Improvements in Motor Road Vehicles.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Oct., 1898-Accepted, 26th Nov.,
1898
Improvements in Motor Road Vehicles.
We, FRANK ROSWELL MCMULLIN and CHARLES THEODORE HILDEHANDT, both of
United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in motor driven vehicles, and refers
more specifically to an improved construction in such vehicles which will permit
either or both the front and rear axles to be connected with the driving motor and
to be positively driven therefrom, notwithstanding the fact that the axles and the
wheels mounted thereon are employed for steering the vehicle.
Another object
of the invention is to provide an improved steering device for such vehicles, by
which the vehicle may be readily and accurately guided when the front axle is
connected to the motor. The invention consists in the novel matters hereinafter
set forth and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
In the drawings,-
Figure 1 is a front elevation of a vehicle embodying my invention.
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the running gears showing the motor and its
connections with the front and rear axles.
Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view, somewhat enlarged, taken on line 3–3
of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a detail view illustrating one form of flexible joint.
In general terms our improvement consists in mounting each of the front
wheels of the vehicle upon a short or stub axle, which latter is supported in a
metal frame or bracket having a pivotal connection with the main frame of the
vehicle. Each of the said pivoted frames or brackets is suitably connected to a
conveniently arranged steering wheel or lever whereby both steering wheels may
be simultaneously turned in the desired direction. Suitably secured to said main
frame is a driving shaft, the outer ends of each part of the said shaft being
secured by universal joints or a flexible connection with the inner end of the
stul axles. Each member of said driving shaft is connected with any desired
source of power, such as electric or other motor, by means of suitable compensating
gears and a connecting shaft or shafts. By this construction we are enabled to
rotate positively both the front and rear wheels of our vehicle without in the least
interfering with the steering mechanism.
Referring first to the general construction of the vehicle frame, A designates a
vehicle body of common form provided with a seat A¹ in the front part thereof
for the operator. The running gears, which are shown in plan view in Figure 2,
consist generally of a front axle, provided with a driving shaft B, which is con-
nected to and drives the wheels C, C, a rear axle D, provided with wheels E, E,
two oppositely arranged and longitudinally extending side members F, F, of the
frame connected at their rear ends with the rear axle D, and at their forward ends
to a transversely extending front member FI of the frame. Said longitudinal

page_text: frame members, F, F, are connected between their ends by means of transversely
arranged bars F2, F3, which serve to support the operative parts of the motor or
driving mechanism, as will hereinafter more fully appear.
The driving shaft B, which is mounted in the front axle frame is operatively
connected with a driving.motor, and is connected at its opposite ends with short
spindles or stub axles B1, B¹, each of which carries one of the front supporting
wheels C, C. The stub axles B B¹ are connected with the shaft by flexible con-
nections, as will hereinafter more fully appear. Said shaft is composed of two
members, namely, a shaft member, B2, and a tubular member or sleeve, B³, the
two members having rotative and telescopic engagement with each other, the
Both
said shaft member 12, extending into the tubular member or sleeve B³.
members are actuated by universal or compensating gears, as hereinafter ex-
plained. Any flexible connection between the ends of the shaft and said spindles
or stub axles B¹ B¹ may be used, but we have herein illustrated a universal
joint. The inner ends of each of said spindles B1 B are provided with, inwardly
curved divergent arms b, and the proximate ends of the driving shaft are provided
with similar outwardly curved divergent arms, b. Said shaft and spindles are.
arranged end to end, and the proximate arms b, 61, of each set are arranged in
Between said
planes at right angles to each other, as shown in Figures 1 and 5.
arms are interposed spherical balls B, which are rotatively mounted between the
arms bb by means of short supporting studs 62 63, arranged in planes at right
angles to each other and engaging bearing apertures in the outer ends of said
arms.
That portion of the front axle frame between the said flexible connections, is
so arranged as to be incapable of any horizontal movement with respect to the
main frame of the vehicle, but does have a vertical movement with relation to the
frame of the vehicle, as will hereinafter appear, thus obviating the imparting of
a side or rocking motion to the body of the vehicle when one of the front wheels
strikes or passes over an obstruction. The front wheels C are connected together
in such a manner as to be maintained in their proper vertical relation with respect
to the axle and to each other, while permitting the same to be turned with respect
to the axle frame upon a pivot coincident with the vertical axis of the flexible
connection or universal joint at each end of the driving shaft. The construction
by which this result is secured may be described as follows:
.
G designates an intermediate portion of the front axle frame which, as shown, is
mounted vertically over the driving shaft and which consists of two horizontally
arranged members, G¹, G¹, extending parallel to each other and to said shaft,
and two vertically arranged members G², G2, rigidly connected, one at
each end, to the members G¹ G. The lower ends of said vertical
members G2 G2 are connected by a lower brace member G3 which is attached at
its middle portion to a drum L rigid with the front axle frame and by two obliquely
arranged brace members G G the inner ends of the latter being suitably secured
to the horizontal members G¹, as shown in Figure 1, and forming with the
member G³, a diamond shaped frame. A central short vertical frame member G5
is suitably secured to the member G¹, and carries upon its lower end a curved
plate g.
A drum L, is, therefore, secured to this frame between the plate g and the lower
frame member G³ by rivets g¹, or other suitable means.
'
The end members G2 G2 of this frame are tubular and carry pivots or bolts G6
upon which are secured brackets or yoke frames H, the latter having horizontally
extending apertured lugs, h, through which said pivot or bolt passes. Suitable
nuts, h¹, on the bolt G6, retain the latter in position. The brackets or yokes H
are of arched form consisting of upwardly extending converging side members, H¹,
which are located on opposite sides of the wheels C and which carry at their lower
ends journal bearings, H2, for engagement with the opposite ends of the
spindles B. The side members H H¹ of the yoke are connected together at their
upper ends over the wheels C by means of short horizontal sections, h², which

page_text: are preferably widened to form a step for convenient use in mounting the vehicle.
The inner side members H¹ of each yoke is provided with inwardly extending
arms H, H which are connected by a vertical member H5, and are provided with
the apertured lugs h before referred to. This construction permits the required
movement of the steering wheels in steering the vehicle without the necessity of
pivotally connecting the axle at the center thereof, as is common in such con-
structions, and thereby permits the main part of the axle to be operatively con-
nected with the driving motor.
The means for steering the vehicle are provided as follows:-
He, H, (Figure 2), designate short rearwardly extending arms which are formed
integral with the arms H³, of the yokes H. A short shaft I, is mounted at its
upper end in a bearing a¹, in the front of the wagon body, and at its lower end in
à supporting bracket I', secured to a transverse supporting bar A³, upon which the
forward end of the vehicle body rests. Upon the lower end of said shaft is rigidly
mounted a plate, 12, provided with divergent, forwardly extending arms I³, which
latter are connected with the rearwardly extending arms H6 of the yoke H' by
means of connecting rods I. The upper end of the shaft I is provided with a
suitable lever or hand wheel 1, by means of which the shaft may be rotated,
and the wheels C, through the connections described, turned as desired to steer
the vehicle. With this construction it follows that as the hand wheel 15 is turned
in one direction or the other, the spindles B' and the wheels Cmounted thereon,
will be turned at an angle to the main axle section B and intermediate frame C,
and the course of the vehicle correspondingly changed.
The body A is mounted upon the axle frame by means permitting the frame to
rock upon a horizontal pivot when one of the wheels is raised by coming in contact
with an obstruction or for any other reason, without causing the movement to be
transmitted to the vehicle body. The construction by which this is accomplished
is as follows:
The body A rests at its forward end upon an elliptical spring J which is secured
in. any suitable manner to the transverse bar A. The lower member of said
elliptical spring rests upon the upper concave surface of a bolster block, K, pre-
ferably of wood, the underside of said bolster block being flat and resting upon a
corresponding surface of the front or transverse member F¹, of the main frame
to which the forward ends of the frame members F F are secured. Laterally
projecting lugs, k, extend from each side of the cross piece, F₁, at each end
thereof, as shown, and receive the lower screw threaded ends of four tie bolts.
The upper ends of these bolts pass through suitable apertures in retaining or
clip plates, k, which latter are placed upon the inside surface of the lower member
of the elliptical spring, and, being of greater width than the spring, extend on
either side thereof, as shown. A lock nut k², secures the plate ¹ in place. The
plate and bolt thus form a suitable clip which holds or ties the front frame
member, F, the bolster block K and the elliptical spring firmly together.
As shown in the plan view, (Figure 2), the front frame piece F is not so wide
as the frame pieces F2, and, therefore, the side frame members are directed inwardly
toward each other at their forward ends. The usual bolster block A3 is interposed
between the upper member of the elliptical spring and the vehicle body. The
drum or cylinder casing L before referred to as being rigidly connected to
the front axle frame, incloses the gear connection between the driving shaft and the
countershaft, which latter is in turn connected with the main driving gear of the
motor, as will more fully appear. In order, therefore, that this casing or drum,
which is rigidly secured to the front axle frame member G³, as previously
explained, may have rotative connection with the main frame and the wagon
body secured thereon, the lower central surface of the front main frame member, F¹,
is concave and rests directly upon the upper exterior surface of said casing or
drum L, the said frame members being thus united with the said casing or
drum L by means of flat strips or bands, K², the upper ends of which are formed

page_text: into a screw threaded bolt construction and project through suitable apertures in
the said lugs k and are secured to said lugs by means of nuts 3. By this con-
struction, it will be noted that when one of the wheels C strikes a projection or
is raised vertically, the said drum L will rotate in its bearing, to wit between the
retaining surface K³ and the front main frame piece F1, without disturbing the
gear connection between the gears on the axle contained in said casing or drum
and the gear on the said countershaft that is also without said casing or drum.
Power is communicated from the motor to the wheels by the following connec-
tions
-M³ designates a bevel gear pinion mounted upon the end of the power
shaft opposite to the balance wheel M. Said pinion intermeshes with a larger
pinion N, which is mounted upon a countershaft O, which extends longitudinally
of the main frame between the two side members F, F, and is operatively con-
nected at its opposite ends with the rear end front axles by means hereinafter
to be described. Said shaft has bearing between its ends in bearing blocks o¹, o,
mounted on the transverse braces F3 of the frame and also has a bearing L', at its
forward end in the casing L. At its rear end the countershaft O has a bearing o³
in a second casing or drum P, which similarly surrounds the gear connections
between said shaft and the rear axle D.
The countershaft O has two members 01, 02, having rotative and telescopic
connection with each other, the same as the front steering axle B, and gear
connections similar to those on said axle within the drum L are provided for said
two part countershaft and are located within a third drum or casing P¹. This
drum has outwardly extending journal bosses or bearings p, p, p, through which
the shaft M¹ and the countershafts 0 02 pass respectively, and whereby the
casing P1 is suitably held in position. The operative connections between the
driving shaft and the countershaft and between the latter and the steering axle
on one end and the rear axle on the other, are of that class in which a differential
motion may be given to the opposite sections of the axle. The connections at
each end and between the driving shaft and the countershaft of the sections are
the same, and, therefore, the following description will be confined in the con-
nections between the countershaft and the front axle alone. These parts are
shown somewhat enlarged in Figure 3.
In said figure, the countershaft O is shown as provided at its forward end within
the casing L with a bevel gear or pinions, 03, which latter meshes with the teeth
of the face of the ring Q. Upon the end of the sleeve member B3 of the front
axle is a bevel gear Q, and upon the shaft member B2 of the front axle is a bevel
gear Q, the said bevel gears Q1 Q2 facing each other. The hub g of the ring Q
is loosely mounted upon the shaft member 133. In diametrically oppositely
arranged apertures in the web of the ring Q are the two pinions or bevel wheels Q³,
each being positioned to rotate freely or loosely upon the pin or stud Q as
an axis, said stud in each instance passing through the flange gl and being wrapped
in a suitable recess in the hub q, as clearly shown in Figure 3. The bevel
gears are positioned in such proximity to each other as to cause their respec-
tive teeth to intermesh with the teeth of the said pinions Q³.
From this construction it follows that rotary motion imparted through the
countershaft 0, pinion (2 to the ring Q will in turn be imparted to the sleeve
member 13 and shaft member B2 of the front axle B, through the medium of the
pins Q, the intermediate pinions Q3 and the pinions Q¹ Q².
If now the front wheels be turned to one side or the other, as in going around
a corner, it is manifest that one of the wheels will take a shorter curve than the
other, and consequently will rotate more slowly, thus causing an inequality which
this well known form of differential gear will equalize, for example, if the sleeve
member 133 and its pinion Q₁ have more resistance than the shaft member B3 and
its pinion Q, the pinion Q¹ will rotate more slowly and thus the pinion Q2 will
rotate more readily and faster than would otherwise be due to the motion com- 5
municated through the pinion Q3 and the countershaft O, in other words the wheel

page_text: .
on one side is retarded and on the other side its motion is increased and the engine
enabled to turn as readily as before, because of the equalizing or differential
gear arrangement referred to. Said casing is provided at its forward end with a
removable cover, L2, secured thereto by screws 1. The said cover is provided for
the purpose of conveniently reaching the interior of the casing to adjust the parts
of the gearing. The gear connections between the rear axle and said shaft O is
similarly inclosed in a casing P. Said casing is also provided with a removable
end or cover p¹, by which access to the interior thereof may be had.
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. A motor driven vehicle, comprising a running gear, a motor supported
thereon, front and rear wheels on said frame, one of said pairs of wheels being
steering wheels, means for driving both pairs of said wheels comprising two
differential gear mechanisms, one connected with each pair of wheels, and operative
connections between said differential gear mechanisms and the motor.
2. A motor driven vehicle comprising a running gear frame, a motor supported
thereon, front and rear pairs of wheels on said frame, one of said pairs of wheels
being steering wheels and being pivotally connected with said frame to swing on
vertical axes, for driving said wheels comprising two differential gear mechanisms
-one connected with each pair of wheels, and operative connections between said
differential gear mechanisms and the motor.
3. A motor driven vehicle comprising a running gear, a motor supported
thereon, front and rear pairs of wheels on said frame, one of said pairs of wheels
being steering wheels, means for driving said wheels comprising two differential
gear mechanisms, one connected with each pair of wheels, and differential gear
connections between said motor and the gear mechanisms of said wheels.
4. A motor driven vehicle comprising a running gear frame, a motor supported
thereon, front and rear axles connected with the frame, one of which comprises
a steering axle, and means for driving both of said axles from the motor com-
prising two differential gear mechanisms, one of which is carried by each of said
axles, and operative connections between said motor and the said gear mechanisms.
5. A steering mechanism for vehicles comprising a frame, a rotative shaft
mounted therein, a spindle pivoted to said shaft by a flexible .connection, a
steering wheel on said spindle, and a yoke pivoted to the frame to swing on a
vertical axis above said Hexible connections and having vertically rigid engage-
ment with the spindle.
6. A steering mechanism for vehicles comprising a running gear frame, a
rotative shaft mounted in one end of said frame, spindles pivoted to each end of
said shaft by flexible connections, wheels on said spindle, said frame consisting
of an upper horizontal member two vertically arranged members connected there-
with above said flexible connections of the spindles and shaft, and yokes pivoted
to said vertical members to swing on vertical axes, said yokes being connected with
the wheel spindle by vertically rigid connections.
7. A motor driven vehicle comprising a running gear frame, a motor supported
thereon, a steering axle comprising two sections arranged in axial alignment with.
each other, wheels on the outer ends of said axle, and means for driving said axle
from the motor comprising a differential gear mechanism. on said axle, and
operative connections between said gear mechanism and the motor, said steering
wheels being so arranged as to permit horizontal oscillatory movement thereof
with relation to said gear mechanism.
8. A motor driven vehicle, comprising a main frame, a motor supported thereon,
a frame comprising a rotative shaft, spindles which are pivoted thereto by flexible
connections, said rotative shaft comprising a shaft section, and a sleeve or tubular
section which have telescopic engagement at their inner ends, wheels carried by
said spindles, means for preventing flexure between said shaft and spindles, and

page_text: means for driving said shaft and spindles from the motor embracing a differential
gear mechan-
gear mechanism on said shaft, and operative connections between said
ism and the motor.
9. A motor driven vehicle, comprising a running gear frame, a motor supported
thereon, an axle rotatively mounted in the rear part of said frame, a rotative shaft
mounted in the forward end thereof, said axle and shaft each comprising a shafi
section and a sleeve section which have telescopic engagement at their inner ends,
and means for driving both said axle and shaft from the motor comprising a
differential gear mechanism carried by said axle and shaft and operative connec-
tions between said motor and the gear mechanisms.
10. A steering mechanism for vehicles comprising a steering frame upon which
the body of the vehicle is supported, a rotative shaft mounted in said frame, a
spindle pivoted to said shaft by a flexible connection, a steering wheel on said
spindle and a yoke pivoted to the frame to swing on a vertical axis 'above said
flexible connection and having a vertically rigid engagement with the spindle.
11. A steering mechanism for vehicles comprising a steering frame upon which the
body is supported, a rotative shaft mounted in said frame, a spindle pivoted to said
shaft by a flexible connection, a steering wheel on said spindle, a yoke pivoted to
the frame to swing on a vertical axis above said flexible connection and having a
vertically rigid engagement with the spindle, a rotative shaft provided with a
steering wheel which is located within reach of the operator, and operative con-
nections between said shaft and yoke.
12. A steering mechanism for vehicles comprising an intermediate frame upon
which the body of the vehicle is supported, a shaft rotatively mounted in said
frame, spindles pivoted to each end of the shaft by flexible connections, wheels on
said spindles, said frame consisting of an upper horizontal member, two vertically
arranged members connected therewith above said flexible connection, and yokes
pivoted to said vertical frame members to swing on vertical axes, said yokes being
.connected with the wheel spindles by vertically rigid connections.
13. A steering frame for vehicles comprising an intermediate frame upon which
the body of the vehicle is supported, yokes pivoted to the opposite ends of the
same to swing on vertical axes, a shaft rotatively mounted in said frame and
having vertically rigid engagement at its opposite ends with said yokes, wheels
on said shafts between the arms of the yokes, and flexible joints in said shaft
vertically below the pivot between said yokes and intermediate frame at each
end thereof.
14. A steering mechanism for vehicles comprising an intermediate frame upon
which the body of the vehicle is supported, a shaft rotatively mounted in said
frame, spindles pivoted to each end of the shaft by flexible connections, wheels
on said spindles," said frame consisting of an upper horizontal member, two verti-
cally arranged members connected therewith above said flexible connection, and
yokes pivoted to said vertical frame members to swing on vertical axes, said yokes
being connected with the wheel spindles, rearwardly extending arms on said yokes,
and a shaft rotatively mounted in the frame and provided on one end thereof with
a hand wheel and connected at its opposite end with said arms of the yokes.
.
15. A steering mechanism for vehicles comprising an intermediate frame upon
which the body of the vehicle is supported, a shaft rotatively mounted in said
frame, spindles pivoted to each end of the shaft by flexible connections, wheels.on
said spindles, said frame consisting of an upper horizontal member, two vertical
members connected therewith and arranged vertically above said flexible connec
tion, and yokes which engage said spindles by vertically rigid connections, said
yokes being provided with inwardly extending apertured arms which are pivoted
to said vertical members so as to swing upon vertical axes.
16. In a vehicle running gear, the combination with two oppositely arranged
longitudinal side members, an axle connected with the rear ends thereof, and ar
axle frame provided with a horizontally arranged cylindric casing, of a bolster

page_text: block mounted on said casing to which the forward ends of said side members of
the frame are attached.
17. In a vehicle running gear, the combination with two oppositely arranged
longitudinal side members, an axle connected to the rear ends thereof, and a frame
provided with a rotative shaft, a motor on the vehicle, gear mechanism between
said motor and shaft of the steering frame, a cylindric casing surrounding the
gear mechanism on said shaft, of a bolster block mounted on said casing and pro-
vided with laterally extending arms with which the forward ends of said side
members are connected, and means for securing said block upon the casing.
18. In a vehicle running gear, the combination with oppositely arranged longi-
tudinal side members, an axle connected with the rear ends thereof and a front
axle frame, of means for pivotally connecting said frame with the forward ends
of said longitudinal members to swing on a horizontal axis, comprising a cylindric
casing supported on said frame, a bolster block pivotally mounted on the casing
and provided with oppositely and laterally extending arms with which the forward
ends of the said members are connected, laterally extending lugs on said block
and a strap extending between the opposite ends of said lugs and embracing said
casing.
19. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination of a running gear embracing
oppositely arranged longitudinal side members, an axle connected with the rear
ends thereof, a frame provided with a rotative shaft, a motor on the vehicle, gear
mechanism between said shaft and said motor, and a cylindric casing inclosing the
gear mechanism of said shaft, of a bolster block mounted on said casing and with
which the casing has pivotal engagement, means for connecting the forward ends
of the said members to the said block, and means for holding said block upon the
casing.
20. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination with the running gear embracing
oppositely arranged longitudinal side members, an axle connected with the rear
ends thereof, a steering frame embracing a rotating shaft, spindles pivoted to the
opposite ends thereof by universal joint connections, means for preventing vertical
flexure between said shaft and spindles, a motor on the vehicle, gear connections
between said motor and said shaft, and a cylindric casing inclosing the gear
mechanism of said shaft, of a bolster block pivotally mounted on said casing, to
which the forward ends of the side members of the running gears are connected,
and means for holding said block on the casing.
21. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination with the running gear embracing
oppositely arranged longitudinal side members, an axle connected with the rear
ends thereof, a steering frame embracing a rotative shaft, spindles pivoted to the
opposite ends thereof by flexible connections, means for preventing vertical flexure
between said shaft and spindles, a motor on the vehicle, gear connections between
said motor and said shaft, and a cylindric casing inclosing the gear mechanism of
said axle, of a bolster block pivotally mounted on said casing to which the
forward ends of the side bars of the running gears are connected, and means for
holding said block on the casing comprising laterally extending lugs on said block,
and a strap extending between the opposite ends of said lugs and embracing the
casing.
22. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination with a running gear embracing
oppositely arranged longitudinal side members, an axle connected with the rear
ends thereof, a steering frame comprising an upper horizontal member, two
vertical members, connected therewith, yokes pivoted to said vertical members, a
rotative shaft mounted in said frame, spindles mounted in the yokes and pivoted
to the opposite ends of the shaft by flexible connections vertically under said
pivotal connection of said yokes with the frame, a motor on said vehicle, gear
connections between said motor and said shaft of the steering frame, and a cylindric
casing inclosing the gear mechanism on said steering axle and supported in said
frame, of a bolster block which is pivotally engaged with said casing and means
for connecting the forward ends of said side bars with said block.

page_text: 23. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination with a running gear embracing
oppositely arranged longitudinal side members, an axle connected with the rear
ends thereof, a steering frame comprising an upper horizontal member, two
vertical members connected therewith, a rotative shaft mounted in said frame,
spindles connected with the shaft by flexible connections, yokes pivoted to said
vertical members of the frame to swing on a vertical axis vertically above said
flexible connections of the shaft spindles and in the lower ends of which the
spindles are mounted, a motor on the vehicle, gear connections between said motor
and shaft, a cylindric casing inclosing the gear mechanism of said shaft. and
means for supporting said casing in the frame comprising a bar connected at its
opposite ends with said vertical members of the frame and engaging the lower side of
said casing, of a bolster block pivotally engaged with said casing, means for
securing the forward ends of the side members thereto, and means for holding said
block upon the casing.
The 10th 1...
J
tabo 1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.