Patent GB-190607060-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Motor-propelled Vehicles.
Filed: 1906-03-23
Granted: 1907-03-21
Abstract: 7060. Madgen, W. L., and Brush Electrical Engineering Co. March 23. Motor road vehicles.-A motor-car for use on road or rail is provided with two sets of wheels, one set for use on roads and a second set flanged for use on rail, and means is provided for raising one set and lowering the other set in one and the same operation. The wheels 1, 2, Figs. 1 and 2, are road wheels while the wheels 3, 4 are the flanged wheels. The bearings of the axles 5, 6, 7 are formed eccentrically to the axle shafts, and the axle-boxes are recessed so as to receive worms 14, which gear with worm-wheels formed on the axle bearings. The worm 14 is feathered on a shaft 16 so as to allow the axles to give with their springs and yet to keep the worm and wheel in gear. The eccentricity of the bearing of the axle 6 is greater than that of the other two axle bearings, which latter may have the same eccentricity, in order that, when the wheels 3, 4 are down, the steering-wheels 1 may be lifted clear of the ground, the frame in this position being slightly inclined towards the rear. Longitudinal shafts 19 are connected to the shafts 16 by helical gearing 18. The shafts 19 are driven through bevel-gearing 20 from the transverse shaft 21, upon which is a worm-wheel driven by a worm on a shaft 25 connected to the motor. A clutch 23 serves to throw this gear in and out of operation. One or both sets of wheels may be driven by a petrol motor, or the rail wheels may be driven by an electric motor which receives current from an overhead wire, or in other ways. The petrol motor is connected to the longitudinal shaft 28 by means of the usual friction clutch 29. The box 27 contains the change-speed gear, and the motion is transmitted to the shaft 23, which drives the transverse shaft 32 through worm gear 31. The back axle 5 is driven by means of chain gear from the sprocket-wheel 33, while similar wheels 34, 35 drive the axles 6, 7. Clutches are provided on the shaft 32 so that either the wheel 33 may drive, as shown, or the wheels 34, 35 may be made to drive. An electromotor 40 is provided, with its armature on the shaft 25. In this case the changespeed gear is disconnected by means of another clutch. A modification is described in which the hack-axle 5 is driven directly. In this case the armature of the motor may be attached to a sleeve on the shaft 25, the axles 6, 7 being driven from transverse shafts which are driven by helical gearing, as shown. In the form shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the axle bearings are raised and lowered vertically. In Fig. 4 the piece 44 is shown provided with a screwed part 48 upon which is a nut 49, which is also a helical wheel gearing with a similar wheel on the shaft 19. The pieces 48 in connexion with the axles 6, 7 are screwed in the same way, but that in connexion with the axle 5 is screwed in the opposite way. Fig. 5 shows a similar modification in which tne axle-boxes are adjusted by levers 51 fulcrumed about 51<a>. In Fig. 6 an arrangement is shown in which the road and rail wheels are concentrically disposed in their mid-positions. Frames 58 provided at each side of the vehicle carry short axles upon which are mounted the road wheels. Other frames carry the rail wheels. Screwed pieces 60 actuated by worm gearing serve to raise and lower the wheels.