Patent GB-306059-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in connection with motor-driven vehicles
IPC: A63G25/00
Filed: 1927-11-14
Abstract: 306,059. Johnson, J. Y., (Lusse Bros., Inc.). Nov. 14, 1927. Addition to 225,601. Controlling different functions by same handle or lever; pedals and pedal levers, mounting. - Relates to vehicles of the kind described in the parent Specification and having a steering post or shaft adapted to be rotated for steering the vehicle and to be rocked about a transverse axis for controlling the driving gear; such vehicles may be driven by electric motors and are particularly adapted for amusement apparatus, the vehicle running on an electrically-conductive surface constituting one conductor for the motor circuit and underneath another surface which constitutes the other conductor. In the construction shown in elevation in Fig. 1 and in inverted plan in Fig. 2 an amusement vehicle comprises a platform 2 mounted on two driving wheels 13, 14 and a steering wheel 71. An electric motor 47 drives friction rollers 33, 34 which can be made to engage with and disengage from the wheels 13, 14 respectively. The shafts 35, Fig. 7, of the friction rollers are mounted eccentrically in rotatable bushes 38, so that when these bushes are rotated by arms 45 the rollers are moved into and out of contact with the driving wheels. The arms 45 controlling the friction rollers 33, 34 are operated through links 109, 111 by a lever 103 which is pivoted at 104 on a slidable bar 96 and is normally held in a central rearward position by springs 117. The bar 96 can be moved forwardly by a lever 88 pivoted at 89 and operated by a rearward swing- ing movement of the upper end 63 of the steering post, this part of the post being connected to the lower part 67 by a universal joint 73. Thus, when the steering post is moved rearwardly the bar 96 is moved forwards, springs 116 on the links 109, 111 are compressed, as shown in Fig. 9, and the arms 45 are rotated to bring the rollers into driving engagement with the wheels 13, 14. Before, however, this driving engagement takes place, a switch contact 125 is moved by the bar 96 and closes the motor circuit so that the motor is energized. When the steering post is released the springs 117 return it to the neutral position, thus, disengaging the driving gear and opening the motor circuit. The rearward movement of the steering post may be assisted by means of two pedals (not shown) which are pivoted at 83, 84 to the platform and are connected together and to the lever 88 by a ring member 93, 87 encircling the casing 76 of the steering post. To assist steering, the driving gear is disengaged on either side of the vehicle when the steering wheel is turned to that side. For this purpose an arm 148 of the steering post is connected to a lever 146 having a slot sliding over a fixed pivot 151 and a. similar slot-and-pivot connection 153 with an arm 154 of the lever 103. Thus, when the steering post is rotated about its vertical axis, as shown in full lines in Fig. 2, the lever 103 is rocked so that one arm 45 is pulled forwardly and the other is moved rearwardly to allow the latter arm to disengage the corresponding driving gear. The switch 125 comprises a sliding rod 127, Fig. 11, having an 'insulating bush 139 fixed thereto, a metal contact piece 125, and two slidable contacts 137 controlled by springs 143 and having adjacent semi-circular ends 139 adapted to be bridged by the contact 125 when the rod 127 is moved forwardly. When the rod is moved to the right again a spring is compressed until its pressure is sufficient to move the contact 125 from between the contacts 137.