Improvements in or in connection with Road Traction Engines and Draught Road Vehicles adapted to be used therewith.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 14th June, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 4th Mar., 1899-Accepted, 29th Apr., 1899
Improvements in or in connection with Road Traction Engines and
Draught Road Vehicles adapted to be used therewith.
I, JAMES HUTCHINSON MANN, of the Canning Works, Dewsbury Road, in the
City of Leeds, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows: -
This invention relates to an arrangement of road traction engine and draught
road vehicle and devices or improvements in or connected with the same, such that
they may be employed together, or separately and independently, as may be
desired; the object being to obtain the advantages of combined or separate use.
In a road engine constructed in accordance with my invention, the driver's
platform and fuel bunker may be carried on one side of the fire box, and the
tank on the other; the fire door being placed to one side to suit. The firebox
shell sides are extended further back than usual, in order to carry at a suitable
distance, the axle boxes or bearings for the hind axle of the engine. The outer
ends of the axle carry two road driving wheels, connected by any suitable
gearing to the crank shaft of the engine.
The draught vehicle may be of any convenient shape suitable for the class of
goods it is intended to carry, and if desired may be formed with a dropped or
trough centre, in order to get this part near the ground, and admit of it being
carried upon a pair of road wheels of the same, or approximately of the same,
diameter as the driving road wheels of the traction engine. The wheels of the
draught vehicle are carried on studs, secured in the lower ends of side brackets,
fixed to the body of the vehicle. The body of the vehicle can thus be tilted
about the axis of these wheels; the above mentioned studs being of course fixed
in line with each other. The inside width between the vehicle wheels is made
the same as, or just sufficiently larger as is required than, the outside width
over the said engine driving wheels; so that the draught vehicle can be run
over the rear of the engine, until the axial line of the wheels of the vehicle
coincides with the axis of the driving road wheels of the engine. For this reason
the ends of the driving wheel axle of the engine are flush with the outside of the
engine driving wheels; and the inner ends of the studs, carrying the wheels of
the vehicle, are respectively flush with the inner sides of the vehicle wheels.
Provision is made by lugs and bolts or other means, for locking each vehicle
wheel to the adjoining engine driving wheel, so that it is directly rotated by
the latter.
A coupling or draught device is provided for connecting the body of the vehicle
to some convenient part of the engine; and in the case where it is designed to
be used as a tipping vehicle, a small chain and windlass, or other suitable means
may be provided for tipping and drawing the body of the vehicle back into
position after it has been tilted.
It will be evident that when the wheels of the vehicle are unloosened from
the wheels of the éngine, and the above mentioned locking device is unlocked,

page_text: the vehicle can be drawn away from the engine; and provision being made for
attaching and securing shafts or other suitable draught gear, that the vehicle
can be used separately with animal traction, whilst the engine likewise can be
used independently. I propose also, when desirable, to fit a cross bar or connec-
tion to and between the ends of the wheel studs, to give lateral support to the
side brackets carrying the wheels, when the vehicle is used independently.
By means of a bracket or other support beneath the body of the vehicle, part
of the weight of the body of the vehicle may be transmitted on to the horn
plates, and consequently on to the wheels of the engine; whereby the driving
strain on the wheel connections is lessened.
As in general, the centre of gravity of the vehicle is not over the centre of the
wheels, I propose when desired to connect the side brackets to the body of the
vehicle by a sliding connection, so that the relative positions of the said centres
may be adjusted.
Although I have described this invention as applied to the case of a two
wheeled draught vehicle, it will be evident that it may be applied to a four
wheeled vehicle the rear wheels of which are free to rotate independently of each
other, and the front pair coupled to the driving wheels of the engine, as before
described.
JL
T
1000
J. CLARK JEFFERSON,
30, Park Row, Leeds, Agent for Applicant.
Improvements in or in connection with Road Traction Engines and
Draught Road Vehicles adapted to be used therewith.
I, JAMES HUTCHINSON MANN, of Canning Works, Dewsbury Road, in the
City of Leeds, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion 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 an arrangement of road traction engine and draft
road vehicle and devices or improvements in or connected with the same, such that
they may be employed together, or separately and independently, as may be
desired; the object being to obtain the advantages of combined or separate use.
In a road engine constructed in accordance with my invention, the drivers
platform and fuel bunker may be carried on one side of the fire box, and the
tank on the other; the fire door being placed to one side to suit. The firebox
shell sides are extended further back than usual, in order to carry at a suitable
distance the axle boxes or bearings for the hind axle. of the engine. The outer
ends of the axle carry two road driving wheels, connected by any suitable
gearing to the crank shaft of the engine.
The draught vehicle may be of any convenient shape suitable for the class of
goods it is intended to carry, and if desired may be formed with a dropped or
trough centre, in order to get this part near to the ground, and admit of it being
carried upon a pair of road wheels of the same, or approximately of the same,
diameter as the driving road wheels of the traction engine. The wheels of the
draught vehicle are carried on studs, secured in the lower ends of side brackets,
fixed to the body of the vehicle. The body of the vehicle can thus be tilted
about the axis of these wheels; the above mentioned studs being of course fixed

page_text: in line with each other. The inside width between the vehicle wheels is made
the same as, or just sufficiently larger as is required than, the outside width
over the said engine driving wheels; so that the draught vehicle can be run
over the rear of the engine, until the axial line of the wheels of the vehicle
coincides with the axis of the driving road wheels of the engine. For this reason
the ends of the driving wheel axle of the engine are flush with the outside of the
engine driving wheels; and the inner ends of the studs carrying the wheels of
the vehicle are respectively flush with the inner sides of the vehicle wheels.
Provision is made by lugs and bolts or other means, for locking each vehicle
wheel to the adjoining engine driving wheel, so that it is directly rotated by
the latter.
A coupling or draught device is provided for connecting the body of the vehicle
to some convenient part of the engine; and in the case where it is designed to
be used as a tipping vehicle, a small chain and windlass or other suitable means
may be provided for tipping and drawing the body of the vehicle back into
position after it has been tilted.
It will be evident that when the wheels of the vehicle are unloosened from
the wheels of the engine and the above mentioned locking device is unlocked,
the vehicle can be drawn away from the engine; and provision being made for
attaching and securing shafts or other suitable draught gear, that the vehicle
can be used separately with animal traction, whilst the engine likewise can be
used independently. I propose also, when desirable, to fit a cross bar or connec
tion to and between the ends of the wheel studs, to give lateral support to the
side brackets carrying the wheels, when the vehicle is used independently.
By means of a bracket or other support beneath the body of the vehicle, part
of the weight of the body of the vehicle may be transmitted on to the horn
plates, and consequently on to the wheels of the engine; whereby the driving
strain on the wheel connections is lessened.
As in general, the centre of gravity of the vehicle is not over the centre of the
wheels, I propose when desired to connect the side brackets to the body of the
vehicle by a sliding connection, so that the relative position of the said centres
may be adjusted.
Although I have described this invention as applied to the case of a two
wheeled vehicle, it will be evident that it may be applied to
a four
wheeled vehicle the rear wheels of which are free to rotate independently of each
other, and the front pair coupled to the driving wheels of the engine as before
described.
The advantages aimed at by the above described means of using the engine
and vehicle are, that the weight or part of the weight of the vehicle and its load
are thereby rendered available to increase the road adhesion, i.e. the tractive
force or power of the engine, and without increasing the crushing stress on the
road whilst the liability to slipping is at the same time reduced, a factor of
material importance in the case of smooth shod wheels. It is also better adapted
for running backwards, and getting in and out of awkward places, than when the
vehicle is coupled to the draw-bar in the usual manner.
And in order that my invention and the manner in which the same is to be
performed may be more readily and clearly understood, I have annexed hereto
the accompanying drawings in which,
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a road traction engine to which my invention has
been applied.
Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section through the main axle and through the body
of the vehicle or cart.
Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the draught vehicle, detached and arranged to be
used with horse traction.
a indicates the boiler of the engine.
b is the side of the fire-box shell, which is extended backwards to b¹, so as to
carry not only the bearings for the gear wheels cc, but also at a suitable

page_text: distance, (which is greater than otherwise usual), the axle boxes or bearings d
for the main or hind axle & of the engine.
The drivers platform f and fuel bunker y are carried on the side shown in
elevation in Fig. 1; and on which side also the fire door h is placed; whilst the
tank is carried at the other side of the fire box.
The outer ends of the axle e carry two road driving wheels i connected by
gearing; for example the epicyclic train j and gear wheels cc and k to the crank
shaft of the engine.
mm is the draught vehicle, which in the illustrations is shown with a dropped
or trough centre in order to lower the centre of gravity, and to get part of the floor
of the vehicle near the ground; whilst at the same time admitting of the vehicle
being carried upon a pair of road wheels of the same diameter as the driving
road wheels of the traction engine. These wheels n are carried on studs o,
secured in the lower ends of the side brackets secured to the body of the vehicle.
The body of the vehicle can thus be tilted about the axis of these wheels, the
studs o being of course carefully fixed in line with each other. The inside width
between the wheels nn is made the same as, or just sufficiently larger as is
required, than the outside width over the engine driving wheels ii, so that the
draught vehicle mm can be run over the rear of the engine, until the axial line
For this reason
of the wheels nn coincides with the centre line of the axle c.
the ends of the axle e are made flush with the plane of the outer edge of the
driving wheels ii respectively or terminate slightly within such plane; and the
inner ends of the studs o are similarly flush with the plane of the inner edge of
the wheels nn respectively.
Lugs q, r, are formed in suitable positions on the adjoining edges of the
wheels i and a respectively, so that by means of bolts s passed through these lugs
and also through the mid internal ribs t, u, of the wheels i and n, each vehicle
wheel n is locked to the adjoining engine driving wheel i, so that it is driven
and rotated by the latter.
By means of a lug v rivetted to the back side of the fire box shell, and a lug w
attached in the middle of the front part of the vehicle and a locking bolt passed
through holes in the lugs and w, the body of the vehicle is secured to the
engine, and thereby secured from tilting, and the tractive strain on the wheel
connections just described is much lessened.
is the axle of a chain barrel which can be rotated by means of worm wheel
and worm z.
The end of the chain from the barrel is attached to the front part
of the body m of the road vehicle, so that the tipping back of the road vehicle
can be regulated, or the body of the vehicle thereby drawn back into position
after it has been tilted.
Brackets 1, 1, may be attached to the sides of the dropped part m of the body
of the vehicle, or in other convenient position, within which shafts for horse
traction can be inserted.
The horn plates or extensions of the sides of the fire box are connected
across by plates 6 and angle irons 7. Springs 8 attached to the underside of the
dropped part m¹ of the body of the vehicle rest on the plates 6, and thus transfer
part of the weight of the vehicle direct to the main axle e of the engine, and
thus lessen the driving strain on the connections between the wheels i and n.
It will be evident that the centre of gravity of the vehicle is not generally
over the centre of the wheels n n, when it is coupled to the engine, whilst it is
sometimes advisable to have it approximately so, when the vehicle is used sepa-
rately with horse traction. To permit of the necessary adjustment, I rivet guide
plates 9 to the side of the body of the vehicle, so as to form guides for the upper
part of the side brackets p. To the bracket is attached a nut 11, through
which passes the screwed rod 12, carried in lug bearings 13 bolted to the body of
the vehicle. A cross shaft 14 and bevel gear 15 connects the screwed rods 12
on opposite sides of the vehicle. On rotating the shaft 14 by hand lever or
wheel, the body of the vehicle can be moved forwards or backwards with respect

page_text: to the brackets P, so as to adjust the centre of gravity with respect to the axis
of the road wheels.
It will be evident that the nature of my invention is not altered, if the road
vehicle is carried on more than two wheels as is above described. For example,
the road vehicle may be carried on two pairs of wheels, of which it is only
necessary that one pair should be constructed, arranged and connected to the
body of the vehicle in the manner above described.
I wish it also to be understood that I do not limit myself to the particular type
or arrangement of engine and boiler shown in the drawings, and the engine
need not of necessity be a steam engine, nor do I wish to limit myself to the
type or shape of the road vehicle, which as shown in the drawings is made with
a cart body, but a lurry or other shape of body may be employed according to
the loads intended to be generally carried by the vehicle.
Lastly I wish it also to be understood, that I do not limit myself to the
particular means described and shown for:-
Locking the vehicle and engine wheels together.
Controlling the tipping, tilting or drawing back of the vehicle.
Adjusting the centre of gravity of the vehicle with respect to the axis of its
wheels.
And for transforming part of the load of the road vehicle to the driving wheels
of the engine.
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. In connection with road engines, the combination therewith of a road vehicle
carried wholly or partly on a pair of road wheels of substantially the same
diameter as the road driving wheels of the engine, the inside width over the road
wheels of the vehicle being very slightly greater than the outside width of the
road driving wheels of the engine, and means for locking the adjoining wheels
of the engine and vehicle together, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
2. The combination with a road engine having the axles of the road driving
wheels carried in bearings in an elongated rearward extension of the side plates
of the fire-box shell, of a road vehicle carried partly or wholly on a pair of road
wheels of substantially the same diameter as the driving wheels of the engine,
by means of side brackets, the inside width between the wheels of the vehicle
being slightly greater than the outside width over the wheels of the engine,
and means for locking the adjoining wheels of the engine and vehicle together,
so that the said wheels of the vehicle are rotated directly from the driving
wheels of the engine.
3. In connection with the subject matter of Claims 1 and 2 the construction
of road vehicle characterized by side brackets attached to said vehicle provided
with fixed inwardly projecting studs forming separate axles for the two road
wheels respectively, the inside ends of the studs being respectively flush or just
within the plane of the inside edge of the wheels of the vehicle. substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 3rd day of March 1890
J. CLARK JEFFERSON, F.I.P.A.,
30, Park Row, Leeds, Agent for Applicant.