Improvements in Shafts for Vehicles.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Sept., 1887
Specification Accepted, 1st Nov., 1887
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Shafts for Vehicles.
A communication from abroad by JOSEPH SQUADRILLI, of Paris, in the Republic of
France, Inventor.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S. M.I.M.E. of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, C Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6 Bank Street Manchester both in
the County of Lancaster, and 323 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
Civil 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 :-
It is well known that the daily number of breakages of shafts of four wheeled
passenger and other vehicles is considerable. The horse in falling is thrown on the
shaft and breaks it. This causes inconvenience, because the price of new shafts is
considerable, and also, the vehicle is of no service until new shafts are supplied.
The system of shaft, forming the object of the present patent, and which the
inventor calls his new "Unbreakable Shaft" is intended to remedy these in-
conveniences.
This shaft is similar to other shafts but it is provided with one or several articula-
tions or hinges turning in a vertical direction, and capable of opening themselves or
yielding under the weight of the horse. A powerful spring keeps the shaft in its
normal position, or brings it back to it again when it is bent. In this manner the
numerous inconveniences connected with rigid shafts are remedied.
On the two Figures shown on the annexed drawing, like letters indicate like parts.
Figure 1, is a longitudinal section of a shaft closed in its normal position.
Figure 2, a longitudinal section when the shaft is bent.
A, and B, are two parts of a hinge turning on an axis C, and fixed respectively on
the parts D and E of the wood of the shaft. F is a flat spring fixed on the wood E,
and bearing down on the stop G, fixed likewise on the wood E. H, is a projection
on the spring G, which limits the opening or bending of the two parts of the shaft as

page_text: it rests against the stop G. This opening or bending can be limited if necessary, in
any other manner, for instance by providing projections or shoulders fixed on the
hinge, and capable of limiting its movement.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The improvement in shafts for vehicles, which consists in dividing the said shafts
into two or more parts, and uniting them by hinges or articulations of any suitable
form, turning in a vertical direction, the said hinges or shafts being placed in the
most convenient position, substantially as, and for the purpose described.
2. The combination with shafts for vehicles such as described in Claim 1, of a flat,
spiral, or other spring or arrangement of springs, which are placed on each hinge for
the purpose of keeping the shaft straight or in its normal position, substantially as
described and shown with reference to the drawing.
Dated this 29th day of September 1887.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.