IMPROVEMENTS IN TRACTION OR LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES
Year: 1859

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Longstaff, of Mornington Road, New Cross,
in the County of Kent, Pattern Maker, and Abraham Pullan, of Fortie
Cottage, New Cross, in the same County, Engineer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRACTION OR LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES."
Sealed the 11th January 1860, and dated the 14th July 1859.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Longstaff and
Abraham Pullan at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition. on the 14th July 1859.
We, RICHARD LONGSTAFF, of Mornington Road, New Cross, in the County
of Kent, Pattern Maker, and ABRAHAM PULLAN, of Fortie Cottage, New
Cross, in the same County, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRACTION OF LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES," to be
as follows:-
Our Invention of improvements in traction or locomotive engines relates to
various improvements whereby traction or locomotive engines for use on
common roads or for agricultural purposes are simplified in construction,
rendered more effective, and are lighter than traction engines of any of the
kinds hitherto constructed.
Our first improvement consists in mounting the steam cylinders and
driving gear on a vibrating frame or platform instead of attaching these parts
to or fixing them on the boiler, as is usually the case This vibrating frame

page_text: or platform is connected to the horizontal foundation frame by a pin, stud, or
spring at one end, so that this frame may vibrate or move thereon as its centre
of motion. The other end of this vibrating frame is connected by means of a
vertical link to a strong carriage spring attached to the foundation frame. By
this means a certain degree of elasticity is given to the vibrating frame. The
boiler is mounted on the same frame, but separate from the cylinders and
driving gear, and therefore the boiler may be made much lighter than usual;
the cylinders and driving gear communicate motion to the running wheels by
means of toothed wheels and intermediate gearing. In carrying out this part
of our Irvention, we find it convenient to brace the forward end of the vibrating
frame by means of cross bars, or a cross frame extending from side to side of
the engine, for the purpose of preventing the framing from twisting, and the
transverse shafts from being strained when the engine is moving over uneven
ground: The large running wheels (to which motion is communicated from the
engine by suitable driving gear, as above mentioned), are made with wrought-
iron spokes, the inner ends of which are secured in a cast-iron nave or box
which is cast thereon.
To the outer ends of the wrought-iron arms are secured wooden felloes, and
these latter are surrounded with an iron tire. To each of the wrought-iron
arms or spokes of the running wheels is secured a strong wrought-iron tooth
or pin, which is made to project laterally beyond the wheel. In order to
increase the bearing surface of the running wheels, additional side wheels are
adapted thereto in such a manner as to admit of these additional wheels being
brought down on to the surface of the ground or raised up therefrom when
required. For this purpose these side wheels are mounted in levers suspended
at one end from the foundation frame,and provided at the opposite end with a
vertical adjusting screw, which passes through screwed bearings also attached to
the foundation frame,so that when the screw is turned round in its bearings, the
levers of the side wheels will be either raised or depressed. These side wheels
are provided on one side with laterally projecting blocks, which when the
wheels are lowered will come into contact with the lateral projecting pins of the
large running wheels, and will be thereby prevented from rotating except with
the running wheels, the area of the bearing surface of which will be thereby
doubled, or nearly so. We prefer to construct the bearing surface of the side
wheels with projecting teeth or studs, between which we adapt pieces of
vulcanized sheet india-rubber, so as to form an elastic and yielding bearing
surface which will bend on the ground.
Another mode of arranging the driving gear in connection with the boiler
consists in securing one end of the boiler to the framing of the steering

page_text: apparatus, while the other end is supported on a spring beam or framing
connected with the driving wheels. Instead of mounting the additional side
wheels in levers as above mentioned, we sometimes mount them excentrically
in discs or wheels, and by causing these latter to rotate by any suitable
mechanical contrivance, the side wheels will be raised or depressed as may be
required. The steam cylinders and driving gear may also be mounted on a
vibrating frame, which is supported at one end by a horizontal shaft that passes
through the thesmoke box or otherconvenient partof the boiler, and the opposite
end of this frame may be made to rest on the axle of the driving wheels.
Another modification consists in mounting the cylinders and driving gear on
the spring framing of the steering carriage, the opposite end of this framing
being attached to the axle of the driving wheels or some convenient part of
the boiler or foundation frame, so as to convert the steering frame into a
vibrating frame with its centre of motion on the axle of the running wheels.
The steering is effected by means of parallel screws, which are worked by a
hand wheel, through the intervention of suitable intermediate gearing.
For some purposes we prefer to construct the bearing surfaces of the driving
wheels and also of the steering wheel with vulcanized india-rubber in the same
manner as has been mentioned in reference to the additional side wheels. In
order to prevent jar or noise in working the machinery, we propose to make
some of the spur gearing with wooden teeth. In order to keep the boiler in
a horizontal position when going up hill, so as to keep the water level therein,
we mount the boiler on adjustable trunnions, which may be elevated or lowered
by means of screws or otherwise.
We use a straight shaft as a driving shaft, and instead of forging cranks
thereon as usual, we forge the cranks separate, and key them on to the shaft.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Richard Longstaff and Abraham Pullan in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 14th January 1860.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, RICHARD
LONGSTAFF. of Mornington Road, New Cross, in the County of Kent, Pattern
Maker, and ABRAHAM PULLAN, of Fortic Cottage, New Cross, in the same
County, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
l'atent, bearing date the Fourteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, in the twenty-third year of Her

page_text: reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the
said Richard Longstaff and Abraham Pullan, Her special license that we,
thesaid Richard Longstaff and Abraham Pullan, our executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as we, the said Richard Longstaff and Abraham
Pullan, our executors, adininistrators, and assigns, should at anytime agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islauds, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTE IN TRACTION
the
OR LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES," upon the condition (amongst others) that we,
said Richard Longstaff and Abraham Pullan, by an instrument in writing
under our hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Richard Longstaff and Abraham
Pullan, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement, reference beiug had to the
Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon
(that is to say):-
Our Invention of "Improvements in Traction or Locomotive Engines,"
relates to various improvements whereby traction or locomotive engines for
use on common roads or for agricultural purposes, are simplified in con-
struction, rendered more effective, and are lighter than traction engines of any
of the kinds hitherto constructed.
Our several improvements are shewn in the accompanying Drawings, in
which Fig. 1, Sheet 1., is a side elevation of one form of our improved
locomotive traction engine. Fig. 2 is a plan view, as seen from above. Fig. 3
is a sectional end elevation; and Fig. 4 is an elevation of the opposite or
steering end of the engine. Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, Sheet II., represent
elevations of modifications of the above, shewing different. arrangements of
parts for effecting the same object.
Our first improvement consists in mounting the steam cylinder and the
working parts of the engines, together with the driving gear, in such a manner
with respect to the foundation frame of the engine, that the vertical motion of
the running wheels or of the foundation frame, occasioned by jolts and shocks
produced by the unevenness of the ground, shall not interfere with or in-

page_text: juriously affect or derange the gearing or working parts of the engine. To
this end, the steam cylinder and the other working parts are mounted on a
vibrating or secondary frame or platform a, a, a, instead of attaching these
parts to, or fixing them on, the boiler, or on a foundation frame, as is usually
the case with traction or locomotive engines. This vibrating or secondary
frame or platform a is connected to the horizontal foundation frame b, b, b, by
a pin or stud c at one end, so that this frame may vibrate or move thereon as
its centre of motion. The other end of this vibrating frame a rests upon the
axle e of the running or driving wheels d, d. The boiler f, tanks g, g, and
the parts connected therewith; are connected to the foundation frame b at the
smoke box end by a shaft c, which is mounted in a plummer block fixed ou
the frame ; and in order to give a certain amount of elasticity to this part,
several thicknesses of vulcanized india-rubber or other elastic substance c³,c³,
are interposed between the bottom of the smoke box and the shaft c. These
parts are shewn detached in plan, and side and end elevations, at Figs. 1°, 2*,
and 3. The weight of the boiler fand other parts connected therewith is
transferred to the axle e of the running wheel by means of vertical links i, i,
connected to the strong carriage springs, j, immediately above the axles e.
By this means a certain degree of elasticity is given to the vibrating or
secondary frame a. The boiler being mounted on the foundation frame b, and
separate from the cylinders k, k, and driving gear 1, 1, 1, the boiler may be
made much lighter than usual. The cylinders, with their pistons and con-
uecting rods, which are not shewn in the Drawing, communicate motion to
the running wheels d. d, by means of the toothed wheel u and intermediate
gearing 1, 1, 1.
In carrying out this part of our Invention, we find it convenient to brace
one end of the vibrating or secondary frame by means of cross bars or a cross
frame a', al, Fig. 3, extending from side to side of the engine, for the purpose
of preventing the framing from twisting, and the transverse shafts from being
strained when the engine is moving over uneven ground. The large running
wheels d (to which motion is communicated from the engine by suitable
driving gear, as above mentioned,) are made with wrought-iron spokes d¹, d¹,
the inner ends of which are secured in a cast-iron nave or box d³, which is
cast thereon. To the outer ends of the wrought-iron arms are secured
wooden felloes, and these latter are surrounded with an iron tire. To each of
the wrought-iron arms or spokes of the running wheels, or to the wooden
felloe, as shewn in the Drawing, is secured a strong wrought-iron tooth or
pin m (Fig. 3), which is made to project laterally beyond the wheel. In order
to increase the bearing surface of the running wheels, additional side wheels

page_text: n, n, are adapted thereto in such a manner as to admit of these additional
wheels being brought down on to the surface of the ground, or raised up
therefrom when required. For this purpose; these side wheels may be mounted
in excentrics n*, as shewn in Fig. 3, or in levers o, o, suspended at one end
from the foundation frame, as shewn in Fig. 6, Sheet II., and provided at the
opposite end with a vertical adjusting screw p, which passes through screwed
bearings attached to the vertical link g of the vibrating frame a, so that when
the screws p are turned round in their bearings, the levers o of the side wheels
will be either raised or depressed. These side wheels are provided on one
side with lateral projecting blocks r, r, Fig. 3, Sheet I., which when the
wheels are lowered will come into contact with the lateral projecting pins or
teeth m of the large running wheels, which will be thereby prevented from
rotating except with the additional side wheels n; the area of the bearing
surface of the running wheels will be thereby doubled, or nearly so. We
prefer to construct the bearing surface of the side wheels n, n, with projecting
teeth or studs t, t, (see detached view, Fig. 10, Sheet I.,) to which we adapt
pieces of vulcanized india-rubber or other elastic substance t¹, t¹, so as to form
an elastic and yielding bearing surface which will bind on the ground, and by
the yielding of the elastic substance t¹ the teeth t will be enabled to take a
firm hold. The large spur ring u, u, is bolted on the arms of the large
running wheels, d,d; and the toothed wheels 1,1, whereby motion is transmitted
to this wheel u, are mounted on shafts carried by brackets a*, bolted to the
vibrating frame a. All the working parts are as far as possible enclosed and
protected from the weather and dust by a cover l", 1", Figs. 1 and 3.
Fig. 5 is a modification of the above described mode of arranging the
various parts of the engine; bis the foundation frame, on which the boiler f
and tanks are bolted; d is the large running wheel; n, the small additional
side wheels; is a guido plate bolted to the under side of the foundation
plate 6. This plate b is slotted to allow of the axles of the wheels d and n,
rising and falling when required. These axles are mounted in bearings in an
upright secondary framing a, which rises and falls like the vibrating frame a
in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4. The upright frame a is attached to the flat carriage
spring by means of a pin a*, and the ends of this spring are secured to the
arched piece or frame 62, which is bolted on the top of the foundation frame b.
The arched frame 62 is slotted to receive the studs a² fixed on the upright
frame a, and thereby serves as a guide for this frame. The red circles 1, 2, 1,
and u represents the pitch lines of the toothed gearing, whereby motion is com-
municated to the running wheels from the cylinder k, which is bolted to the
upright frame a.

page_text: Fig. 6 is another modification, in which the vibrating frame a is connected
by a pinc to a strong spring c*, the other end of which is secured to the founda-
tion frame b. The steam cylinder / and the working parts of the engine are
bolted on the vibrating frame a, as in Fig. 1, and the opposite end of this
frame is connected, by means of a link 2, to the end of the strong carriage
spring; the axle e of the running wheel is fixed to the vibrating frame a,
which also carries the bearings of the toothed wheels 1, l, whereby motion is
communicated to a large spur wheel u. In order to keep the boiler fin a
horizontal position when going up hill, so as to keep the water level therein,
the boiler fis mounted on pins or studs f*, which turn in trunnions in a
spring box f3, fixed on or attached to the foundation frameb. These trumnious
may be so constructed as to admit of being raised or lowered by means of
screws or otherwise. The fire-box end of the boiler rests upon a step f
attached to the piston rod of an hydraulic cylinder 4, which is bolted on to
the foundation frame b. This hydraulic cylinder is connected with a three-way
cock in the feed pipe of the boiler, and is so arranged that when required
water may be pumped through this cock into the hydraulic cylinder below the
piston, which will be thereby raised, and in so doing will lift the firc-box end
of the boiler.
Fig. 7 is another modification, in which the steam cylinders are placed
on the secondary or vibrating frame at the opposite end of the foundation
frame, and the toothed gear is somewhat modified in arrangement, so that the
running wheel shaft may, when required, be driven direct at the same speed
as the crank shaft.
Another mode of arranging the driving gear in connection with the boiler,
consists in securing one end of the boiler to the framing of the steering appa-
ratus, while the other or fire-box end of the boileris supported on a spring beam
or framing connected with the driving wheels. This arrangement is shewn in
Figs. S, Sheet II. In this instance the boiler f, the spur driving ring u, and
the toothed gearing 1, 1, are also fixed on or connected with the foundation
frame b. The spur ring u is not fixed to the running wheel d, as in the former
instances, but runs on a hollow stud *, affixed to the frame b. The running
wheel d turns freely on the driving axle e, and the latter passes through an
oblong slot in the stud u on which the boss of the driving ring u runs. This
driving ring is geared to the running wheel d, by means of pins or studs v, v,
which project laterally from the driving ring u, and bear against the spokes of
the running wheel d, and thereby cause the latter to rotate. It will be
evident that in this arrangement, as well as in those above described, the gearing
and machinery will not be affected by the vertical movement of the running

page_text: wheel d, as its spring yields so the jolts caused by the inequalities of the road.
The steam cylinders and driving gear may also be mounted on a vibrating
frame, which is equivalent to the secondary frame a ofthe other arrangements,
and is supported at one end of a horizontal shaft c, that passes through the
smoke box or other convenient part of the boiler, and the opposite end of this
frame may be made to rest on the axle of the running wheels. This arrange-
ment is shewn in side elevation at Fig. 11, end elevation at Fig. 12, and in
plan at Fig. 13, Sheet III.; and it will be seen that the foundation frame b
of the other Figures is dispensed with. is the vibrating frame which turns
upon the ends of the shaft c, which passes through the smoke box of the
boiler. The axle e of the running wheel d, and also of the additional side
wheels n. 1, are carried by the vibrating frame a, but instead of mounting the
additional side wheels in levers, as above mentioned, we mount them excen-
trically in discs or wheels u, u, and by causing these latter to rotate by
means of a worm wheel u², or any other suitable mechanical contrivance, the
side wheels u, u, will be raised or depressed as may be required.
Another modification consists-in mounting the cylinders and driving gear
on the spring framing of the steering carriage, the opposite end of this framing
being attached to the axle of the driving wheels or some convenient part of
the boiler or foundation frame, so as to convert the steering frame into a
vibrating frame, with its centre of motion on the axle of the running wheels.
This arrangement is shewn at Fig. 9, Sheet II. a is a vibrating frame or
spring frame on which the steering apparatus is mounted; bis the foundation
frame; d, the running wheel; and e, the axle thereof, which also forms the
centre of motion of the vibrating or spring frame a. A grooved drum or
screw sheave w is mounted below the carriage, and is actuated in any con-
venient manner,as indicated by red lines, l, which represent the pitch lines of
the toothed gearing. This sheave w may be employed in the working or
drawing of ploughs, or for other purposes. It will be seen that the boiler is
placed on the foundation frame b, immediately above the axle e of the large
running wheels d, so that the steersman of the carriage and the driver of the
engine may both stand at the same end of the carriage. The steering of the
carriage is effected by means of a parallel screw or screws which is or are
worked by a hand wheel through the intervention of suitable intermediate
gearing. The steering apparatus is shewn in side elevation at Fig. 1, Sheet I.,
in plan and end view at Figs. 2 and 4, and also in Figs. 11, 13, and 14,
Sheet III. An upright bracket or pillar 1, Fig. 1, Sheet I., and Fig. 11,
Sheet III., supports the bearing of the hand or steering wheel 2, on the axle
of which is also keyed the toothed wheel 3, whereby motion is communicated

page_text: by means of intermediate gearing, as shewn best in Fig. 4, to two right-and-
left-handed screws 4, 4, one of which is shewn detached in side elevation and
plan at Figs. 15, Sheet I, and is drawn upon an enlarged scale. These
screws 4, 4, pass through nuts 5, 5, fixed on the lock frame 6 of the fore
carriage, as seen best in Figs. 11 and 13, Sheet III., and by causing these
screws to rotate, the lock frame, and with it the running steering wheels 7, 7,
are turned round either to the right or to the left. These screws are provided
at their forward ends with swivel or universal joints 8, 8, which carry at their
squared ends the pinions 9, 9, which gear into the intermediate wheels that
are actuated by the wheel 3. It will be seen that by this arrangement the
steering apparatus can be held firmly by the steersman, and the wheels 7, 7,
are not liable to be diverted by accident from the right direction. Fig. 16,
Sheet II., represents a plan view of a modification of the above described
steering apparatus. In this instance only one screw 4 is employed, and is
made to gear into and actuate two segmental racks 10,10, on the axle of the
wheels 7, 7. Sometimes we find it convenient to adapt to the locking carriage
of the steering apparatus a ball-and-socket arrangement, as shewn at Fig 6,
Sheet II. The cup 14 of the ball-and-socket arrangement is fixed in the
axle of the wheels 7, 7, and the cone 15 of the bail-aud-socket arrangement is
fixed to the under side of the platform. The screws 4, 4, shewn by dots in the
Figure, pass through the nuts 5, 5, which are attached either to the cup 14,or
to an arm extending therefrom. A boss or enlargement is formed on the
centre of the axle, and a square hole is made through this boss to receive a
vertical square rod 16, which passes freely through the axle and the cup 14,
and is provided with a strong coiled spring on which the cone 15 rests, and
thereby gives elasticity to the arrangement. By this arrangement of parts a
kind of universal joint is produced, which will admit of the wheels 7,7, of the
steering apparatus yielding to any inequalities in the road without the risk of
deranging the machinery. For some purposes we prefer to construct the
bearing surfaces of the running wheels d, and also of the steering wheels 7,7,
as shewn at Fig. 12, Sheet III., in which the surfaces of the wheels are pro-
vided with studs or pieces of vulcanized india-rubber t¹,t¹, in the same manner
as has been mentioned in reference to the additional side wheels, shewn at
Fig. 10, Sheet I.
In order to prevent jar or noise in working the machinery, we make some
of the spur gearing with wooden teeth, as shewn at Fig. 17, Sheet II. For
the purpose of increasing the bearing surface of the running wheels, we
sometimes employ more than two additional side wheels. In Fig. 18,

page_text: Sheet II., we have shewn four additional side wheels. The two nearest the
running wheels d, d, are provided with projecting teeth or pins v, v, so that
they may be geared to the wheels d, d, but the other two wheels n*, n, are
simply bearing wheels; and although they are mounted on the same shaft as
the wheels n, n, and are raised and lowered therewith by the same mechanism,
they are otherwise perfectly independent thereof, and are free to turn on the
shaft without the other wheels. In Fig. 18 is also shown the way in which
the shaft or axle e of the running wheels d, d, and also the shaft or axle of
the side wheels m, n, are braced together so as to prevent the shafts from
twisting. In place of mounting the additional side wheels n between the two
running wheels d, d, we sometimes mount then outside the running wheels,
as shewn in the detached view, Fig. 19, Sheet II. In this instance the
running wheel & turns freely on a boss collar or sleeve shaft. 11, which
surrounds the end of the axle e, but is free to turn thereon when required.
Outside of the wheel d, and on the boss collar or sleeve shaft 11, is keyed the
additional side wheel » in such a manner that its centre is excentric to that of
the wheel d. A screw wheel 12 is keved on the inner end of the boss or
sleeve shaft 11, and is actuated when required by means of an endless screw,
not shewn in the Drawing. It will now be understood that if the boss or
sleeve shaft 11 is made to rotate part of a revolution on its axis by means of
the screw wheel 12, and its endless screw, then the side wheel n will (by
being mounted excentrically to the wheel d) be brought down, and its
periphery made to bear upon the ground. The mode of gearing the two
wheels d and n together by means of projecting pins, teeth, or studs, is the
same as in the former instances. The foundation frame t rests upon the
shade of the side wheel n, and forms the outer bearing for the main axle.
Having now described our Invention of improvements in traction or
locomotive engines, and having explained the manner of carrying the same
into effect, we would remark, that although we have shewn and described
several different arrangements of apparatus for effecting the objects of our
Invention, we do not mean or intend to confine ourselves exclusively to the
arrangements of parts herein-before described and shewn in the Drawings, as
the arrangement of the several parts may doubtless be modified and altered
in various ways without departing from the nature and object of our
Invention; and we would also observe that, as the construction of the engine,
and the mode of transmitting motion therefrom to the driving gear, does not
constitute any part of our Invention, we have not thought it necessary to com-
plicate the Drawings and description of our improvements by shewing or

page_text: describing in detail such parts, but have contented ourselves with simply
shewing the position of the steam cylinders and the toothed gear, whereby
motion is communicated to the driving wheels.
In conclusion, we claim the mode herein set forth of mounting the steam
cylinders and working parts with the driving gear, so that the vertical motion
of the foundation frame or other equivalent part of the engine shall not be
liable to injuriously affect or derange the stability or operation of the working
parts and toothed driving gear.
We also claim the mode herein set forth of constructing and arranging the
steering apparatus, and likewise the construction of the running and bearing
wheels, and the application of additional bearing surfaces for traction or
locomotive engines, as described.
In witness whereof, we, the said Richard Longstaff and Abraham
Pullan, have hereunto set our hands aud seals, this Thirteenth day of
January, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
sixty.
Witness,
20
J. W. MOFFATT,
66, Chancery Lane.
R. LONGSTAFF.
(L.B.)
ABRAHAM PULLAN (L.B.)