Year: 1887

page_text: We, WILLIAM STOBBS, and EDWARD LLEWELLYN WHITE, both of No. 222 Deptford
Lower Road, London S.E. Domestic Engineers, and WILLIAM BULLARD of No. 45A
Market Street Manchester, Cigar Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
5 and ascertained in and by the following statement :—
"
Our invention has reference mainly to the foundational Patent of William Stobbs,
and Edward Llewellyn White, No. 6068 of 1885, and also in some degree to their
Specifications numbered respectively 11793, 12748, and 13281 of 1886, for which
Provisional Protection has been granted, and may be comprised under two heads, the
first of which relates to the construction of the Toboggan sledge or "Toboggan," and
the second to the method we adopt for ensuring straight steering, as also for keeping
the steering wheel or wheels in a central position.
Under the first head or feature of our invention; we adopt, in the construction of
the "Toboggan," the same form generally as mentioned in the Specification of the
Patent first above referred to, and insert into the sides of the "Toboggan," small
wheels or rollers, made of metal, wood or other suitable material, and tyred with
rubber, vulcanised fibre or other soft or resilient and comparatively noiseless substance.
The object of these laterally placed wheels or rollers, is to reduce to a minimum the
friction, and consequent reduction of speed caused by the "Toboggans" coming into
contact with, and bearing against or hugging the dividing ridges in their descent
down the inclined plane. The wheels of the "Toboggans" are also tyred with rubber,
or other suitable material for the purpose of reducing the noise when travelling.
At both the front and rear ends of the "Toboggans i are fitted buffers of any
suitable design and construction, forined preferably of rubber or equivalent resilient
substance, for the purpose of reducing the shock consequent either on one or more
Toboggans" colliding, or on coming into contact with a fixed obstruction.
33
At the rear end of the "Toboggan" is fitted a back rest A Figures 1 and 6 sheet 1,
shaped or formed with a due regard to the comfort of the steerer, and between the said
back rest and the end board of the frame work of the "Toboggan "is arranged the
steering gear as hereinafter referred to,

page_text: In the Specification No. 6068 of 1885 hereinbefore referred to, the steering is effected
at the front part of the "Toboggan," but in accordance with our present invention, we
effect the steering at the rear, by either of the following methods. Thus, on referring
to Figures 1 and 2 sheet 1 of the accompanying drawings, which represent respectively
a plan view on top of a "Toboggan," and plan of the under part of same, it will be seen
that a spindle is fixed to the axle of the steering wheel or wheels terminating at its
upper end in a knob or ball 2, (see 1 Figure 6) in which is fitted a yoke or crossbar 3,
to the ends of which are attached the steering lines or ropes 4, said lines or ropes
being passed through holes or tubes formed in the back rest aforesaid, or if desired the
ropes may be carried through rings along the sides of the "Toboggan," so that the
steering could be effected by any of the riders.
On the right hand of the "Toboggans," are fixed at suitable intervals upright
standards 7 terminating in handles, and having their lower ends loosely pinned to a
linked, or solid rod or shaft, connected with the crossbar attached to the spindle of the
steering wheels; see Figure 7 and 7" sheet 1, where is the linked rod or shaft
aforesaid. Now, by pushing the standards 7 forward the wheels are turned in one
direction, and when brought backwards from the vertical position, the wheels are
turned in the opposite direction; the said steering wheels being straight when the
standards are in a vertical position. At Figures 4 and 5 sheet 1, is illustrated a modifi-
cation of the arrangement last above described, in which, at the lower end of the
standard is fixed a geared wheel 5 which works upon a rod 6 also geared, the steering
wheels being deflected from their normal position by rotating the handles, either from
right to left, or from left to right.
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On the left of the "Toboggan we also fix standards, 7a terminating in handles,
and corresponding in position to the steering standards 7, but having no other
function than that of enabling the rider to steady himself whilst travelling, and in a
minor degree to maintain uniformity in the appearance of the "Toboggan."
In order the more effectually to ensure straight steering, we make use of springs of
various forms and designs, as illustrated in sheet 2 of the accompanying drawings;
but, instead of arranging the said springs to exert a pressure upon the axle of the
steering wheels, we utilise the pull thereof, as we find in practice, as regards bow
springs, that constant pressure, combined with variation of temperature, tends to cause
the springs to open out," necessitating their being set up" from time to time,
whereas, when the pull is utilised, the springs are maintained at a nearly uniform
tension.
Figures 1 to 8 Sheet 2 of the accompanying drawings illustrates some of the
methods which we adopt in carrying out the last referred to part of our invention.
Figure 1 represents two coiled springs having elongated ends connected to the cross-
bar of the spindle by means of bands, rods, or other suitable devices, and exerting an
equal pull upon either end of the cross bar aforesaid, maintaining the steering wheels
in a perfectly straight position.
In Figure 2 sheet 2, a bow spring is represented, exerting an equal pull on both
sides of the cross bar. Figure 3 sheet 2, shows two spiral springs, also exerting an
equal pull upon the two ends of the cross bar, said spiral springs are compressed
springs, but open springs may be used with equal advantage, the pull in such latter
case being exerted from the outer ends of the springs. At Figure 4 sheet 2, is shown
a horseshoe or fork spring, the two arms of which exert an equal pressure upon a
spindle having at a an elongated oval shaped boss with squared sides. Near the fixed
end, and outside of the said horseshoe or fork spring are provided two set screws, for
the purpose of keeping the arms at a uniform tension. Another form of this last
last mentioned spring is shown at Figure 5 sheet 2, in which the arms are fixed further
apart, so as to exert a pull upon the spindle and the adjusting screws would in such
latter case be fitted within said arms. Figure 6 sheet 2 illustrates a system of two
double bow springs, and Figure 7 sheet 2 one double bow spring, pivotted as shown.
We may also use two C springs as shown at Figure 8 sheet 2. Instead of springs
however, we may use pads of caoutchouc or other resilient material. We wish it to
be understood that we do not limit ourselves to any special form or make of spring,

page_text: but adopt any spring, the pull of which is, or can be made adaptable to the special
device in accordance with our invention. Further, instead of employing a bogie at
one end only of the "Toboggan," we may employ one at each end.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we claim is :-
:-
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Firstly In a "Toboggan" the arrangement of a back rest shaped or formed with
a due regard to the comfort of the steerer, fitted at the rear end of the "Toboggan
substantially as herein described and illustrated at Figures 1 and 6 sheet of the
accompanying drawings.
Secondly The introduction of small wheels or rollers into the sides of the bogie
frame substantially as herein set forth and shown in Figures 1. 2. 3. 6 and 7. Sheet 1
of the accompanying drawings.
Thirdly The buffing device for lessening the shock consequent on the Toboggans
colliding or coming into contact with a fixed obstruction, substantially as herein
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Fourthly The method which we adopt in fixing the steering wheel or wheels at
the rear of the Toboggans" substantially as herein described and set forth.
::
Fifthly The particular method of ensuring straight steering as identified in
Figures 1 to 8, Sheet 2 of the accompanying drawings substantially as herein described
and set forth.
Sixthly The employment of a bogie at each end of a "Toboggan " substantially
as herein set forth.