Improved Means for Starting Explosive and other Engines, especially those Employed on Self-propelled Road Vehicles.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Nov., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 13th Aug., 1900-Accepted, 15th Sept.,
1800
Improved Means for Starting Explosive and other Engines, especially
those Employed on Self-propelled Road Vehicles.
We, RALPH JACKSON and ARTIIUR FIRTH, both of The Ralpho-Watson Cycle
Works, in Altrincham, Cheshire, Cycle and Motor Cycle Manufacturers, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object to provide a means whereby an explosive or
other engine may be given a few preparatory revolutions and so gain some
momentum and be working smoothly before being applied to its work or load.
In motor cycle and similar work, we usually gear the engine shaft to a
secondary or counter-shaft, which in turn is geared by clutch mechanism and
free wheels to the cycle or vehicle wheels.
Upon such counter-shaft we arrange a drum or pulley wheel, which is so
mounted on the shaft that it will turn freely in one direction but will engago
with the shaft when turned in the other direction. This may be effected by
the employment of an application of the ordinary roller clutch or other clutch.
Upon such drum or pulley is wound a ribbon-steel or wire or equivalent spring,
whose tendency is to wind itself around the pulley. One end of this spring is
secured to the pulley, and the other end is provided with a handle.
By grasping the handle and sharply pulling the spring, several revolutions
are imparted to the counter-shaft and engine thus permitting a few preliminary
explosions to take place, and upon releasing the handle the spring rewinds itself
upon its pulley, ready for re-use. One or more preliminary impulses may thus
be given to the engine.
1
3 1000
Improved Means for Starting Explosive and other Engines, especially
those Employed on Self-propelled Road Vehicles.
We, RALPH JACKSON and ARTHUR FIRTH, both of Altrincham, Cheshire, Manu-
facturers, do hereby declare the nature of the said 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 has for its object to provide a means whereby the shaft of an

page_text: explosive or other engine may be caused to make a few preparatory revolutions,
so that the engine may gain some momentum and be working smoothly before
being applied to its work or load.
For the purposes of this specification we shall describe our invention as applied
to a self-propelled road vehicle, referring to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a side elevation and Figure 2 is a plan of a self-propelled tricycle.
Figure 3 is a side sectional view of a counter-shaft which carries the device form-
ing the subject of this invention, and Figure 4 is a cross section on line A B of
Figure 3. Figure 5 is a front view and Figure 6 is an end view of the general
arrangement of the countershaft.
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, upon a tubular frame A is mounted the pro-
pelling engine a. The crank shaft of this engine carries a sprocket wheel b
which transmits motion to the countershaft c. d is the driving wheel of the
tricycle. The sprocket wheel e is keyed to the countershaft, the smaller
wheels fg being free thereon and either adapted to be put in frictional contact
with the wheel e to transmit motion to either of the wheels h, i on the axle of
the driving wheel d. A differential speed gear is thus arranged which, besides
providing for different speeds, permits of the shaft being thrown out of gear
with the wheel d so that the shaft c may turn idly without a load upon it, and
this leaves the motor engine a free to make a few preparatory revolutions,
developing some energy before being applied to its work.
These preparatory revolutions are started as follows:-Upon the shaft ca
reel is so mounted that it grips the shaft c when it revolves in one direction and
is free on the shaft when the shaft revolves in that direction. This is by pre-
ference effected by means of the ordinary roller clutch. Referring to Figure 4
it will be seen that when the reel q is rotated in the direction of the arrow, the
inclined slots jam the rollers s upon the shaft c.
and
Wound upon the reel g is a metallic ribbon having one end attached to the
reel and the free end provided with a handle u. By grasping this handle and
sharply pulling the ribbon several revolutions are imparted to the shaft
motor engine, thus causing a few preliminary explosions or impulses. The
rewinding of the ribbon t is effected by a spring v one end of which is attached
to the sleeve which is stationary, being connected to the frame of the tricycle.
the other end of the spring being attached to the flange on the reel 1. Such
rewinding of the ribbon t may however be due to its own resiliency.
The preliminary revolutions may be continued by successive pulls of the
handle .
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is: :-
1. An appliance for starting an engine, consisting of a counter-shaft c geared
to the engine and provided with means of clutching it to the working shaft, a
reel mounted on the shaft c with a clutch that clamps it in one direction of
revolution, and a flexible ribbon t attached to the reel and provided with a pull
handle, substantially as described.
2. In combination with the reel 9 above referred to, the spring having one
end attached to the reel and its other end to a fixed sleeve w, for rewinding the
ribbon on the reel, substantially as described.
111 1
1000