Improvements in Springs for Wheeled Vehicles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 26th May, 1896-Accepted, 8th Aug., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Springs for Wheeled Vehicles.
I, GEORGE JOHNSTON, of Mosesfield, Springburn, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, 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, that is to say --
My said invention relates to wheeled vehicles such as are usually provided with
laminated steel springs and has for its object to prevent or diminish the tremors
due to the action of small irregularities in the road which are insufficient to
appreciably affect such springs whilst still disagreeably felt by occupants of the
vehicles; and my invention consists in combining air cushions or springs with the
laminated steel springs substantially in the manner hereinafter described.
On an accompanying sheet of explanatory drawings are delineated two examples
of my improved combination of springs. Figures, 1, and 2, are vertical sections
as at right angles to each other, of ove example; and Figures, 3, and 4, are a
vertical section and a horizontal section of the second example. In these
drawings the same reference letters are used to mark the same or like parts
wherever they are repeated.
In the example shown in Figures, 1, and 2, there is interposed between the usual
laminated steel springs, A., and the axle, B, a cushion, C, of rubber or other
suitable flexible material inflated with compressed air. This cushion, C, is of a
cylindrical form with hemispherical ends, and is held between upper and lower
metal plates, D, E, shaped concavely to partially enclose the upper and under
sides of the cushion and connected at the ends by loose links, D 1, the whole being
arranged to allow of the cushion being compressed to a limited extent. The
buckles, F, confining the laminated spring, A, are made each with two legs, G,
which extend down through guide eyes in a plate or flanges, H, formed on or fixed
to the axle, B, the legs having pins at their lower ends to prevent their getting
out of the guide eyes whilst free to move through them to a limited extent as the
air cushion is compressed or expands.
In the example shown in Figures, 3, and 4, a circular air cushion, J, is combined
with the laminated spring, A; and is held between suitably shaped plates, K, L,
the upper one, K, of which is fixed by screw bolts, M, to plates, N, crossing the
top of the spring, A. The lower plate, L, is fixed to the axle, B, as is also a
piece, P, having a button-like bead, Q, which can move in a socket, R, made for it
in the upper plate, K, and prevents the plates, K, L, frem becoming too far
separated. A slack chain, S, connects the lower plate, L, to a buckle, T, fixed on
the spring, A, and transmits the forward drag of the vehicle to the lower plate, L.
The air cushions are much more sensitive to small irregularities and concussions
than the laminated springs, and prevent or greatly diminish their effect on the
vehicle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
The combining of air cushions with laminated steel springs for wheeled vehicles
substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein before described.
Dated this Twenty-third day of May 1896.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.