MENTS IN MACHINERY AND APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING LOCOMOTION, BY WHICH VEHICLES CAN BE MOVED ON TRAM, ROADS AND COMMON ROADS
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Exley at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 6th November 1879.
"
IMPROVE-
WILLIAM EXLEY, of Otley, in the County of York, Whitesmith.
MENTS IN MACHINERY AND APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING LOCOMOTION, BY WHICH
VEHICLES CAN BE MOVED ON TRAM, ROADS AND COMMON ROADS."
This Invention relates to certain improvements in connection with machinery
and apparatus by which motive power is obtained by means of powerful coiled
springs, and which motive power is applied for propulsion of vehicles on tramroads
and common ronds.
For the purpose of the propulsion of tramway cars I fit on the sides of the
framework of the car and on each side of the respective wheels strong hollow metal
cylinders, in which are placed powerful coiled springs, which are coiled over drums
which are fitted in the centres and interiors of the cylinders; the end of each
spring in each cylinder is secured to the cylindrical body of the cylinder in the
interior, and the other end of the spring is made with a slot hole or holes for the
reception of a book or hooks or other suitable projections which are fitted or formed
on the drum; such hooks or projections are so arranged that upon the drum being
turned in one direction they will work into the slots in the spring, and so allow of
the winding up of the coiled spring within the cylinder. The drum is fitted on a
shaft and secured thereon by a key, and each drum and cylinder with the coiled
spring is fitted on a separate shaft which meets on or near the centre of the car.
The shafts are connected by a coupling box, and the shafts run loose in the coupling
box and are independent of each other, allowing of the winding up of a coiled
spring while the others are at rest or wound up. The drum projects from the back
plate of the cylinder, and such projecting part is made with a ratchet wheel; on the
surface and over the ratchet wheel is fitted a strong spur wheel, but which is loose,
and which is secured in working position by a pawl and a strong spring which are
fitted on the side of the spur wheel. The spur wheel actuates a pinion wheel, which
is secured to the shaft of the car wheels, and a pinion wheel is fitted on each side of
the car wheels and on each shaft, that is to say, one for each set of coil springs and
apparatus. The drum of each cylinder is made with a flanged portion on which a
band brake is attached, the said brake arresting or regulating the action of the
cylinder shaft and of the driving cog or spur wheel; thus the whole action of the
winding up can be arrested or regulated at will, or the car can be stopped when
required.

page_text: For winding up the coiled springs I fit on the cylinder shafts and on each shaft
a ratchet wheel which is worked by a pawl or catch, and which is actuated by &
handle, and so arranged that the driver or guard can rock the handle to and fro,
which actuates the pawl and turns the ratchet wheel which winds up the coiled
spring or I may employ a cog wheel or a worm wheel fitted on the shaft of the
drum, and which is actuated by other wheels secured on a shaft; these wheels are
actuated by gear and a hand wheel in close proximity to the driver or guard.
I purpose employing coiled springs powerful enough to run a tramway car a
mile; the driver or guard or any other person would then have to wind up the
springs; or I may fix an apparatus on the tram road or tramroads at every mile
that would wind up the springs, such apparatus to be worked by a steam engine
or any other suitable motive power.
And I may employ my coiled springs and apparatus with suitable alterations in
lieu of steam for the propulsion of traction engines or for any other kind of vehicles
on common roads.