Patent GB-190523755-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in, and relating to Wheels for Vehicles
Inventor: BROWN FREDERICK WILLIAM
Filed: 1905-11-18
Granted: 1906-10-04
Abstract: 23,755. Brown, F. W. Nov. 18. Motor road vehicles.- Two wheels placed side by side and mounted in a framework attached to the vehicle are connected to each other and if necessary to a driving- wheel by a coupling which allows radial motion but no relative rotation, so that blocks on one tyre are kept in alinement with recesses in the other tyre, the object being to avoid an obstacle affecting the wheel as a whole. The wheels w<2>, w<1>, Fig. B, are supported on short axles a3, a<4>, carried by vertical members a<6>, Fig. A, of a frame f attached to the vehicle at a<1> through springs s, Fig. B. The live axle a<2> carries a disk wheel w<4> and is connected by a coupling, shown separately in Fig. 3, to a disk on the axle a<3> which is supported in the bearing member a<6>. The bars a<6> are connected to the framework f by parallel motions and by springs so that finally the wheels are resiliently supported, have independent vertical motion always parallel to the frame f, but always rotate together. As a further means, the wheels are connected inside their rims by four parallel motion devices m, Fig. 1, shown separately in Fig. 5, set horizontally in one wheel and connected to another four, set vertically on the other wheel, by means of universal joints m' connected also to four extensions on the coupling shown in Fig. 3, placed between the wheels. This consists of a floating cross c to which is pivoted on one side at e', e, two pairs of parallel motions n, n<1>, n, connected to one wheel at n<2>, n<3>, Fig. 1, and on the other side a similar set placed to act perpendicularly and connected to the other wheel. The springs, which separate the frame f from the axle supports a<6>, are supported by extensions a<10> on the latter, Fig. A, and are arranged so that all do not come into action at once, but with increased effect after a little compression has occurred. In Fig. C, the central spring is shorter than the others which hold rods s<7> formed with collars s<8> so that one half only of each spring becomes effective finally. In Figs. 11<A> and 11<B>, the springs are in pairs, so that one member comes into action after the other. They are connected to the frame at their outer ends and to the bars a<6> by the central fixtures. These springs may be replaced by pneumatic cushions. In Fig. A, additional parallel motions m<6>, m<7> are placed on extensions a<7> of the bar a<6>, or these motions may be dispensed with and the members a<7> extended to embrace the ends of the frame for the same purpose. In Fig. 7, the axle of the wheel w<1>, which has wire spokes, is formed with an annular web fitted into a recess in the hub b<2> provided with balls. The axle a<3> of the wheel w<2> is separated by balls from a bearing b in the member a<6> which is connected by parallel motions and springs to the frame f again separated by ball bearings from a cylindrical member u<1> connected to the axle a<3> by the coupling described, and fitted with a sprocket-wheel u<2>. In Fig. 12, each axle is tapered and fitted with bushes k<1>, k<2>, having tapered boxes, which may be adjusted to tighten the wheels on the axles. Driving is accomplished by providing the wheel w' with a cog-wheel r gearing with a pinion r' driven through a coupling fitted against a disk on its axle r<3>.