Improvements in Motor Cars and in Appliances for use in connection therewith.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 13th May, 1899
Complete Specification Left, 13th Feb., 1900-Accepted, 12th May, 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION,
Improvements in Motor Cars and in Appliances for use in connection
therewith.
I, RICHARD STEPHENS, of No. 9, The Triangle, Clevedon, Somerset, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in motor cars and appliances used in
connection therewith, the object being to simplify and improve the construction
of the several parts hereinafter described:-
1. Alternating gear for bringing either of a series of bands from the engine
shaft to the counter shaft into operation:
2. Appliance for regulating the speed of engines:
3. Improved method of attaching water jackets to surround the cylinders:
4. Means for tightening the driving chains and keeping them at a uniform
tension:-
5. Improved brakes:
6. Starting lever for the engines.
All of which, either separately or in combination, will materially improve the
construction and increase the utility of motor cars and the like.
1. The alternating gear consists in placing a cone pulley on the engine shaft
with any suitable number of divisions, on which a series of bands are placed,
extending loosely to the drum of the counter shaft, which they surround, lying
side by side; above the drum, a jockey pulley is placed on a rocking shaft, actua-
ted by crank levers which place the pulley in contact with either of the bands
according to the speed required, whether high or low; the jockey pulley is then
pressed down on the band by the lever provided, and the power from the engine
shaft is transmitted to the drum of, the counter shaft by that particular belt on
which the jockey pulley is engaging.
2. The speed of the engines is regulated by the quantity of vapour or charge
admitted to the cylinders, for this purpose, a spring balance lever is placed over
the inlet valves of the cylinder or cylinders, this lever controls the opening of
these valves and the inlet of charge to the combustion chamber; the spring balance
is controlled by an eccentric or lever worked by hand, or by governor balls placed
on the engine in the usual manner, which opens or closes the valves to admit the
charge as required.
3. In surrounding the cylinders with water jackets for keeping them cool, a
shaped flange, with circular grooves therein, is placed at each end of the cylinders,
the circular jackets are placed in these grooves with the usual packing, and then
by large nuts on the ends of the cylinders, the whole is tightened, and a thoroughly
water tight jacket is formed.
4. For tightening the driving chains and keeping them constantly at the right
tension, fork spindles with a nut at each end are inserted in the frame at the front
of the car, which are connected by hanger links and forks at the ends of ordinary
carriage springs which are also suspended by hanger links to the body of the car:
the counter shaft rotates in pillow blocks attached to the frame, and from wheels

page_text: on the end of the counter shaft, driving chains pass to the rear wheels of the car;
the springs are fixed at their centre on the axle of the driving wheels, and as they
are suspended at each end, it is evident that as the body of the car approaches the
axle, the springs will be lengthened and their horizontal length increased; on
account of the springs being suspended at the ends as described, they will always
keep the centres of the counter shaft and the axle of the wheels at the same dis-
tance apart, thus any increased pressure of the springs will not lessen the tension
of the chains. The hanger links by which the rear ends of the springs are sus-
pended, are made of four vertical pieces of metal, two short, and two long, bolted
loosely together, the two short pieces are put between the two long ones; the long
pieces are bolted loosely to the body of the car, and at the bottom to the lower ends
of the short pieces, and the upper ends of the short pieces are bolted together with
an end of the spring between them, forming a balanced pivot for the spring, which
allows it full play in any direction required.
Instead of the tension of the chains being regulated by the increased horizontal
length of the springs, extension rods may be attached to the pillow blocks on the
frame already mentioned, and connected to other pillow blocks on the axle; the
springs in this case are suspended at each end by the special hanger links just
described; as the car is pressed downwards, the extension rods will push back the
axle of the wheel, and thus keep the chains tightened, the springs being loosely
hung, the position of the axle will be entirely controlled by the extension rods.
5. The improved brakes act simultaneously on the front and back of each wheel,
they are attached to two transverse rods at the front and back, with a connecting
rod under the body of the car operating both at the same time, the connecting rod
being continued to meet the usual brake lever: the brake shoes are fulcrumed on
the ends of the transverse rods and are shaped so that only a small part of cach
shoe first touches the wheel, and then, the shoes being pivotted on the rods, the
whole of the touching surfaces of the shoes are brought into contact with the con-
vex surface of the wheels, the shoes having been made to correspond therewith.
6. The winch or lever for use in starting the engines is made with the usual
handle, and the end of the lever is made circular to engage in a corresponding
socket in the end of the crank shaft of engines, a spring tooth, bevelled on one
side, is attached on the side surface of the lever with a spring, to act as a ratchet
to engage in a groove formed in the socket and wind or turn the shaft until the
engines have acquired speed, then the socket passes freely over the ratchet tooth,
and the lever is ejected.
Dated this 19th day of Var 1200
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Motor Cars and in Appliances for use in connection
therewith.
RICHARD STEPHENS, of No. 9, The Triangle, Clevedon, Somerset, 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 relates to improvements in motor cars and appliances used in
connection therewith, the object being to simplify and improve the construction
of the several parts hereinafter described:
-

page_text: 1. Alternating gear for bringing either of a series of bands from the engine
haft to the counter shaft into operation:
2. Appliance for regulating the speed of engines:
3. Improved method of attaching water jackets to surround the cylinders:
4. Means for tightening the driving chains and keeping them at a uniform
tension:-
5. Improved brakes.
1. My improved alternating gear for bringing either of a series of bands from
he engine shaft to the counter shaft into operation, is described as follows.
Fig. 1 in the accompanying drawings is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is a plan.
A rocking shaft A Fig. 1, is placed at right angles with and over the belts B
with a bearing at each end; on this shaft is a keyway C, cut the whole or part of
its length as required; on the shaft A, is loosely fitted a sleeve D in which is a
fixed key, which allows sleeve to slide on said shaft, attached to which is a fork E
that carries the jockey pulley F. To the end of said shaft is fixed a crank lever G
to which is connected the foot lever H the other end of said foot lever being loosely
pinned to a rod I leading upwards from a bracket J; which is fixed to the car;
on this lever being pressed forward, it pulls the said pulley on to the belt over
which it may be.
Between two fixed collars K, K, on the one end of said forked sleeve, is fitted a
loose collar L, with a fixed pin M, attached thereto; in front of counter shaft N
a spindle O, with a crank on each end is placed in bearings 01, vertically; the top
The bottom. crank R,
crank P, is connected to the said fixed pin by a rod 7.
which leads, and is connected by a rod S, to a crank T. on an upright spindle U.
running through a column-or tube V: conveniently fixed towards the front of
car. On the top end of said column-or tube, is a fixed quadrant shaped plate W:
this plate has as many holes X drilled in its radius as there are belts in the car,
on the top end of said spindle which runs through the said column-or tube-and
over the said quadrant plate is attached a handle lever Y. There are two holes in
the said handle lever, one directly over a hole in the said quadrant plate, the other
near enough to the handle to be conveniently touched with the finger. A flat
spring, Z. with a hole in one end, and two pins A¹, A"; fixed in the
other end, (the said pins are placed the same distance apart, as
the two holes in the said handle lever) is placed on said handle lever with
pin A going down through the said handle and quadrant plate, so as to lock the
said fork sleeve. The other pin A' going through the said handle lever, so that
it can be conveniently lifted with the finger. The said spring is made fast to the
said handle lever by a screw B', through a hole in the end of said spring. On
spring being lifted with the finger by said pin. the locking pin A" is released from
hole in the quadrant plate; which allows the handle lever Y, to be instantly
shifted over any hole in quadrant plate; thus shifting jockey pulley F, over
any belt according to speed required.
are
2. Fig. 3 of accompanying drawings shows side elevation of water jacket and
speed regulator with valve in section.
The speed of engine is regulated by the quantity of charge admitted to the cylin-
der for this purpose. When only one cylinder is used, one end of a spring A,
Fig. 3. is loosely attached by a pin B, to the end of the spindle C, of the inlet
valve C. The other end of said spring is attached by a screw ]), to one end of a
lever E: the said lever being fulcrummed about its centre E¹: the other end E",
leading to and underneath an excentric hand lever F; this said hand lever being
fixed by a pin F¹ in any convenient place where it may be operated by the driver.
or by govenors as the case may be on the said excentric hand lever being moved
in one or other directions, it presses down or relieves that end Ell of the aforesaid
lever . The other end, to which is attached the spring A. and the valve spindle C,
5 pulls or relieves as the case may be the aforesaid inlet valve C₁ and by so doing
regulates the quantity of charge to the cylinder. When two cylinders are used a
balance lever G. Fig. 4, is placed over, and connected by its ends by links H. to

page_text: the spindle of each inlet valve C. The aforesaid spring A, is attached by a pin D,
to the centre of the said balance lever G; which allows the inlet valve to work
independantly, and be regulated by the said excentric lever F, as afore stated.
3. Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings shows regulator for double cylinder
engines. Cylinder, cylinder head, water jacket, washer and nut. Fig. 5. Front
elevation. In surrounding the cylinders I, with water jackets J, for keeping them
cool, the head or cylinder cover K, is made larger in diameter than the outside of
cylinder I. Into said cover and near its extreme edge is turned a groove K¹.
A flange L, which may be any shape with a circular groove L' turned therein, is
placed over the other end of said cylinder; a circular jacket J, is made to fit one
end into groove in said cover; the other end to fit groove in said flange, with
rubber packing M in each groove; a nut N, is screwed over the end of cylinder
nearest the cranks; and when tightened, a thoroughly water tight jacket is formed.
4. Fig. 6, of the accompanying drawings shows side elevation of back long and
short links. The front links and fork spindle attached to lugs on the frame of
car; and showing a spring attached. Fig. 7 shows elevation of the back corner
lug of car complete with hanger links, end of spring, and projection pin from the
said lug, to which the brake hanger is suspended. Fig. 8 shows fork, screw and
nuts.
For tightening the driving chains and keeping them constantly at the right
tension, a fork spindle A, with a nut B, at each end is inserted in the frame of each
side of the front of car. The forks 1) of said spindles, are made to fit outside the
ends of ordinary carriage springs E, one of the said carriage springs being placed
each side of car; and they are suspended by hanger links F; which are connected
loosely by a bolt J, to lugs H; which are placed on their sides and are projecting
upwards from the body of the car; thus allowing a forward or backward movement
for adjustment of chains, though allowing no side play. A bolt J is locsely inserted
through the bottom ends of each said links, the ends of said forks, and the end of
each said spring; thus connecting spring, fork spindle, and hanger links on each
side of car. By slackening one of the said nuts on each said fork spindle, and
tightening the other nuts on said spindles, the said springs (to which is attached
the axle K, of the main driving wheels) are shifted backwards or forwards to
tighten or slacken the chains as the case requires. The hanger links by which the
rear ends of the springs are suspended, are made of four vertical pieces of metal;
two short L, and two long M; bolted loosely together. The two short pieces are
put between the two long ones; the long pieces are bolted loosely to lugs N; which
are faced on their sides; and are projecting upwards from the body of the car:
thus allowing the links to act with the springs, though not allowing any side play;
and at the bottom to the lower ends of the short pieces L, and the upper ends of
the short pieces, are bolted together with an end of the spring E between them,
forming a balance pivot for the spring; which allows it full play in any direction
required.
5. The improved brakes which act simultaneously on the front and back of each
wheel, are placed horizontally to-centre of wheels; and are suspended on a pin K¹
from the body of car by hangers; the said brakes are attached loosely with the
said hangers, to two transverse rods at the front and back of wheels, with two con-
necting rods under the body of the car; thus operating both said transverse rods
at the same time. The said connecting rods are directly and firmly attached to
the back transverse.rod. To the front transverse rod, is fixed two cranks, to which
the front ends of said connecting rods are loosely connected by bolts. To a con-
venient place near the centre of the said front transverse rod, is firmly attached a
brake lever; which on being pulled, all the brakes act simultaneously as aforesaid
with equal balanced pressure. The brake shoes are fulcrummed on the ends of
the transverse rods; and are shaped so that the whole of the touching surface of
the shoes, are brought into contact with the convex surface of the wheels; the
shoes having been made to correspond therewith. The said shoes when once set
to the wheels, find their perfect bearing automatically under any conditions.

page_text: ine Drake is described as 1011OWS-
Fig. 9, of the accompanying drawing shows back elevation of brakes attached
to car according to my invention.
Fig. 10, shows side elevation of brake shoe attached to car, with the plate,
screw and nuts for adjusting shoe.
Fig. 11, shows side elevation of brake shoe attached to car, with adjustable
plate, screw and nuts removed.
Fig. 12, shows elevation of extension piece with part of hanger.
Fig. 13, shows the adjusting plate, screw and nuts.
The shoe A, is made flat; and is shaped to fit the wheel as aforesaid; about the
centre and projecting from the back of said shoe, are two flat lugs B, B, through
each lug is a hole through which the ends of the said transverse rod C, is put, and
is loosely held in its position by a nut 1, or split pin at its end. Between the said
two flat lugs and at right angles with the face of said shoe are two circular lugs.
Shown in Fig. 10, and 11, E, one above and the other below the centre of the
holes in the said flat lugs. On the bottom of each circular lug is a hole, so that
any accumulation of dirt will work itself out thereby. In the centre of each cir-
cular lug, is a hole into which is loosely fitted a coil spring F. To set the shoe and
keep it in position, is provided a small plate G; on this plate is fixed two short
studs H, H; the said short studs fit loosely one into the end of each said coil
spring thus keeping the said small plate in its position. To a hole in the bottom
end of the aforesaid brake hanger, is an extension piece of flat metal J, extending
below the fulcrum of the brake shoe; and is part of the hanger K. In the end of
the said extended piece, is drilled a hole through which the said screw with the
two nuts is placed; one nut being placed on either side of the extension piece.
By unscrewing one nut, and tightening the other, the said brake shoe A, is adjusted
to the wheel of car, after which it will automatically find its own bearing by the
action of the said coil springs. L shows connecting rods, M, brake lever, N, crank
on the front transverse rod.
When the brake is fitted to wheels that are not adjustable; by reversing the
hanger K, so that the extension piece J of said hanger will bear on the said coil
springs F, the aforesaid plate G, screw and nuts I, can be dispensed with.
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. Method of and means for bringing a series of bands from the engine shaft to
the counter shaft on motor cars and the like into operation; that is to say by rock-
ing shaft such as A, on which slides D, with L to which is loosely connected rod Q
which allows full swing of the crank P, crank R, rod S, crank T, hand lever Y,
spring Z, and pins A¹ A", crank G. The rod H on being pressed forward, brings
the jockey pulley into operation. The rod I, and the bracket J, all constructed,
arranged and operating substantially, as herein above described with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
2. Method and means of regulating the speed of gas engines. For an engine
with one cylinder, spring A, is attached to C, the other end to D, E, F, F. For
reducing the quantity of charge, lever F when shifted one direction will tighten
spring A and by so doing will prevent the engine from drawing in more charge
than is necessary for the engine to do the amount of work required; and thus
save gas.
For a double cylinder engine, the spring A is attached to and about the
centre of lever G; thus controling the two cylinders. Lever E, constructed
arranged, and operating substantially as herein above described with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
3. Method of and means for attaching water jackets to surround the cylinders
of gas engines, by which the water jacket can be easily taken off for repairs. The
head K. with groove K¹. Flange L, nut N, and packing M, constructed and
arranged, substantially, as herein above described with reference to the accom-
panying drawings.

page_text: 4. Method of and means for suspending the body frame of motor cars, or the
such like vehicles. Method of and means for adjusting chains on motor cars, or
such like vehicles. That is to say by having lugs such as N, constituting part of
the frame. Links such as M, with top ends attached to links L; and the top ends
of links L, having the end of spring-E, attached between them. The links L, will
always remain perpendicular; thus allowing full compression and extension of
said spring under any conditions; with lugs such as H, to which is attached the
top end of links F, F, and the bottom end of links attached to fork spindle A.
Nuts B, B, substantially, as herein above described with reference to the accom-
panying drawings.
5. Method of and means by which each brake shoe is made to bear on the wheels
of the vehicle; with equal pressure on each shoe; and of brake shoes, which are
made to work automatically; and by so doing keeping equal pressure on the whole
of the shoe face under any condition of the compression and extension of the
spring that is to say by links such as K suspended from pins K', K; which are
placed front and back of wheels, to which is attached shoe hangers K, K, and brake
shoes A, A with rods C, C going through their fulcrums; and rods L, L, firmly
attached to rod C, the other end of rods attached to crank N. The cranks being
firmly attached to the rod Ct. The brake lever M, being firmly attached about
the centre of rod C¹; thus on the top end of lever M being pulled it causes the four
shoes to bear on the wheels simultaneously with equal pressure. The brake
shoes A, being fulcrummed by their centre. With springs F, F in lugs E, E.
By the use of plate G, and screw I, pins H, H, the shoes are made adjustable, sub-
stantially, as herein above described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 12th day of February 1900