IMPROVEMENTS IN TRACTION ENGINES FOR MILITARY PURPOSES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to David Greig, of the Steam Plough Works, Leeds, in the
County of York, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRACTION ENGINES
FOR MILITARY PURPOSES."
Sealed the 12th December 1876, and dated the 14th June 187
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said David Greig at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th June 1876.
DAVID GREIG, of the Steam Plough Works, Leeds, in the County of York.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN TRACTION ENGINES FOR MILITARY PURPOSES."
This Invention has for its object improvements in traction engines for military
purposes.
The engine is composed of a steam boiler mounted horizontally upon wheels like
an ordinary traction engine. Above the boiler is mounted a horizontal steam engine,
the crank axis of this engine lies transversely across the top of the boiler, and from
it motion is given by gearing to the pair of wheels at the back end of the engine
and which serve as driving wheels. The gearing allows of the wheels being driven
in either direction so as to propel the engine either backwards or forwards together
with any load it may be required to draw. From the crank axis motion is also
transmitted by bevil wheels to a shaft which passes downwards, and at its lower
end has upon it a worm gearing into and driving a worm wheel on a cross shaft
mounted below the bottom of the boiler. On this shaft is a drum on to which a
wire rope can be wound, so that by this rope the engine can when required wind
itself forward, or haul heavy loads towards itself. On the shaft is also a drum on to
which the lifting chain of a crane can be wound. Either one or other of these
drums can when desired be made fast with the shaft by means of sliding clutches.
The jib of the crane is mounted at the front of the engine, its lower end is connected
to the frame below the bottom of the boiler, and a stay from its upper end passes to
the upper part of the boiler. The chain of the crane is led down along the jib and
under a guide pulley to the winding drum on the cross shaft before mentioned.
The crane is available for lifting heavy weights, and the weights when lifted can
be carried by the engine and deposited wherever they may be required. The wheels
upon which the engine is mounted are provided with flanges so that the engine may
not only run on ordinary roads or land but also upon a railway.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said David Greig in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th December
1876.
DAVID GREIG, of the Steam Plough Works, Leeds, in the County of York.
PROVEMENTS IN TRACTION ENGINES FOR MILITARY PURPOSES."
"IM-
This Invention has for its object improvements in traction engines for military
purposes.
The engine is composed of a steam boiler mounted horizontally upon wheels
like an ordinary traction engine. Above the boiler is mounted a horizontal steam
engine. The crank axis of this engine lies transversely across the top of the
boiler, and from it motion is given by gearing to the pair of wheels at the back end
of the engine and which serve as driving wheels. The gearing allows of the wheels
being driven in either direction so as to propel the engine either backwards or
forwards, together with any load it may be required to draw. From the crank
axis motion is also transmitted by bevil wheels-te a shaft which passes downwards,
and at its lower end has upon it a worm gearing into and driving a worm wheel on
a cross shaft mounted below the bottom of the boiler. On this shaft is a drum on
to which a wire rope can be wound, so that by this rope the engine can when
required wind itself forward or haul heavy loads towards itself. On the shaft is
also a drum on to which the lifting chain of a crane can be wound. Either one or
other of these drums can when desired be made fast with the shaft by means of
sliding clutches. The jib of the crane is mounted at the front of the engine, its
lower end is connected to the frame below the bottom of the boiler, and a stay
from its upper end passes to the upper part of the boiler. The chain of the crane is
led down along the jib and under a guide pulley to the winding drum on the cross
shaft before mentioned. The crane is available for lifting heavy weights, and the
weights when lifted can be carried by the engine and deposited wherever they
may be required. The wheels upon which the engine is mounted are provided with
Hanges so that the engine may not only run on ordinary roads or land but also
upon a railway.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, I will proceed to describe
more fully the manner of performing the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 shows a side view of a traction engine constructed in the manner above
described; Figure 2 is a cross section of the same, showing how the chain barrel for
crane and winding drum is driven from the crank shaft of the engine.
In these Figures A is the steam boiler mounted on wheels as in an ordinary
traction engine; B is the horizontal steam engine mounted above the boiler; C is
the crank shaft from one end of which motion can be transmitted at one or other of
two different speeds by toothed wheels D to an axis E having upon it pinions F,
which gear with toothed wheels fast upon the driving wheels G of the traction
engine. The arrangement of gearing above described for transmitting motion from
the crank shaft to the driving wheels is similar to arrangements previously adopted
for giving motion to the driving wheels of ordinary traction engines, and is well
known, so that it is unnecessary to give any further detailed description of it;
other arrangements of gearing for transmitting motion from the crank shaft to the
driving wheels may also be adopted. At the opposite end of the crank shaft is a
fly wheel H, and also a bevil toothed wheel I, which can be moved end wise on the
shaft by a clutch lever J, so as to bring it either into or out of gear with a bevil
wheel K on the descending shaft L. On the lower end of this shaft is a worm
gearing with a worm wheel M keyed on the cross shaft N, which is mounted below
the boiler and carries the crane barrel and winding drum. The winding drum and
crane barrel are loose upon it, but can be coupled to it. whenever desired by a
sliding clutch O. The winding drum carries a wire rope which can be used for

page_text: hauling forward the engine, or for enabling the engine to haul heavy loads towards
itself; P is the crane jib mounted at the front end of the engine, it springs from
the frame below the bottom of the boiler, and a stay from its upper end passes to
the upper part of the boiler; Q is the chain of the crane; R is the ordinary steering
gear by which the front pair of wheels can be turned in either direction. When
the engine is required to run upon a railway the wheels have secured to them
flanged tyres S, S, as shewn at Figure 2. These tyres are loose and put on in two
or more pieces, and are bolted to the rim of the wheel when required to be used.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I would have it understood that I claim-
First. The combined arrangement of traction engine, substantially as herein-before
described
Second. The combination with a traction engine of a cross shaft mounted
horizontally below the boiler and carrying a winding drum or crane barrel, such
cross shaft being driven from the crank shaft of the engine, substantially as herein-
before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said David Greig, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Second day of December, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-six.
DAVID GREIG. (L.S.)