Year: 1888

page_text: 1, JACOB GARDNER KENYON, residing at Port Kenyon, in the county of Humboldt,
and State of California, one of the United States of America Farmer, 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 vehicles, and especially to the axles and connections
thereof.
My invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of the inde-
pendent axles or wheel-spindles, their bearings, and their supports.
The main objects of my invention are to reduce the friction and to steady and
lighten the draft.
Referring to the accompanying drawings etc.,
Figure 1 is a rear elevation of my vehicle.
Figure 2 is a perspective detail, showing the axle boxes.
Figure 3 is a detail of the end of the axle.
A, A, are the wheels of the vehicle, each has an axle or spindle B, upon which
it is made fast in any suitable manner, so that both wheel and axle turn
together.
These axles or spindles B, pass by each other in opposite directions, and in order
to avoid interference, I arrange them so that one passes under the other, by making
the diameter of the wheel on one side enough less than that of the wheel on the other
side, to lower its hub sufficiently.
Cis the frame of the vehicle, and to its sides are firmly secured the downwardly
extending supporting plates D, which form the boxes into which the axle or spindle,
near its wheel-end, passes. These boxes are made as follows:-
A rectangular hole is made in the supporting-plate, in which is introduced a
rectangular piece of rubber E, in the center of which a circular metallic sleeve or
thimble e is fitted and secured firmly by means of small flanges et on its sides, fitting
corresponding grooves in the rubber.
3

page_text: The axles or spindles pass through the sleeves or thimbles and rotate therein.
The rubber serves as a cushion between the axle and its box.
Upon the inner surface of the supporting plates D, are firmly bolted the hoxes F,
in which the outer end of each spindle or axle is journaled, and by which it is
supported. This box, though it may be of any suitable character, I prefer to make
in two sliding parts, seen in Figure 2, said parts forming the journal-socket between
them.
Upon the end of the spindle or axle is screwed a ball b, preferably of steel, which
is held to place by a pin b¹, but may be readily removed for the substitution of
another, when necessary.
The ball fits in the two-part box F, and is confined therein with a suitable amount
of pressure by means of the cross-bolt f which holds the two parts of the box
together.
It will be seen, that by this construction, the main objects of my invention are
attained.
The friction is reduced by transferring it from the wheel-centers, where it usually
is in vehicles, to the journals of the spindles.
Steadiness and ease of draft. is obtained by so mounting the wheels as to more
effectually prevent every deflection from a straight line. In the ordinary construction,
each wheel being rotary on its spindle, there is a constant tendency to deflection,
either by reason of obstructions, or by looseness, and this tendency produces a
cramping and consequent friction, which affects the draft.
But in my construction, each wheel is controlled by its axle or spindle, which,
serving as a lever, is sufficient to resist the deflecting tendency and keep the wheel
perfectly straight.
The necessity for removing the wheel from the axle to grease it is obviated, and the
tendency to heat is prevented.
In passing along a hill-side with a heavy load, the wheels of a common vehicle
bind tightly, and produce great friction on the spindle, as the wheel acts as a
lever.
•
In my construction, the axles or spindles, acting as long levers, the wheels, as
before said are easily controlled, thus greatly reducing the friction.
The draft of the vehicle is also lightened in this construction by reason of the
length of the spindles or axles, which serve in a measure as springs, and this effect is
greatly assisted by the rubber cushions in the main boxes of the axles or spindles,
which, yielding to their movement, produce a kind of springy or yielding motion,
enabling the wheels to ride lightly over inequalities of the ground and obstructions in
the pathway.
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
1 claim is
1. In a vehiclo, the combination of a wheel and an axle or spindle with which it is
connected so as to rotate together, and an opposing wheel of smaller diameter having
an axle or spindle connected with it so as to rotate together, said axles or spindles
passing the one above the other, and journaled in separate boxes near its side,
substantially as described.
2. In a vehicle, opposing wheels, each having an independent axle so connected
with it that wheel and axle shall rotate together, said axles passing by each other, in
combination with independent boxes provided with cushion-bearings, through which
each axle passes near its wheel or hub end, and independent boxes in which the outer
end of each axle is fitted, substantially as described.
3. In a vehicle, opposing wheels, each having an independent axle so connected
with it thrt wheel and axle shall rotate together, said axles passing by each other, in
combination with fixed supporting plates secured to the frame on each side, said plates
having a thimble or sleeve through which the axle passes, and rubber cushions fitted

page_text: in the plates around the thimbles or sleeves, and suitable boxes for the outer ends of
the axles, substantially as described.
4. In a vehicle, opposing wheels, each having an independent axle, so connected
with it that wheel and axle shall rotate together, said axles passing each other, in
combination with the vehicle frame and the supporting plates carried thereby, in
which the wheel-ends of the axles are journaled, the box on each supporting plate,
and the ball on the outer end of each axle fitted in said box, substantially as
described.