Improvements in the Means of Connection between the Wheels and Framings or Bodies of Traction Engines, Motor Cars, and other Vehicles for Running on Common Roads, and in the Means of Driving the Driving Wheels of Traction Engines and Motor Cars.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Sept., 1898
Complete Crocification Laft Dath na 1000
BOLL
سلسل
4000
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Means of Connection between the Wheels and
Framings or Bodies of Traction Engines, Motor Cars, and other
Vehicles for Running on Common Roads, and in the Means of
Driving the Driving Wheels of Traction Engines and Motor Cars.
I, JOHN JONES SMITH, of The Dingle, Oaks Crescent, Wolverhampton, in the
County of Stafford, Wheelwright, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
In traction engines and the heavier kind of motor cars it has been a. frequent
practice to make the wheels which run upon the road with spokes which are all
of them in the same or in parallel planes or in two rows inclining towards one
another outwards, and the reason for this has frequently been that the driving
wheels are driven through the medium of spur or chain wheels, which are fixed to
the spokes or to the hubs. This construction of wheel has made the use of wood
inadvisable, as wooden wheels for bearing heavy loads are not found successful
unless all the spokes are placed at an outward angle from the axis of the axle.
Moreover, the removal, for re-tyring or repair, of a wheel driven by a chain or
spur wheel fixed thereto, has, of course, involved also the removal of such chain
or spur wheel, and this interference with the driving mechanism has been found
an inconvenience. The axles, also, have usually been fixed and the wheels
mounted to turn loosely thereon.
"
Now, according to this invention, the axle-box, instead of being fixed within
the hub of the wheel, is fixed to the framing of the engine or vehicle, and the
inner end of the axle (which corresponds to the part usually known as the " arm
in the ordinary axle) is properly fitted to turn therein. The outer end of the
axle is adapted to be fixed rigidly within the wheel hub, and thus both the axle
and wheel turn as the wheel runs along the road. The chain or spur wheel
through which the driving power is transmitted directly to a wheel, instead of
being fixed to the spokes or hub thereof, is fixed upon a portion of the axle which
is between the axle box and the hub of the wheel, and thus the wheel may be
readily removed from the axle without removing the axle from the axle-box,
or the chain or spur wheel from the axle. The road wheel may be a properly
made wooden wheel such as is adapted for supporting a heavy weight, and the
longitudinal axis of the axle and axle-box is inclined to suit the construction
of the wheel, as will be well understood.
Any convenient form of bearing may be used between the axle and axle-box,
and the outer end of the axle may be formed taper to fit within a bush fixed
within the hub of the wheel, and be provided with a nut on its outer end for
screwing up against the bush, and with a key at its inner end to engage with a
recess in the bush.
The method of connecting a road wheel with the body of an engine or vehicle
by fixing it upon an axle of which the inner end turns within an axle-box, is

page_text: adapted more especially for the heavier class of engines and vehicles, but may be
used for lighter vehicles also.
Doted this 23rd day of Sentember 1898
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.
Improvements in the Means of Connection between the Wheels and
Framings or Bodies of Traction Engines, Motor Cars, and other
Vehicles for Running on Common Roads, and in the Means of
Driving the Driving Wheels of Traction Engines and Motor Cars.
I, JOHN JONES SMITH, of The Dingle, Oak's Crescent, Wolverhampton, in the
County of Stafford, Wheelwright, 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: -
In traction engines and the heavier kind of motor cars it has been a frequent
practice to make the wheels which run upon the road with spokes which are all
of them in the same or in parallel planes or in two rows inclining towards one
another outwards, and the reason for this has frequently been that the driving
wheels are driven through the medium of spur or chain wheels which are fixed to
the spokes or to the hubs. This construction of wheel as made the use of wood
inadvisable, as wooden wheels for bearing heavy loads are not found successful
unless all the spokes are placed at an outward angle from the axis of the axle,
which necessitates the axis being inclined. Moreover, the removal for re-tyring
or repair, of a wheel driven by a chain or spur wheel fixed thereto, has, .of course,
involved also the removal of such chain or spur wheel, and this interference with
the driving mechanism has been found an inconvenience. The axles, also, have
usually been fixed and the wheels mounted to turn loosely thereon. In the case
of motor cars and other road vehicles having fixed axles, there is no satisfactory
means of taking up the circumferential wear, and the caps being of brass are
frequently stolen.
وو
Now, according to this invention, the axle-box, instead of being fixed within
the hub of the wheel, is fixed to the framing of the engine or vehicle, and the
inner end of the axle (which corresponds to the part usually known as the "arm
in the ordinary axle) is properly fitted to turn therein. The outer end of the
axle is adapted to be fixed rigidly within the wheel hub, and thus both the axle
and wheel turn as the wheel runs along the road. The chain or spur wheel
through which the driving power is transmitted directly to a wheel, instead of
being fixed to the spokes or hub thereof, is fixed upon a portion of the axle which
is between the axle box and the hub of the wheel, and thus the wheel may be
readily removed from the axle without removing the axle from the axle-box,
or the chain or spur wheel from the axle. The roadwheel may be a properly
made wooden wheel such as is adapted for supporting a heavy weight, or may
be a metal wheel of like character, and in such case the longitudinal axis of the
axle and axle-box is inclined to suit the construction of the wheel, as will be
well understood.
In order that the invention may be clearly understood, I will proceed to
describe a practical application of the same, as illustrated, by way of example,
by the drawings herewith. Figure 1 is a longitudinal section taken through the
centre of an axle and axle-box, shewing the connection of the same with the

page_text: "bed" of a vehicle; and Figure 2 is a section taken on line x of Figure 1,
looking in the direction of the arrow.
The axle-box A is shewn as connected with the body of the vehicle by being
embedded into the underside of one end of the bed a which carries the springs
(of which one b only is shewn) or two of the springs by which the body is sup-
ported, or upon which, if springs are not used, the body of the vehicle more
directly rests. The axle-box is secured within the bed by means of bolts which
pass through the bed and through ears of the box. The bolts c which fix the
outer ends of the box conveniently form parts of the clips C by which the springs
are fixed to the bed, the other bolts c¹ being plain or ordinary bolts. The portion
of the axle B which is within the axle-box is mounted in bearings formed at the
ends of the box. Plain bearings only are shewn consisting in each case of a
fixed portion e and of an inverted cap or removable portion f, but any suitable
form of bearing may be used. The removable caps f are secured by the bolts cc¹,
which pass for such purpose not only through the ears of the axle-box but
through corresponding ears also of the caps. The underside of the axle-box
is closed by a piece of sheet metal g of which the ends are shaped to pass between
the ears dd, whereby the sheet metal is securely held in place. The axis of the
axle is shewn to be inclined to adapt it for use with wooden wheels, or other
wheels which it is desired shall turn about an inclined axis. The axle is formed
with a collar B₁ immediately outside the axle-box, and beyond this is the
portion B of the axle which is to be fixed to the wheel. If a wooden wheel is
to be used, such is bushed with a metal bush D, and the portion B3 of the axle
is formed with keys h to fit within keyways of the bush, or the axle and bush
are otherwise fitted together in a manner which prevents them turning in relation
to one another. The bush may be kept on endways by means of a nut i which
is screwed on to a reduced portion of the end of the axle. The axle is prevented
from moving endways within the axle-box by means of the collar B¹ which.comes
against the outer end of the box and a pair of collars & around the axle at opposite
sides of the rear bearing, or in other convenient manner.
The axle-boxes may, of course, be varied in construction to adapt them for the
special purpose required, such as for fixture to the framing of an engine.
If the road wheel of a vehicle or engine to which the invention is applied is
to be driven through the medium of chain or other gear, the wheel of such gear
which surrounds the axis of the road wheel is fixed upon a collar corresponding
to the collar B' of the axle, which is formed for such purpose to the required
width.
The two axle-boxes for a pair of wheels may, if desired, be formed in one con-
tinuous length for the purpose of greater strength, but in such case also the two
axles are mounted independently of one another.
In some cases, more especially in the case of the lighter class of vehicles and
motor cars, two axle-boxes formed in a continuous length may be used as a bed,
being connected directly with the springs.
The method of connecting a road wheel with the body of an engine or vehicle
by fixing it upon an axle of which the inner end turns within an axle-box, is
adapted more especially for the heavier class of engines and vehicles, but it may
be used for a lighter class also. The circumferential wear of the axle in the
box may be readily taken up, and there is no screw oil cap required.
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:-
1. Wheels of traction engines, motor cars and other vehicles for running on
common roads, each fixed upon an independent axle which has an inclined axis
and is free to revolve in a fixed axle-box or bearings, substantially as described.
2. Driving wheels of traction engines and motor cars cach fixed upon an
independent axle which is free to revolve in a fixed axle-box or bearings and

page_text: has a portion upon which a gear wheel may be mounted between the axle box or
bearings and the road wheel, substantially as described.
3. Driving wheels of traction engines and motor cars each fixed upon an
independent axle which has an inclined axis and is free to revolve in a fixed
axle-box or bearings and has a portion upon which a gear wheel may be mounted
between the axle-box or bearings and the road wheel substantially as described.
Dated this 24th day of June 1899.
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicants.