Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Dec., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 5th Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Accepted, 4th May, 1889
NICOLAS BOURGOIN, of 32, Rue de Cormeille, Paris, Franco, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention to be.as follows:-
This Invention relates' to an improved road vehicle and to. improved means for
applying motive power thereto:
The improved vehicle may be made of any required dimensions, its body part being
preferably made after the nature of an omnibus or like road passenger vehicle, and
being divided into front and rear compartments by a partition adapted with sliding or
hinged doors: The rear compartment is reserved for passengers or goods and is fitted
with side seats or benches as in an omnibus. Under each of such seats or benches may
be placed a reservoir of any suitable size for containing water for the requirements of
the boiler hereinafter referred to. This compartment is also adapted with windows
and rear doors, and the rear of the vehicle is fitted with foot steps.
The front compartment contains a boiler, a steam cylinder, steering gear, and
speed changing gear, all hereinafter described.
Receptacles for coke, coal or other fuel suitable for the boiler furnace may also be
placed within this.compartment at each side of the boiler.
The boiler is of the vertical multitubular type and is made of comparatively small
dimensions and is so constructed as to contain but a small amount of water at a time
so that steam can be got up very quickly.
The furnace is fed from above through a doorway and the firebars are preferably
movable as in the "Schonskersky" stoves. The furnace may, however, be arranged
to burn petroleum or other similar fuel. The gases of combustion are carried off
by a chimney the draught being from the top end of the chimney when the vehicle is
standing and from the bottom end when the vehicle, is travelling; the draught
may be regulated in various suitable ways..
The steain cylinder is inverted and arranged vertically. The exhaust steam there-
from serves for the furnace draught and for heating the feed water.

page_text: The steering gear consists of a normally horizontal lever, which, by bevel gearing
operates a vertical rod on the lower end of which is mounted a pinion which gears with
a segmental rack secured to the rear portion of the fore-carriage hereinafter described,
the segmental rack being concentric with the centre-pin of the fore-carriage.
The said bevel gearing is encased and is so situated as that the vehicle can be most
easily steered, that is to say, if the vehicle is desired to go towards the right the said
horizontal lever is moved to the right, and if it is sought to travel to the left the lever
8 moved to the left; when the lever is horizontal the vehicle travels directly forward,
a hand on a dial indicates the various directions given to the lever.
The fore-carriage consists of three superposed rings, the top one of which is secured
to the underside of the platform of the vehicle, and is provided with four or other
suitable number of friction rollers, under which the intermediate ring (to which the
said seginental rack is secured) turns about a common axis. The front part of the said
intermediate ring is fitted with two tenons to which a rudder may be fitted, if required.
Four or other suitable number of vertical rods depend from the said intermediate ring
through the lowest ring and each of such rods is surrounded between the said latter.
rings by a helical spring. The supports of the front axle (on which the fore wheels
can rotate) are secured to the said lower ring.
The rear axle is supported by springs to which bearings are fixed. The axle is free
to rotate in such bearings which can slide vertically in guides which keep the axle at
right angles to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and prevent the rear wheels
from oscillating backwards and forwards. The said travelling wheels are preferably
constructed of iron and are fitted with tyres of india-rubber.
The rear travelling wheels and a series of chain wheels hereinafter referred to are
fast on the rear axle so that upon any one of the said chain wheels being rotated as
herein before described it communicates the motion to the rear travelling-wheels, and
causes the vehicle to be propelled.
The gearing for changing the travelling speed of the vehicle forms an especial
feature of the Invention. It comprises two vertical levers which are independent of
each other and are placed at opposite sides of the steering gear. These levers are
respectively centred on pins placed a little below the platform of the vehicle and are
bifurcated at their bottom ends, where they respectively embrace double faced clutch
pieces which rotate with the crank shaft of the engine.
The arrangement of the said vertical levers and their respective clutches is such that
the latter can respectively be caused to slide along the crank shaft, into engagement
with one or other of opposite clutch faces respectively attached to or forming part of
a series of chain wheels of different diameters, which work loosely on the crank shaft
and are respectively arranged opposite to the aforesaid series of chain wheels, also of
different diameters, on the rear axle, and are respectively connected with such opposite
wheels by chains, by which the motion is cominunicated to such axle.
When both of the said vertical levers are in a vertical position the engine is rendered
"'independent and can run without propelling the carriage, but, when either is so moved
as to cause its clutch to engage with either one of the clutcht faces of the opposite chain
wheels, the engaged chain wheel is caused to receive motion from the crank shaft, to
impart it by its respective endless chain to the chain wheel in gear therewith-fast on
the rear axlotand to communicate travelling motion thereto.
The wheels thus respectively coupled by the relative endless chains being, as aforesaid,
of different diameters, it will be seen that there is a difference in, the power that is
transmitted and also in the speed.. The speed and the power change with each couple
of wheels.
:
4.
This system permits of the use of high power for ascending inclines, whilst on level
or descending ground but little is required.Quadrants or dials may indicate the proper
position of the said vertical levers according to the gradient or difficulties of the road
and the speed desired to be obtained thereon.
The whole of the speed changing mechanism, excepting the said vertical levers, is
arranged between the platform of the carriage.:.
The said chains are of the following improved construction which allows of a piece

page_text: thereof being readily replaced without any tool beyond a pair of pincers. The links of
the chains consist of plates reduced at the ends to form thin portions and pierced.
The opposite plates are held apart by tubular stays through which are passed headed
pins which are secured by split pins, washers being placed between the plates and the
split pins.
In order to allow the vehicle to be controlled and stopped it may be fitted with a
brake of any suitable construction.
Dated this 11th dox of December 188e
.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: thereto.
I, NICOLAS BOURGOIN, of 32, Rue de Corneille, Paris, France, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of the said invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This invention relates to an improved road vehicle and to improved means for
applying motive power thereto..
The improved vehicle is illustrated on the accompanying drawings in side elevation,
with the near side removed, in Fig. 1; in sectional plan view showing the interior,
in Fig. 2 in plan view, with the body of the vehicle removed, in Fig. 3; and in
rear elevation in Fig. 4. Fig. 5, is an enlarged view of part of the speed changing
gearing. Fig. 6, is an enlarged view of part of the steering gearing; and Figs. 7.
represent detail views of the endless driving chains hereinafter described.
The vehicle may he made of any required dimensions, its body part, 8, being
preferably made after the nature of an omnibus or like road passenger vehicle. The
accompanying drawings represent a vehicle the dimensions of the body part of which
are about one hundred and eighteen inches in length by about sixty-two inches in
width, the width of the wheel-base being about seventy inches.
The body of the vehicle is divided into front and rear compartments, 9, 10, by a
partition, 11, adapted with sliding or hinged doors, 12. The rear compartment, 10, is
reserved for passengers or goods and is fitted with side seats or benches, 13, as in an
omnibus. Under each of such seats or benches may be placed a reservoir, 21, of any
suitable size for containing water for the requirements of the boiler hereinafter
referred to. This compartment is also adapted with windows, 14, and rear doors, 15,
and the rear of the vehicle is fitted with foot steps, 16.
The front compartment, 9, contains a boiler, 17, a steam cylinder, 18, steering
gear, 19, and speed changing gear, 20, all hereinafter described. Receptacles for
coke, coal or other fuel suitable for the boiler furnace may also be placed within this
compartment at each side of the boiler.
The boiler, 17, is of the vertical multitubular type and is made of comparatively
small dimensions and is so constructed as to contain but a small amount of water at a
time so that steam can be got up very quickly.
For the vehicle represented on the accompanying drawings the boiler should be of
sufficient dimensions to furnish about 3 to 4 horse power. It is fitted with usual
safety appliances. The furnace is fed from above through the doorway, 22, and the
firebars are preferably movable as in the "Schonskersky" stoves. The furnace,
however, may be arranged to burn petroleum or other similar fuel. 23, represents
the chimney by which the gases of combustion are carried off, the draught being from
the top end of the chimney when the vehicle is standing and from the bottoin end
when the vehicle is travelling; the draught may be regulated in various suitable
ways.

page_text: The cylinder, 18, is inverted and arranged vertically, and in the arrangement
represented on the accompanying drawings the piston is of about five and a half
inches in diameter and has a stroke of about eight inches. The exhaust steam from
the cylinder, 18, serves for the furnace draught and for heating the feed water.
The steering gear, 19, consists of a normally horizontal lever which, by bevel
gearing, 24, in the arrangement represented on the accompanying drawings of about
four inches diameter, operates a vertical rod, 25, on the lower end of which is mounted
a pinion, 26, of about seven inches diameter, which gears with a segmented rack 27,
secured to the rear portion of the fore-carriage hereinafter described, the segmental
rack being concentric with the centre-pin, 28, of the fore-carriage.
The said bevel gearing, 24, is encased as at, 29, and is so situated as that the
vehicle can be most easily steered, that is to say, if the vehicle is desired to go
towards the right the lever, 19, is moved to the right, and if it is sought to travel to
the left the lever is moved to the left; when the lever is horizontal the vehicle travels.
directly forward, a hand, 30, on a dial, 31, indicates the various directions given to
the lever, 19.
The fore-carriage consists of three superposed rings, 32, 33, 34, the top one of
which is secured to the underside of the platform, 35, of the vehicle, and is provided
with four or other suitable number of friction rollers, 36, under which the inter-
mediate ring, 33, (to which the rack, 27, is secured) turns about the common axis, 28.
The front part of the ring, 33, is fitted with two tenons, 37, to which a rudder, 38,
may be fitted, if required. Four or other suitable number of vertical rods, 39, depend
from the ring, 33, through the lowest ring, 34, and each of such rods is surrounded
between the rings, 33, 34, by a helical spring; 41. The supports, 42, of the front
axle, 43, (on which the wheels, 44, can rotate) are secured to the ring, 34.
The rear axle, 45, is supported by springs, 46, co which bearings, 47, are fixed.
The axle is free to rotate in such bearings which can slide vertically in guides, 48,
which keep the axle at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and
prevent the wheels, 49, from oscillating backwards and forwards. The said travelling
wheels, 44, 49, are preferably constructed of iron and are fitted with tyres of -india-
rubber.
The wheels, 49, and the chain wheels, 50, 51, 52, 53, hereinafter referred to are
fast on the rear axle, 45, so that upon any one of the said chain wheels being rotated
as hereinafter described it communicates the motion to the travelling wheels, 49, and
causes the vehicle to be propelled.
4.
аге
The gearing for changing the travelling speed of the vehicle forms an especial
feature of the present Invention. It comprises two vertical.. levers, 54, 55, which ar
independent of each other and are placed at opposite sides of the steering gear.
These levers are respectively centred on pins, 56. 57, placed a little. below. the
platform, 35, of the vehicle and are bifurcated at their bottom ends, 58, 59, where
they respectively embrace double faced clutch pieces, 60, 61, which rotate with: the
crank shaft, 62, of the engine.
The arrangement of the levers, 54, 55, and their respective clutches, 60, 61, is such
that the latter can respectively be caused, to slide along the shaft, 62, into engage-
ment with one or other of opposite clutch faces, 63-64, 65-66, respectively attached
to or forming part of chain wheels, 67, 68, 69, 70, of different diameters which
work loosely on the shaft, 62, and are respectively arranged opposite to the
wheels, 53, 52, 51, 50, also of different diameters on the rear axle, 45, and are.
respectively connected with such opposite wheels by chains, 71, 72, 73, 74, by which
the motion is communicated to such axle.
When both of the levers, 54, 55, are in a vertical position the engine is rendered
independent and can run without propelling the carriage, but when either is so
moved as to cause its clutch to engage with either one of the clutch faces of the
opposite chain wheels, the engaged chain wheel is caused to receive motion from
the crank shaft; to impart it by its respective endless chain to the chain wheel in
gear therewith fast on the rear axle and to communicate travelling motion thereto.
The wheels, 67, 53; 68, 52; 69, 51; 70, 50; thus respectively coupled by the

page_text: ..endless chains, 71, 72, 73, 74, are as aforesaid of different,diameters, and in the
arrangement illustrated on the accompanying drawings are as follows...
The wheel,,67; is of about 3 inches diameter and its coupled wheel 53, is of
about 15 inches diameter. The wheel. 68, is of about 533 inches diameter and its
coupled wheel, 52, is of about 1118 inches diameter. The wheel, 69, and its coupled
wheel, 51, are both of about 74 inches diameter; and the wheel, 70, is of about.
74 inches diameter, and its coupled wheel; 50, is of about 53 inches diameter. It will
thus be seen that there is a difference in the power that is transmitted and also in
the speed. Thus the wheel, 67, receives about three or four horse power from the..
engine, transmits the motion to a wheel, 53, of four times its size, consequently,
though there will be four times, less speed there will be four times more power say
twelve to sixteen horse power, which will enable: the vehicle to, ascend the steepest
practicable inclines. In like manner the speed and the power change with each other
couple of wheels. In the vehicle represented on the annexed drawings it is possible
to attain a speed of about fifteen to nineteen miles an hour.
This system permits of the use of high power for ascending inclines, whilst on
level or descending ground but little is required. Quadrants or dials, not represented
on the accompanying drawings, may indicate the proper position of the levers, 54, 55,
according to the gradient or difficulties of the road and the speed desired to be
obtained thereon.
The whole of, the speed changing; mechanism excepting the levers, 54, 55,
arranged beneath the platform, 35, of the carriage..
is
The chains, 71, 72, 73, 74, are of the following improved construction which
allows of a piece thereof being readily replaced without any tool beyond a pair of
pincers. The links of the chains consist of plates, 75, reduced at the ends to form
thin portions, as at, 76, and pierced as at, 77. The opposite plates, 75, are held-apart,
by tubular stays, 78, through which are passed headed pins, 79, which are secured by
split pins, 80, washers, 81, being placed between the plates, 75, and the split pins, 80.
In order to allow the vehicle to be controlled and stopped it may be fitted with a
brake of any suitable construction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The hereinbefore described improved road vehicle...
17
2. The application to road vehicles of the hereinbefore described improved means
of applying motive-power thereto.
3. The application to road vehicles of the hereinbefore described improved arrange-
ment of speed changing gearing.
4. The application to road vehicles of the hereinbefore described improved arrange-
ment of steering.gearing.
5. The application to road vehicles of the hereinbefore described improved construc-
tion of driving chains.
Dated this 4th dove of February 1889