Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 25th May, 1897-Accepted, 10th July, 1897
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same, the transverse bars being
depressed to a horizontal position and showing the arrangement of parts when a
vehicle is loaded.
Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view, the parts being arranged as illustrated
in Fig. 2.
Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the
drawing.
1 designates a substantially semi-elliptic leaf spring having a horizontal top portion
and depending sides, which curve inward slightly, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2
of the drawing, and the top portion of the leaf spring, which is designed to be
disposed transversely of a vehicle body and running gear is centrally secured to a
transverse bar 2, which may be a portion of the body of a vehicle or the running
gear, or may be secured to the same in any suitable manner. The ends or arms of
the leaf spring, which is disposed substantially vertically, are provided with eyes 3
and are hinged to corresponding eyes 4 of a pair of bars 5, which are hinged together
at their inner ends by a pintle 6 passing through corresponding eyes of the bars 5.
The outer ends of the hinged bars 5 are provided with stirrups or loops 7, and are
designed to be suspended within a running gear from opposite sides thereof, as will
be readily understood.
The eyes 4 to which the ends of the springs 1 are hinged, are located intermediate
of the ends of the hinged bars 5, and are preferably formed integral with plates 4",
which are secured to the upper faces of the bars 5, but the eyes thereof may be
constructed in any other suitable manner. The inner ends of the hinged bars are
connected with the top of the spring 1 by a centrally arranged coiled spring 9 which

page_text: has its upper end passed through a perforation of the spring 1, or otherwise secured to
the same. The lower end of the spring is secured to a shackle or loop 10 which
straddles the inner hinged ends of the bars 5 and which is secured to the same by the
pivot or pintle 6. The shackle or loop 10 is provided at its top with a centrally-
arranged perforated ear through which is passed the lower terminals of the coiled
spring 9. The transverse hinged bars 5 are oppositely inclined and normally extend
downward and outward from the lower end of the coiled spring, and when their inner
ends are depressed, they straighten out or lengthen and carry the arms of the leaf
spring with them.
The vehicle body (not shown) may be mounted on the leaf spring in any suitable
manner, as will be readily understood, and when it is loaded the central coiled
spring 9 is distended, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing, and
simultaneously with this operation of the central spring, the sides of the vertical
leaf spring are moved outward and assist in supporting the load, so that the strain is
equally distributed between the two springs. The coiled spring is first affected by.
the load and is adapted to form an efficient and elastic cushion when the body of
the vehicle is subjected to a light load only and both springs come into play when the
vehicle is heavily loaded, and by this construction and arrangement of springs, the
body is thoroughly cushioned for either a heavy or light load. The arrangement of
the springs is such that the body of a vehicle is always maintained in a horizontal
position and will conform to the frame and the running gear irrespective of the
disposition of the load, so that a child and a very heavy man may occupy a seat
without tilting the vehicle in the slightest. The weight is equally distributed to the
springs and is transmitted to them at the hinge joints at the ends of the curved
arms or sides of the spring 1, the latter bearing at least one-half the weight and the
coiled spring, which is fastened to the inner ends of the hinged bars can only bear the
other half, and these hinge joints provide three distinct bearings which act in unison
and relieve the strain from any one point. The springs are self-adjusting, and when
the wheels of a vehicle pass over obstructions or drop suddenly in short ruts, the
springs give evenly on both sides and act similarly, always relieving the body of the
vehicle of rocking side motion, which is annoying to the occupants as well as
destructive to the vehicle. The running gear is protected and rendered more durable
by keeping the weight uniform over a rough road, both sides of the body rising and
falling at the same instant, thereby the parts are relieved of the strain incident to
the rocking or reeling of the body or top, and of the shifting the weight suddenly to
the lower and weaker side. The spiral or coiled spring is designed to be of sufficient
strength to carry an ordinary load with ease, and should the load be too great for the
spiral or coiled spring, the latter is pressed downward and the hinged bars are
lengthened, thereby forcing the sides or arms of the leaf spring outward. The leaf
spring is designed to possess great strength, and comes into play but slightly except
when a vehicle is heavily loaded. The springs adjust this to the load to be carried,
and the resiliency is always in proportion to the weight.
The vehicle spring may be readily applied to a variety of vehicles; the stirrups
may be attached to the side bars of the running gear, or the vehicle spring may be
inverted so that the stirrups may be connected with the body.
Changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted
to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of the
⚫ invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a transverse spring
centrally secured to a suitable support and consisting of a central horizontal portion
and substantially vertically disposed arms, the oppositely inclined bars normally
converging toward their inner ends and hinged together at that point, and a vertically
disposed coiled spring interposed between the central portion of the transverse spring

page_text: and the inner ends of said bars and connected with those parts, substantially as
described.
2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a substantially semi-elliptic
leaf spring centrally secured to a suitable support and consisting of a horizontal
portion and substantially vertically disposed curved arms adapted to be spread or
forced outward, the oppositely inclined bars hinged at points intermediate of their
ends to the arms of the spring, and a coiled spring connecting the inner ends of the
arms with the central portion of the said spring, substantially as described.
3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a substantially semi-elliptic
leaf spring having a horizontal portion and provided with curved sides, oppositely
inclined bars hinged at their inner ends and similarly connected at points intermediate
of their ends to the terminals of the leaf spring, stirrups arranged at the outer ends
of the inclined bars, a shackle embracing the inner ends of the bars and connected
with the pintle or pivot thereof, and a coiled spring secured to the shackle and
connected with the horizontal portion of the leaf spring, and interposed between the
latter and the inclined bars, substantially as described.
Dated 5th day of Mov 1907
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicants.