Improvements in Railway or other Vehicles.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Feb., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 11th Dec., 1893-Accepted, 9th May, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Railway or other Vehicles.
I THOMAS WILLIAM SPINK, East India Merchant of 87, Newgate Street in
the City of London, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in the mounting of railway or
other vehicles on two, four, six, eight or more pairs of wheels and axles in such a
manner that the said wheels and axles may adapt themselves to the curves of any
rails, track or road on which the vehicle has to move without bringing the ends of
the vehicle out of the centre of such rails, track or road and thus prevent any
derailment causing accidents to lives and rolling stock.
By all present arrangements for radial wheel bases, the frames containing the
wheels and axles are firmly fixed or pivoted to intermediate parts or points of the
vehicles, thereby necessarily throwing the ends of such vehicles out of the centre
lines of the track of haulage, causing a cross pull at ends with consequent tendency
to and danger of derailment.
My invention consists in mounting the vehicle in such a manner over the
wheels and axles that the attachment is at or near the end of the vehicle, which
for its whole length is left free to move radially or crossing over the wheel
frames.
In accordance with this invention I mount the wheels and axles under separate
frames placed at suitable distances and in such manner as to take a distributed load
of a vehicle. I furnish each wheel frame with a pivot having an adjusted sliding
or radial connection with the under framing of the vehicle thus leaving the wheels
and axles free to adapt themselves to any curve or angle of the rails, tracks or road
and allowing the vehicle to radiate or slide side way on rollers or other mechanical
contrivances over the wheel frames thereby keeping the ends of vehicle in or near
the centre of the track or road.
I connect the several wheel frames by elastic rods which, whilst allowing
sufficient play for the curved line they may have to work in, at the same time tend
to bring them back into a straight line when required and I connect the end frames
with the end centres of vehicle by means of pivot joints and radial areas from the
ends to regulate the position and working of such end wheel frames.
By this arrangement the wheel frames are firmly connected to the end centres of
the vehicle under-frame and they are joined together by elastic connecting rods in
their proper positions, permitting a radial movement to suit the curves or angles of
the rails or track whilst the vehicle under-frame is allowed free motion, radially or
cross ways over the wheel frames as may be required in order to keep the end
centres in the centre of the rails or track.
The connection of the frames and the sliding or radial motion may be effected in
various ways.
9th February 1893.

page_text: Improvements in Railway or other Vehicles.
I THOMAS WILLIAM SPINK, East India Merchant, of 87 Newgate Street, in
the City of London, 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 :-
This invention relates to certain improvements in the mounting of railway or
other vehicles, on two or more pairs of wheels and axles in such manner that the
said wheels and axles may adapt themselves to the curves of any rails, track or
road on which the vehicle has to move, keeping the ends of the vehicle nearer to
the central line between such rails track or road and thus preventing derailment
and accidents.
Certain arrangements have been made or essayed in respect of radial wheel
bases, the frames carrying the wheels and axles having been firmly secured or
pivoted to intermediate parts or points of the vehicle-under-frame thereby
necessarily throwing the ends of such vehicles out of the centre lines of the track
of haulage and causing a cross pull at their ends with consequent tendency to and
danger of derailment.
My invention consists in mounting the vehicle in such manner over the wheels
and axle frames that the fixed attachment thereof, is centrally at or near the end
of the vehicle, which, for its whole length, is left free to move or assume a position
tangentially to the curve of the rails, track or road according to the curve being
passed, at the same time that the centre lines of the axles of the wheels of the
carriage will assume a radial position in relation to the said curves of the track or
road, in effect the line of the carriage body forms a chord of the arc of the curve
of the track over which the engine, car or train is passing.
In accordance with this invention I mount the wheels and axles under or upon
separate frames placed at suitable distances and in such manner as to take a
distributed load of a vehicle, each of the end wheels and axle frames being furnished
with a pivot and having an adjusted sliding or rolling radial connection with the
under framing of the vehicle thus leaving the wheels and axles free to adapt them-
selves to any curve or line of the rails, tracks, or road, and allowing the axles of
the vehicle with their frames to radiate and the vehicle body to slide horizontally
tangentially and sideway on its guides, rollers or other mechanical contrivances
applied between and below the vehicle-under-frames and between and over the
wheels and axle frames thereby keeping the ends of the vehicle in substantially
tangential position to the line of the curve in or near the centre of the track or
road or to reassume a position of parallelism therewith when such condition
obtains.
The several wheels, and axle frames are to be influenced and controlled by
spring connections between them (they being movable) and the under frame of
the carriage to keep the same in rectilinear position in relation to each other
under or in normal condition and position when at rest, or running on a straight
track or road, whilst, nevertheless, allowing sufficient, but absolutely controlled
play for the vehicle when moving upon a curve; or, when at rest upon a curve, a
radial condition of the axles in relation to the track or road.
In connection with such wheels and axle frames 1 employ spring or elastic
rods or recovery springs which will act to afford requisite play for variations
of the track or road and also to cause the frames to reassume a position of
rectilineation.
The end centres of the vehicle frames are to be connected with the end centres
of the wheels and axle frames by pin or pivot joints, and curved slides, or areas,

page_text: radial from the end centres, to further regulate and control the position and working
of such wheels and axle frames.
By this arrangement movable wheels and axle frames are firmly connected to
the end centres of the vehicle-under-frame and they are joined together by elastic
or spring connecting rod (one or more may be used) in the proper positions
permitting a radial movement of the axles relatively and to suit the curves or lines
of the rails or track whilst the vehicle-under-frame is allowed motion tangentially
to the curve being followed or traversed; that is, crosswise-over the wheel frames.
and axles as may be requisite in order to keep the end centres of the vehicle in the
centre of the rails, track, or road. The invention is applicable to tramway cars as
well as to railway vehicles.
The connection of the frames and the control of the sliding or radial motions.
may be effected in various modified ways and in order that the invention may
be carried into practice there is hereunto annexed a sheet of drawings showing
means of applications, and the same will be referred to in the following description
by figures and letters of reference, like letters referring to similar parts
throughout.
Fig. 4 and 44 is plan and elevation on enlarged scale of the end wheels and axle
frame and supports having the sidewise and radial motion.
Fig. 5. is a partial elevation on further enlarged scale of Figs. 4. and 44.
Fig. 5 shows fitting of the corner plates of the wheels and axle frames.
Fig. 6. is a plan of the intermediate wheels and axle frame sliding at right angles
crosswise of the body frame.
Fig. 6 is an elevation of Fig. 6.
Fig. 7. is a central cross section on enlarged scale of Figs. 6. and 6^.
Fig. 7 is a plan of Fig. 7.
Fig. 8. is a side view showing detail of fitting suitable for the spring-connecting-
rectilineation-rod of the wheels and axle frames.
A. A represent the main body frame, A¹ being the end beams of the framing..
Coupling hooks, draw-bar, and buffers being all above or out of the way of the
parts of the improved construction.
a, a', are wheels and axles, the axle boxes and springs b, being substantially as
usual and carried upon the wheels and axle movable frames c.
d, are the curved areas or guides on the framing A, and e, the sliding portion of
the radially movable wheels and axle frames. This description is applicable to the
intermediate wheels and axle frames, Figs. 6. and 64, but the guides d, and sliding
portions e, are rectilinear and not curved. c', are hollows in the side bars of the
movable frames where the same slide against the plates of the main framing to
furnish or increase lubrication between the fixed and moving plates e. e', of the
frames. There are vertical central screw bolts or pins f, to the wheels and axle
frames and said pins f, carry bushes, and rollers to work in the guides as shown.
Said pins, also receive and are engaged by the ends of the sections of the
rectilineation-spring-rod g.
The radial end frames working in conjunction with the radial guides d, are
connected as shown from their pins f, by the arms g¹, to the end centrolineal-pin or
motion pivot A2, at the end beam A', of the body frame.
These end pivots A2, are shown carried by a bracket bolted to A¹, said bracket
having downwardly projecting bifurcating arms A³, which receive the pivots A';
all clearly shown by the various figures.
Side controlling springs (of the nature of buffer or recovery springs) may be
applied between the body frame A, and the movable wheels and axle frames, but
these are not shown.
It may be remarked that there exist many permanent ways or railroads whereon
the sharpness of the curves thereof are at present prohibitory to the adoption of
the saloon carriage system owing to the length of such vehicles carriages, or cars;
and that speeds must be lessened in passing over same, but with this improved
construction such difficulties and objections are largely subverted.

page_text: .
The device may be applied of any strength of parts requisite for and exceeding
any possible strains.
The action of the weights, carried upon the parts, is in a vertically downward
_direction, and there is no ensuing weakness in the use of the device.
The sidewise and radial motion of the wheels and axle end frames, in conforming
to the variation of curves, and controlled by the governing and delimiting springs
in connection, will in practice be but slight.
At the time of passage or "negociation" of the curves, the vehicle body comes
slightly over the inner rail of the curve and the intermediate wheel frame or wheel.
frames will slide upon their transverse guides so that the axle and wheels continue
freely to run on the track rails (without "mounting," "jumping," or derailment).
Thus the provision of the raised outer rail of a curve in a railroad, in preventing
derailment is assisted by the fact of the portion of the ongoing weight of the engine
or carriage body or bodies assuming a position partially over the inner rail of the
curve over which the running is being done, so that the wheel-base may be said to
be spread or extended to the outside rail so enhancing stability. When bogie
carriages are employed the application of this invention is particularly advantageous,
retaining the radially and crosswisely arranged guides and slides.
Further drawings illustrative of this are not necessary.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
First. The improvements in railway or other vehicles consisting of the end
wheels and axle frames mounted upon curved guides or slides with eccentrically
positioned centrolineal-motion-pins, constructed and operating substantially as and
for the purpose herein specified.
Secondly. In the base support or framing of the wheels and axles of railway
vehicles, engines, carriages, or cars the combination of the sidewise and radially
operating end wheels and axle supports with intermediate transversely sliding
wheels and axle supports or frames and transverse guides, one or more, as and for
the purpose herein set forth and illustrated by the drawings.
Thirdly. In combination with radially and transversely operating wheel bases
for wheels and axles as herein described the tie-rod or tie-rods and springs aiding
the rectilineation of the wheels and axles as and for the purpose substantially as
herein specified and set forth.
Fourthly. The improved wheel-base-frame combined constructed and operating
as herein described in reference to and shown by the drawings.
Dated this 9th day of November 1893.
THOMAS W. SPINK,
Per Walter A. Barlow,
7, John Street, Bedford Row, W.C.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Expert.