An Improved Skid for Heavy Road Vehicles and Apparatus in connection therewith.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Aug., 1891-Accepted, 3rd Oct., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Skid for Heavy Road Vehicles and Apparatus in
connection therewith.
We, JOHN ROBERTSON of 2 Victoria Street, Merchant, and ALEXANDER
BALLACH, of The Crown Implement Works, Engineer, both of Newton Stewart,
in the County of Wigtownshire, Scotland, 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 :-
Our invention relates to an improved skid, for use upon heavy waggons, trollies,
lorries and like vehicles, and apparatus in connection therewith, and has for its
object the prevention of accidents arising from the attachment, and detachment
thereof by the driver, and the spontaneous displacement of same when in use upon
slippery roads, as is the case with the type of skids in general use for a like
purpose.
Our present joint invention is a modification of, or improvement upon, the skid,
and apparatus in connection therewith, forming the subject of the Patent granted
to the first herein named applicant, and dated September 30th A.D. 1890,
No. 15435.
In order that our present invention may be clearly understood, we have appended
hereunto a sheet of drawings, in which,
Figs. 1 and 2 are back and front view respectively, the latter with cover
removed, of our improved automatic spring reel, or wheel, upon which is wound the
chain, or rope operating the skid.
Fig. 3 is a view of same as seen from the upper surface.
Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the same.
Fig. 5 is a vertical section of the back plate of same as viewed from left to right
of Fig. 2.
Fig. 6 is a vertical section of the front plate, arranged to revolve upon the hollow
axial stud of Fig. 5, the hollow interior of which receives the spring, while the
external peripherical surface carries the chain or rope.
Fig. 7 is a vertical section, and front elevation respectively, of the outer collar,
the functions of which will be hereinafter fully explained.
Figs. 8 and 9 are front views of the elliptical ring, in a position of rest, and a
position of work respectively upon the bearing collar, the outer periphery of the
fatter of which is provided with serrations, or curved ratchet teeth, engaging with
the spring pawl, for purposes to be hereinafter explained.
Fig. 10 is a side view of Fig. 9.
Fig. 11 is an elevational view of one of the elliptical rings employed.
Fig. 12 is a vertical section of the said serrated bearing collar, and
Fig. 13 is a vertical section of a second bearing collar, for the second elliptical
ring.
Figs. 14, 15 and 16 are details pertaining to the construction of the skid.
Fig. 17 is a part sectional view of said skid, illustrative of the contrivance
according to our invention for automatically keeping the rope, or chain clear of the
nave of the wheel, and will be more explicitly dealt with hereinafter.
Fig. 18 is a side elevation of part of a trolly, or lorry, fitted with our improved
automatic safety skid.
Similar letters of reference are used to indicate the same, or like parts throughout
the several views.
In carrying our invention into effect we provide a collar A, of any suitable metal,
or alloy of metals, preferably of L shape in cross section, the outer periphery of

page_text: which is provided with serrations, or curved ratcheted teeth a preferably partaking
somewhat of the form of the teeth of a circular saw, but we may vary the shape,
size and pitch of said teeth in any manner most suited to the requirements, or size
and type of wheel upon which 'our'said invention may be employed. Said collar A,
is shrunk, or otherwise fitted upon the front, or back, or front and back, of one, or
both of the hind, or skidding wheels of the vehicle. We mention wheels at this
stage that it may be understood that we may where desirable, arrange our invention
adaptable for the skidding of both the hind wheels, although in the general way
the near side hind wheel would be the only one operated upon. Upon, or within
the outer flange of A, we provide a number of holes b, in order that when said
flange is close up to, and abutting against, the spokes of the wheel, screws, or pins
may pass therethrough engaging with the spokes, to prevent the possible' displace-
.ment of A! Given that only one collar A is employed, and this being upon the
front of the nave, a second collar B, preferably, but not imperatively, made of the
same metál 'as A, and channel shaped in cross section as, at Fig. 13, is placed upon
the corresponding part of the nave of the wheel at the other side of the spokes and
may be held in position by any suitable means, preferably the same as that of. A.
Upon each of the collars A, and B, we mount an elliptical ring C, having.con-
nected thereto, or formed integrally therewith an arm'c. The narrowest internal
diameter of C, would be such as to be easily and freely revolved upon its respective
collar, its largest internal diameter being only sufficient for the purposes for which
said ellipse is provided, and this will hereinafter be fully explained. It will be
noticed by reference to Fig. 11, that the arm c, of C, radiates therefrom at an
angle slightly out of truth with an imaginary line drawn through the centre of the
longest diameter of C, and in placing the rings C, upon their respective collars, the
angle of both rings; relatively to their arms c, would point in the same direction,
preferably, towards the front of the vehicle. Upon the inner face of the arm c, of
the ring C, upon the front, or serrated collar A, we mount a tappet; catch, or
pawl d, operated by a spring e, the tension of which tends to keep d in contact with
the teeth as upon A; when desired. A pin, or stud upon a regulates the travel
thereof against the tension of e, by abutting against the side of c.
The arms c may
be:solid; or hollow, and provided with suitable means for adjusting the necessary
lengths thereof, in order that the same may be adaptable for any size wheel. The
lower extremities of the arms c are connected to the skid D, one on each side
thereof: The skid D may be constructed in the manner described in the Patent
15435 of 1890 before referred to in so far as regards the body and renewable
wearing surface thereof. In the drawings hereunto appended Fig. 14 is the body,
Fig 15 is the wearing surface or bottom, while Fig. 16 is a longitudinal central
section of Figs: 14 and 15. The body Fig. 14 has two vertical sides f'and f¹, con-
nected by solid ends g, and 'g', preferably formed integrally therewith, and rendered
concave upon their upper surfaces, to form a seating for the wheel being skidded.
The renewable wearing surface Fig. 15, which like Fig. 14 may be of any suitable
metal, is formed internally to receive the body, which may be held connected
thereto by means of screws, or the like. Upon the outer surface of f', we-form a
swelling, to the inner surface of which we attach the outer arm c, the inner
arm c being preferably connected to the outer surface off, as shewn Fig. 17. To
the side f¹, below fl, we attach a swivel bolt, or projecting stud h, upon which is
pivotted a short rod i, capable of oscillating thereon in any direction, and to this is
attached the rope, or chain E.
Upon the side of the waggon, trolly, or lorry F, at a point in a vertical line from
the axis of the near front wheel, or thereabouts, we fix the automatic spring wheel,
or reel G; which is constructed as follows. We provide a back plate H, preferably
circular, upon which is formed two lugs, or circumferential projections-k, and k
having a circular bolt hole in each. Upon the back of H, are two right angled
projections, or lugs l, and 1, similar to k k³, and by means of these four lugs, or
projections, the plate H, is bolted, screwed, or otherwise connected to the outer and

page_text: under surfaces of the near side of the body of the vehicle, as shown at Fig. 4. Said
plate H, is furnished upon the outer face, with a hollow axial stud I, and upon the
back face with two studs m m³, as shewn by the sectional view Fig. 5. Upon the.
hollow stud I, is mounted a dished plate J, having a tubular axial bearing n,
slightly less in length than I, so that when J, is abutting against H, I protrudes
sufficiently beyond 14, to permit a collar o Fig. 7, to be placed thereon, and held
firmly in position by means of a set screw o', and by this means J, is retained
upon I, and free to revolve thereon. The outer periphery of J, is shaped in
cross section, so that when in position upon I, an annular recess is formed between
the flange p, on I, and the outer surface of H, and within this recess is fastened one
end of the rope, or chain E which is then wound around J the opposite end as
before mentioned being fastened to the rod i, upon the skid D. Within the plate J.
is a study, upon which is fixed the outer end of a coil spring K, the inner end of
which is fastened to the collar o, by means of a set screw o¹¹, or the like, a plate,
or cover G, being screwed, or otherwise fixed to the flange p, to keep out dust and
dirt. By the foregoing description of said wheel, or reel it will be understood that
ቢ pull exerted upon the rope, or chain E, would cause J, to revolve upon I, and
this being against the tension of the spring K, it follows that, when said pull is
released, the spring K would return J to its normal position rewinding the rope, or
chain E.
Upon the back of the plate H, we provide a lever handle L, pivotted upon, and
within the lugs m, and m', the shorter end of which is bent, or otherwise formed
at L', and passes through a hole in the plate H, into a similar hole r in the plate .J,
when J is in a position of rest, and is retained in that position, locking J, by the
tension of a springs, placed and retained between L, and H. A similar hole t is
formed in J, diametrically opposite to r, and the same radial distance from the axis
of J, so that if J be revolved one half, or one and a half turns, L' would, when
desired engage therewith, and stop the progress of J, in the same manner as with.
the hole r, but in order that L₁ may permit t to pass, without automatically
engaging therewith, except when desired, the edges of t, at the back of J, would
be bevelled for that purpose.
It will be understood from the description given, that it would not be possible to
unwind E, from J, so long as L', is within the hole r, whatever strain, or pull might
be exerted upon E, but when the handle L is made to depress the springs, L' would
be removed from r, leaving J free to revolve when a weight, or pull is given, to- E,
and in order that a proper adjustment of the length of the rope, or chain E, may
be made, we interpose anywhere within its length, between i and the reel, an
adjusting swivel M, or its equivalent for that purpose. The manner of operation is
as follows.
The skid D, when in a position of rest would hang suspended by the rope.or
chain E, between the wheel N, of the vehicle and G, at a point horizontal to the
axis of N, or thereabouts, and the pull thus exerted by the rope, or chain E against
the weight of the suspended skid D, and its accessories, would give full play to the
slip provided by the elliptical ring C which would permit the skid D, to. hang
away from the tyre of the wheel N, and consequently the pawl d, not in contact
with the serrations, or teeth a. and the stop on d abutting against c, would keep
this in position ready to engage with a when released from the pull of E. When
it is necessary to skid the wheel, the need to stop the vehicle does not exist, as in
the usual methods hitherto employed. The driver by depressing the lever L,
against the tension of the spring s, releases L' from J, and the chain, or rope E
commences to pay out by the weight of D, at the same time winding up the
spring K, and as soon as said skid commences to fall the driver can if he chooses
leave go the handle L, and the apparatus will perform the rest, from the fact that
when the skid D reaches the ground, a check is given to its momentum by the
wheel N, mounting thereon, and at the moment when N is in the position upon-D,
shewn by Fig. 18, the hole r, would be in such a position that L would slip

page_text: therein and lock J against further travel, and when the wheel needs unskidding,
the vehicle need not be stopped, the driver again releases L' from r, by the
depression of s, which permits a little more of E to be paid out, which further
tensions K, and by reason of d, being in contact with a dis retained thereby, so
that the skid D, and its arms c, are carried round the wheel N, as shewn by the
dotted outline of D and c at a Fig. 18. In the progress of D from the ground to x,
the chain, or rope E, must pass in its upward course the nave of N, and in order
that it may not come in contact therewith, is the purpose and service of the
projection, upon the outer face of the skid. It will be seen at Fig. 18 that
when the skid is upon the ground carrying N, the rod i is at an angle clear of f",
but as D approaches the point x, the rod i, passes over the projection f" and is
thereby pushed outward as shewn at Fig. 17, and so carries E clear of the nave,
and as D is carried over the top of N, i has passed f" and becomes again close to f
When the skid D reaches the top of N, or nearly so, the pull upon E, begins to be
released, and the action of the spring K in tension commences revolving J, and
winding up E, until again encounters L', when the reel J, becomes locked as
before, as D falls into its position of rest again, at or about the position shewn by
the dotted outline thereof at a¹ Fig. 18.
We may, in order that the apparatus described can be operated from the dicky,
or seat of the driver, when employed upon such vehicles, arrange the appliance
represented by G, Fig. 18, in a position to be reached by the driver without leaving
his seat, and we attain this by carrying the rope, or chain E over and under a
wheel, or pulley, or wheels, or pullies arranged in suitable positions upon the vehicle
for that purpose.
We may where desirable employ skids of ordinary construction, by attaching
arms c thereto, and arranging the outer side adaptable for the attachment of the
rod i, and swelling f", but preference would be given to the form of skid herein
described and shewn, as by its use we are enabled when the wearing surface is
destroyed, to quickly and easily renew the same.
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 :
1st. In an improved skid for heavy road vehicles the apparatus, or mechanism
herein described, combined, connected and operating in the manner set forth,
substantially as specified and shewn by the accompanying drawings.
2nd. In an improved skid for heavy road vehicles and apparatus in connection
therewith, the construction and use of an elliptical ring C, with solid or hollow
arms c, borne upon collars A, and B, fixed upon the nave of the skidding wheel, or
wheels, the former having serrations, or ratchet teeth a operating in connection
with a pawl d, pivotted upon one of the arms c, operated by a spring e, for carrying
the skid around the skidding wheel substantially as and for the purposes herein
described, and shewn by Figs. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12 and 18 of the drawings hereunto
appended.
3rd. In an improved skid, as herein described and shewn by Figs. 14. 15. 16
and 17, consisting of a body with solid ends g, g', and sides ff, with swelling f",
carrying a rod i upon a swivel bolt or stud h, operating conjointly for clearing the
rope, or chain E, from the nave of the wheel N, in combination with a renewable
bearing, or wearing surface Fig. 16, the whole attached to and carried by the
arms c, substantially as and for the purposes set forth and shewn by the
drawings.
4th. The improved automatic spring winding arrangement in combination with
the apparatus mentioned in the preceding claims consisting of a plate H, with
lugs k, k, l, and, and hollow spindle I, carrying a dished plate J, revolving
upon I, and carrying the chain, or rope E. The employment of a spring K, for
automatically operating J, for rewinding E. The manner of locking J,
upon H,

page_text: by the handle, or lever L, engaging within holes t and r, by the agency of a
springs, substantially as described and shewn by Figs. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5 6. 7 and 18
of the appended drawings.
5th. In an improved skid for heavy road vehicles the manner of automatically
placing the same beneath the wheel, for skidding the vehicle, and automatically
carrying said skid after use around the wheel to a position of rest without
stopping the vehicle, substantially as shewn and described.
Dated this 15th day of August 1891.
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
4, Moorfields, Fore Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicants.