Improvements in Transmission Gear for Motor Vehicles.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Transmission Gear for Motor Vehicles.
We, JAMES ROOTS and CUTHBERT EDWARD VENABLES, both of 100, Westminster
Bridge Road, London, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
The motor shaft preferably next the flywheel carries a small chain wheel which
may be keyed to the shaft or be loose upon it and be connected by means of a jaw
or other clutch. The chain upon this wheel connects to a large chain wheel
which runs loose upon the countershaft and is preferably connected to the
countershaft by a leather friction clutch. This is for the slow speed. On the
motor shaft a leather friction clutch is also fitted, to one cone of which is attached
the chain wheel for driving quick speed, the chain upon which drives a larger
chain wheel preferably keyed to the countershaft. Fixed at a point between
the motor and countershaft is a stud or short shaft carrying another chain wheel
which gears with the slow speed chain but being placed outside the chain, this
chain wheel is rotated in the opposite direction to its driving chain wheel. A
smaller chain wheel fixed to it on the same stud carries another chain which
drives a chain wheel upon the countershaft, connected thereto by a clutch pre-
ferably friction leather. This latter is the reversing clutch. The countershaft
is surrounded by a tube and has fitted at one end the balance gear. On the
outside ends of this countershaft are fitted the small chain wheels which drive
the back or driving wheels of the vehicle.
The crank shaft is extended from the side of the motor and is fitted with a
bevel gear wheel which gears with a larger bevel gear wheel on a shaft at a
right angle therewith. At the other end of this right angle shaft another bevel
gear wheel gears into two bevel gear wheels which may be mortice wheels, fixed
on another countershaft parallel with the crank shaft. Attached to each mortice
wheel is a friction clutch. These two clutches are for driving forward at slow
speed or for reversing. Fitted next the bevel gear on the crank shaft is another
friction clutch of the same construction as the other two, operating a chain
wheel, the chain of which drives another chain wheel fixed to the parallel counter-
shaft. The parallel countershaft is fitted with a tube and has the balance gear
arranged at one end. At the outside ends small chain wheels are fixed which
drive the chain wheels bolted to the spokes of the driving wheels of the vehicle.
In a modified arrangement the friction clutch for the high speed chain is
attached to the countershaft wheel instead of the crankshaft wheel.
In smaller carriages, a set of four gear wheels are arranged within a box upon
the crank or valve shaft. The high speed chain is preferably geared direct by
means of two chain wheels from the crankshaft to the axle. The slow speed
chain wheel is driven by the fourth gear wheel at the desired speed and its chain
may connect directly to the axle. The reversing chain wheel is fitted to the pin
or shaft of the two reversed gear wheels in the box. Each of these chain wheels
is thrown into or out of gear by means of a jaw clutch preferably with a single
jaw or pin which may be connected to its respective chain wheel by a spring
TD 077

page_text: surrounding the sleeve formed by the two pieces. Or the spring may be fitted
within a tube and be released by stretching the spring. The apparatus to
permit of the necessary slip and grip may be fitted either to the crankshaft, the
countershaft, or on the axle, and may be in construction similar to the slow
speed and reversing friction clutches before mentioned.
When fixed on the axle one half may be attached to one wheel and the other
half to the other wheel and both held in by springs. Or the inner cone pre-
ferably covered with leather may be in two parts driven by the friction of one
outer cone, covering and gripping both inner cones, each half driving one vehicle
wheel. In either case this arrangement may serve the double purpose of the
necessary slip and grip and also of balance gear to enable one driving wheel to
run independently of the other.
Dated this 94th dow of Contambon 1000
Improvements in Transmission Gear for Motor Vehicles.
г We, JAMES ROOTS and CUTHBERT EDWARD VENABLES, both of 100, Westminster
Bridge Road, London, Engineers, 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:-
"The motor shaft next the fly wheel carries a small chain wheel which is pre-
ferably keyed to the shaft. The chain upon this wheel connects to a large chain
wheel which runs loose upon the countershaft. and is connected thereto -by. a
leather friction clutch. This is for the slow speed. On the motor shaft a leather
friction clutch is also fitted, to one cone of which is attached the chain wheel,
for driving quick speed, the chain upon, which drives a larger chain wheel pre-
ferably keyed to the countershaft. Fixed at a point between the motor - and
and countershaft is, a stud or short shaft carrying another chain. wheel which
gears with the slow speed chain, and being placed outside the chain, this chain
wheel is rotated in the opposite direction to its driving chain wheel. A smaller
chain wheel fixed to it on the same, stud carries another chain which drives a
chain wheel upon the countershaft, connected thereto by a clutch preferably
friction leather. This latter is the reversing clutch. The countershaft. is
surrounded by a tube and has fitted at one end the balance gear. On the outside
ends of this countershaft are fitted the small chain wheels which drive by means
of large chain wheels fixed to the axle or wheels of the vehicle.
In a modified arrangement, the friction clutch for the high speed chain is
attached to the countershaft wheel instead of the crankshaft wheel..
In smaller carriages, a set of four gear wheels are arranged within, a box.upon
the crank or valve shaft. The chains are preferably geared direct by means of
two chain wheels from the crankshaft or gear box to the axle. For the slow
speed the chain wheel is driven by the fourth gear wheel at the desired speed
and its chain may connect directly to the axle. The reversing, chain wheel. is
fitted to the pin or shaft of the two reversed gear wheels in the box. Each of
these chain wheels is thrown into or out of gear by means of a jaw clutch with
two jaws or pins. The apparatus to permit of the necessary slip and grip may
be fitted either to the crankshaft, the countershaft, or on the axle and, may be
in construction similar to the slow speed and reversing friction clutches before
mentioned.
"
When fixed on the axle one half may be attached to one wheel and t
1, the other
half to the other wheel and held in by a spring or springs. Or the inner cone.

page_text: preferably covered with leather may be in two parts driven by the friction of one
outer cone, covering and gripping both inner cones, each half driving one vehicle
wheel. In either case this arrangement may serve the double purpose of the
necessary slip and grip also of balance gear to enable one driving wheel to run
independently of the other. The same letters refer to the same parts in each
figure.
"
Fig. 1 is an elevation of the frame and all gear complete for a heavy vehicle.
Fig. 2 is a plan of the same. Fig. 3 is the arrangement of chain wheels as in
Figs. 1 and but on a larger scale. Fig. 4 shows the construction of trans-
mission gear for lighter vehicles. Fig. 5 shows the method of fixing the
necessary slip arrangement as a balance gear on the axle.
In Figs. 1 & 2, A is the twin cylinder motor, B the crank shaft with outer
bearing B, C is the high speed friction clutch having an inner cone faced with
leather and an outer cone fitting it. C is the chain wheel driven by the outer
cone of the clutch by means of a sleeve through the bearing B'. The chain C³
drives the chain wheel C³ upon the tube Z surrounding the countershaft. The
countershaft has fitted to the two parts of the balance gear X at each end a
small chain wheel X X which drive the vehicle by means of the chain wheels
Y fixed to the driving wheels. For the slow speed the chain wheel D is keyed to
the crank shaft and drives by means of its chain D' the chain wheel D' upon
the countershaft tube Z. Da is fixed to the inner cone of the clutch E which is
the slow speed clutch. Fixed to each other and rotating together on the short
shaft W are two chain wheels F and F1, the larger of which F gears into the
chain D', but being on the outside of it as Fig. 3 F and therefore F are rotated
in the opposite direction. The chain wheel F has a short chain connecting it
to the chain wheel on the countershaft tube Z and also fixed to the inner cone
of the clutch G which is the reversing clutch.
The lever H placed at the side of the driver operates simultaneously the high
speed clutch C and the slow speed clutch E by means of a link connecting tho
forked clutch lever H with a lever (not shown) on the rocking shaft H'. H' is
a tube which has the shaft for operating the reversing clutch G passing through
it at the end of which shaft is the reversing lever J. K is the valve shaft, L is
the flywheel, M is the oil tank and N is the vaporiser, O is the water tank; P
is the cooling coil for water, Q is the band brake pulley.
Fig. 3 shows this reversing chain arrangement on a larger scale. The chain
wheel F being on the outside of the chain D¹, it is rotated in the opposite
direction to the movement of the chain and the wheel F being fixed to the wheel
F, F is also reversed, and if the inner cone of the clutch G be put into gear with
the outer cone then the tube Z is driven by means of the chain F3 and the large
chain wheel F3, as this latter is keyed to the sleeve of the inner cone of G. In
Fig. 4 which shows a simple method of transmission gear for light vehicles, B
is the crankshaft, 132 a short shaft held in the bearings made with the gear
box B R and Rare gear wheels fitted loosely on the crankshaft. R² is a
gear wheel fitted loosely on the shaft B³, R³ is a gear wheel which slides on a
feather on the sleeve R. The clutch S slides on a feather on the shaft B by
means of the lever S¹ having a fulcrum in the box B. The sleeve R' has clutch
jaws at both ends, at the one end to engage with the wheel R and at the other
with the chain wheel T, which has a chain for driving preferably to the axle or
axle tube in the opposite direction for reversing. R is the inner .cone of the
clutch faced with leather which is cast with the sleeve upon which the wheel R¹
is fixedR6 is 'the 'outer cone of the clutch which is cast with the sleeve R
which has also cast or fitted on it the chain wheel R8 which also drives preferably
to the axle tube or balance gear for all forward speeds. R. R¹, and R', are
loose on the shaft but R is pressed into R by the spring with a continuous
unvarying pressure, adjusted to allow nearly half slip. If S be now slid into
the jaws of R¹ to just engage, and R' be placed in the central non-driving
position, Rs and the chain will be driven by the crankshaft B at its speed minus

page_text: the slip allowed by the spring on the clutch. This speed may now be gradually
increased up to absolute driving, viz., to the revolutions of B by
means of hand pressure on the lever S¹, which presses R5 and R6 more tightly
together. For the slower speed, the clutch $ is moved to engage with and
drive R and the sleeve R is kept at its normal position in gear with the toothed
wheel R. Again the speed is determined by the relative number of teeth in
the four wheels R, R¹, R², R³, minus the slip in the friction clutch, but all the
slip may be prevented by pressure by means of the lever T¹, the sleeve R4, the
wheel R2 having a shroud or plate on one side of it by means of which the pres-
sure is communicated to R¹. If it is desired to reverse, the clutch S engages
and drives R, R is moved to engage with the chain wheel T and the axle tube
or its equivalent is driven by R (which slides on a feather on R) without slip
at a very low speed.
In Fig. 5, I is the axle, I the tube surrounding it. U U the back wheel hubs
to which the spokes are fitted, V V₁ are the inner cones of the driving clutches
which permit slip automatically. The outer portion V8 carries the chain wheel
teeth, of which there may be provision for two or even three such chain wheels.
V₁ is fixed to the tube I to which also the hub U¹ is fixed, while V and U are
fixed to the axle I. The short spring on the outside of the hub U¹ presses the
inner cones V V₁ with the same pressure into the outer driver or double cone V2.
The power is transmitted by chain or other method to the outer double cone V
which drives each wheel equally with the amount of slip determined by the
frictional areas of V and V1 to V2 and the tension of the spring.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
Claim 1. The combination in a motor vehicle of a motor shaft carrying a chain
wheel, of a second shaft or axle carrying another chain wheel, of a third short
shaft or stud carrying another chain wheel, which being placed on the outside
of the chain connecting the two chain wheels first mentioned, is, driven in the
opposite direction.
2. In a motor vehicle obtaining the reverse motion by placing a chain wheel
on the outside of the forward driving chain.
3. The construction and arrangement as described and shown in Figs. 1, 2,
and 3.
4. The combination of the parts shown in Fig. 4 for driving forward at different
speeds and for reversing.
5. In a motor vehicle the combination of four gear wheels, four chain wheels,
two chains and two jaw clutches for changing the direction or speed of the
vehicle.
6. The mechanism as described in the preceding claim fitted with a slipping
friction clutch for transmitting the different forward speeds.
7. Conveying the power direct from the crank shaft to the axle substantially
in the manner described and shown in Fig. 4.
8. The arrangement as shown in Fig. 5 for permitting the neecssary slip and
grip, which arrangement also serves as a balance gear.
Dated I.... 74. 1900
JAMES ROOTS.
C. E. VENABLES.