IMPROVEMENTS IN TRACTION ENGINES
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Lee and Benjamin Dutton Taplin, of the
Patent Crank Works, Lincoln, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
TRACTION ENGINES."
Sealed the 14th March 1862, and dated the 17th September 1861.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Lee and Benjamin
Dutton Taplin at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 17th September 1861.
We, JOSEPH LEE and BENJAMIN DUTTON TAPLIN, of the Patent Crank
Works, Lincoln, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN TRACTION ENGINES," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in traction engines. In
constructing traction engines, according to our Invention, we employ a boiler
similar to an ordinary locomotive boiler; in front of the fire-box end of the
boiler is a platform, on which the engine driver and steersman stand; this
platform is supported by the leading or guiding pair of wheels, the axle of the
hinder or driving pair of wheels is placed below the crank shaft of the engine;
this latter shaft is above the top or body part of the boiler, and is driven by
engines contained in the smoke box of the boiler; on one end of the crank
shaft are two pinions of different diameters, these pinions are loose on the
shaft, but either of them can be made fast upon it by means of a clutch; for
this purpose a slot is formed in the portion of the shaft which passes through

page_text: the pinions; in this slot is a bar capable of being moved to and fro, one end
of the bar is connected to a collar capable of sliding endwise on the axle,
around the periphery of this collar a groove is formed to receive a fork on
the end of one arm of a lever, the other arm forming a handle, by means of
which the lever may be turned on its centre, and the bar thus moved to and
fro. On the other end of the bar is a projection, which projects up out of the
slot; this projection can enter recesses formed in the pinions, the pinions are
separated from each other by a collar, through which a slot or recess is also
formed to receive the projection. When both pinions are desired to be loose
on the shaft the bar is by the lever moved so that the projection upon it is
received into the recess in the collar, the collar being made sufficiently broad
for the purpose; when it is desired to make either of the pinions fast on the
shaft, the bar is moved, so that a portion of the projection upon it enters the
recess in the pinion it is desired to make fast. On the axle of the hinder or
driving wheels are two toothed wheels of different diameters,into which the two
pinions gear, thesmaller pinion gearing with the larger toothed wheel,and the
larger pinion with the smaller toothed wheel; the driving wheels can thus be
driven at two different speeds by making one or other of the pinions fast on
the shaft. Each of the leading or guiding wheels turns on a pin or short axis,
which itself projects from a vertical axis; these vertical axes turn in bearings
at each end of a bar or beam, which passes transversely across the engine
below the platform in front of the fire-box, the vertical axes having arms con-
nected to them, which by links are connected to the ends of two arms of equal
length fixed on an upright shaft or axis, which is situated at the front of the
platform on which the steersman stands; on the upper end of this shaft is a
toothed wheel, into which a pinion on the axis of a hand wheel; gears; this
hand wheel can be worked by the steersinan on the platform. By turning the
vertical shaft by means of the hand wheel in one or other direction, the
vertical axis, which carry the pins on which the guiding wheels turn, will be
turned also, and will thus set the wheels at an angle to the engine, thus
guiding it when in motion in any desired direction. The bar or beam to
which the guiding wheels are connected, as above described, is composed of
two plates set vertically at a distance apart from each other in the centre of
the bar, and between the plates is a nut capable of turning on axes, which
run in a direction lengthwise of the engine, which axes are supported by the
two plates; through the nut a male screw projecting vertically from the under
side of the platform works, and by turning this male screw the end of the
boiler to which the platform is attached may be raised or lowered, and the
boiler miny thus be kept in a horizontal position when the engine is going

page_text: either up or down hill. The male screw has on it a toothed wheel, into which
a pinion on the lower end of a vertical axis gears. The vertical axis passes
up through the platform, and has on its upper end a hand wheel, by turning
which the male screw may be turned in either direction. In order to retain
the beam which carries the nut and the gaiding wheels transversely across the
engine the platform has projecting from its under side two bars, which pass
down between the plates composing the beam, the two bars being one on each
side of the male screw; these bars retain the beam transversely across the
engine, but yet allow it to turn on the axes of the nut, so that no strain will
come on the male screw when the engine is going over uneven ground.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Joseph Lee and Benjamin Dutton Taplin in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 17th March 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS HALL COME, we, JOSEPH
LEE and BENJAMIN DUTTON TAPLIN, of the Patent Crank Works, Lincoln,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventeenth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twevty-fifth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
us, the said Joseph Lee and Benjamin Dutton Taplin, Her special licence
that we, the said Joseph Lee and Benjamin Dutton Taplin, our executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said Joseph Lee and
Benjamin Dutton Tapiin,our executors, administrators, and assigns,shouldat
any time agree with and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
TRACTION ENGINES," upou the condition (amongst others) that we, the said
Joseph Lee and Benjamin Dutton Taplin, our executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under our or their hands and seals, or under
the hand and seal of one of us or them, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.

page_text: that was the pee mud Benjamin Dutc
Taplin, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manmer the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, that is to say :-
This Invention has for its object improvements in traction engines.
In constructing traction engines according to our Invention, we employ a
boiler similar to an ordinary locomotive boiler, in front of the fire-box end of
the boiler is a platform, on which the engine driver and steersman stand; this
platform is supported by the leading or guiding pair of wheels; the axle of the
hinder or driving pair of wheels is placed below the crank shaft of the engine,
this latter shaft is above the top or body part of the boiler, and is driven by
engines contained in the sinoke-box of the boiler; on one end of the crank
shaft are two pinions of different diameters, these pinionsare loose on the shaft,
but either of them can be male fast upon it by means of a clutch; for this
purpose a slot is formed in the portion of the shaft which passes through the
pinions, in this slot is a bar capable of being moved to and fro, one end of tho
bar is connected to a collar capable of sliding endwise on the axle ; around
the periphery of this collar a groove is formed to receive a fork on the end
of one arm of a lever, the other arm forming a handle, by means of which
the lever may be turned on its centre, and the bar thus moved to and fro;
on the other end of the bar is a projection, which projects up out of the
slot; this projection can enter recesses formed in the pinions; the pinions are
separated from each other by a collar, through which a slot or recess is also
formed to receive the projection. When both pinions are desired to be loose
on the shaft, the bar is by the lever moved so that the projection upon it is
received into the recess in tho collar, the collar being made sufficiently broad
for the purpose. When it is desired to make either of the pinions fast on the
shaft, the bar is moved so that a portion of the projection upon it enters the
recess in the pinion it is desirod to make fast. On the axle of the hinder
or driving wheels are two toothed wheels of different diameters, into which
the two pinions gear; the smaller pinion gearing with the larger toothed
wheel, and the larger pinion with the smaller toothed wheel, the driving
whicels can thus be driven at two different speeds by making one or other of
the pinions fust on the shaft. Each of the loading or guiding wheels turns on
a pin or short axis, which itself projects from a vertical axis, these vertical axes
turn in bearings at each end of a bar or beam, which passes transversely
across the engine below the platform in front of the fire-box; the vertical
axes have arms connected to them, which by links are connected to the ends
of two arms of equal length fixed on an upright shaft or axis, which is

page_text: situated at the front of the platform on which the steersman stands; on the
upper end of this shaft is a toothed wheel, into which a pinion on the axis of
a hand wheel gears; this hand wheel can be worked by the steersman on the
platform. By turning the vertical shaft by means of the hand wheel in one
or other direction, the vertical axes which carry the pins on which the guiding
wheels turn will be turned also, and will thus set the wheels at an angle to the
engine, thus guiding it, when in motion, in any desired direction; the bar or
beam to which the guiding wheels are connected,asabo vedescribed,iscomposed
of two plates set vertically at a distance apart from each other, in the centre of
the bar and between the plates is a nut capable of turning on axes which run
in a direction lengthwise of the engine, which axes are supported by the two
plates; through the put a male screw, projecting vertically from the under
side of the platform works, and by turning this male screw, the end of the
boiler, to which the platform is attached, may be raised or lowered, and the
boiler may thus be kept in a horizontal position when the engine is going
either up or down hill; the male screw has on it a toothed wheel, into which
a pinion on the lower end of a vertical axis gears, the vertical axis passes up
through the platform, and has on its upper end a hand wheel, by turning which
the male screw may be turned in either direction. In order to retain the
beam which carries the nut and the guiding wheels transversely across
the engine, the platform has projecting from its under side two bars, which
pass down between the plates composing the beam, the two bars being one
on each side of the male screw; these bars retain the beam transversely across
the engine, but yet allow it to turn on the axis of the nut, so that no strain will
come on the male screw when the engine is going over uneven ground.
And in order that our Invention may be most fully understood and
readily carried into effect, we will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto
annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a side view; Figure 2, a plan; and Figure 3, a front view of a
traction engine constructed according to our Invention.
a is a boiler similar to an ordinary locomotive boiler, in front of the fire-box
end of which is a platforma, which is supported by the leading or guiding pair
of wheels b; c, c, are the hinder or driving wheels, the axle d of these wheels
is below the crank shafte of the engine, and is in the same vertical line with
it; the crank shaft e is above the body of the boiler, and is, as is shewn at
Figures 1 and 2, driven from engines contained in the smoke-box of the
boiler. On one end of the crank shaft c is a fly wheel f, and on the other end

page_text: are two pinions y,g',of different diameters; these pinions are loose on the shaft,
but either of them can be made fast upon it by means of a projection on a bar
which is capable of sliding to and fro in a slot d' in the crank shaft; this
projection rises above the slot, and can enter recesses formed in either of the
pinions; the end of the bar is connected to a collar h, capable of sliding
end wise on the axle; around the collar is a groove to receive a fork on
the end of the arm of the lever i, the other arm of this lever serves as
a handle by which the lever can be turned on its centre, and the collar hand
the bar attached to it thus moved to and fro; the pinions g, g' are separated
from each other by a collar, through which is also a slot to receive the pro-
jection; when both the pinions g, gl, are desired to be loose on the shaft, the
projection is by the lever i moved into such a position that it is received into
the collar, but when either of the pinions are to be made fast on the shaft, the
lever is moved so as to cause the projection to enter the recess in that pinion.
On the axle d of the hinder or driving wheels are two toothed wheels k, k¹, of
different diameters; the smaller pinion g of the pinions g, g', constantly gears
with the larger toothed wheel &,und the larger pinion g' constantly gears with
the smaller toothed wheel. By this menus, by moving the lover i so as to
make one or other of the pinions g, g', fast on the crank shaft, the driving
wheels may be driven at two different speeds. Each of the lending or guiding
wheels & turns on a pin orshort axis (see Figure 3) which pin or axis projects
from a vertical axis m, the vertical axes m turn in bearings at each end of the
beam n, which passes transverselya ross the platform'; on each of the vertical
axes m is an arm m³, these arins are connected by links o, u, to two arms of
equal length fixed on an upright axis p, which is situated at the front of the
platform a'; ou the upper end of the axis p is a bevilled toothed wheel p', into
which a bevil pinion gears. On the axis of this piuion is a hand wheel,
which can be worked by a steersmau on the platform a'; by turning the
pinion r in one or other direction, by means of the hand wheel, the vertical
axis p will be partially rotated, and as the arms on this axis are connected by
the links o, o, with the arm on the vertical axes m, m, the vertical axes will
also be turned partly round,thus setting the guiding wheels at an angle to the
engine, so that the engine when in motion may be guided in any required
direction. The beam n is composed of two vertical plates n',', (see Figure 2)
connected together at a distance apart from each other. In the centre of the
beam, and between the plates is a nut s, capable of turning on short pins or
axes s', which are in a direction length wise of the engine; these pins or axes s¹,
turn in bearings supported by the plates n', '. Through the nuts a male
screwt works, this screw projects from the under side of the platform; on the

page_text: screw is a toothed wheel t¹,into which a pinion on the lower end of a vertical
axis v gears; on the upper end of this axis is a hand wheel, by which the
axis, and consequently the screw t, can be turned in either direction, and
the end of the engine to which the platform is attached, thus raised of
lowered, and the boiler may thus be kept in a horizontal position when the
engine is going either up or down hill. The beam n is retained transversely
across the engine by two bars w, w, which project from the under side of the
platform, and pass between the plates n', ', composing the beam; the bars
being one on each side of the male screwt; these bars, however, allow the beam
to turn on the axes s¹, s, of the nuts, so that no strain can come upon the
male screw when the engine is going over uneven ground.
Having thus described the nature of our Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, we would have it understood that what we claim is
the combined arrangement of traction engine herein described.
In witness whereof, we, the said Joseph Lee and Benjamin Dutton
Taplin, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Fifteenth
day of March, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and sixty-two.
JOSEPH LEE.
(L.S.)
BENJ. DUTTON TAPLIN. (L.S.)