Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Aug., 1887
Complete Specification Left, 11th May, 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 11th Aug., 1888
I THOMAS CHARLTON of Haddrick's Mill Gosforth in the County of Northumber-
land Miller do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object the application of a lever to the axle of a Tram
Car or other Vehicle immediately the motive power commences to operate producing
an increase of power which facilitates the starting of such Vehicle.
According to this Invention the pair of wheels of the Tram Car or other
Vehicle to which the invention is to be applied must be connected together by an
Axle that rotates with them.
There is fixed by keys or otherwise to the axle preferably at a point half way
between the two wheels a ratchet which revolves with the axle.
A lever with a pawl is fitted to the axle so as to operate effectively upon the
ratchet. The lever extends backwards horizontally (about) and when being raised it
operates through the pawl and ratchet upon the axle causing it to revolve.
There is attached to the end of the lever or at any suitable point a wire rope or
chain which is led upwards perpendicularly through a sheave fixed to the bottom of
the Tram Car or other Vehicle and then along under the bottom of such Vehicle
and then firmly attached to the drawbar next hereinafter described, or connected with
the swingle trees.
The drawbar is a wide bar made of iron or other metal free to slide backwards and
forwards within certain limits in a box fixed to the framework on the underside of
the front platform of such Vehicle. The front portion of the drawbar projects beyond
the front of such Vehicle and to it is attached a vertical rod of iron or other metal
sufficiently strong to bear the weight and strain of the Pole. Suitable stops are
adjusted to define the limits within which the drawbar is to be free to slide. When
the drawbar is used the swingle trees are presumed to be fixed to the pole and the
motive power is presumed to be applied through the attachment of the pole to the
drawbar. When the drawbar is dispensed with the pole is attached to a support in
the front of the Vehicle and is so arranged as to admit of the rope or chain aforesaid
being led through sheaves fixed to the front of the car and the end of the pole and
then attached to the swingle trees.

page_text: An arrangement of a lever and chain attached to the Pawl will allow of the Pawl
being thrown out of gear when the motion of such Vehicle is to be reversed and also
admit of the application of the Invention to each end of such Vehicle.
A suitable weight attached to the end of the lever or spring operating upon the
drawbar can be arranged to bring the apparatus into the most favourable position for
operating when the motive power may be relaxed.
This Invention is applicable to any Tram Car or other Vehicle running on two pair
or more of wheels whether on rails or otherwise and is particularly useful in
facilitating the starting thereof through the increased power gained by the lever
herein before described and in saving wear and tear in the horses or other motive power
employed.
Dated this 11th dov of Angust 1807

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Starting and Restarting Tram Cars
and other Vehicles.
I, THOMAS CHARLTON of Haddrick's Mill Gosforth in the County of Northumber-
land Miller do hereby declare the nature of said 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 has for its object the application of a lever to the Axle of a Tram
Car or other Vehicle in the manner hereinafter described and so as to facilitate the
starting of such Vehicle.
According to this Invention the pair of wheels of the Tram Car or other Vehicle
to which the Invention is to be applied must be connected together by an axle that
rotates with them.
There is fixed by Keys or otherwise to the axle preferably at a point half way
between the two wheels a ratchet which revolves with the axle.
A lever with a pawl is fitted to the axle so as to operate effectively upon the ratchet.
The lever extends backwards horizontally (about) and when being raised it operates
through the pawl and ratchet upon the axle causing it to revolve.
There is attached to the end of the lever or at any suitable point a wire rope or
chain which is led upwards perpendicularly through a sheave fixed to the bottom of
the Tram Car or other Vehicle and then along under the bottom of such Vehicle and
then firmly attached to the drawbar next hereinafter described or connected with the
swingle trees.
The drawbar is a wide bar made of iron or other metal free to slide backwards and
forwards within certain limits in a box fixed to the framework on the underside of
the front platform of such Vehicle. The front portion of the drawbar projects beyond
the front of such Vehicle and to it is attached a vertical rod of iron or other metal
sufficiently strong to bear the weight and strain of the Pole, suitable stops are adjusted
to define the limits within which the drawbar is to be free to slide.
When the drawbar is used the swingle trees are presumed to be fixed to the poles
and the motive power is presumed to be applied through the attachment of the pole
to the drawbar. When the drawbar is dispensed with the Pole is attached to a support
in the front of the vehicle and is so arranged as to admit of the rope or chain aforesaid
being led through sheaves fixed to the front of the Car and the end of the Pole and
then attached to the swingle trees.
An arrangement of a lever and chain attached to the Pawl will allow of the Pawl
being thrown out of gear when the motion of such Vehicle is reversed and also admit
of the application of the Invention to each end of such Vehicle.
A suitable weight attached to the end of the lever or a spring operating upon the
drawbar can be arranged to bring the apparatus into the most favourable position for
operating when the motive power may be relaxed.
This Invention is applicable to any Tram Car or other Vehicle running on two
pair or more of wheels whether on rails or otherwise and is particularly useful
in facilitating the starting thereof.

page_text: -
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS..
Figure 1 shews in half plan the axles and wheels of a four wheeled car the body
of car being removed. Figure 2 shews a sectional side elevation with the apparatus
in position for starting the car in the direction of the arrow and Figure 3 shews the
apparatus on the leading axle A in the position it assumes after the car has started.
A A¹ are the axles on which are keyed the ratchet wheels B B¹ which are made in
halves. CC are the levers formed double with keeps or clips to embrace the axle on
each side of the ratchet wheel and to receive the pawls D D¹ which work
freely between the jaws to engage with, or disengage from, the teeth of the ratchet
wheels.
"
The outer ends of the levers carry balance weights E E¹ to bring them back to their
acting position and from points F F chain or wire cords G G pass upward, over
sheaves H H¹ and are attached to rods J J' which extend to each end of the car and
have there an adjustable connection with a drawbar K working in a box L secured to
the structure of the car and which bolt is either attached to or forms part of the yoke
piece M to which the horses are attached. By means of a collar N on the drawbar K
the travel of the lever and pawl, and consequently of the wheels of the car in starting,
may be adjusted and being reached, and the car in motion, the traction of the horses
is exerted upon the collar N. When this point is reached the pawl D (see Figure 3)
is thrown back clear of the teeth of the ratchet wheel B by contact with the tappet
and so remains till the car is stopped when the weight on lever C brings it back to the
position shewn on Figure 2. and the pawl being released from the tappet again engages
with the teeth of the ratchet wheel ready to operate to restart the car. In some cases,
as where the car is on very high wheels, especially in many reversible cars, the
rods J J may be attached direct to the points FF' of the levers C C which will then
be inclined upward toward the bottom of the car without the intervention of the
chains G G carried around the guide sheaves H H¹.
In order to ensure the "pawls" D D engaging with the ratched wheels and also
enable either "pawl" to operate or both to be disengaged a spring PP' is fitted under
the tail of each of the "pawls" tending always to force the pawl into gear with the
teeth of the ratchet wheels B B and wire, cord or chains QQ lead from the points
of the pawls over guides R R¹ to an arm S working on a centre T under the bottom
of car on the projecting end of which is a handle U by moving which into one or the
other extreme position the conductor puts one or the other pawl into gear or in the
middle position moves both out of contact with the teeth of the ratchet wheels.
In reversible cars the yoke piece M the drawbar K and box L need be only on
one end, the bolt which connects the rod J only requiring to be taken out and inserted
into the other rod J¹.
It may in some cases when a pole is used be necessary to provide for drawing back
the pole when the car stops so as to allow the lever C to fall into the proper position
for the pawl D to engage with the ratchet wheel B ready to restart the car. This I
propose to effect by attaching a cord or chain V to the brake spindle W leading round
sheaves XX and attached to the rod J so that the turning of the spindle W to apply
the brakes will wind the cord upon it and so pull back the drawbar K yoke piece M
and the pole.
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 :-
The apparatus for starting and restarting tram-cars and other vehicles constructed
and operating substantially as described and illustrated in the drawings annexed.
Dated the 10th of M... 1000