 and thegears 62, 60, thewire rope 72 wound round the saidgrooved wheel 59 is set in motion. For instance, therope 72 is moved as indicated by arrow in FIG. 2 and thereby themain counterweight 55 is lowered.

If themain counterweight 55 is lowered as described above, thewire ropes 48 attached to theweight 55 are lowered, the external side of thesaid ropes 48 which suspend theelevator frame 20 on the outside of thetower body 11 being pulled up consequently, with the result that theelevator frame 20 is elevated. At this juncture, thesecondary counterweight 77 is also lowered by approximately same degree as themain counterweight 55, some disparity between bothweights 55, 77 being adjusted without hindrance by the mutual sliding through theguide rails 79. Theelevator frame 20 can be lowered by reversing theelectromotor 64.

As described above, theelevator frame 20 is sent up and down by revolving thegrooved wheel 59 by means of right and reverse revolution of theelectromotor 64, as a result of which theelevator body 12 climbs up and down along thetower body 11.

If thegear 40 is turned by theelectromotor 38 on the chassis of theforegoing elevator frame 20, theinternal gear 36 is revolved, as a result of which therotary frame 31 integrated therewith revolves guided by thewheels 29, 30, 35 of theelevator frame 20. Consequently, theobservation room 13 too which is integrated with therotary frame 31 revolves as it climbs up and down together with theelevator body 12. Since the rotary surface is inclined against the horizon, those sitting in theseats 44 and viewing the outside scenery through the transparentupper half 42 of theobservation room 13 have an impression as if they were on an airplane making a circular ascent or descent while flying at a low altitude. The invention therefore is completely different from the simple observation tower of the conventional type.

Furthermore, when theobservation room 13 is at its lowest position, it is supported by thehigher springs 84 as illustrated in FIG. 2, the upper edge of the lower half 41 of theobservation room 13 being slightly higher than the upper surface of theplatform 15. In this state, if the lower half 41 is set free by sliding theupper half 42, it becomes possible to reach theseats 44 inside the lower half 41 from any part of theplatform 15 and vice versa.

What is claimed is:

1. In a passenger-carrying combined elevator and rotary observation enclosure having passenger ingress and egress means and mounted on a vertical centrally disposed tower, the improvement comprising an annular-shaped observation enclosure with means for rotatably mounting said enclosure at a fixed nonvariable predetermined inclined angle relative to the horizon upon an elevatable but nonrotatable elevator body disposed concentrically within said annular enclosure; means mounting said elevator body concentrically and coaxially around said central support tower; means for selectively elevating and lowering said elevator body and the attached observation enclosure; and cooperative means on said elevator body and said enclosure for selectively revolvably rotating said enclosure around said elevator body and tower at said fixed inclined angle and independent of said means for elevating and lowering said elevator body.

2. The combined elevator and rotary observation enclosure as defined in claim 1 further comprising a boarding and disembarking platform at the base of said tower and having a common ingress and egress surface of substantially fully angular configuration, said surface being inclined relative to the horizon at the identical angle as that of said observation enclosure; said surface being located so as to be closely adjacent the outer periphery of said observation enclosure and at a predetermined level relative thereto to facilitate safe passenger ingress and egress when said enclosure is in a stopped and fully lowered condition and irrespective of the stopped state of revolution thereof.

3. The combined elevator and rotary observation enclosure as defined in claim 2 wherein said observation enclosure is of generally doughnut shape and has an equatorial division line through its major annular dimension constituting a generally medial orientation plane by which said observation enclosure is inclinedly oriented, and further having a generally upright central axis normal to and centrally intersecting said inclined orientation plane, said upright axis being inclined relative to the center vertical axis of said support tower; said equatorial division line serving to further define said enclosure into lower and upper portions, the upper portion of which comprises transparent viewing panels or sections, at least some of which are selectively openable and closeable to permit said ingress and egress relative to said platform surface and observation enclosure.

4. The combined elevator and rotary observation enclosure as defined in claim 2 wherein said enclosure is divided into passenger compartments and provided with seating means.

5. The combination as defined in claim 2 wherein the means for nonrotatably mounting said elevator body include fixed vertical guide rails on at least two circumferentially spaced portions of said towers outer periphery, and antifriction means on said elevator body complementally coacting with said rail means.

6. The combination as defined in claim 2 wherein said support tower has a hollow central portion and said means for elevating and lowering said elevator body and its rotatably attached observation enclosure comprises a primary and secondary power source of which means are provided for selectively connecting said secondary source into the system only in emergency conditions in the event of a failure of said primary power source, a power drive train connected with a main drive pulley means, a plurality of drive cables operably connected at one end with said elevator body and extended up the center of said tower and trained over a support pulley means mounted in the upper end of said tower and then connected at their other cable ends to counterweight means having suitable guide means within said tower for vertically guiding said counterweight means.

7. The combination as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for rotatably mounting said observation enclosure on said elevator body comprise frame means on said elevator body defining an annular pathway disposed at the predetermined angle of inclination of said observation enclosure, said annular pathway having a radially upright circumferential surface and lower and upper planar surface means; a complementary annular framework for complemental disposition within said pathway and having a plurality of outwardly radial extending connecting arms connected to the inner periphery of said annular enclosure; fixed annular rail means and complementally engaging antifriction rollers operatively mounted on said pathway surfaces and on said complementary annular framework to facilitate relative rotation of said enclosure and elevator body; an annular ring gear fixedly mounted on said complementary annular framework and a separate drive motor and drive train means including a drive gear disposed to peripherally engage with and rotate said annular ring gear to impart revolving rotation to said observation enclosure.

8. The combination as defined in claim 7 further including means for conducting electrical power into said enclosure including annular electric power supplying sliprings and sliding electrodes cooperably mounted on said elevator body framework and on said complementary annular framework rotatable within said annular pathway of said elevator body.

Claims (8)

1. In a passenger-carrying combined elevator and rotary observation enclosure having passenger ingress and egress means and mounted on a vertical centrally disposed tower, the improvement comprising an annular-shaped observation enclosure with means for rotatably mountIng said enclosure at a fixed nonvariable predetermined inclined angle relative to the horizon upon an elevatable but nonrotatable elevator body disposed concentrically within said annular enclosure; means mounting said elevator body concentrically and coaxially around said central support tower; means for selectively elevating and lowering said elevator body and the attached observation enclosure; and cooperative means on said elevator body and said enclosure for selectively revolvably rotating said enclosure around said elevator body and tower at said fixed inclined angle and independent of said means for elevating and lowering said elevator body.

2. The combined elevator and rotary observation enclosure as defined in claim 1 further comprising a boarding and disembarking platform at the base of said tower and having a common ingress and egress surface of substantially fully angular configuration, said surface being inclined relative to the horizon at the identical angle as that of said observation enclosure; said surface being located so as to be closely adjacent the outer periphery of said observation enclosure and at a predetermined level relative thereto to facilitate safe passenger ingress and egress when said enclosure is in a stopped and fully lowered condition and irrespective of the stopped state of revolution thereof.

3. The combined elevator and rotary observation enclosure as defined in claim 2 wherein said observation enclosure is of generally doughnut shape and has an equatorial division line through its major annular dimension constituting a generally medial orientation plane by which said observation enclosure is inclinedly oriented, and further having a generally upright central axis normal to and centrally intersecting said inclined orientation plane, said upright axis being inclined relative to the center vertical axis of said support tower; said equatorial division line serving to further define said enclosure into lower and upper portions, the upper portion of which comprises transparent viewing panels or sections, at least some of which are selectively openable and closeable to permit said ingress and egress relative to said platform surface and observation enclosure.

4. The combined elevator and rotary observation enclosure as defined in claim 2 wherein said enclosure is divided into passenger compartments and provided with seating means.

5. The combination as defined in claim 2 wherein the means for nonrotatably mounting said elevator body include fixed vertical guide rails on at least two circumferentially spaced portions of said tower''s outer periphery, and antifriction means on said elevator body complementally coacting with said rail means.

6. The combination as defined in claim 2 wherein said support tower has a hollow central portion and said means for elevating and lowering said elevator body and its rotatably attached observation enclosure comprises a primary and secondary power source of which means are provided for selectively connecting said secondary source into the system only in emergency conditions in the event of a failure of said primary power source, a power drive train connected with a main drive pulley means, a plurality of drive cables operably connected at one end with said elevator body and extended up the center of said tower and trained over a support pulley means mounted in the upper end of said tower and then connected at their other cable ends to counterweight means having suitable guide means within said tower for vertically guiding said counterweight means.

7. The combination as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for rotatably mounting said observation enclosure on said elevator body comprise frame means on said elevator body defining an annular pathway disposed at the predetermined angle of inclination of said observation enclosure, said annular pathway having a radially upright circumferential surface and lower and upper planar surface means; a complementary annular framework for complemental dispositiOn within said pathway and having a plurality of outwardly radial extending connecting arms connected to the inner periphery of said annular enclosure; fixed annular rail means and complementally engaging antifriction rollers operatively mounted on said pathway surfaces and on said complementary annular framework to facilitate relative rotation of said enclosure and elevator body; an annular ring gear fixedly mounted on said complementary annular framework and a separate drive motor and drive train means including a drive gear disposed to peripherally engage with and rotate said annular ring gear to impart revolving rotation to said observation enclosure.

8. The combination as defined in claim 7 further including means for conducting electrical power into said enclosure including annular electric power supplying sliprings and sliding electrodes cooperably mounted on said elevator body framework and on said complementary annular framework rotatable within said annular pathway of said elevator body.

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