Improvements in or connected with Self-propelled Vehioles.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Nov., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 13th Aug., 1960-Accepted, 20th Oct., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Self-propelled Vehioles.
1, HENRY WILCKE, of 70, Brainard Street, Tue Brook, Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention has reference, more particularly, to self-propelled vehicles
for use on common roads, and more especially to such of this class of vehicles
which carry loads of considerable weight, that is to say, other than mere light
vehicles. it has, however, also reference to self-propelled vehicles for carrying
heavy passenger traffic on common roads, and also street or road railways and
the like.
For convenience the invention will be first described as applied to the hauling
or carrying of goods on common roads. According to this invention, as applied
to this purpose, the object has been mainly to provide a means of transport by
which heavy loads of goods can be sent comparatively long distances with
economy; and also to provide such an arrangement and construction of rolling
stock or apparatus which can be manoeuvred and worked with ease and precision.
According to this invention, the rolling stock or vehicle comprises a platform
at each end, each of which is mounted upon or supported from the road by a
single pair of wheels in the centre, longitudinally of it; and in connection with
the axle trees or axles of these platforms or wheels, there is provided a separate
and lower frame in the inner half of the two platforms; and these frames or
platforms carry the machinery, that is the motor, which drive the road wheels by
suitable gearing. Hence the machinery or the engines, and the respective main
axles of the road wheels of each vehicle or part are practically rigid in relation
to each other; and hence a mechanical efficiency of the motor and gearing of a
high order is provided, and its liability to abnormal wear and loss of efficiency
is avoided.
Between these two platforms and frames, constituting the carriages, there is a
third carriage, carrying the steam generator for supplying the engines with
Bleam. This boiler is mounted on two sets of wheels, and the under frames of
the two other carriages are connected to this middle power carriage by a suit-
able joint, so that the three vehicles or carriages together form an articulated
frame or rolling stock. The joints may be provided with a slot, or one of them
may be, to avoid the whole load coming on the motor at once, and to facilitato
starting.
In lieu of a steam generator being employed, electric storage cells may be
carried by this central power carriage.
Then above, a platform is provided for the steersman:
and the steering
is effected by moving one or other of the pairs of wheels supporting the power
carriage, depending upon which direction the vehicle is going. The other pair
of such wheels not being operated, will be held in a stationary position. On the
lower carriage platform, the stoker or driver will stand.

page_text: The platforms for carrying the loads are steadied by a connection with the
under frame, which prevents them from tipping in either direction; and this
connection may be rigid more or less, or effected through a spring, to give or
provide a cushioning effect, or elastic connection.
By this arrangement and construction of machinery, the objects and effects
above referred to are obtained, and a vehicle or rolling stock is provided which is
well adapted for the purpose, and capable of being maneuvred or worked with the
greatest precision and ease; and also well adapted as a substitute for hauling and
manoeuvreing, and working by horses.
In the application of the invention to heavy passenger traffic, a carriage of any
suitable kiud with inside and outside passengers, or otherwise for passengers,
would be substituted for the load platforms above referred to; whilst the power
generator, namely, the boiler or storage colls, is or are arranged on an extension
of one of the under frames of the vehicle, on a space provided between the two
vehicle bodies; and this extended part of the under frume will be supported by a
pair of wheels, which will constitute the steering wheels of the vehicle. One end
of this extension will be secured by a hinged joint or pin with the end of the
under frame of the other vehicle. The driving machinery will be similarly placed
on the under frames as above described, and also the cars may be supported and
kept in a horizontal position by supports extending between the bodies of the
vehicle, and the under frames, similarly as above referred to.
In this case, the steersman and driver will preferably stand on an end plat-
form, and operate the steering wheels from this position.
Each end of the
vehicle as a whole may be similarly provided with a platform and steering and
driving gear, so that it can be worked from either end.
As a modification of the above, in respect of the under frames, these frames
may be extended towards the outer end of the vehicle or carriages, and the upper
load platforms supported or steadied from these extended portions, in a similar
or equivalent manner as that above described.
Doted this 11th dor of November 1800
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
Applicant's Patent Agents, 15, Water Street, Liverpool.
Improvements in or connected with Self-propelled Vehicles.
I, HENRY WILCKE, of 70, Brainard Street, Tuoe Brook, Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, Engineer, 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:-
According to this invention, the object has been mainly to provide a new and
improved means of transport by which heavy loads can be sent comparatively long
distances on common roads with increased economy, and also to provide such
new arrangements and improved construction of rolling stock or apparatus as can
enable them to be maneuvred and worked with greater ease and precision than
hitherto.
To solve this, I construct the rolling stock or transport apparatus preferably
80 as to have a steering axle with its two wheels, which I call the steering por-
tion, between two other axle trees, each resting on a pair of wheels, and carry-
ing a separate upper portion, which in substance and construction are according
to requirements suitable to carry loads goods or passengers as may be desired;

page_text: each of such upper portion with its axle and wheels I call a carrying portion of
the apparatus; both sets being provided with driving machinery.
The steering portion may consist of a separate carriage; in such case the two
outer or load-carrying portions are connected by suitable joints one at each end
with the steering portion which is always in the middle of or between the load
carrying portions; so that the two outer portions can swing partly round the
steering portion and thus adjust themselves to the unevennesses of the road, or
in other ways independently of one another.
In another arrangement the steering axle or its connection may be rigidly
fixed to one of the load carrying axles, and thus a single earringe be formed con-
taining both steering portion and load by itself; the steering portion of this may
be hinged by suitable joints to another single axled lond carrying portion. By
this construction heavy loads can be easily maneuvred.
Besides this, the invention refers to the peculiar construction of each vehicle
forming the apparatus:-thus the rolling stock in one form, comprises a load-
carrying platform at each end, each platform being mounted upon, or supported
from the road by, a single axle having a pair of wheels in or near the middle
or centre of the platform; and in connection with the axle trees or axles of these
platforms there is provided a separate and lower frame or platform which carries
the machinery for driving the axles or road wheels by suitable gearing. Hence
the machinery, or the engines, and the respective main axles of the road wheels
of each vehicle, or part, are practically rigid in relation to each other; and
therefore a mechanical efficiency of motor and gearing of a high order is pro-
vided, and liability to abnormal wear and loss of power avoided.
The platforms for carrying the loads are steadied by loose connection with the
under frames, which prevents the platforms from tipping in either direction.
This construction allows the weight of the entire load to be made use of for
forcing the driving wheels upon the ground and effecting the required friction
for propulsion; whilst the steering portion is relieved as much as possible, being
perhaps loaded only by the boiler or part of the propelling machinery.
The steering portion preferably carries the steam generator which supplies
power to each of the outer driving and load carrying axles.
In lieu of a steam generator being employed, electricity or any other suitable
motive power may be used and preferably be placed upon the steering portion or
lower platform as herein mentioned.
The invention will be described with the aid of the accompanying drawings.
In these drawings,
Figure 1 is a side elevation shewing rolling stock according to the invention;
and Figure 2 is a side elevation shewing a modified construction of same.
The rolling stock consists of a vehicle having two platforms a a', one at each
end, each of which is mounted or supported from the road by a single pair of road
wheels b in the centre, longitudinally, of such platform; and in connection with
the axles or axlo-trees c of the wheels b, there is provided a separate and lower
framed, under the inner half of the two platforms. On these frames & the motor
machinery is mounted and carried; and this machinery consists of a steam engine e,
and toothed gearing of any suitable known kind, driven from the engine c and
The
meshing with a toothed circular rack fl on each of the road wheels b.
wheels of the gearing which mesh with aud drive the road wheel racks fl
are mounted on a secondary shaft f, supported in bearings fixed on the under
frame d. The platforms a al are steadied from the frame d, by bars g, coupling
them together, so that the platforms are prevented from tipping up in either
direction; and this coupling may be provided with more or less play, or through
a spring to provide non-rigid or elastic connection. The connection between the
axles and the carriage platform is through springs a, the centres of which are
connected rigidly with the axles, and their ends with the beams a³ of the platforms.
Between the two platforms a a¹, and their respective lower frames d, constitut-
ing together two carriages, there is a third carriage h, carrying the steam gene-

page_text: rator for supplying the two steam engines e with steam, being the steam
supply pipes. The carriage or platform his mounted on two pairs of wheels j,
each of which pairs is adapted to be moved out of the vertical longitudinal plane
of the carriages for steering, this being effected in any of the well known ways
common in motor vehicles or traction engines. Only one pair of these wheels
may be moved at a time, or both pairs may be moved; and as these wheels are
moved in one direction or the other, the vehicles will all turn or maneuvre one
way or the other. This steering is effected preferably from an upper platform ²,
about the steam generator i.
To the vehicles the two frames d are connected by a loose joint or hinge k;
and about these hinges the three vehicles can move in relation to each other.
This hinge serves as a coupling and also as a means of preventing the frames d
from moving up and down at this end; and the three pairs d, d, h, constitute
an articulated frame. The joints or hinges are, in some cases, provided with a
slot, or one of them is, in order to avoid the whole load coming on the motors at
once; and so facilitate starting.
By this construction of rolling stock the whole of the load placed on the carry-
ing platforms a a' come upon their respective driving road wheels b; and conse-
quently the tractive or driving wheels are pressed onto the surface of the road,
which constitutes the tractive or reactive surface, exactly in proportion to the
weight of the load, so that slipping of the driving or tractive wheels is avoided;
whilst the steering wheels are relieved from the load, and are pressed on only
by the weight of the boiler i upon them.
Then as regards the propelling machinery, it is bedded firmly in the under
frames d, and the axles c being also fixed on theso irames, rigidity between the
machinery and the driving wheels b, is provided, and a true and smooth running
gearing, with little iriction is afforded.
In the modification shewn in Figure 2, the part hon which the boiler ¹ is
mounted is rigidly connected with or forms part of the under frame d; und only
one pair of supporting wheels are employed to support it from the road. This
pair of wheels are the steering wheels of the carriage, and are moved in any
suitable known way, as above described.
The couplings or hinges & are preferably made in the form of a joint of any
known suitable kind, so that the frame d', and the carriage platiorm muny
move independently, or in relation to each other, in the horizontal plane, and
so avoid any straining of these parts on this plane, due to uneveunesses in the
road surface over which they are travelling.
In lieu of steam being the motive power employed, compressed air or electricity
may be used; in which latter case, storage cells would be used on the platform h,
while the electric motor would be fixed in the under frames d, and operate on
the driving wheels 6 similarly as the engines c, or in any known suitable way.
In the case of the rolling stock or vehicles being for carrying passengers instead
of goods, the car bodies would be mounted on the platforms a a', or beams a³;
but otherwise, the construction will be substantially the same as that above
described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. In self-propelled rolling stock or vehicles for use on common roads, the com-
bination of a steering axle or steering portion in common to and between two
non-steering carrying axles with their respective wheels, called the carrying
portion, both of which carrying portions, with their platforms, are arranged with
driving machinery; the steering portion and carrying portion being so connected
with each other that the outer axles with their wheels and loads can swing partly
round the steering portion and adjust themselves independent of one another;
thus ensuring case certainty and precision of manœuvring.

page_text: 2. In self-propelled rolling stock or vehicles for use on common roads as herein
set forth, motive power, in case of steam, to be supplied to both carrying por-
tions from one boiler in common.
3. In self-propelled rolling stock or vehicles for use on common roads as
herein set forth, the arrangement of two load carrying platforms or frames, each
carried or supported in or near its center by a single axle having a pair of wheels
Beneath each of these platforms is another separate frame or platform resting
with one end upon the steering portion, the other being connected rigidly with
the carrying axle: upon this lower platform the motor machinery is fixed and
arranged so as to directly genr into the gearing fixed on the axle or on the respec-
tive wheels.
4. In self-propelled rolling stock and vehicles for use on common roads, having
one or two load-carrying platforms, each being carried by a single axle having
a pair of wheels and having another separate platform or fraine beneath. the
connection between the upper and lower platform by a support with play in it
for preventing the upper or load-carrying platform from tilting
5. In self-propelled rolling stock or vehicles for use on common roads, the com-
bination of a platform for carrying the load, supported by a single pair of wheels
at or near the centre, being the propelling wheels, and adapted to receive and
carry the load, a frame below said platform rigidly fixed to the axle, and carry-
ing the motor machinery; and a front extended portion of the lower frame sup-
ported by wheels, constituting the steering wheels, and carrying the generator:
substantially as set forth.
Dated this 11th day of August 1900
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
Applicant's Patent Agents, 15, Water Street, Liverpool.