IMPROVEMENTS IN TRACTION ENGINES, SAME BEING APPLICABLE TO PORTABLE ENGINES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry George Woodbridge and William Woodbridge, both
of Chipping Sodbury in the County of Gloucester, Engineers, for an invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRACTION ENGINES, SAME BEING APPLICABLE TO
PORTABLE ENGINES"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry George Woodbridge
and William Woodbridge at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on
the 15th April 1882.
HENRY GEORGE WOODBRIDGE and WILLIAM WOODBRIDGE both of Chipping
Sodbury in the County of Gloucester, Engineers,
68 IMPROVEMENTS IN TRACTION
ENGINES, SAME BEING APPLICABLE TO PORTABLE ENGINES'
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This Invention consists in improvements in traction engines said improvements
being applicable to and adapted for altering existing portable engines so that they
may be capable of hauling thrashing or other machines, and also be suitable for
general agricultural hauling purposes.
According mainly to our invention, the power is given off from the crank shaft
of the engine by means of a pitch chain (or bevel wheels and shaft if preferred) to
an intermediate shaft which revolves in bearings bolted to a strong iron or steel
frame underneath the barrel of the boiler, which shaft is geared to a second one
running parallel to it and extending to or nearly to the outside width of the
travelling wheels, the travelling wheels being driven from this shaft direct by
means of an endless chain composed preferably of links and shoes which are fitted
to the outside rim of travelling wheels and so lay a track for the travelling wheels.―
By this method of driving a much greater bearing is obtained on the ground and
consequently there is no skidding. Each travelling wheel revolves on the axle
independently of the other and at the will of the driver by means of clutches, either
or both wheels can be thrown in or out of gear at the same time for turning
C

page_text: curves etc. The axle does not revolve, and is fitted with springs, preferably volute,
which greatly steady the engine when travelling over rough ronds.
The engine is fitted with two speeds, and steered as an ordinary traction engine
by worm gearing and chains-The steering wheel and levers for changing speeds
and working clutches are fixed convenient to the hand of the driver as he stands
on the foot plate.-"Spurs" can be fitted to the shoes if required. By this plan
the weight of the engine is considerably reduced, there being no heavy gear
wheels &c, theo links of both chains may be made of wrought iron steel, or
malleable iron and the shoes can be made of cast iron, malleable iron, steel, wood
shod with iron, or any other suitable materials.

page_text: tuereto.
Fig. 2 plan. Fig. 3, sectional elevation on line A A, showing arrangement of
gearing under boiler.
According to our Invention, the power is given off from the crank shaft A of the
engine by means of a pitch chain B (or bevel gear wheels and shaft if preferred
may be used) to an intermediate shaft C, which revolves in bearings D, bolted or
rivetted to a strong iron or steel frame E, fixed underneath the barrel of the
boiler F (or plates rivetted to the barrel of the boiler may be used) which shaft C is
geared to a second shaft G, running parallel to it as shown and extending to, or nearly
to the outside width of the hindmost travelling wheels H same being driven direct
from the shaft G by pitch wheel and endless chain K, composed of links and shoes
which are fitted to projections L on the outside rim of the travelling wheels H, two
chains being provided, one for each wheel as shown.-These chains in giving motion
to the wheels, pass from the underside of the driving wheels G₁ to the underside
of the travelling wheels H, the backs of the shoes being provided with diagonal
cross bars as shown in Fig 2, which take a bearing on the ground, and so lay tracks
for the travelling wheels H.
By this method of driving a much greater bearing is obtained on the ground, and
consequently skidding is avoided, and the tracks being flexible adjust themselves
to inequalities of the road.
Each travelling wheel revolves on the axle independently of the other, and the
driving wheels G₁ are fitted with clutches G*, worked by levers G³ by the attendant,
to facilitate turning curves etc.
The axle M does not revolve, and can be fitted with springs N, preferably volute,
which greatly steady the engine when travelling on the road.-The engine is
steered as an ordinary traction engine by means of worm gearing and chains and
is fitted with one or two speeds as desired.-By this plan the size and weight of
the gear wheels and travelling wheels can be considerably reduced.-Irons can be
fitted to the outside of shoes for taking a firm hold on soft ground, as on an
ordinary traction engine wheel.-The links of both chains may be made of wrought
iron steel, or malleable iron, and the shoes can be made of cast iron, malleable iron,
wrought iron, steel, wood shod with iron or any other suitable material.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and in what mauner the same is to be performed or carried out in
practice we hereby declare that we claim the Invention of "Improvements in

page_text: traction engines, same being applicable to portable engines," in which the important
points or features are, the method of propelling the engine by means of the
arrangement composed of links and shoes, which form also the tracks for wheels,
and at same time exert the power of the engine on the periphery of the wheels,
substantially as herein before set forth and described.
In Witness whereof 1 the said Henry George Woodbridge on behalf of
myself and the said William Woodbridge have hereunto set my hand and
senl this thirteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand
sight hundead and airhiv two
Witness
T. MORGAN
21 Cockspur Street
Charing Cross S.W.
HENRY GEORGE WOODBRIDGE (Ls.)