Improvements in Self-propelled Road Vehicles.
Year: 1899

page_text: Improvements in Self-propelled Road Vehicles.
We, ARTHUR FIRTII and RALPH JACKSON, both of the Ralpho Cycle Works,
in Altrincham, Cheshire, Cycle Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in the construction of self-
propelled road vehicles.
For the purposes of this specification we will describe a vehicle constructed
to carry two persons, and running upon three wheels.
The vehicle possesses two leading wheels by which the vehicle is steered,
and a trailing wheel, which is the driving wheel of the vehicle. The seats for
the riders are arranged in tandem, namely one is disposed just in rear of the
front wheels, whilst the other is disposed slightly in front of the driving wheel,
thus distributing the weight of the riders equally between the front and rear
wheels.
The framework of the vehicle is constructed of tubing and comprises two
main tubes which extend from front to rear of the vehicle and which are con-
nected by two transverse tubes. On the rear ends of such main tubes are pro-
vided slots to receive the axle of the rear wheel and provide adjustment for the
chain driving gear. The forward ends of such main tubes are inclined out-
wardly from the point where such main tubes are joined by the forward trans-
verse tube and on the extremities of these inclined ends are provided head-lugs
or ball-heads which receive the steering columns upon which the leading wheels
turn. These head-lugs are braced together by two cross-stays. In
centre of the rear transverse tube is provided a lug or socket which receives the
pillar of the rear seat. The front transverse tube projects slightly beyond the
main tubes and these projecting ends form an abutment for C-springs which
are attached to the lower cross-stay above mentioned and which support the
front seat. The lower ends of these springs support a footrest cr carrier.
the
The steering arrangements of the vehicle are as follows. Projecting at right
angles from the lower ends of the steering columns are axles upon which the
front wheels are mounted. Also projecting from each of these columns but at
right angles to the axles is a short arm, and the ends of these arms are con-
nected or coupled by a rod whereby the steering movements of the columns are
rendered identical. The steering is preferably effected from the rear seat, near
which is positioned a lever which is connected by a rod to a lever, which is an
extension of the axle of one of the front-wheels. The head lugs and steering
columns are arranged upon an incline namely, they make an angle of perhaps 700
with the horizontal plane. The effect of thus inclining the steering columns
is that in turning a corner the leading wheels incline in the direction of the
turn and thus afford increased ease in steering and stability to the vehicle.
The vehicle is driven by an oil or spirit motor which is supported on the
main tubes of the frame and is further secured by four stays, which radiate
therefrom, one pair running to the axle ends of the rear wheel, the other pair
running to the two headlugs. The oil or spirit is supplied to the motor from a

page_text: tank, which preferably forms a part of the front seat. A flexible tube, con-
trolled by a tap, conveys oil from the tank to a carburettor, and its passage
thence to the motor is controlled by a ball-valve in the carburettor.
Motion is transmitted from the motor to the driving wheel by chain driving
gear arranged as follows. A small sprocket wheel upon the motor spindle drives
a larger sprocket wheel mounted on a secondary shaft which may be disposed
upon the rear transverse tube and on this shaft is also mounted a suitable speed
reducing gear. From the sprocket wheel of such speed reducing device is driven
a sprocket wheel on the axle of the rear wheel.
The interposition of such secondary shaft and chain gear between the motor
and the driving wheel absorbs to some extent the pulsations of the motor. On
this secondary shaft we may mount a two speed gear device for hill climbing.
In order, however, to further reduce the effect of such pulsations, we employ
a driving wheel of such construction that the axle or hub thereof are not a
rigid part of the wheel, but may make a partial revolution independently of
the felloe or rim. This we prefer to do by so attaching the spoke ends to the
hub flanges that they have a slight rocking action thereon, whereby the axle
or hub (which is driven by the motor) receives the impulses of the motor, but
does not immediately impart them to the felloe or rim.
We may provide the vehicle with a second reservoir of oil or spirit, which
reservoir may form a foot-rest and we cause the primary container to be replen-
ished therefrom by means of a pump, which may be an ordinary tyre inflator,
which is employed to force air into such second reservoir and so displace the
contents therefrom into the primary container, and we may further provide
a third reservoir of oil or spirit which reservoir may form a part of the actual
front seat the oil or spirit being replenished therefrom in a similar manner as
from the secondary reservoir or in connection with the secondary reservoir, or
we may use it for storing lubricating oil.
As a means of dispersing the products of combustion which issue from the
motor we lead them from a condensing chamber into the hollow framework of
the vehicle which latter we perforate with small holes through which the gases
escape in such a way that the sound of the escaping exhaust is at the same
time reduced to a minimum. In some cases we lead the products of combustion
through a condenser or chamber which also forms a foot warmer or stove.
The brake which we prefer to use takes the form of a semi-circular band of
metal or other suitable material which covers a considerable extent of the
wheel periphery and which also serves as a mudguard. The brake is hinged
and is held clear of the wheel by a spring or other device. This brake may be
applied to either wheel or wheels and may be operated by foot or by hand.
When applied to the rear wheel we prefer to arrange the brake to be operated
by foot pressure upon a rod projecting upwards from the lower end of the brake-
band, but when applied to the front wheel the brake may be operated by hand
levers, and rods or other methods.
1000
Improvements in sen prope
We, ARTHUR FIRTII and RALPH JACKSON, both of Altrincham, Cheshire,
Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what

page_text: manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in the construction of self-
propelled road vehicles.
In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side view, Figure 2 is a plan,
and Figure 3 is an end view illustrating a motor tricycle according to this
invention. Figure 4 is a plan of the steering arrangements.
The vehicle has two leading wheels A by which it is steered, and a trailing
wheel B which is the driving wheel.
The main framework of the vehicle comprises two main tubes CC which
extend from front to rear and which are connected by two cross tubes D E.
The forward ends of the tubes C are inclined outwardly from the point where
they are joined by the tube E and on the extremities of these inclined ends are
provided head lugs or ball heads F which receive the steering columns G, and
from these steering columns project the axles upon which the wheels A are
mounted. The head lugs F are braced by the stays H.
The secondary or seat frame comprises a pair of bent tubes P supported upon
springs which are attached to the lower stay H and to the projecting ends
of the cross tube E. Carried by the upper part of this frame is a reservoir R
which contains oil or spirit for the engine, and secured to the seat arms $ is a
second reservoir T. The seat proper is formed by upholstery carried on and
suspended between these two reservoirs. Flexible tubing connects the engine N
with the reservoir R and the reservoir R with the reservoir T. The contents.
of the reservoir T may be forced into the reservoir R by air compressed by a
tyre inflator.
The steering heads F are inclined backwards, so that when the wheels A are
steered to right or left they incline in the direction in which they are steered
as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 3.
Projecting at right angles from the steering columns are the axles of the
wheels A and at right angles to each axle is a lever I, the ends of the two
levers I being coupled by a rod J so that both steering columns turn together.
The steering is effected by the lever K which is connected by a rod L to the
lever M which extends inwards from one of the axles.
The vehicle is driven by the engine N the shaft of which drives a counter-
shaft which is connected by differential speed gear to the driving wheel B
as shewn in Figures 1 and 2.
The exhaust gases of the engine pass into a receiver V and thence into the
cross tube E and ultimately escape by holes along the undersides of the main
tubes C.
A socket in the middle of the cross tube 1) receives the inclined pillar tube
for the rear seat and the top of this tube is connected by a pair of diagonal
stays to the rear ends of the tubes C.
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. A frame for a motor-tricycle consisting of two longitudinal tubes C con-
nected by cross tubes D and E, their rear ends having bearings for the axle of
the driving wheel B and their front parts diverging and carrying at their ends
the steering heads with their stays H, a frame for the back seat being car-
ried on the cross tube 1) and on the rear ends of the tubes C, and a frame for
the front seat and reservoirs R and T being supported on springs carried on the
cross tube E and on one of the stays H, substantially as described.
2. The construction of the front seat frame consisting of a pair of bent tubes P
having their upper ends attached to the reservoir R and linked to the upper
ends of C-springs Q, and having their lower parts carried on the lower ends

page_text: of the springs Q, a pair of seat arms S attached to the tubes P' and carrying
a reservoir T which with the reservoir R supports the upholstering of the seat,
substantially as described.
Dated this 2nd day of June 1900
J. A. COUBROUGH,
Chartered Patent Agent,
10, St. George's Crescent, Liverpool, Agent for the Applicants.