Patent GB-189902201-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Motor Driven Road Vehicles.
Inventor: ALTHAM GEORGE JOHN
Filed: 1899-01-31
Granted: 1900-01-27
Abstract: 2201. Altham, G. J. Jan. 31. Motor road vehicles.-Relates to mechanism for transmitting power from the driving-shaft to the axle, for varying the speed, for reversing, starting, stopping, and for the steering of the vehicle. Fig. 4 shows the power-transmitting mechanism in side elevation, and Fig. 5 the driving-axle and parts in vertical section. The driving-axle b is actuated by clutches connected to oscillating levers operated by the driving-shaft a. The axle b is hollow and in two sections, each section carrying one of the driving-wheels. The two sections engage with the friction plate b<5> arranged between the bevelled discs b<4> on the shafts or bars b<3>, and provide for a differential movement of the driving-wheels. Power applied to the annular plate c is yieldingly transmitted to the friction plate b<5> through springs c<3>, and then to the driving-axle. A brake strap encircles the flanged rim of the plate b<5>. The sleeve e, on the section b<1> of the axle and rigidly connected with the plate c, has enlarged portions e', e<2>, which constitute the fixed members of two friction clutches. The rollers of each clutch are held between two fingers f<1> of a ring f. Each ring f has rack teeth which gear with a partial pinion f<5> mounted on a rocking shaft f secured at one end to a disc f<4>. When the collar f<7> is shifted axially, it rotates the shaft f<3> and causes the rings f to partially rotate, so moving the clutch rollers from a middle and inoperative position to one which rotates the sleeve e in one or the other direction. The collar f<7> is actuated by a toothed segment f<10> on a rocking shaft f under control. The driving shaft a is provided with two crank arms at right-angles. Oscillating levers a<5> and a<8> are connected by links with the arms e<6> of the hubs or clutch rings. The speed-changing and looking devices are also shown in Fig. 11. By throwing the end h<8> of the double pawl into engagement, the lever a<5> is raised as indicated, and, by the end h<7> engaging the lever, is lowered. Springs tend to hold the double pawl in its inoperative position. For preventing the actuation of the reversing-mechanism except when the clutch rings are being oscillated through small arcs, and for automatically throwing the double pawls into their inoperative position, arms l<2> with hubs and feathers l<4> and pivoted to links m and arms n and o with keyways are provided. The arms o engage with slots or stops on the disc f<18> secured to the rocking shaft f<11>. The speed is reduced before reversing the motion. Fig. 19 shows in front elevation the controlling-devices for steering, changing the speed, stopping, starting, and reversing. The front end of the vehicle body is provided with an axle p, Fig. 2, having guides p<1> receiving projecting arms p<2>. The axle p has a rocking movement. By turning the standard q, the wheels D are swung about the studs or pivots p<6>. By swinging the operating-lever s<5>, Fig. 21, laterally, the steering-wheels are turned, while swinging it up and down gives a vertical movement to the sleeve s<3>, Fig. 19, and rocking movement to the shaft f<11>. An arm r with hub r<1> is provided so that the levers may be turned out of the way. By swinging the supplemental handle t<4> about its pivot, the tube t and sleeve t<7> are raised or lowered and the rod k, Fig. 4, is moved longitudinally, so throwing the pawls into position and effecting a change of speed by the motor itself. The handle t<4> is held in its normal position by means of springs.