Improvements in Motor Propelled Road Vehicles.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Mar., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 8th Aug., 1899-Accepted, 14th Oct., 1899
PROVIDIUNAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Motor Propelled Road Vehicles.
We, JOHN EDWARD THORNYCROFT and THE STEAM CARRIAGE & WAGGON
COMPANY LIMITED, both of Homefield, Chiswick, in the County of Middlesex,
Auto-car Builders, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
This invention has reference to a construction of motor propelled road vehicles
designed to travel over rough or uneven roads in a smoother manner than usual
and without undue shock to the driving mechanism.
For this purpose the steam or other motor is arranged below and carried by
the frame of the vehicle which is provided with suitable bearings wherein the
motor driving shaft, which is arranged horizontally and transversely, is mounted
to revolve. Upon one end of this driving shaft are mounted two toothed pinions
of unequal diameter that are adapted to be put in and out of gear with two toothed
wheels that are also of unequal diameter and are fixed upon a short transverse
shaft mounted in bearings suspended from the bottom of the frame, the two sets
of toothed wheels admitting of two different speeds being obtained. This short
transverse shaft is connected at one end by a universal coupling to one end of a
transverse link or shaft (hereinafter called the intermediate shaft) the other end
of which is connected by a similar coupling to one end of a second short transverse
shaft mounted in bearings carried by a lower frame, (hereinafter called the perch
frame) which is supported from the axles of the carrying wheels of the vehicle,
the said second transverse shaft having fixed thereto a pinion in gear with a
toothed wheel connected to differential gearing carried by the main driving axle
of the vehicle, the said gearing being connected on the one side to the said axle
on the other side to a sleeve loose on the axle. The end portion of the vehicle
over the driving axle is supported by springs, for example two laminated carriage
springs, carried by two axle boxes, one of which is mounted upon one end portion
of the driving axle and the other upon the sleeve surrounding the other end
portion of the driving axle. The other end portion of the platform is supported
on springs, for example two pairs of carriage springs arranged to form a bow
spring, carried by another axle of the vehicle. The perch frame which may
conveniently consist of a pair of longitudinal members connected by transverse
members, may be connected at one end to the axle boxes on the main driving
shaft and at the other end to the other axle of the vehicle. The arrangement is
such that the frame is free to rise and fall vertically, to an extent limited by the
carrying springs, without interfering with the driving of the main axle from the
motor driving shaft, the intermediate link or length of shaft coupled to the two
short transverse shafts becoming more or less inclined to the horizontal as
the platform rises and falls and sliding endways relatively to the short shafts.
To permit of this motion of the intermediate link or shaft, each of the couplings
that connects its ends to the adjacent short transverse shafts comprises, according
to one construction, a socket fixed to the short shaft and formed with oppositely

page_text: arranged longitudinal recesses in which are fitted a pair of blocks that are rounded
on their outer ends and are journalled upon a cross pin that is journaled in one
end of the intermediate link or shaft, the arrangement being such that rotary
motion of either shaft will be transmitted to the other and that the intermediate
link or shaft is free to turn in directions at right angles to each other and about i
the socket as a centre. The pair of blocks in one of the sockets is held endways
thereon by suitable means such as fixed pieces of metal having concave bearing
surfaces against which the correspondingly formed blocks can work, the pair of
blocks in the other socket being free to slide endways to accommodate the angular
movement of the intermediate shaft.
To prevent or mitigate the transmission of shocks from the pair of main driving
wheels of the vehicle to the driving mechanism, each of the said driving wheels
is mounted to rotate on the driving axle and is driven through spring or flexible
connections. In one arrangement for this purpose each driving wheel is driven
through a pair of stiff laminated carriage springs that are fixed at their central
portions to opposite sides of a block carried by the driving axle and the ends of
which bear against opposite sides of diametrically arranged lugs or projections
extending from the inner sides of the driving wheels. One of the spring carrying
blocks is fast on one end of the driving axle and the other is fast on the driving
sleeve on the other end of the axle, the arrangement being such that each wheel
will be driven through a pair of springs which will yield to some extent at starting,
and when the corresponding driving wheel meets with an obstruction on the road,
and so allow of a limited but controlled movement between the driving wheel and
the driving mechanism.
When the motor employed is a steam motor, there may advantageously be
employed a steam boiler comprising two annular vessels connected by an annular
group of straight but inclined water tubes, the upper vessel constituting a steam
and water vessel and the lower vessel a water supply vessel. The two annular
vessels, which may be pressed to shape, are closed the one at the top, and the other
at the bottom by annular plates by removing which direct access can be gained to
the water tubes for the purpose of cleaning or withdrawing them. The boiler
may be connected to the frame so that the lower water vessel extends downward
from the bottom side thereof, the fire grate being suitably carried by the lower
water vessel. The top annular plate of the upper steam and water vessel is
provided with a central fuel charging aperture controlled by a door, and the
water tubes are surrounded by a suitable casing that is in connection at one side
with a chimney. When using inferior fuel which forms a large quantity of
clinker, necessitating frequently clearing of the fire, a small passage, normally
closed by a door, may advantageously be formed through the lower water vessel
so that clinker can be drawn out level with the fire grate. By the construction
described the water tubes can be readily cleaned internally and the fire grate can
be readily cleaned from clinker.
In one arrangement of vehicle according to this invention, the steam boiler,
the starting, stopping, reversing and speed changing levers, and the steering and
brake levers are arranged at the forward portion of the frame, the remaining
portion of the frame, which is made flat, serving to support a platform on which the
load to be carried is placed, or to receive a car body in which the load is carried
and which can be made readily removable so as to permit of its being replaced by
car bodies of different design in order to adapt the vehicle for carry-
ing loads of various kinds. In such an arrangement the rear axle is
the driving axle the driving wheels on which are driven as hereinbefore
described, the front axle being the steering axle. The starting, stopping and
reversing mechanism which may be of any suitable construction, is controlled by
a hand lever at one side of the driver's seat which is behind the steam boiler.
The steering gear may be of any suitable construction. According to one arrange-
ment it comprises an inclined steering shaft provided at its upper end with a hand
wheel and at its lower end with a worm in gear with a worm wheel mounted to

page_text: rotate upon an inclined shaft and provided with a sleeve carrying an arm connected
by a rod to one of the two steering arms connected to the leading wheels of the
vehicle, the two arms being connected by a rod. The shaft carrying the sleeve is
fixed at its upper end to the frame and at its lower end is held in position by a
socket in which it fits and which is restrained from vertical movement by a link,
and from horizontal movement by a rod connected to the leading axle. By this
construction the forces required to move the steering wheels are contained within
the steering mechanism, no force having to be transmitted through the supporting
springs of the forward end of the vehicle. In this way the vehicle is allowed to
swing on its springs and the latter are allowed to work, without the steering
wheels being thereby caused to change their direction.
The vehicle may be provided with side coal bunkers at its forward end, and with
water tanks, one of which may be located under the driver's seat and another or
others under the rear part of the frame.
We, JOHN EDWARD THORNYCROFT and THE STEAM CARRIAGE & WAGGON
COMPANY LIMITED, both of Homefield, Chiswick, in the County of Middlesex,
Auto-car Builders, 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 has reference to a construction of motor propelled road vehicles
designed to travel over rough or uneven roads in a smoother manner than usual
and without undue shock to the driving mechanism.
Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying illustrative drawings show respectively in
side elevation and plan, part of a motor propelled road vehicle constructed accord-
ing to this invention. Fig. 3 is a cross section corresponding to the line A A of
Fig. 2 but drawn to a larger scale. Figs. 4 and 5 show one of the travelling
wheels in side elevation and cross section respectively. Figs. 6 and 7 are longi-
tudinal sections, and Fig. 8 a sectional elevation on the line B B of Fig. 6, showing
flexible couplings. Fig. 9 is a front end elevation of the vehicle showing the
steering gear thereon. Fig. 10 shows, in vertical section, part of the vehicle with
a water tube boiler suitable for use therewith.
According to this invention, the motor a which may be a steam engine, as
shown, or other motor, is arranged below and carried by the frame b of the vehicle
which is provided with suitable bearings c wherein the driving shaft d of the
motor, which is arranged horizontally and transversely, is mounted to revolve.
Upon one end of this driving shaft are mounted two toothed pinions e and f of
unequal diameter that are adapted to be put in and out of gear with two toothed
wheels and respectively which are also of unequal diameter and are fixed upon
a short transverse shaft i (Fig. 3) mounted in bearings j suspended from the
bottom of the frame b, the two sets of toothed wheels e, g and f, h admitting of
two different speeds being obtained. The short transverse shaft i is connected at
one end by a universal coupling at k (Fig. 2) to one end of a transverse link or
shaft (hereinafter called the intermediate shaft) the other end of which is

page_text: connected by a similar coupling to one end of a second short transverse shaft m
mounted in bearings n carried by a lower frame o, (hereinafter called the perch
frame) which is supported from the axles of the main and leading carrying
wheels and 2 respectively of the vehicle. The said second transverse shaft m
has fixed thereto a pinion q in gear with a toothed wheel connected to
differential gearing s of the ordinary known kind carried by the main driving
axle t of the vehicle, the said differential gearing being connected on the one
side to the said axle and on the other side to a sleeve a loose on the said axle.
The end portion of the vehicle over the main driving axle t is supported by
springs, for example two laminated carriage springs (Figs. 1 and 3), carried by
two axle boxes, one of which, viz. w, is mounted upon one end portion of the
driving axle t, and the other, viz. a, upon the sleeve surrounding the other end
portion of the said driving axle. The other end portion of the platform is
supported on springs, for example two pairs of carriage springs y arranged to
form a bow spring, carried by the leading axle z of the vehicle (Figs. 1 and 4).
The perch frame o, which may conveniently consist, as shown, of a pair of
longitudinal members connected by transverse members, may be connected at one
end to the axle boxes and on the main driving shaft t and at the other end
to the leading axle of the vehicle. As will be seen the arrangement is such
that the frame 6 of the vehicle is free to rise and fall vertically, to an extent
limited by the carrying springs and y, without interfering with the driving of
the main axle t from the motor driving shaft d, the intermediate length 7 of
shaft coupled to the two short transverse shafts i and m becoming more or less
inclined to the horizontal as the platform rises and falls and sliding endways
relatively to the short shafts. To permit of this motion of the intermediate
shaft, each of the couplings that connects its ends to the adjacent transverse
shafts and m comprises, according to the construction shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8,
a socket 1 fixed to the short shaft i or m and formed with oppositely arranged
longitudinal recesses 2 in which are fitted a pair of blocks 3 that are rounded on
their outer ends and are journalled upon a cross pin 4 that is journalled in one
end of the intermediate shaft 7. The arrangement is such that rotary motion can
bo transmitted from the shaft i to the intermediate shaft and from this latter
shaft to the shaft m, and that the intermediate shaft is free to turn in directions
or planes at right angles to one another and about either socket as a centre.
pair of blocks 3 in one of the sockets (see Fig. 7), is held endways therein by
suitable means such as fixed pieces of metal 5 having concave bearing surfaces
against which the correspondingly formed blocks 3 can work, the pair of blocks 3
in the other socket (see Fig. 6) being free to slide endways in the recesses 2 to
accommodate the angular movement of the intermediate shaft.
The
To prevent or mitigate the transmission of shocks from the pair of main driving
.wheels ?' of the vehicle to the driving mechanism, each of the said driving wheels
is mounted to rotate about the driving axle t, and is driven through spring or
flexible connections. In the arrangement shown for this purpose in the accom-
panying drawings, each of the main driving wheels is driven through a pair of
stiff laminated carriage springs 6 that are fixed at their central portions to the
opposite sides of a block 7 carried by the driving axle t and the ends of which bear
against opposite sides of diametrically arranged lugs or projections 8 extending
from the inner side of the corresponding driving wheel p.
One of the spring
carrying blocks 7, the right hand one in Fig. 3, is fast on one end of the driving
axle t, and the other is fast on the driving sleeve on the other end of the said
axle, the arrangement being such that each wheel will be driven through a pair
of springs G which will yield to some extent at starting and when the corre-
sponding driving wheel meets with an obstruction on the road, and so allow of a
limited but controlled movement between the driving wheel and the driving
mechanism.
When the motor employed is a steam motor, as in the example shown, there
may advantageously be employed a steam boiler comprising, as shown in Figs. 1

page_text: and 10, two annular vessels 9 and 10 connected by an annular group of straight
but inclined water tubes 11, the upper vessel 9 constituting a steam and water
vessel, and the lower vessel 10 a water supply vessel. The two annular, vessels,
which may be pressed to shape, are closed the one at the top and the other at the
bottoms by annular plates 12 by removing which direct access can be gained to
the water tubes for the purpose of cleaning or withdrawing them. The boiler
may be so connected to the frame b that the lower water vessel extends downward
from the bottom side thereof as shown, the fire grate 13 being suitably carried
by the lower water vessel 10. The top annular plate 12 of the upper steam and
water vessel 9 is provided with a central fuel charging aperture 14 controlled by
a door 15, and the water tubes are surrounded by a suitable casing 16 that is
in connection at one side with a chimney 17. When using inferior fuel which
forms a large quantity of clinker, necessitating frequent clearing of the fire, a
small passage 18, normally closed by a door 19, may advantageously be formed
through the lower water vessel 10 so that clinker can be drawn out on a level
with the fire grate. By the construction described, the water tubes can be
readily cleaned internally and the fire grate can be readily cleaned from clinker.
In the arrangement of vehicle now being 'described by way of example, the
steam boiler, the starting, stopping, and reversing lever 20 and speed changing
lever 21, the steering wheel 22 and the brake lever 23 are arranged at the forward
portion of the frame b, the remaining portion of the said frame, which is made
flat, serving to support a platform on which the load to be carried is placed, or to
receive a car body in which the load is carried and which can be made readily
removable so as to permit of its being replaced by car bodies of different design
in order to adapt the vehicle for carrying loads of various kinds. In such an
arrangement the rear axle t is the driving axle the driving wheels p on which are
driven as hereinbefore described, the front axle being the steering axle.
starting, stopping and reversing mechanism, which may be of any suitable con-
struction, is controlled by a hand lever 20 at one side of the driver's seat 24
which is behind the steam boiler. The reversing and speed changing lever 21
may, as shown, be arranged at the side of the lever 20. In the example shown,
the two pinions e and f are feathered to the shaft d and are moved endways
thereon by means of two rods el and f which are attached respectively to the
pinions e and f and are carried by and slide within suitable brackets secured to
the underframe of the vehicle, a locking device being provided to enable either
pinion to be placed in action or both out of action, as may be desired.
The
The
The steering gear may be of any suitable construction. According to the
arrangement shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 9 it comprises an inclined steering shaft 30
provided at its upper end with a hand wheel 22 and at its lower end with a
worm 32 in gear with a worm wheel 33. This worm wheel is mounted to rotate
upon an inclined shaft 34 and is provided with a sleeve 35 carrying an arm 36
that is connected by a rod 37 to one of the two steering arms 38 connected to the
short axles 2 of the leading wheels p¹ of the vehicle, the two arms 38 being
connected by a rod 39. The short axles 2 are, as usual, mounted to turn about
vertical axles carried by the bifurcated ends z¹ of the leading axle z.
shaft 34 carrying the sleeve 35 is fixed at its upper end, as by a bracket 34*, to
the frame b, and at its lower end is held in position by a socket 40 in which it
fits and which is restrained from vertical movement by a link 41 and from
horizontal movement by a rod 42 connected to the leading axle z. By this con-
struction the forces required to move the steering wheels are confined within the
steering mechanism, no force having to be transmitted through the supporting
springs y of the forward end of the vehicle. In this way the vehicle is allowed to
move on its springs and the latter are allowed to work, without the steering wheels
being thereby caused to change their direction.
The vehicle may be provided with side coal bunkers at its forward end, and
with water tanks, one of which shown at 43, may be located under the driver's
seat and another or others under the rear part of the frame at 44.

page_text: 、
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. In a motor propelled road vehicle, mounting the motor and its driving
mechanism on the spring supported frame of the vehicle and rotating the main
driving wheels of the vehicle from a shaft mounted on a perch frame supported
by the axles of the carrying wheels of the vehicle, the said shaft being connected
to the driving mechanism of the motor through an intermediate shaft and universal
couplings, substantially as described.
2. In a motor propelled road vehicle, driving mechanism constructed, arranged
and operating substantially as described and shown.
3. In a motor propelled road vehicle, driving each of the main driving wheels of
the vehicle through springs or flexible connections arranged and operating
substantially as described.
4. In a motor propelled vehicle, the combination with each of the main carrying
wheels of the vehicle, of a pair of laminated carriage springs that are-fixed at
their central portions to the opposite sides of a block fast on the driving axle of
the vehicle or on a sleeve thereon, and the ends of which bear against opposite sides
of diametrically arranged lugs or projections extending from the inner side of the
wheel, substantially as described.
5. In a motor propelled vehicle, a steam boiler constructed and arranged as
described and shown.
6. In a motor propelled vehicle, steering gear arranged and operating sub-
stantially as described for the purpose specified.
7. A motor propelled vehicle constructed, arranged and operating substantially
as described and shown.