Improvements in the Construction of Railway and Tramway Rolling Stock.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd July, 1887
Complete Left, 23rd Apr., 1888
Complete Accepted, 25th May, 1888
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Improvements in the Construction of Railway and Tramway
Rolling Stock.
1, CECIL GEORGE OWEN, of 41 Gascony Avenue, West Hampstead, in the County
of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention has for object to provide railway and tramway vehicles with a flexible
wheel base controlled by suitable springs (in such a manner as to ensure the axles
being at all times at right angles or practically so to the rails over which they are
travelling, the construction and arrangement being such that when travelling on a
curve the axles will assume directions that will be radial to the centre of such curve,
and as a straight portion of line or one having a reversed curvature is reached, the
direction of the axles will be at all times at right angles or approximately so to the rails
over which they are passing, the whole arrangement of wheels, axles, axle trucks, etc.,
being so controlled by means of springs as to prevent shaking, oscillations, or
shocks.
To attain this end, it is necessary that the end axles in a six wheeled vehicle shall
each have a swivelling motion round a centre fixed to the under-frame of the vehicle,
and that the centre or intermediate axle (or axles, if there be more than three axles,)
has or have both a swivelling and lateral motion relative to its or their centre or centres
on the under frame of the vehicle.
This is necessitated by the centre line of the vehicle when running on a curve taking
the position of a chord to that curve.
For this purpose according to one method of carrying out my invention, when as
by preference applied to six-wheeled vehicles, I mount on each axle a separate truck
or carriage, such truck or carriage being provided with guides or horn blocks for the
axle box, and attachments for the ends of the bearing springs. The trucks mounted
on the end or outer axles are each capable of a swivelling motion round a fixed centre
attached to the under frame of the vehicle, while the truck mounted on the centre axle
has a lateral as well as a swivelling motion relative to its centre or pin on the under
frame of the carriage. These centres are, by preference, in all cases situated directly

page_text: above the axles and in the centre line of the under frame but in cases where it is
deemed expedient to give the end axles (either in six or eight wheel vehicles) a slight
amount of lateral motion this may be accomplished by placing the centre swivelling
pin in a position not directly above the axle.
Within the side bars of the framing of the truck mounted on the centre axle and
above and parallel thereto, is mounted a bar which I shall call the spring bar, which
bar is rigidly fixed as a whole to the axle-truck, and on this bar the controlling springs
when in the form of india-rubber or other elastic pads, conical or volute steel springs
are placed together with their attachments.
The centre pins on which the axle trucks swivel are of the ordinary construction,
and fit into sockets or recesses formed for their reception in their respective trucks.
In the case of the truck mounted on the central axle, the socket or recess fits the
pin in a fore and aft direction, but is elongated so as to allow the truck lateral move-
iment under the control of side springs which are mounted on the before mentioned
spring bar, one set of springs on each side of the centre swivelling pin. Nuts on this
bar form an abutment to enable these springs to be compressed, when any lateral
motion or tendency thereto takes place and provide a convenient means of putting on
the requisite initial compression.
On this same spring bar there is placed at each side of the centre pin and behind or
beyond the lateral controlling springs, a plate, which plate I shall call a cross plate.
These cross plates can slide on the spring bar, and are provided with eyes or other
convenient means for making a flexible joint by which the plates are connected by
means of rods or chains to the trucks of the outer or end axles. The position of the
points of attachments to these trucks are such that when the vehicle is on a curve the
centre axle truck takes a lateral motion due to the versed sine of the arc subtended
by the chord formed by the axis of the vehicle, this amount of lateral movement is
transmitted through the before mentioned rods or chains and causes the end axle trucks
to swivel through such an angle that the axles radiate to the centre of the curve.
Behind or if necessary on both sides and in contact with the cross plates are placed
springs to which a high initial compression is given by means of nuts behind the
springs on the spring bar. This compression produces a tension in the rods or chains
connecting the cross plates with the end axle trucks, and provides great steadying and
controlling power, as by such means the tendency is to bring the axles back to their
normal positions. In some cases, it may not be necessary to provide springs for the
especial purpose of controlling the lateral movements of the centre axle truck, as the
springs behind the cross plates will provide sufficient lateral controlling power to return
the axles to their normal positions.
In this arrangement the spring bar instead of being in one complete length passing
through the centre pin may be formed in two pieces and fastened to the axle truck by
a swivelling joint on either side of the centre pin, the cross plates, springs, etc. being
mounted one on each bar.
The corners of the axle trucks are connected with the under frame in the ordinary
manner either by the use of rubbing plates or may be slung from brackets attached to
the under frame.
According to another modification of my invention I may instead of placing the
side controlling springs immediately beside the centre swivelling pin transfer them to
a position behind the cross plates and their springs.
In such a case the side springs are compressed when called into action by nuts or
cotters on the spring bar and part of the framing of the axle truck.
In this arrange-.
ment it is necessary that the spring bar be fastened in any convenient manner by
means of a swivelling joint to the centre pin or underframe and it will not be
possible to put on the requisite initial compression on the springs behind the cross
plates by nuts on the spring bar, for which purpose extra rods must be provided.
In another modification of my invention I may substitute in the place of the cross
plates and the springs behind them, laminated steel springs and connect the eyes at
the ends of these springs with the rods or chains which form the connections with the
end axle trucks.

page_text: In this case the spring bar forms the connection between the buckles of the laminated
spring on each side of the centre pin and the side controlling springs are mounted on
this bar.
When adapting my invention to eight-wheel vehicles, to enable all four axles to
radiate, the two intermediate axle trucks have a lateral and swivelling motion while the
end axle trucks have a swivelling motion only relative to their centre pin. To cause
the axle trucks to radiate I fix to the underframe of the vehicle, in a transverso
direction and in a position equidistant between the two intermediate axles, a bar on
which is mounted cross plates and springs either on one or both sides of these plates,
in a similar manner as on the spring bars on the before mentioned centre axle trucks.
The two intermediate axle trucks have each a spring bar, cross plates and side springs
as before described for the centre axle of six wheel vehicles and the cross plates on
the bar fixed to the underframe are connected with rods or chains with the cross plates
on the spring bars on the two intermediate axle trucks while the other sides of these
cross plates are connected to the axle trucks of the end axles. The points of attachment
are arranged for the same purpose as in six wheel vehicles.
Or instead of causing all four axles to radiate I may mount the two intermediate
axles on a single truck and the end axles each on a truck. The centre truck has a
lateral motion and swivels on a centre between the two axles while the end axles each
swivel on a centre above the axle. The arrangement of spring bar springs, cross
plates on the centre truck and connections being the same as in the previous
cases.
It will be observed that with these arrangements I may substitute in the place of
the cross plates and their springs, laminated steel springs as described in the modification
for six wheel vehicles.
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Railway and Tramway
Rolling Stock.
I, CECIL GEORGE OWEN, of 41, Gascony Avenue, West Hampstead, in the County
of Middlesex, Civil 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 has for object to provide railway and tramway vehicles with a flexible
wheel base controlled by suitable springs in such a manner as to ensure the axles being
at all times at right angles, or practically so, to the rails over which they are
travelling, the construction and arrangement being such that when travelling on a
curve the axles will assume directions that will be radial to the centre of such curve,
and as a straight portion of line or one having a reversed curvature is reached, the
direction of the axles will be at all times at right angles, or approximately so, to the
rails over which they are passing, the whole arrangement of wheels, axles, axle trucks,
etc.; being so controlled by means of springs, as to prevent shaking, oscillations, or
shocks.
To attain this end, it is necessary in the case of a six wheeled vehicle that the end
axles shall each have a swivelling motion round a centre fixed to the under frame of
the vehicle, and that the centre or intermediate axle (or axles, if there be more than
three axles) has or have both a swivelling and lateral motion relative to its or their
centre or centres on the under frame of the vehicle.
This is necessitated by the centre line of the vehicle when running on a curve taking
the position of a chord to that curve.
For this purpose, according to one method of carrying out my invention, when as by
preference applied to six wheeled vehicles, I mount on each axle a separate truck or car-
riage, such truck or carriage being provided with guides or horn blocks for the axle boxes,
and attachments for the ends of the bearing springs. The trucks mounted on the end or
outer axles are each capable of a swivelling motion round a fixed centre attached to the
under frame of the vehicle, while the truck mounted on the centre axle has a lateral as well
as a swivelling motion relative to its centre or pin on the under frame of the carriage.
These centres are, by preference, in all cases situated directly above the axles and in
the centre line of the under frame, but in cases where it is deemed expedient to give
the end axles a slight amount of lateral motion this may be accomplished by placing the
centre swivelling pin in a position not directly above the axle.
Within the side bars of the framing of the truck mounted on the centre axle and
above and parallel thereto, is mounted a bar which I shall call the spring bar, which
bar is by preference rigidly fixed as a whole to the axle truck, and on this bar the
controlling springs in the form of India-rubber or other clastic pads, or conical or
volute steel springs, are placed together with their attachments.

page_text: The centre pins on which the axle trucks swivel are of the ordinary construction, and
fit into sockets or recesses formed for their reception in their respective trucks.
In the case of the trucks mounted on the central axle, the socket or recess fits the
pin in a fore and aft direction, but is elongated so as to allow the truck lateral move-
ment under the control of side springs which are mounted on the before-mentioned
spring bar, one set of springs being on each side of the centre swivelling pin. Nuts
on this bar form an abutment to enable the springs to be compressed, when any lateral
motion or tendency thereto takes place and provide a convenient means of putting on
the requisite initial compression.
On this same spring bar there is placed at each side of the centre pin and behind
or beyond the lateral controlling springs, a plate, which plate I shall call a cross
plate. These cross plates can slide on the spring bar, and are provided with eyes or
other convenient means for making a flexible joint by which the plates are connected
by means of rods or chains to the trucks of the outer or end axles. The position of
the points of attachments to these trucks are such that when the vehicle is on
a curve the centre axle truck takes a lateral motion due to the versed sine of the
are subtended by the chord formed by the axis of the vehicle, this amount of lateral
movement is transmitted through the before-mentioned rods or chains and causes the
end axle trucks to swivel through such an angle that the axles radiate to the centre of
the curve. Behind, or if necessary, on both sides, and in contact with the cross plates
are placed springs to which a high initial compression is given by means of nuts behind
the springs on the spring bar. This compression produces a tension in the rods or
chains connecting the cross plates with the end axle trucks, and provides great
steadying and controlling power, as by such means the tendency is to bring the axles
back to their normal positions. In some cases, it may not be necessary to provide
springs for the especial purpose of controlling the lateral movements of the centre
axle truck, as the springs behind the cross plates will provide sufficient lateral
controlling power to return the axles to their normal positions.
In this arrangement the spring bar instead of being in one complete length passing
through the centre pin may be formed in two pieces and fastened to the axle truck
by a swivelling joint on either side of the centre pin, the cross plates, springs, etc.
being mounted one on each bar.
The corners of the axle trucks are connected with the under frame in the ordinary
manner either by the use of rubbing plates, or may be slung from brackets attached
to the underframe.
According to another modification of my invention I may instead of placing the
side controlling springs immediately beside the centre swivelling pin, transfer them
to a position behind the cross plates and their springs.
In such a case the side springs are compressed when called into action by nuts or
cotters on the spring bar and part of the framing of the axle truck.
In this arrange-
ment, it is necessary that the spring bar be fastened in any convenient manner by
means of a swivelling joint to the centre pin or underframe and it will not be possible
to put the requisite initial compression on the springs behind the cross plates by nuts
on the spring bar, for which purpose extra rods must be provided.
In another modification of my invention I may substitute in the place of the cross
plates and the springs behind them, laminated steel springs under compression and
connect the eyes at the ends of these springs with the rods or chains which form the
connections with the end axle trucks.
In this case the spring bar forms the connection between the buckles of the laminated
spring on each side of the centre pin and the side controlling springs are mounted on
this bar.
When adapting my invention to eight-wheeled vehicles, to enable all four axles to
radiate, the two intermediate axle trucks have a lateral and swivelling motion while
the end axle trucks have a swivelling motion only relative to their centre pins. To
cause the axle trucks to radiate I fix to the underframe of the vehicle, in a transverse
direction and in a position equidistant between the two intermediate axles, a bar on

page_text: which is mounted cross plates and springs either on one or both sides of these plates,
in a similar manner as on the spring bars on the before mentioned centre axle trucks.
The two intermediate axle trucks have each a spring bar, cross plates and side springs
as before described for the centre axle of six wheeled velicles and the cross plates on
the bar fixed to the underframe are connected with rods or chains with the cross
plates on the spring bars on the two intermediate axle trucks, while the other sides of
these cross plates are connected to the axle trucks of the end axles. The points of
attachment are arranged for the same purpose as in six wheeled vehicles.
Or instead of causing all four axles to radiate I may mount the two intermediate
axles on a single truck and the end axles each on a truck. The centre truck has a
lateral motion and swivels on a centre between the two axles, while the end axle trucks
each swivel on a centre above the axle the arrangement of spring bar, springs,
cross plates on the centre truck and connections being the same as in the previous
cases.
It will be observed that with these arrangements I may substitute in the place of the
cross plates and their springs, laminated steel springs as described in the modification for
six wheeled vehicles.
In order that the nature of my invention may be readily understood, I will proceed
to explain the same with the aid of the accompanying three sheets of drawings.
Figs. 1, 2, 3 & 4, sheet 1, shew one arrangement of my invention applied to a six
wheeled vehicle, Fig. 1 being a longitudinal section; Fig. 2 a part.elevation; Fig. 3
a plan showing part of the underframe of a vehicle, in position, and Fig. 4 a cross
section through the centre axle.
The end axle trucks each have a swivelling motion on their centres 1, which in this
case are placed directly above the axles. The centre axle truck has a swivelling as
well as a lateral motion relative to its centre pin 2. This centre pin is arranged to
slide in a socket or recess 2ª formed in the centre axle truck. 3 is the spring bar
shewn in one piece and fastened rigidly to the axle truck. 4, 4 are side controlling
springs having sufficient stroke to allow for lateral play; they may be of any suitable
kind such as india-rubber or steel. In some cases these springs may be dispensed with,
as the springs behind the cross plates will be sufficient to control the axles. 5, 5 are
the cross plates, jointed to the tension rods 6; 7, 7 are the springs behind the cross
plate; to these springs a high initial compression is given to produce tension in the
tension rods 6 in all positions of such rods, and at all times. The tension rods 6 are
jointed at their other ends to the end axle trucks at the points 8, which are so arranged
relatively to the centres 1 that when the centre axle takes a lateral motion due to the
versed sine of the curve, round which the vehicle is passing, the end axles radiate to
the centre of such curve. It will be readily seen that the springs 7 behind the cross
plates 5 produce a constant pressure at all times, and when running on a straight portion
of rail, a constant tension is maintained in the tension rods 6, but when travelling on
a curve the angle formed by the tension rods on one side of the longitudinal axis of
the vehicle, decreases, while the angle formed by the tension rods on the other side of
such axis, is increased. It therefore follows that with a constant initial pressure on
the springs 7, when the vehicle is running on a curve, three is a greater tension on the
rods on the side farthest from the centre of the curve than on those nearest such centre,
the greater tension tending to return the axles to their normal positions.
At the same time the rods 6 being always in tension constitute a great controlling
power over all the axles and prevent shaking, oscillations and shocks. The whole
arrangement of springs also serve to completely isolate the shocks coming on the
centre pair of axles, and prevent the communication of such shocks to the
vehicle. For a similar purpose the sockets in which the centre pins 1 of the end axle
trucks swivel instead of being rigidly fixed to such trucks in the usual way are in the
example shewn, each held in position by the intervention of springs 4 which are
under great compression, so as to prevent any perceptible movement of the pin
sockets. These springs which are mounted on boss 3 that are each secured at one
end to the socket, bear against nuts and agaiust part of the axle truck. By this

page_text: construction the communication of shocks to the body of the vehicle is prevented.
When chains are used in lieu of the rods 6 they may be supported and guided by
rollers arranged in any suitable manner.
Figs. 5 and 6 sheet 2 shews a modification of my invention, Fig. 5 being a plan
and Fig. 6a transverse section through the centre axle. In this case the side
controlling springs 4, 4 are transferred to a position behind and outside of the cross
plates 5, and the spring har 3 is fastened by a swivelling pin joint to the centre 2.
9. 9. are rods for putting initial compression on the springs 7. In other respects the
arrangement is similar to that hereinbefore described, and similar parts are
correspondingly figured.
Figs. 7 and 8, sheet 2, are similar views to Figs. 5 and 6 and shew another
modification according to which the cross plates and springs hereinbefore described
and shewn are replaced by laminated steel springs 10, 10, which are under
a high initial compression, the ends of the springs being jointed to the tension rods 6
in a similar manner to the cross plates 5. In other respects the arrangement is
similar to that hereinbefore described and shewn on sheet 1, and similar parts are
correspondingly figured.
Figs. 9. 10. 11. & 12, sheet 3 shew my invention applied to an eight wheeled vehicle;
Fig. 9 being a longitudinal section, Fig. 10 a part side elevation; Fig. 11 a plan;
and Fig. 12 a transverse section in the line A. B. Fig. 11. The two intermediate
axles in this arrangement have a swivelling and lateral motion while the end axles
have a swivelling motion only. The two intermediate axle trucks are each provided
with spring bars, cross-plates controlling springs, etc. similar to the centre axle truck
of the six wheeled vehicle hereinbefore described with reference to figs. 1, 2, 3 & 4,
and similar parts are correspondingly figured. A spring bar 11 arranged equi-
distant between the axles of the intermediate trucks is attached to the underframe of
the vehicle by means of brackets 12, 12. On this spring bar are mounted cross-
plates 13 provided with springs 14 which are highly compressed. These cross plates 13.
are connected by the tension rods 15 with the cross plates 5. on the intermediate axle
trucks. The end axle trucks in this arrangement are shewn arranged to swivel only,
but springs may he provided in the manner shewn in Fig. 3 to prevent the
communication of shocks to the vehicle body. The spring bar 11. may in some cases
be dispensed with, the tension rods 15 being then jointed directly to the under-frame
of the vehicle, but this construction would not so completely isolate the vehicle from
shocks, as the arrangement hereinbefore described and shewn.
When applying my invention to an eight wheeled vehicle the two intermediate
axles may as hereinbefore mentioned be mounted in a single bogie truck provided
with a spring bar, cross plates, controlling springs, etc. in a similar manner to the
centre axle truck of a six wheeled vehicle."
It is to be understood that 1 do not restrict my invention to vehicles having six or
eight wheels, & also that I may substitute laminated steel springs for the cross plates &
springs, in each of the arrangements where such cross plates and springs are shown.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. For the purpose of radiating and controlling the axles in a flexible wheel base
for railway or tramway vehicles providing in connection with the said axles, rods or
chains and means whereby the same are maintained at all times in a state of tension,
equal on all the rods or chains when the vehicle is travelling along a straight portion
of way but varying in the rods or chains at the respective sides of the vehicle when
travelling along a curved portion of way substantially as described.
2. The use in combination with rods or chains as referred to in the preceding claim
for radiating and controlling the axles in a flexible wheel base and for preventing
shocks, of spring bars, side controlling springs and cross plates applied in connection
with axle trucks substantially as described.
3. The combination and arrangement substantially as described and for the

page_text: purposes set forth of cross plates 5, springs or cushions 7, and rods 6 or chains
in tension whether such rods or chains be open or crossed.
4. Providing in connection with tension rods, or with chains, laminated plate
springs mounted on an axle truck substantially in the manner described, for the.
purpose set forth.
5. The use in combination with tension rods or chains for controlling the axles in
a flexible wheel base comprising eight or more wheels, of a spring bar, or spring bars
attached to the underframe of the vehicle, and having mounted upon it or them cross
plates and springs or.elastic cushions or laminated plate springs, such cross plates or
plate springs being attached to the said tension rods, substantially as and for the
purpose hereinbefore described with reference to the example illustrated on sheet 3 of
the drawings annexed.
6. The application and use as described of the springs at the respective sides of the
swivelling centres for preventing the communication of shocks to the body of the
vehicle.
7. The several arrangements of my improved wheel base for railway or tramway
rolling stock substantially as hereinabove described with reference respectively to and
shewn in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive; in Figs. 5 and 6; in Figs. 7 and 8; and in
Figs. 9 to 12 inclusive of the drawings annexed.
1000
Dated this 23rd day of April 1888.
CECIL GEORGE OWEN.
W. Lloyd Wise,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields; London, W.C.;
Agent for the Applicant.