Improvements in Shafts for Carriages and other Vehicles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Mar., 1896-Accepted, 9th May, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Shafts for Carriages and other Vehicles.
!, MARIE FRANÇOIS JULES WILLEMIN, of 33 Rue des Bourdonnais, Paris, in
the Republic of France, Landlord, 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 :-
My invention relates to an unbreakable shaft for carriages and other vehicles
characterized by the application of a kind of joint enabling the shaft to fold in the
vertical direction without breaking when the horse falls.
In order that my invention may be properly understood I have represented the
same by way of example in the accompanying drawing;
Figure 1 is a plane partly in section showing the complete device.
Figure 2 is a vertical section of the same.
Figure 3 shows the device applied to a shaft.
In these figures similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts.
My device comprises in principle two sleeves or sockets a b'secured by means of
lugs c and screws or bolts to the parts de of the shaft.
Each of the sleeves or sockets a b has an interior shoulder fupon which bears a
helical spring g traversed by a bolt & articulated at i in a fork k.
This fork is provided with two studs engaging with corresponding recesses
or holes formed in the sleeves or sockets a b.
Upon each of the springs g is placed a disc or washer m held by a nut n.
From this it will be readily understood that the parts de of the shaft, being fitted
in the sleeves or sockets a b and united in the manner set forth, constitute an
absolutely rigid shaft.
If through any cause the horse falls, the weight of his body will force the part d
of the shaft to bear upon the ground, whilst the part e under this pressure will
turn about the axis i, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 3. During this time
the spring 9 will be compressed, and as soon as the animal rises again the part e
of the shaft, under the action of this spring, will return to its original position.
If the part d of the shaft is raised, instead of lowered, the part e thereof will be
lowered; this movement of the part e of the shaft in the two directions is represented
in dotted lines in Figure 2..
It follows from this arrangement that if the animal falls, no matter in what
position he may lie on the shaft, the latter will not be broken.
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 :-
(1.) An unbreakable shaft for carriages and other vehicles consisting of sleeves
or sockets a fitted upon the parts de of the said shaft, connected by a fork k
provided with bolts h traversing springs g pressed against the shoulders f by means
of discs or washers m and nuts n as described.
(2.) The improved shaft arranged and combined as represented in the accom-
panying drawing for the purpose specified.
Dated this 10th day of Maral 1800
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.