Improved Means for Steering or Altering the Direction of Travel of Road Vehicles.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Steering or Altering the Direction of Travel
of Road Vehicles.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD CARMONT, of Helmsdale, Kingston on Thames, Surrey,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to providing one or a pair of mid-wheels to two articu-
lated frames, one of which may be the frame of the motor, and the other the frame
of the carrier, the object being to steer from between the end wheels of the com-
bined vehicle, so that the operation and facility to reverse the direction of travel
such as in turning within less than ordinary limits shall be the same whether the
vehicle be made to travel either end foremost.
For the purpose of my invention, I connect two vehicles by a perch bolt at
the rear of the first as the motor, which end is supported preferably by two
wheels, one on each side, these being on an axle under control of turning gear,
or by separate wheels having side jointed axle pins provided with levers operable
separately or combined from turning gear.
By this invention, the motor has the power to be run askew and move the
carrier vehicle over any are of a circle and then itself to follow, so that the com-
bined vehicles can be backed as easily and as rapidly, as forwardly, or turned
within the scope of its own length, or where the locking action" is available,
in less than its own length.
R. CORE GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said William Edward Carmont.
Improved Means for Steering or Altering the Direction of Travel
of Road Vehicles.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD CARMONT, of Helmsdale, Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey,
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:-
This invention relates to providing one or a pair of mid-wheels to two articu-
lated frames, one of which may be the frame of the motor, and the other the frame
of the carrier, the object being to steer from between the end wheels of the com-

page_text: bined vehicle, so that the operation and facility to reverse the direction of travel,
such as in turning within less than ordinary limits shall be the same whether the
vehicle be made to travel either end foremost.
My invention is clearly represented in the annexed drawings.
Figure 1 side elevation with one wheel removed to expose the springs and
supporting rods of a four wheeled bogie or vehicle in which the rear wheels are
for steering purposes from a hand lever within reach of a driver seated on the
vehicle which has to be drawn, .
Figure 2 rear end view of my separate propeiling and rear steering vehicle.
Figure plan view of same.
Figure plan of my separate and rear driver vehicle for a single steering
wheel.
Figure 5 rear end elevation of my single wheel steering apparatus for operation
by a driver seated on an independent vehicle.
For the purpose of my invention, I connect two vehicles A, B, by a perch
bolt C at the rear of the first vehicle A which I use as the motor, which end is
supported preferably by two wheels 1), 1), as at Figure 1, one on each side, these
being on axle arms E, E, under control of turning or lever gear F. G, H, 1.
The leading wheels J, J. of my motor vehicle A are attached to the body by
a bent axle K, so that the body A is as large as possible for containing the
motive agency appliances, say, electric, gas, petroleum, or other which can operate
on the main shaft L, and from thence transmit the motion by chain gear M to
one or to both of the leading wheels J, J, or in any other well known manner.
I prefer to support the rear part of the body of my rear steering vehicle in
the manner shown i.e. upon vertical rods N, N, guided by socketed straps P. P,
to which the axle arms E are affixed, the two wheels 1), D, or the single steering
wheel being loosely fitted thereon. The rods N, N, are encircled by helical
springs Q, Q, which bear against the socket guide straps P, P, and the top
connecting plate R which passes across or in rear of the body A where an ordinary
perch or king bolt with transom plate S is applied for the connection of the front
under plate T of the carriage or vehicle B to be drawn.
By this invention, the motor has the power to be run askew and move the
carrier vehicle over any are of a circle and then itself to follow, so that the com-
bined vehicles can be backed as easily and as rapidly as forwardly or turned
within the scope of its own length, or where the locking action is available,
in less than its own length.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
1. The means or method of steering vehicles, such as B, from the rear wheel
or rear wheels 1) of a separate yet attachable motor vehicle, such as A, as described.
2. The particularly represented arrangement of supporting and steering
appliances of a motor vehicle having rear steering properties and to which
vehicle other vehicles can be attached and be drawn, substantially as indicated.
3. A vehicle of three or four wheels in which the leading wheels are for sup-
porting and propulsion purposes, and the rear wheel or wheels are for supporting
and steering purposes, and to the body frame of which other vehicles can be
attached, substantially as described and represented.
L. 11. 1
1000
R. CORE GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said William Edward Carmont.