A New or Improved Apparatus for Stopping and Starting Road.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Oct., 1894-Accepted, 17th Nov., 1894
COMPLETE SEEGIN LOGA ETON.
A New or Improved Apparatus for Stopping and Starting Road.
Vehioles.
1 CHARLES DAVIES VAUGHAN Breinton House, Breinton, Hereford, Lieutenant,
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 an apparatus to be fitted to omnibuses, tram-cars,
carriages, and other road vehicles, and is intended to provide a device which will
stop the vehicle when required, and will store up the energy obtained from the
impetus and utilise it for starting.
In carrying out my invention, I fix on the hubs of the two rear wheels a pair of
toothed wheels preferably of different diameters, and two separate toothed wheels
on each side, one of which gears into one of the wheels on the hub; the other
wheel of the separate pair is on a loose bearing.
Underneath the middle of the vehicle, is fixed a strong box containing four
strong spiral springs, or any other convenient number. The front end of this box
is open, and provided with a separate cover or plate, against which the springs
"bear. A cross arm fixed to this plate extends from one side of the carriage to the
other, and is provided with an arm at each end hinged or pivoted to it. These
arms are provided with a rack at top and bottom for part of their length, and are.
adapted to engage with the toothed wheels above described.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had to
the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which Fig. 1 shows the apparatus partly
in section and partly in side elevation, fitted to the bottom and wheel of the
vehicle, Fig. 2 is a plan, partly in section and Fig. 3 shows the treadle used by
the driver for operating the mechanism.
A metal box A is fixed to the bottom of the vehicle B at the middle, which is
commonly, in the case of omnibuses, at a lower level than the side portions.
This box is made of cast iron of considerable strength, in order to withstand the
strain put upon it, and is bolted to the vebicle with stays a on each side. In one
end of the box A is placed the plate C closing the open end of the box, and within
the box are fitted the springs D four of which are shown, two at each side,
bearing against the plate C. To this plate is fitted the cross bar E extending
across the lower part of the vehicle, and having the longitudinal rods F hinged
to it at e at each end. The box A is provided with a slot a on each side,
permitting the arm E to move in it, and the plate C to slide in the box and
compress the springs. The rods F are provided with the racks ff¹ on top and
bottom respectively; these gear into the arrangement fitted to the rear wheels of
the vehicle. On the hub of the wheel at each side, are fixed the two toothed
wheels G G the latter being preferably of smaller diameter than the former.
The wheel G gears. into the separate cog-wheel. H carried by the frame / bolted
to the vehicle at the side, which, as above stated, is generally made at a higher
level than the central part. This frame also carries the loose toothed wheel H¹
which is free to revolve in either direction, and serves as a support for the rod F
which runs upon it, and it is also made of a width equal to the combined width of
the wheels G and G'.
+
The rods F are operated by means of the chain or lice J passing over the
pulleys and connected to the lever arm';'. A lever bears against the outer side

page_text: of the rod, so that when the line is pulled, the rod will be moved towards the
centre, and into the position shown in Fig. 2. A small spring is fitted to the
frame bears on the inner side of the rod, and presses it when released into
the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.
The line J is operated by means of the pedal K fitted to the footboard k of the
vehicle, at one side, so that on the driver pressing down the pedal the line will be
pulled. A small catch is fitted on the footboard, which holds the pedal in its
lower position, retaining it until released by the driver. To stop the vehicle the
pedal is released, and the springs force the rods F into the dotted position,
causing the racks to engage with the wheels G which draw the rods back with the
plate C compressing the springs in the box A. Fig. 2 shows the plate and cross
arm in this position in dotted lines. The vehicle is thus rapidly drawn to a stand-
still, and the power required to stop it is stored in the springs. To start the
yehicle again the pedal is pressed down, which moves the arms F back, causing
the racks to engage with the wheel H which gears into G'. The racks will thus
tend to turn the vehicle wheels in the opposite direction with considerable force,
and will start the vehicle again.
When the rods have come to the end of their stroke, they have passed the
wheels H, and consequently permit them to revolve freely as the vehicle proceeds.
The ends of the rods remain in line with the wheels G a little to one side.
As applied to tram-cars, instead of the pedal arrangement shown in Fig. 3, a
simple device of a like nature worked by hand is employed.
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 [
claim is :-
(1.) In an improved apparatus for stopping and starting vehicles, the com-
bination with a box provided with springs, a sliding plate in the said box fixed to
a cross arm, rods connected to the cross arm at each end, and formed with racks,
of toothed wheels arranged on the hub of the vehicle wheels, with which the racks
gear, arranged to move in two directions substantially as described and for the
purposes specified.
(2.) In an improved apparatus for stopping and starting vehicles the com-
bination with a box having springs, a sliding plate in the said box, a cross bar
fixed to the plate and rods with rack, hinged to the cross bars, of two cog wheels
on the hub of the vehicle wheel, and a frame carrying two additional wheels,, one
gearing into one of the wheels on the hub, the racks being engaged alternately
with the two sets, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
(3.) In an improved apparatus for stopping and starting vehicles, the com-
bination with two toothed wheels fixed on the hubs of the vehicle wheels, and two
separate wheels carried by a frame, one of which gears into one of the hub wheels,
of a box fixed nuder the vehicle carrying a set of springs, and provided with a
elot at each side, a plate sliding in the said box, a cross arm fixed to the plate,
and two rods hinged at the ends of the cross arm, and provided with top and
bottom racks, capable of moving sideways, and engaging with either of the two
Bets of toothed wheels substantially as and for the purposes specified.
(4.) In an improved apparatus for stopping and starting vehicles the com-
bination with two toothed wheels on the hubs of the vehicle wheels, and two
additional wheels carried by the frame at each side, one of which gears into one
of the hub wheels, of a box carrying a set of springs and formed with a slot at
each side, a plate sliding in the said box, a cross arm fixed to the plate, a rod
hinged to each end of the cross arm provided with a rack, and engaging with
either of the two sets of toothed wheels, a spring bearing on each rod and means
for operating the rods in a transverse direction, and causing them to engage with.
and disengage from the toothed wheels, substantially as and for the purposes
specified.

page_text: (5.) An improved apparatus for starting and stopping vehicles constructed and
operated substantially as described and shown in the accompanying drawings, and
for the purposes specified.
Dated this 15th day of October 1894
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.