Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Mar., 1887
Complete Left, 26th Jan., 1888
Complete Accepted, 26th June, 1888
I MICHAEL RADCLIFFE WARD, of 10 Great Queen Street, in the City of
Westminster, Electrical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:
My invention relates to electric locomotives and vehicles and its objects are to
improve the various devices and apparatus for effecting the different movements or
operations required therein or thereon.
The invention comprises improvements connected with the switches by which the
electric current is put into or out of circuit with various parts as required; improve-
ments in the mechanism for steering the vehicles and for working a bogie when such
is used; a guard for the belt or connection that transmits the motion to the driving
wheel; a compound interlocking switch; and a combined starting, stopping, speed
graduating and steering device."
In order that the number of devices that the driver has to work or manipulate by
band may be reduced as much as possible I arrange some or all of the electric switches
employed on the vehicle in such manner that they can be readily worked or
manipulated by the driver's foot and I further arrange that they shall remain, if
desired, in whatever position they have been placed until the driver by another
movement of his foot shifts them to another position.
For these purposes I extend the switch lever or its equivalent to a point within easy
reach of the driver's foot where I fit it with a slipper or other equivalent device so
that the driver, by giving the slipper a sideways, vertical or other movement, can
move the switch into or out of contact as required. I sometimes fit the switch lever
with a spring and provide a notched bar or catch with which the spring will keep the
lever engaged when in gear with same. I also sometimes combine with the foot
actuated switches, an indicator or pointer in a convenient position for the driver so
that he can readily see the position of the switch.
For steering the vehicle I employ an arrangement consisting of a shaft worked by
the driver, the said shaft having a screw or worm, gearing with a worm wheel from
which the motion is transmitted either direct through the worn wheel shaft. or by
toothed or other gearing to the steering wheel or wheels or bogie. The screw or
worm shaft has its bearings on a tube which covers the said shaft and is fixed to
the vehicle.

page_text: Or I effect the steering by an electro magnetic device, such as an electric motor in
combination with gearing for transmitting the motion to the "fifth wheel" of the
vehicle, or to the steering wheels or bogie or bogies. This gearing may consist for
instance of a screw or worm shaft actuated by the motor and gearing with a worm
wheel connected with the steering parts. Or such electro magnetic device may
consist of solenoids, or electro magnets with fixed and movable reciprocal parts.
My guard for the belt or connection that transmits the motion to the driving wheel
or wheels consists of a case that surrounds a pulley attached concentrically to the driving
wheel; this pulley is driven by a belt or connection from another pulley actuated by
the electric motor or motors and the said case covers or boxes in the pulleys as well
as tightening or guide rollers over which the belt passes. Part of the case is attached
to the wheel, and another part to a fixed portion of the vehicle, such, for instance, as
the frame that carries the gearing. Sufficient space is left between the inside of the
case and the pulleys to give passage to the belt. The case protects the pulleys, belt
and other parts from mud, rain, &c.
My compound interlocking switch is an arrangement for altering the coupling of a
battery of accumulators as may he desired. Suppose, for instance, that on a given
vehicle there is a battery of 20 cells. It is desirable to be able to obtain various
pressures at different times from such battery. The connections from each cell are
brought to a switch board or equivalent with proper contacts, and movable parts
corresponding are arranged so that the grouping of the cells can be varied by altering
the respective position of such contact parts. For example, all the cells may be
coupled in simple series; the pressure would thus be due to 20 cells-or, it may be
taken off 2 series of 10 each giving pressure of 10 cells (and capability without
injurious effects of greater quantity); or, it may be taken off 4 series of 5 cells each,
or 5 series of 4 cells each-and so on, according to the number of cells employed.
These parts are interlocked with a make and break circuit lever or equivalent so
that, before changing the position of the numerous grouping contact pieces, the
current is switched off and only made again after the new position is taken up.
Damage from burning, flashing, &c. to the numerous contact pieces is thus avoided.
The make and break contact lever may break direct or through a resistance and may
in some cases tone down the current to a sufficiently fine point without actually
breaking contact.
As regards my combined starting, stopping, speed graduating and steering device
I will premise that in electrically driven vehicles running through the streets or on
crowded roads it is a point of great practical importance that the driver should be
able with promptitude to perform all the various operations of starting, stopping,
graduating the speed, &c. My combined starting, stopping, graduating and
steering device specially provides for this. It consists of a lever, rod or other
like contrivance which, by one movement-say an up and down movement,
actuates, by means of switches, the starting, stopping and speed graduating arrange-
ments; and, by another movement, say a sideways movement, actuates the electric
steering gear. Thus, without moving his hand from the lever, rod or other
contrivance the driver can start, stop, graduate speed, and guide the vehicle. By
means of the electric steering gear a driver can, by a merely slight movement of the
hand, have complete control of the direction of the vehicle; a point of great practical
value in the working of such vehicles. The controlling lever may actuate the bogie
steering arrangement, in the case of locomotives or vehicles fitted with a bogie; and
instead of the said lever being operated by the hand, it can be operated by the foot,
in the manner hereinbefore described.
J. C. MEWBURN,
169, Fleet Street, London,
Agent.

page_text: I MICHAEL RADCLIFFE WARD of 10 Great Queen Street, in the City of Westminster
Electrical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :—
My Invention relates to Electric Locomotives and Vehicles and its objects are to
improve the various devices and apparatus for effecting the different movements or
operations required therein or thereon.
The Invention comprises Improvements connected with the switches by which the
electric current is put into or out of circuit with various parts as required. Improve-
ments in the mechanism for steering the vehicles, and for working a bogie when such
is used, a guard for the belt or connection, that transmits the motion to the driving
wheel-a compound interlocking switch-and a combined starting stopping speed
graduating and steering device.
In order that the number of devices that the driver has to work or manipulate
by hand may be reduced as much as possible I arrange some or all of the electric
switches employed on the vehicle in such manner that they can be readily worked or
manipulated by the drivers foot, and I further arrange that they shall remain, if
desired in whatever position they have been placed until the driver by another
movement of his foot shifts them to another position.
For these purposes I fit the switch lever or its equivalent with a slipper or other
equivalent device so that the driver, by moving the slipper with his foot can move the
switch into or out of contact as required. I sometimes fit the switch lever with a
spring and provide a catch with which the spring will keep the lever engaged when in
gear with same. I sometimes combine with the foot actuated switches an indicator or
pointer in a convenient position for the driver so that he can readily see the position
of the switch.
For hand steering the vehicle I employ an arrangement consisting of a shaft worked
by the driver, the said shaft having a screw, or worm, gearing with a worm wheel
from which the motion is transmitted either direct through shafts carrying worm
wheel, or through gearing, to the steering wheels or bogie.
Or I effect the steering by an electro magnetic device, such as an electric motor in
combination with gearing for transmitting the motion to the steering wheels of the
vehicle, or to the bogie or bogies. The gearing connecting tho electro magnetic
device with the steering wheels may consist for instance of a screw or worm shaft
actuated by the motor and gearing with a worm wheel connected with the steering
parts. Or such electro magnetic device may consist of solenoids or electro
magnets with fixed and movable reciprocal parts.
My mud guard for the belt or connection that transmits the motion to the driving
wheel or wheels consists of a case that surrounds a pulley or its equivalent, attached to

page_text: the driving wheel; part of the case is fixed to the wheel, part to the axle. They can
thus run in close relation without letting in mud &c.
My compound interlocking switch is an arrangement for altering the coupling of a
battery of cells, without its being possible to break contact on the numerous contacts,
such being prevented by the interlocking lever which has to be moved and contact
thereby broken before, the coupling or grouping can be altered.
The current may be toned down by resistances before breaking-My combined
starting, stopping, speed graduating device, and steering device, provides for
performing all these operations through one lever or handle. An up and down
motion of the lever may start, stop, back, graduate speed speed; and, a sideways
movement may steer.
Referring to the diagrams herewith
Fig. I is my foot actuated switch Sis a slipper, Ra rod suitably guided F fulcrum,
CC contacts K a catch to lock the switch in a given position-The slipper may
obviously be caused to perform the work of switching in various other directions than
by a vertical movement. The contacts operated by the foot actuated switch may be
of various kinds, with graduating resistances &c.
Fig. 2 is a diagram of my electro magnotic steering gear. S is a switch under
control of driver, G is the source of current rare circuits, M is the motor
W the worm, V the connection gearing with the worm to the steering wheels or bogie,
or the steering wheel where only one is used.
The motor M rotates according to the position of the switch on the various
contacts as will be well understood by reference to the diagram-The switch S may
perform this operation through various arrangements of contacts.
It will be well understood that "
my electric steering" of vehicles can be effected by
any suitable switching arrangements which shall operate the motor in such a way
as to give the required movements to the steering wheels or parts. The switch shewn
on Fig. 2 is merely a diagram illustrating the connection between the various devices
through which my electro magnetic steering is effected.
The contacts are shewn on the diagram with resistances to tone down the current,
and to gradually increase, when contact is broken or made. They are useful but not
essential.
Fig. 3 shews my electro magnetic steering gear worked through magnets or solenoids.
S is the shaft connected to the steering wheels Ca core M M are magnets or solenoids
of any suitable construction. The current is put through either of these by any
suitable switching arrangement, and as will be well understood the core will follow the
magnetisation of the different magnets, and consequently the steering wheel or wheels,
or bogie will be moved.
Fig. 4 is a diagram of my mud guard. W is a screen preventing mud coming
between the spokes. V is a case fixed on the axle, with or without a bearing
according to whether the axle moves or not, P is a pulley or toothed, or pitch chain
wheel or equivalent, shielded by the mud guard. The pinion driving this is provided
with a covering, or not, by means of an extension of the case for the purpose.
Qis the space between the fixed and moving parts of the mud guard. As a matter of
argument, though it would have no practical advantage both parts could be made to
move, or even be both fixed, the portion on the wheel being arranged to run in
the wheel.
Fig. 5 is a diagram of my compound interlocking switch-A represents 4 cells in
series. B 2 series and 2 parrellel, C shews an end view of the contacts carriers.
0. O. are the contact carriers, they can only be moved when the interlocker P is
withdrawn; this in being withdrawn breaks the circuit at X X. Thus the circuit
must always be broken before the coupling can be changed. Any convenient number
of cells can be grouped. The contact carriers on A & B are kept up, by springs, and
may be in a parrellel motion or guide, or may be hinged at one end. The object of
this compound interlocking switch is to break contact on a contact piece easily replace-
able, and thus avoid damaging the numerous contact cups or pieces of the cells. The
current from the source of electricity is passed through the X X, and thus as will be

page_text: well understood the carriers 00 cannot be moved without breaking circuit at X X as
the movement of the locking bar causes this.
Fig. 6. shews my combined starter, stopper, backer, speed graduater, steerer.
H is a Handle. (is a set of say steering contacts C is a set of controlling contacts
for starting stopping, graduating speed backing the rod R moves vertical by keys
(or equivalent) K and can manipulate C without moving as will be readily under-
stood. The precise arrangement of parts can be altered without departing from my
invention which provides for controlling electrically driven vehicles as set forth by
means of one hand appliance for the driver.
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. I claim the foot actuated switch, substantially as herein described and illustrated
by diagram Fig. I. Sheet I. of the accompanying drawings.
2. I claim the position indicator and catches to retain in position, foot actuated
switches, and to show position of same, substantially as herein before described.
3. I claim the electro magnetic means of steering electrically propelled vehicles,
consisting of electro magnetic devices actuating the steering wheels or parts, con-
trolled by switches, and supplied with electricity from the source operating the car or
vehicle, or other suitable source.
4. I claim an electro magnetic steering gear for electrically propelled vehicles con-
structed and arranged as shown by diagram Fig. 2 Sheet 2. of the accompanying
drawings.
5. 1 claim, an electro magnetic steering gear for electrically propelled vehicles,
with magnets or solenoids for moving the steering parts of a vehicle such being
excited by any suitable switching appliance; substantially as shown by diagram Fig. 3
Sheet 2 of the accompanying drawings, and described herein.
6. I claim the mud guard for the driven wheels of clectrically propelled vehicles
substantially as described, and illustrated by the diagram Fig. 4 Sheet I of the
accompanying drawings.
7. I claim the compound interlocking switch substantially as described; and shewn
by diagram Fig. 5 Sheet I of the accompanying drawings.
8. I claim, controlling, such as starting, stopping, speed graduating, backing; and,
steering electrically driven vehicles by one hand actuated appliance substantially as
described, and shewn by diagram Fig. 6. Sheet 2 of the accompanying drawings."
Dated this 26th day of January 1888.