Patent GB-382730-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to automobile vehicles
IPC: B62D61/00
Filed: 1931-10-08
Abstract: 382,730. Road vehicle undercarriages. GESNEL, A., 24, Rue Garibaldi, PrÚ-St.- Gervais, Seine, France. Oct. 8, 1931, No. 28016. Convention date, June 24. [Class 108 (ii).] In motor vehicles in which the track of the wheels may be reduced when required, the frame and body are first raised with respect to the wheels of each axle, and the wheels are then moved closer together so as to occupy a space under the body. In the construction shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6, each axle consists of a centre section 11<1> fixed to the frame and two end sections 10<1>, 12<1> each carrying a road wheel, the end sections being disconnected from the centre sections when the width of the track is to be reduced. Radius arms 20<2>, 20<4> connect each axle section 10<1>, 12<1> to the frame in such a way that the wheels may be raised and lowered and also moved outwards and inwards. When the axle sections are connected, as shown in Fig. 3, a tubular central section with a securing wedge 13 may be employed, as shown in Fig. 11. The end of the tube 11<1> may be split and formed with lugs 18 by which it may be clamped on to the end section 10<1>. In a modification the frame of the vehicle may consist of a central longitudinal member carrying the central axle sections and pivots of the radius arms. The end axle sections 10, 12, when the track is narrowed, may be connected directly to one another by a sleeve 25<1> and locking pins, as shown in Fig. 13. When the body is raised relatively to the axles it may be retained in position by ratchet clutches applied to the pivots of the radius arms, as shown in Fig. 15. Frictional ratchets may be employed. In the modification, shown in Figs. 20 and 21, with the wheel track narrow and wide respectively, each axle is in four sections, the end sections 351, 352 being jointed to central sections which are further jointed to the frame at the point 33, so that the wheels may be moved inwards and the frame upwards simultaneously without breaking any joints. Driving mechanism which allows alteration of the track may be used. In the mechanism shown in Figs. 36 and 37, the wheels are rotated from a driving shaft carried on the frame through intermediate shafts and universal joints in which rollers 108<1> are interposed between a ratchet member 1061 on the end of one shaft and a spherical cup 1051 on the end of another shaft. In other constructions, belt, chain, or bevel gearing are employed. Each wheel may be driven directly by an independent motor. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 comprises also the following :- a construction in which the connections of the intermediate axle sections to the frame are adjusted longitudinally so as to vary the track of the wheels by screw-and-nut mechanism ; arrangements in which the wheelcarrying axles are hinged about vertical axes so that they fold inwards and either forward or rearward ; telescopic axle constructions ; and constructions in which the two parts slide in guides and may be adjusted by rack-andpinion gearing ; or by fluid pressure. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.