Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 17th Jan., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 17th Jan., 1899-Accepted, 2nd Dec., 1899
We, JEAN FRANÇOIS GOMMERET and LEON GOMMERET, both of Troyes Depart-
ment de l'Aube, in the Republic of France, Mechanical Engineers, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:-
The improvements in motor vehicles which we have devised; as a whole, enable
the vehicle to be steered in the same manner as where animal traction is employed
by means of reins, they also permit of stopping the vehicle suddenly and causing
it to travel backwards instantaneously, to vary its speed automatically and pro-
gressively, of rendering the motor independent of the organs of locomotion, of
starting it by means of compressed air without displacement on the part of the
driver, and finally of obtaining, by the arrangement of the transmission parts
driven by belting, relatively smooth motion. The improvements which relate
more particularly to the motor enable its speed to be regulated and altered, ensure
the compression of the mixture, and the exhaustion of the burned gases immedi-
ately they have produced their effect, thus reducing the heating of the cylinder:
The motor vehicle is provided with wheels of an improved type which present
the advantage of great durability, of being inexpensive to maintain and of
travelling smoothly and noiselessly.
In addition to this, the vehicle itself presents certain constructional peculiarities
more especially with respect to the steering mechanism upon which is adapted
an allegorical figure resembling the fore part of a horse, the head of which is
provided with bells for the purpose of warning foot passengers and giving notice
of the approach of the vehicle. This figure facilitates steering by observing
whether the head thereof is central.
Our invention further relates to the continuous lubrication of the transmission
parts, the automatic feed arrangement for the carburetor and the alternating
arrangement of the air reservoir.
The construction and operation of our improved motor vehicle will be readily
understood from the following description and by reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:

page_text: Figure 3 is a rear elevation.
Figure 4 is a front elevation showing the steering parts
Figure 5 illustrates the wheels.
Figure 6 represents sectional views upon a larger scale of a segment of a wheel.
Figure 7 represents the starting disc of the vehicle.
Figure 8 is a plan view of the various driving parts of the motor.
Figure 9 shows a section through the air reservoir.
Figure 10 illustrates one of the operating parts of the air pump.
Figure 11 represents sectional views of the bucket wheel.
Figure 12 shows the carburetor in elevation.
Figure 13 represents sectional views of the lubricating bearing.
Figure 14 is a longitudinal section through the cylinder.
Figure 15 is a section through the rear portion of the cylinder.
Figure 16 represents in section and elevation the governing apparatus.
Figure 17 represents sectional views of the driving pulley.
Figure 18 represents a sectional view and part elevational view of one of the
expanding pulleys and its operating parts.
Figure 19 illustrates in sectional elevation the backward-travel pulleys.
The machine is supported upon a tubular steel frame mounted upon wheels and
assembled by means of suspension springs. The motor is of the two coupled
cylinder type: the cranks are arranged at an angle of 180 degrees. The points of
attachment of the motor enable it to be arranged either horizontally vertically,
or at any desired angle of inclination.
As shown in the drawing, it is arranged for working horizontally and by means
of petroleum essence; ignition is effected electrically. The motor may be
operated either by gas, petroleum oil, alcohol, or by means of any essence pro-
ducing inflammable gases.
The motor, may be started either by means of a hand lever, or by means of
compressed air. For effecting starting by this latter means, an air reservoir a
(Figures 8 and 9) is placed in communication with the wheel c by means of the
cock b; it is provided with a piston d maintained in position by springs ce
attached to the cross-piece f serving to actuate the part which is placed in
communication by means of the rod h with the stopping lever i Figure 10. This
latter, upon engaging with the lever j stops the operation of the pump k. The
pump, which is of ordinary construction, operates by means of a spring 1,
which causes the piston to rise: a cam m attached to the driving shaft n actuates
the lever and acts upon the piston rod in order to cause it to descend and force
the air into the reservoir a.
The wheel Figures 8 and 11 fixed upon the shaft n consists of a series of
buckets surrounded by an envelope 7 in which is formed an exhaust aperture.
A petroleum reservoir supplies the carburetors through the pipe & Figure 8.
The carburetors, Figure 12 of usual construction, is provided with a float the
rod of which is furnished with a stop or tapper actuating the part v, which by
means of a rod a displaces the pin valve y serving for the introduction of the
petroleum into the carburetor.
As the cylinders of our motor are identical in construction, we will describe
one of them only.
The cylinder A (Figures 14 and 15) is provided with two suction valves, of
which B is the air intake valve, a spring of suitable strength maintaining it
closed during the operation of the valve C which admits the mixture of air and
petroleum. The igniting device D is arranged between the valves B and C:
the exhaustion of the burned gases is effected by means of the slide valve E
arranged so as to slide within the cylinder. It is displaced at the end of the
niston stroke and uncovers the aperture F for the escape of the gases. This valve
is operated by the cam G which causes the displacement of the shaft H upon
which is fixed the lever I connected with the valve E. The piston is attached to

page_text: the connecting rod by means of the part J fitted to the piston K by means of
screws; and it carries the axis L of the connecting rod Q. The space provided
in the body of this connecting rod serves as an oil reservoir for the lubrication of
the axes of the connecting rod..
The speed of the motor is regulated by means of the governor M attached to the
crown of the fly-wheel N Figure 16; the lever O pivoted at one of its extremities
terminates at its other extremity in a ball, and is maintained separated from the
rim of the fly-wheel by a spring P the tension of which is regulated by means
of a lever upon which is fixed a ratchet wheel Q. The lever is connected by
means of the joint R, to the part S so arranged as to displace the collar T, this
latter sliding along the driving shaft U upon which it is placed. The collar T
acts upon the lever V Fig. 8, which by means of a joint displaces the rods X X¹
carrying the throttle valves Z Z Figures S, 14 and 15, which allow the passage of
the mixture sucked in by the piston. This rods X X¹ being connected together
by the rod Y.
The pulley a Figure 17 drives the shaft c¹ Fig. 1 by means of a belt and the
extensible pulley ; the pulley a¹ is arranged between two discs el el con-
nected one with the other by means of a segment fl which surrounds a portion
of their circumference; it is arranged between the belt and the pulley in order
to isolate them one from the other. There is formed within the rim of the
pulley a¹, a stop or catch gl. Upon the discs e' is arranged a pawl' which,
when in contact with the stop g¹, serves to drive the discs.
These discs are stopped by means of the notches which come into contact
with the oscillating pawl; this latter is actuated by means of the lever k¹
which displaces the rod . To this rod are fixed the tappets m m which cause
the pawl to escape from the stop g¹; the rod ', which is connected with the
bell crank Figure 1, is provided with a member which connects it with the
shaft, upon which are fitted the connecting rods q' q' operating the brakes
The bell crank n', is connected by means of a rod o with the lever s¹, the
fork of which is fixed to the shaft operating the steering mechanism of the
wheels of the fore carriage; to the lever are adapted the rein supports u¹
and the arm al carrying the joint 2 of the allegorical figure.
Each extensible pulley is composed mainly of a pair of plates or dises; thus
the pulley Fig. 18 is composed of a plate or disc 2 fixed upon the shaft c¹ and
of a second plate or disc which, retained in a groove, can slide along the said
shaft c. In the plate or disc a² are formed grooves designed to guide segmental
slide-blocks e² which together form the extensible portion of the pulley. These
slides are actuated by links 2 hinged at one end to the slide and at the other
to the segments . Finally the slide is adapted to slide in the grooves provided
in the second plate or disc c. In this manner, by separating or by approaching
the plates or discs and the diameter of the pulley limited by the segments
is either increased or diminished by the action of the links f. Grooves g² are
provided on the rim for the reception of a steel hand by which the intervals
between the segments in the rim are bridged over as the segments move away
from the centre. In order to enable the steel band to form a circle of variable
diameter it is made of sufficient length for the greatest limit, and the ends thereof
overlap each other without any kind of fastening; as shown in the drawing
Fig. 18.
A second pulley m² which is in every respect identical with the first, is adapted
to the shaft c and serves to transmit (by means of the pulley (Figure 1)
within which is arranged the differential gear) motion to the shaft of which in
turn transmits it to the driving wheels by means of the pinions
The alteration in the diameter of the pulleys and m² is effected by means
of the screw ; this screw, which is loose upon the shaft c', is maintained in its
nut fixed in the bearing 2. Each extremity of the screw is provided with
a ball bearing connected with a place The nut is displaced by means of
the endless screw carried by the shaft 63 which receives its motion from the

page_text: shaft by means of the endless screw 3 which transmits it by means of the
gear wheels to the shaft. This latter is also provided with the screw y
which serves to operate the shaft carrying the drum a³ Figure 18 around which
are wound the chains effecting the displacement of the levers of the tension
pulleys (Figure 1) which automatically stretch or slacken the belts, propor-
tionately to the extension of the pulleys dm³ arranged in such a manner that
one of them increases and the other diminishes when the screw is displaced;
thus varying also the velocity of the shaft o and consequently the speed of the
vehicle. To the screw q2 is fixed the part ³ provided with a pin e; the part d³
is constructed in such a manner as to prevent the screw q² from rotating whilst
at the same time following the path of this latter horizontally. The pin e
(Fig. 18) serves to impart motion to the shaft f³ by means of the forked cam g³;
the pulley W fixed upon the shaft f³ drives the disc by means of a belt
(Figure 4). Upon the hub of this disc is adapted the tappet carrier Figure 7;
the tappet slides in the groove of the part and serves to operate the disc ³
at the proper moment. The lower extremity of the tappet rests upon the
internal edge of the rim of the disc ; in its movement of rotation the notch 3
is presented to the tappet 3 which, under the action of a spring, engages in the
notch. The tappet which was previously half engaged in the notch of the disc ³,
descends to the bottom of this latter; it follows from this that the movement
imparted to the disc is transmitted by the tappet ³ to the disc ³. This
latter carries the connecting rods 23 23 attached to the pin 7 which actuates
the disengaging fork, displaces the sleeve 3 and releases this latter from the
pinion in which it was engaged. The pinions turn loose upon the shaft in
such a manner that the operation of one or other of them causes the pinion
which drives the shaft 63 (Figure 18) to rotate in one direction or the other.
The pulley (Figure 1) fixed upon the driving shaft U, drives the pulley y³
fixed upon the shaft c; the construction of these pulleys is identical with that
of the pulley a¹, the movement of the discs being effected in the same manner by
means of the rod, operated by the lever at Figure 4. These pulleys serve only
for backward travel; the segments prevent the adhesion of the belts to the
pulleys and these latter turn loose with their respective shafts.
Figure 13 represents a bracket bearing A in which is formed an oil reser-
voir B. The bearing itself C₁ is pierced with an aperture permitting the passage
of the oil; the portion D¹ of the shaft is of a diameter different from that of the
body of the shaft. The oil is retained by the graphite bearings El E, maintained
in contact with the shaft by means of a rubber thread; a spiral groove formed
upon the shaft ensures its complete lubrication.
The wheels of our motor vehicle are formed with two rims (Figure 6), F¹ being
of wood and adapted for the reception of steel spokes, whilst the other G¹ is of
iron. The rims form portions H H which overlap and are fixed in position
by means of screws II engaged in parts J¹ J¹ arranged at suitable intervals,
and alternately upon either side of the rim. The interior of the rim forms two
concave portions intended for the reception of a tyre consisting of rubber
balls K K which are perforated throughout in order to ensure greater elasticity.
The checks of the rim G¹ are arranged in such a manner that they enclose the
rim F, so that they cannot become separated. In order that nothing may be
able to penetrate within the rim, an india rubber covering L' forms a joint at the
intersection of the two rims.
Our motor vehicle is started in the following manner: The driver, by bearing
upon the lever (Figure 2), opens the cock (Figure 8) the compressed air
acts upon the vanes or buckets of the wheel c and sets it in motion; the motor
being isolated from the parts of the vehicle offers but little resistance at starting.
The motor is one having a cycle of four phases, but the exhaust takes place
at the third phase, at the end of the piston stroke; the fourth phase of the cycle,
taking place with a vacuum in the cylinder, offers no resistance to the motor.
When the motor has been started, the cam G displaces the lever M' actuating the

page_text: shaft H which displaces the lever I (Figures 14 and 15) which in its turn dis-
places the slide-valve E uncovering the aperture F and thus permitting of the
passage of the gases whilst the speed of the piston is slackening at the dead
point. The gases then pass into a tube upon which the carburetor is supported.
After the exhaust has taken place, the slide valve E resumes its original position
under the influence of the spring H* Figure 8.
The operation of the governor is effected in the following manner: When the
fly-wheel N (Figure 16) makes a greater number of revolutions than that for which
the motor is regulated, the regulating lever approaches the crown of the fly-
wheel; it carries with it the member R which acts upon the part S and conse-
quently upon the collar T which displaces the lever V (Figure 8) the extremity of
which communicates, by means of a jointed member, with the axis X, causing it
to rotate and so to either open or close the passage for the gases by means of the
throttle valve Z which it carries. The coupling Y (Figure 8) transmits this
motion to the corresponding rod X' of the second cylinder, in such a manner that
the throttle valves act in unison, either opening or closing apertures for the gas.
When the admission of the mixture is intercepted, the piston acts upon the
valve B (Figure 14) which allows air to enter the cylinder and so cool it; the
piston compresses it, and the resistance resulting therefrom assists in slowing
the motor. As the speed diminishes, the regulating lever 0, being acted upon by
the spring P, is withdrawn from the crown of the fly-wheel, and the movements
previously described are reproduced in inverse order, the throttle valves Z per-
mitting the passage of the mixture.
Alteration in speed is effected in the following manner: The spring P being
regulated in such a manner as to obtain the mean number of revolutions, in order
to increase their number, the ratchet wheel Q is turned by means of a lever so as
to increase the tension. It follows from this that the effort necessary for effecting
the displacement of the governor is obtained merely by the increase of speed of the
fly-wheel N decrease in the tension of the spring causing a contrary result. The
ratchet Q is maintained in position by means of a stop pawl. The number of
revolutions of the driving shaft may be indicated by means of a dial.
Our improved motor vehicle is started in the following manner: The lever st
occupying the position indicated in dotted lines in Figure 2, the lever bt, which
maintains the lever st, is displaced. The lever s¹, being released by the action of
the spring assumes another position in effecting this movement, the lever st
actuates the jointed members n which act upon the rod ', which latter, in its
displacement, acts upon the lever k (Figure 17) which causes the lever to leave
the notches of the discs. At the same time the rod releases the pawl h
which the tappet m of the pulley a strikes against, and operates, with the discs,
the segment which has just assumed its position between the lengths of belting,
allowing this latter to adhere to the pulley.
Whilst this movement is taking place, the rod has effected the displacement
of the lever which has passed into the position shown in Figure 17 allowing
the pawl to assume the position for stopping the discs. The pulley a imparts
movement to the shaft c¹ which transmits such movement by means of the
pulley m to the pulley n².
Steering is effected by means of the reins P₁ (Figures 1 and 2) which are
attached to the steering lever . By acting upon either the right or left hand
rein the axis is caused to rotate and carry with it the wheel Q which acts
by means of the chains R' upon a coupling rod S actuating the axes carrying
the front wheels and causing them to pivot in the required direction. The vehicle
is stopped by acting upon both reins at the same time; the lever s¹ resumes its
original position, the rod acts in a manner inverse to that above described,
releases the pawl from the stop notches of the discs and the segment f¹ is
interposed between the belt and the pulley, thus isolating this latter from the belt.
By increasing the tension upon the reins, the inclination of the lever s¹ becomes
greater and increases the travel of the rod which acts by means of a joint upon
the lever o (Figure 2), actuates the shaft p³ which carries the brake lever, applies

page_text: them and thus stops the vehicle, in such a manner that it is stopped so much the
more quickly according as the tension of the reins is more considerable. When
tightening of the brakes commences, the part T (Figure 16), under the influence of
a spring, assumes a position which prevents the lever from moving back. The
vehicle being at rest and the reins slackened, the lever assumes the position in
which it is shewn, and in which it is ready for starting, as above stated. In
order to stop the motor the cock U¹ (Figure 12) is closed.
Backward travel is effected by means of the lever a (Figure 4) which by means
of a jointed connection displaces the rod et, Figure 1, which actuates the pulley
dises and in the same manner as that described above for the pulley a
In addition to the alteration of the speed of the motor, its reversal is effected by
means of extensible pulleys d¹ and m². In order to either decrease or diminish
the speed, the knob V (Figures 4 and 7) is acted upon, and by means of an
excentric lifts the tappet, causes it to leave the notches of the disc ; the
part is rotated in such a manner as to bring the tappet opposite the notch
indicating the speed which it is desired to obtain. The tappet being partially
engaged in the notch of the disc k³ its other extremity resting upon the crown of
the disc, if the part is displaced it carries with it the disc ', which by means
of the connecting rods causes the journal q³ to rotate, thus displacing the
fork and the sleeve, releasing this latter from either the left or right hand
bevel pinion according to the direction of the movement imparted to the disc. The
pinions act upon the wheel which operates the shaft Fig. 18, the screw t²,
being acted upon by this latter displaces the nut 72, which being held by the
bearing causes the screw to advance in such a manner that, this screw
advancing horizontally during the circular movement of the discs, acts upon
them so that one of them approaches the disc a² whilst the other separates from
the disc m² the joints extending and displacing the segments e² one set of
which approaches the centre whilst the other separates therefrom. It follows
from this that the alteration in the circumferences formed by the segments, which
fulfil the office of pulleys, produces the alteration in speed; this operation is
effected automatically by the following combination: The part fixed to the
screw follows the movements of this latter and by means of its pin c³ rotates
the forked cam which drives the shaft f³ and consequently the pulley W
which, by means of a belt, drives the disc Fig. 4, which presents its notch B
opposite the tappet which descends under the influence of a suitable spring;
the movement continues, the disc acts in the manner above stated and stops the
wheel Figure 18 and consequently the screw in such a manner that the
pulleys retain the dimensions which they had at moment of stoppage. The same
operation is renewed at each change.
The
The tension devices for the belts operate in the following manner:
Screw causes the rotation of the shaft thereby driving the drum a to which
are fixed the chains connected with the lower portion of the lever of the tension
device holders. The action of the tension rollers being produced by means
of the screw, it follows that the tension of the belts is in proportion to the
dimensions given to the pulleys.
The allegorical figure representing the fore part of a horse, is fixed to the arm
of the lever (Figure 2); the cam g, in rotating imparts by means of its
projections, an oscillatory movement to the lever which is communicated by
means of the chain to the arm of the lever 21, in such a manner that the head,
at each movement, drops sharply and agitates a collar of bells, the sound of
which gives warning of the approach of the vehicle.
Our improved wheels are mounted either upon ball bearings or upon journalled
axles; they operate in the following manner: The wooden rim, by its adhesion
to the india rubber balls, drives the iron rim, which follows the undulations
transmitted to it owing to the elasticity of the balls, thereby neutralising the
shocks arising from its contact with the ground.
Our bearing A Fig. 13 for ensuring continuous lubrication, operates in the

page_text: following manner: The oil is placed in a box B₁ of suitable height, for immersing
the portion D¹ of the shaft in the oil; this portion of the shaft is placed in com-
munication with this latter by means of an aperture. The shaft in rotating
distributes the oil, by means of a spirally formed groove, over the whole length
of the bearing. The oil is arrested at each extremity of the bearing by the
blocks of graphite E' E', through the sides of which it escapes by way of a notch
provided for that purpose. The pieces of graphite are maintained in contact with
the shaft by means of a binding of india rubber thread which ensures their
adhesion.
The oil being renewed in this manner, ensures the continuous lubrication of
the axes of the transmission mechanism.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is;-
1. A motor vehicle comprising, in combination with an explosion motor, a
device for effecting starting by means of compressed air, a centrifugal governor,
a disengaging device acting by means of the separation of the transinission belts,
a mechanism for changing speed by means of extensible pulleys, with automatic
tension devices for the belts, elastic wheels provided with hollow spheres, lubri-
cating bearings with graphite bearing blocks, a steering device operated by means
of reins and an allegorical figure representing the fore part of a horse arranged
in front of the vehicle, substantially as above describd."
2. In a motor vehicle in accordance with Claim 1, an explosion motor provided
with an automatic valve for the admission of the explosive mixture, an exhaust
slide valve operated by means of cam, and a valve for the re-admission of air for
the purpose of cooling the cylinder, the said motor having a cycle of four phases,
as above described.
3. In a motor vehicle in accordance with Claim 1, a centrifugal governor, the
movable mass of which is under the action of a spring which is capable of adjust-
ment whilst the motor is running, this governor acting upon a throttle valve
arranged in the pipe for the admission of the explosive mixture, as above described.
4. In a motor vehicle in accordance with Claim 1, a starting device comprising
an air pump operated by the motor, a compressed air reservoir and a bucket
wheel driven by the compressed air and operating the shaft of the explosion
motor, in combination with an operating cock and a disengaging device for the
air pump, as above described.
5. In a motor vehicle in accordance with Claim 1, disengaging mechanism for
the transmission by means of belting between the motor and the wheel axle,
comprising a segment partially surrounding the driven pulley and capable of
assuming a position between the pulley and the belt for the purpose of isolating
them, the said segment being carried by lateral discs actuated by means of
appropriate mechanism, as above described.
6. In a motor vehicle in accordance with Claim 1, an extensible pulley for
transmission of different speeds by means of belting, essentially comprising
movable segments capable of displacement in the direction of the spokes of the
pulley and connected with jointed rods, an articulation of which slides in radial
grooves of a disc arranged parallel with the pulley and displaceable along the
transmission shaft, these rods being likewise jointed upon the hub of the pulley,
in combination with a flexible metallic band covering the variable spaces com-
prised between the said segments, substantially as above described.
7. In a motor vehicle in accordance with Claim 1, a speed changing device
comprising two extensible pulleys the movable segments of which are connected
by jointed rods to two discs sliding upon the shaft, a hollow screw loose upon
the shaft and connected with these discs, a nut surrounding the said screw and
obliging it by its rotation, to move along the shaft, in such a manner that one of
the discs approaches the corresponding pulley, whilst the other becomes separated

page_text: from its pulley, the first pulley increasing in diameter whilst the other diminishes,
in combination with tension rollers carried by arms operated at the same time as
the said nut in such a manner as to stretch the belts in proportion to the variation
in the diameter of the pulleys, substantially as above described.
8. In a motor vehicle in accordance with Claim 1, a rim for the driving wheels
comprising a series of hollow india rubber balls arranged in the annular space
comprised between an outer rim consisting of two portions assembled by means of
screws and an inner rim into which the spokes fit, substantially as above described.
9. In a motor vehicle in accordance with Claim 1, a lubricating bearing provided
with an oil reservoir and comprising a central fixed bearing pierced with an
aperture for the admission of the oil, two lateral graphite bearings applied upon
the shaft by means of india rubber bands, the journal of the shaft being provided
with a helical groove serving to distribute the oil along its entire length, sub-
stantially as above described.
10. In a motor vehicle in accordance with Claim 1, the application of an
allegorical figure representing the fore part of a horse and arranged in front of the
vehicle.
11. In a motor vehicle in accordance with Claim 1, the application to the
front of the vehicle of an allegorical figure representing the fore part of a horse
with an oscillating head provided with bells.
12. In a motor vehicle in accordance with Claim 1, the application of a trans-
mission by means of reins for operating the steering parts, substantially as above
described.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.