Improvements in and relating to Motor Road Vehicles,
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Oct., 1899-Accepted, 2nd Dec., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Motor Road Vehicles,
I, JULIUS WILLIAM WALTERS, of 101, West 72nd Street, in the City, County
and State of New York, one of the United States of North America, Mechanical
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:--
My invention has reference to improvements in means for propelling vehicles
and particularly to improvements in the construction shown in the Specification
of my prior British Patent No. 9188 of 1899 and it has for its object to simplify
the construction of the propelling mechanism and to provide means for reversing
the direction of motion of the carriage or other vehicle without the use of a
reversing gear applied to the engine or engines.
The nature of my invention will best be understood when described in con-
nection with the accompanying drawings, in which:-
:-
Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of a vehicle embodying my improved motor
wheel arranged as the front wheel.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation, on an enlarged scale, of the motor wheel, part of the
same being broken away.
Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line 3-3 Fig. 2.
Fig. 3* is a plan view of a detail part of the igniting mechanism for the
engines.
Fig. 4 is a sectional side elevation illustrating the construction of the engines
and their connections; the section being taken on the line 4-4, Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a plan view of Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 is a sectional front view, the plan of section being on the line 6--6,
Fig. 7.
Fig. 7 is a side elevation showing the driving wheel turned around at an
angle of 180° to that of the position shown in Fig. 1, so as to reverse the
movement of the vehicle when the said wheel is rotated by the motor.
Fig. 8 is a plan or top view illustrating the gear connection for starting, stop-
ping and revolving the wheel.
Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section through one of the cylinders of one of the
engines.
Fig. 10 is a vertical section on the line 10-10, Fig. 3.
Fig. 11 is a transverse vertical section illustrating a modified form of clutch.
Fig. 12 is a detail view of one of the parts of the construction shown in
Fig. 11.
Fig. 13 is a transverse vertical section illustrating a modified manner of driving
the motor wheel.
Fig. 14 is a sectional side elevation of the same.
Similar letters and numerals of reference designate corresponding parts through-
out the several views of the drawings.
In the example illustrated in the drawings I have shown the motor wheel
applied to a vehicle having two hind wheels, but, of course, it is to be understood
that the motor wheel may be applied to a vehicle having but one hind wheel,
Di Q71

page_text: such, for instance, as a bicycle, or that two motor wheels may be used either at
the front or at the rear of the vehicle--the particular arrangement or location of
the motor wheel forming no part of my present invention.
To the body or platform of the vehicle is attached at its front, a bearing
plate A preferably by means of a suitable hinge and bracket or brackets B, which
said plate engages with ball bearings B on a plate 12 which may be considered
in the nature of a fifth wheel, and which said plate is provided with downwardly
projecting hangers B3, B4 adapted to support, indirectly, the motor wheel D
by means of which the vehicle is propelled. The connection between the plate 133
and the plate A is illustrated in detail in Fig. 6 and need not be more fully
described. In the hangers 133, 134 is mounted a crank shaft C which forms also
the axle of the wheel D and is provided at one end with a suitable bearing in
the hanger B and at its other end with a threaded portion screwing into the
sleeves of suitable ball bearings d and e; the said sleeves e bearing in the
hanger B3 and the said sleeve & forming a bearing for the web D¹ of the wheel ])
in combination with the usual adjusting cones f.
C
The threaded end of the crank shaft is made hollow as shown in Fig. 3 and
is slotted circumferentially as shown in Fig. 10 and passes through the female
portion of a clutch E which latter is cored out centrally and adapted to receive
a conical or wedge-shaped portion F arranged to be actuated by means of a lever G
to throw in or out a gear H adapted to actuate the motor wheel by means of a
planetary system of any usual construction.
In the present example I have shown this system to consist of a plurality of
equally distributed gear wheels I adapted to engage with said gear wheel H
and with a circular rack I attached to the web D₁ of the motor wheel D in a
suitable manner, as, for instance, by the bolt shown in Fig. 3 and said rack also
being provided with a flange h which, in conjunction with the flange i on the
web D¹ forms the bearing for the pneumatic tyre D2 surrounding the wheel.
Of course, it is understood that the pneumatic tyre may be omitted and either a
cushion tyre substituted, or the wheel provided with an ordinary tyre, as com-
monly used in vehicles.
In the construction illustrated in my prior specification, above referred to,
the vehicle is reversed by a reversing mechanism, while the motor continues to
run in one direction to simplify this construction I so arrange the motor
wheel D that it can be turned freely about its vertical journal through 180 degrees
or more. When the vehicle is brought to a stop and the wheel turned through
an angle of 180 degrees the vehicle will be caused to move in a direction opposite
to its former course; in other words, its motion will be reversed. It will be
readily understood that with this construction, all reversing mechanism, that is,
mechanism adapted to reverse the direction of rotation of the motor wheel, is
omitted.
In Figures 1, 6, 7 and 8 I have shown the means for accomplishing this object,
which said means are as follows:-
:-
As before stated the hangers B3, B4 supporting the motor wheel and parts
thereto appertaining are pendent from a plate B2 which can turn freely with
respect to the table A attached to the frame of the vehicle. To the plate B2 is
attached a tubular shaft m extending vertically upward and provided at its top
with a bevel gear into which meshes a bevel gear i secured pivotally to the
end of a tubular shaft n which is mounted in proper bearings in a usual
manner and has at its end a hand wheel o in a convenient position to be within
reach of the driver. It will be readily understood that when this hand wheel
is turned by the driver the rotary motion of the shaft is transmitted through
the gears mentioned to the plate 132. In order to reduce the motion so as to
render the turning of the motor wheel D more easy, the connection between the
tubular shaft m may be effected instead of directly by means of a system of
gearing, such as the gear wheel attached to said shaft and the wheels p', pa
engaging with a circular rack 73 formed in the plate B².

page_text: with
For starting and stopping the motor the upper end of the lever G, previously
referred to, is connected by means of an eccentric strap and rod r with an eccen-
tric attached to the lower end of a tubular shaft extending through the
tubular shaft m and provided at its upper end, and above the gear wheel
a bevel gear into which meshes a bevel gear rigidly attached to the end
of a shaft extending through the tubular shaft n and having at its end, which
projects beyond the shaft n a hand wheel 6 placed within convenient reach of
the driver. It will be readily understood that when the eccentric r¹ is turned
through the medium of the mechanism just described the lever G is turned about
its pivot g to move the cone F of the clutch F, E, in or out, according to the
direction of rotation of the hand wheel 6.
The engine for effecting the rotation of the motor wheel may be of any suit-
able construction and operated by the use of any suitable fluid. In the present
example I have made use of an engine comprising two cylinders J arranged at
right angles to each other on the frame K which is connected with the hanger B.
The connecting rods 20 of the said engine are connected to the crank shaft C at
its crank C. On the crank shaft C is mounted a gear 21 meshing with gears 22
and adapted to actuate the valve gear 23 which may be of any usual construction.
For the purpose of igniting the gaseous charge I provide an electric ignitor as
shown in Figures 3 and 3*. On the crank shaft C is mounted a fly wheel L
which forms a revolving armature and adjacent to the same are arranged
magnets L', all adapted to form a dynamo adapted to produce a current suffi-
ciently strong to cause a passage of sparks between the pins 24 and the adjacent
contacts 25 in the usual manner. It is of course to be understood that a stationary
armature could be used and the magnets caused to revolve by connecting the
same with the crankshaft of the motor. Liquid or other fluid may be supplied
to the engine according to its nature in any usual manner.
In the present
instance, see Figures 1, 2 and 5, I have shown a tank M suspended from the
bottom of the vehicle and connected with the cylinders of the engine by tubes 26,
said tubes entering suitable vaporizers 27 placed in connection with the cylinders
and heated by the exhaust passages 28 as shown in Fig. 4. A suitable pressure
tank M provided with a pump or like device M² see Fig. 1 is used for forcing
the liquid into the vaporizers 27.
For controlling the amount of the fuel admitted to the engine and thereby
determine the speed of the vehicle, I provide novel means as shown in Figures 1,
2 and 5; said means being substantially pneumatic and so avoiding links or
gears between the driver and the wheel. Said means consist substantially of a
bulb N, or other device for establishing air pressure for the purpose of controlling
the egress of liquid from the nozzle N¹ which admits liquid to the vaporizer
(Fig. 5). Said bulb is connected by means of a tube 30, passing through the
tubular shaft m and through the tubular shaft with one end of a cylinder O
containing a spring pressed piston 31 which has its rod connected with one arm
of a triple crank 01. The two other arms of said crank are connected by means
of rods 32 with the arms 33 projecting from the valve stems of the valves N.
These valves may be of any usual form, preferably needle valve of a usual con-
struction. In Fig. 3 is shown the crank shaft provided with a tubular end into
which enters the part F of the friction clutch for coupling the crank shaft and
motor wheel another construction is shown on Fig. 11 where the crank shaft C*
is made solid and the movable part or cone of the clutch F¹ is mounted to slide
on the crank shaft and to engage with the gear wheel H¹. The clutch is moved
back and forth on the crank shaft by a lever G¹ connected at its upper end with
a slide 35 having therein a rack 36 engaged by a toothed segment 37 secured to
the lower end of the tubular shaft which is turned as shown in Figures 1 and 6
by its connection with the hand wheel r6.
As before stated, the bearing plate is supported by means of a bracket B
which is hinged at 38 to the body or platform of the vehicle and is provided

page_text: with one or more inwardly extending tails or lugs 39 provided with one or more
spring arms having openings at their inner ends through which pass adjusting
screws 41 suspended from the bottom of the body or platform of the vehicle
and provided with adjusting nuts 42 by means of which the tension of the springs
can be regulated. The springs 40 may be in the form of compound springs
built up in the manner of carriage springs and preferably I use two or more
thereof. It will be readily understood that in view of this flexible or spring
connection of the parts carrying the motor wheel, the motor wheel can move
relatively with respect to the body of the vehicle in a 'vertical plane and there-
.fore vibrations are taken up by said wheel and not transmitted to the vehicle
when travelling on rough roads or in encountering obstacles on an ordinarily
.good road.
It will be seen from Figures 1 and 7 that the wheel together with its driving
mechanism and motor, the means for starting and stopping and for revolving
the same above a vertical axis, the brackets B and springs 40 are all substantially
a unit and are carried by the hinge or hinges 38. By removing the hinges,
which may be in the form of bolt hinges, the motor wheel and the parts thereto
appertaining as just described may be removed and replaced by another motor
wheel or applied to another vehicle.
By making the parts so as to be readily interchangeable, a new motor wheel
and its parts can be rapidly and easily put in place of a damaged wheel, or if
the vehicle is damaged the motor wheel can be applied to another vehicle.
While in the preceding examples I have shown the crank shaft C₁ of the engine
arranged in line with the axis of the wheel 1), it is, of course, to be understood
that this construction is not absolutely essential to the operativeness of the wheel.
The construction shown in Figures 13 and 14 may be used in lieu thereof, in
which said construction the crank shaft O is arranged above the axle C2 of the
wheel and is connected with the wheel, or its hub, by means of the gear wheels I'
and I mounted respectively on the crank shaft and on the hub of the wheel
A suitable clutch E is used for the purpose of connecting and disconnecting
the motor to and from the wheel.
In the present example, I have shown the two cylinders J¹, J¹ arranged in
line with each other instead of at an angle of 90 degrees.
It is, of course, to be understood that I do not wish to restrict myself to the
details of construction shown, as it is evident that the same can be changed
without departing from the spirit of my invention; the essential features of
my invention being the wheel D adapted to revolve about a substantially vertical
axis and provided with means for its propulsion or rotation about a horizontal
axis so that the direction of the vehicle can be reversed without the use of com-
plicated reversing mechanism and also means for coupling and uncoupling said
wheel with respect to the driving agency and the means for igniting the charge
of gaseous or liquid fuel, and the means for controlling the valve or valves of
the motor by pneumatic contrivance and the flexible connection between the
motor wheel and the body of the vehicle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. The combination in a vehicle wheel having a motor thereon, a hanger for
suspending said motor and said motor having its crank shaft extended through
the bearings of said wheel and made hollow, of a pinion mounted loosely upon
said crank shaft, and means within the crank shaft for clutching said loosely
mounted pinion to the said crank shaft, substantially as described.
2. The combination of a vehicle wheel comprising a rim, a hub and spokes
or a web for connecting the hub to the rim and a circular rack, a motor placed
on said wheel, hangers for supporting the wheel in one of which the crank shaft
of the motor is mounted, one end of said crank shaft being hollow, a clutch

page_text: mechanism, and an operative connection between the clutch mechanism and
the means within the reach of the operator, for operating the clutch, substantially
as described.
3. The combination with a vehicle wheel supported by hangers, of a motor
on said wheel suspended by one of the hangers and said motor having its
crank shaft extending through the hubs of said wheel, a pinion mounted
loosely upon said crank shaft, a clutch mechanism located exterior to the crank
shaft, means placed within reach of the driver or operator, and an operative
connection between said clutch mechanism and the means within reach of the
driver or operator, substantially as described.
4. The combination with a vehicle wheel having a motor thereon, of a plate
provided with hangers from which the wheel and motor are suspended so as to
be free to rotate, a crank shaft for said motor suitably mounted, and means for
coupling said crank shaft with said wheel; and said plate, hangers, wheel and
motor being arranged so as to be capable of turning as a whole completely about
a vertical axis, substantially as described.
5. The combination with a vehicle wheel having a motor thereon, of a plate
mounted to turn about a vertical axis through a complete turn, hangers attached
to said plate and supporting said wheel and motor, a bearing plate A provided
with hinge connections, cushion springs attached to said plate and to the body
of the vehicle, and operative means for starting, stopping and completely revolv-
ing said wheel about its vertical axis placed within reach of the driver or operator,
substantially as described.
G. A motor wheel comprising a wheel mounted to rotate about a horizontal
axis, and provided with a circular rack, a motor provided with a crank shaft
extending through the bearing of said wheel, a clutch having one of its parts
affixed exterior to said crank shaft and its other part mounted loosely on said
shaft and placed in operative connection with the circular rack on said wheel,
and means for coupling and uncoupling said clutch adapted to be operated by
the driver or attendant, substantially as described.
7. A motor wheel comprising a wheel mounted to rotate about a horizontal
axis, a motor provided with a crank shaft extending through the bearing of said
wheel, a clutch having one of its parts affixed exterior to said crank shaft and its
other parts mounted loosely on said shaft and placed in operative connection with
the said wheel, and means for coupling and uncoupling said clutch adapted to
be operated by the driver or attendant, substantially as described.
8. The combination with a vehicle, of a motor wheel having its frame in
hinged connection with the body or frame of the vehicle, a spring cushion inter-
posed between said motor wheel and the body or frame of the vehicle, and means
for starting, stopping and rotating said wheel attached to the hinged frame of
said wheel, substantially as described.
9. The combination with a vehicle, of a motor wheel, supported in a frame
adapted to be turned about a vertical axis, and a supporting plate to which said
frame is attached; said supporting plate being hinged to the body of the vehicle
and provided with a spring cushion and carrying means for starting, stopping
and turning the wheel, substantially as described.
10. The combination with a vehicle of a bracket hinged to said vehicle and
supporting a bearing plate, a plate B' mounted to rotate on said bearing plate
and provided with means for supporting the wheel and the motor, means for start-
ing, stopping and rotating said wheel, and a spring cushion interposed between
said brackets and the body of the vehicle, substantially as described.
11. In combination with a propelling device for vehicles comprising a wheel
having self contained motive means, and said wheel being adapted to form part
of the supporting means for vehicles, a plate or web for supporting said wheel,
and means on said plate or web for operating said motive means placed within
the reach of the driver, of a vehicle provided with hinge-straps or brackets adapted
to receive a hinge connection on the plate or web of the propelling device so as

page_text: to quickly attach and detach said propelling device to and from the said vehicle,
as and for the purpose set forth.
12. The combination with a vehicle wheel having a gas motor thereon, of a
generator of electricity actuated from the motor shaft, an igniter for the motor,
and electrical connections between said igniter and the generator; all such
parts being adapted to travel in a parallel plane with the wheel, substantially as
described.
13. The combination with a motor wheel, of a generator of electricity actuated
from the engine shaft, an igniter for the motor, and electrical connections between
said igniter and the generator; all such parts being adapted to travel longi-
tudinally with the wheel, substantially as described.
14. The combination with a vehicle, of hinges fastened to its frame or body,
spring cushions connected with the bearing plate from which the wheel and
motor are supported and said bearing plate being connected with said hinges,
means attached to the wheel for starting, stopping and completely revolving
said wheel about a vertical axis without stopping the motor placed within reach
of the driver, and said wheel being provided with means for producing a current
of electricity for the purpose of igniting the charges of gaseous fuel and also
with a pneumatic device for controlling the admission of fuel to the engine, all
within reach of the driver or operator, thus forming a complete power wheel for
the propulsion of the vehicle, substantially as described.
Dated this 24th day of October 1899.
HARRIS & MILLS,
23, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.
HARRIS & MILLS,
23, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.