IMPROVEMENTS IN TRAM CARS
Year: 1882

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Edward Knightley
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th June 1882.
THOMAS EDWARD KNIGHTLEY of No 106 Cannon Street, in the City of London
"IMPROVEMENTS IN TRAM CARS
"
This Invention has for its object improvements in tram cars.
My improved tram car has four large wheels, two on either side, and the body
of the car is between them. The wheels are placed as close together as their large
diameter will admit; they may have cranked axles but it is preferred to avoid
this by forming each main wheel as a mere ring or hoop controlled by transverse
ties supporting within it one or two small wheels toothed or otherwise of which the
axles are carried in horn plates upon the side of the car. The ring or hoop at its
upper part also passes between guide rollers on the car. The two axle boxes may
support a leaf spring from which the body of the vehicle is suspended. Or springs
of other form may be employed.
5 SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Edward Knightley in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
9th December 1882.
THOMAS EDWARD KNIGHTLEY of No 106 Cannon Street in the City of London
" TYDROWZEMENTS
T3Z
"

page_text: The wheels are placed as close together as their diameter will admit. Each
main wheel is a ring or hoop controlled by transverse ties or spokes and supporting
within it one or two small wheels, toothed or otherwise. The main wheel, ring or
hoop at its upper part passes between guide rollers on the car.
The two axle boxes of a pair of small wheels may support a leaf spring from
which the body of the vehicle is suspended; or springs of other form may be
employed.
In order that my said Invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a tram car constructed according to my invention.
Figure 2 is a transverse section and Figure 3 is a sectional plan of the same.
Figure 4 is a front elevation partly in section of one of the wheels.
a. a. is the body of the car, b b. b. b. are the four main wheels consisting of
rings or hoops controlled by transverse ties or spokes which secure them in a
circular form.
Within the wheels b. b. the small wheels c. c. run, their axes are carried in
· bearings which are fixed to the leaf springs d. d; the body a is hung from these
springs. The main wheels b. b. run upon the road or tramway and are controlled
in respect to the car body, by the flanges upon the small wheels c. c, by rollers e,
mounted upon the car body and between which the upper part of the wheel b.
passes and lastly by a stud upon the centre of the wheel on which there is a neck
and this is embraced by a horn plate fixed to the car body.
The construction of wheels herein described insures high velocity with the
minimum of tractive power by applying such force at the points of least resistance.
Tram cars thus constructed are able to pass curves without guide rails. They
can also turn in ordinary roads and pass other carriages without special passing
places being constructed.
The invention offers great advantages in respect to economy both in construction
manufacture and propelling power. Additional facility in turning may be obtained
by the construction indicated in plan at Figure 5.
Having thus described the nature of my invention and the manner of performing
the same I would have it understood that I claim :-
My improved tram car with its four main wheels supporting within them other
wheels from which the car body is sustained by springs such wheels being retained
in a circular form by transverse ties or connections substantially as described.
In witness whereof I the said Thomas Edward Knightley have hereunto set
my hand and seal this seventh day of December in the year of our Lord.
One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
THOMAS EDWARD KNIGHTLEY
(L.S.)