IMPROVEMENTS IN COUPLINGS FOR CARRIAGES, AND IN THE ATTACHMENT OF WHEELS TO AXLES
Year: 1850

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALFRED
VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Twenty eighth day of May, in the thirteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Alfred Vincent Newton, Her especial license, full power, sole privilege
and authority, that I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, my exors, adñiors, and
assigns, and such others as I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, my exors,
admiors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from
time to time and at all times during the term of years therein mentioned,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England,
Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in all Her Majesty's
Colonies and Plantations abroad, and in the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey,
Alderney, Sark, and Man, an Invention of." IMPROVEMENTS IN COUPLINGS FOR
CARRIAGES, AND IN THE ATTACHMENT OF WHEELS TO AXLES," being a communi-
cation from a Foreigner residing abroad;. in which said Letters Patent is
contained a proviso obliging me, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal, particularly to describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
to be performed, and to cause the same to. be enrolled in Her Majesty's

page_text: High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the
same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Alfred Vincent Newton, do hereby declare that the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, is parti-
cularly described and ascertained in and by the following description thereof,
reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and
figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
The various improvements for which I have obtained Letters Patent as
aforesaid, and which have been communicated to me by my Foreign Corre-
spondent, relate,―
First, to an improved "fifth wheel," or means of connecting the front axle-
tree of a carriage to the parts to which the body is attached, and this method
is also applicable to railway trucks.
Second, to an improved method of attaching the whiffle-tree to the pole or
to the shafts.
Third, to an improved manner of attaching and arranging the "bows" by
which the top or "calèche" is raised or lowered.
Fourth, to an impro ved method of connecting the wheels to the axles.
And,
Fifth, to an arrangement of the springs by which they are made to connect
the parts of the wheels which receive the shocks in moving onward with those
parts which play upon the axles, and this feature of the Invention is also
applicable to the wheels of railway cars.
In the Drawings annexed, Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, are illustrative of the
first part of the Invention; Figures 5 and 6 of the second part; Fig. 7 of the
third part; Figs. 8, 9, and 10 of the fourth part; and Fig. 11 of the fifth
part of the said Invention. All are fully referred to herein by letters, similar
letters indicating similar parts throughout.
The first part of this Invention consists of a "fifth wheel," for coupling the
fore axle and the perch of a carriage, and it is also adapted to connecting the
trucks of railway carriages with the body of the same, as well as to various
purposes of the like nature.
Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 are views in plan and section; Fig. 1 being a longi-
tudinal vertical section of the axle bolster and connexions; Fig. 2 a
transverse vertical section of the same; Fig. 3 a view of the face of the
lower plate; and Fig. 4 a view of the face of the upper plate. This coupling
is composed of two circular plates a, b, so formed, that by one movement they

page_text: can be interlocked or combined, thus forming an union which enables me
to dispense with the "king bolt." The plate consists of a disc, having at
its centre a recess or depression, as shewn, and around its edge a rim is thrown up
terminating in a narrow flange projecting inwards, as shewn at c, c.
The flange
has likewise two notches cut into it, as seen at d, d, and the plate may have
ears e, e, cast upon it, for the purpose of readily securing it to the bolster or
other proper part of the carriage to which it may be applied. The under plate is
also a disc a, whose diameter is such as will allow it to pass within the flangesc, c.
In the centre of this is a recessed space a', having a rim projecting a little
above the surface of the plate. This forms an oil cup for lubrication when
the plates are joined, as shewn in section Fig. 1. Upon the plate a, two
projections c', c', are cast of a size which will pass into the notches d, d, of
the flange in the upper plate. To operate this, it is only necessary to pass
the projections c', c', through the notches d, d, and then turn the lower disc
partly round, which will bring the projections under the flange and secure the
two discs together, until the projections are again brought opposite to the
notches. The lower plate is bolted or otherwise firmly affixed to the upper
side of the axle in such position, that the projections on it coincide with the
notches on the upper plate when one of the wheels is taken off, and that end
of the axletree is turned back under the carriage in a line parallel with
the perch. In this position only can the two be separated or be made to
interlock.
The second part of this Invention consists in so connecting the whiffle-
tree to the carriage that, although I allow the required freedom of motion, I
am enabled to guard against the danger which usually results from a trace
breaking or becoming unhitched. By this improvement the whiffle-tree
retains its appropriate position when only one trace is attached, and' the horse
may continue to draw as before. On the under side of the whiffle-tree f
Fig. 5, I secure by bolts or otherwise a plate or disc of suitable metal g,
having near the outer edge a flange h rising from it, and in the centre a
circular projection i rising to one half the height of the flange. From this
central piece to the flange there are pieces k, k, cast on the plate-g, and
opposite to each other. Each of these must occupy somewhat less than one
fourth the area of the plate within the flange, in order to allow the required
play or traverse of the whiffle-tree. On the upper side of the cross bar of
the shafts f1, Fig. 6, I secure firmly by bolts or otherwise a plate or disc 9',
having at the outer edge a flange h¹ rising to the height of the flange h, and
of such size as will enclose that within it. At the centre of this disc is also
a projection i of the same size as that on the other plate, and there are also

page_text: two pieces k, k, cast on the plate and solid with it of the same size as those on
the plate g, and consequently extending only so far from the centre as will
leave between them and the flange h¹ a path or recess for the flange h when
the plates g.g' are applied together. Through the centre of each plate a hole
Z is made for the bolt which attaches the whiffle-tree to the cross bar. The
operation will be that when the plate shewn at Fig. 5 is placed on that at
Fig. 6, the projections k, k, on the upper plate will lie in the spaces between
the projections k, k, of the under plate, and vice versâ, the surfaces i, i, come
into contact, and the flange h' encloses the flange h. A bolt may now be
passed through the holes 1, l, to secure the plates together. The plates and
woodwork attached may now have a vibrating motion on the bolt, by so much
only as the projections do not fill the entire surface of the circle. If now one
trace or tug be detached from the whiffle-tree, the other will continue to
draw by the bolt through and the interlocking of the projections on the
upper plate against those on the lower plate.
The third improvement in couplings for carriages consists in a method of
connecting the bows by which the moveable top or "calèche" is held in a
raised position. By this means a person sitting in the carriage is enabled
to lock and unlock the bows when the top is elevated on the ordinary seat,
Fig. 7, of a carriage having the usual extension top. There is a shaft m of
metal running along the back behind the cushion, and extending at each side
far enough beyond the seat to form the usual journals for the bows. This
shaft is secured near each end in boxes m', so that it may have a vibratory
motion. Bows of common construction are used, but instead of having the
usual play on the journals m¹ they are firmly keyed to the shaft m.
being now given to the bow on one side of the top, it is communicated
through the shaft to that on the other side. To the shaft is attached, by
welding or otherwise, a bar o, in such a position that when the top is elevated
the bar shall lie along the side of the seat, inside of the leather covering of
the top, and by the use of this bar the occupant can lock or unlock the bows
at pleasure from the inside.
Motion
The fourth part of the Invention consists in an improved method of con-
necting the wheel with the axle, whereby the wheel may be readily taken off
without the removal of any parts, such as nuts or liuch pins, as the use of
these in attaching the wheel to the axle is dispensed with entirely. A hook
terminating in a spring, as seen at p (Fig. 8), is let into the axle. The inner
end of the box has a groove q cut around it, in which the hook at the end of the
spring plays. This, it will be evident, prevents the removal of the box unless.
the spring is raised so as to withdraw the hook from the groove, and this is;

page_text: to be accomplished when desired by means of a bolt p¹ passing through the
axle; as shown. The readiest method of pressing this up for that purpose will
be to place a prop under the axle resting on the head of the bolt, and thus
the wheel is suspended and can readily be removed. A modification of this
part of the Invention is shewn at Figures 9 and 10, in which the position of
the parts is merely reversed, the groove being cut on the axle, and the springs
and hooks being placed on the inner end of the box.
Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section of the parts combined; and Fig. 10 is a
plan of the inner end of the hub. p, p, are hooks binged at one end of each
to the box, and kept in place by springs, as shewn, and instead of the bolt for
withdrawing them a collar r is put around the hub band, having small pro-
jections at opposite sides on the inner side face of the ring, which projections
engage each an end of one of the hooks. The whole is covered in by an
annular plater, which admits the axle being passed through it.
If now
the collar be moved round in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 10, the
projections cause the hooks to open, and, the wheel may then be drawn off.
from the axle.
The fifth part of the Invention relates to a mode of connecting those parts
of the wheels of all vehicles used for locomotion which encounter or receive.
the shocks in moving onward with those parts which play upon the axles..
These connections are so made as materially to arrest all shocks received by
the wheel at the circumference before they reach the axle. This effect is
obtained by interposing betwen the nave and rim of the wheel some perma-
nently elastic substance, as india rubber or compounds of like character, or
elliptical, spiral, or corrugated springs of steel, and these I place within the
hub of the wheel. The axles and the felloes, and also the spokes, may be as
of usual construction. The hub is formed by making a ring s, Fig. 11, of
some suitable material, as iron, the inner circumference of which comes,
in contact with the elastic material, but its outer circumference (when the
wheel is constructed with spokes) is furnished with a series of mortice holes,
to receive the inner ends of the spokes. The box may be of any of the usual.
forms, but it must be of sufficient length to allow of a screw thread being cut
on its outer end. On the inner end of the box is a broad flange, forming a
disc t, cast solid with it, and of a diameter nearly equal to that of the rings;
another disc t', of similar size, is attached to the box at the outer end by
being screwed upon it, as shewn, and these two discs are brought just so near.
to each other as to close upon the rings, but not so tightly as to impede its
free motion. The inner face of each disc is turned out to give them a dish
shape, for the purpose of affording room for the elastic substance within the.

page_text: ring to expand laterally when subjected to a compressing force. The elastic
material may be of any suitable substance, but that which I prefer is india
rubber, or any of its compounds or modifications, as usually found in the
marke. Of this a ring a is made, the inner circumference of which shall be
sufficiently large to receive the box v, and the outer circumference the same as
the interior of the rings, and corresponding also with it in thickness. It is
then inserted in the manner represented. A plate or disc of metal is inserted
next to the ring of india rubber, and between that and the back plate t, its
use being to regulate the degree of elasticity in the elastic ring, and for the
purpose of operating upon the disc a and adjusting its position, screws y, y,
are provided, which pass through the plate t, as shewn. It will now be seen
that the elastic material sustains the load and rotates with the wheel, thus
interposing constantly a spring nearest to the plane where the concussions are
given.
Various forms of constructions might be suggested by skilful mechanics,
applicable to other substances than that I have described, but these would not
change the character of the Invention.
Having now explained the character of the Invention which has been
communicated to me by my Foreign Correspondent as aforesaid, and described
the best means with which I am acquainted for carrying the same into effect,
I will remark that I do not intend to confine myself to the precise arrangement
or construction of parts herein described, as they may be varied in many
ways without departing from the nature and object of my various improve-
ments but that which I consider new, and therefore wish to claim as the
Invention secured to me under the herein-before in part recited Letters
Patent, is,
First, in relation to the method of connecting the front axletree with the
other parts of the vehicle, and for other purposes, the plate b, affixed to the
lower side of the bolster, and made to interlock with the plate a, affixed to the
upper side of the axletree, by means of the flange c, the notches d, d, and the
projections c, c', in the manner set forth.
Second, in relation to connecting the whiffle-tree to the carriage,—the
stops or blocks k, k, k, k, cast upon or otherwise affixed to the plates g, g', in
such. manner that, when the two are joined by a central bolt, they may
interlock, with the privilege of a certain amount of play or traverse, as herein
described.
Third, in relation to attaching the bows, the combination of the shaft m
and operating bar o with the bows n, for the purpose of locking or unlocking
the said bows in the manner described.

page_text: Fourth, in relation to connecting wheels to axles,-the hook p, with its
spring and bolt, in combination with the groove q on the axle, or the equivalents
of either and all of them, as described herein.
Fiftb, in relation to connecting those parts of wheels which receive the
shocks with those parts which play upon the axles, the introduction within
the hub of springs to resist and destroy the shocks and concussions caused by
the rolling of the wheel on uneven surfaces; the combination of the discs
with the box or axle and the other parts of the wheel for forming the spring
chamber, and as a support to the wheel; and the disc or plate operated by
set screws from the exterior, for the purpose of regulating the elasticity of the
springs in the manner herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of November, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fift