IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING AND STEERING CARRIAGES, WHICH APPARATUS IS ALSO APPLICABLE FOR GIVING MOTION TO MACHINERY GENERALLY
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to August Friedrich Hildebrand, of Köpnicker Strasse,
No. 101, Berlin, in the Kingdom of Prussia, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING AND STEERING CARRIAGES,
WHICH APPARATUS IS ALSO APPLICABLE FOR GIVING MOTION TO MACHINERY
GENERALLY."
Sealed the 12th November 1861, and dated the 14th May 1861.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said August Friedrich Hildebrand
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
14th May 1861.
I, AUGUST FRIEDRICH HILDEBRAND, of Köpnicker Strasse, No. 101, Berlin,
in the Kingdom of Prussia, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING AND STEERING CARRIAGES,
WHICH APPARATUS IS ALSO APPLICABLE FOR GIVING MOTION TO MACHINERY GENERALLY,"
to be as follows :---
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus for propelling
and steering carriages, which apparatus is also applicable for giving motion
to machinery generally.
The apparatus for propelling carriages consists of a pair of treadles, from

page_text: which motion is transmitted to a crank axle by chains passing from the
treadles to the crank pin. The treadles are parallel to the crank axis, so that
the chain has to be passed around pullies to allow of the chains pulling at
right angles to the crank pin. The crank axis runs lengthwise of the carriage;
one of its ends is formed with a crank, and on the other end is a pierced fly
wheel; on it are also two toothed wheels, one near each end; these wheels
gear with toothed wheels of like size, on an axis immediately under and
parallel with it; between these axes and at right angles to them are two other
axes at a distance apart from each other, in the centre of each of which is a worm
wheel; into these worm wheels worms on the axes both above and below them
gear. Near each end of each of the axes, carrying worm wheels, is a toothed
wheel; these wheels transmit motion to the hinder axle of the carriage, there
being on the axle two pinions, into each of which two of the toothed wheels
gear, one toothed wheel being on each side of each pinion. In order to propel
the carriage the treadles are worked by the feet so as to cause the crank axis
to rotate, and the motion of the crank axis is by the apparatus above described
transmitted to the hinder pair of wheels of the carriage; apparatus constructed
in the manner above described may also be employed for giving motion to
other machines.
The apparatus for steering the carriage is constructed as follows:-On the
axis on which the front pair of wheels lock is a toothed wheel; into this wheel
two pinions gear, the pinions being on opposite sides of the wheel; on the axis
of each pinion is a toothed wheel; these gear into the opposite sides of a
toothed wheel, on the axis of which is a drum or wheel, around which an
endless chain passes; this chain is distended between the drum and a pulley
at the back of the carriage. By this means the carriage may be steered by
moving the chain by hand. in one or other direction, the chain turning the
drum, and thus causing the front pair of wheels to lock in one or other
direction. The frame carrying the axes of all the wheels and pinions of the
steering apparatus is capable of turning on a horizontal bar, which projects
from the centre of the front of the carriage; this allows of one or other of the
front pair of wheels rising or falling when the carriage is passing over uneven
ground, without interfering with the working of the apparatus. In order that
the front pair of wheels may lock with but little friction, there are around the
axis on which they lock a number of conical friction rollers; these rollers work
in suitable circular grooves formed in the upper surface of the wheel, which
is fixed on the axis and in the under side of the framing of the steering
apparatus.
The same carriage above described may be built for carrying loads, it being

page_text: only required to make it stronger; the mechanism may remain the same; or,
instead of the two treadles working on the crank on each end of the long axle-
tree provided with the crank and fly wheel, two conical toothed wheels may be
employed, one of which conical wheels at each end must have a vertical axle-
tree, and at the upper end of each vertical axletree a crank handle, by turning
which one or two men may move a considerable load. The pulley at the
hinder part of the carriage over which the small chain intended for steering
passes, must have a square pad of india-rubber or gutta percha, to give way
and prevent the chain from breaking if on uneven ground the carriage should
lose its balance. The axles of the carriage are driven into the naves of the
wheels, so that the axle and wheel rotate at the same time under the metal
supports.