IMPROVEMENTS IN CAR STARTERS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, of the Firm of Harris
and Mills, of 23, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Patent
Agent, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CAR STARTERS." A com-
munication from abroad by Joseph Hill, of Williamsport, Lycoming
County, in the State of Pennsylvania, in the United States of America,
Manufacturer.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard
Mills at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th January 1880.
BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of the Firm of Harris and Mills, of 23,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN CAR STARTERS." A communication from abroad by Joseph Hill, of
Williamsport, Lycoming County, in the State of Pennsylvania, in the United
States of America, Manufacturer.
The Invention relates to that class of car starters for horse railroad cars wherein
a clutch or cam lever is brought into frictional contact with a drum or sleeve on
the car action by the forward movements of the draw bar; and its object is to
simplify the construction of such devices, and also to make them more durable and
effective in use, and capable of adjustment to change the starting power and the
movement of the device.
The Invention therein consists in interposing a ball held in a recess in the
working foot of the clutch lever, and between such lever and the contiguous
surfaces of the drum or sleeve, so that the wear in use will come principally upon
the ball, and when worn out, it can be replaced at a small cost without the
necessity of removing any other part of the device; also in the construction of the
friction drum or sleeve, and the loose collar surrounding the same, whereby they
can be readily attached to the axles of cars already in use, and can be easily
removed to renew the drum or sleeve, repair any of the parts, or for other
purposes; also in providing the loose collar with packing plates between its
meeting flanges for adjusting the size of the same; also in the combination of the
devices by which the clutch lever is brought into engagement with the drum or
sleeve; also in the devices by which the clutch lever is put in contact with the.
[Price 6d.1

page_text: drum or sleeve, or removed from such contact at the will of the driver; also in
providing the sliding draw-bar with an adjustable stop or keeper to lengthen or
shorten its movements and that of the clutch lever; and also in the various
combinations of the principal operative parts, all as more fully hereinafter described.
Near the centre of the axle of a car is placed a friction drum or sleeve made in
two parts with the ends or hubs of larger diameter than the central portion.
These hubs are provided with lugs on their meeting edges, through which bolts
are passed for securing the two parts of the drum together.
The hubs are further provided with screw threaded holes for receiving screw
bolts which rest against the car axle, and hold the drums securely thereon without
turning.
By these means the drum can be secured to the axle on a car in use, or easily
removed therefrom.
The central friction surface of the drum is provided with a friction groove in
which the ball which is interposed between the foot of the clutch lever and the
groove before mentioned works, giving thereby a better frictional contact, although
this groove is not essential.
The central portion of the drum or sleeve may be as large or larger in diameter
than the hubs, and the two parts of this drum or sleeve may be cast of any suitable
metal.
Over the centre of the drum or sleeve is placed a collar adapted to revolve
freely thereon, and cast in two parts or halves secured together by flanges and
bolts.
Between the flanges of this collar is placed any suitable packing or packing
plate which separates such flanges to a greater or less extent.
The purpose of this packing is by changing its thickness or removing it
altogether to adjust the size of the collar to the drum or sleeve so as to fit
sufficiently close thereon, and to lessen the size of the collar as the frictional
surfaces wear away.
This collar when placed upon the drum or sleeve of less diameter than its hubs
will occupy the space between the hubs, and thereby be prevented from lateral
movement, but where the centre of the drum or sleeve is as large or larger than
the diameter of the hubs, the collar should have dependent flanges fitting into
suitable grooves in the drum or sleeve.
This collar has a slot cut through it for the clutch lever to work in, and should
have lugs on each side of this slot in which the foot of the clutch lever is pivotted
by a suitable bolt, and convenient means may be adopted for changing the position
of this pivotal bolt to compensate for the wear of the frictional surfaces.
This clutch lever is preferably curved, and has a curved foot in which is made
an opening for the ball, hemispherical in form, but a little elongated in the
direction of the length of the lever, and in this recess the ball is placed when in
use. Upon the foot of this lever also are winged flanges which fit outside of the
lugs to the slot before mentioned, and through them passes the bolt which pivots
the foot of the lever in such slot.
To the free end of the clutch lever is secured a chain which passes up over a
pulley journalled in hangers secured to the bottom of the car body, and connected
with a rod which in turn is connected with the draw-bar.
When therefore there is a draught upon the draw-bar, the free end of the lever
is raised until the ball comes in engagement with the drum or sleeve, and then
such drum or sleeve is partly revolved, carrying with it the axle and the wheels of
the car, and starting the car forward with a slight exertion of force.
This forward movement of the draw-bar is limited by a suitable keeper or stop
capable of adjustment into the desired position, which allows the draw-bar to be
drawn forward the proper distance and no further.
After this force has been exerted upon the draw-bar, the same is retracted by
means of a chain fastened in an adjustable way to a point at or near the end of

page_text: the draw-bar, and at its other end to the end of a lever which is pivotted at one
end to the underside of the car body, and has about midway of its length a spiral
spring which exerts a pressure upon the lever by means of the chain to retract the
draw-bar.
Another chain secured to any convenient point upon the collar extends up over
a pulley journalled in proper hangers secured to the underside of the car body, and
is attached to a rod which in turn is attached to another chain, which last chain
passes over another pulley under the platform of the car, thence up through the
platform, and up against the dasher of the car within convenient reach of the
driver.
By raising this last mentioned chain, the collar and clutch lever are raised out of
frictional contact with the drum or sleeve, and the car is drawn along without any
action of the car starting apparatus.
This chain may be secured when thus raised on any hook or convenient device
attached to the dasher.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 10th July 1880.
BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of the Firm of Harris and Mills, of 23,
"IMPROVE
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent.
MENTS IN CAR STARTERS." A communication from abroad by Joseph Hill, of
Williamsport, Lycoming County, in the State of Pennsylvania, in the United
States of America, Manufacturer.
The Invention relates to that class of car-starters for horse rail-road cars wherein
a clutch or cam lever is brought into frictional contact with a drum or sleeve on
the car action by the forward movements of the draw-bar; and its object is to
simplify the construction of such devices, and also to make them more durable and
effective in use, and capable of adjustment to change the starting power and the
movement of the device.
The Invention therein consists in interposing a ball held in a recess in the
working foot of the clutch lever, and between such lever and the contiguous
surfaces of the drum or sleeve, so that the wear in use will come principally upon
the ball, and when worn out it can be replaced at a small cost without the
necessity of removing any other part of the device; also in the construction of
the friction drum or sleeve, and the loose collar surrounding the same, whereby
they can be readily attached to the axles of cars already in use, and can be easily
removed to renew the drum or sleeve, repair any of the parts, or for other purposes;
also in providing the loose collar with packing plates between its meeting flanges
for adjusting the size of the same; also in the combination of the devices by which
the clutch lever is brought into engagement with the drum or sleeve; also in the
devices by which the clutch lever is put in contact with the drum or sleeve, or
removed from such contact at the will of the driver; also in providing the sliding
draw-bar with an adjustable stop or keeper to lengthen or shorten its movements
and that of the clutch lever; and also in the various combinations of the principal
operative parts, all as more fully hereinafter described.
And in order that the said Invention may be more clearly understood and
readily carried into effect, I will proceed, aided by the accompanying Drawings,
fall to describe the came
Figure 1 is a plan view of the under side of one end of a car showing the devices
in connection with one of the axles of the car.
Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal central section of the parts shown in
Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a separate view of the clutch lever.
Like letters denote corresponding parts in each Figure.
In the Drawings A represents the axle of a car; near the centre of the same is
placed a friction drum or sleeve B made in two parts with the ends or hubs of
larger diameter than the central portion B'.
These hubs are provided with lugs on their meeting edges, through which bolts
are passed for securing the two parts of the drum together.
The hubs are further provided with screw threaded holes for receiving screw
bolts, which rest against the car axle and hold the drum securely thereon without
turning. By these means the drum can be secured to the axle on a car in use, or
easily removed therefrom.
The central friction surface of the drum is provided with a friction groove a in
which the ball which is interposed between the foot of the clutch lever and the

page_text: groove before mentioned works, giving thereby a better frictional contact, although
this groove is not essential.
The central portion of the drum or sleeve may be as large or larger in diameter
than the hubs, and the two parts of this drum or sleeve may be cast of any suitable
metal.
Over the centre of the drum or sleeve is placed the collar C adapted to
revolve freely thereon, and cast in two parts or halves, secured together by flanges
and bolts.
Between the flanges of this collar is placed any suitable packing or packing
plate a', which separates such flanges to a greater or less extent.
The purpose of this packing is, by changing its thickness or removing it
altogether, to adjust the size of the collar to the drum or sleeve so as to fit
sufficiently close thereon, and to lessen the size of the collar as the frictional
surfaces wear away.
This collar when placed upon the drum or sleeve of less diameter than its hubs,
will occupy the space between the hubs, and thereby be prevented from lateral
movement; but where the centre of the drum or sleeve is as large or larger than
the diameter of the hubs, the collar should have dependent flanges fitting into
suitable grooves in the drum or sleeve.
This collar has a slot cut through it for the clutch lever to work in, and should
have lugs on each side of this alot in which the foot of the clutch lever is pivoted
by a suitable bolt, and convenient means may be adopted for changing the
position of this pivotal bolt to compensate for the wear of the frictional surfaces.
This clutch lever D is preferably curved, as shown, and has a curved foot in
which is made an opening for the ball, hemispherical in form, but a little elongated
in the direction of the length of the lever, and in this recess the ball E is placed
when in use. Upon the foot of this lever also are winged flanges c which fit
outside of the lugs to the slot before mentioned, and through them passes the bolt
which pivots the foot of the lever in such slot.
To the free end fof the clutch lever is secured the chain F which passes up over
a pulley journaled in hangers secured to the bottom of the car body and connected
with a rod G, which in turn is connected with the draw-bar H.
When therefore there is a draught upon the draw-bar the free end of the lever
is raised until the ball E comes in engagement with the drum or sleeve, and then
such drum or sleeve is partly revolved, carrying with it the axle and the wheels of
the car, and starting the car forward with a slight exertion of force.
This forward movement of the draw-bar is limited by a suitable keeper or
stop H¹ capable of adjustment into the desired position, which allows the draw-bar
to be drawn forward the proper distance and no further.
After this force has been exerted upon the draw-bar the same is retracted by
means of a chain F¹ fastened in an adjustable way to a point at or near the end
of the draw-bar, and at its other end to the end of a lever I which is pivoted at
one end to the underside of the car body, and has about midway of its length a
spiral spring J which exerts a pressure upon the lever I by means of the chain F¹
to retract the draw-bar.
Another chain K secured to any convenient point upon the collar extends up
over a pulley journaled in proper hangers secured to the underside of the car body,
and is attached to a rod K¹, which in turn is attached to another chain K, which
last chain passes over another pulley under the platform of the car, thence up
through the platform, and up against the dasher of the car within convenient reach
of the driver.
By raising this chain K2 the collar and clutch lever are raised out of frictional
contact with the drum or sleeve, and the car is drawn along without any action of
the car starting apparatus.
This chain K2 may be secured when thus raised on any hook or convenient
device attached to the dasher.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and the mode in

page_text: which the same is carried into effect, I would have it understood that what
I claim is,-
First. In combination with the clutch lever and sleeve or arm the ball, sub-
stantially as set forth.
Second. In combination the drum or sleeve and the collar, each made in two
parts for convenient removal or application to a car axle, substantially as set
forth.
Third. In combination with the collar the packing or packing-plates described
for increasing or diminishing the size of the collar, substantially as set forth.
Fourth. In combination with the clutch lever and the drum or sleeve the chain
and rod connection with the draw-bar, substantially as set forth.
Fifth. In combination with the clutch lever and the drum or sleeve the chain
and rod connections by which the clutch lever is put in contact with the drum or
sleeve at the will of the driver, substantially as set forth.
Sixth. The combination with the clutch lever of the sliding draw-bar and
adjustable keeper, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Ninth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
D
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