improvements Engines.
Year: 1896

page_text: improvements
Engines.
We, JAMES COMPTON MERRYWEATHER and CHRISTOPHER JOHN WALLACE JAKEMAN,
of the Firin of Merryweather & Sons, Limited, of Greenwich Road, Greenwich, in
the County of Kent, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
This Invention relates to the construction of a Fire Engine, the pumps of which
are operated by means of a Petroleum, or other Explosive, Engine, the same Engine
being used to propel the Vehicle on the road.
One method of carrying out our Invention is to construct an Engine similar to
that described in our Specification No. 7485 of April 14th, 1894, driving from the
main shaft a Rotary Pump of suitable design. A clutch is provided to disconnect
the motive power engine from the pump, and a friction clutch is arranged to put the
motive power in gear with an intermediate shaft and balance gear connected to the
rear wheels of the Carriage for propelling it on the road. The Carriage is constructed
on similar lines to the Carriage of an ordinary Steam Fire Engine and is provided
with the usual seats for Firemen and box for hose and implements when required.
The Vebicle is steered from the front seat or platform, and the friction, or clutch,
gear and brakes are controlled by levers placed in a convenient position near the
steering wheel, or handle, so that the speed of the Vehicle may be easily regulated.
We do not confine ourselves to the use of the Engine described in our Patent
No. 7485 of April 14th, 1894, or to the use of a Rotary Pump, as Reciprocating
Engines with one, or more, cylinders may be used and also Reciprocating Pumps.
Dated this 10th day of December 1896.
J. C. MERRYWEATHER.
C. J. W. JAKEMAN.
We, JAMES COMPTON MERRYWEATHER and CHRISTOPHER JOHN WALLACE JAKEMAN,
of the Firm of Merryweather & Sons Limited, of Greenwich Road, Greenwich, in the
County of Kent, Engineers, 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 relates to the construction of a Fire Engine, the Pumps of which
are operated by means of a Petroleum or other Explosive Engine, the same Engine
being used to propel the Vehicle on the road.
One method of carrying out our Invention is to construct an Engine similar to that

page_text: described in our Specification No. 7485 of April 14th 1894, driving from the main
shaft a Rotary Pump of suitable design. A clutch is provided to disconnect the
Motive Power Engine from the Pump, and a friction clutch is arranged to put
the motive power in gear with an intermediate shaft and balance gear connected to
the rear wheels of the Carriage for propelling it along the road. The Carriage is
constructed on similar lines to the Carriage of an ordinary Steam Fire Engine and is
provided with the usual seats for Firemen and box for Hose and Implements when
required. The Vehicle is steered from the front seat or platform, and the friction, or
clutch, gear and brakes are controlled by levers placed in a convenient position near
the steering wheel, or handle, so that the speed of the Vehicle may be easily regulated.
We do not confine ourselves to the use of the Engine described in our Patent
No. 7485 of April 14th 1894, or to the use of a Rotary Pump, as Reciprocating
Engines with one, or more, cylinders may be used and also Reciprocating Pumps.
In reference to the accompanying drawing,-A is an Oil Engine of the Rotary type
similar to that described in our Specification No. 7485 of April 14th 1894. B is the
Rotary Pump fitted with suction inlet C and delivery outlets D. D, and driven by
the main shaft E. Upon a prolongation of the main shaft E, passing through the
Rotary Pump B is a gear wheel F driving the intermediate shaft G by means of a
balance gear. On each end of the shaft G is fixed a sprocket wheel H driving
another sprocket wheel J attached to the rear wheels K by means of chains L. A
friction clutch is provided in connection with the gear wheel F to control the
propelling machinery and is worked by the handle M. When desired we place
suitable gearing on the shafts G and E for the purpose of varying the speed of
propulsion. In some cases we arrange the propelling gear in between the Rotary
Engine and Pump in order that the Pump may be easily disconnected when the
propelling machinery is used. N is the steering wheel. P is the hose box forming
seats for Driver and Firemen. Q is the cooling water tank. R. R. are the oil tanks,
and $ the exhaust silencer.
We do not confine ourselves to the use of the Rotary Engine described, as a
Reciprocating Engine with one or more cylinders may be used.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is;-
1. The construction of a Portable Fire Engine actuated by an Explosive Engine,
both for propulsion on the road and working the Pump, substantially as described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
2. The construction of a Portable Pumping Engine actuated by a Reciprocating
Explosive Engine with one, or more, cylinders, both for propulsion and working the
Pumps.