What Was Foot-Powered Flywheel For?

Brought this home today. Obviously, it's a foot-powered flywheel, driving a round or narrow flat belt. It's heavy, well over 100 pounds. Well-made and operates smoothly, with the wheel spinning long after you take your foot away. You sort of swing your foot back and forth to make it go.

What sort of machine might this be used on? A generic item? Can't quite make out the embossing, other than " ??OUT'S EXCELSIOR.'

Thanks for looking.

 

...... Which do you folks prefer, thumbnails, of full-sized pictures?

 

That tiny belt groove would suggest something very light duty

 

Could've driven almost anything...

 

Lathe? There was a W. L. Grout associated with lathes.

 

That would likely be light like a jeweler/watchmaker lathe then

 

http://krisdedecker.typepad.com/.a/6a00e0099229e88833014e60fb20e8970c-200wi


Could also have powered a dentist's drill.

 

Foot pedal table saw
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/b8/72/3c/b8723cc714250bcac097b4850767a84b.jpg

 

I've had dentist's foot-powers before and they were much lighter affairs, more like a treadle sewing machine drive, although more well-made and balanced.

This one is made to be bolted to the floor, and the weight of the wheel gives it considerable force, once rolling. I think lathe or saw is a likely application.

Now if someone just has a 19th century Grout's catalog.

 

Perhaps early exercise unicycle, only missing the seat, and really says "Grout's Exerciser."

 

Haa !! Yer just spinning your wheel.......

 

Needs Positraction........

 

it may use driving belts to drive other things

 

Check May 9th....